Cool Cat Cafe Kihei — Restaurant in Maui

We had gone in one night and had a quick bite service was great with a warm welcome. So we decided to take our son there for his birthday. And we were very disappointed. I had told my server it was my sons birthday even before we ordered. I asked if they do anything special and she said yeah yeah. So we paid our bill and waited on our table like idiots for a good 15 minutes. I got up and asked our server if she forgot. And she replied that they don't really do anything for birthdays. I told her that's why I asked her before we ordered. And she replied that's why I asked if you wanted anything else, with a very stand offish attitude. At that point i was irritated and said forget about it. All of the restraunts we go to made the birthday person feel special one way or another. And I gave her a good tip before this all went down. Really regretted it. I'm surprised a restraunt catering to kids with all the video games doesn't make their keiki feel special. I called and spoke to a manager. All she could do for me was offer me free dessert. What a joke. As a restaurant owner for 25 years I've always strived to make our customers special moments a memorable one. Bottom line if you are celebrating something special this is probably not the restaurant to go to. We felt like flies...

Disappointing Experience Despite Cool Vibes

We recently visited Cool Cat in Kihei with our family—my husband and I plus our three kids. First impression: the ambience was pretty cool, and at first, our server seemed friendly and offered some recommendations, which we appreciated.

Unfortunately, the food and service quickly went downhill.

My husband and son ordered burgers off the regular menu. The moment they unwrapped them, the buns were soggy and fell apart completely. When we brought it up, the waitress gave a condescending response, telling us to “keep the wrap on, never put it down, and just keep eating.” That honestly made no sense—how are you supposed to enjoy a burger without setting it down or unwrapping it? It felt rude and dismissive.

I had the fish tacos, which were just okay. They came with shredded cheese, which didn’t make much sense flavor-wise and left the whole dish feeling uninspired.

My daughter ordered the grilled cheese from the kids menu, and it was served with the cheese still unmelted. When I pointed this out to the server, she just gave me a smug smile and didn’t address the issue.

The experience could have been salvaged if the server had been more respectful and willing to listen, but the condescending attitude on top of mediocre food really ruined the...

We are old time Cool Cats Hawaiian residents. We used to go to Cool Cats in Lahaina. It burnt down. Cool Cats in Kiehi is more now similar to a large chain resturant such as Planet Holiwood except the food is very poor. I ordered the same salad and my husband ordered the same sandwich as always in Lahaina. The lettuce was wilted, the fish was fishy and thin and flavorless. My husband said his hamburger was also falvorless. The kitchen cooks food in 5 minutes and perhaps that is why it tastes so bad. We can not recommend this. I am sure visitors to the island do not know th difference, but us locals know it went way down hill. Cool Cats also owns Captain Jacks...can't wait to see...