Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery in Santa Cruz

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!

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.

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.

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 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 💙

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!

Go for the views!!!Makai is fantastic restaurant on the Santa Cruz Wharf. Giving amazing sunset views and also ocean views!Food is pan Asian cuisine, so basically best of everything. They have plenty of seafood choices too!They have good cocktail menu! They do corkage too if one wants to have bottle of wine on their own!

It is one of the best restaurants in Santa Cruz. Beautiful setting and, relaxing vibe. Hawaii-inspired food. Friendly service. The kids menu is a little boring. I would suggest adding smaller portions of normal/adults menu.

Fast service, outdoor seating with amazing views, good cocktails and very nice food, it’s the second time we have lunch here.We had Kalbi ribs, Hawaiian Mochiko Fried Chicken and Seismic Fries, all delicious.Very good service.