Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show in Fort Lauderdale

We did Celebrate Our Wedding in this amazing Restaurant on May 2019 . The service , food , drinks , entertainment were Wonderful, hoping this restaurant reopen soon . Thank You for those Unforgettable Memories We did Share with You ❤️❤️

I was on vacation with my boyfriend and his parents. Our hotel was featuring this restaurant as a fun “to-do” in the area, so we decided to make reservations! The hotel had advertised a bundle package (roughly $60ppwhich included an appetizer, an entree, dessert and seats for the show.Upon being seated, our server came over and started us off with drinks. (Keep in mind, drinks are $14-$20 eachThree of us ordered the drink with the real pineapple. We were greatly disappointed when it arrived and they were small pineapples and they were hardly filled with liquid and topped with ice... literally 3 sips. The manager quickly apologized and said the pineapples were smaller than normal and offered us different drinks.Then upon ordering our food, the server failed to tell us that our bundle deal was a specific menu and NOT the one they sat us with... so we had to switch out menus and look again. The choices seemed fair and there was the option to upgrade to another option if desired.One appetizer we had was a lobster bisque and it didn’t come with any bread or crackers. I asked the server if they had anything for dipping and he said they had breadsticks, and he could bring one over. I said sure and waited 20 minutes to receive it. And when we got the bill, we had been charged for it!! (We said nothing because it was $2, but still)The other issue we ran into was, my entree was supposed to be served with noodles and instead I received rice. (we said nothing because we didn’t want to be the complainersUpon it being delivered to the table, there was a black hair in my entree as well. Obviously we said something at this point and the manager got me a new plate.The rest of our food and experience was good. The best part of the whole thing was the show and how unique it is. After the show is over, and dinner is finished, they welcome you to take photos and stroll the waterfall in the back of the restaurant! And this was so cool and a great photo opportunity!**All in all, I gave this restaurant 4 stars, mostly for the experience alone. The food and service was mediocre and drinks were extremely overpriced for their size. We paid almost $400 for the 4 of us. That’s 4 bundle deals, 4 alcoholic drinks, a few upgrades in food choices and a tip. Yes, I have amazing photos and the show was cool, but I don’t think the price was worth what we got.

Great authentic atmosphere. The polynesian dancing was very entertaining. Food was ok and the gift shop was really small and pricey.

We went for a birthday. As reviews state, its really dark inside but that being said, we enjoyed the small garden as we waited for our appetizers to come out and the dinner itself was really nice. Good portions and the flavor was more like your typical Chinese food, Ive been to Hawaii and dont think your getting that type of food here but its tasty. The service was slow but once the appetizers came out , everything followed. The show started ontime at 8pm. We reserved at 630 which gave us time to see the garden, eat and drink wine at a good pace. The show was impressive. Definitely catch the show not just the dinner. They have an online offer for $39 per person with a limited menu which is absolutely your best bet. Not many people know that. Otherwise get ready to definitely spend a lot and I mean a lot of money. Definitely a cool place to impress a fun date. Make sure to get seated nearby the stage.

Very nice experience. Love the atmosphere. We got engaged at south point pier park and went to this restaurant to celebrate.

Oldest tiki bar in Florida! Food was amazing! Gardens were GORGEOUS & the Polynesian show was spectacular! A definite must if you havent been, we will be back!!❤🌺

Amazingly fun restaurant with great drinks, good food, and a superb live show. The venue itself is beautiful and incredibly decorated. Definitely worth a visit if youre in the area and looking for a fun and memorable evening!

The history of this place is what makes it worth visiting! It is on the National Register of History places and has been in operation since 1956. It is the "Tiki Mecca" and they have a wonderful Polynesian dinner show and gorgeous tiki garden. I think it is definitely worth going but just make yourself aware that the bar and table service is incredibly slow. Just grab a strong tiki drink and realize youre in for a long experience. The food is excellent and they have a kids show on Sunday nights.

Celebrated our 2 year anniversary here and thoroughly enjoyed the food, entertainment and service. Loved the smoked pork in the wonton soup and especially loved the coconut flan

Fun Polynesian restaurant with a live show featuring native dances including fire dances. Beautiful gardens set up at the back of the restaurant to walk through. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The food was good, too.

This place is AWESOME! The food could use a little more flavor, but the entertainment value is definitely worth it! There are a TON of drink options, great atmosphere and look, and most of all the show is great! Being a drummer myself, you can really appreciate the musical and performer talent used in the show.

