We have been going here for Sunday Brunch for over 20 years. It is a little pricey so we only do it for special occasions but it is well worth it. The selection of food on the buffet is awesome. From fresh eggs or omelets to seafood to ham to prime rib and dessert options too. It is awesome.

My wife and I went to Bali Hai for lunch to celebrate my wife’s birthday. Everything exceeded our expectations. We started off with the Ali’i Tasting which includes the Coconut Shrimp, Bali Hai Tuna Poke, Spinach Lumpia, and Beef Skewers. We loved it! It was fresh and flavorful! Next, we each had a fish dish. I had the grilled salmon with thai basil and cilantro pesto, carrots and rice noodles. I love grilled salmon, and it was cooked perfectly with a nice sear. The pesto and the noodles were a nice complement to the salmon. Lastly, we had a lemon dessert that was airy and refreshing. Although I usually do not eat dessert at restaurants, I thought that this particular dessert was a benefit to our entire meal. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who loves fresh seafood and great views of the bay. There is plenty of outdoor seating. You do not need a special occasion to visit this particular restaurant, but you need to make a reservation. The prices are reasonable for the amount of food offered.

+6

The service was fantastic. Our server was very informative, straightforward and friendly. The food was phenomenal. We thoroughly enjoyed everything we had. The cocktails were delicious. I had the Korean Chicken dish which was absolutely fantastic.

+6

Update review: We have been to eat brunch buffet 3 times at Baili Hai on New Year’s Day, from 2020 to 2023! Every year we had a great time, and this year we invited our brother & sister’s family to join us for this amazing brunch. Both adults and kids love here’s foods. My favorites are pork ribs, tuna poke, crab legs, raw oysters, Nutella French toasted, bread pudding, and cinnamon rolls!!!! And their mimosa is only $4 for a large glass. The only thing is I found a cooked hair in the French toast which was a little bit disgusting. Previous review: This is the second time we came here on the first Sunday in a new year. Last time was 2 year ago. We really loved here and impressed with the food. My husband enjoyed the unlimited crab legs and I enjoyed all the sweets. The oysters and tuna poke are very nice too. For me, my favorites are coconut waffle, cinnamon rolls, bread pudding and MY cheesecake. They really know how to do sweets! I also love their grilled salmon. By the way, they don’t have bottomless mimosas anymore. But it’s only $4 per glass now.

+6

Beautiful restaurant located on Shelter Island in California. Beautiful ambience. Great location with plenty of parking. Great for weddings events and other special occasions. I had dinner there located upstairs right off the ocean and was absolutely beautiful. I was pleased and will come back again. Food was great.

Bali Hai in San Diego is one of those places that makes a lasting impression from the moment you arrive. Located right on the waterfront, the view is absolutely stunning. Whether you’re dining indoors or out on the patio, you get a clear look at the bay and the city skyline, especially beautiful at sunset. It’s the perfect setting for a relaxing meal or a fun night out. The food is consistently good. The menu has a nice variety of island-inspired dishes and seafood, all prepared with fresh ingredients and great flavor. Their famous Mai Tai is a must-try if you're into cocktails. Everything we ordered was delicious and came out at the right temperature, which speaks to the kitchen’s attention to detail. Service is another strong point at Bali Hai. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and always makes sure you’re taken care of without being overbearing. You can tell they care about giving guests a good experience. On top of the food and atmosphere, Bali Hai often hosts fun events that add to the lively vibe of the place. Whether it's a live music night or a special celebration, there’s always something going on that makes your visit even more enjoyable. Highly recommended

Excellent experience! The food is delicious and very well cooked. I recommend the calamari and the Thai Brussel sprouts. For entree I had the seared tuna with spicy rice. It's not really spicy but is good. The service was outstanding and the view is spectacular! About the drinks cannot tell other than they're fabulous and extremely delicious. Be careful though, most of them are sweet but they are strong, so go slow by drinking them. I really recommend it and will be happy to go back as often as possible.

+6

I literally haven't even left the restaurant and wanted to make this review. I had the Bali Hai Mai Tai, Scallops, and Berry Cheesecake, and this was an amazing meal. Isaac was perfectly attentive and polite, providing a great dining experience. The portion sizes were perfect to give you just enough of each item on the plate while still leaving room to order dessert, which I would highly recommend. The icing on the proverbial cake are the amazing views from the restaurant - there isn't a bad seat in the house, and outdoor seating is available.

Richard and I went to Bali Hai today for Pau Hana – Happy Hour, and it was the perfect mix of history, culture, and island-inspired flavors. Open since 1954, Bali Hai is a true San Diego tiki institution, known for its legendary Mai Tais, Polynesian decor, and stunning bayfront views. The moment you step inside, the mid-century tiki culture is alive and well, from the carved wooden statues to the iconic "Goof on the Roof" overlooking Shelter Island. This place has been serving up tropical vibes for nearly 70 years, making it a must-visit for anyone who loves a bit of old-school island charm. I started with a cocktail, because when you come to Bali Hai, you have to! They are known for their famously strong and rum-forward drinks, and this one did not disappoint. For food, I had the island beef skewers with pickled banh mi salad, a perfect balance of rich, smoky flavors with a fresh, tangy crunch. The Bali fries were another highlight—crispy, well-seasoned, and just spicy enough to keep things interesting. Richard, of course, enjoyed his portion in the car as you can see in the videos. And yes, you’re not imagining things—his portion is always bigger than mine! Whether you come for the food, the drinks, or just to take in the unmatched views of San Diego Bay, Bali Hai is a place with history, character, and a little bit of magic in every visit.

+6

Went for a staff retreat with my coworkers - amazing service, tasty and well presented food, and good value for money. Don’t be intimidated by the Mai Tais if you’re a seasoned drinker, but otherwise keep it to just the one!

+6

The food was delicious. The staff was very attentive, courteous and prompt. The decor had a colorful, Polynesian vibe. Spacious with high ceilings, huge windows for beautiful downtown San Diego views! It’s considered one of the ‘must go’ restaurants for a first time visit to Shelter Island. Known for their strong, very tasty Mai Tai drinks!

Loved our server! Loved the atmosphere! Everything we ate was delicious and the drinks were amazing. Definitely will need to make another visit again! I had the Aloha Kiss, Black Bean Tofu and Crispy Pork Belly.

