Bali Hai RestaurantGreat Find!!I grew up n San Diego and have returned to Bali Hai on many special occasions. We went on Saturday Night for early father's day. We had a seat at the window overlooking the San Diego Bay and beautiful sunset, local weddings were going on and just great view. Appetizers were ordered, great calamari, a good portion size and we also had crab cakes . They were ok, a bit small and overcooked. My 80 yr old mom and Ordered Honey Walnut Shrimp. It was GREAT, Wife ordered scallops and they too were good and my dad ordered a classic sweet/sour chicken and it was a great size and good too. Our wait staff.....very attentive yet inconspicuous. Classic Mousse was ordered for dessert. GREAT MEAL OVERALL. One down side, was the noise. Very Loud6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMA Birthday PresentThe Bali Hai is one of our favorite restaurants in San Diego. The prices are reasonable, the staff is accomodating, and the atmosphere is both fun and impressive, yet relaxed. As in most restaurants the noise level picks up as the day proceeds. Our lunch was for 11 and the food was presented quickly, hot, and delicious. Our guests thoroughly enjoyed the warm sunshine and the changing scenery of the bay. We've dined both lunch and dinner and we seem to enjoy the lunch more. I highly recommend the Bali Hai and we hope this landmark continues to serve San Diego for a very long time.6/15/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellenceI took my girlfriend to dinner for her bday and got everything I expected and more. The waiter was very attentive and polite. The food was amazing and very well prepared. We had a nice table with an amazing view. I do highly recommend Bali Hai.6/14/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a great time celebratingWe had a great time celebrating our anniversay. We got married at the Bali 18 years ago. It is only better now.6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMRelaxed and FriendlyGorgeous views and our waitress was easy-going and attentive. She was even patient with my picky pescatarian teenager who wanted to know all the ingredients. Bali Hai's food was better than I remembered. As a kid and through my twenties, I remember that you'd go for the ambiance knowing the food would be sorta just okay. Not so this time. Our meals were excellent!6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecial Engagement Location!The Bali Hai Restaurant was where my wife and I became engaged over 32 years ago. Our recent visit was to celebrate our 32nd anniversary, and we were looking forward to the remodeled interior and menu. We were not disappointed! I had the Pan Seared Halibut and my wife had the Thresher Shark (Fresh Catch) -- both excellent entrees! Especially delicious was the side order of Thai Brussel Sprouts with Chinese Sausage. Even if you aren't a fan of brussel sprouts, you have to try these! Overall an excellent menu and an excellent experience.6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMscenicHighly recommend it for scenic view, service and ambience. Poke is my personal fav.6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst Timers DelightWOW! Fantastic Brunch. Waiter "Garrett" was SUPERB in every way. Made us feel at home from the start. Sunday Brunch is San Diego's best. Unending delicious Champagne. If you haven't been you don't know what you're missing. Fantastic view of San Diego Bay. One of a kind Tiki mugs available for purchase. Thanks Bali Hai6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMFavoriteWe always try to dine here when we are in San Diego. This visit did not disappoint. Although the prices are higher than we usually want to spend, the great food and beautiful views combined with the attentive service make this a wonderful choice. Call ahead and request a window table. Sides are large and meant for two. I think a salad used to be included with the entree, but now everything is priced individually. Watch out for those mai tais! Killer strong!5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMTerrific Brunch Place!Great food, service and stellar views of the bay! Noisy, so intimate conversation may be a challenge. Great Place!5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMBest view in an island environmentYou can't beat the view but it is tough to get a table next to the window. There are no bad seats but you don't have the same experience back a row as you do by the window. The brunch buffet offers something for everyone and it is affordable so don't expect gourmet. It is a wonderful value and a perfect place for taking folks from out of town who have not been here.5/26/2013 12:00:00 AMThe setting and the view isThe setting and the view is always spectacular. The drinks strong. The food delicious.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMreally busy and REAL noisyFood outstanding, service was very good even though the waiters were really busy, Holiday weekend, crowd was LOUD. place was full, I would like to go back on not a Holiday weekend. Overall outstanding.5/24/2013 12:00:00 AMEscape for LunchI and two co-workers escaped for Lunch to this incredible view. It is polonysian decorated. the carvings and real wood beams make you feel like your in Hawaii. A sunny day on the upstairs patio is what we had in mind. Easy parking as the parking lot is adjacent the restaurant. Reservations online made seating immeadiate outside on the second floor over looking the water. Spectacular view! the service was quick and efficient and I have to admit the glass partitions kept the wind out so it had a very consistent environment even though we were outside. The food we order was mainly salads. The presentation excellent and the soft warm bread before hand was a nice touch. Over all I would reccomend this restaurant as a hidden jem in shelter cove.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AM20TH ANNIVERSARY PERFECT DINNER!I picked this restaurant because of its hawaiian theme. Went to hawaii on our honeymoon, and wanted to remember that awesome experience. We wanted a quiet romantic dinner to celebrate our 20th, instead of a noisy party with a bunch of people. My wife and I really enjoyed everything, the warm welcome, the awesome table with a king & queen view of the bay and of downtown, the romantic decor & nice wood beam design, the soft hawaiian music coming from overhead , our waiter was fabulous too, can't remember his name, enjoyed his company, we really enjoyed the tropical garden setting downstairs, felt like being in hawaii again, it was perfect!
