Presentation on Map Reviews Nearby

Trader Vics Emeryville in Emeryville

4.4 (199) 9 Anchor Dr, Emeryville, CA 94608, United States

Categories

Bar
Polynesian restaurant
Fusion restaurant

Location on the map

Emeryville, Alameda County, California, US

Phone: +1 510-653-3400
Site: http://tradervicsemeryville.com/

Opening hours

Monday:Closed
Tuesday:Closed
Wednesday:12–9:30 PM
Thursday:12–9:30 PM
Friday:12–10 PM
Saturday:12–10 PM
Sunday:12–9:30 PM

Edit info

Total reviews rating 4.4

199 Reviews for Trader Vics Emeryville 2024:

Review №1

2023-11-01 14:19:37

Absolutely love Trader Vics! It is a magical experience every time. We had a special visit at our table from Chef Ponce who recommended several menu items that he prepares. We tried them all and were delighted with each of them. The iconic, tropical flair drinks were on point. I felt like a VIP with excellent service, personalized food recommendations, and a view of the marina. The one small drawback was the hostess, who was not very friendly or welcoming. But, other than that, we had a stellar experience!

Review №2

2023-09-07 03:34:46

This is the restaurant Ive been dreaming for all my life. Simple Polynesian menu, estensive drink menu with dozens of magical concoctions. Service was delightful, atmosphere was nice and clean, even the restrooms were spotless. We had a wonderful mushroom stir-fry (dont remember the exact name) and a Cubano sandwich with spices fries which were delicious. Finished with banana fritters, also delicious.

Review №3

2023-10-10 05:39:54

I believe I’ve been to Trader Vic’s at least 5 times now and it’s always potent and delicious no matter what you try!! The service is always quick and the views are great! This last visit we were graced by the rushing roar of the blue Angels practicing for fleet week, talk about a bonus! The staff has always gone above and beyond with getting me small souvenirs such as an extra swizzle stick or some out of circulation napkins. I attended the Mai tai day event in 2022 and it was great to see all the tiki enthusiasts dressed to the nines!

Review №4

2023-10-22 17:07:22

Trader Vics reputation is greatly known in the Tiki community, and it did not disappoint at all. The food was fanfriggintastic! Creative and incredibly flavorful, served beautifully, fun and easy to share. A lot is also vegetarian friendly. The drinks are unmatched, made by some of the best cocktail masters in the country! The atmosphere is pure island and the view of San Francisco outside of the windows is breathtaking. And because they knew it was me and my partners anniversary, they surprised us with a spectacular dessert after our meal! The staff was excellent and the entire experience was super fun and romantic. Highly recommend!!

Review №5

2023-09-29 05:14:56

I initially came here because Im obsessed with Trader Joes and learned that the idea of the store came from this restaurant. I had a lovely time from the drinks to the food to the place.From Wikipedia: Joe Coulombe developed the idea of the Trader Joes South Seas motif while on vacation in the Caribbean. The Tiki culture craze was still widespread in the United States in the 1960s, so in a direct nod to the fad, the Trader Joes name itself was a spoof on Trader Vics, the famous tiki-themed restaurant that had opened its first southern California location in the Beverly Hilton in 1955. Eating at Trader Vics in Beverly Hills was notoriously expensive, but the Trader Joes in Pasadena provided an irreverent and less expensive offering of food and drink.

Review №6

2023-12-04 06:28:51

The Thanksgiving Buffet was so fantastic again, Im so glad we came again this year. Being able to watch the sunset in the marina and see all the sparkling lights across the bay was the perfect ending to an awesome meal.

Review №7

2023-07-20 22:10:03

Beautiful tiki bar and restaurant. Almost nothing on the mainland besides maybe Bali Hai compares. Gorgeous decor, amazing crab Rangoon, stunning drinks. The private room in the back is gorgeous too and can be reserved for 10 people. All historic photos. Such an amazing place.

Review №8

2023-09-03 19:24:41

I dined at Trader Vics a few weeks back, and Im still dreaming about it! I really enjoyed the Original Mai Tai cocktail -- so good I had a couple. Cant go wrong with the drinks here. The variety of food options was impressive as well, especially the prawns, spring rolls, and the Beef and Reef. Come for the tiki cocktails, stay for the pan Asian inspired food. Service was ok, they were very busy but stopped by when needed. I will definitely be back here next time Im in the Bay Area

Review №9

2023-11-18 13:01:52

The hostess scolded us for bringing a child with us and said it when we entered and when she sat us down and said to hurry because they had people coming. I had made a reservation. But after she was gone, our waitress was great and attentive. My order was great. I had the lettuce wraps. My pal asked for no pineapple and had to return it. They were kind about it though. Great cocktails but mixed feelings on n the overall experience.

Review №10

2023-11-23 01:21:17

This long established restaurant never ceases to please my pallet. I attended an EBSPCA Donor Appreciation dinner and found the food, buffet style, was served hot, presented well and tasted delicious. Signature Mai Tais hit the spot and the bar was stocked with a wide range of beverage choices. Come, experience Trader Vics for yourself.

Review №11

2023-06-14 18:40:28

Been wanting to come here for years wow was defintly one of the highlights from my trip, what a great place I will 100% go back if im ever in the area. What an experience .

Review №12

2023-03-20 04:14:19

Best birthday ever 🥳 we really enjoy our time in this restaurant this is my first time visiting trader Vic’s in USA 🇺🇸 and it was awesome just like in Dubai and Oman Muscat.“ NOE “ he was our waiter for the night and he was outstanding just another level! Keep it like that, I am definitely coming back soon.

Review №13

2022-08-27 05:32:30

The ambiance and the views rate it 5-stars, the food we had only deserved 3.We were at a fixed menu party - the wonton soup set a decent bar, flavourful but only luke warm. I like my soups piping hot. The noodles served with the lambchops were — okay, the lambchops were good. I had the prawns which came with a base of risotto - good prawns, avoidable base.If you get their lecturn and audio system - run a test. The audio had so much feedback thet all speech was unintelligible.The mai-tai was excellent.Fortunately, I can get that view with better food at other Bay Area restaurants.

Review №14

2023-03-29 03:06:45

Wow, what can I say, I was blown away. The moment I stepped into this place, I knew I was in for a treat. Trader Vics is hands down one of the best tiki lounges around. The service is top-notch, and the tiki atmosphere is truly amazing. But what really sets this place apart is the breathtaking views of the bay - its absolutely stunning.My friends and I came to Trader Vics on a Friday evening just for light bites, drinks, and dessert. We started with the Cosmo Tidbits and Maui Waui Shrimp, both of which were unique and tasted great. But the real star of the show was the Tropical Tai Wave - a trio of different Mai Tais that were all absolutely amazing. Being that Trader Vic’s is the home of the original Mai Tai, this is a must try. We also tried the Polū Puffer and Vics Itch, which were equally delicious. And if youre looking for something non-alcoholic, the Pog Punch is just as impressive.To finish off our meal, we ordered the Banana Fritters and Haupia Cream Pie, and they were both decadent without being too sweet. The evening was definitely a splurge, but well worth it.Overall, Trader Vics is the perfect spot for a fun and unique night out. The service, atmosphere, and drinks are all amazing, and the views of the bay are just the cherry on top. If youre looking for a place to relax and enjoy some delicious drinks and bites, this is the place to be. Highly recommended!

Review №15

2023-07-22 03:12:28

Excellent service drinks and food are amazing .. you have to visit here

Review №16

2023-03-05 15:30:56

Very special place, with this huge wooden house, the terrific decoration, and the views over the Bay. The cocktail menu is just phenomenal, with so many options served in lovely tiki mugs. Good to great food too, with multiple meat and seafood combinations. Some desserts are terrific.

Review №17

2023-05-21 16:04:38

Its hit or miss, I ordered the trader Vics salad I asked to add shrimp but instead came out with chicken. My waiter said I asked for chicken when I know I didnt. She asked me to keep the salad and to put the chicken to the side. When the shrimp came I was almost done eating so I ordered some crab Rangoon that came out before my shrimp 🦐. The crab Rangoon we nice and hot. I also ordered a Sf Mai Tai which was the highlight of the meal it was perfect. The view here is nice and a nice area to relax afterwards by the marina.

