Social Profile: 
✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out
… View more
Lively bar & grill for seafood, steaks & pastas in a marine-inspired space with a rotating bar.
Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Monday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–8 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–8 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 49A Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 466-9766
Website: https://www.makaisantacruz.com/
Menu Photos
Photo Gallery
Related Web Results
Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery
See the menus for Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery in Santa Cruz, CA. Offering Pan-Asian food, burgers, wings, nachos, salads, and cocktails.
Main Menu | Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery
… Island Kitchen & Groggery Home. 49a Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 466-9766. Toggle Navigation. Hours & Location · Menus · Private Events · About …
Menus | Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery in Santa Cruz, CA
See the menus for Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery in Santa Cruz, CA. Offering Pan-Asian food, burgers, wings, nachos, salads, and cocktails.
Reviews
Isaac Shaw
The Makai is not a traditional dark escapist tiki hole. It is beautiful and scenic and fantastic in its own way. They have excellent drinks, and the owner is very passionate about rums, and had collected over 600 including these rare ones. They have a beautiful rotating bar, and they are a rare good tiki bar in an otherwise touristy location. Jeremiah is one of the most attentive and aware bartenders I’ve ever encountered and it’s always a joy to experience his service. They also have great mugs. Highly recommend if you’re passing through the Bay Area or the Central Coast of California. Also, big props to them for making it through five years after starting in 2020.
… moreXeliha
Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery definitely nails the Hawaiian vibe. The space is beautiful and fun, especially the rotating bar section and the glass floor windows where you can watch sea lions below—such a unique and memorable experience. The atmosphere alone makes it worth checking out.
The service was excellent throughout our visit—friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Drinks were a highlight as well: well-crafted, refreshing, and perfect for the island-inspired setting.
As for the food, it was decent but not fabulous. Nothing bad, just not particularly memorable compared to the standout ambiance and drinks. The menu delivers solid flavors, but it didn’t quite match the excitement of the space.
Overall, Makai is a great spot for drinks, atmosphere, and service, especially if you’re looking for a fun, laid-back Hawaiian-style experience with a view. Come for the vibe and cocktails, enjoy the sea lions, and set your food expectations accordingly.
… moreThe service was excellent throughout our visit—friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Drinks were a highlight as well: well-crafted, refreshing, and perfect for the island-inspired setting.
As for the food, it was decent but not fabulous. Nothing bad, just not particularly memorable compared to the standout ambiance and drinks. The menu delivers solid flavors, but it didn’t quite match the excitement of the space.
Overall, Makai is a great spot for drinks, atmosphere, and service, especially if you’re looking for a fun, laid-back Hawaiian-style experience with a view. Come for the vibe and cocktails, enjoy the sea lions, and set your food expectations accordingly.
Tania España
I absolutely loved this place. The food is full of flavor, super fresh, and very cultural you can taste the quality in every bite. The seasonings, the sauces, everything felt authentic and made with care. The atmosphere is fun and welcoming, and the service was great too. Definitely coming back! Laura was amazing.
… moreYuri Choi
Stopped by Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery at the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf for a quick bite on a weekday evening around 6 PM.
It’s a lively pan-Asian spot with a fun Hawaiian tiki-style setup, and we were seated right away at the rotating area in the back, which gave us beautiful water views (plus some cute seagull sightings!).
The vibe was relaxed and the staff was friendly, which made it a nice break in our day. I tried the ceviche (forgot to take a photo!), and while the presentation was nice, the flavor was a bit soggy for my taste, and the chips didn’t quite match.
The kalbi was delicious, flavorful and tender, and I actually thought it would have made a great filling for the lettuce wrap, which instead came with a soupy chicken mixture that felt a little too heavy. Also, the macaroni salad served with the kalbi didn’t quite fit for me flavor-wise..maybe better without it! (Just a few suggestions from someone who loves a good food experience!)
Overall though, it’s a fun and unique place to relax, enjoy the views, and catch your breath while exploring Santa Cruz. The rotating seating and tiki bar setup definitely makes it memorable!
… moreIt’s a lively pan-Asian spot with a fun Hawaiian tiki-style setup, and we were seated right away at the rotating area in the back, which gave us beautiful water views (plus some cute seagull sightings!).
The vibe was relaxed and the staff was friendly, which made it a nice break in our day. I tried the ceviche (forgot to take a photo!), and while the presentation was nice, the flavor was a bit soggy for my taste, and the chips didn’t quite match.
The kalbi was delicious, flavorful and tender, and I actually thought it would have made a great filling for the lettuce wrap, which instead came with a soupy chicken mixture that felt a little too heavy. Also, the macaroni salad served with the kalbi didn’t quite fit for me flavor-wise..maybe better without it! (Just a few suggestions from someone who loves a good food experience!)
Overall though, it’s a fun and unique place to relax, enjoy the views, and catch your breath while exploring Santa Cruz. The rotating seating and tiki bar setup definitely makes it memorable!
Jen Conrad
Love this place! The drinks are phenomenal, the food is delicious, good options for vegan/vegatarian, nice service and great atmosphere. Fun drinks on a secret menu treasure map. Love the theme and great Hawaiian food. Only thing is, they frequently run out of certain menu items due to high demand. So you can’t always get exactly what you want, but when everything’s so good, you always have options.
… moreSteve Harrison
Always a great stop. The drinks and food are wonderful. If you come here be sure to sit at the rotating bar
… moreNuum Lovci
Awesome and inviting staff with tasty tiki drinks and delicious non-alcoholic choices. The coconut prawns were cooked just right with lots of flavor and the sweet chili sauce was fantastic with them.
… moreVente Negra
I had the coconut shrimp here and it was perfectly crispy and delicious. The ahi poke bowl was honestly one of the best I’ve ever had — so fresh and flavorful! The view and atmosphere really stood out to me, too. With the tasty cocktails and the whole vibe, I genuinely felt like I was soaking in the tropical warmth of Hawaii. Definitely a great spot to relax and enjoy good food!
… moreLopa Chowdhury
We went to this restaurant with friend. Loved their decorations & warmth of the server. Delicious seafood & drinks.
… moreAlyssa Donoghue
This has been one of my favorite spots to grab a drink or a bite to eat since they opened in 2020! Their drinks are amazing and the rotating bar is so fun to take people to for the first time. Jeremiah is a great bartender who is super attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly. I’ve never been disappointed coming here and for the quality of the drinks and food have always found the prices more than reasonable. Makai has made me a huge fan. Also they have really fun and affordable tiki mugs!
… more