MAI-KAI Restaurant and Polynesian Show

This place is absolutely amazing. I recommend going here for your birthday or an anniversary, something special. If you’re not used to Polynesian food or food from the island of Hawaii, it’s gonna taste a little different, but the food is still delicious. The pictures are beautiful. The scenery is beautiful. The service is incredible. The tip is already included into your check, Also if you’re there for the show, you will feel the fire the closer you are to the stage. One more thing it’s valet parking only

Amazing unique experience!! We have never been to any place or dining experience similiar to this. I was in awe at the drive in over the wooden bridge into the tropical oasis. The valets are fast and friendly. There is a large indoor and outdoor bar to wait at for your seating time for the show and a large beautiful waterfall garden. We arrived at 430p for the 630p show and were immediately seated at 5p after being placed in the bar. Food was served and consumed before the show started. A little noise but we were able to have a low conversation with no issues. If you count the whole experience the price was worth it. Keep up a garden is not cheap. Food to cost value was questionable. I got the Hawaiian steak. The cook did their job and it was seasoned well. The piece of steak I got was fatty and tough to cut though. Our other order was ribs which were spot on amazing!!! Order the ribs. Service was first class excellence!! Great team!! The show was first class. Best fire show I have seen yet!! The dancers were very into their work and took pride in it. Great family experience.

This was my first visit after the renovations. I have previously visited Mai Kai multiples times in the past and was really excited for the revisit. I was not disappointed and truly enjoyed my visit. We celebrated my wife’s birthday and her name was called out and celebrated along with other customers. The atmosphere is as great as I remember if not better, so many details in the restaurant even in the bathrooms. It is truly a historic and iconic place and deserves to be noticed. I hope you can visit the newly renovated Mai Kai, it is worth the experience. Great food, great show, amazing drinks and of course an amazing atmosphere. Also, would love to give a huge thank you to Luciana. She provided amazing service, was very friendly and welcoming.

We came here to celebrate Father's Day. Not my first choice of places to go but it was actually fun and the whole restaurant has a really cool atmosphere and theme. The food was really good but not the best. And for the prices they charge, you get really small portions of everything. But I guess you should expect that at a dinner show. The show itself was entertaining but not amazing. For a one time deal. This is great. But I don't think I will ever come back again. This is definitely made to cater more towards tourists.

The Mai-Kai is a one-of-a-kind dinner and show experience. It is a landmark on Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale since it was built many years ago. We visited several times, years ago, and always enjoyed the show, dinner, and the entire experience. It closed during the Covid pandemic and now has recently reopened. We found the same vibe that always was present here, but with new furnishings and decor. The garden is still there and it is good to walk through before the show, when it is less crowded. The show is priced separately from the dinner and customers can reserve a specific table and showtime in advance. Overall, it is a pricey proposition. However, the food is great and the entertainment is top notch. The show is similar to the Luau that Disney used to do at their Polynesian resort. However, it is a smaller cast of performers here, but the tables are much closer to the actual show for an experience that we thought was better than what we got at Disney. Be prepared to spend some money here on the dinner + show. If you like drinks with dinner, there is a way to save a little bit. My tip is to arrive early enough to go into the bar and get drinks there, where they are half the price of ordering them in the dining room / show room. They allow you to take a drink to your table that was paid for in the bar, so plan on buying your last drink in the bar and carrying it with you to your table. We plan to be back and celebrate more special occasions at Mai-Kai. It always has and still makes for a great experience and a most memorable occasion.

Arriving 35 minutes prior, we thought we would have time for a cocktail. It arrived 5 minutes before time to go in! Cocktails are EXTREMELY expensive ($20-$35) and they are small drinks, though packed with 90% ice. Dinner napkins were wet and when asked to get dry ones, the wait staffs response was courteous, but not suprised to have had the requst. Food was served warm, at best, for any of the 4 of us. Covered in tepid sauces. The show was entertaining, but calling out every birthday, anniversary and special occasion is not necessary. And based on the audience response, they didn't care either. Mai-Kai did a great job refurbishing this long standing establishment. Unfortunately it ranks in the category of tourist trap.

Our group of four went on a Thursday evening for dinner and the show, and celebrated my birthday. Our seats were in the center, and the show was amazing. The drinks were colorful and sweet, although shallow, while the food was plentiful and delicious. The service staff was pleasant and efficient, but forgot my birthday during the group recognition (it was added late.) The kitchen didn’t bring my appetizer with the rest before presenting the entrees, and they had run out of my ordered side, offering alternatives. The waitresses did her best to apologize and they did offer a free desert for me. I can say the rest of my group had no problems otherwise. The restroom felt like being on a ship through the Pacific, with authentic smells of the 1956 Mai-Kai restaurant. The gift shop was a must, with your favorite drink’s mug or totem cup, no pineapples though. Overall, the higher costs for food and drinks went to the performers and MC, who killed it. I am recommending this to wonderful place to anyone celebrating or on a date who wants to get away, to a small island, deep in the pacific, and enjoy the tastes and cultures of the Polynesian islands (but probably can’t afford it financially.) The Mai-Kai tradition offers it all. And, who knows? With my luck, those things could happen to me in Tahiti or Hawaii too. I don’t care, I loved my birthday there.