Review №18

2023-02-19 23:27:59

I’ve been living in Berkeley for over 6 years and this was my 1st visit to the restaurant. The food, drinks, view, location, was truly a 5 star. I will return and would highly recommend to anyone looking for a gem near the ocean. The only issues we had began with the manager, a woman that stated they could only accommodate with one extra chair at our table understandably as our party went from 10 to 13. My sister was the 11th guest to show and the manager not only never brought the extra chair over that would have been for her, but advised my sister who had just drove 3 hours to get there, she could not join our table or order food. We found another chair on our own & later the owner had come by locating 2 more chairs allowing the 12th & 13th guest to finally dine with us. Also there were a couple times the manager had come by insisting we needed to order as our time would end at 7:30pm for another party, yet our waiter never initiated taking orders and it was assumed we were stalling. 7:26pm I advised our server we had to be gone and were still missing my mothers entrée and birthday desert. We were getting the heat for errors our server wasn’t completing. I think collectively there could have been better communication between the staff minus assumptions made, but overall the restaurant was accommodating once escalated up to the owner.

Review №19

2023-07-07 04:09:01

Stopped at my first Trader Vics going through the bay area. Food and service were great. We had a live animal show outside the window!

Review №20

2023-09-04 06:09:34

Food is not impressive. Usual flavors. Mediocre. There’s a some hype with their special grill, but no it’s not that special in the end result, the food on the table. Small portions. Left partially hungry but paid 60 dollars. Way to expensive. Recommend here for its view and atmosphere only. Lighting is poor at night. After all, there are better places with better views and much better food.

Review №21

2022-06-14 14:29:33

During a recent trip to San Francisco, my wife and I decided to stop by a local Tiki bar. We were surprised by the number of tiki bars in the area. After doing some research (yelping), we decided to go to Trader Vics because it was near the top of the list and close to our hotel.We arrived around 4 p.m. There was plenty of parking and the location was easy to find. The restaurant looked fantastic. The art, artifacts, and general execution of the Tiki theme was well executed. We were quickly seated and ordered our first drink and appetizers. The beverages were excellent and well-crafted. We had the painkiller and chichi. We quickly ordered our second drinks and were really feeling the vibe. Great ambiance and the scenic views outside the window was the cherry on top.I wanted to give Trader Vics 5 stars because it was my first time visiting a Tiki Bar. Everything about my experience was fantastic up to this point. Then, the wait staff switched and we were left waiting for service for about 30 minutes. That killed the experience. The manager eventually came out and realized how frustrated everyone was due to the lack of service and tried to fix things. I believe they discounted some of our drinks.I will for sure visit again and highly recommend.

Review №22

2022-10-04 15:51:02

My partner and I stopped by early Saturday afternoon and enjoyed a few Mai Tais on the deck while looking out at the bay. I would strongly recommend stopping by for a drink (two may be risky!) and their spicy fries!

Review №23

2023-11-05 20:09:02

The parking situation is weird. We got there at 7pm on Saturday. they have signs mentioning valet, but when asked about it, the hostess said “we don’t have valet”. The main lot was full, and we had to park on the street.But the food, service and ambiance were all top notch!

Review №24

2022-04-25 20:55:17

This place is a true gem and a must-visit for any lovers of Polynesian-themed restaurants. The staff was beyond friendly and served with enthusiasm. They delivered us many drink samples, making for a memorable night. If you like tiki bars and want a true original Mai Tai, you need to visit.

Review №25

2023-12-09 19:13:46

Enjoyed a very nice dinner with a signature cocktail. Everything was great. I definitely cleared my plate and ordered dessert

Review №26

2023-10-22 00:19:03

Our first visit to this legendary tiki themed restaurant (and bar) did not disappoint! The amazing bay views and tiki decor provide the perfect setting for the attentive service and delicious food and of course tiki cocktails. In addition to the historic maitai, there are yummy non-alcoholic alternatives. Our table had two stir fries and burgers. All were delicious. They have a kid menu but our little chowed down on the sweet potato fries and fruit garnishes. Did I say the service was great? Ill say it again. We had attentive and friendly servers. Cant wait to go back.

Review №27

2023-06-16 11:24:18

Great place, friendly staff. The food was amazing. My client had 2 Mai Tais lol

Review №28

2022-09-23 16:48:19

Ive been a Trader Vics customer since I was a child in the 1970s, and have always felt an almost mystical reverance for the food, decor and unique atmosphere. Today my spouse and I brought our oldest boy for his 8th birthday, and Trader Vics certainly did not dissappoint. Bar staff put together an amazing, colorful, kid-friendly beverage for him in a very cool tiki mug while we sat in the lounge waiting for our table. Once seated, our window view of the bay sunset was to die-for, and the food was simply impeccable (I ordered the crispy duck with moo shu pancakes, which knocked my socks off). Waitstaff were super friendly and attentive, wishing my son a happy birthday throughout the evening, and also surprising us with a very fancy frozen dessert. A very honorable mention goes out to the bar manager, who might be the sweetest, friendliest person weve yet to meet in the restaurant business. Prices were very reasonable for the five star food we received. We will definitely be bringing our whole family next time we visit!

Review №29

2022-05-15 05:29:26

Trader Vics is a must! This old school restaurant is a hidden gem in the bay area. Home of the Mai Tai they have an extensive cocktail list. The staff is friendly and attentive. The food is delicious. I highly recommend the beef appetizer and the burger, both of which have a delicious teriyaki sauce! The pineapple mai tai was my favorite, but you can taste a couple at a time with their mai tai tasters. They also have fun cups for their cocktail, you can order the punch and it comes in a boat! Always a good time at Trader Vics! Not to mention the view, its right on the water!

Review №30

2023-11-20 01:58:12

Theyre practically an institution that I hope survives another lifetime. enjoy...

Review №31

2023-10-15 03:19:36

Amazing appetizers. Amazing service from the staff, except the kitchen. The problem was that they sent out one entrée but left the other in the kitchen for about 15 to 20 minutes. When the rack of lamb finney came, it was lukewarm and slightly overcooked. To make it worse, it was so salty I almost couldnt eat it. I have this place for years. They really need to do something about their kitchen staff.

Review №32

2022-03-03 17:13:56

Honestly an amazing experience here at Trader Vic’s. The service was great, the atmosphere was over the top but fun, and the food and drinks were delicious! The Koana Puffer drink is a must, not too sweet and plenty strong. The salmon dish was incredible and crab rangoons were perfect. The scallops though perfectly cooked, was too small of a portion to consider a full meal. If you’re looking for dessert, the lava cake was a win. Overall, come here for the vibes but stay for the food and drinks. It’s a little cheesy but super high quality. 🌺🍹

Review №33

2021-08-27 19:34:09

1934 is a long time to curate artifacts and perfect rhe menu. The place is almost like a museum. This place has super friendly staff, great views, bar menu and a theme.. the meat smokers were impressive but down due to covid. The staffer told that typically has lots of meats hanging and smokin..we ordered spring rolls, crispy duck sandwich, singapore noodles, chi chi and guava tai. The drinks could take less ice. Seated outside next to the bar that was not cleaned for sometime. So taking a star out. Else a 5 star place and recommended for history and taste of Hawaii in the Bay area. Plenty of banquet opportunity for group events.

Review №34

2022-06-26 16:51:53

Always a classic. I’ve been going to this restaurant for years now after my Father introduced it to me and my family. Consistently good it’s worth the trip. Classic cocktails and food still deliver. Staff at most restaurants these days have suffered from the pandemic and it was apparent this evening. No matter the food, cocktails and atmosphere made up for it.

Review №35

2021-10-13 06:54:02

Went there for dinner and ended up having apps and desserts. So delicious. The spring rolls and the crab dip so good. Loved the crème brûlée. Didn’t like the chocolate in the bread pudding. WE will be back.

Review №36

2019-10-06 21:29:06

We got there really late and they were still super friendly and accommodating! I love that they have a separate menu for non alcoholic drinks! The food was tasty and the ambience was awesome. Nothing like an original Tiki place!

