Lively bar & grill for seafood, steaks & pastas in a marine-inspired space with a rotating bar.
At a glance
#8 of 16 Bars in Santa CruzLocalGuideWorld score: 4.30
Rating breakdown
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5 ★62%
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4 ★22%
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3 ★9%
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2 ★4%
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1 ★4%
Quick facts
- What is the rating of Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery?
- Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery is rated 4.3 out of 5 based on 1,447 reviews.
- How does Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery rank in Santa Cruz?
- Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery is #8 of 16 Bars in Santa Cruz by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
- Where is Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery located?
- 49A Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 — 1.5 km from the center of Santa Cruz.
- How can I contact Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery?
- Phone: (831) 466-9766 · Website: makaisantacruz.com
Best tiki drink in the area , honestly best consistent mixed drinks hands down. Bar staff is great and service is next level. Foods good but come for the drinks and view, rotating bar in the back gives you the best view at least once.
This is our go to restaurant in Santa Cruz. Right near the end of the pier with both sheltered and open tables directly overlooking Monterey Bay, this place has a nice variety of Hawaiian themed dishes. We got the pulled pork sliders and the ahi tuna sliders, both on Hawaiian slider buns with a side of macaroni salad; a huge papaya salad with plentiful sugared macadamia nuts, lychees, pomegranate, and a wonderful guava dressing; and molten chocolate cake and guava strawberry creme brûlée. Our server Donelle was amazingly cheery; thoughtful and responsive. Enjoyed the views of sailboats and sounds of sea lions lounging on the pier rafters below the restaurant. A wonderful seaside escape with affordable fresh high quality food.
This place is the full experience 💙 Amazing food (blend of Asian, American, but mostly authentic Hawaiian) and sooooo many drink options! I got the guava-soy steak and I actually cried about it, soooo delicious 🤩
The staff was friendly, positive, and knowledgeable of everything on the menu and really added to the overall atmosphere, which was my favorite part. We got to sit on the turning floor near the bar and got a beautiful view of the evening as it got dark. The whole restaurant is Hawaiian and tropical themed, from the floorboards to the palm tree cushions to the lights 🌴🌺
On the expensive side, but well worth it! Definitely going back 💙
The staff was friendly, positive, and knowledgeable of everything on the menu and really added to the overall atmosphere, which was my favorite part. We got to sit on the turning floor near the bar and got a beautiful view of the evening as it got dark. The whole restaurant is Hawaiian and tropical themed, from the floorboards to the palm tree cushions to the lights 🌴🌺
On the expensive side, but well worth it! Definitely going back 💙
I thought this place was going to be a tourist trap-y place, but everything was lovely. The poke bowl was absolutely delicious with all of the fixings that came with it. I treated myself to a raspberry guava creme Brulé. It was probably the best I've ever had in my life. The revolving bar room was super trippy. I'd come back here again in a heartbeat.
Great food, I think the Makai burger was a little hard to consume as the pineapple was a bit more overwhelming than I anticipated. Strongly recommend the sliders and the spam appetizer.
The fried chicken dish was also really good. Atmosphere is awesome, the bar spins, and you can see sea lions to the ground.
The fried chicken dish was also really good. Atmosphere is awesome, the bar spins, and you can see sea lions to the ground.
Very cool place and awesome views! We sat in the area where it slowly spins so you get a different view every few minutes. The food was good, a little dry but decently priced. The BBQ Pork Sliders were AMAZING! Steak was nicely seasoned but a little dry. Would come here again. Drinks were $13+
Very cool place to dine especially if you sit near the kitchen of the restaurant. This is a busy spot as it sits on the wharf which is on the water. Expect to be on a waiting list for a table, make sure you pay attention to your texts on your phone. THEY WILL NOT CALL YOUR NAME & WILL ONLY SEND A TEXT MESSAGE TO YOU SITTING IN THE WAITING AREA! The overall dining experience was a plus, we are super excited to return and try more dishes on the menu. The drink menu is outstanding and there are many options! The detail of the decorations in this establishment are on point it makes you think you are on a island! 🏝 There are places in the floor you can see the water beneath you!
If you go to Santa Cruz, you must have a drink, lunch or dinner at Makai! We was just walking by the pier when we saw this amazing restaurant, since the entrance you already realize how exotic and wonderful is this restaurant! The reception was very efficient and fast, in las than a minute we was sitting on our table inside a Round bar that rotate very slowly so everyone over there can enjoy a 360° experience that I my self never had before and I loved! The food was great and the beer was extremely delicious and fresh, I definitely recommend this place! Thanks all you are doing an amazing job over there!
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