This place is a national treasure and I am thrilled that it is reopened. It’s beautiful from top to bottom and the place is oozing with artifacts and hand crafted works of art. The gardens are amazing. The service and food were off the charts and excellent. The show was fantastic. My main beef with the place is the drinks, which used to be legendary. I was disappointed with the overall quality of the drinks. I chose drinks I have familiarity with both from other establishments and from frequently replicating them at home. The black magic has a history and a reputation, and the rum barrel the same. I kinda felt like I shouldn't be able to drink 4 drinks 3 off the strong menu and barely feel a buzz (In contrast when I have had 2 strong drinks at The suffering Bastard or Don the Beachcomber, I feel it and usually stop after those 2) Over 2 days I tried 6 different dinks. 4 the first night at the show and 2 the following night at the Molakai. Mara Amu, Mai Tai, Black Magic and Special planter's punch the first night and Rum Barrel and Special reserve daiquiri the 2nd. The Mara Amu I had outside before we went in for the show, that drink was just sort of meh and seemed a little watered down. That's the same issue I had with the Black magic and the rum barrel, the only thing I really tasted in either of those drinks was the grapefruit. I've had versions of those drinks elsewhere that were far superior. I also think in time if the drinks are poor it will get addressed. That being said their Mai Tai, Special Planter's punch and Special reserve daiquiri were all fine drinks I'd order again. The space alone though is reason enough to visit. It was beautiful, every inch of the place is just amazing. I look forward to returning. I believe pre batching drinks and preparing them in a hidden area leads to some sloppy work by the bar staff sadly. Quality control needs to be addressed. I’m only harsh about this because the drinks at the Mai Kai should be of the same quality as the rest of the place as they have been in the past. In the end the Mai Kai is a bar first and foremost and I want this place to be around for generations to come.i gotta believe that if Mr Starr had been there and tasted what I tasted, some heads would have rolled on the bar staff.

When in Fort Lauderdale, a trip to the Mai Kai is an absolute MUST! The last time I was here was back in 2007, and I thoroughly enjoyed the immersive Polynesian experience; Couldn't wait to go back but - alas - a burst pipe in 2020 put the place out of business. I followed the restoration thru Atomic Grog, equally eager and fearful to learn whether they "Did it Right." I was hopeful that our Tiki Cruise Group would be granted a preview of Mai Kai last year, but it didn't work out (they finally reopened a couple weeks after I'd returned to the Left Coast). I did see videos and general reports that they had, in fact, stayed true to the original - but I still had to see for myself! Well, this year, it finally happened and my heart is filled with joy! The renovation definitely did hold true to the original, while giving it a much-needed refresh! Our Tiki Group thoroughly enjoyed the dinner show, the food, drinks, and service are Top Notch! The gardens are spectacular, and the main entrance has me thinking I need a volcano in my backyard (yeah, I really think I do)! If you're in the area, you absolutely must make a stop! Take a Lyft/Uber, pop into the Molokai Bar and try a Barrel O Rum (or two!). You can thank me later!

We came here for my friend's 24th birthday celebration. Arrived just as happy hour started at 4 o'clock. Chelsea greeted us with incredible enthusiasm before she knew anything about us. Great atmosphere and the best rum cocktails I've ever had. P.S. Chelsea was smoking hot. prioritized our celebration. Give her some shifts $$$

Mai Kai is a must visit if you are in Ft. Lauderdale. We were expecting a touristy spot with decent food and a cute show and we're so pleasantly surprised with more! Our server, Autumn, was truely top notch. She gave us pointers about when was a good time during dinner to go explore, take pictures, and enjoy the shop while avoiding the crowd. She even gave us suggestions for some off menu non-rum cocktail options since we aren't big rum drinkers. The food was solid, the portions were absolutely huge. I had a hard time even making a dent in my meal, but they do require everyone to order an entree. We also got to pupu platter which was so great. I wish they offered a sampler option for the main course. Make sure you take the time to walk around this scenic restaurant before and after your show if you can.

When my boyfriend was in town, we visited Mai Kai. I hadn't been here in many years and it was his first time. We decided to get a couple drinks at the bar. I ordered a Mai Tai and he ordered the same. The drinks were very good. We enjoyed the bar area. We did not go to eat here since the menu did not appeal to him. We ate elsewhere. The atmosphere is very nice at the bar. Service was OK. I will come here again to see if they offer a new food menu compared to when before they renovated.

I came here on Friday night for dinner and had a great experience. I was coming in for the 8 PM show and they encouraged us to get there at seven at the latest. I would highly encourage coming way closer to the 7 o'clock mark because we had gotten there before seven and really all there was to do is drink and walk around the garden which only took about 10 minutes. The show itself did not start until around 9:30 and was an hour long. Parking is valet only, $8. My husband got a Painkiller and didn't think it was worth the $26 price tag. The service was great. The show itself was pretty entertaining. The grounds were updated in 2024 and looked practically brand new, Disney quality. Would recommend reserved seating because our table could see the show, but other tables had major obstructed views. Pretty fun night out.

