Lee's Hawaiian Islander: A Retro Tiki Escape in Lyndhurst, NJ

Lee's Hawaiian Islander Introduce

Introduction / Overview

Lee's Hawaiian Islander in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, is far more than just a typical local establishment; it is a true North Jersey cultural landmark and one of the last remaining original Tiki bars in the entire state. Serving the community since the 1970s, this venue offers a delightful and immersive escape from the everyday, transporting New Jersey patrons to a tropical, retro-Polynesian paradise the moment they step through its doors. It seamlessly blends the experience of a Hawaiian-themed restaurant, a classic cocktail lounge, and a lively nightspot, making it a unique destination for a variety of users.

Known for its wonderfully kitschy and authentic mid-century Tiki decor, the atmosphere is cozy, casual, and instantly captivating. Visitors are greeted by glowing Tiki masks, bamboo-lined walls, suspended outrigger canoes, and a dramatic rock waterfall. This distinct ambiance is complemented by a menu that is a nostalgic mix of American-Chinese and Polynesian specialties. Guests can indulge in classic, flaming Pu Pu Platters and a full array of exotic, famously potent Tiki cocktails served in collectible mugs, such as the Mai Tai, Fog Cutter, and the potent Islander Zombie.

Crucially, for those seeking a fun night out in New Jersey, Lee's Hawaiian Islander transforms into a vibrant night club on weekends, primarily through its highly popular karaoke nights. This combination of unique dining, powerful drinks, and participatory entertainment has cemented its status as a destination for groups, couples celebrating a special occasion, and tourists seeking a quirky, memorable North Jersey experience. Whether you’re stopping for a flavorful lunch, a celebratory dinner, or late-night drinks and singing, Lee's Hawaiian Islander promises a lively, unforgettable time. It’s a cherished piece of New Jersey history that continues to deliver fun and fantastic value.

Location and Accessibility

Lee's Hawaiian Islander is conveniently situated in the heart of Lyndhurst, New Jersey, making it easily reachable from various points across Bergen and Essex Counties. Its address is 768 Stuyvesant Ave, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, USA. Stuyvesant Avenue is a central road in the township, providing direct access to the restaurant’s location.

The location is highly accessible for New Jersey drivers, offering both a dedicated free parking lot and the option for free street parking in the vicinity, which is a major convenience for a night out. Furthermore, the establishment demonstrates a strong commitment to accessibility for all patrons. It features a wheelchair accessible entrance, a dedicated wheelchair accessible parking lot, wheelchair accessible restrooms, and appropriate seating arrangements, ensuring that all guests can enjoy the dining and entertainment experience comfortably.

The Lyndhurst location is also strategically positioned near major North Jersey roadways, making it a manageable drive from areas closer to Newark and New York City. For those utilizing public transportation, local bus routes in the area connect Lyndhurst to neighboring towns and transit hubs. This blend of easy driving access, ample free parking, and comprehensive physical accessibility makes Lee's Hawaiian Islander a stress-free and welcoming choice for a unique night out for local users.

Services Offered

Lee's Hawaiian Islander provides a wide range of services designed to enhance the Hawaiian-Polynesian dining and entertainment experience for the New Jersey community. These services span dining flexibility, beverage options, entertainment, and general amenities.

Full Dining Options: The establishment offers Dine-in, Takeout, and Delivery options, accommodating everything from a spontaneous meal to a planned celebration.
Extensive Food Service: Serving both Lunch and Dinner, with a selection of appetizers (including the famous Pu Pu Platter), comfort food, small plates, and traditional American-Chinese and Polynesian entrees.
Full Bar Service: A full-service bar is available onsite, serving a variety of Alcohol, Beer, Wine, and Hard Liquor.
Signature Cocktails and Happy Hour: Known for its Great Cocktails, including potent exotic drinks like the Mai Tai and Islander Zombie. Happy Hour Drinks are also offered, providing excellent value.
Late-Night Food: The venue offers Late-night food options, catering to patrons enjoying the evening entertainment and the night club atmosphere.
Weekend Karaoke: A major highlight, the restaurant features highly popular Karaoke nights on weekends (typically Fridays and Saturdays), providing a lively social and entertainment component.
Reservations Accepted: Guests can easily plan a visit as the restaurant Accepts reservations, which is recommended for larger groups or busy weekend nights.
Child-Friendly Amenities: High chairs are available, and the menu includes Children’s Dinner selections, making it Good for kids during early dining hours.
Payment Convenience: Accepts Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments for hassle-free transactions.

