FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Mai-Kai Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale will be welcoming guests this week, after a multi-million-dollar makeover.
It is officially reopening on Thursday, Nov. 21.
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The Polynesian themed restaurant closed nearly four years ago to undergo a $15 million renovation.
According to a media release, guests will find eight themed rooms in the 26,000-square-fo space, ranging from a nautical-themed bar to dining areas named for South Seas islands. The renovation was executed to maintain the original design and vibe, appearing as if it was virtually untouched. In addition to seating 489, there is a 150-person capacity bar/lounge, a gift shop, meeting/banquet facilities and a tropical garden.
Each dining area is named after a different part of Polynesia—Samoa, Lanai, Tahiti, Tonga, Hawaii, New Guinea and Moorea.
Miami’s Barlington Group and Mad Room Hospitality started the project in 2020, with the Thornton family who initially opened the restaurant in the 1950s.
It was reported that the restaurant, located at 3599 N. Federal Highway, would open on Nov. 1, but Local 10 spoke to a representative of the restaurant on Tuesday afternoon and was told Nov. 1st was a tentative opening date and the restaurant may open sometime in mid-November.
According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Bob and Jack Thornton first opened the restaurant in 1956. The brothers began to offer a 50-minute-long Polynesian show in 1963.
For more information about the restaurant and/or to make reservations, click on this link.