So happy to see Mai Kai opened again! What a treat and just went on Sunday afternoon for a drink to check out the place. So many new items and refreshed items! There is a beautiful outside bar with great seating and water features with fun tiki statues. Parking is only valet and cost was $8. The inside bar, if you've been there before you may recall it was small and dark. They made it wider and it feels like you are below deck of a ship. Super cool! They have show seating and updated menu. Still have all the great drinks and if you are there before 7pm you get happy hour pricing!!!! Bonus They also still have the outside garden path as well. Generally it looks similar but much better and nice quality, plus much safer and up to code. Go check it out and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere

Okay lots of good and some bad about this place. Let's start with the good: This place is beautiful and there's so much detail in every aspect of this restaurant. The Polynesian ambience makes for an "experience" instead of just dinner. Everything is themed perfectly, and really makes it feel like you have escaped to Hawaii for a while. The show was really good - better than expected! Okay the bad: this place is very touristy and I reflect this back to the prices. You pay for the show, the food, and the drinks separately - and they are quite expensive. Show starts later, so what do they expect you to do while waiting? Yep, buy $20 drinks. I honestly thought the food was good (considering other reviews) but the prices are pretty expensive for what it is. Overall, we have a phenomenal experience and would probably go again! Just make sure you go in knowing that it's an experience, thus the prices will reflect this.

This review is solely based on the one drink I had during happy hour. The server was very sweet. There was a little bit of confusion because my friend was having a birthday happy hour, but she did not call in to make a reservation nor reserve tables. Several of my friends and I had to go and reserve an area for her or just kind of like "stake our claim" on an area. They do have a happy hour every day from five until 7 PM but that is only for drinks. The mock tails start at more than $15. I ordered their most popular drink, the rum barrel. It's priced at $25 normally. It's one of their stronger drinks and many of my friends told me I should try it because it's what they are best known for. I got the drink and it was probably 70% ice. It was definitely strong, but the Flavor was just alcohol. There tasted like no juice and it wasn't really enjoyable. Once I let the ice melt a little bit, the flavor was a bit more palatable. Since it was happy hour, the drink was 50% off so that was nice. Once I got my bill for my singular drink, which should've been $12.50, the server told me that it was $15. I guess I didn't read the fine print that they had an 18% service charge. The server was sweet so I did give her an additional tip but $15 for one drink plus the tip and the valet with tip. My whole visit was $30. I had literally a single drink. I will not be going here again, unless someone is going to be subsidizing that trip. Was not an enjoyable experience.

I always wanted to visit Mai Kai and see the show here. It was closed for 4 years and just reopened November 2024. We had a birthday celebration and decided to celebrate here. The renovation is very nice with the Polynesian theme and atmosphere. Including a garden that you can walk through and tour. This place has a lot of history even some of the performers are still there after many years! There are different time slots for dinner and shows and we decided to go to the early show at 5:30. Note: you do need to reserve in advance as they book up very quickly! And once you reserve, there's no cancellations. There's quite a variety of cocktails to choose from as well as Pupu platter appetizers to share or dinners. I had the traditional Mai Tai which was delicious! And five of us shared a meat platter of BBQ ribs, steak and brisket. It was all very tasty, although I have to say it's a bit pricey. And this was beyond the show price per person. It's important to get there early to get your drink and dinner orders in before the show begins. The show was very impressive! The band played very well the MC was very good at teaching us Polynesian words and telling us the stories. The dancers were very good as well. I like that they performed dances from different areas of the Polynesian Islands. Hula (Hawaii), Tahitian dance (Ori Tahiti, including Otea and Aparima), Maori dance (including Haka and Poi), and Siva Samoa (Samoan dance). They also bring up a couple of people from the audience to dance for one number. Our birthday girl was lucky to have been selected as one of them and that made her night! Although it is pricey it was money well spent for a special occasion! We toured the garden after the show and took pictures. Makes you feel like you're there in the islands.

The dancers and band were amazing, but I got the wrong drink the first time, the waitress was great about the matter, and said I could keep the mistake drink. Then when I got my meal some of the noodles in my Lobster Pad Thai were hard. However still ate it without complaints, the lighting was so atmospheric and the garden was beautiful.

I love you, Mai-Kai I'm so happy you're back. Completely immersive, spectacular show, incredible drinks, delicious food. There is nothing on Earth like the Mai-Kai. Go there!

As soon as you step in to this restaurant, you're transported to an island in Hawaii. The music the way everyone is dressed it just makes you feel you're in vacation. The service is exceptional! Everyone that works here is so nice and helpful. The food as well is delicious. We started off with the pupu platter which was a great way to start the experience. It brought egg rolls, crab Rangoon, Tahitian cheese Tang and chicken wrapped in bacon. As my main I ordered the shrimp fried rice which was perfectly cooked. The show was incredible as well and a must when you go.

Is it expensive for what it is? Yes, but it's a fun experience and the food and drinks were good enough. The shrimp fried rice was actually delicious. Loved the ambiance and the show, our waiter was new but did a great job even though we were a large table. I probably wouldn't go back any time soon but definitely worth checking out at least once.

We had a great time doing the dinner show here. Group of eight people, the appetizers and the food was typical American Chinese food not exactly Polynesian authentic food, but the food we had was good! I wish they had roasted duck on the menu or an affordable pig entree. The show was very entertaining, and the beverages were very good, and you can definitely taste the alcohol. We will be back.

I went this past weekend for the first time with my family to celebrate my mom's birthday, and it was such a fun experience. I cannot believe I have lived in south Florida my whole life, and never eaten here before. It is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion because it truly does feel special to be here. You feel transported to any place. The food was surprisingly good, and the show was amazing. The only thing is that it is very expensive, but for an occasion it is worth it.

Great place for a family night! Flavors are unique and the show is great. Large selection of fun cocktails.