Features / Highlights

The distinct features of Lee's Hawaiian Islander are what make it a beloved New Jersey institution and a must-visit location for those seeking a unique entertainment and dining experience.

Last Original Tiki Bar in NJ: The venue is celebrated as one of the last, most original, and authentic Tiki bars in New Jersey, preserving a classic mid-century style of architecture and décor that appeals to a sense of nostalgia and history.
Authentic Retro Ambiance: The atmosphere is a major draw, described as a perfect blend of Casual, Cozy, and delightfully Trendy (in a retro sense), featuring rock-lined walls, a working waterfall, Tiki masks, bamboo, and an outrigger canoe suspended from the high ceiling.
Lively Weekend Karaoke: Highly regarded for its Live music, which primarily manifests as an energetic and inclusive karaoke night on Fridays and Saturdays, drawing crowds eager to sing and dance.
Famous Exotic Cocktails: Renowned for its Great Cocktails, which are known to be strong and are often served in collectible Tiki mugs, enhancing the novelty and tropical escape theme.
Flaming Pu Pu Platter: A signature offering that often includes a variety of appetizers—such as Hawaii Beef, Shrimp Toast, and Bar-B-Q Spare Ribs—served on a flaming tray, providing a dramatic and fun table experience.
Fast and Friendly Service: Noted for its Fast service and friendly staff, ensuring a positive and efficient experience even during busy hours, which adds to the overall enjoyment.

Contact Information

New Jersey residents looking to enjoy a meal or a night out at this legendary Lyndhurst establishment can use the following contact details:

Address: 768 Stuyvesant Ave, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, USA

Phone: (201) 939-3777

What is Worth Choosing

Lee's Hawaiian Islander is unequivocally worth choosing for New Jersey locals seeking a night out that is authentically different and genuinely fun. The establishment offers a cohesive experience that few other places in the state can match, blending dining, drinks, and entertainment into a single, memorable package.

The foremost reason to choose Lee’s is its atmosphere. In a landscape dominated by modern aesthetics, the Islander’s perfectly preserved, authentic Tiki décor is a refreshing and nostalgic delight. It creates an immediate sense of vacation and escape, making a simple dinner feel like an adventurous outing. This environment—complete with the unique architectural elements and soft, immersive lighting—makes it a perfect choice for romantic dates, celebratory gatherings for Groups, or simply a dose of mid-century kitsch that is charming rather than tired.

Secondly, the quality of the unique food and beverage program is a significant draw. While the cuisine is a throwback American-Chinese style, it is delivered as satisfying Comfort food. The combination of the classic Pu Pu Platter with the exotic and potent cocktails—such as the Zombie Islander and Mai Tai—provides a powerful and fun culinary experience. These are not merely drinks; they are part of the tropical show, served with flair and strength, ensuring a lively evening. The availability of Late-night food is another practical advantage for those staying for the evening's entertainment.

Finally, the Live music feature, centered around its acclaimed weekend Karaoke nights, is the element that truly turns this lounge into a night club. The supportive and enthusiastic crowd, often mingling and dancing, guarantees a lively, communal atmosphere where even the shyest guests are encouraged to participate. This environment makes it a fantastic place to celebrate milestones, as noted by long-time customers who choose it for anniversaries and other special occasions.

In choosing Lee's Hawaiian Islander, New Jersey residents are not just selecting a place to eat and drink; they are opting for a cherished piece of local Tiki culture, potent cocktails, delicious comfort food, and one of the most engaging and unique night-out venues in North Jersey.

Lee's Hawaiian Islander Food & drink

Non Alcoholic
Fruit Punch $3.50
not can soda - fountain soda
Juices $4.00
Soda $3.00
not can soda - fountain soda
Piña Colada $6.25
Pineapple $6.00