Review №37

2022-02-28 07:04:05

Nice venue. Food is OK but nothing special. The drinks were great, though. Hiking down the marina after eating was very nice.

Review №38

2023-07-22 00:56:28

The food and drinks are great, as is the atmosphere. A person suggested we walk the inside of the restaurant and we did and it was well worth it. Theyve really honored the Polynesian cultures imo. I would definitely return.

Review №39

2019-05-22 18:42:36

The view is brilliant! We ordered their entire set of Tai Mais but I loved the mango more than the others. The fish poke with rice crisps was good and the cha siu pork was perfectly charred and medium rare. Go in a bit group and youll enjoy even more. Service was prompt and attentive staff.

Review №40

2019-08-04 02:16:37

As a third generation Trader Vics patron, I can say that dining here is a special experience. The views of the marina and Berkeley hills, the delicious wood-fired oven meats, tropical Mai Tais, and authentic Polynesian artifacts all make this restaurant a classic bay area establishment like no other. Pricing is on the fancier side, and rest assured it is worth it. Their cuisine is amazing and service to match! Highly recommend!

Review №41

2022-03-24 14:21:44

This was my first time going there and the food was delicious! Your dinner is just enough to feel satisfied but taste soooo...good you want more. I had the scallops and my partner had the beef and reef. My mother had salmon with the Wasabi mash potatoes. We had cosmos tidbits as an appetizer. Everything was great!The photo is the scallop dinner it had a mushroom polenta puree. It was good! I cant wait to go back.It can get a bit pricey too many drinks🙂 but we we were satisfied all the way around.

Review №42

2019-11-29 00:00:33

Ive been coming to this restaurant for over 40 years and its still my all time favorite. Magnificent setting with spectacular bay views, outstanding food and drinks, but most of all, wonderful service by warm, friendly people who make you feel at home, and special. The Thanksgiving buffet is phenomenal!

Review №43

2022-09-15 12:50:31

What a Flashback! The last of the Cali locations has iconic drinks, decor and location. Definitely a must stop to any trip to the Bay Area!

Review №44

2017-06-19 19:40:02

Amazing cocktails. It has a Hawaiian theme so theyre special drinks are variations of mai tais. Even if mai tais arent your drink youll love them here. They have nice bar snacks. I usually sit in the bar area which is really nice and casual. I finally sat to eat dinner and it gets pretty fancy. If you go outside to the back deck you will get an amazing view of part of the bay!Update:Still Love it!! Such a beautiful restaurant. They have great dinner events and fancy buffets on special occasions. I most recently went with my mom for a Mothers day brunch. It was so delicious that it might have solidified this place as one of my favorite restaurants.

Review №45

2018-08-22 23:50:58

Was just what we were looking for. My husband has been all about wanting to go a tiki bar. We have been looking for a don the beach combers with no success but found this gem while visiting a friend. We had a great time, the service was great, the food was good, the drinks were epic and we got a window seat so the view was nice. We went for lunch and had a great time. They are I guess in kahoots with Don the beach combers, they had a drink that came from them and it was great.

Review №46

2020-02-12 20:01:30

Wow!! What an amazing place. Felt more like a history museum that just so happened to have a restaurant and bar as well. An amazing part of tiki history that has been in its current location since 1973. Trader Vic Bergeron (along with Don Beach) were the forefathers of what became the tiki movement in California. The drinks are very well made and the food served is delicious

Review №47

2018-10-28 14:08:03

Regarding my reviews on Google Maps. Since Google doesnt provide any kind of guidelines on the expectations of what a 5 star rating requires or means that makes it difficult person to person to decipher what good or great is. Let alone that one persons 3 star rating is anothers 5 star experience. That being said. I eat out a lot and at some pretty nice places. Ive recently decided to review each place I eat and add pictures. I will comment on the things that are important to me for a restaurant or other establishment to have a high rating.For me the following are important when rating a restaurant.1) Cleanliness overall including the bathrooms2) Service and staff behavior3) Food and beverage quality4) Prices (I do not put a lot of emphasis on price if all other aspects meet my expectations Im willing to pay)5) Atmosphere (this is obviously in the eye of the beholder)I hope this makes my reviews more helpful and meaningful to all users .I always wanted to go to a Trader Vics, mostly because its mentioned in the song Werewolves of London. There is one in London and I missed many opportunities to visit that one so I decided not to miss it in the Bay Area.The restaurant has a Polynesian theme. We went at lunch time. Its located next to a Marina in Emeryville. We had a great table overlooking the marina. I had to have a Mai Tai as the original of owner of Trader Vics invented the cocktail back in 1938. Our Lunch was great. The manager stopped by our table at our request and gave us a Trader Vics history lesson. If you go ask for the story its quite interesting. All aspects of the restaurant are very good. I bet its a fun place on the weekend when the marina crowd is there. BTW the bar in the picture is from the original 1938 location.

Review №48

2021-07-26 03:27:34

Trader Vics Emeryville is a classic in every possible sense of the word. One of the holy houses of tiki culture. Ive been going there since the 1970s when my Dad would take our family out to dinner there. Beautiful location right on the bay with amazing views and the interior decor is pure tiki with interesting artifacts hidden around the rooms. The menu is eclectic with everything from Asian favorites, to curries, to traditional steak and seafood fare. My personal favorite is the 5 spice duck prepared tableside, moist and flavorful. The drink menu is filled with tiki classics and new creations. You cant go wrong with a classic Trader Vics Mai Tai or a Navy Grog! Desserts are always good here and you can pair them with a Coffee Grog prepared tableside, pouring flaming liquid between two mugs...it is quite the show! Keep you eyes open for special events here too...their cocktail classes are a real treat with cocktails, appetizers, and professional cocktail preparation training!

Review №49

2023-09-01 02:22:45

We absolutely loved this place. ❤️ Very laid back, relaxing, great food and drinks. Definitely a must see and experience. Original location of where the Mai Tai was created.

Review №50

2023-08-13 19:04:32

Trader Vic invented the Mai Tai. This reason alone warrants a visit! I dont drink often, but the fact that this is the restaurant that created the Mai Tai and they have great food, i say throw this place on your bucket list!Great atmosphere, great staff, great drinks, and great food!EXPENSIVE!!! But worth at least 1 visit!

Review №51

2018-06-03 02:17:43

Incredible and iconic Polynesian style, restaurant and cocktail bar.They are the owners of the original Mai Tai recipe.Really cool atmosphere beside to the see.Its strongly recommend to reserve before, however you can also find a table without reservation sometimes.

Review №52

2023-01-30 21:12:57

Trader Vics is still a lot of fun, with good food and a great view.

Review №53

2023-06-20 19:33:17

Beautiful location for a restaurant! The bay views are amazing and makes the whole experience that much better. The food is very flavorful and the sake goes for their drinks and desserts. I highly recommend this place!

Review №54

2023-07-03 22:24:12

The food and drinks are quality. Great atmosphere to spend time with friends and family. Veggie fried rice was a little dry but the stir fry was nice.

Review №55

2018-11-19 12:53:23

The food was exceptionally tasty as well as the drinks. We went on a Sunday evening and it was definitely crowded. Our server initially took longer than expected just to get our drinks, but after that, he was fairly attentive. I ordered the Mai Tai wave (a flight of guava, passion fruit, and the original flavored Mai Tais) and the seafood parillada for dinner! Its priced moderately to somewhat expensive, but worth the money!

Review №56

2023-06-21 03:35:12

Some guy was staring at me. He seemed a little frightened. At least my hair was perfect.

Review №57

2023-08-10 05:24:43

Excellent drinks. Great food. Staff was attentive but not intrusive. Went on a Wednesday- no valet.

Review №58

2018-08-15 17:50:35

Love this place!! Food is good. Service was great and they have an awesome drink menu. Went with a small group then came back with the full crew. Everyone enjoyed it.

Review №59

2021-04-06 20:34:44

So happy they reopened! You cannot beat their water views, and the cocktails are always delicious.

