A beloved South Florida staple has made its comeback! The Mai-Kai has officially reopened, following four long years and a multi-million renovation that has restored it to its former tropical glory… with a few new touches. Considered one of the few “Grand Polynesian Palaces of Tiki” in operation today, this restaurant and dinner theater has retained the very things that made it so special — fiery Polynesian dancing, lush gardens and all the rum-filled drinks one could hope for!
Inside, the 26,000-square-foot space boasts eight themed rooms, from a nautical-themed bar to dining areas named after different Polynesian islands. Each room is deigned to reflect the culture of a region and even features artifacts from each location. In addition to seating 489, there’s a 150-person bar and lounge, a gift shop, meeting/banquet facilities and a tropical garden.
The renovation has also seen the return of Mai-Kai’s much-loved live entertainment, which had previously graced the venue for decades. The twice-nightly, 45-minute performances offer a glimpse into traditional Polynesian heritage with performers representing many islands in the South Pacific, including Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand and the Philippines.
On top of the shows, the restaurant’s Molokai Bar serves up more than 50 specialty drinks, many of which are presented in custom-designed vessels, in addition to a wine list and a rum collection boasting rare selections.
The menu features a delicious selection of Polynesian flavors, including dishes brought back from its original menu. These include the Pupu Platter, which offers an assortment of Shanghai chicken, crispy pork & snow crab egg roll, classic cheese tangs and crab rangoon. Other familiar favorites include the BBQ ribs and peking duck. For dessert, diners can indulge in tropical fruit creations such as the Asian pear upside down cake, made with Vietnamese coffee ice cream and rum caramel sauce, or the Angry Tiki Tower, with mochi, macadamia ice cream sandwiches, lychees and grapes.
Mai-Kai’s history and present
Founded in 1956 by brothers Bob and Jack Thornton, the Mai-Kai was inspired by the rise in trendy “tiki” restaurants. They set their sights on Fort Lauderdale, where it was considered the most expensive restaurant construction project in the nation at the time, costing $350,000 to build. It quickly became a must-visit for South Floridians and even found its way into the National Register of Historic Places. Then in 2020, the restaurant was forced to shut down after a burst pipe destroyed its kitchen.
That brings us to this year, with the 2.7 acre property having undergone a $20 million improvement by Kravitz Design, Perry-Becker Design and Tom “Typhoon Tommy” Allsmiller. The renovation was executed to transform the space while maintaining its original design and vibe, appearing almost untouched. So if you happen to stop by, you might feel a case of déjà vu!
The Mai-Kai is located at 3599 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308. You can learn more and book your reservation on their website.