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Mai Kai Restaurant

3599 N Federal Hwy · Fort Lauderdale, FL

Why you should go…

Mai-Kai is a Polynesian-themed restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that has operated since 1956, known for its tiki cocktails and themed dining rooms. The venue reopened in November 2024 after a four-year, more than 20 million dollar restoration that added an outdoor bar and refreshed menus across eight themed rooms. Mai-Kai presents twice-nightly Polynesian dance and fire-dancing shows alongside dinner service.

  • #polynesian
  • #tiki
  • #live show
  • #dinner
  • #historic

Good to know

General eat & drink guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Go early or go late

    The simplest way around a wait at a popular room is to sit down before the rush or after it.

  • Reservations open on a schedule

    Where bookings are taken, tables tend to be released a set number of days in advance, often at a fixed hour.

  • Menus move with the season

    Treat any dish you read about online as a maybe, not a promise, especially anything local and seasonal.

  • Ask what the place is known for

    Staff will point you at the thing worth ordering faster than any list will.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Mai Kai Restaurant, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Xtreme Action Park

    $25–$50

    South Florida's largest indoor entertainment venue with go-kart racing, bowling and arcade games.

    2.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Lauderdale-By-The-Sea

    Free

    A small beach town north of Fort Lauderdale known for its walkable pier, reef diving, and low-key charm.

    2.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Tours
    Date Night

    Escapology

    $25–$50

    A themed live escape-room venue where small groups solve puzzles to beat the clock.

    3.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    Fort Lauderdale

    Free

    Greater Fort Lauderdale, known for its beaches, inland canals, and busy cruise port.

    3.7 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Eat & Drink
    Iconic

    Joe's Stone Crab

    $50+

    The 1913 South Beach institution where chilled stone crab claws, mustard sauce, and Key lime pie have drawn crowds for over a century.

    28 mi awayMore like this

  • Eat & Drink
    Foodie Favorite

    Versailles Restaurant

    Under $25

    "The World's Most Famous Cuban Restaurant", Little Havana's landmark for roast pork, cafecito and politics.

    29 mi awayMore like this