Review №60

2017-01-26 17:13:39

Great fun starts with their 4 page cocktail menu, which includes typical, strong and stronger! Lol and huge Fish bowls! The food was really good and the ambiance is spectacular! Only draw back is its pricey! But great for a special outing!

Review №61

2022-02-27 05:07:01

A Bay Area icon that is still going strong for all the right reasons. The food was excellent and the drinks are even better.

Review №62

2023-05-16 20:55:37

Wonderful private dining experience! I hosted a speaking event with 25 physicians. Aaron Luna, the manager and event coordinator, did a fantastic job helping me put it together. The food was delicious. Everyone loved the signature Mai Tais. The private room was quiet, spacious and beautiful. The service staff so professional and friendly. This is my 5th event at this venue and I will return next year to book another.

Review №63

2021-12-12 19:10:46

There was a time when this was the place to celebrate a special occasion or impress a client or take your date to a fancy place. Well, it has certainly lost its luster. A busted up bathroom stall door was taped up rather than removed for repair. A hand written sign pointed to the obvious soap dispenser. I did not feel like I was transported to a fanciful, far-away island. It felt more like a Trader Joes than the Trader Vics of years ago.The pork chop was excellent, though my wife said her Beef & Reef was just ok. The drinks were good and our busy server was great.

Review №64

2017-09-09 11:15:57

It was great I really like the theme and the food. Although I just the chowmein and the chocolate cake kinda with coffee which was very strong.

Review №65

2022-01-04 08:07:08

A delicious dining experience! Would recommend the cosmo bits to start, as well as the maui waui shrimp. The all-in fried rice is a delicious entree, same with the steaks! Service and ambience are also great! Perfect for date night!!

Review №66

2022-05-29 20:08:51

Great atmosphere, delicious food and nice strong drinks. Beautiful view too

Review №67

2023-06-14 19:39:53

A fun tiki bar overlooking the marina at Emeryville. The staff are lovely and well, the all-day happy hour on Thursdays cant be beat! $10 mai tais on Thursdays - yes please!

Review №68

2016-06-27 03:28:23

A classic. Feels a little bit like a time capsule in a good way. Valet parking is such an east bay luxury. The drinks are super good and well balanced. The food is solid and the overall vibe of the bar is fun and upbeat.

Review №69

2021-04-12 01:32:58

Came here for my birthday, April 10th. Never been here before. This place was amazing Claudia our server was so helpful and full of information about the foods and drinks. My only issue was the hostess. She was rude, she would make comments under her breath about my friend and I when we asked a question. Like I said we have never been there before so we didnt know about some of the rule since they werent told to us or posted in regards to buying mugs and stuff. Wanted to buy some mugs and syrups but because she was upset with us we decided just buy 3 cups (but not the syrups), and to leave as quickly as possible. Kind of bummed about it because it was a pretty good day up until then, but Im not faulting Claudia or the restaurant for that.

Review №70

2022-04-29 02:19:53

Atmosphere and service was great.Limited menu and wine by the glass selections.

Review №71

2018-11-11 15:07:11

This place is fantastic! The tiki themed decor is remarkable, and my server exceeded my expectations in terms of service. The drinks are delicious and some of them are quite strong! The food is also delicious; I got the bbq vegetables & tofu, because I wanted something light due to having a heavy lunch, and it really hit the spot. I decided to go for dessert, and was pretty surprised when they lit it on fire at the table! Overall, my experience at Trader Vics was one of the best restaurant experiences Ive had.

Review №72

2021-07-18 06:57:11

Great drinks and good food. Atmosphere is outstanding!!!! Beautiful views

Review №73

2023-09-08 16:33:52

Amazing place, delicious food, incredible drinks and great service.I definitely will come again!

Review №74

2018-05-20 08:19:36

I came here to enjoy a birthday dinner thinking Id get to have a couple bar bites. I ended up sitting right next to the huge window with a distractingly beautiful view, thanks to a quick reservation the night before. The blackened cod over forbidden rice was to DIE for. The drink was amazing as well, I ordered some sort of mango rum drink which was incredibly refreshing. I hope to go back soon!

Review №75

2020-06-07 00:42:19

I had a chance to work in that amazing place with the best people hello hifor several months, I only can be thankful, hope it will be back to business pretty soon

Review №76

2019-04-18 13:47:35

Saturday is super packed here. They have live music to dance to. We ordered few drinks and none of them tasted like how they are supposed to. Tip: dont come here on weekends

Review №77

2019-06-26 03:12:29

Really I need say more!! ItsGreat!! And tiki bars and restaurants are back! But this is the best of the best. We are going back on my birthday by boat! That will be fun . Great drinks and great food

Review №78

2019-09-19 04:46:27

Outstanding food and my favorite cocktails. Prices at the original trader Vics are significantly higher then others, but the quality does not disappoint. The wood fired grill here is amazing.

Review №79

2022-08-15 00:02:47

Love this place. Great drinks. Great food. Great atmosphere.

Review №80

2017-11-15 02:28:19

Long wait even with reservations. Food was good though. Initially wanted to try their luau but that has an hour wait.. who has time to wait for that?

Review №81

2023-11-01 20:06:50

Was here with Family, had a very enjoyable time.Food was so good, loved the Resturant.

Review №82

2023-04-09 15:49:36

OMG 😲 so many specialty drinks. I always get different drinks every time I come to this place.

Review №83

2021-07-08 01:38:03

Pretty much just good Mai Thais. The $26 dollar appetizer is a rip off. The ribs where cold and fatty. Nothing special here. Service was terrible as well. I get covid this covid that but shouldn’t stop anyone from making good food and keeping good service. Won’t be back

Review №84

2023-07-17 22:25:01

Really fun place. Fun mugs for tiki drinks, and every dish was excellent. Ill come back.

Review №85

2022-12-13 06:54:01

I love this place. If I had my own plane, we’d go there once a month.

Review №86

2023-03-06 23:56:20

The heater in the restaurant was out, so the dining area was cold. Guests and myself eating with coats on. The bar service was very slow and the food wasnt much faster. The place was dusty and run down. Im wondering how long this place will stay open. Looks like end times😔It was not worth the price at all! This use to be a happening nice place. Times have changed.

Review №87

2020-03-30 04:48:40

Im actually trying to find out if anyone at TVE recognizes this piece of native island art? I was given it after a friend passed away. I was told it came from Trader Vics. Figured more likely to be Emeryville having the Polynesian theme. Im thinking from 80s or earlier.

Review №88

2022-03-17 03:16:59

The absolutely BEST TIKI BAR EVER!!! Everyntiki collector this is a must !!

Review №89

2022-12-29 17:24:02

I went here expecting to feel like I overpaid for a silly, tacky experience, but I was extremely surprised at how good everything was. The food was good, and portions were large, which made me feel like I got my moneys worth. The drink selection was large and everything my table had was delicious. The view was gorgeous. Service was excellent. If youre on the fence about going or wondering whether its worth your money, I whole heartedly suggest going.

Review №90

2023-04-18 17:13:22

Lets start with the positive of this review first. It was me and my husbands first time going and really liked the vibe. It felt like we were in Hawaii, we came with another couple and really enjoyed the drinks. Saturday April 15th 2023 the restaurant was not packed although we had reservations for 5:45pm . It was a very rustic feel and almost reminded me and my husband of the restaurant Rainforest café a little.Heres why we wont be coming back. I found a long piece of hair in my rice Hawaiian rice dish, which I reported and they took the rice off the bill. My husband failed to mention to the waitress that he too had a small hair on the side of his plate but no in the food, in which he ordered the ribeye steak and whipped mashed potatoes dish. Again, I wasnt in the food but on the side of the plate.Me and hubby and friends decided when the bill came to just split our bill down the middle gave the waitress 2 credit cards. We then left the waitress about a $67 tip of cash on the table.Our original charges of $ 167.00 were pending on our credit card statement and just posted today 04/18/ 2023 Tuesday, in which you all charged us an additional $50 dollars.. so my signed bill for $ 167.00 jumped to $222.00 BIF DIFFRENCE!!!Tried calling on Tuesday once my charges posted and the answering machine doesnt allow you to leave a voice mail. Trust me I will be calling back on Wedsday to speak with a manager.