Appetizers
Shrimp Cocktail (4) $11.25
Chicken In Foil (4) $9.95
Pu Pu Platter (For 2) $29.50
Shrimp toast, Hawaii Beef, Mini Egg Roll, Spareribs, chicken wings, fantail shrimp. Each Additional Portion - $14.00
Bar-B-Q Spare Ribs $26.00
small ribs 13.50 large ribs 21.50
Hawaii Beef (4) $12.50
Shrimp Roll (1) $4.00
Pu Pu Platter (For 2) $28.00
Shrimp toast, Hawaii Beef, Mini Egg Roll, Spareribs, chicken wings, fantail shrimp Additional portion - !4.00
Shrimp Toast (8) $11.50
Soo Jar Chicken Wings (10) $12.00
Fantail Shrimp (4) $10.50
Wor Hip (Fried Dumplings) (6) $11.75
Steamed.
Pan Fried Wonton (10) $12.50
Egg Roll (1) $3.50

Exotic Island Drinks
Aloha Delight $11.50
Pina Colada $11.50
Fog Cutter $13.00
Pineapple Passion $11.50
Mai Tai $11.00
Boco Loco $11.50
Tiki Tiki $11.50
Islander Zombie $12.00
Ice Tea $9.00
Scorpion $11.50
Love Potion $11.50

Chicken & Duck
Moo Goo Gai Pan $20.50
Roast Duck Chinese Style $32.50
Wor Shu Opp $32.50
Si Woo Opp $32.50
Almond Gai Ding $20.50

Fried Rice
Chicken $14.50
Pork $15.50
Shrimp $15.50
Beef $14.50
Young Chow $16.50
Beef, Chicken, Pork, Shrimp

Sweet and Sour
Sweet And Sour Chicken $18.50
Sweet And Sour Shrimp $20.50
Sweet And Sour Pork $18.50

Polynesian
Hawaiian Seafood Love Nest $26.00
Fresh seafood combination with vegetables in a light egg sauce, embedded in a nest made with fried egg noodles.
Steak Polynesian $24.50
Thick slices of roast pork tenderloin and beef steak served over exquisite lightly cooked vegetables.
Hawaiian Four "O" $25.00
Chunks of lobster meat, juicy filled fillet mignon, breast of chicken, and loin of roast pork, sautéed with Polynesian vegetables, served with a flaming rum sauce.
Chicken Mauna Loa $23.50
A delightful platter of chicken breast breaded and fried to golden brown, resting on pineapple served with a flaming piquant sauce.
Lobster Hawaii $22.75
Fresh lobster meat, jumbo shrimp and crab meat, sautéed with selected Chinese vegetables. Served sizzling in our cha cha broiler.
Seafood Hawaii $26.00
Diced cut pieces of island shrimp, king crab meat, lobster, and scallops sautéed with fresh island vegetables.
Lobster Samoa $49.95
Fresh Lobster seasoned with our secret tangy meat sauce
Lychee Pineapple Duck $29.50
Golden brown Long island duckling, boned and served in a luscious sweet and sour sauce with lychee and pineapple.
Hawaiian Island Steak $29.75
Sirloin steak, unerringly broiled, then thickly sliced, and served over bok choy and snow peas on a sizzling platter in a delectably rich sauce.
Mongolian Steak, Flambie $31.75
Big pieces of tender filet mignon, served with a flaming rum sauce, over a bed of Chinese vegetables and pineapple.
Cantonese Lobster $49.95
Chinese style cooked lobster
Lee's Hawaiian Bar-B-Q Shrimp $25.75
Fresh jumbo shrimp barbecued to perfection then garnished with just the right amount of soy sauce and wine, and served on a bed of select lettuce, Truly one of our favorites.

Lee's Famous Specialties
Orange Beef $23.75
Pieces of tender beef, in a special orange and wine marinade, deep fried to perfection, surrounded with fresh broccoli.
Lemon Chicken $22.50
Boneless chicken breast, deep in a tasty batter, cut in morsels, and garnished with a semi-test, lemon sauce that will satisfy any gourmet.
Ho Yu Gai Poo $21.50
Cubed boneless chicken meat dipped in thin batter fried to golden brown sautéed with roast pork, snow peas, bok choy, and mushroom.
Buddhist Delight $20.25
Vegetarian favor never get tired to eat tasty and healthy dish, contains fun shee, cloud ear, mushroom, pea pods, waterchest and lettuce.
BBQ Lobster $49.95
This lobster dish is robust gleaming red, and speckled with green seafflon and ginger.
Lobster Cantonese $49.95
Steak Kew $29.50
Chunks of tender filet mignon cut in cubes, immersed in a notable wine based marinade and then sautéed with Chinese mushrooms and bok choy hearts.
Boneless Chicken Cantonese $22.50
Delicious chicken breast, deep fried in a moderately seasoned batter, and served over select Chinese vegetables.
Lake Tung Ting Shrimp $26.00
Gulf shrimp with broccoli, snow peas, baby corn, water chestnuts in egg white sauce.
Garlic Shrimp Cantonese $26.00
Jumbo shrimp delicately prepared with our special sauce, garnished to satisfy all seafood lovers.
Butterfly Chicken $23.00
Breast meat of chicken, pan fried to perfection, served over seasonal vegetables, and topped with our own special sauce.
Four Seasons $26.50
Combination of lobster meat, jumbo shrimp, breast of chicken and chunks of roast pork sautéed with strawb mushroom and Chinese vegetables.
Spare Ribs Peking Style $23.50
Fine sliced pork loin marinated and breaded fried just right, mixed with our chef's special sauce.

