We were so excited to find some Hawaiian bbq having just moved here! Customer service was great and the food was even better. I already have decided I have to keep coming back to try everything on the menu. Check the pics to see what we got! read more

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it felt like home and i havent had a good hawaiian food in a long time since i've lived in florida. The people were nice and friendly. very welcoming. i will definitely be coming back. read more

Kalai's Hawaiian Kitchen is a family-operated restaurant that serves delicious fresh to order food and great vibes! The portions here are huge and filling! Each plate comes with rice, pickled cucumber (soooo good. Great if you like kimchi!) and Mac salad. They have daily specials along with their lunch plates menu. They also offer breakfast from 7:30am-10:30am and I look forward to trying it. I've tried their garlic chicken lunch plate and was able to sample their mochiko chicken. DELICIOUS. The mochiko is fried to perfection and is addicting. Also, HUGE portion! The customer service makes your experience special. They are very welcoming and treat you like family. The inside has lots of seating with very cute Hawaiian-inspired decorations. They blast Hawaiian style music too. A visit here is a quick trip to Hawaii while you are munching on food in Navarre. Special shout-out to Leah and Nadia!!! read more

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Huge portions. Local friendly relaxed vibes & staff. Tried the kalua pork, Katsu chicken, katsu curry, & garlic shrimp plates. read more

Kalai's Hawaiian Kitchen - Chicken Katsu Plate - Hawaiian Near Me - Mary Esther, Florida

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This is a solid 3.5 to 4 star place but since the scale only goes 3 or 4 I'm going to stick with 3. Since this is a brand new establishment I will compare it to the other two main Hawaiian dining options in the area which are Pounders up in Crestview/Niceville and Mauis Bus stop in Fort Walton. For reference Pounders is a 5 star and Mauis Bus stop is a 2. This place is a lot closer to Pounders with its flavor and quality of food but it's pricing is closer to Mauis and I definitely think the prices are higher than they should be. The food is very good but you only have 2 serving sizes vs the multiple sizing options at Pounders but there are more menus options than at Pounders. The sides were a little disappointing with just rice, spicy cucumbers (which weren't spicy) and macaroni salad vs Pounders which has alot more options. The meat was flavorful and tender like Pounders and unlike Mauis with the rice well cooked and the service friendly. Plus their brownie was delicious and had little chunks of melted chocolate in it unlike the dry almost tasteless red velvet cookies at Mauis. This is definitely a good option if you live in the Fort Walton/Navarre area and don't want to drive to Crestview/Niceville for Pounders and it's easy access for those driving to or from base is nice. The hours however are limited to lunch time only and they do not offer a military discount. read more

Kalai's Hawaiian Kitchen - Hawaiian Near Me - Mary Esther, Florida

It saying this because Andy is my boy and we go way back, but the Kalai family can definitely cook. I would say the food is great, but I'd be cutting them short. It is way beyond great and the staff always goes out of their way to make you feel welcomed. read more

Food at Kalais never disappoints. This is the closest thing you can find to authentic Hawaiian Plate lunch in the Panhandle. read more

Kalai's Hawaiian Kitchen - Chicken Katsu Curry - Hawaiian Near Me - Mary Esther, Florida

THIS PLACE IS AWESOME. My husband is pacific islander so we are very picky about hawaiian bbq, this place is pretty authentic. We drive here from Shalimar to eat over Maui Bus Stop. The service is quick and the employees are all super nice and welcoming. My favorites are the kelbi ribs and bbq mixed plate! You won't be disappointed. read more

I love this local Hawaiian restaurant! Look at the portion size!! Chicken Katszu is always 10/10. Macaroni salad is fresh. And the cucumber salad is amazing!! Workers and owners are so friendly. I'm always greeted with a smile. I will recommend this restaurant to everyone! The perfect lunch spot. Don't forget to try their masubis!! I'm so happy to see this place thrive. Whenever I drive by it's always PACKED. read more

