The Honu Tiki Bar in Dunedin: Expectation vs. Reality (Our Honest Review)
If you are looking for unique coastal day trips from Orlando or Tampa, the charming town of Dunedin on Florida’s Gulf Coast has a vibrant culinary scene. One of its most famous hidden gems is The Honu Restaurant and Tiki Bar.
Housed in a beautifully restored 1920s bungalow, it promises a Hawaiian escape right in the middle of Florida. But as a family traveling with kids, our experience was a bit different than what the Instagram photos led us to believe!
If you are planning a trip to The Honu, here is our “Expectation vs. Reality” review, including a massive warning about seating, our honest thoughts on the tiki drinks, and the one food item you absolutely have to order.
The Vibe: The “Front Yard” vs. The “Backyard”
The Expectation: We thought we would be dining under palm trees and tiki torches in an open-air tropical paradise with the whole family.
The Reality: The Honu is essentially divided into two distinct outdoor areas, and this is where families need to pay close attention.
The “Backyard” is the lively, incredibly decorated open-air tiki bar you see in all the photos. However, it is strictly 21 and over. Because we had our kids with us, we were not allowed to sit in the backyard.
You can eat in the “Front Yard,” which offers outdoor dining, but as we quickly realized, it is not very tiki-themed. Instead, we opted to sit indoors. The interior of the 1920s bungalow is actually a wonderfully appointed, tiki-inspired lounge with great old-world charm, but it’s definitely a different vibe than the outdoor bar!
The Drinks: Are They Authentic Tiki?
The Expectation: High-end, complex, craft tiki cocktails that rival the best tiki bars in the country.
The Reality: We ordered a full spread, including the Spicy Coconut Rum Colada, the Flight to Hawaii, the Honu Punch, and a non-alcoholic colada for the kids.
The Verdict: The drinks were definitely enjoyable and refreshing on a warm Florida night. However, if you are a hardcore tiki aficionado, you might find them lacking. They weren’t quite as sophisticated or perfectly balanced as the complex flavor profiles you would expect from higher-caliber, craft tiki establishments.
The Food: The Real Reason to Go
The Expectation: Standard bar food with a pineapple slice thrown on top to make it look “tropical.”
The Reality: The food is where The Honu completely shines! “Honu” actually means “turtle” in Hawaiian, and the menu pays serious homage to the Aloha State with fresh seafood and incredible flavors.
We usually make it a point for everyone in our family to order something different so we can taste the whole menu. But tonight? We all ordered variations of a dish called “The STACK.” It was absolutely delicious. Fresh, loaded with flavor, and perfectly executed.
The “Real Talk” Survival Guide: 3 Tips for The Honu
- 🌴 Leave the Kids for the Full Tiki Experience: If you want the full tropical, twinkling-light rum bar atmosphere in the backyard, you have to leave anyone under 21 at home.
- 🍍 Come for the Food, Stay for the Drinks: The Hawaiian-inspired cuisine is the real star here. Treat the tiki drinks as a fun bonus rather than the main event.
- đźš— Make it a Day Trip: Dunedin is a fantastic coastal town. Pair your dinner at The Honu with an afternoon exploring the local shops and the nearby Gulf Coast beaches.