Took my husband for Father's Day. We haven't been since the reopening! Glad to have come back the food has improved. Started with tuna wontons very good. I had Mai Kai tenderloin was delicious. My hubby had ribs. Really good. The Tahitian Breeze drink was a block of ice. Sent that back. Went for classic mai tai's. Very good!! The banana Nutella not impressed that's a pass. The show was great! Always enjoyed. My biggest complaint was the air conditioning was terrible. It was sooo hot.

A friend came to town for the night. We decided to do something different and visit Mai Kai. At first we were all excited. Then things went down hill. The gps took us to the backside of the restaurant. We drove around and were greeted by valet. $8! Cash only! The price of the show doesn't include food. We sat closest to the stage for $33 and half the table was actually behind the stage. We couldn't see the full show. There is a $25 food and bev minimum. It's not strictly enforced. As most have noted, the food is rather expensive and not that great. The Pu Pu platter was ok. It's one egg roll cut into 4 small pieces. Crab Rangoon that tastes like a cheese ball. Some other fried cheese and bacon wrapped chicken? We ordered the Thai noodles - gross! We had them remove it from the check. If I were to visit again, I'd only go for drinks. The performers did a good job but again, I only saw half the show.

The Mai Kai restaurant, the long awaited gem of south Florida has returned with shall I say, a bit of a disappointment. Now perhaps I have had Mai Kai on a pedestal from driving by for 6 straight years hoping it would be open on my yearly trip, only to find it still closed for remodeling. Or perhaps I just set the bar too high. The following was my experience, the good, the bad and the ugly. I entered the Mai Kai and immediately discovered you are required to valet park for an $8 charge. Meh, not thrilling. We entered the Molokai bar at 4pm, the start of happy hour, and found nobody there. Not a soul. We were later told there was a staff meeting going on. One would think that would be done prior to opening, but apparently management doesn't want to make money. So we sat. And we sat, and we sat and finally at 421pm staff began to trickle in and someone presented us with a drink menu. Haley, our server, she was energetic and upbeat, a real ray of Florida sunshine. She took our drink order, a mai tai and a zombie. We got our drinks at 433pm. So, for 33 minutes, your bar made no money. Nobody had been served before we were. That's a fail in my opinion. The service was painfully slow throughout happy hour as the bar is severely understaffed. 2 servers for what I would estimate to be 70 customers. All told I had a jet pilot, a zombie and an old fashioned at the outdoor bar. My wife had 2 mai tais and a rum barrel. The outside palapa bar is far quicker with service than the Molokai bar, and staffed with more servers as well. The decor inside the newly renovated Mai Kai is outstanding. That they absolutely got right. It is amazing to say the least. I didn't stay for the show or have tickets for it for that matter. I was simply there to check out happy hour and to see what had become of the glorious Mai Kai. My hopes are that they tighten up their staffing, management gets a clue on when a staff meeting should occur and end, and that the bars are actually set up when the doors open. Customers shouldn't see staff putting out candles on the bar top etc at 435pm. I am happy to see the Mai Kai up and running again, however it has a ways to go in my opinion before it is at the old glory it once held. Tighten up the reigns and get this right so the Mai Kai can continue for another 60 years please. The drinks were superb by the way, I have no complaints there. The flavors and strength were on point with any great tiki bar I've patronized.

Mai-Kai Dinner Show & Restaurant was absolutely amazing. The last time I was here was 46 years ago when I was a kid. The food was delicious. I had the teriyaki chicken, and for an appetizer we had the Pupu Platter with a variety of tasty pieces. And then there's the show...they took you through the dances of the Polynesian island and it was fantastic. And be sure to take a walk around the restaurant, the gardens and the gift shop. And by the way, the restrooms were decked out to the theme as well. If you're in Fort Lauderdale, don't miss this legendary dinner show while you're there.

Post renovation- my favorite is the new entrance and the outdoor bar. I'm a big tiki fan and have been to a few across the US- Mai Kai is closest to home and the drinks are yummy and the atmosphere is nice. I haven't seen the show post renovation- but it was a fun experience before and I'd assume it's just as fun now. The servers are very attentive and the hosts are always nice. The valet can be a little crazy though- I'd suggest an uber/drop off if possible and also so you can drink more! One of the biggest downfalls I find of Mai Kai is that inside the bar, you are attended by servers and they don't make the drinks in front of you. But overall- it is a fun experience if you're a tiki fan.

Aloha everywhere. From the moment you walk in. My boyfriend took me here for our 1 year anniversary and it was truly a delight. I felt as though I was back on big island. Everyone from the hostess, barracks, bartenders, and servers had aloha. It was our first time there and it sounds like we went at a great time as they have recently undergone a remodel. This is not a fast event. Plan for about 2 hours at least. We hung out at the Molokai Bar before taking our seats. Here our bartender gave us dinner recommendations, which we did end taking their advice and enjoyed our food. The walk through garden through the back is beautiful and a great picture spot. Mai-Kai really makes you feel special in your special day. Everyone in the restaurant will know it's special because they will put a spot light on your table. Totally unexpected but really makes that special lady which was me feel special. Experience rating 5 Food rating 4 But overall 5 stars and great feels.

Drinks and food were so good! I highly recommend going to happy hour for the drinks (50% off), due to the drinks being originally around $18-$35. Flourless Chocolate Torte wasn't bad but wasn't good, I wouldn't get again, especially for price. Recommend using flour lol but Pad Thai SO good! I will be back.

