Moana Surfrider Afternoon Tea: "Tea-laxing" On Waikiki Beach (2024)

Moana Surfrider afternoon tea house: a long-standing oceanfront tearoom with Waikiki Beach views at the Veranda terrace.

Aromatic teapots of tea and dainty finger sandwiches at a teahouse by the sea.

Scones topped with Devonshire cream and lilikoi curd.

Dobash chocolate coffee macarons and sweet haupia roll cakes along Waikiki Beach.

Roam with me today as we enjoy the salty sea breeze at a beautiful seaside tearoom on Waikiki Beach. We’ll drink freshly brewed tea from floral teacups, savor pipikaula burgers, and watch tanned surfers catch waves on the teal-blue ocean.

More Oahu Travel

Love tea? Check out this other tearoom on Oahu: afternoon tea at1024 in Honolulu. This is a more whimsical high tea spot with vintage tea cups and friendly service.

Are you ready to sip, sun, and scone next to the white sandy shores of Waikiki?

Then, let’s roam and “tea-lax” on the beach!

Afternoon Tea at Moana Surfrider

Afternoon tea at the Moana Surfrider is known for its luxuriant tea experience and views overlooking Waikiki Beach. There were different tea sets, but I think the only ones worth trying were The Duke or The Moana Classic.

The highlight of having tea here is most certainly the ocean view. Tables overlook Waikiki Beach and create a relaxing, tropical afternoon tea ambiance. The tea is served on an open lanai, where the cool island breeze blows through.

Note: Afternoon tea is only served on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. It’s also best to call to make a reservation.

Tea Selection

Below are a few of my favorite teas at the Moana Surfrider:

Moana Surfrider Afternoon Tea Menu

High Tea Menu

Afternoon Tea Menu

Moana Surfrider Afternoon Tea: My Visit

The Moana Classic

haupia roll cakes and passionfruit dessert

coffee macarons and yogurt fruit parfait

dried blueberry scones with Devonshire cream and lilikoi curd

tea sandwiches

vegetarian tea sandwiches

regular tea sandwiches

curry chicken salad croissant

ham and pimento cheese sandwich

salmon mousse with salmon roe and cucumber

egg salad sandwich with truffle oil and radish

tea strainer, floral teacup, metal teapot

Ambiance

The beach views from this table were stunning. You could see people paddleboarding and sailing in the distance.

There are only two tables along this wall with front-row seats to Waikiki Beach, so it’s best to call in to reserve these spots ahead of time.

If you’re visiting to celebrate a special occasion, I recommend reserving one of these seats or the corner table beside this one at the front. You can see the ocean from all the tables, but these seats are next level.

Open-air Victorian Patio

Waikiki Beach View from the Tables

Banyan Tree Scenery

The Exterior

The Waikiki Moana Surfrider is a historic hotel known for its architectural accents. Here’s the entrance to the Honolulu Coffee Shop located in the hotel building.

You can see the columns and engraved details at the top of the driveway, surrounded by palm trees.

Island-style floral arrangements decorate the entryway and lobby.

The center courtyard with the banyan tree holds live musical performances at night. In the distance, you can see the wooden outdoor rocking chairs where you can grab a drink and vibe to the music.

My Experience

The photos show the upsides of afternoon tea at the Moana Surfrider.

The main downside of having the Moana Surfrider high tea was that the food was a little lackluster, in my opinion, for its price point. The sandwiches tasted like they had been refrigerated overnight, and the baked goods and bread were kind of hard, seemingly from the fridge. For that charge, you expect better.

The Moana Surfrider options “The First Lady” and “Royal Tea” weren’t worth it either. They felt like unnecessary upsells. You can easily grab your own drink and enjoy it on the beach or the rocking chairs next to the banyan tree in the Moana Surfrider courtyard.

But I guess you’re paying for the view? And the view is pretty darn good.

Quite frankly, the assortment of teas and food was better at a teahouse in Honolulu called 1024 despite the lower price point. Tea at 1024 makes their sandwiches fresh daily, so the bread wasn’t firm. The Moana had only a selection of six different teas.

The rule of thumb is that if you want better food and tea selection, 1024 is the way to go. But if you want a better atmosphere, the Moana Surfrider’s oceanfront scenery won’t disappoint.

All in all, specifically, The Moana Classic or Duke Tea Sets make for an enjoyable beachy tea time. Having high tea on Waikiki Beach in a historic hotel with beautiful architecture is a memorable experience for any trip.

They also have a pretty good kalua pork eggs benedict, and mango pancakes that you can order instead of high tea.

Moana Surfrider High Tea Travel Tips

Opening Hours

Parking

How do I get there?

The tearoom is located at the hotel’s bistro, the Veranda at the Beachhouse.

The Veranda is found in the outdoor lanai of the Moana Surfrider Hotel, A Westin Resort & Spa on Waikiki Beach. It also serves a breakfast buffet, acai bowls, pancakes, waffles, coffee, and juice on the terrace.

Address

Map

Is the Moana afternoon tea vegetarian-friendly?

Yes, the Moana afternoon tea is vegetarian-friendly. Though, do call or book in advance for the vegetarian option to ensure the best tea experience.

Where do you get afternoon tea at the Moana Surfrider?

You can get afternoon tea at the Moana Surfrider within the Veranda at the Beachhouse, the hotel’s eatery on an outdoor patio that serves breakfast, high tea, and brunch.

Besides high tea, what else can you order at the Veranda at the Beachhouse in the Moana Surfrider?

Besides high tea, you can order decent kalua pork eggs benedict, and mango pancakes at the Veranda at the Beachhouse in the Moana Surfrider.

Moana Surfrider Afternoon Tea: My Closing Thoughts

Afternoon tea at the Moana Surfrider is a fun experience with a fantastic island ambiance. Who doesn’t like sipping tea and savoring sweets next to a gigantic old Banyan tree on an open-air Victorian patio looking out to a brilliant blue Waikiki Beach? It sounds like the dream life.

If you want a beachy high tea or breakfast with incredible views of one of Hawaii’s most iconic and famous attractions, then this is a place to add to your bucket list!

Happy roaming, Roamers! I hope you found some helpful photos and useful information in this review for Moana Surfrider Afternoon Tea.

More Hawaii Travel Guides

For more Hawaii travel tips on top accommodations, dining experiences, and must-visit destinations, check out my other articles below.