The Royal Hawaiian was originally in a different location, and likely moved to this location in the 1960s. It had several small dining rooms with glass-walled dioramas filled with tikis and plants, great lamps, bamboo, thatch and sea grass matting, and a bar with a fireplace and pufferfish. There were lovely oil paintings throughout, including a large piece hung directly above the hostess stand.
In spring 2006, the restaurant was sold to a new owner, who gutted it. The newer, tiki-stripped version closed for good in 2012. In 2016, the space reopened, again with the name Royal Hawaiian
The original bar was a fantastic escape to the past. Never tried the food but having Lapu Lapu's with friends on the low red chairs was the best. The re-do was the beginning of the end. Miss the original!
Used to love this place! Even before I was old enough to drink.
The new ownership/remodel completely stripped it's charm away and in it's place brought another shopping-mall-on-the-beach style establishment to Laguna. A sad story if you ask me.
Quote from the RH website: "Opened in 1947 by Francis Cabang, the restaurant was run by members of the Cabang family until 2006 when it changed ownership and underwent some much needed refurbishing. The restaurant has now enhanced its notorious tiki charm with larger dining and bar areas and several large HDTV's".
Scores Category should be updated, the Royal Hawaiian is open, the exterior is still lovely, the bar sucks (but they've got a new Squid mug!), some tikis remained in the interior.