Oof. Where to even start? We visited the "Molokai bar" area for a friend's birthday. The first thing I noticed was how *dark* the interior was. I'm really glad I carry a flashlight with me because I needed it just to see the menus. The drinks menu *really* needs some work. It's incredibly vague, and lists many of the cocktails with a sentence or two of flowery prose without mentioning the liquor or mixers in the drink. Why the heck would I order a drink if I have NO clue what's in it? My partner has some kind of intolerance to tequila, so these are important things to know. The menu can be as pretty as you like, but it's worthless without those details. Ordering the drinks was another hassle because the server was either hard of hearing or way too overworked and stressed (probably the latter). I felt ignored by multiple employees I tried flagging down when they walked by, so it wasn't just the server. The staff on our side of the bar just seemed really uncoordinated and out of it. They would bring food around and have no idea who or where it was going, and it was just awkward for everyone involved. The food itself was just so-so. It's basically Chilis with pineapples thrown on everything to make it "Polynesian". I ordered the Shanghai sate and the bacon-wrapped chicken was both over and underdone. The chicken was dry, but the bacon a bit flabby, and my partner said it just tasted oddly like Chik-fil-A. It was just nothing to write home about, and for the prices they're asking, I'd hope for better food. The rickety-ass wooden bridge you have to drive over to get in is a problem waiting to happen. Is that for effect? Ditch that and just make it a regular road because it's creeping some people out. We heard it from others, as well. Also the exit is also a mess because the view of oncoming traffic from the north is blocked by the giant wooden facade for the entrance. Someone is going to pull out and get T-boned by a speeding car one of these days and it's going to be Mai-Kai's fault. Finally, parking being valet *only* is certainly a choice. Why can't people just park their own cars? It's an extra $8+tip annoyance when this place is already hardly worth the trip. Honestly, I'm getting annoyed again just thinking about the place to write this review. tl;dr: Go somewhere else because this is basically a tourist trap with Bonefish-level food and worse service. It should just shut down again and be replaced by a Benihanas because there wouldn't be much difference. I can't wait to read the ChatGPT generated reply from the restaurant trying to convince people that anything is really going to change.

Woohoo! The MaiKai has officially reopened. Think Trader Vic's on steroids and you've got the right mental image 4 stars across the board for food / drink, service and ambience. Food is roughly similar to just about any pan-Polynesian-kinda-Hawaiian-luau feast. Ambience is the same: a giant tiki hut vibe with dancers. Service had a few hiccups but may just be newly reopening bumps.

We had been looking forward to the Mai Kai's re-opening. It did not disappoint. The place is absolutely gorgeous, the food is amazing, the drinks are out this world and the staff friendly. Make sure you check out the garden in the back and the secret passage!

The Phoenix has risen with the Rebuild of this Florida Icon! Mai-Kai was great before and even more spectacular now with a fresh NEW venue for great food, drinks and entertainment! We love the Mai-Kai and wanted to celebrate the reopening with good friends. We sat at a six top high-rise table adjacent to the outside bar. A cool evening and great service helped us to enjoy the celebration. Take advantage of the Happy Hour Drink and food specials with a wide variety to choose. Lots of people we know and recognize also here tonight. Thank You PIA D for stopping by the table to say Hi and welcome everyone! Great job in promoting this opening event and hanging in there to support this great venue. You can now order your cocktails with spirits other than typical Rum based drinks! Looking forward to catching one of the shows in the future and the creative special events during the year! Welcome Back!

What an incredible experience. Food was amazing. Drinks were outstanding; and the performance of the talented family who's been doing it for years was outstanding of this world. We look forward to coming back. I could spend an entire day just walking around in here to look at the decor and the gardens.

I've been to a dozen tiki bars and this one takes the cake. The ambiance and atmosphere alone is phenomenal. As soon as you pull in to the restaurant you're in a Polynesian oasis! The drinks were delicious and strong. Food was delicious and service was great in the Malakai bar! Already been twice this week!

I've been going to the Mai Kai since I moved to Florida in the early 70's. As a professional with the local Hotel Association, the Mai Kai was an active associate member. And several other organizations I belonged to years ago, used to hold events and meetings here a lot. In the recent years, I attended their Bingo nights and met up with folks at the bar for drinks. I have eagerly been awaiting their re-opening since their remodeling/rebuilding. I was thrilled to be invited to one of their friends and family nights to sample the "new" bar and "new" outside covered patio area. I was able to bring another couple along and we also met up with two other friends. So, the six of us got to enjoy the comfortable outside patio and sample a bunch of their drinks and appetizers. First off, we knew in advance that there was valet parking only (at $8) so we were prepared. Considering the traffic, the contracted company handled this quite well. We checked in with the hostess and got a table right away. All the staff was friendly and welcoming right from the first Aloha, but we had especially great service from our table attendant, Jose. It was lovely to be there a bit early, so we got to take advantage of some of their happy hour drink prices. My husband tried a couple glasses of a white wine, and I tried their (non alcoholic) chocolate typhoon which was absolutely delicious. Others in our group had a pina colada, a witchcraft, a shrunken skull, a halakahiki, etc. etc. It was hard to keep track. One of the newer things about the drink menu, is that they've added other liquors besides rum to the base of many of the tropical concoctions. We also tried a bunch of the different appetizers. Each couple, however, had one of the pupu platters and it was perfect for sharing. I liked all the options included, but some more than others. There were: shanghai chicken, egg rolls, crab rangoons, and cheese tangs. I liked the egg rolls the best of them all. My husband and I also got their filo-wrapped shrimp which came with a green dipping sauce. The outer filo was crispy fried and wrapped around the shrimp. I never did taste the sauce, but I really liked the shrimp on their own. One of the other couples had the octopus poke. I think it was good, but it was quite a small portion for the price and not enough to really share. And another of our friends also shared the Korean chicken wings and the BBQ-glazed pork ribs. They said the pork ribs were outstanding. We were too full to even try one, but they also had a few dessert options available which were not on the menu. The other couples decided on the pear upside down cake and the Reeses' peanut butter bread pudding. The restaurant is having their grand opening on Thursday (we were there Wednesday night) and starting up their Polynesian shows on Friday, November 22, 2024. This will be a welcome addition back to Fort Lauderdale for residents and tourists alike. Can't wait to come again for the full experience -- show and dinner -- and to bring friends and visitors. Aloha! (Just noticed that some old photos are also attached to this review from a previous bingo night event years back; Sorry.)