Bali Hai is one of my top three favorite restaurants in Sn Diego. I love the drinks, food, atmosphere, service, and the views! My go to drink is the Mai Tai. It’s delicious and strong! I usually have one and I’m good to go lol but sometimes I’ll have a second if I’m feeling adventurous. But beware these have no juice, so you’re drinking mostly alcohol. In terms of food, I always recommend getting the Ali’i tasting; it comes with coconut shrimp, bali hai tuna poke, spinach lumpia, beef skewers, and Bali hai bbq ribs. It is absolutely worth it. For the main course I usually get the Braised Short Rib; it comes with lo mein noodles and is a flavor bomb! It is a very rich and flavorful dish, so you better be hungry! When I want something a little lighter I opt for the pan seared salmon that comes with sweet potato mash that’s to die for. I do recommend making reservations if you’re going for dinner or on the weekend, but you can still snag a table if you’re lucky. Overall an amazing restaurant and I can’t recommend it enough!

Everything about this restaurant was wonderful! Highly recommend the pork ribs and ahi tuna dish. Food was all soo delicious! Service was great and view was beautiful.

Third visit. First time on a Wednesday evening. Hostesses were strict on seating times, as usual, and despite unusually light traffic. Skyler, our lounge server, was fantastic. Very positive, cheerful attitude, and attentive. 10/10 for Skyler. Apps were excellent - beef skewers and wasabi fries hit the spot, 9/10. Entertainment (signer,musician), Desi, 10/10. Seated outside just after 5 PM - great table/view - as usual. Our new server was Sergio. Positive, but a little distracted, 9/10. Food - coconut shrimp and ribs were very good, 9/10. Nice visit.

We celebrated a special birthday here and our server Nadeem made sure our night was as enjoyable as possible. The food was all flavorful, the meal timed out effortlessly, and the service was enjoyable and personable. We were very impressed and would come back to dine here again!

Our group came here to celebrate our friends bachelorette weekend! The views, drinks, food, and vibe were all incredible!!

Amazing location with lots of history and a beautiful view of the bay and city. Nice menu options (kids menu was great) and drinks were outstanding. Tiki mug collectors may be able to get the goof on the roof mug (seasonal variations from time to time).

+6

We were here for a high school graduation ceremony. The restaurant was busy but great service. Everyone enjoyed their dishes. A great experience, highly recommended.

+3

Our 50th Anniversary was terrific with outstanding food a remarkable view and our service was outstanding.

Went here with a large group and had a great time. Try the Mai Tai but only 1. They are very dangerous 😳.

Amazing time at Bali Hai! Perfect place if you want to relax and enjoy the summer breeze with a drink in your hand. We had to try and the world famous Bali Mai Tai which does not disappoint and does get the job done, the Pele’s relief is great too. Really liked the appetizer sampler Ali’s tasting for two, the Seoul cheesesteak sandwich, and crispy lobster tacos. The server was really great, explaining the drinks and food very well and always being accommodating. Dog friendly patio with breath taking views. Recommend!

Despite not being a seafood fan, I ventured to the renowned Bail Hai restaurant on San Diego's pier. Surprisingly, their steak surpassed my expectations and ranks among the best I've ever tasted. And their famous Mai Tai cocktails? Simply unmatched in their excellence!

Great views, food and service. Outdoor pavilion available for events. Perfect size for around 200 guests.

OK, how do people visit San Diego and not come here? What is wrong with them? We absolutely fell in love with this restaurant, the island, and the views. Honestly, I’ve been to San Diego four times and I could go the rest of my life without returning, with the exception of needing to go to here. Everything is absolutely stunning the view, the menu and the food. Don’t hesitate!

+4

Always my favorite place when thinking of Hawaii. I dine here at this every year. I dined here again on 1/28/2026 with a friend. Had swordfish as part of San Diego's Restaurant Week.

Went for a late lunch on a Friday afternoon. There were only two other tables in the restaurant, so we had the whole place to ourselves. Thy sat us right on the window with great views of the San Diego bay and the city. Our server, Diego was awesome, very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. He was attentive and didn’t rush us. We started with the Ali’i tasting appetizer. It was all good but our favorite was the spinach and cream cheese lumpia. We thought this an odd combination on the menu and were half tempted to order it just to try it, turns out it was our favorite part of the appetizer. We ordered the Korean chicken sandwich and the steak sandwich. The steak to bun ratio was a little underwhelming but overall the sandwich was good. The chicken sandwich was also tasty. We ended up getting four different cocktails and liked every one of them. For dessert we went with the King cake, a take on Elvis. This might’ve been our favorite part of the meal. It was a flourless banana cake with a peanut butter frosting. It was accompanied with candied bacon and chocolate chunks. The coffee is a must to wash it down. Overall a great experience, ask for Diego.

+6

A good friend and her husband had their wedding ceremony and reception here, and it was incredible! I can't say enough nice things. The ceremony spot with the North San Diego Bay in the background is amazing. There are several reception areas, and ours outside was fantastic, offering amazing views of the bay and downtown San Diego as well. The food was very good, and the entire staff was friendly and attentive. A+ experience all around !

+3

Oh my goodness, the best location ever. Love being able to over look San Diego as the sun went down, seeing the orange in the buildings across the bay was incredible. Service was impeccable and the drinks were tasty. Very much recommend. It's is so spacious and at the same time feels very comfortable

Amazing server, Nadeem, made a wonderful dining experience amazing. Ask for Nadeem, then listen to his recommendation, not just for what to order, but also how to eat it. And request a seat outside (quieter). We had the Ali'i tasting, crispy Ahi tuna and seared scallops. The chicken was Nadeem's recommendation, and he recommended piling the tuna, cucumber,sau e,and rice in one bite. The mixture of flavors and textures explode on the tongue. Then wirh the scallops, combine 1/2 a scallop with a little polenta and some of the basil tomato salad. So good! Pele's Relief is phenomenal, but one will require an uber. Highly recommend. No photos, we dug in too fast.

Fantastic, well prepared and complimented items, the Ahi Tuna and Scallops were amazing. The service was top notch with Nadeem. He helped with explaining each item and how to eat it for maximum flavor. He took time at each table to talk to each guest and make the experience that much more special. Looking forward to returning to try other great item on the menu!