Review №91

2023-01-30 15:46:34

This place has gone downhill with service since the first time i’ve dined here 15 yrs ago. This has became my favorite dining/drinking place, even had my wedding reception here. Food still good, but could use new dishes. If you’re coming here for the drinks, then you’re in for a treat as they make the beat islander cocktails!However, the staff need to brush up on courtesy and attitude. The servers are a bit rude and seemed like they are unhappy with their jobs. The only server that was always nice and attentive when I go there was the older Latina lady(sry forgot her name). This place is currently going under renovations— which is good as it was starting to look ghetto. Hopefully they renovate or replace the servers as well. Looking for ward to its improvement.

Review №92

2018-11-02 17:50:16

This place was amazing. The service was great. Out table had the rack of lamb and a steak from the Chinese ovens. The Mia Tia are incredible.The view at Sunset is beautiful.

Review №93

2019-10-27 21:35:02

My friends celebrating their recent wedding held their reception at Vic’s and we had a wonderful time. Food was good and the service was excellent.

Review №94

2023-03-29 05:43:00

We booked a room for a 60th birthday, at 4pm, the entire restaurant and rooms were 50 degrees, so we had to eat wearing HUGE WINTER JACKETS and never able feel the tiki vibes.Never once did the manager Aaron let me know my party of 32 was far too many people for the room I booked.The was food was 3 star good, but it was $110pp and inexcusably freezing. I’ve warned you.

Review №95

2021-07-05 21:36:41

A true classic...fun tiki drinks and tiki island vibe...ribs are awesome!

Review №96

2023-10-04 18:49:35

Delicious cocktails. Great food. Welcoming customer service.

Review №97

2023-03-01 18:42:33

God I hate going here, but for one reason or another Im at this place once a year for special occasions. Its so expensive, and the vibe is like corny adult Disneyland. The best i can liken it to is the Rainforest Cafe, except with more kitschy cultural appropriation.Pros• The food is pretty good• They have vegan/vegetarian options• The view of the marina is really lovelyCons• Its overpriced.• The portions are small.• The drinks are gross.• Theres a surprise admin fee on every bill.• The ambience is big colonizer-nostalgia energy. Ahh, If only we could harken back to a time when we took other peoples religious symbols put barcardi in them!TL;DR its the kind of place you take your old white grandparents whose deteriorated sense of taste is best suited for bombastic beverages and tacky, culturally insensitive swag.

Review №98

2023-03-19 05:05:19

We have gone here for our anniversary for over 20 years. They are very friendly and the service is great. We love the menu and the cocktails are great and fun. We love Trader Vics.

Review №99

2017-06-25 16:01:07

Pretty great for special occasions. The service was amazing and it was pretty cool for the tiki theme. The views of the emeryville marina during sunset were also great. I got the Trader Vics Mai Tai and that was good too, I do admit it was a little sweet for my taste. The 1944 Mai Tai was excellent. If you go there for nothing else, at least grab yourself a 1944 Mai Tai and enjoy the views.

Review №100

2023-04-15 02:42:03

I went here for their Easter Brunch. The food and service was low quality. For example, ham-very dry, prime rib-very low quality meat and chewy, salad-OK, shrimp - good, fruit-OK, I was very unimpressed and will never go back again.

Review №101

2022-11-22 05:03:42

One of our all-time favorite venues to celebrate a special occasion! Excellent food, menu, tropical drinks,🍹 gorgeous views at all times of day or night, gracious, professional service, festive atmosphere. Expensive, but well worth it for the quality and great celebration experience! 🌟🎉

Review №102

2023-04-06 01:22:52

Only went there for the drinks and the hors doeuvres. But I have to say it was actually very good stuff. Hard to pick from the rather sizable drink menu. Definitely the kind of place you go for social occasion not for the great food per se.

Review №103

2023-01-07 12:50:05

The food was not so good it was more like a Chinese take out type of food but Polynesian style. The service was okay. However it took some time for your order to come out, but the atmosphere made up for it. So if this restuarant could step up up in the food and service I think it would be okay

Review №104

2019-08-14 00:07:22

Had my birthday on Saturday Aug 10, and everything was good until someone in the back served my birthday cake to a different party. But Sherry(sorry if that’s not correct spelling) apologized for the mishap and made our meal free of charge with desserts of our choosing. She was very understanding and made me feel appreciated. It wasn’t a bad night and mistakes happen lol.

Review №105

2023-10-23 22:51:33

This is a great place for the ambience and the range of tiki drinks! The food can be hit it miss depending on what you get. But the price is what will really rock you. For a nice night out it was roughly $100 per person.

Review №106

2022-08-08 12:22:07

Food was cooked perfect and drinks were unlike anywhere else Ive been. The service was friendly and everyone in my party front kids to adults enjoyed everything they ordered. Its not where you want to go for a quick bite as the wood fired entrees take 40+ minutes to prepare.

Review №107

2022-07-21 03:56:57

The food was mediocre at best over priced drinks and food. Soda was canned didnt disclose that and its $4 a can! I get the ambiance the design is awesome and the way they cook the meat is cool. Ive ate at places where Ive paid more and didnt mind it, but the bill didnt match the service and food. To top it off the restaurant has the guest pay into the employees benefits its called the admin fee it $6.10 added to our bill which Ive never encountered before.

Review №108

2019-04-24 21:02:38

The original Trader Vic’s! Delicious food and home of the original Mai-Tai, it did not disappoint! You can even ask for a tour and they will walk you around and highlight all the artifacts and history in the restaurant. Awesome place, and great service.

Review №109

2019-09-02 02:22:33

Wonderful drinks. Delicious fries. Really nothing else you need in this life besides those 2 things.

Review №110

2022-07-10 23:25:41

The food was quite delicious. The reunion is held here every year for the Deal Cousins in honor of Richard Deal, their father.The won ton soup appetizer I had was so big and filling I couldnt eat my main meal and had to get a doggie bag. Wonderful later!!🌴🍊🐊

Review №111

2022-08-04 04:37:36

First time here.Service... Customer service was good. Our Server was patient and answered all of our questions.Food... The ribs were tender, but couldve used a little more seasoning. We ordered two orders of the All-in rice. It had no flavor. We had to add soy sauce for flavor. My steak was tuff and flavorless. The most flavorful thing on my plate was the crispy fried spinach.

Review №112

2017-09-09 05:44:35

Really good but not that much food choices, has a wonderful view and super Friendly staffs

Review №113

2022-07-26 00:29:03

We had a wonderful time! Such great atmosphere and the food was amazing! It is such a cool Hawaiian/Tiki vibe. We arrived early, but were seated immediately. Our table had a view of the Marina and the East Bay. The staff were very welcoming and attentive. We took our time and had drinks, then appetizers, and a casual dinner. It was so nice to not feel rushed. The drinks are so good, and there are so many, its hard to choose. I had the Mai Tai Wave and the Passion Mai Tai. I loved them all, but Ive never met a Mai Tai I didnt like, these were no exception. My hubby had the Vodka Tai which was also really good! The appetizers were all wonderful, we had the Cosmo Tidbits, Crispy Prawns, and Beef Cho Cho. Everything was so good, we didnt have a speck left! For dinner there were 2 tenderloins, 1 striploin, and I had the scallops. The steaks were exceptional, we all thought that they were the best steaks were could remember having! The scallops were also delicious, I could actually taste them, they werent doused in sauce like some other places Ive been. Dessert was also SO GOOD! We had the Mai Tai Creme Brulee, the Rum Ice Cream Affogato, with an espresso shot, and some ice cream with coconut and chocolate sauce for the birthday boy. All in all it was a wonderful meal and experience. We were all planning our next trip there before we even left the table. Its a great place for special occasions. I cant wait to go back and try the lamb!

Review №114

2023-08-11 15:02:37

Food to be honest is average. Its the atmosphere that makes the difference and you pay the price.

Review №115

2022-02-17 03:01:35

Great food, lamb chops and pork chop are excellent and plenty of Mai Tais to choose from.