Kalai's Hawaiian Kitchen - Chicken Katsu Plate and Spam Musubi - Hawaiian Near Me - Mary Esther, Florida

My second time getting this Crispy Garlic Chicken (special only on Thursdays) and it was Amazing! I wish they add it to the regular menu, I highly recommend it!! read more

Kalai's Hawaiian Kitchen - Crispy Garlic Chicken - Hawaiian Near Me - Mary Esther, Florida

The service and the people here are second to none. I'm amazed at how much they care for their customers. Now let's start with the star of the show: succulent salmon. Imagine tender flakes of perfectly grilled salmon, infused with a symphony of flavors, from a delicate hint of lemon to a tantalizing sprinkle of herbs. Each bite is a testament to its impeccable freshness and unparalleled quality. Accompanying this seafood sensation is a delightful macaroni salad, boasting a harmonious medley of textures and tastes. Picture al dente macaroni mingling with crisp, crunchy vegetables, all enveloped in a creamy dressing that strikes the ideal balance between tangy and savory. It's a refreshing counterpart to the rich flavors of the salmon, adding a burst of vibrancy to every forkful .And let's not forget the humble yet indispensable white rice, serving as the perfect canvas upon which these culinary masterpieces unfold. Each grain is flawlessly cooked to tender perfection, offering a neutral backdrop that allows the vibrant flavors of the salmon and macaroni salad to shine.Together, this triumvirate of culinary delights creates a symphony of flavors that dance across the palate, leaving a lasting impression of satisfaction and delight. This place is a must visit!!!! read more

Kalai's Hawaiian Kitchen - Furikake Salmon - Hawaiian Near Me - Mary Esther, Florida

Great food and even better mochi! I always recommend Kalia's, and never had anyone tell me they had a less than amazing experience.

Heard about this place from a neighbor & being from Hawaii, we're bias when it comes to dishes from home. We've tried Maui bus stop & Pounders. Needless to say, those places don't compare to Kalai's! The place is clean & the people are welcoming. I ordered Mochiko Chicken & Kalua Pork. For the prices, the portions were great & the food was great! No place around here makes Mochiko chicken & I was so satisfied to have a taste of what I feel is "home". We went around 11:30 & it was not busy at all. I would recommend this place over any Local food places in the area read more

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Theyre finally open!! Came here for the soft-opening and am excited for the full opening soon. They currently open have limited selection as they make final preparations for their grand opening (they said 3-4 weeks). They'll have breakfast too! Food definitely met expectations (I was so excited and hungry I forgot to take a picture ) I got the Kalbi, it was marinated and cooked perfectly and came with a nice, fill bed of steamed rice with some sesame seeds on top. Also can't forget about the macaroni salad! I am definitely excited to have another Hawaiin place open up here locally. Will definitely be coming back for the grand opening to try out their full menu. Also forgot to mention the service was outstanding. Local family owned, friendly, and happy to accommodate! read more

Kalai's Hawaiian Kitchen - Half eaten (lol was too hungry) Kalbi Regular Box - Hawaiian Near Me - Mary Esther, Florida

Excellent service and food was awesome. Ordered the loco moco and it was very good. The area is lucky to have authentic Hawaiian food. I'd eat here every day if I could. read more

Just moved here from Oahu (my home!), and found this place. The musubi and katsu, so ono. Can't wait to try it all. Ohana on the gulf coast!! read more

Don't let the front fool you!!! The food is amazing!! The service was great!! It was clean and the ambiance was so nice!! Don't miss eating here on your vacation!!! read more

Went there a second time, our first time was in the beginning when they opened. Not a fan of the food being served in styrofoam to go containers and having to eat with plasticware. Food has a good taste, fresh portions are good but $40 for two people to eat lunch is high. $40 for hit lunch served in toxic styrofoam. The macaroni was plain and not impressed with the pickles, when we ate there the first time they were better. read more

Can't go wrong here! Chicken and steak is great. Love the fried rice and Mac salad!!! read more

Kalai's Hawaiian Kitchen - Menu - Hawaiian Near Me - Mary Esther, Florida

The staff was busy due to the lunch rush, however the food was absolutely delicious and worth the wait.