Absolute classic. You’ve got to go and experience this place. Amazing decor, such rich history, a San Diego staple. The Mai Tais are not well balanced at all and will kill you if you’re into that kind of thing, and the food is expensive and only mehh (besides the spring rolls which are bomb) but I would still go back a 100 times over because of his much fun it is to just be there for the tiki magic and have a drink by the water. Tons of vegetarian options as well!

+3

Stunning sunset view of downtown SD with a very good meal! Fun, Polynesian decor restaurant with fun menu. We did the restaurant week menu and enjoyed every dish. Farm salads were nice with fresh berries. I had the salmon, very good, fresh, tasty, nice fruit sauce. My daughter had the Korean fried chicken and said it was perfect (and she knows her fried chicken dishes). We had strawberry shortcake for dessert, and the chocolate version was the best. Huge, fun drink menu. Lively bar. Great place to take visitors.

+6

Absolutely a dream come true having our wedding at Bali Hai! Working with the Bali Hai staff was amazing. Lesley and Courtney were exceptional as they were always there to answer all our questions. We truly recommend this venue and staff to everyone! The ceremony space is perfect and the Hawaiian village decorated with the banner / lights was breathtaking. The view of the water and city in the background was magical. Thank you all so much and we will be back soon for more great food and Mai Tais!

The service was EXELLENT! if you order the Mai tai..wow what an experience 😅 its STRONG. So just a heads up 🤣🤣👌The food was some of the best i have ever had!!! We had the steak. But the dessert..HOLY MOLY!!! WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!! CANT WAIT TO VISIT AGAIN!!! 👌👌💛💛

+3

Awesome views, knowledgeable staff , great food. Be sure to try their "Paralyzing Pufferfish" cocktail.

Great Polynesian restaurant on the water. The restaurant is on the second floor with good views. We had kalua pork, lobster tacos, salmon and fish & chips (all delicious). We also had a maitai (strong!) and a Pina colada. We sat outside on the patio and had a great meal. We'll be back.

+4

In 2005 i hosted my grandpas celebration of life here. In 2018 and 2019 i celebrated both of my graduate degrees here for dinner with friends. In 2020 I hosted my wedding here. By far the best pricing and value when it comes to food, beverages, amenities, a view of the bay, and lot of parking for gathering a group together. For dinner, the sunsets are breathtaking from the main room and the food and drinks during happy hour are hard to beat. Go when there is live ukelele. If you love visiting hawaii, this is the next best thing in San Diego.

Couple of friends and I went for dinner on a Friday night in September. We had a reservation and were seated quickly. We had the world famous Mai Tai and at first, it felt very strong but as we ate more, it really wasn't as strong or potent as advertised. We shared the coconut shrimp. My friends had the salmon and I had the pork belly. The serving sizes on the entrees are small. The garlic noodles side dish was pretty filling though. We shared the triple chocolate dessert and it was delicious. Service was very friendly and our waitress gave good recommendations. Total including tips and taxes came to about 170 for 3 people. The night time views were pretty good from the restaurant. We unfortunately didn't have a table right by the glass.

+1

Amazing place for wedding, dinner and a view of the San Diego city line. Wonderful atmosphere and exceptional service.

Awesome wedding venue, food was great, the view of the bay is amazing especially at night. Overall a really nice place

+3

Came here with the boyfriend for dinner on a Friday night and we were absolutely satisfied with the food, service, and atmosphere! We ordered the crispy calamari, seared salmon, and black pepper beef AND we both had a Bali Hai Mai Tai. EVERYTHING was great...so great that we came back the following week. The second time we ordered Korean fried chicken and wok fried bass. Honestly, I didn't think the food could get better but it was! Also, please dine outside on the patio if it's available. The view is gorgeous! Shout out to the wonderful staff members - Mario, Olivia, and Caesar. Thank you all for adding to our vey enjoyable first-time vacation in San Diego. 😊

+1

I love their risotto salmon dish and my favorite dessert is the orange cake with horchata ice cream. Always friendly staff. Beautiful view. The restaurant does get very loud so be prepared for the noise level to be on the louder side.

Waterfront facing the city from Shelter Island is worth five stars on its own. The service was great. The food was food and the drinks were okay. I was hoping for a real maitai but the ones at Bali Hai are dangerous! They warn you about them too, before you order them. We had some small plates as well as a few drinks and we were happy overall.

+6

Celebrating a birthday means more to me now and oh so differently at 42 years. I’d much rather a quiet, remarkable, small, yet amazing meal out with family or friends. Bali Hai was a perfect way to spend time with my husband and boys! Delicious food, beautiful ambiance and the view of SD skyline was breathtaking. Thank you! Highly recommend 🌸

+2

First time there recently on Feb 22 2026. Great food and view of the city from the bar. Met a phenomenal friend that lived in San DIego as well. Highly recommend the appetizers!

We came here for our wedding anniversary and it was all in all amazing. We had Victor for our table and we had to him only once of our food accommodations and he alternated what we chose off the menu to keep us safe. Wonderful staff super tasty food and do t skip the lemon cake with ice cream (yum). Will 100% be back. I recommend the edamame any flavor and the garlic shrimp

Rem Henshaw

We got a table right away since we had a reservation, apparently my date had set it up. I ordered the Korean fried chicken, the local greens salad, and my date and I shared the ali'i sampler. This was my first time dining here, and my whole experience was very impressive! Maybe considered a little pricey, but absolutely worth it. The food was high quality and delicious, the service was impeccable, the views are gorgeous. I wish I had written this sooner (I ate here back in June), because I could have given our waiter a shout-out. The white chocolate cheesecake(?) was okay, but I honestly didn't mind because the rest of the meal and our whole experience made up for it. I can't wait to come back.

Heidi Emanuel

I LOVED The mid mod feel and atmosphere of the Bali Hai - after visiting several it is hands-down my favorite tiki bar in San Diego. Beautiful views, awesome tiki atmosphere without being over the top and kitschy. Food and drinks were excellent! Most of all, Nick the bartender was the best!!! Very knowledgeable and personable. Mia was also really friendly and nice. So glad we visited as it is now one of our favorite tiki bars in the country! Can't wait to go back to San Diego and Shelter Island again and visit the Bali Hai.

taylor krug

Dare I say the best service I’ve ever had. Nadeem went above and beyond. He took tiki glasses we had just bought and made our drinks in them. He gave us food recommendations and places to visit. All the food was fantastic we will definitely be back.

