Mai Kai Polynesian Restaurant & Polynesian Show

3599 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

(954) 563-3272

Went to Mai Kai to celebrate a birthday. I have been here before, I like the place the decorations are authentic and the ambiance and vibe are good. The show is also very good it does get repetitive even though they do make some changes but the core aspects are all the same. I am not a huge fan of the food, it is overpriced with and low quality. They have an amazingly big selection of drinks but again overpriced. The drinks cost depend on  the amount of alcohol you want going from mild, medium, and strong. This time around decided to try the fixed price menu $47 which includes one appetizer, one entry,  one dessert and the show. Normally the show alone is about $14. I also ordered a cocktail. It was good, sweet and lovely presentation. For appetizer had the lobster bisque. I have had it before but this time I didn’t find it that good. It was very spicy and that didn’t allow me to really taste the lobster,  also it only had small shavings of lobster on top for decoration. I like my bisque to have something inside too.

This is the sampler. usually the server brings hot towels to clean your hands after eating this because is finger foods (tonight the towels were missing).

For entrée I ordered the Mahi Mahi on the grill. Mai Kai says that they make everything grilled on wood. I didn’t really find such a big wooden taste in my fillet. It was a fair size but had no taste I felt like I was having a piece of soft rubber. The parsley sauce was probably the only good thing about the dish. It comes with pork fried rice but guess is only for taste because there is no pork in it.

The included dessert is ice cream everything else is additionally price. I ordered the chocolate ice cream. It was soft served and when it got to me it was half melted.

In general didn’t like my experience with the food this time. I don’t think I’ll do the fixed priced menu again. During my previous time I ordered from the regular menu and had a very good peanut chicken dish.

I have to say that I really like this place and there is nothing like it in this area. This is a great restaurant to go with big parties to celebrate an important occasion like a birthday or an anniversary; during the show your name is called out.

The shown is good and had its moments of adrenaline with the fire dance. The show is about 30 minutes and it showcases different traditions from some of the Polynesian islands.

Food is mediocre and is overpriced. Like I said good for special celebrations but just once, going regularly I believe is a huge waste.