We were looking for something different to experience for "Date Night", well we found it. Ive been coming here since the 70s as a child and the Mai Kai has gotten better with time. Great food and fantastic entertainment. Must experience and we will definitely come back!A Very Happy Customer!

The food was just good, nothing special. I would go as far as to say the portions/taste do not match the pricing of their menu items.The show that was put on was top notch. I had a Groupon for $50 off my bill otherwise I would have been mad at the price paid for this dinner/show togetherWe ended up spending $110/$20 for a tip. Otherwise it would have been a $175/$180 evening.Parking here is valet and is either $3/10 depending where you wish your car to be parked. The staff a the facility was very attentive and made sure they met your needs as a customer.A must see is the garden area that is located just outside the eating areas.

Valet was quick and easy. Line coming into restaurant is a bit unorganized and no one was managing the flow. We waited in line and people were coming in through the exit door and walking into the line without waiting. Frustrating to say the least when we arrived on time and had reservations. Next we noticed that people did not adhere to the dress code, but were let in. Also frustrating because the restaurant was very warm, and we would have preferred to be dressed cooler. The food arrived timely, but was somewhat disappointing. Bear in mind, my lobster dish was $65.00. All our food was over cooked, dry, and just not prepared very well. The server was so overwhelmed we didn’t see him for 20 minutes between visits. Don’t get me wrong, he was very professional and friendly. So much so, my young daughter had a great time as it was her birthday. However, he did not offer us any desert except for my daughter. Now as far as the seating, the tables are extremely close together. We had a couple with a young child next to us that was constantly kicking me during the show. Again, annoying. These were the people that were wearing cargo shorts, tank tops, and spoke so loud, you couldn’t hardly hear each other at our table. Drinks are fantastic and show, as always, was excellent. Actually, those were the two factors that make this place a hit. All in all, it was a good place for our daughters sake, but not so sure we would go back for a $170.00 dinner for three (one childwhich was after a $50 gift card. Too bad because we looked forward to this for quite some time.

💃🏻🏝❤️🙏This place is amazing 😉 you will read other reviews here of how full and over crowded no space... blah blah blah!! Trust me , yes it’s full!BUT EVERYONE FITS perfect!😂🤣Your going to a show! Well organized with dinner and your gonna enjoy it! I enjoyed it,unless your one of those people who get anxiety around others. I had a blast!They put on an excellent show. The food, oh... my delicious. I drank a pińacolada it was exquisite!!!! The garden outside is so beautiful. I felt like I was really at Hawái !!!! The waiter the hostess everything was perfect! I can’t wait to go back!!!

Staff was super friendly and helpful. Drink menu was huge with an amazing mixture of cocktails. Before dinner arrived the wife and I got up and walked through the outdoor path with lush plants and waterfalls. Food was good and arrived just before the show started. Show was awesome, enjoyed the trip through many different cultures. Information on each culture represented by the dance was informative and entertaining. Definitely worth the visit if you are any where near by!

I enjoyed the entertainment. Parking was $3.00 and they fill up fast. If you are vegan, you WILL enjoy the entertainment, but the inly thing you can eat is a basic salad. Their chicken wings maikai were good according to the hubs. The service was good. If you have a birthday they will call your name to wish you happy birthday. You learn a great deal about the Mauri culture and Hawaii so the entertainment is also a learning experience. The set up is nice and culturally related to Hawaii. The food is $$, not cheap but not overly expensive. Overall, it is a good place for a date, celebrating a birthday or anniversary. If you sit close to stage ypu may be called upon to be a apart of the dance segment but people have a great time participating. Go.

I visited for the first time and took my wife and daughter for their first time on my wifes birthday. We had an incredible time! We were expecting a great show, received one, but also got an interesting history lesson. They did a pheonemenal job giving us an interactive and exciting lesson on their culture. The food was good but the ambience was much better. A must do Id say...

The show was so fun and impressive!! Beautiful atmosphere. Great for and drinks. Gets really busy at the late show on the weekends so best to make reservations.

Excellent time always! A great tropical experience I would do over and over again. Absolutely amazing Polynesian show, in a such select ambient, with delicious food and select drinks. Vegan are welcomed as well. The back garden is like a piece of heaven with water fountains, fire torches, palm trees and so on. HAPPY HOUR strats at 4 PM till 7 PM with half price on food and drinks.Also conveniently located on US1 and Oakland park Blvd right cross the street from the Coral Ridge Shopping Center.