Rose Langguth

Shout out to Isaac, who was attentive and friendly throughout our dining experience. We started off with the scorpion bowl. I had the pan seared salmon and had the creme brulee for dessert (shared with hubby).

Selena S

Came to San Diego for my honeymoon and this restaurant was the highlight! The food was amazing, absolutely adored the cocktails, beautiful venue & the best service. Our waiter was so informative and truly kind - he went out of his way and even wrote a list of recommendations for things to do in the area. We went back basically every night of our trip even if it was just for drinks.

Michael Rock

We only had drinks. The world famous Mai Tai was worth the experience. Great Tiki bar!

+2

Vidal Espinosa

Bali Hai Restaurant is an absolute San Diego icon and a must-visit experience from start to finish. The moment you arrive, you’re welcomed by breathtaking panoramic views of the bay, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. The atmosphere perfectly balances classic island charm with an upscale, timeless feel. The food is consistently excellent—beautifully presented, full of flavor, and clearly prepared with care. From fresh seafood to perfectly crafted cocktails, every detail reflects quality and tradition. Their signature drinks are not just cocktails; they are part of the Bali Hai experience and worth the visit alone. The service is attentive, professional, and genuinely warm, making you feel like a valued guest rather than just another table. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a night out, the staff goes above and beyond to ensure everything is flawless. Bali Hai is more than a restaurant—it’s a San Diego landmark that delivers on ambiance, cuisine, and hospitality every single time. Highly recommended.

Vince Scalabrino

From Pele's Relief to the pupu platter, this was a fantastic experience. Our server, Denmarie, was friendly, attentive, patient and knowledgeable. This was a delightful classic tiki experience that anyone would appreciate, and affiianados would adore.

Monika Olesen

Great place to go before a concert! Nadeem was our server and we took all his drink and food recommendations and had a great time with my friends. Excellent staycation!

Alexandra Cruz

Came here for my niece’s 10th birthday, not only the food was great, the service was outstanding. Our server even cut the cake that we brought with us

+3

Scott carpenter

Man this place is amazing, the architecture, the history, the art is reflected in the service, the food and the drinks, not to mention the view. If I lived in this town, I would be here every week or at least monthly, truly love this place.

Holly Landis

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Bali Hai Restaurant 📍 2230 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106 We dined at Bali Hai on Sunday, October 19th to celebrate a birthday, and it was absolutely wonderful from start to finish. We had 7:30 p.m. reservations, arrived about 15 minutes early, and were seated right away by the window with a breathtaking sunset skyline view overlooking the San Diego Bay. Bali Hai is a Polynesian-style restaurant known for its relaxing island ambiance and delicious menu. While their Sunday brunch offers an incredible spread of crab legs, oysters, prime rib, omelets to order, and more, we came for dinner and enjoyed every bite. We started with the Ali‘i Tasting ($28) — a must-try sampler that includes coconut shrimp, Bali Hai tuna poki, spinach lumpia, beef skewers, and firecracker ribs — perfectly portioned and full of flavor. For entrées, I ordered the Honey Cashew Shrimp, featuring lightly battered shrimp with bell peppers, onions, candied cashews, and jasmine rice. My son loved his Korean Fried Chicken with scallions, sesame seeds, and sweet sesame sauce, while another family member ordered the Crispy Pork Belly, which looked incredible with spiced lemon, pickled peppers, black vinegar, and balsamic jam. Our server, Diego, was friendly, attentive, and professional, and the hostesses and beverage team were equally warm and efficient. Our drinks arrived promptly around 7:45, and the food followed shortly after — impressively fast for such a busy evening. We wrapped up just before 9 p.m., fully satisfied after a long, fun day at the beach and park. This was my third visit to Bali Hai, and each time it continues to exceed expectations — from the outstanding service and delicious Polynesian cuisine to the stunning waterfront views and relaxed, elegant atmosphere. I’m already looking forward to returning on my next trip to San Diego. 🌴✨

+3

Spencer E

One of the old school Tiki bars still standing! Must stop for tiki lovers. Food was good but not amazing. Drinks were strong! Almost to strong! Tried the Mai tai, Pina colada and the jetty. Food we tried the fried rice, calamari and the tasting for two. Desert was the best! Great selection of custom tiki mugs!

+9

AM T.

We went there at happy hour. They serve only appetizers and drinks ; so we found out :-) The food and drinks were good. The dipping sauce with coconut shrimp was really goooood, highly recommend it.

+8

Justin Neuenschwander

Such a gem! My girlfriend took me here after sailing. Talk about a walk back in time to fully immersed Tiki Culture! The ribs were a major highlight. We felt like it was plenty of food for the price. Drinks were absolutely out of this world. Service was awesome and the views can’t be topped.

Joseph X (Joe)

We had an amazing lunch today filled with delicious Polynesian and Hawaiian-inspired flavors—but the true highlight wasn’t the food or even the stunning view. It was our incredible server, Ava. From the moment we sat down, Ava guided us through the menu with such enthusiasm and knowledge that we assumed she was a seasoned pro. To our surprise, it was only her second day serving! She recommended standout dishes that ended up being our absolute favorites, and her understanding of the drink and food menu was unmatched. Ava made our experience not just enjoyable but genuinely memorable. We will absolutely be back—and when we are, we’ll be requesting her by name. She’s a gem and a true asset to this establishment!

Came here for restaurant week and for $45 it was worth it. Ordered the coconut shrimp with some vinegar dip, flank steak, chocolate hazelnut truffle mousse. The ambience of the place was deco…

Came here for restaurant week and for $45 it was worth it. Ordered the coconut shrimp with some vinegar dip, Flank steak, chocolate hazelnut truffle mousse. The ambience of the place was decorate…

Came here for restaurant week and for $45 it was worth it. Ordered the coconut shrimp with some vinegar dip, Flank steak, chocolate hazelnut truffle mousse. The ambience of the place was decorated …

Ok if you go to the Bali Hai you can expect great views, great ambience between 4-6 when the live performances are occuring and the Mai-Tai (don't have two! but one is great. Don't expect beer, not…

Ok if you go to the Bali Hai you can expect great views, great ambience between 4-6 when the live performances are occuring and the Mai-Tai (don't have two! but one is great. Don't expect beer, not…

Great happy hour. Nice views! Delicious short ribs and mai tais. Fun spot for a family dinnner or fun date.

Great happy hour. Nice views! Delicious short ribs and mai tais. Fun spot for a family dinnner or fun date.

