Last updated: July 9, 2026
If you love themed restaurants, tiki cocktails and Polynesian culture as much as we do, you will love Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale! This historic restaurant has an immersive dining show that really has to be experienced to understand. This unique dining experience absolutely needs to be on your Florida list.
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We visited Mai-Kai at the start of our Key West road trip, and agreed it was a perfect way to kick off the trip. It is not just a tiki bar. It is not just a historic restaurant. It is more like stepping into a tropical dinner show world with themed bars, waterfalls, lush gardens, Polynesian dancing, fire knife performances, cocktails, and so many little details to explore. We didn’t even get to see everything!
Mai-Kai originally opened in 1956 and has long been considered one of the most iconic Polynesian-themed restaurants in the country. After being closed for several years, it officially reopened in late 2024 following a major $20 million renovation and restoration. The restaurant is located at 3599 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308.
It was also named the best tiki bar in the world by Critiki in 2015, but after visiting, I would say that description almost undersells it. Mai-Kai is really a full restaurant, bar, garden, and live show experience all in one.
- What Is Mai-Kai Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale?
- Making Reservations for the Mai-Kai Dinner Show
- Arriving at Mai-Kai: The Tiki Vibes Start Outside
- The Molokai Bar Is One of the Coolest Parts
- Exploring the Themed Areas and Gardens
- Our Mai-Kai Dinner: What We Ordered
- The Polynesian Show at Mai-Kai
- How Much Did Mai-Kai Cost for Six People?
- Is Mai-Kai Worth It?
- Tips for Visiting Mai-Kai Fort Lauderdale
- Faqs about Mai-Kai Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale:
- Final Thoughts: Mai-Kai Is so much More Than a Tiki Bar
- Author’s Note
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What Is Mai-Kai Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale?
Mai-Kai is a famous (iconic) Polynesian restaurant and dinner show in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It has been around since the 1950s and is known for its immersive tiki atmosphere, tropical cocktails, themed dining rooms, lush gardens, and live Polynesian dinner show.
The whole place feels like an old-school South Seas escape. From the moment you arrive, it feels different from a normal restaurant night out. There are tiki torches, tropical landscaping, carved details, themed rooms, and a sense that you are about to have a one-of-a-kind experience rather than just dinner.
That is exactly what we loved about it. We felt totally immersed in the whole experience.
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Making Reservations for the Mai-Kai Dinner Show
We made our reservations online ahead of time (about 30 days out) for the Mai-Kai dinner show. Since we were coming with a group of six, I reserved the front of the Tonga premium seating area for the show.
The premium Tonga seating was $33 per person, and that price was just for the show seating. Food and cocktails were extra.
For us, the Tonga seating was worth it because it is raised and gives you a really good view of the stage. We had a perfect view of the dancers and the fire knife performance, which was one of the biggest highlights of the night.
In our opinion, the best seats for the Mai-Kai show are either:
- Tonga premium seating, because it is raised with a great view
- Garden seating, especially if you want to be closer to the stage
You do not have to see the show if you only want to eat at Mai-Kai. There is another dining area available for regular dining, so you can still enjoy the restaurant without booking the full dinner show experience. You can also sit at the Molokai Bar area.
Arriving at Mai-Kai: The Tiki Vibes Start Outside
The experience starts before you even walk inside.
We arrived and immediately loved the classic Mai-Kai exterior, the tropical landscaping, and the famous volcano area. It already feels like you are entering some kind of old-school Florida attraction, not just going out to dinner. It reminded me of when we went to Casa Bonita near Denver for the first time – pure magic!
Our first stop was the Bora Bora Bar outside. It was a great way to ease into the tiki experience and start soaking in the atmosphere before heading inside.
If you are making a full evening out of it, I definitely recommend arriving early so you are not rushing straight to your table. There is too much to see here and you don’t want to miss anything.
📌Note: There is Happy Hour from 4 – 7 PM in the Molokai and Bora Bora Bars. You can enjoy 50% off select drinks (no food). Seating is on a first come/serve basis so get there early.