Had the garlic chicken. I now have a new favorite. I'll give them five stars if they served their food on plates instead of to go boxes.

Went for the second time with a group of coworkers. The order comes quickly and the flavor does not disappoint. Large portions as well so you're definitely getting your dollars worth. I'll keep going. read more

Mahalo for da Ono grinds!!! If you want amazing Hawaiian fresh food you have to go to Kalai's! Local Hawaiian's making the favorites foods of Hawaii! My girls loved your katsu! We loved the mochicko chicken, Kailua pig, and Kal bi! Mahalo plenty! See you folks next year when we come back for vacation! A hui hou! read more

Best Hawaiian food I have had outside of the islands, and the service is always superb.

food is amazing, service is quick and ambaince is chill. Try the short rib all day, one of the best plates ive had.

I Just ate at Kalais for the first time and wow food was amazing,full of flavor and came out hot and fresh! customer service was top notch! dining area waa super clean and had comfortable seating and nicely decorated! I would recommend to anyone! Definitely try it! you won't be disappointed! read more

Kalai's Hawaiian Kitchen - Hawaiian Near Me - Mary Esther, Florida

Reminds me of Home in Hawaii. Great food and great friendly attitude! Definitely visit if you want to have a taste of the islands' local eats! read more

This place is awesome! Randomly stopped when working in area and will be back for sure. Very authentic, great service, excellent food and music is sweet too. read more

This place has become one of my go-to's since they've opened. And thank god it's close to where I live LOL. I can never get tired of it and it has you wanting to try it all but it's so hard not to order what you've already fallen in love with an feen for lol. The garlic fried rice is like crack, it'll have you wanting more. Macadamia nut sauce was surprisingly light and not overly sweet. Great spot for breakfast in addition to their regular lunch read more

Love this restaurant! It's so close to home and the food is excellent! I'm half Japanese so you can imagine my excitement when they opened! They even have Mochi for dessert! read more

The food is really good. Order at the counter and wait for the tasty cuisine to come out. There is a decent amount of seating as well as parking. read more

As someone who was born and raised in Hawai'i for 19 years, I always get excited to see places like this open. I used to live in the area, and when I made a trip back I decided I needed to try it. The most ono (delicious) plate lunches that I've had in all of Florida. Pounders and Maui Bus Stop do not compare. The service was great and quick! I would eat here everyday if my bank could afford it LOL. I got the spam musubi and the furikake salmon and both were great especially the rice! Not mushy or too soft like the other places make it! All I have to say is go ahead and try it for yourself! read more

Kalai's Hawaiian Kitchen - Furikake Salmon - Hawaiian Near Me - Mary Esther, Florida

The only thing keeping it from 5 stars is the price and the hours of operation. I wish they were open for dinner. However, they close at 3. My favorite thing is the Katsu chicken and Mac salad. The spam musubi is killer as well. The service is fast and friendly even when it's slammed. The seating is a bit disjointed but who cares when the food is so good. read more

Good food a taste of home However 1 kalbi rib cut into 6 pieces really ? We're Polynesian be good if there were abit more on the plate read more

Food was delicious and affordable! I look forward to trying other things on their menu.

I've been waiting for this place to open so glad I got the opportunity to eat here the food is so delicious and they're so nice and welcoming in here! Perfect for a lunch break w good music 10/10 recommend read more

Delicious food amazing service and people. Super authentic and super quit at getting hot food to your table.

Some of the best authentic Hawaiian food around! Price is fantastic for the portions and the service is fast and friendly.

The food is delicious, the service is Aloha, the restaurant is designed just like a lot of Island restaurants.

The food is delicious. My complaint is never knowing when they will be open as it seems the hours and days constantly change. Open, not open, is it a Wed or Thurs??? I stopped by this morning as I saw 10 cars parked out front and the doors are locked when I tried to enter. I give up and won't go back. read more