I always look forward to coming here. The view of the bay is spectacular, especially if you arrive near sunset.\n\nThis visit I ordered the Ahi tuna dinner with their famous Mai Tai. I usually orde…

The most unbelievably amazing place. Very tiki vibe with spectacular drinks. Excellent buffet brunches with friendly service. It honestly feels like you're at a restaurant in the middle of the Paci…

Just had an amazing meal. Chose from the 3 course dinner. I can’t usually cope with 3 courses but it was possible to swap one course for a beer which suited me fine. Opted for the Asian Chop Salad wh…

Just had an amazing meal. Chose from the 3 course dinner. I can’t usually cope with 3 courses but it was possible to swap one course for a beer which suited me fine. Opted for the Asian Chop Salad …

Really good. Not as before in the early 80s, but good dining. Had the tasting platter. Would order again The 5% surcharge additional to tax???just because? Then why are we tipping 5 or 10%. Meh

Exceptional restaurant with a classic vintage Tiki vibe and fabulous skyline and bay view! It’s a Time Machine atmosphere but with a diverse menu appealing to a modern palate. Fish is fresh and off…

The best happy hour! We ordered a few plates to share..incredible food! Get a seat by the window, order a Mai Tai and listen to GREAT Hawaiian music while you dine. A must every time we visit.

The best happy hour! We ordered a few plates to share..incredible food! Get a seat by the window, order a Mai Tai and listen to GREAT Hawaiian music while you dine. A must every time we visit.

Was greeted by two cheerful host, Olivia & Sarah. Being Solo I sat up at bar. Musician 3-6pm was playing for happy hour. Started with coconut shrimp. It only takes one mai tai to get lit. Another O…

Absolutely Love the Bali Hai restaurant. We've been going here, on and off for decades, through all of its different ups and downs. Haven't been in a few years, though. Let's start with the restaurant: the location is outstanding. Absolute jewel in San Diego. They fixed it up quite a few years ago, and they have been keeping it in good condition, witch makes me very happy, all except the restrooms, which are an embarrassment. This time and last time we visited in 2024, the restrooms are very shabby, which always makes me wonder what the kitchen looks like. Next, the service: service is outstanding, everyone was super friendly and food and drinks came out fairly quickly. The 18% plus 5% (23%) automatic gratuity was unpleasant, but I hope the wait staff is getting all of it, they're the ones earning it. Last, the food. Very underwhelming. Everything seemed fresh, but too many dishes were either drowning in sugar sauces or just kind of boring. Everything is ala carte, so a meal is pricey. I expected this, but I guess I expected more for the money, like flavors. We will absolutely return again and share appetizers and have another Mai Tai, but doubtful we'll have a big family dinner there again.

Nice vibe and view. The service was great . We stayed out side and the open air seating was nice. We wanted to try oysters but they are only available for dinner service. Overall was really nice, will definitely go there when we are on town .

You come for the view. Getting a reservation to gaze at the skyline of San Diego, this is perfect. The service is very friendly. The food however was quite underwhelming. A bit bland. I was just surprised it wasn't a wow. Four of us, appetizers and entrees, it was fine but not great. Kind of like Applebees but with an amazing view. No one had anything they loved, but nothing was bad. We will come again for a drink and the view.

Two words: The View. Every review will bloviate about how great the view is and it’s probably the best in SD. But if you wanna do it right, just go for drinks and apps. We had a family event here with about a dozen people and they do serve large parties quite well. Service was excellent and we had a table right up on the window and got to see the moon rise over the city. Pretty epic for a birthday. But overall, the food is pretty mediocre without much flavor. It’s good and the pricing is right but it can def be better. They serve a ton of people and they have a great event space for weddings and parties but it’s pretty bland. The drinks are all the tiki essentials you need and the apps were almost better than the entrees. If you read this far, you’re welcome. Just go for the drinks.

+6

Iconic as it sounds it is probably. Loved the ambience and way they say you can’t have more than 2 of their Mai tais . Great ambience and the it if you are in SD.

+1

The restaurant has a great view! If you want seat next to the window or outside, should make early reservation. Service: 5/5 Seated promptly. Drinks and food orders was taken at adequate time. Answered our food and drink questions in details. Ambience: great views and nice Polynesian decors. Drinks: Mai Tai was strong as it advertised. Food: Our favorite were the tuna poke and Chinese garlic noodle, a side dish. Other food were too heavy with sauce. Will return for happy hours!

+6

The dinner was good, and the view, location, coconut shrimp appetizer and specialty drinks were great. It’s not cheap. But it is an off the beaten path treat with unbeatable views from Shelter Island looking back to the San Diego skyline. It can be noisy (depending on those around you) and definitely pricey with most entrees 25 and up.

+4

My daughter had been wanting to try Bali Hai for a while. We travelled to San Diego for her wedding recently and had a family dinner the night before her wedding. When we first walked in, the restaurant was extremely loud and I was a little worried about having a special dinner in such a noisy place. But when my daughter made the reservation, she was asked if there was a special occasion. She told them about her family being in town for her wedding. They made sure to save us a table with a view, which turned out to be on the deck, off in the corner. It was a prime spot. Nobody at our table tried the mai tai, but most of us ordered cocktails. I had Pete's Relief, which was tropical and lovely. My boyfriend ordered the Harpoon. I don't mind a really strong drink but that just gross. No obvious flavor shone through. We enjoyed spinach cream cheese lumpia and flash fried shishito peppers for appetizers. For dinner, I had grilled salmon. It was simply amazing. I highly recommend it. My boyfriend liked his tuna okay, but wasn't rave-worthy. Before we ordered dessert, our server brought a beautiful special dessert for the bride and groom to share. I wish I had taken a photo of it, but I don't have one to post. I had the orange coconut cake for dessert. It had wonderful flavor, but was not what I consider to be a cake, like cake and icing. It was more moussey. My boyfriend and daughter each got the chocolate creme brulee. That was very tasty and I did like that more than the "cake". Overall, though, I had an amazing dinner and experience. For me, the experience would have been different had we been seated indoors. Just too loud and noisy for me. The service was fantastic.