Chow Mein, Chop Suey, Lo Mein, Egg Foo Young
Chicken Or Beef $14.50
Vegetable $13.50
Shrimp $14.50
Pork $14.00

Soups
Hot And Sour $5.25
Chinese Vegetable $4.50
Chicken Noodle Or Rice $4.50
Roast Pork Or Chicken Yat Gaw Mein $9.00
Roast Pork Wonton $4.75
Chicken Egg Drop $4.00
Wor Wonton $9.00

American Selections (À la Carte)
Broiled Sirloin Steak $29.50
Broiled Filet Mignon $31.75

Cantonese
With Bean Curd $13.50
With Bean Sprouts $16.50
Pepper Steak With Mushrooms $19.50
With Oyster Sauce $19.00
With Broccoli $19.50
With Mushrooms $19.50
With Chinese Vegetables $19.50
With Snow Pea Pods $19.50

Szechuan & Hunan
General Zuos' Chicken $22.00
Chunks of chicken breast, sautéed with dried red peppers and scallions.
Szechuan Shrimp $23.50
Baby shrimp prepared in a spicy tomato sauce with red peppers, water chestnuts, scallions and green peas.
Szechuan Love Nest $27.00
Sliced beef steak, fresh chicken breast, and shrimp, sautéed with red and green peppers, broccoli, and straw mushrooms in a light, spicy sauce, served in a nest made from delicious fried egg noodles.
Hot And Spicy Scallops With Beef $26.50
Beef, fresh scallops sautéed with broccoli, celery, and water chestnuts, cooked with spicy sauce.
Ma Po Tofu $18.75
Minced pork or beef in a spicy sauce with black beans, ginger and scallions.
Hunan Beef $23.00
Pieces of tender beef, cooked over a high flame with variety of Chinese vegetables in a hot Hunan sauce.
Shrimp And Garlic Sauce $25.50
Sliced shrimp, cloud ears, and water chestnuts sautéed in a spicy sauce.
Hot And Spicy Beef Or Chicken $24.50
Wok fried beef sautéed in our chef's own spicy sauce with shredded red and green pepper, and long scallions.
Szechuan Triple Delight $27.50
King crab meat, deep sea scallops and gulf shrimp sautéed with cloud ears, sliced onions, and red peppers in a tangy sauce.
Gung Bo Guy Ding $21.00
Diced cut chicken breast, red chilli pepper and scallions sautéed in a special Mandarin sauce and topped off with peanuts.

Children's Dinner
3. BBQ Spare Rib $18.50
Served with egg roll and fried rice.
1. Fried Chicken Finger (Nugget) $14.75
Served with fried rice, sweet and sour sauce on the side.
2. Roast Pork Or Beef With Broccoli $15.75
Served with fried rice.

Seafood
Shrimp With Lobster Sauce $23.50
Butterfly Shrimp $24.50
Chow Har Kew $25.50
Shrimp With Chinese Vegetables $23.50
Shrimp With Mushrooms $23.50
Shrimp With Bean Sprouts $22.50
Shrimp Samoa $27.50
Shrimp With Black Bean Sauce $25.50
Shrimp With Broccoli $24.50
Shrimp With Curry Sauce $24.00

Our Famous
Pu Pu Platter (For 2) $29.50
A combination of hor-d'oeuvres. You may toast all the shrimp toast, Hawaii beef, fantail shrimp, barbecued spareribs, miniature egg rolls, and barbecued chicken wings at the table.