We revisited theMai-Kai for the first time in over 10 years. 10 years ago when we visited, we didn't have a great experience, but decided to give it a second try since recently refurbishing and reopening. We booked a reservation in advance and had great saving for the show. We arrived around seven. The show started around 8:30. We left by 9:30. So if you plan on attending the show, it is in "event". The restaurant ambience has been upgraded and refurbished, and it was absolutely beautiful. There was so much intricate detail and everything from the food, drinks, lighting, decorations and show. We received our food promptly, the food was not great. We ordered beef stay, it was tough and not very flavorful. The drinks were beautiful as was the presentation of the food. However neither of them were very tasty. For this restaurant it is more about the "experience " then the actual food, however for the price I do wish it was better. After dinner we walked through the garden. It was also beautiful and a great place for photos. There is a beautiful tiki bar outside with seating and will definitely try a different experience at the tiki bar another time. Couple of tips , make a reservation they are usually booked out at least 2 weeks. It is Valet only, prepare to be there a while and if you are in a rush, skip the garden as most people go out there to take photos and it can get congested on the path.

The Mai-Kai is back baby!!!! After a several years hiatus due to construction this legendary tiki-polynesian treasure is back on the scene. I am on their email list and was able to snag a reservation during happy hr on their first week being open. Happy hour is everyday 3-7 weekdays 4-7 weekends at the bar only. This is typically a first come first serve and there are no reservations. They took reservations at the bar during the soft opening only. We thoroughly enjoyed happy hour we both tried lots of drinks and apps. The happy hour is 50% of any drink except the mystery drink. There are no food discounts for happy hour. Service was great and food was excellent. Definitely try the Pupu platter and the phyllo wrapped shrimp. Can't go wrong with any of their tiki drinks and the menu is extensive with lots of new drinks on the menu. It's going to be a crazy few months trying to get reservations but definitely worth the wait. Welcome back MaiKai!

I was honestly very pleasantly surprised with my experience at Mai-Kai. The entire point of the place is the dinner show that performs beautiful renditions of different Polynesian dances from Tahiti, Hawaii, and New Zealand. And the show was very well done and done in a way that didn't feel too gimmicky either. As for the food, well don't come here for delicious reasonably priced food. To be fair I don't blame the restaurant too much for the price and quality of the food. The high cost of food is the price of your admission to the show as well so it's not really that bad a deal. The aspect I didn't like were that the portions were relatively small and there were no real vegetarian options. I ended up eating a small vegetable fried rice. The staff there is delightful and happy to help anyway they can. And like I said the show is the reason to go, especially for the grand finale of the fire dancers

I was so excited to finally experience the reopening of Mai-Kai. This restaurant has a great atmosphere, foot traffic, and lots of potential but I feel they need to fine tune many aspects so it can be outstanding in all categories. Before I came, I did read reviews about how the food often comes out cold. I just went for drinks and sat at the outside bar but we ended up ordering the PuPu Platter Appetizer to see how it is. The food came out fast but it was cold and reminded me of the frozen snacks you heat up at home but sold for $28. The drinks were great I ordered the Hula Girl Martini. I don't like to bash places but I do like to give constructive criticism to help them reach their full potential. I would suggest more managers on the floor to ensure everything is going smoothly and ensuring servers are attentive. The servers were nice and welcoming, however communication skills not great. We were greeted twice and asked if the food was ours a couple times when it wasn't. Everyone is very nice when you get the chance to speak to them. The bartender was great and very nice however, I probably will not be coming back. This is a good spot for drinks. I wouldn't recommend the food based on my experience with the appetizer. Personally, I would say the menu reminds me of rainforest Café expensive food, but not so great quality. I definitely have that appetizer frozen at home.

Show is really entertaining. The kitsch still lives on at this institution that after a 5 year closing The service is all over the place. Many waiters and waitresses but service isn't good. Takes super long and food is over priced and not very good; barely edible Also, the parking is mandatory valet two steps from door and costs 9.50 if paying with a card I suggest if u want to come, pay for the show and have drinks and an appetizer That's it

Was very excited to see the reopened Mai-Kai. It used to be one of my favorite restaurants to go to, so I decided I wanted to spend my birthday here with some good friends. The entrance to the parking lot has been redone and it looks really nice. Unfortunately, valet parking is required. I prefer to park my own car. I made a reservation to see the show, and had to pay in advance. It came out to about $73 for 3 people. We started with drinks. I ordered a Mai Tai drink, it didn't have a nice taste to it like I remembered they used to in the old Mai Kai. We then ordered the Pu Pu platter, which we all enjoyed. For my entree, I got the salmon and it tasted average. Then for desert, we had the macadamia nut pie. It was okay, but didn't taste like a pie to me, more like a cookie. One of my favorite things of the Mai Kai is the show, and I really enjoyed that. Lots of talented entertainers. Even though I had a nice evening, I was a little disappointed with the new Mai Kai. I think they have a few kinks to work out. It has also gotten a lot more expensive, so it would be harder for many people to come here more often.