Review №116

2021-07-10 16:14:33

Nice place near the water,amazing place to drink and good food specially from hawaii

Review №117

2023-08-27 17:23:45

Really excellent quality fish and meat, great service, lovely views

Review №118

2022-08-07 21:32:54

I would rate this higher if I could. When I first walked inside the restaurant, the authentic Polynesian decor was beautiful along with the view of the Emeryville Marina. The staff were very kind and served the food almost immediately after we ordered. The food was excellent, too, and the desserts were very extravagant but still easy to eat.

Review №119

2018-12-12 04:50:07

Delicious drinks! Food is ok... Not great.

Review №120

2023-08-11 05:16:41

Expensive but fun! Food is pretty good, drinks are great.

Review №121

2022-12-10 04:20:00

We walk in and nobody came to us or said anything to us, then a lady came and asked if anyone has come and talk to you we said no she came back again and asked a few minutes later we said no, then finally someone comes out and says go ahead and sit at a two chair table, took a little bit for the waitress to come over to us, and it was freezing in there, we asked if the heat was on we were told the heater is broke . First time experience not so good. Maybe we’ll go there during the spring/summer time.

Review №122

2021-08-02 19:50:25

I have wanted to go here forever! Drinks were super yummy. Loved the Mai Tai and the pasta straw is a good idea! Service was a bit on the slow side but we didn’t mind one bit. We didn’t have reservations so we’re seated in the bar area. I definitely recommend reservation. Gorgeous views from all the windows! My companion and I both had the chicken and it was excellent. Will go back for sure if I’m ever out that way again!

Review №123

2021-08-01 05:22:03

Receptionist was very accommodating given that our reservation on Open Table was off by a day. We had added two to our party and hadnt realized that Open Table moved the day as well. Not a good feature on the app.It was a little surprising to get our appetizers before our drinks but service was prompt even if our waiter had some language issues.Cocktails are a little pricey - 5 for $66 but one is paying for the location which has delightful views over the Marina and San Francisco Bay. The ladies enjoyed their tuna poke bowls but my crab melt left much to be desired and I wouldnt order again. It was a pleasant experience, just not one that would come top of mind again when planning a nice dinner with a 60 mile drive from home.

Review №124

2019-10-17 15:53:13

Love the drinks and apps. View and atmosphere are awesome.

Review №125

2023-03-29 04:31:08

Trader Vics is an institution. My family has been coming here since well before I was born and now it is a favorite date spot for my fiance and I. You have to try the smoked vegetables, theyre a very slept on banger on the menu. Also get a scorpion bowl and drink it before the fire goes out or 5 years bad luck. My favorite drink is a painkiller, shaken instead of blended with an overproof rum floater. Thank me later

Review №126

2023-03-18 22:59:22

H host very poor or priorities, forgetful wait staff, food like overpriced bar food, rack of lamb absolutely too tough to chew! Ambience remains the only shining star. Sad

Review №127

2022-10-02 23:43:51

What a fun themed place! We came for drinks and appetizers (too late for lunch and too early for dinner) and it was so great. Delish appetizers, we had the poke, crab rangoons, Maui shrimp, tropical wave sampler, guava tai and the Maui tai. SO good! Great vibe and happy staff. Would love to come back to try their entrees! Must try with a larger group as well.

Review №128

2019-02-27 05:27:40

Enjoyed the entire experience. Food, drinks, the decor and the people made for a great night. I enjoyed the 9 spice chicken. It was fantastic.

Review №129

2022-12-03 15:42:46

This place is a treasure! Trader Vic’s is a great escape from the world and into a themed environment unlike any other. Food is good and drinks are shocking — go for the classic Mai Tai!

Review №130

2023-01-09 07:09:37

Great alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The food was delicious 😋! Staff was friendly and attentive. Great view of the bay and some really nice boats.

Review №131

2019-11-11 03:58:08

We went there for drinks and the view is awesome too.

Review №132

2018-12-22 03:39:25

Great food nice ambiance, private with free Valet parking which I didnt really like that it wasnt optional bc I dont really like strangers in my car, you can park outside but its a far walk from the resteraunt

Review №133

2021-11-17 18:40:30

Fun place for a tropical drink. Parking is tough because this place is popular. Beautiful bay views during the day.

Review №134

2023-01-17 06:47:37

Drinks were excellent and service was attentive. Food was sub-par. The seafood options were all extremely fishy tasting indicating they were probably not very fresh.

Review №135

2022-12-18 05:37:00

Paid $122 for a meal (for two) that was worth $60 at best. The portions were small and the drink was weak. They added an administrative fee without any warning. Would not repeat.

Review №136

2022-08-29 01:36:17

Fantastic staff and event crew. My only wish would be self serve water stations for MaiTai day!

Review №137

2021-08-20 17:51:27

I really like this place. Food was delicious. I went around 6:30pm on a Thursday. It wasnt that busy. Wait time was okay. They have a variety of drinks. I ordered a Chi Chi & I liked it. The Team is very polite, they check on you constantly in a very respectful manner.

Review №138

2021-08-12 18:02:44

Came here for a work event. The banquet room was nice - it was pretty dark though, almost felt like a date night instead of a work event - and I loved how they served their food individually portioned, buffet style. The food was just okay, I really liked the poke tuna appetizer and one of the desserts but the main courses: salmon, salad, pork, just okay - the food was just covered in a lot of sauce…I don’t think I’ll be coming back again with my husband, but for work, it was fine.

Review №139

2021-09-06 03:24:15

A really good restaurant overlooking the marina. Make sure you get a table overlooking the water where the view is fantastic. The decor is very pleasing and the staff are fantastic. Everything we sampled was excellent except the creme prouliet which was just ok. This is one of the less common places in USA where you can order a 3 course meal without guilt as the portions are just right. The prices are very reasonable especially considering the view and service.Would come again and recommend to friends

Review №140

2022-07-01 16:59:43

Love this place. Cozy, well designed, great food and service. Also outrageously expensive. Two hours later the bill for two of us was $400!!! So watch what you order but enjoy the ambience etc.

Review №141

2022-10-01 22:00:45

Food was good, but the service was very slow . It was very hard to get the waitress attention. I was there to drink and I couldnt even get the drinks flowing.You would think they would have more attentive service. The matais arent that great also, they taste premade.

Review №142

2023-08-11 19:44:11

We loved everything about our visit here and plan to become regulars :)

Review №143

2022-08-10 21:09:07

Its unfathomable how we have not been here before today. We came just for drinks after a heavy lunch. The drinks were yummy and strong. I had the eville awa and the husband had painkiller. We also tried the house made peanut butter and crackers. Already planning on the next visit.

Review №144

2019-05-13 01:25:50

Great service, the staff is fantastic, friendly and helpful. The cocktails are amazing and well done, with very diverse styles. Unfortunately, the food was not that great. We ate buffet style and some of the food was too cooked, salads started to go slightly stale although the seafood bar remained fresh. Overall experience was pleasant.

Review №145

2021-10-25 00:55:56

Food, drinks, service, ambiance.. friggin amazing!! First visit, celebrating a Birthday!

Review №146

2021-08-14 16:47:36

Simply amazing! We went for the first time last night and had an awesome time. Food was outstanding (pork stir fry dish was our table’s favorite,) drinks were great and the service was top notch. The decor also adds a unique charm and vibe! Thank you all for your hard work!

Review №147

2023-11-23 00:21:17

Great good and even better cocktails

Review №148

2021-03-29 02:07:15

I love Trader Vics, and have been coming here for years. Excellent drinks: a wide variety of classic & unique drinks, which you can now order for take away. Great food thats much better than standard pub-grub.Im looking forward to once again sitting down in the comfortable & relaxed bar area that never gets too loud and has beautiful sunsets.

Review №149

2023-02-02 23:54:02

I cant wait to go back.We always start with Trader Vic’s original pupu platter.The food, the atmosphere and the service is impeccable!

Review №150

2021-09-26 00:33:18

This place will always hold a special place in my heart as this was the place where we got in engaged. The food is usually good and the service is decent as far as time management. I was disappointed when they took the Crispy Spinach Bites off the Menu and changed a few other items. I love the Crackers and Peanut Butter before food and I usually order the Ribeye Dinner when they’re not trying to take it off the Menu. The TidBits are good such as the Veggie Spring Rolls, Fried Rice and Beef Bites. A little salty on the fries as most places typically are but overall a good place for steaks and date night.

