Bali Hai reviews in San Diego. Read guest feedback, 4.2 rating from 934 reviews.
2230 Shelter Island Dr
Recent guest feedback for this restaurant.
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 a headache. There was a very boisterous group actually yelling at their table as well as high energy throughout. Our waiter apologized for the noise but I asked the busboy about it and he said it was a pretty normal night and sometimes it’s worse. Quite a shame because the atmosphere could be quite elegant if it weren’t for the noise factor. We had four young teenagers who wanted to leave without dessert to get out of...
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 institution, a place where you had your wedding, graduation ceremony, or held a staff recognition meeting. Now, it's a place catering to tourists. Locals have to go to the back of the line. The "Ohana" spirit is long gone. So, go to Kona Kai or Humphrey's instead. Local knowledge.
We arrived a bit later than our reservation time however, they still had room - thank goodness. The restaurant was loud but very lively and everyone seemed to be having a great time. We were sat by a window overlooking the harbor and had water in our glasses almost immediately.. Demarie was our server and she gave us some great recommendations. We started with the Ali i sampler that had poke, spinach lumpia, baby back ribs, short rib skewers and some coconut shrimp. All were great, the wives favorites were the ribs, shrimp and spinach lumpia. the short rib w/kimchi topper and baby back ribs were my favorites...
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 fish and chips and the fish was deeply breaded and not good. The tater sauce didn’t taste like tarter. Wine was fine and our waiter was a great guy but we will never go back again.
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 to the restrooms. I noticed toilet paper on the floor and the trash can was overflowing with used paper. The food was still very good, and the wait staff was professional.
I wanted to go to this restaurant for my birthday since I was born in Hawaii and thought it would be nice. I had been before for lunch and enjoyed it. This time, it was horrible. The views are great, so we enjoyed that and our drinks. We ordered Champagne, and two of my girlfriends shared a tropical drink in a big bowl. I would normally chalk it up to a bad night for the cook or new staff, but one of my friends asked for the manager because her food was so bad. Aleshia, the manager, said, "Let me send your waiter." We said there was no need, as he was great. I was shocked that this was how a "manager" of a big r...
My wife, daughter, and I tried Bali Hai for the first time this evening. The spirit and decor of the restaurant is very reminiscent of the classic Trader Vic’s, which is not a complaint but just an acknowledgement of the kind of experience diners should expect. Two of us had the famous Bali Hai Mai Tai, which delivers on its promise of no juice and is flavorful with a touch more spicy flavor than I’ve found with other Mai Tais. My honey cashew shrimp with peppers was very good, and the chocolate crème brûlée rich and excellent. Noise levels in the restaurant were high, given the many people in the restaurant, but...
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 offers include whole prep or fillets. Delicious and fun - perfect for couples, pals, or families with older kids who can enjoy its novelty.
Fantastic views and food! Great service, too. You can sit inside this quirky historic restaurant or outside on the Coronado Bay side. I got the skewered beef and it was excellent. They catered to my weird food allergies with no problem. Wear your Hawaiian shirt!
This was our last dinner of a two week vacation (right before heading to the airport), and it was perfect. Our seats were outside with a beautiful view, although the interior decor was VERY cool. Our server was great, and the food was outstanding. The drinks were very strong, and if you order the mai tai, you can only order two because they are very strong. Prices were a bit on the higher side, but the entire experience was totally worth it.
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