Came here for Sunday brunch buffet for my husband's birthday celebration. Really love the aesthetic on the inside. Everything is quite according to the theme, And there's really nice views of the water as well. All the servers were really sweet and drink service was pretty quick. Dried a lot of food and I would say half the items were really good and the others were just very meh. Honey Sriracha Fried Chicken was amazing! Ham from the carving station was absolutely delicious. The prime rib was just meh. The pork ribs were also lovely. Ahi tuna poke - Next level Huli huli breakfast potatoes were also delicious. Spam fried rice was very creative, even the chow mein was nice. Also love the made to order omelette! I got one with egg whites and extra veggies and asked them to use less oil and they delivered on the order. I'm usually quite disappointed by desserts at a buffet, but this one actually had some good stuff! Brownie was so freaking good! Really rich and chocolatey and fudgy like a proper dark chocolate brownie. It went amazingly well with the vanilla ice cream. Even the ice cream was good on its own. Cheesecake was nice and creamy, cannolis were also lovely. But they ran out super quick and we only managed to get some because the people on the table next to us offered us theirs. Bread pudding was really lovely! Warm and cozy and perfect flavor. All the bread bees items were little disappointing - Cinnamon buns were soft but there was barely any cinnamon flavor. It was like eating plain bread. Nutella stuffed french toast was also very sad because it was barely any Nutella and very plain tasting French toast. Salted caramel moose was also a bit too sweet. Overall I would say there are some really good items and some not so great. Price was a little too high for the food though. For the same amount we can get a much much better amazing buffet in Vegas!

I visited LA and SD this past week and this may have been the best food I ate. I came with a large group of people, and we ordered semi-family style which allowed all of us to try a ton of different food. I ordered the ahi tuna for myself, which was not a ton of food but delicious. For the table, we split a 14 oz wok fried seared bass and a ali'i tasting platter. I especially liked the seared bass - wow - and the beef skewers. I also got a mai tai. I'd never had one, and should've probably not ordered one after the server told me that it had 4 shots in it, but it is strong! If you're looking for something easy to drink, I'd avoid it. Otherwise, our server was really kind and the views were phenomenal, but the food took a very long time to come out and we were at the restaurant for quite a while as a result.

Had dinner here yesterday. Great atmosphere. Even though we sat outside, we could still hear the live music being played inside. I love a great calamari, and their calamari definitely delivered. I did not order their salmon dish, but i tried it, and it was really good definitely worth ordering. Sadly, the mashed potato side was too watery and not enough salt...it looked like it was better off ate with a spoon like soup and the firecracker pork ribs was okay i guess, the rub was overpowering for me. It's still a good experience eating there, and i would definitely return for the calamari and salmon. As for the drink that they are known for and 2 million sold and is limited to 2...i will pass on it next time-they were right; it was the strongest drink i have ever tried to date and i had to ask for oranje juice to bring it down some.

James Bateman

Giving 4 stars SPECIFICALLY for a bar visit. Had shrimp appetizer, it was good but the sauce was not recognizable not bad, but we just didn't know what it was. Tried the famous/infamous Mai tai, lived up to expectations, was very stiff but tasty, fortunately I had the foresight to suggest our party if 3 share one rather than each getting our own, good call on my part. The bartender was cool and happily gave us the run down on the following when asked: drink story, ownership history, live music artist info. Again we asked for all but the guy was cool and eager to share. Also tried a Banana Rum drink, which was thick and sweet and fruity And exactly what you would want and expect from a Hawaiian themed spot. Also had a couple beers, nothing on tap tho, but they do serve can and bottle beers of a decent selection out of a nice cold glass if memory serves. The 300° bay/skyline view is amazing but the random assortment of restaurant/bar utilitarian items seemed like a catch all of what nots on the end of the bar & distracted a bit and seemed oddly out of place, useless and unnecessary as no waiter or bartender touched the stuff the whole time we were there. Ya.. we asked about that also and got the expected response considering the bartender probably didn't know why and likely agreed with us anyhow lol. Overall fun and might go back for another bar visit if we get adventurous again.

Key Roberts

The service was a little bit slow, but the food made up for it. The lumpia spinach cheese was amazing. Also, the shrimp coconut was tasty. The views were amazing the Mai Thai are strong ,!! and all made with alcoholic!! you actually only need two ,the key to bring somebody else with you who does not drink to get messed!! but I’ll be back,oh and the fries was some of the best I’ve had !!well seasoned crispy tender inside

+26

DON'T EAT THE LEMONGRASS CHICKEN!!!\nI have been going to the Bali Hai restaurant for over 40 years. I owned a business on Shelter Island for 43 years and knew the owner, Larry, during that time.\nMy…

DON'T EAT THE lemongrass chicken!!!\nI have been going to the Bali Hai restaurant for over 40 years. I owned a business on Shelter Island for 43 years and knew the owner, Larry, during that time.…

My boyfriend took me here for our anniversary last night and we were so beyond disappointed. We ordered the spinach and cream cheese lumpia, korean fried chicken, the salmon and the brussels. The b…

My boyfriend took me here for our anniversary last night and we were so beyond disappointed. We ordered the spinach and cream cheese lumpia, korean fried chicken, the salmon and the brussel…

Tried this place again years later while visiting San Diego and boy where my husband and I very disappointed. First of all we had to ask to sit outside in the freezing cold on the heated patio becaus…

Great food, great drinks, great happy hour. Beautiful views and you don't need a reservation to enjoy bites in their lounge. Great place to catch up with friends. Helpful staff.

Great food, great drinks, great happy hour. Beautiful views and you don't need a reservation to enjoy bites in their lounge. Great place to catch up with friends. Helpful staff.

Great food, great drinks, great happy hour. Beautiful views and you don't need a reservation to enjoy bites in their lounge. Great place to catch up with friends. Helpful staff.

Great food, great drinks, great happy hour. Beautiful views and you don't need a reservation to enjoy bites in their lounge. Great place to catch up with friends. Helpful staff.

Visited and had a drink. The Mai Tai is no joke. It's a mix of a bunch of different rums. No juice - just rum. Think like maybe three shots over ice. Tastes good, and you're definitely getting your…

I am reviewing only the happy hour. The happy hour is from 3-5p. We were a group of 6 and arrived on a Thurs at 330pm. Was busy but we were able to find two tables to accommodate our group. Nice …

Food was amazing and drinks were better. BUT ... ***Parking Lot Notice**** DON'T BACK YOUR CAR INTO YOUR SPACE in the lot. I just got a $53 citation for backing my car in.