The Molokai Bar Is One of the Coolest Parts
After starting outside at Bora Bora, we headed into the Molokai Bar, and this was one of our favorite spots at Mai-Kai. Next time, we will plan to spend more time in this awesome bar.
The Molokai Bar is designed to feel like you are inside an old ship, complete with water running down the windows. It is dark, moody, immersive, and very pirate-esque.
This is the part of Mai-Kai that really made me feel like the renovation kept the magic intact. It is dramatic, well-themed, and makes you want to just hang out.
We also tried the Rites of Passage shots, which came out in a smoking treasure chest. Each shot was different, and we liked all of them. It was such a great way to start our Mai-Kai night.
Exploring the Themed Areas and Gardens
Before the show, we checked in and explored more of the restaurant areas.
Even the restrooms are themed, which sounds funny to mention, but it is true. There is a photo-worthy sink and vanity area, and it shows how much detail went into every part of the restaurant.
One of the prettiest areas is the Mai-Kai gardens. We walked through waterfalls, giant tiki statues, bamboo, and tropical landscaping. It felt like a little hidden jungle tucked inside Fort Lauderdale.
After the show, we loved walking through the different rooms and exploring the decor in each area. Every space has its own vibe, and it is worth taking your time instead of rushing out right after dinner.
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Our Mai-Kai Dinner: What We Ordered
We were so hungry that I did not take photos of most of the food, which is always the danger of a really fun dinner night with friends. However, we did get a photo of dessert which was one of the most memorable parts anyway. All of the food we had was great though!
For dinner, we shared several items with our group of six:
- Crab rangoon appetizer
- Wagyu beef gyoza
- Family-sized BBQ mix platter with pork ribs, huli huli half chicken, Hawaiian ribeye, and beef rice
- Mai-Kai Volcano dessert
The family-sized BBQ mix platter worked well for our group because everyone could try a little bit of everything. The mix of ribs, chicken, ribeye, and rice worked perfectly as fun shared meal instead of everyone just ordering separately. We ordered the extra appetizers to make sure we all had enough since the bbq mix said it served 4. We had more than enough food for us all.
For dessert, we ordered the Mai-Kai Volcano, which reminded me of a tropical version of baked Alaska. It was fun, dramatic, and definitely fit the whole Mai-Kai experience.
The Polynesian Show at Mai-Kai
The show was the main reason we reserved the premium seating, and it ended up being one of the best parts of the night.
The performance included hula dancing, Polynesian story dances, and the main attraction for us: the Samoan fire knife dance.
The fire knife dance was exciting, high-energy, and definitely the part that had everyone paying attention. If you are debating whether to do the show or just go for dinner, I would say the show is what makes the night feel special.
Mai-Kai describes itself as offering Polynesian cuisine, cocktails, and live performances, and the dinner show is a big part of what makes the restaurant such a unique Fort Lauderdale experience.
How Much Did Mai-Kai Cost for Six People?
Mai-Kai was definitely a pricey night for us, but not in a way that felt surprising once we added everything up.
For six people, our total was around $575 for the night. That included the food, cocktails, appetizers, the shared family-style platter, and dessert.
The premium Tonga show seating was $33 per person, so that alone was about $198 for six people before food and drinks, so add that to the above.
When you break the full night down per person, it was not too bad considering it included dinner, cocktails, dessert, premium show seating, and a full immersive experience at $129.00/person. It was still a splurge, but it felt worth it for a special night out.
This is not the kind of place I would visit expecting a budget dinner. It is more of a “make it an event” kind of night, but we felt we saved a little sharing everything instead of getting individual entrees.
📌Note: Parking at Mai-Kai is valet only and the lot fills up quickly. We used an Uber from our hotel to avoid this (and to avoid having to drive after the tiki drinks).
Is Mai-Kai Worth It?
For us, yes. Mai-Kai was worth it.
It was a pricey night, but the immersive tiki vibes, themed rooms, gardens, cocktails, dinner show, and fire dancing made it a whole experience that we couldn’t get anywhere else. There really is nowhere else like the Mai-Kai! We think it was the best.