I had a dinner with my family and friends. Nice Classic decoration, good atmosphere. Foods are in High quality and taste is excellent. Staff are very friendly and worth paying a tips. Show is too awesome. I would recommend to those who wants to celebrate their birthday or anniversary coz this is the perfect place for dining for romantic as well as for Fun with buddies.

Awesome place to eat and catch a show. You have to experience this, it was a highlight of trip. Polynesian dancing and great food! You done for about an hour and 30 minutes and then watch a 45 minute show. They have a package menu that includes the show (I recommend thisor u can order items separately from the menu and most $15 for the show

Have always wanted to go to this pace since I was a kid. We finally made it to celebrate our anniversary! The food was amazing and the drinks we too!! The show was fantastic. My kids were mesmerized! Definitely a place to go back to for another celebration.

What a stunning place. Feel like your in Hawaii without being in Hawaii. Food was good, lots of options. Check out happy hour times. Show up early for 50% off drinks and food, before you take your seats for the dinner and show. Show was great. Great vibes, had the goosebumps a few times it was so good.

The place was great. Not the cheapest but also not the most priciest out there but dont come here expecting budget prices. There is only valet parking ($3 self park option). The show is included in the bill (about $30)and to me was well put together and is about 45 minutes long. Our server was very friendly and the food was awesome. Get your order in before the show starts or it will be very hard for the server to hear with all the banging drums and music. Drinks are reasonably priced and there is big selection of drinks, if your a beer person theres only a couple beers available however. Overall, it was a great experience worthy of a visit at least once.

It is worth the visit.The service is great, staff is amazing.The show is nice and beautiful.The food is really good, Id say bit too pricey but its an expirience.My missing star goes to the scheduled dinner, for the money spent sometimes you want to feel more owner of your time. Eat calmly drink (many delicious tropical choicesand just enjoy. But since theres a show on schedule yes... you are on a time line.If youve never been , take the chance.

Wonderful place! Had a great time! The service was quick, very attentive, and we were served by multiple servers in nice clothing. Food was delicious! Big portions, everyone took food home, and the drinks are perfection as well! The show was was great, with a variety in dances and music that is all Hawaiian and Polynesian. They even used fire! The price of the show is only $15 and then you pay for whatever food and drinks you order. Worth it!!

Great atmosphere and decor. The drink menu (while plentiful from the bar upon entrywas underwhelming to start. The drinks were boozy and off flavor for just about everyone in our group of 8. That said, the food was delicious. The crab rangoons on our app plate were some of the best I’ve had in years. I had the Macadamia Mahi Mahi for main course topped with pineapple salsa and jasmine rice of which was delicious. Our group did not stay for the full Polynesian dinner show looked like fun. Would revisit.

This dinner was SO MUCH FUN! The sushi was great! I got the special which was snapper and jasmine rice.. delicious! Husband got chicken curry and he said it was alright. The show was so much fun to watch!! A must see if youre in the area!!

They honored our reservation and seated us promptly. Valet and self parking is $3. The food was a little underwhelming and hit or miss. The show was nice and informative. I would only go back for the overall experience and not much so for the food.

Perfect place for a special occasion that is unique. You could an indication of that when you drive up and find that there is only valet parking available. Whether you park it yourself or let them do it youve got a $3 or $10 parking fee.I would suggest that you make reservations if you want to go. It is a unique restaurant in a polynesian type atmosphere.The bar menu of specialty drinks as extensive. The planters punch was particularly good as was the barrel of rum.We ordered at the Pupu platter as an appetizer and was a little disappointed. In many places this platter includes shrimp and some ribs. This was different and had primarily fried items.But things got better when the dinner was served particularly good war the 2 entrees we ordered. We had cashew chicken and seafood noodles. Both were excellent. We had sides of noodles and black rice. These 2 were very good.For dessert we shared terrimizu Im a cup of flaming Kona coffee. Coffee was quite a show with flame shooting up from the coffee to the school and that was feeding the flammable alcohol.We stayed for the show which provided an overview of different dances from across Polynesia. They were lively and entertaining and well worth watching.When dinner was finished we went for a stroll through their special gardens with waterfalls flaming torches and Idols of tiki gods.We were at the restaurant for almost 4 hours and enjoyed every minute of it.