The Mai Kai is back and esthetically better than ever! You can see the effort and planning that went into bringing this local institution back from the dead, so to speak. Everything is fresh and new but they didn't lose any of the spirit that the old Mai Kai evoked. If you drive- you enter from Federal Hwy and rattle over the first bridge. As soon as you do so- you are transported into a Polynesian paradise. Spin around the "lava fountain" and get in line for the valet. The new outdoor bar where valet parking used to be is a great place to grab a drink or a bite of food. Know before you go that just like in the past- all the signature drinks are made under cover in a back room some place so it will take a while to get your drink unless you order a beer, wine, or the two drinks they have on tap out at the bar. Our bartender, Ashely was terrific, managing the crowd and explaining to all of us the various menu options. The chicken wings we ordered that she recommended were meaty and very tasty. We didn't do dinner or the show on this visit but will plan to do so in the future. I think the biggest challenge that people are going to have with the new Mai Kai are the prices. Most remember the great happy hours with food and drink being half price and today only the drinks are half price. While not a problem for me, the guy next to me was arguing with the bartender about it but just know it's the way it is today. Menu prices have also ticked up over the years on the regular menu- but that's everywhere in S Florida so people just need to level their expectations. And if you drive- there is mandatory valet at $8. It was crazy busy the night we were there and the valet did a great job in bringing our car in a timely basis and they were very helpful. All in all, I am happy to see the Mai Kai back in business as it's one of my fav places to bring out of town guests, or to just stop in for a drink at that fabulous outdoor bar.

We had a few minutes to kill before attending a show and having heard about the Mai Kai's re-opening we decided to give it a quick peek. The renovation has this place looking amazing, all the wood, ropes, and nautical kitsch you could ask for. Our bartender Jennifer was great! Talking us through the bar menu and the amazing cocktail selection. We will definitely be back!

She's back and more glorious than ever before! As a longtime fan of the Mai Kai, I was so sad to see it close several years ago due to damage and costly repairs. For a while there, it seemed like she was doomed, and we would lose this historical piece of tiki culture. I followed along on blogs and Facebook groups with the construction and all the time/love that was devoted to bringing the Mai Kai back. All the dedicated people who painted, sculpted, and used historical references to make her shine better than ever, and to give her a new life for several decades ahead. So when they offered an opportunity to make a reservation and see it all in person, I was thrilled to be able to go. Once you drive over the faux bridge, you immediately escape Fort Lauderdale and are transported to a tropical hideaway. It's pure escapism for the few hours that you are here. The Porte Cochere has been transformed into the stunning outdoor Bora Bora bar and seating venue. At night, the tiki torches glow and the various colorful hanging lanterns give it a most magical feel. Inside, the Molokai bar stills feel so familiar but now shines. The lamps have been redone, and you still feel like you're in an old ship. There are tiki torches all over the property now and the Mai Kai glows! Happy hour is still going strong in both the Molokai bar and new outside bar, though note, the food menu is not part of the happy hour as it once was. The Molokai girls are as delightful as ever, and it was so nice to have a perfectly made Mai Tai again. We enjoyed the Filo wrapped garlic shrimp. I think this is a new addition to the appetizer menu and it came with a zesty dip. I am hoping that once they fully reopen, they will bring back some of the old appetizers to include being able to just order a plate of Crab Rangoon. For now, you can only get it as part of the pupu platter. For this visit, we only sat at a table in the bar. We did not see the show, but we did get to see the main room and it is more beautiful than ever. The gift shop has more Mai Kai-specific items which is really nice to see as well as a selection of tiki feed mugs for sale. The gardens in the back are not reopened just yet. We arrived about 20 minutes in advance of our reservation because we had heard there could be some wait for the valet ($8 charge). As they are just now reopening, you might expect some delays so plan accordingly. There is a large new circular entryway that surrounds a volcano, making it easy to do drop offs and pick ups with a car service. Today was the last day reservations were needed for the bars. You can now drive up and visit. Reservations are only needed for the restaurant and show. The Mai Kai is a legend and a historical landmark. It has been sorely missed by locals in South Florida and Tiki fans around the world. There are not many places like her around anymore, and we are very fortunate to have this piece of wonderful history in Fort Lauderdale. *Please be mindful they are still in a soft opening. So staff are still being trained and they are ironing out the kinks. That's what a soft opening is about. Also, MK was pretty clear about having a limited menu right now.

Very nice weekend night. Dinner and a show. The fruity drinks were delicious. The staff is friendly. Over all good experience.

This was one of the best experiences I've had! Starting with the friendliest people that provide such amazing service to the host involving the guests to the drinks and food being great!! Highly recommend this place. It was definitely worth the money and long drive.