Over all my wife was very very happy with all. Thank You for that special surprise gift!!!.
Aloha!5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely Old School VenueBali Hai is a San Diego landmark. It's charm & hospitality is unchanged. The decor is upgraded which is always a plus. The wait staff was just as warm and friendly as I remember when I was a kid & came for brunch or dinner w/ my family. The Brunch buffet was fresh, varied & delicious. I particularly enjoyed the lobster claws & the vegetable frittata. We really had a wonderful time.5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing customer service -Amazing customer service - happy to recommend this restaurant. Was at Bali Hai in the 1970's, and was on vacation last week from Bowling Green Kentucky - so thrilled with the beautiful changes, as well as maintaining the highest service. What a wonderful evening !5/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGood but LOUDI hae been here many times before afterr yacht races, but have never dined. Dining room was VERY loud. The food was delicious, but the portions were rather small. Service and atmosphere were very good. Satisfied with experience. Would recommend to soneone new to San Diego for view from Shelter Island. Would NOT recommend for a quiet, romantic dinner experience. Would make good venue for a large party.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMEven better than before!I've been going to the Bali Hai since the late 1960's and it's always been a favorite. In fact, my wife and I ate there on our wedding night more than 41 years ago! We moved away from San Diego years ago, but we're back now and I wanted to go see the restaurant as I'd heard it had been renovated. WOW! It has a great new/old polynesian flair that incorporates the best of the old while updating and making the restaurant more sleek. The view remains fabulous! The menu has many great choices and we sampled a number of items. The coconut shrimp, rum runners and rock shrimp tacos were the highlight of a delightful lunch out on the deck in the sunshine. We couldn't have been more pleased and will certainly return soon.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing.Biggest, strongest Mai Tai I have had in my life. Poke, coconut shrimp were great. Kona braised short rib was fantastic. Can't wait to go again.5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMMother's Day BrunchI made a reservation for Mother's Day brunch on Open Table and requested an outside table, knowing that there were no guarantees on such a busy day. When we arrived patrons were hanging out the doors and the upstairs patio was visibly full, so I wasn't very optimistic. That being said, we were seated outside on the lower patio immediately. The brunch at Bali Hai is always wonderful but they pulled out all the stops for Mother's Day, adding extra items and opening buffets both upstairs and downstairs to accommodate the large crowd. Our bottomless champagne glasses were never empty, and the food was fantastic. Mom had a perfect brunch on her special day.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMBali Hai brunchWe went to Bali Hai for Mothers Day brunch. We had reservations and were seated immediately. We were pleasantly
surprised to Get a window seat. The service was wonderful and brunch was fabulous. We had been here several years ago
and had been disappointed with the service at that time. We're glad we gave the Bali Hai another try and will return.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMMother's Day at Bali HaiIn all fairness, I have to admit our family has been going to the Bali Hai for 50+ years. It is part of our tradition.
Mother's Day was busy, but we were given a table next to the windows, and the location can't be beat. The view of the bay and downtown is fabulous.
The menu at Bali Hai has changed a few times over the past couple of years. They have expanded it substantially, and it has something for everyone, now. Great Ahi Poke, great calamari, scallops done and presented beautifully. Daughter's steak was gorgeous, the boyfriend's fish was excellent. Mai Tais are a ritual tradition.
Great place to go for special occasion, or just a happy hour if you want to make your day better. Great restaurant.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMA great Mother's Day DinnerOn Saturday my daughter Beth took us to dinner at Bali Hai and It was divine. The view is the greatest and the food wonderful. The remodel is beautiful and the new menu has something for everyone.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely dinner eveningMy experience was fantastic. Amazing food and great drink prices.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGREAT City ViewService and view excellent! As a big foodie I think the food was good, presentation nice, but it is really the view, service and nostalgic location that drew me. I used to come to the Bali Hai with my grandfather as a little girl for the "show". The show is long gone, but the view, service and view are amazing. Great place to take friends from out-of-town!