It was entertaining. Food was okay, not great, some dishes were VERY TASTY! Others dissapointed, but not bad.Really nice show and waterfalls and walking trail were great for pictures.Kind of pricey tho! $180 for two people, two cocktails, one dinner entre, Pu-pu platter, order of crab rangoons, a side salad and 2 small sides and the dinner show was $30 for the two of us.The food wasnt worth $140.

Awesome restaurant that sets the standard for all Tiki bars and restaurants. The food is great and the drinks are spot on!! Highly recommended. We watched the show and spent the afternoon to late night there . A definite must for all international travellers to Florida.

Atmosphere/Theme-10/10Cleanliness of restaurant-8/10Customer Service- 6/10Taste/Quality of food 10/10Value for Price 7/10The taste of the food and the decor/theme of this restaurant is what makes it stand out. We ordered the Korean bbq tacos for an appetizer and the crispy orange beef and honey chicken for our entrees, everything tasted very authentic and had exceptional flavor, especially for those of you who like sweet food. The Polynesian theme is very consistent and stunning throughout the restaurant, they have a trail that you can walk and take some great pictures that includes waterfalls and island statues. While I think this restaurant is great for special occasions it was very busy the day we went and this made it very difficult to hear each other talk. It’s also very dark inside which makes it pretty difficult to read the menu. All of the employees were extremely nice, but unfortunately with it being so busy we had to wait 20 minutes over our reservation time to be seated and waited 10 minutes to get a food menu. I’m probably more critical of this restaurant because of how much it costs to eat there and I think for the price customers shouldn’t be waiting so much.

2nd time Ive been here. Just as fantastic as my first visit a few years ago. The food is excellent as is the service. The show is wonderful and was different from the last visit we had. Good to see they switch it up.

They have regular valet and VIP valet for someone who wouldnt want to wait for their turn on the way out to get their car, and the VIP valet was worth it.We had to wait to be seated even with a reservation but so did everyone else.The waitress was efficient and very nice her name was Cici K. Halfway through the show the host says the names of people with any kind of celebration going on at the time and if you brought a cake, like we did, the waitress would then bring it out to you and at that time blow the candles as they play a Birthday song. The cake is taken back after the song to come back later for dessert so that you can finish your meal, after all we were only halfway through the show.The show was amazing, from the dancers to the musicians. My favorite was the juggling of fire.Highly recommended to everyone!!! :)

Did dinner and a show. Food was great. Beautiful decorations. Went to the bar before hand and it was soo packed by the time we got our drinks it was already time to be seated so I would not recommend doing that. Just show up at your reserved time.

Wonderful staff, food, ambiance, and show. Its not cheap, but its well worth it. After the show and dinner my family and I walked through the garden. Felt like we were in a different world! Would never know that there is a busy road right out side. They did a marvelous job creating a little getaway.

The food is amazing, we got the Peking Duck. Highly recommend. The drinks are superb. The grounds are beautiful if you come you must take in the show and walk the grounds. They roast the duck in h the ovens which are visible to the guests. Make sure you have reservations its a busy pace. I saw several people get turned away for not having a reservation. The staff is nice and helpful but I recommend reading they menu before you get there as they have a large drink menu.

Awesome place. Unbelievable show. Amazing atmosphere. I will go back there as soon as possible. Food was really good and really fast. Staff was really helpful with me in my first visit. I had a great time.

Awesome time. Get there early before your reserved time. Ask for the 3 course menu to save some $. Show is awesome, tour the garden in the back and take photos before you leave. Great place to celebrate birthday, engagement or anniversary.

For those that truly appreciate the authentic tiki and Polynesian ambiance, Mai Kai stands alone as a remnant of the past when such exotic island theme experiences were the favorite among jet setters and affluent travelers.After more than six decades, the legendary cocktail menu remains virtually unchanged and the food much better than some might expect. This restaurant is rum like a Swiss watch -- they manage to feed three hundred people and deliver a high-quality Polynesian dance show extravaganza without a hitch -- with fast and friendly service -- sometimes twice a night. It takes a small army of well-trained and motivated staff to do it.On Sunday evenings, the families and children of the musicians and dancers join in the fun onstage.The gift shop is a must-stop for any tiki enthusiast.

A very special place. Great food, amazingly fun cocktail menu, and the dinner show is not to be missed. Be sure to put this restaurant on your "must do" list!! The happy hour prices for drinks and appetizers are a great value. My sister enjoyed a steak prepared in their unique Chinese oven, and said that it was the best she had ever enjoyed.

