Bali Hai Restaurant

Bar & Restaurant

2230 Shelter Island Drive
San Diego, California, United States
Ph: (619) 222-1181 - Website

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Mon-Sat 11:30am-3pm
5pm-10pm
Sun 10am-2pm
4pm-10pm

Opened in 1953

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Defunct tiki not included,
distances are as the crow flies.

Humphrey's Half Moon Inn, San Diego	0.1 mi 0.2 km
Trader Mort's Liquor & Deli, San Diego	0.6 mi 0.9 km
Crowne Plaza, San Diego	3.5 mi 5.7 km
The Islands Restaurant, San Diego	3.5 mi 5.7 km
Islands Sushi and Pupu Bar, San Diego	3.5 mi 5.7 km

ad, 134
matchbook, 126, 133
mug, 131
picture, 52, 130-132
text, 82-83, 130-131, 133-134

picture, 14

San Diego: Tiki Oasis 8

Jun 25, 2008

Tiki New Year’s Eve 2006 Parties

Dec 19, 2005

Plastic Hula Girl/Tiki Salt & Pepper Shakers

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Postcard from Bali Hai Restaurant in San Diego
date unknown, from the collection of Mimi Payne

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Humuhumu’s description:

When Bali Hai first opened, it was called The Hut, and was a susidiary of Christian's Hut in Newport Beach. The business didn't do well initially, until the manager Tom Ham took it over and renamed it Bali Hai. Atop the building, you can still see "the Goof," a funny-looking guy who was the mascot for Christian's Hut. Bali Hai developed their own mascot, Mr. Bali Hai, whose droopy-lidded face can be seen at the front door, and on the tiki mugs. Today, Bali Hai remains a popular polynesian restaurant, with many fine examples of polynesian art both indoors and out.

Bali Hai is located on Shelter Island in San Diego, along with Humphrey's Half Moon Inn and Trader Mort's Liquor.

How to find it:

When you arrive at Shelter Island's large roundabout, take it to the left, to the island's north-east end.

Parking:

Bali Hai has its own free parking lot.

Regular

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Regular

Semi-Regular

Semi-Regular

View all 82 Bali Hai Restaurant regulars & visitors

There are 7 comments.

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DoktorTiki

September 28, 2008, 4:27 PM

So sad...killer location and history; nice classic decor but the drinks and food have fallen so far from what they used to be. The most undrinkable Mai Tai! The other drinks were also more about lots of liquor and little about flavor. The food selection was good but of ten guests, none had anything they would rave about. They should send the bartenders and cooks to the Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale to rediscover what great drinks and food are like. You should come here as a tribute to one of the oldest Tiki's in America but be prepared to enjoy the nostalgia more than the present.

John S. james

February 6, 2009, 10:03 PM

Right on the mark Doktor Tiki! They do have a great tiki oriented gift shop on the ground floor just to the right of the main entrance and I recommend it highly - as prices and selection can be surprising both up and down.

Builtiki

September 4, 2009, 4:29 PM

the historic importance makes this a must to visit...the photos of the place as it is being constructed are great to see...

Builtiki has visited Bali Hai Restaurant.

Slacks Ferret

November 5, 2009, 12:37 PM

Bananabobs posted this on TC a while back, but it's worth checking out if you're a fan of the Bali Hai. Here is a You-Tube video of a Chrysler Turbine car that's driving around Shelter Island back in the early days of the Bali Hai (stayed tuned around 1:40): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Gy_fNjOy98

Slacks Ferret has visited Bali Hai Restaurant.

PackmanWSU01

July 15, 2010, 12:27 AM

The food was good (I had chicken of the Gods) and I also like the drinks (especially Goof Punch) with the souvenier glass. The place seems too modern for my taste, but overall it was a great expirience and I'd go again.

PackmanWSU01 has visited Bali Hai Restaurant.

carlosrossi

November 9, 2010, 1:37 PM

i took my other half here for our 5 year anniversary and I gotta admit, it was pretty nice. The staff was super nice, the food was good, the drinks were very strong, and we left pretty drunk & happy. I think that's a good thing wouldn't you?

Happy overall with it's whole experience, but could use a bit of a pick me up! It was awfully quiet in there!

carlosrossi has visited Bali Hai Restaurant.

The tiki pinstriper

June 20, 2012, 9:47 AM

I went there last August for my anniversary and it was an amazing experience. They had soft hawaiian music on when i was there, the food was AMAZING! yeah its a bit pricey but for a special dinner to me its worth it. Staff was really friendly and what am i forgetting....... DRINKS they were very strong and very reasonably priced. I always make a point to go when im in SD. But if you want a romantic dinner or a good happy hour in San Diego and your a tiki head i highly highly suggest it.

The tiki pinstriper is a semi-regular at Bali Hai Restaurant.

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