Food was amazing and drinks were better. BUT ... ***Parking Lot Notice**** DON'T BACK YOUR CAR INTO YOUR SPACE in the lot. I just got a $53 citation for backing my car in.

food was amazing and drinks were better. BUT ... ***Parking Lot Notice**** DON'T BACK YOUR CAR INTO YOUR SPACE in the lot. I just got a $53 citation for backing my car in.

Food was amazing and drinks were better. BUT ... ***parking Lot Notice**** DON'T BACK YOUR CAR INTO YOUR SPACE in the lot. I just got a $53 citation for backing my car in.

When you are a Polynesian restaurant but don't have the "Aloha" spirit, that's strike one. The food and Mai Tai's are excellent, but the management and service are subpar. IT was once a San Diego i…

When you are a Polynesian restaurant but don't have the "Aloha" spirit, that's strike one. The food and Mai Tai's are excellent, but the management and service are subpar. IT was once a San Diego i…

Still the best tiki experience we've had. Our 6 trip to this place was better than our first .Everything is really good and the staff and parking are wonderful .We always need at least to visits he…

1. Food was incredible, along with iconic views of the San Diego Bay. 🙌😍 2. Service was not good for such a high price. ⬇️ 3/5 stars because the service was not great. Really slow to bring drinks and the check. Considering there was a big staff, I don’t know why the service was slow. Food was incredible! 🌺 A great pineapple mimosa and fantastic fresh crab. 🦀 We went on Sunday afternoon and caught the tail end of their brunch. It was buffet style, all you can eat, but quite expensive for how small the buffet layout was. They do not serve their menu while the buffet is open, which was disappointing. We were going for their menu.

+2

I dined with you during restaurant week last year and had just such a lovely experience with service and food. That was definitely not the case this year ‼️ When we ordered the appetizer it came out within 3 minutes and as I expected it was totally tepid. It obviously had just been sitting around waiting to be served. It was not prepared fresh for us. We then ordered our entrees and had another unpleasant experience. My friend seward fish was so dried out and tough. It had obviously been sitting around way too long. I decided to try something new and chose the Kahlua pork which could have been very tasty if it had been freshly prepared for me, which it was not. Everything was tepid at best. I didn't want to make a big fuss as we were both celebrating our birthdays and I wanted it to be a nice experience. I just ate it and didn't say anything. After the meal. We both ordered coffee which never came! We had our dessert sat around and chatted for a while and still no coffee. When the waiter stop by to see if we were ready for the check. He asked us if we wanted coffee and we looked at each other in disbelief. We had already ordered the coffee. It just never came. Unfortunately, our waiter seemed to have a condition that caused him to to not provide the type of service you would expect in this restaurant. He was very pleasant but he obviously made many mistakes. Based on this experience, I don't feel like I would want to return.

The atmosphere and views are amazing. The service is very good. However, the food was extremely hit or miss. Some dishes such as the ahi tuna we're very good while others such as the pork belly with rice were borderline inedible. If they could get the food quality and consistency up this would be one of my favorite restaurants in San Diego.

Nice atmosphere Food is ok Server’s hovered over us waiting for us to finish to clear our plates One time only

+6

I recently went for brunch at Bali Hai. The buffet had a good selection of fresh seafood, from succulent shrimp to delicious poke and crab legs. We found the shrimp to be not cleaned and some of the meals to be cold. The restaurant has stunning views, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing meal. Unfortunately, the service was incredibly slow, and it took ages for our drinks to arrive. Additionally, the servers were inattentive, and we had to repeatedly ask for basic things like water refills. Overall, the poor service overshadowed what could have been a nice meal, and I left feeling quite frustrated. Specially for the expensive experience.

+6

Our server is really nice and accommodating , the restaurant is lucky with their servers. However, their food really needs improvement. It's been a long time since I had a bad steamed white rice , idk how the cook failed to make the rice unless he cooked it manually. And as an Asian dining in you know what they say " rice is life " so if the rice is bad you can't really fully enjoy the viand. Their dish needs improvement. The dessert was good. Their restroom was nasty and no toilet paper or napkins at the wash area. The host needs to be more cheerful too just like how the servers are, I heard her saying it was just her for the whole night shift and it could be frustrating but it shouldn't be felt by the guest. The restaurant have a lot of free parking available and their location and view is great. The location and the servers are their best assets.

The food was ok, not great. The most disappointing thing was that the sauces that accompanied the dishes were for the most part bland and weak..The Coconut Shrimp was a prime example. The shrimp itself was cooked to absolute perfection, but the dipping sauce was weak, with not enough of any flavor profile to justify being on the plate..Cocktails are over the top, mostly in a good but DANGEROUS(strong) way.

+3

Made a reservation and our seats were with a window/ocean view which was beautiful . Overall food and drinks were pretty good, nothing crazy. $35 for shrimp and pad Thai noodles is nothing to write home about. My significant other did say the ribeye was the best restaurant steak he’s had thus far. But the restaurant atmosphere was incredible loud and noisy, kids running around and yelling. There seemed to be live music but either stopped playing at 6:30pm or we just couldn’t hear it. The noise felt like we were at a sports bar during a game. The price points did not match the ambience. We came for our anniversary and have learned that this is not a romantic restaurant.

M Martin

On a regular night, I absolutely love this place so this review is specifically for their Thanksgiving Buffet Dinner I highly recommend making your reservations. My family of 5 were seating immediately because we had made ours. Fortunately it was a beautiful night clear warm night in San Diego so the ambiance was amazing. The heater was available to us, as well. The Thanksgiving buffet had all your traditional option that you could expect of any Thanksgiving meal: Baked Mac & Cheese, Potatoes in 2 different styles, carving station with choice of Prime Rib, Herb Roasted Turkey and Ham. Ample dessert options and of course the drinks and cocktails were available. Our view was amazing, having been seated outsider on a large round table, a bit off given that there was only a small handful of tables outside. It felt isolated. Unfortunately the downfall was in the Service. Our server, Ricky missed his opportunity.Unattentive, unapologetic, and whatever was going on in the confusion of who our server was, waiting over 30 mins for drinks on a special occasion event, such as Thanksgiving is unacceptable. While we were seated immediately, Whatever confusion happened there was not just disappointing, but it made an impact, to the degree that when he was informed by a staff member that we were seated and already eating, he went to go find a server for us. It was our bus boys that offered for us to go start our meal. After waiting for 30 mins since having been seated (not exaggerating) Ricky finally figured out he was our server, yet his service lacked. Checked in once & welcomed us and we were already on our 2nd plated, drinking our waters. Took our drink order and by that point half my family decided against their drinks. No cocktails, I ordered my second drink from the bar myself and having to literally hunt him down to the bill, was the icing on the cake. I got the bar tender to track him down. The picture attached was my second plate. As you see , no drinks on the table. $85 per person, plus gratuity on the bill and each carving station, the experience we received was disappointing. Im not likely to come here for a special occasion, I’ll stick to the happy hours and the occasional dinner requests from friends.