You have to pay to park there. The ambience is very nice but a little to dsrk to read the menus so the server gives you a flashkight. The alcoholic drinks are very pricey but very delicious. The menu has a great variety of dishes. We did the dinner and show which was a great date night for my wife and I. The outdoor garden with the statues and waterfall was very beautiful.

Great dinner, good was better than expected and the show was fun and entertaining. Would have been 5 star if not for a bit overpriced for food and we werent warned about the 15$ per person for the show. Didnt get to visit the gardens this time around but will come back with the family for certain.

I have mixed feelings about this place. Loved the atmosphere, decorations and friendly staff. Food was good.You have to pay to park yourself, is not much $3 but still it doesnt make sense.Their system to seat you for the "show/dinner" reservation, they tell you to be there at a certain time to make you wait for more than 30 min if you have a large party. Why the reservations if you still have to wait like you are a walk in person.The show: dont get me wrong the dancers are good, but they do not look the part, a bunch of nice skinny white kids, but you dont feel the traditional dance, they use an extra small stage (maybe thats why they are so skinny)...The drummers were excelent! But still I was expecting something more "dramatic" . They did have a highlight the part with fire stunts .The girl that introduces each part of the act has such a monotone voice and demeanor you feel like she doesnt want to be there or is very bored with it, she had very interesting facts about the acts but no heart in what she was saying... I just tuned her out, highlight her outfits.

Went here without a reservation for two. We were instantly greeted and sat down outside without a wait. We sat near the waterfall which provided a beautiful scenery for a romantic night out. Service was also excellent.Food and drink-wise: They have a large variety of tropical drinks available. Their poultry dishes, particularly the Red Thai Curry Chicken, were absolutely delicious. Will go back again and look forward to sitting in the entertainment area to watch the show.

Came with my girlfriend for a nice dinner date. I recommend that you go for the show, not the food.First off, you have to valet your car if you park at the restaurant. Valet costs either $3 or $10 for VIP which is not worth it. We arrived about an hour before our reservation so we had time to get drinks at the bar and walked around the gardens outside. The drinks were overpriced and under-poured. The gardens were very beautiful.When we got seated we ordered our appetizers the Fried Calamari and the Shaghai Chicken. Both were tasteless. Next, we ordered our entrees, I had the Mai Tai Honey Chicken which tastes like your typical Chinese takeout. For dessert I had the Mango Sorbet yogurt which was the best part of the entire meal.The show is what turned this 1-star review to a 3-star review. There was a large drunk party next to us which made it hard to hear what they were saying on stage but the performances were entertaining.For the same cost as eating a meal here. You can pay for a plane ticket go to Hawaii. Come for the show but stay away from the food as much as possible.

Visited Nov, 2016. The best Tiki Bar Ive been to. The decor is over the top, but in a good way. The food was also very good, but it was more expensive than I expected. Prepare to pay nice steakhouse prices unless you go for one of the Chinese entries. The restaurant has valet parking (it seemed mandatoryand a great floor show with an entry fee , although there is the option of a quieter room with no surcharge. On the Saturday night we were there they had two show times for seating and we didnt leave until after 11, so you may want to call to see how late they are actually open. And if youre looking for random Polynesian gifts they have a large gift shop. Overall, a very nice evening

The tiki drinks were delicious and the show was fun. Show lasted about 45 minutes and the dancers were very good. Unfortunately, the table in front of us decided to continue their dinner conversation throughout the whole show so I could not hear much of it. The restaurant did nothing to discourage talking so that was annoying considering we paid an extra $28 for the show.The food itself is pretty basic. We ordered beef sliders and calamari for appetizers. The dipping sauces for the calamari were good but the squid itself was flavorless. The sliders had potential to be good, but they burned the meat. We tried asking for the sliders to be cooked medium but our waiter said they are all cooked the same, about medium to medium-well, and we are not able to make customizations. He ignored me when I told him our menu said the sliders are "cooked to order".For entrees we ordered the pad thai (which was made with thin noodles, and was decent), and the honey chicken. The honey chicken was sweet and delicious but came with pork fried rice that was very bland. Thankfully my chicken had extra sauce on the plate so I just mixed the rice in to give it some flavor.The theme and decorations of the place are beautiful. Our dinner reservations were at 8pm and the show started at 9:30. This gave us enough time to order, have a drink, eat our appetizers, and then go to the garden to take pictures.Mai Kai is on the pricier end for food that is not even that good, but the overall experience made it a fun place to visit at least once. I would come back for happy hour because of the ambiance and drinks.