Kona Grill - Tampa — Restaurant in Tampa

I came to this restaurant on Mother’s Day with a reservation, knowing it would be busy. It was my first visit, and I arrived 10 minutes early just to check in. The staff initially ignored me, then told me to wait. We were given coupons for free appetizers and a margarita while waiting. When they finally checked us in, they said they were an hour behind. I was surprised, but we stayed since we had no other options and were all dressed and ready.

Nearly two hours later, we were called—but only offered outdoor seating in 87°F heat after rain. We accepted to avoid more waiting. Outside, it was hot, humid, and there were wasps around—concerning because we had a baby. Our waiter, a tall guy with glasses, was polite, but when bringing one of our drinks, he spilled half of it on my arm, casually said “sorry,” and left. I had to clean myself up using napkins from another table.

Over an hour later, the appetizers came with no utensils or plates. We couldn’t find any staff outside, and even after asking our waiter, we never got any. Exhausted and overheated, we decided to leave. I went inside to speak with the manager, who was also the hostess. She was the only one who treated us kindly and professionally. She apologized and said the waiter was tired, then offered to box our food and bring the bill.

Later, staff finally brought utensils and said our food was coming. We asked for fresh drinks since ours were watered down. When our waiter returned, he spilled an entire juice drink on my boyfriend’s head. Again, he just said “sorry” and walked off, then came back with a dirty rag and put it on him before leaving again. Our food arrived—three orders were wrong—but we just wanted to go. The bill only excluded the appetizers and margarita we had coupons for. I spoke with the manager again and explained that’s not a real discount. She made some adjustments to the check.

This was a terrible experience. I was patient and polite the whole time, but the service was unacceptable. I’ll never return and hope no one else has an experience like ours. Shoutout to the manager—she was the only one who handled things well. I’m not naming names, but they know...

If you guys don’t have curbside please take it off the website. Waited 30 min in the curbside parking spot, since I ordered curbside through the website. I then called when it was 12:07am since the order was supposed to be up by 11:59pm. I thought I was talking to the restaurant but I guess it was Kona grills main office? They said they think the internet is down at the Kona grill and they told me my best bet was going inside. So I go inside I’m greeted by a host that says “ did you find what you are looking for”. There were some bags at the front I was looking at to see if it was my to go order. I then tell her I haven’t read any of them yet, and I’ve been outside for 30 min at curbside, just was hoping to see how long before someone came outside. Her response was “we don’t typically go outside to deliver the orders”. I then responded and said “well I did it online and it says there is a curbside. Her response was “yeah we don’t typically go outside, but what is the name for the order” I told her my name and that I haven’t been here before. Her response was “well I hope you dine in with us next time”. Like that seemed sarcastic, given the curbside situation. I chose to not argue because I was tired and frustrated already. I get the bag and check to see everything is inside. She asks “everything in there?” And I said “yeah just checking to make sure.” I, in fact will not be “dining in” at Kona grill. You have to update the curbside so it doesn’t lead to this confusion. Host acted as if I should’ve known that curbside was something not done at Kona Grill. Her customer service lacked. Not to mentioned they mixed spicy mayo and eel sauce together with my sushi. I like spicy mayo but...

The hostesses upfront were short and a little rude, but I do understand it’s New Years Eve, and they were very busy So the additional 20 minutes past our reservation time was acceptable I suppose. Once we sat down, took about 10-15 minutes for anyone to bring us menus. We were told that the restaurant was closing early due to a Water-main break, and the majority of the menu was no longer available. Again, accidents happen perfectly acceptable we maid do with the menu that was available. My wife and I both ordered the surf and turf with crab Oscar she got a New York strip medium, I got the ribeye medium rare. Both of which were incorrect temperatures, and I did not even get a ribeye. I got a New York strip by mistake. The food was subpar at best: The mashed potatoes were dry and flavorless, The steaks were not seasoned AT ALL, no ice in our drinks, no silverware, and I had to ask and wait another 5 to 10 minutes for a steak knifes. Honestly not a pleasant experience at all for an almost $150 meal. If they were that many issues the responsible thing would’ve been to not take the reservations at all and close for the evening. Instead they send out incorrect food with improper temperatures, and no utensils to eat it. Our waitress is very sweet, but she was pretty much a deer in the headlights. No support by any of the multiple people walking around seeming to do nothing because there is only about five tops in the entire restaurant. Overall, very disappointing we could’ve went to Chili’s or Applebee’s, and had the same experience for a quarter of the price.

On a bright note, the location is beautiful. The restaurant...