Review №151

2019-11-22 22:08:37

Exceeded all expectations, which were high to begin with. The location, atmosphere, service, food and drinks were spectacular. The restaurant is located on a pier so you have a lookout of all the boats docked. They have the original windows and Chinese ovens from the original Oakland location, a lot of the original art as well. Bartender was in great spirits and led great conversations. Drinks were so great it took me an hour to finish because I didnt want them to end. Will definitely be back anytime Im in The Bay.

Review №152

2018-06-14 15:43:43

Fun atmosphere, good drinks. Our server was pleasant. A touch on the expensive side for what it is.

Review №153

2023-05-10 23:35:56

As usual, the homeland of Mai Thai doesn’t stop surprising.

Review №154

2021-09-30 04:34:12

Not receptive of large groups or team builds. They turned away a party of 14 and canceled the reservations.. we were in our own bubble I guess lol. Good selection of drinks and seafood. I cant wait to return for a more intimate dinner with an ocean sunset view

Review №155

2016-12-08 23:59:53

Intimate, nostalgic setting. Decent Polynesian fare. Original Mai Tais.

Review №156

2021-07-03 00:39:41

We celebrated out 33 anniversary with our best friends. The date was 6/25/21 is when earlier in the day (9AM)made reservations on line. I got a message (on line) someone would be contacting me to firm up our reservations. I then received a message they called me and no answer but they would keep trying to contact me. No one called me as my phone had no record of anyone trying to call me. So at noon that day I called and called and finally a lady answered I asked her to check my reservation, she put me on hold and never came back. This was a surprise for my wife with limo. reserved so needless to say I was extremely frustrated. I called at least 5 times when a very nice young lady answered. I asked her to check our reservations and she said she did not have any record of any reservations but she did make reservations finally. What a terrible way to treat a long time customer. The food was outstanding as always./

Review №157

2021-09-04 04:28:08

Food here was okay. Service was good though and the ambiance was nice. Cool setting inside and on the waterfront. As far as seafood and steak goes it was wasn’t good and it wasn’t bad. Hence the 3 stars. Had fun. Probably won’t be back. Cheers

Review №158

2019-07-15 23:54:48

Beautiful view over the SF and the bay. I feel its worth visiting just for it. The whole atmosphere created by a marina and watching the sun set over the Bay waters was really pleasant. The decoration is cool and in line with the theme. The service was ok and the food was also ok. Overpriced in my opinion but I guess youre paying for a lot more than just the food. I had salmon, which was good but my friends were not so impressed with their shrimp noodles dish. The drinks are good but small for the genre. The only down side to me is the restrooms that were not well kept. Still, a good experience and I will probably return for another sunset drinks experience.

Review №159

2021-09-07 22:28:47

Enjoyed our meal at Trader Vics. Professional and friendly staff. Food taste, presentation and portion size was excellent. Very nice seating area overlooking the Marina. We tried salads, spring rolls, Naui Waui shrimp all excellent appetizers and the mains were excellent as well. I would return for another experience. I even tried the non alcoholic Pina Colada and it was just right. Only disappointment was the creme brulee, not up to par at all.

Review №160

2021-06-09 01:14:55

Beautiful view, stir fry vegetables were really fresh and perfectly cooked, fun fun drinks. Ask for suggestions for drinks from your server. I am a lightweight while my husband can pound a few, so she made a good recommendation for me that kept me vertical for the evening.

Review №161

2022-06-27 03:03:13

Great food and drinks. Fun atmosphere. But what’s up with the surprise at the end—an “admin fee” added to your bill. With no explanation.Kind of spoils it all on you way out.

Review №162

2023-10-16 04:01:55

Sure has changed a lot over the years. It took damn near to get 2 appetizers

Review №163

2021-09-06 06:19:21

Pushing masks again for people who have issues wearing one is not acceptable first. The hostess was lacking customer service skills. The rice bowl I had was drenched in so much salad dressing and the tofu was fried twice and eating it was like chewing in a microwed sugar cube. I will not be returning. The fries where super salty and I just think that this place really doesnt care anymore. Sad 😢 because it was the closest option for us but now Im willing to travel for peace customer service and better food.

Review №164

2023-10-01 23:20:50

Everything up to expectations. We need more locations, how about Las Vegas?

Review №165

2022-09-02 05:41:14

A classic tiki staple. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The Guava Mai Tai and Passion Cocktail whisk me away to the South Pacific with their flavors.

Review №166

2019-11-13 04:00:25

This could be the 3rd drink talking, but this is amazing. The food was top-notch, friendly staff that was there when you needed them and gone when they should be. Drinks were amazing, starters were the right size for the price, dinner was great and desert filled us to the limit. Worked in Emeryville for 5 years and never stopped by. I failed by not coming here sooner, but given it was an anniversary dinner... My wife and I loved the whole night.I love you Parker and thank you for being the best part of my crazy life.

Review №167

2017-04-26 02:14:39

I am away from my home in Honolulu and I loved it! The food reminded me of home. Huge portions too.I had the fried rice and it was loaded with good flavors and char siu. It was so ono! That means good♡My friend had the won ton soup. She loved it. It was served in this gorgeous bowl.I had an ice tea with a pineapple in it which was super cool!The decor is Perfect!They have valet.They have a good bar with wonderful mugs.The staff was super friendly.We didnt like the charge per coke bottle which was unusual but the server was awesome to let us know.Good job!Definitely would go back!

Review №168

2023-06-05 03:35:23

Food is excellent and the portions are really good. Highly recommended.

Review №169

2018-12-03 21:11:45

So much fun! Met up with my old childhood friend for a night of catching up. Neither of us had been there and we told them that at the door. Although the place was packed the crew there went above and beyond to make sure we had a fantastic time. I was stunned at how friendly and accommodating they were, service was great, the drinks were outstanding, the food was creative and delicious. We danced to the funky bar band with a bunch of folks in the lounge till they shut it down. No drama, no attitude, just a great time. I highly recommend this place and will be back!

Review №170

2022-11-27 19:55:22

THINK TWICE before reserving a banquet room at Trader Vics in Emeryville. Our professional luncheon group of 35 did so recently, signing a contract in advance and making a $250 deposit for a package that included a podium with microphone for our guest speaker. When we arrived at the restaurant, however, neither the podium nor the mic were available. In addition, there was NO HEAT in the chilly restaurant, but there was a NOISY KITCHEN adjacent to our room, clanking away throughout our luncheon. Finally, the PARKING LOT WAS FULL, so guests had to find street parking a few blocks away. A VERY UNPROFESSIONAL and disappointing experience. Beware!

Review №171

2019-05-16 04:53:14

Pros: Good service. Such a nice soft spoken young lady that waited on us. Deidra is super nice. Food was good...we had shrimp fried rice with crispy prawns. You get 6 prawns for 19 bucks and 21 bucks for fried rice. Yes its costly but tasty.Cons: the drinks are so full of ice. Save yourself some money consider a beer. The beer is much cheaper. Bartender was accommodating by making another cocktail. But ice is standard here they say. But I say Really you guys have to take some of the ice out. Would eat here again.

Review №172

2021-05-15 03:30:04

Good service. Tasty pupu platter. Too much ice in mai tai. Chilly inside. Authentic atmosphere.

Review №173

2018-09-09 17:55:38

Attended a party in the outrigger room, which has an outside patio and bar. The wait staff is friendly and attentive. The setting is beautiful with nice views of the bay. The passed appertizers were very nice. A house type salad was excellent. The meal was served family style and was a nice blend of starches, vegetables and proteins served on individual platters. Free valet parking.

Review №174

2021-05-28 01:48:34

I almost hate to rate this place because i enjoy it so much. can get a bit crowded but its cozy charm hides additional seating away from the bar area.delicious happy hour appetizers and drinks. portion for sampler platter seemed small but it was a sampler. in no way does it diminish how i feel about this place. i rarely give a rating of 5 for anything but theyve earned every bit of it throughout the years.

