Posted: May 13, 2023

Simply take night out to an enchanting Polynesian Paradise at Fort Lauderdale´s Mai-Kai eatery

The small Version: Since 1956, the Mai-Kai cafe provides supported American and Cantonese-inspired dishes and products while enjoyable guests featuring its celebrated tiki show. The Mai-Kai stays a well liked with both locals and tourists browsing Fort Lauderdale, Fl, region for the unique atmosphere, empowered fare, and romance-inducing falls, lagoons, and exotic home gardens. Over the years, folks from all over the country have actually checked out the Mai-Kai to celebrate engagements, wedding anniversaries, birthdays together with to breathe new life into date evenings. If you’re looking for superb dining with a lively flooring tv series, reserve a table within the unique, lavish dining rooms within Mai-Kai.

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Since opening in 1956, the Mai-Kai bistro has-been thought about certainly one of South Florida´s a lot of special and captivating food and entertainment locations. The Mai-Kai authentically recreates a Polynesian town with tiki torches, a wooden plank bridge entrance, and rich tropic home gardens.

“The Mai-Kai features big assortment of museum quality Oceanic artifacts — tiki carvings and goggles — that were accumulated when you look at the 1950s and 1960s and have now come to be a draw for a lot of enthusiasts and college students to see,” Mai-Kai management Kern Mattei mentioned towards cafe’s decor.

The Mai-Kai remains operated by the same family members who exposed it over 60 years ago, and it’s really been chosen “Best Tiki Bar in the us” by Coastal life mag — in addition to various other accolades in isles mag as well as Critiki.com. In 2014, the Mai-Kai was even included with the National enroll of traditional Places.

While those designations appeal to the crowds of people, the majority of the Mai-Kai’s company originates from residents. “All of our Molokai pub has actually regular regulars which come for the popular happy hour, many becoming business specialists,” Kern stated. “our very own dinners and shows are ideal for special occasions, so we see sets from senior high school sweethearts to 50-year wedding anniversaries — so that it in fact is somewhere for all.”

Stirred Cuisine Transports Diners to Island Shores

Diners tend to be attracted to this Southern Florida basic because of its mouthwatering cuisine. From the moment you open the diet plan, you will find a lot to share along with your date; specifically how exactly to decide what to pick from the restaurant’s expansive choices. Should you decide to try the Oysters Rockefeller (oysters shucked and baked with fresh oatmeal and aged Parmesan) or obtain the Canoe Appetizer (infant back ribs, tuna poke, and shrimp tempura roll) that’s perfect for two? You might also pick both, but that’s precisely the beginning of the decadence.

Kern informed you of a few dishes partners wont wanna overlook. “Many people check out the Mai-Kai to test our very own Peking Duck. It really is a whole duck that acts two and is also ideal for sharing,” the guy stated. “We additionally serve USDA Prime Steaks, and the nyc Strip, cooked within wood using up Chinese Ovens, is completely delicious. For dessert, there is some tableside flambé meals, like all of our Banana Bengali, which will be rum flamed bananas served over vanilla frozen dessert.”



The Mai-Kai can famous for its creative and strong person refreshments. The bistro takes an original — and accountable — approach to its exotic drinks. Diners can pick the effectiveness of their cocktail by sticking with the menu’s categorical listings: non-alcoholic, minor, method, and strong. Rum enthusiasts will like the assortment of significantly more than 40 rum-infused cocktails. Attempt the master’s favorite, dark secret, or perhaps the favorite of countless writers on TripAdvisor, the Zombie.

Partners may encouraged to delight in some after-dinner talk with tropical drinks, like the light Gardenia Lei for an icy finish and/or Mai-Kai’s famous Kona Coffee Grog with coffee, rum, honey cream, and herbs, which can be set ablaze tableside providing your own evening a memorable finish. After that only settle-back and relish the tiki tv series because sip on your own products.

Absorb the unique atmosphere with all the Country’s Longest-Running Polynesian Show

The Mai-Kai’s tropical environment encourages a comfortable discussion and provides an intimate background for a date. “The Mai-Kai has a vintage experience without looking or experiencing outdated,” Kern stated with the environment. “The décor is classic tiki design with icon tikis, falls, torches, and a thatched roofing system externally. Tiki poles, monkeypod dining tables, black colored velvet mural art, and oceanic artifacts adorn the inside. It really is a distinctive dining experience.”

Select one on the distinctively decorated spaces to take pleasure from food intake or head outdoors. “we’ve external sitting within our warm home gardens among the tikis and waterfalls, and during the cold winter months, it’s the the majority of enchanting location to end up being,” Kern stated. “soothing with many energizing exotic drinks, tasty food, and fantastic business within our home gardens cannot be beat.”

Photo of Mai-Kai Polynesian Show performers

After dinner, site visitors can take advantage of an authentic Polynesian overall performance in a luxurious tropical setting. “Guests can get observe Polynesia’s rich history in dances like the Hawaiian wedding ceremony song, where two younger fans tend to be separated and then reunited in marriage,” Kern stated. “Or the spirited Tahitian unicamente drum dancing opposition from Polynesia’s largest annual social event — the ‘Heiva I Tahiti.'”

Annually, Mireille Thornton, the Mai-Kai’s manager and choreographer, produces new interpretations of town existence from inside the South Pacific keeping the programs new and powerful. This current year’s program boasts a lot more musicians, drums, and brightly colored outfits that illuminate the period. The detail by detail outfits are hand-sewn and reflect the character associated with South Seas.

Most of these factors blend to communicate the tradition from the Polynesian individuals through the turn for the 20th 100 years. The show is supposed to end up being enthralling regarding years, and, since Mireille produces new perceptions each and every year, friends have an innovative new knowledge every time they see.

The Mai-Kai Creates a location for Couples to Linger slightly Longer

People love the Mai-Kai, and it also demonstrates in independent on-line evaluations with the special enjoyment place. David Weiser loved every part of his see, and stated the foodstuff, products, and tv show happened to be shows.

“the foodstuff was delicious, and we also tested loads. The warm beverages are powerful if you like them to be (you can order tiki drinks in a selection of alcoholic skills). But it’s the advancements when you look at the demonstrate that actually impressed myself,” David said.

“This culturally delicate portion now recognizes and distinguishes the dances and cultures of a myriad of pan-Pacific islands. The cast of dancers and artists are extremely skilled and result from world-wide. The climactic flame dance is truly thrilling.” It really is small details like those that David mentions which make a date night at Mai-Kai very unforgettable. The employees cares about friends and takes pleasure in most information, from tropical plants into presentation on the food toward thoroughly constructed costumes of the performers. It really is a big good reason why folks return.

When we asked Kern to share with united states about one of his preferred tales in regards to the Mai-Kai, he relayed an account about a really sentimental and passionate few. “We host plenty of wedding events and receptions only at the Mai-Kai, as our very own tropical home gardens would be the great destination to hold nuptials. We’ve a particular pair that has been hitched right here 17 years ago, and, annually since their wedding ceremony, they go back to commemorate their particular wedding by renewing their wedding ceremony vows within our gardens. Our company is recognized to assist them celebrate with us.”

Therefore wear the Sunday most useful (the bistro comes with an outfit code), make a booking, and treat someone special to a great night of flame dancers, area food, and lots of festive umbrella beverages in the Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale.

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