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Iconic Malibu Restaurant Duke's Reopens After Devastating Palisades Fire and Mudslides
The popular beachfront restaurant is welcoming back customers after a 14-month closure due to natural disasters.
Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:42pm
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Duke's Malibu, an iconic restaurant on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, is finally reopening its doors this Friday after being forced to close for over a year due to the devastating Palisades Fire in 2025 and subsequent mudslides that caused significant damage to the property. The restaurant, which honors Hawaiian surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku, will resume service on a limited Thursday-Sunday schedule.
Why it matters
The reopening of Duke's Malibu is a significant milestone for the local community, as the restaurant has long been a beloved gathering place and landmark along the Malibu coastline. Its closure following the Palisades Fire and mudslides was a major loss, and its return signals the continued recovery and resilience of the area in the face of natural disasters.
The details
After the Palisades Fire in January 2025 spared Duke's from serious damage, massive rains a month later led to mudslides from Las Flores Canyon that sent four feet of mud into the restaurant. This required a total interior renovation and the layoff of more than 100 employees. It took crews two months to clear the mud before the company could even begin rebuilding. The Barefoot Bar, connected to Duke's, reopened in late 2025, but the restaurant portion remained closed until now due to 'weather and unforeseen circumstances'.
- In January 2025, wildfires in the Palisades destroyed thousands of homes along the Malibu coast.
- A month after the fires, massive rains led to mudslides that sent four feet of mud into Duke's Malibu.
- Duke's Malibu will reopen this Friday, March 13, 2026.
The players
Duke's Malibu
An iconic beachfront restaurant and bar located on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, that honors Hawaiian surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku and the rich history of surfing in the area.
Mayor Bass
The mayor of Los Angeles who has faced criticism for the city's response to the deadly Palisades Fire, including for traveling out of the country just days before the blaze ripped through Southern California, leaving the city unprepared.
What’s next
Duke's Malibu is set to reopen this Friday, March 13, 2026, and will offer service Thursday-Sunday, from noon to 7 or 8 p.m.
The takeaway
The reopening of the iconic Duke's Malibu restaurant is a symbol of the Malibu community's resilience and recovery after facing the devastating impacts of the Palisades Fire and subsequent mudslides. Its return will provide a much-needed boost to the local economy and restore a beloved gathering place for residents and visitors alike.
