Makai Island Kitchen & Groggery — Restaurant in Santa Cruz

While cruising through Santa Cruz on vacation, we decided to try this restaurant due to the reviews. It is one of the better reviewed restaurants in the area. The location is amazing...you drive out on a little pier where there's a row of restaurants and shops. Lots of birds, seals and people fishing. Great place to hang out and enjoy the view. The restaurant itself is pretty cool, they have small windows in the floor so you can see the seals hanging out beneath the restaurant. The ambiance is the location, so we asked for a table by the window. None were available and the hostess didn't offer us an option to wait, she stated she could seat us in the bar area which offered rotating seating thus giving everyone an opportunity to have a window view. She said it was really nice and people like it, so we reluctantly went with it and hated it. It's like going from night to day several times while dining. As the wheel turns, you go from light bright to dark, then back to light bright, then dark. It was a very depressing experience for us. Also, within 5 minutes of being seated, all but one of their window seats became available. It would have been nice if hostess was attentive enough to realize almost everyone by the window had completed their meals and was getting ready to leave before she seated us on this rotating wheel. Nonetheless, we rotated for about an hour. Our waitress gave recommendations on drinks which we tried. Nothing eventful there, they were pretty but more fruity, punchy type of drinks. The food was decent. My husband ordered the burger, which was a bit dry but the mayo and pineapple salsa added a great flavor to the dish. I ordered the beef and chicken skewers. They lacked flavor but were edible. We were underwhelmed by the whole experience. Also, we got really annoyed with the waitstaff constantly walking by the table. They have to walk across the rotating wheel to get to the kitchen so they were constantly going around tables to get drinks and food which heightened the unpleasantness of the...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Mackai Island Kitchen and Groggery, located on Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, and I must say it was a truly memorable experience. This hidden gem boasts a captivating island ambiance that instantly transports you to a tropical oasis.

One of the standout features of Mackai Island is their incredible tiki drinks. From classic Mai Tais to creative concoctions, their drink menu is a paradise for cocktail enthusiasts. Sipping on a perfectly crafted tiki drink while enjoying the stunning views of the wharf is an absolute delight.

The food at Mackai Island deserves its own spotlight. The menu is a fusion of island-inspired flavors and fresh local ingredients. Each dish is expertly prepared and bursting with vibrant flavors. Whether you're craving seafood, meat, poultry, or vegetarian options, Mackai Island has something to satisfy every palate. Especially try the Chicken Tofu Lettuce Wraps, the Poke Bowl, and Gochugang Noodles with Chicken.

What truly sets Mackai Island apart is their exceptional service. During my visit, I had the pleasure of being attended to by Lilliana, who provided top-notch service with a warm and friendly demeanor. Her attention to detail and extensive knowledge of the menu made the dining experience even more enjoyable.

In conclusion, Mackai Island Kitchen and Groggery is a hidden gem on Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf that offers a tropical escape right on the edge of the bay. With its enchanting island ambiance, incredible tiki drinks, fantastic food, and exceptional service, it is a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike. Make sure to ask for Lilliana, as her exceptional service will elevate your dining experience to...

We walked down the pier in Santa Cruz. Looking at all of the options for dinner.

We decided to go into Makai beucase it was indoors and would be warmer than sitting outside, and a few items caught our keye on the menu display.

It was a cool and foggy evening. The hostess told us there was about a 5 - 10min wait.

Out front they have seating with heaters (non of the heaters were on)

Our wait was short and we were seated at a table that was open (from the time we first walked in)

We ordered, drinks ($3 for regular drinks like soda, lemonade, and tea) and appetizer, and meals for 4.

What we found shocking was that the menu had few fish options (for being at the ocean on the pier) This is a Hawiian styled restaurant.

There were NO fish options on the kids menu.

For the regular menu there was Ahi tuna, Mahi Mahi, 1 salmon, and coconut shrimp.

We ordered the Poke Stack, Poke Bowl, Salmon and Mahi Mahi dish, and the sample Platter.

Drinks - when the drinks came out we asked for sugar for the tea, the young gentleman who brought the drinks seemed very confused, said he thought they were out of sugar and offered to bring honey. We also asked for sweetener. He comes back woth packet sugars no sweetners and disappeared.

Appetizer- Crab Ragoon: came out quick, tasted amazing, I liked that there were 6 pieces.

Food - came out equally fast. Food presentation beautiful, flavor lacking. My dish was supposed to include 3 coconut shrimp. One was tiny and seemed like it was sent a coconut shrimp. (Always possible there is a smaller one In a batch)

Waitress came by twice to check on us at the table.

No drink refills were offered...ever...

Also it was very...