We especially loved:
- The Molokai Bar
- The smoking treasure chest shots
- Walking through the gardens
- The Tonga seating view
- The Samoan fire knife dance
- Exploring the rooms after the show
- The Mai-Kai Volcano dessert
It was definitely an adventure, and we would (and will) do it again. Next time, we want to hang at the Molokai Bar longer and maybe catch their happy hour deals.
Tips for Visiting Mai-Kai Fort Lauderdale
If you are planning to visit Mai-Kai, here are a few things I would recommend based on our experience.
Make reservations online ahead of time
If you want to see the show, make Mai-Kai show reservations online in advance. Mai-Kai’s FAQ says show reservations are required for each guest attending, and reservations can be made up to 45 days in advance. We made ours about 30 days before the trip.
Arrive early and stay late
Do not show up right before your seating time. Give yourself time to see the outside, visit the bar, walk through the gardens, and take in the details. We also walked through the rooms and explored after the show as well. It’s all part of the experience.
Choose Tonga or Garden seating for the show
We loved the Tonga premium seating because it was raised and gave us a great view of the stage. The Garden area also looked like a good option if you want to be closer to the action.
Budget for more than the show ticket
The show seating price does not include food or cocktails. Food, drinks, appetizers, and dessert are extra, so plan for a higher total if you are making a full night of it.
Faqs about Mai-Kai Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale:
Yes, we thought Mai-Kai was worth it for the full experience. It is definitely a splurge night, but the immersive tiki atmosphere, Molokai Bar, themed gardens, Polynesian dinner show, cocktails, and Samoan fire knife dance made it feel like much more than a regular restaurant.
For our visit, we reserved the front of the premium Tonga seating area for the show at $33 per person. Food, cocktails, appetizers, and dessert were extra. For six people, our total night was around $575, including show seating, food, drinks, and dessert.
No, you do not have to book the show if you only want to eat or enjoy the restaurant. Mai-Kai has dining areas where you can have dinner without the Polynesian show, but the show is a big part of what makes the full Mai-Kai experience feel so special.
Yes, Mai-Kai worked really well for our group of six. The shared appetizers, family-sized platter, cocktails, and show seating made it feel like a fun group night out instead of just a regular restaurant dinner.
It’s absolutely great for families and there is a kid’s menu as well.
A Quick Note on Tiki Culture
Tiki culture can be complicated, and it is worth acknowledging some people think that some tiki spots have leaned more into fantasy appropriation than cultural respect over the years. We didn’t feel that way at all. What stood out to us at Mai-Kai is that the experience felt more intentional than just “tropical decor.” The show itself felt like an effort to celebrate Polynesian music, dance, storytelling, and performance traditions rather than just use them as a backdrop.
Final Thoughts: Mai-Kai Is so much More Than a Tiki Bar
Mai-Kai may be famous as one of the world’s great tiki destinations, but after trying it out, we think of it more as a full themed dining experience.
It has the cocktails and tiki vibes, yes, but it also has gardens, waterfalls, themed rooms, dinner, dessert, live entertainment, and a fire knife finale. It is one of those places where the atmosphere and show just enhances the restaurant experience.
For us, it was the perfect way to start our Key West road trip. We left feeling like we had done something unique and memorable before the road trip had even really begun.
If you are visiting Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or starting a Florida Keys road trip, Mai-Kai is definitely worth putting on your list for a fun and unique night out that your group will still be talking about when you get home.
Author’s Note
We visited Mai-Kai at the start of our Key West road trip after flying into Fort Lauderdale, and it ended up being one of our favorite things we did on the trip. We paid for our own dinner, drinks, and show seating, and this review is based on our personal experience as a group of six.
Even though it was definitely a splurge event for us, we left feeling like it was worth it because the whole night felt like more than just dinner. The themed rooms, Molokai Bar, gardens, cocktails, Polynesian show, and fire knife dance all made it feel like a full experience that we will do again.
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