Jessica Hong

It was my husband and I’s first time eating at Bali Hai since his coworker had recommended it, and the food was decent, but nothing stood out as great except for the drinks. Service was mediocre. The waiter was very nice but a little slow with the service. They seemed to pay more attention to people who made a reservation, and also would not let you sit by the windows without a reservation, at least that’s what they told us. There was a group of 3 ahead of us and I heard the hostess ask them if they had reservations, they said no, and she proceeded to ask them where they wanted to sit. Very off putting to begin with.

+2

Haven't been here since a Mothers Day brunch 10 years ago so decided to give it another try. Location and ambiance reminded me of Hawaii so I loved it. Service was okay. Not very attentive for it n…

Haven't been here since a Mothers Day brunch 10 years ago so decided to give it another try. Location and ambiance reminded me of Hawaii so I loved it. service was okay. Not very attentive for it n…

Let's start with the positives.. The view is absolutely amazing from the patio, the Establishment was exceptionally clean to include the restroom and main dining area, and our server Diego was with…

Things I like about this restaurant. The views are outstanding but go early before it gets dark. Why, all you see is twinkling lights cause the water view gets dark. Parking is awesome cause there'…

Things I like about this restaurant. The views are outstanding but go early before it gets dark. Why, all you see is twinkling lights cause the water view gets dark. parking is awesome cause there'…

Things I like about this restaurant. The views are outstanding but go early before it gets dark. Why, all you see is twinkling lights cause the water view gets dark. Parking is awesome cause ther…

The atmosphere of this restaurant would be great if it weren’t so noisy. It has a unique style with almost 180 degree views of the city across the bay. But the noise literally gave one of our party…

The atmosphere of this restaurant would be great if it weren’t so noisy. It has a unique style with almost 180 degree views of the city across the bay. But the noise literally gave one of our party…

Views and staff were awesome but the food was terrible. We had a late lunch and I had the burger which was overcooked (I ordered medium rare) and really I did not taste good. My husband had the…

views and staff were awesome but the food was terrible. We had a late lunch and I had the burger which was overcooked (I ordered medium rare) and really I did not taste good. My husband had the f…

Views and staff were awesome but the food was terrible. We had a late lunch and I had the burger which was overcooked (I ordered medium rare) and really I did not taste good. My husband had the f…

We have been going to this restaurant for years. Now it is in desperate need of a face lift. The carpet is thread bare. The paint is chipping off of the walls. The staff needs to pay more attention…

The “Mai Tai” drink is disgusting, it is not a Mai Tai and is basically a glass of rum. The fact that the first question the bartender asks when ordering the Mai Tai is if you have had their Mai Tai before and tells you that it cannot be returned should be an indication of how bad it is. Food is just ok, cool atmosphere, but cannot recommend.

Been to this place several times for dinner but today was our first time trying out lunch menu. Based on our experience today, I would only recommend coming here for their dinner menu unless you're coming for the spectacular view. The food was just ok and for the price you're paying for, it's just not worth it. For appetizers, we were disappointed that they don't serve fried calamari (this is only served for dinner apparently) so we told our waitress if we'll catch an octopus since we're by the waters, can they cook it for us so we ended up ordering spinach cream cheese lumpia and bali fries savory spicy seasoned. The spinach cream cheese lumpia was bomb! We loved it but you only get 6 pcs. The fries were good but it's very very mild spicy, I guess for some people that's ok, but for us, we wished it was a bit spicier. For the smoked albacore tuna melt, this is what I recommend. You can surely taste the smokeyness of the tuna, this is my favorite! For bali hai cubano, pretty disappointing because it was too dry. It's supposed to be spicy but didn't taste the spicy flavor at all. If you're getting this and expecting some spicyness, perhaps it's better to ask for the level of how spicy you want it to be (they don't ask for spicy level so you need to just tell them). It needed more sauce that we asked for a ranch sauce to make it more tolerable to eat. As for the bali hai crispy lobster tacos, another disappointment. The only good thing about this is that it is crispy but for the flavor it's very bland. Perhaps add more jalapeño ranch sauce or season or maybe marinate the lobster before frying it. Now, for the pan seared salmon, this is VERY flavorful! Highly recommended this! The cheeseburger was just ok, nothing special except you can add egg or bacon. I'd go for in and out burger than this and it'll be much cheaper Lastly, don't expect the macaroni salad to be like the regular Hawaiian macaroni salad, this salad taste so dull and boring. I only took one spoonful of this and my friends didn't like theirs either. I guess they try to modify and create their own Hawaiian macaroni salad but at least make it better. We will not be coming back here for lunch.

The views from this restaurant are truly the highlight — the downtown San Diego skyline looks incredible and creates a great atmosphere. The service was great and the Tiki drink selection was solid, with plenty of options to choose from. Unfortunately, the food was the biggest disappointment. The menu felt limited, and the dishes we ordered lacked the quality and flavor you’d expect from a restaurant in such a beautiful setting. It felt like the food didn’t match the standard set by the views and overall ambiance. Overall, it’s a nice place to grab a drink and enjoy the scenery, but not somewhere I’d return for the food alone.

Absolutely ridiculously TINY portions at insane prices!! This is what a $17 coconut shrimp and $34 chicken entree look like. An airplane economy class meal gives you more food than this!! In the restaurant industry typically food costs should be 30% of menu prices, at this place they barely spend 10% tops. That tiny chicken leg with 1 spoon of rice has less than $4 of food costs. Our party left the table hungry and went elsewhere for an actual dinner. AVOID THIS TOURIST TRAP LIKE THE PLAGUE! To make things worse, service and seating were a mess. We were seated at a table far from windows and asked if we could move to one closer to the window only to be told it was booked. We then stared at the table remain empty for the full night….until closing time.