American Selections (Desserts)
Jello $3.25
Special Dessert $6.00
Per person.
Orange Sherbet $4.50
Imported Preserved Lychee $7.50
Ice Cream $4.25
Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Pistachio
Pineapple Chunks $6.50

Vegetable
Bean Sprouts $10.50
Mixed Selected Chinese Vegetables $12.50
Mixed Selected Chinese Vegeables
Bean Curd In Oyster Sauce $13.50
Imported Baby Corn In Sauce $9.95
Fresh Broccoli In Oyster Sauce $13.50
Fresh Broccoli in Oyster Sauce
Water Chestnuts In Gravy $12.50
Formosan Straw-Mushrooms In Gravy $9.95
Snow Peas Sautéed $11.50

Lee's Hawaiian Islander Details

Service options
Delivery
Takeout
Dine-in

Highlights
Fast service
Great cocktails
Live music
Serves local specialty

Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Comfort food
Happy hour drinks
Hard liquor
Late-night food
Quick bite
Small plates
Wine

Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom

Atmosphere
Casual
Cozy
Trendy

Crowd
Groups
Tourists

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs

Parking
Free parking lot
Free street parking
Parking

Lee's Hawaiian Islander Photos

Lee's Hawaiian Islander Location

Lee's Hawaiian Islander

New Jersey Bergen County Lyndhurst Stuyvesant Avenue

768 Stuyvesant Ave, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071, USA

Lee's Hawaiian Islander Reviews

An average rating of ★4.1 from 774 user reviews.

karaokepu pu platterchinese food70stiki barzombiesegg rollsmai taikitschynostalgic

★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

We came here to celebrate a belated Father's Day, and I gotta say, we were very pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere of the restaurant was honestly quite beautiful, capturing the Hawaiian spirit quite nicely. Sure, you could tell it was a bit outdated, but I honestly think it added to the feel and made things feel a bit more nostalgic. The food was quite excellent, ranging from the rather tasteful pupu platter to the perfect fried rice. I also had a cocktail which I thought was quite refreshing. The server was also very polite, he gave us extra fortune cookies on the way out.Will almost certainly come again, thank you for the experience :)
June 21 · Joseph Agar
Authentic Polynesian food & dining experience & karaoke.Dinner was & drinks v were delicious (mai tai & zombie islander).My wife & I celebrated our 23rd year since we met. This was a great place to celebrate.Staff is friendly. Food is delicious.You need to experience this great Tiki dining establishment!
August 19 · Mike Riva
This place is truly a hidden gem. I haven’t had a pupu platter in ages and the one here was way better than I remember them being. I also loved the homemade wonton crisps and pina colada. The decor is beautiful, it feels like you’re on vacation in Hawaii inside. The owner, Nancy, was an amazing person too. We will definitely be back and will check out the karaoke
May 04 · Jonathan Itskovitch
This is such a fun restaurant with a classic vintage tiki bar interior! The decor alone deserves 5 stars! They have flaming cocktails and a flaming Pu Pu platter with excellent Hawaiian beef. I also recommend the Lemon Chicken, it was very crispy and had the sauce on top. This restaurant is a gem. Photos cannot capture just how special Lee's is.
July 27 · Hillery Baker
Hidden in a residential corner of Lyndhurst is one of the most unique hidden gems from a time bygone: Lee’s Hawaiian Islander. I drove by the red and green Polynesian facade, and immediately knew we had to check it out. It just draws you in — you can’t help but wonder what’s inside.When we walked in, we were greeted so warmly. The staff even walked us through the menu highlights, which was a really nice touch. The place is just so cute and exactly what you hope a classic Polynesian spot would look like: tiki masks, bamboo, glowing lanterns — the whole vibe makes you feel like you’re on vacation without leaving Jersey.We actually said to each other, “I hope the food is good here,” and it really was. We ordered the pu pu platter, Mongolian beef, orange chicken, and the lychee Hawaiian duck. Everything tasted fresh, and you can tell they make everything in-house, right down to the sauces and egg rolls. There’s a homemade quality to the food that you just don’t see much anymore.What made the night even more special was meeting one of the original owners, Steven Lee, who opened Lee’s back in 1973. You can see the pride he has in the place, and it’s clear that this is truly a family-run restaurant that cares about the details.We’re already planning to bring some friends in two weeks because it’s the kind of spot you want to share. I honestly hope Lee’s stays open for another 50 years. It’s a special hidden gem, and I feel lucky to have found it.
July 19 · Ceallaigh Lorenz-Talleyrand