Enjoy!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMSent a group for a businessSent a group for a business luncheon, knowing it would impress and it certainly did! the view would almost be enough for most but the food is up to par for such a great panorama. I always send out of town guests (both personal and business) because I know the Bali Hai will not disappoint.5/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWe got there a few minutesWe got there a few minutes late because of weather and traffic and had to wait 30 minutes for our table. However, once seated, the service was superior and the food delicious. We've eaten here before and will do so again.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMMr. Bali Hai rules Shelter IslandGreat food, great themed tiki cocktails, must-have souvenier mugs and unforgetable million-dollar views of the Big Bay in America's Finest City- San Diego California - have made this place a Shelter Island classic since 1954.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat for birthday celebrations!This was our first time at Bali Hai. I found it after reading some reviews online and it definitely was worth it to try. There's a scenic view no matter where you sit except it would've been nice to be by the window since we had a bit of a pillar view in our way. The food was good but a couple of dishes were on the salty side. The servings for the appetizers and side dishes are quite big and the entree sizes are decent. I indicated on the Open Table reservation that it was my birthday and I was served a complimentary birthday brownie. Sure wasn't expecting that but it was a nice touch!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMA delightful dinner.The restaurant reserved a window table for us but it appears that every table would have an expansive view of San Diego Bay. The food was excellent and the service attentive. One of us is sensitive to hot spices so mention that when ordering.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMMy Bali Hai ExperienceMy husband and I took his mother to the Bali Hai for her 88th birthday celebrtion. The food, the service and the ambiance exceeded our expectations. Mom also enjoyed the food and wonderful scenic view of the San Diego Bay.
We definitely will be back more frequently.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, Great ambienceBeautiful view of the San Diego harbor and lots of sail boats. Go for a wonderful stroll around Shelter Island after eating to work off the delicious food. Terrific spot!4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMReceived a window table asReceived a window table as requested...thank you. Waitress was outstanding.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent place to celebrate!Excellent place to celebrate! The service was great, the food was wonderful - couldn't have been better!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe where recieved nicely andWe where recieved nicely and seated at what must have been the best table for two in the house. The service was very good as was the food. What a terrific dining event for our 20th Wedding Anniv.
Thanks to all at Bali Hai Restaurant for a wonderful dining evening.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMNeighborhood GemGreat place - fantastic views - excellent food and service. A neighborhood Gem!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways love to have dinnerAlways love to have dinner at Bali Hai when we visit San Diego.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMA Wonderful Place to Have Lunch!We had a wonderful lunch last week. Everyone working at the Bali Hai had nice smiles and very friendly. Our server was very nice. I'm sorry I don't remember her name, but she wore very pretty turquoise earrings. The food was wonderful...we will come back again.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMBig improvementFood selections were much better than the last time I had been to brunch at the Bali Hai (About a year ago). Noise bounces off the windows & cieling though and makes it very loud. People are almost shouting to one another at the same table just to hear each other over the rest of the crowd.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMCame in for brunch on Sunday.Came in for brunch on Sunday. Great atmosphere. The only thing I didnt like was that our server didn't explain that it was only a buffet. We had never been before so we weren't sure what to expect. She got our drink order and didnt say much else. Kept the champagne coming, which was great! Maybe just a quick "help yourself to the brunch buffet" would have been great.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMLove the Bali Hai! Have beenLove the Bali Hai! Have been going for 30 years. My wife's favorite restaurant.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect!Fun time at the world famous Bali hai! I even bought a mug!4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMA Wonderful Date Night with my WifeMy wife and I got a night out without the kids so we choose Bali Hai for dinner. We were seated by the window which had a FANTASTIC! view of the San Diego harbor and city. The food was very good. My wife tried some food that she had never tried before and she loved all of it. The service was also good. We would diffenitely recomend this restaurant to anyone visiting San Diego or any friends that just need a night out.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst Visit was a Winner!We had a table outside - the view was amazing! Loved the food, the service was great and we are definately going back!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was our 9th anniversary.This was our 9th anniversary. Our first date was at the Bali Hai. We go all the time, but that is our SPECIAL place on anniversary day!! We LOVE this place!!! I got "our" table...our server was awesome and even surprised us with a dessert in honor of the occasion!!! See you again soon, Bali Hai!!4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of our Favorite PlacesThe menu had an intriguing list of options and my wife and I each chose a fish entree, Arctic Char for me and Mahi Mahi for her. Both were excellently prepared and quite delicious. The Tasting for Two appetizer was also quite a delight. We would definitely come back next time we are in San Diego.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMA little pricey but the foodA little pricey but the food was great and the place was one of the best view's we have here in San Diego! I feel a side dish (of my choice...choosen from a list of course) should be included in each of the entree's.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMSpectacular ViewsWe sat at a window table and just loved the amazing views! The brunch was very good with a lot of variety except for the salads. Not much of a selection but the greens were good. The crab legs and peel and eat shrimp were delicious! My friends tried and raved about the Korean BBQ and the sausage although the prime rib was not spectacular it wasn't bad. I'll go again. The prices were good which included unlimited champagne which you could add cranberry juice or orange juice to make your own mimosas. Service was good even though our waiter was very busy. Overall it was a great way to celebrate my birthday with my husband and friends.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMIt has been 40+ years we haveIt has been 40+ years we have come to Bali Hai and it recently was remodeled. The remodel was very well done, giving a good contempory update while keeping the charm of some of the original features. Of course, the view is still as always, a spectacular across the bay downtown view.
Sunday brunch was as enjoyable as ever. We'll be back.......4/14/2013 12:00:00 AM