Review №175

2020-12-23 00:20:38

Since indoor dining is closed due to Covid, we sat outside on their deck around 3pm on Saturday afternoon. As of the time I am writing this, there were only 4 tables outside and they were appropriately distanced. The wait staff was super nice! We only ordered 1 app and a couple beers, but we really enjoyed it all. We were actually impressed with the coconut shrimp and slaw that it came with, the flavors were so good! We cant wait for indoor dining to re-open so we can sit insidw and enjoy the whole tiki vibe!

Review №176

2021-05-10 11:34:55

First time. Went for a mothers day brunch. Service was friendly, food was good. Didnt get to enjoy the fun tiki drinks, but the rest of my group did, and said they were delicious. Great location

Review №177

2022-01-01 06:48:49

One of our favorites to go to! Food is amazing, drinks are delicious, love this service. Watching them smoke the food too is super cool. 😊 And not to mention the VIEW! Love it so much!

Review №178

2017-09-29 18:04:57

Love Trader Vics. Took my mom here for her 82nd birthday recently. We sat in The Office which is a private room that comfortably seats 7-8. Drinks are awesome and the food was wonderful. I usually cant make up my mind on what to order and always choose a couple of dishes to discuss with the server. Enter Janice - she is the best! Lots of personality and just so sweet. She knows everything about the menu and will not steer you wrong. Great at making suggestions. When we left our little private room after the wonderful 2.5 hour meal, the place was hopping. There was a very good live band in the bar and everyone was dancing. The place was packed but my wife and I got a couple quick dance moves in anyway. We had a blast. Expensive meal but when your 82 year old mom calls you the next day and says, thanks so much for the wonderful dinner and evening, I was moved to tears it makes it all worth it.

Review №179

2021-01-05 23:23:00

Went to Vics to pick up dinner during the pandemic. Super easy. Friendly staff. Delicious food. Amazing cocktails. And they currently have a giftshop open inside so I snagged a couple tiki mugs. I love their old-school vibe. Highly recommend.

Review №180

2022-04-10 20:47:36

Made the pilgrimage to one of the original tiki bars (this is actually the original, relocated from its previous location in Oakland), and we werent disappointed. We drank too much, we talked with the bartenders too much, and we got the tiki face. Will go back.

Review №181

2023-04-23 12:06:31

Could do with vegan options, and vegetarian options that dont include meat (fish is meat, lads) - but generous helpings and delicious food all round.

Review №182

2015-12-09 16:03:31

Loved the vibe here! Staff was attentive, drinks delicious. Great view. My food was overly salty, but my dates was perfect. Free valet parking is required in the evening. Ill go back, next time for happy hour.

Review №183

2018-08-05 05:57:01

The food was delicious but a little pricey. I really enjoyed the won ton soup and the fried rice. I usually live bread pudding though and this was ok, not my favorite. Over all definitely well checking out. The parking lot is valet only so I would park on the street if there is space.

Review №184

2019-12-27 05:42:59

The food was good but the service was really poor. I understand it was a busy night but we had to wait for everything. We had a reservation at 8:45 pm. We reached the restaurant at 8 pm. We were told that they will seat us early. However we did not hear anything until 9 pm when I decided to go and ask about my reservation. Seemed they had forgotten about us. Then the lady did setup the table for us and sat us in next five minutes. The food server was friendly but she had too many tables. Everything was slow. She forgot to bring my drink, But another server stopped by and asked why I did not have my drink yet and brought the drink for me., The food was good but we had to wait for water, butter, and even breads for long time. Not satisfied with the service after lot of expectation and anticipations.

Review №185

2019-05-02 02:42:04

Great drinks. Exactly what a tiki bar should be. This is their global headquarters and the test kitchen and bar for the rest of the world. My wife and I had a great time and our 1 year old even held in there long enough for us to enjoy ourselves. The staff is very attentive and the service level is what I would expect from a much more expensive restaurant.

Review №186

2020-02-23 02:00:18

Trader Vics was great. First time there. Its on the water, so if its a clear day, youre in for a treat. Went with the signature drink to start off with. It was pretty good. Excellent presentation. Had an order of sweet potato fries. For a person who doesnt really care for sweet potato fries, I messed these things up. Also, the ketchup given was fantastic. Second drink was their mai tai. Also fantastic. All in all, great experience. A bit pricy at $12+ a drink. But with the amount of thought put into each drink, Id say it was well worth it. Would definitely recommend.

Review №187

2014-08-25 23:57:33

The whole experience from the door to the food, beverage and people make this a happening place. The food has been consistently good over the years of being a foodie! We have had many of the appetizers and exotic drinks served in the bar area which has the best views...of the marina and sunsets!Nice to see a diversity of people and mellow moods with music and dancing once in a while! Ask for the doctor at the bar!

Review №188

2015-02-09 00:02:07

Food: 2 starsDecore: 4 startsIve been here a few times for lunch and its never crowded. I wouldnt recommend coming here for the food. None of the dishes Ive tried were particularly memorable, although none were bad either.The atmosphere is nice and its located right by the water so you can get a great view if youre sitting by the window. The pacific islander theme definitely comes across, but thats not my cup of tea.The drinks were good, which when combined with the atmosphere can make this place a decent place to unwind after work.

Review №189

2022-10-08 23:41:53

Good, if slightly expensive, food. Amazing views.

Review №190

2018-03-09 03:11:41

The sea bass melts in your mouthThis dish is almost as amazing as the staff. I enjoyed everyone who I was in contact with, from the two hostess, my waiter and the manager. Back to the sea bass, it is smoked in the Chinese smoker, and topped with a butter cream sauce, and paired with mashed potatoes and asparagus. I was truly sad when my last bite was taken. Bravo on this dish.

Review №191

2018-06-23 03:21:10

A wonderful place for lunch or dinner.The atmosphere is beyond words, the menu is full of tastes you wont get anywhere else.If you have never been here before, its a must try. I promise youll be back,again and again.The staff are wonderful, an era gone by where they actually enjoy themselves and make sure of your every want.

Review №192

2018-02-14 05:19:31

Loved the personal attention the hostess gave us. Food was excellent and, of course, the legendary mai tai. . . ..

Review №193

2022-06-20 19:07:22

Found a WHOLE GARLIC PEEL in my Garlic Mash Potato. The Salmon was ok. Aliittle to skimpy for the price. Hawaiian Fried Rice was good. It came out HOT, because they forgot the order and made it fresh.

Review №194

2022-11-30 19:54:43

Excellent service and incredible food, highly recommended!

Review №195

2023-03-06 04:51:55

This is the OG tiki bar/ restaurant!!This is a must visit type of place. History, atomosphere, and food all wrapped into one spot.

Review №196

2014-07-28 18:44:34

We sat in the lounge and had some drinks and snacks while looking out at the great view of the marina.The decor is really well done. It feels very much like youre eating in the home of a wealthy sea explorer.The food was quite good, but they could really benefit from some more vegetarian options. The drinks were also very good and it was fun to read through the menu.The staff was friendly and attentive but didnt seem very knowledgeable about the drinks. We also over heard one waitress describe the restaurants trademark menehune to another customer as some sort of hawaiian voodoo doll. I feel like that kind of basic inaccuracy is indicative of a lack of interest in the companys history.Other than that I thought it was a great experience.

Review №197

2021-04-18 04:53:47

Drinks were amazing and the food was good. We drove from San jose to see it and give it a try. It didnt feel truly worth the 2 hour round trip and expense of the menu, but if we are in the area we might stop in again

Review №198

2023-09-18 03:05:46

Friendly atmosphere. Service is very good.

Review №199

2017-08-24 08:05:03

I used to love this place. Going about 1 time per year for 30 yes. Its not the same. I miss the rack of Lamb my whole family would get it. Maybe one of us would venture out every once in awhile and try something else. The service has gone down hill, unless your lucky enough to get one of the originals. And the bar waiters and food waiters were fighting over who got to claim our first Mail Tais. The bar waitress made us pay separately for our drinks. Followed us to our food table and made us pay before our food server could claim them. Tacky. At least valet parking is still as good. The new lamb dish no way compares for same price