I must say this place reopen with a great renovation. It's been an existence for 68 years. I was there once maybe 30 years so we thought we'd give it a try for a birthday. Everything is run very well. We got in valet parking eight dollars. We had the s 7 o'clock showing which we paid an additional $35 per person you must purchase that in advance nonrefundable the waiter was extremely helpful. And knowledgeable and friendly The food was priced moderately too very expensive. We had the pad Thai all four of us. It was good also had a butter leaf salad, which I liked 2 drinks one virgin piña colada one regular. again this is well organized. their 5 o'clock show out. Was coming out as we were coming for 7 o'clock show seated promptly and we had our dinner served The show itself was quite entertaining. This is definitely a place to go at least once for something unique. check the website for the time Of show you you'd like to go to. They have three on the weekend to on the weekdays. i'm gonna give this five stars for the uniqueness, an organization and ambience. The food was good but not a five star food experience but again this is more about uniqueness of the evening.

Food was great. Show was amazing, really really good. The service was great too. Both bar and restaurant. THE DRINKS ARE WEAK! The entire point of this place is the amazing drinks. They were watered down big time. Come on guys, don't charge 30 bucks for ONE DRINK with tax and tip and water it down. You know better!!! Shame !!!!

We were absolutely OVER THE MOON to be invited to a "friends and family" soft re-opening of the historic and iconic Mai-Kai, which perfectly coincided with our overnight in Miami before our cruise. So many of us had been anticipating this reopening for years, and wow - this was worth the wait and so much more. No detail was forgotten. No expense was spared, I'm sure. What a STUNNING job they did on the refurbishment - she SPARKLES! The drinks, music, service, food, and overall vibe were absolutely magical and immaculate! Our tikiphile hearts are so, so happy. I am so confused about the recent low reviews; those people just don't GET IT!

is big , my estimation I would say there's a good 25-30 seats Looks great. We went to the inside bar. Jenifer was awesome . She had patience. Explain the whole drink menu to us. We order the pupu platter. It can w/ 3 sauces. We also had the octopus blowing smoke. More or less like a ceviche.. plus I had the wonton soup. Tasty.

I should start by saying I have been coming to the Mai-Kai for 5 decades. This is a beloved spot many people know and love. I was here for the first time since the renovations knowing it's well documented the food isn't as good as it used to be but we were celebrating a family birthday and this is how Fort Lauderdale has done that for many many decades. So we booked a table for the show, and started in the bar with drinks and a pupu platter. One of my all time favorite foods was the Mai-Kai cheese tangs, and the crab Rangoon. What they are serving now is sadly not at all the same. Don't order it and destroy your memories of the delicious way it used to be. I would save the $28 and get the appitizer menu ribs instead because they are pretty good, the best thing on the menu as far as we could tell from the reviews. The $25 Old Fashioned cocktail I ordered came in the wrong size glass with absolutely no garnish (see photo) it tasted fine, but it looked half empty and sad. Drinks here were always a joy so I sincerely hope they get refocused on that. We moved to the dining room for the show. I had the appitizer ribs and a side of fries which were good if you avoided the mystery sauce they are covered with. All the other meals were "just ok" and one, the burger, was also not very hot and those fries were ice cold. So the food is what the recent reviews describe, pretty subpar overall and pretty expensive. HOWEVER. The place is lovely, the show is good and the grounds are so pretty, we still had fun. But wow, what a shame the family isn't involved anymore. It shows in every detail. Even the valet parking is a traffic jam, the changes they made to the parking lot weren't well thought out, it was raining and the valet stand was out in the rain. Please please please Mai-Kai corporate owners, get your stuff together, bring in a serious chef and bartenders and fix this before South Florida loses a treasured gathering place. I'll be back as soon as the reviews say it's good again. Hopefully that will be soon....

I was super fortunate to have been able to get a reservation for the soft opening of Mai Kai. It was a wonderful atmosphere in the bar and the staff were all friendly and attentive. The new Bora Bora bar was also gorgeous. The food was good but it did come out all at different times and not together which wasn't ideal but those are easily fixed. I am looking forward to going back in a couple months to try the main dining room area with the show and their full menu! Going to the Mai Kai is an event in itself and is an icon of the area. I'm so glad that it is finally open again after so many years of it being closed.

As most of us know, Mai Kai just recently reopened after many years of being shut down. The harsh reviews don't take into consideration the learning curve that comes with reopening. I came on a Sunday night and it was incredibly busy, however we were sat pretty quickly (we managed to sit near the outside bar despite our table not being ready, it took about 30 minutes for it to be ready). We luckily got here during happy hour (all drinks were 50% off). The drinks were awesome and our waiter had some stellar recommendations. The food was great (minus our pork being a bit over cooked) but the atmosphere made up for that. Anyone going in the next few weeks should remember there are going to be challenges, if you want perfection do not go during the first several months as a they iron some things out!

The newly remodeled Mai-Kai is nothing short of totally amazing. I won't even get into the decor and the ambiance because you should just experience it for yourself and be amazed. The staff is so respectful and helpful and patient and friendly. It is amazing that they could find so many great people to be able to staff this huge place! Let's talk about cocktails! The Mai-Kai has custom cocktails that you can ONLY FIND AT THE MAI-KAI. Don't ask for a Mai Tai - try something off the menu. All of their drinks are remarkable. They have non-alcoholic cocktails too. You will need to visit three or four times to be able to try half the menu and gain an appreciation. Take your time and enjoy different parts of the restaurant or the new outdoors bar.