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Columbus, Ohio: Kahiki, Polynesian Restaurant (Gone)

Hours:
Gone since 2000.
Status:
Gone

Visitor Tips and News About Kahiki, Polynesian Restaurant

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Kahiki Polynesian Restaurant - Vague Recollections

The Kahiki will be sorely missed by me, having gone numerous times as a child, but even more so because back in the '60s my parents -- Bob & Dorothy Breining -- made the "mystery bowl" ceramic drink bowls, from their humble little ceramic shop in the basement of our home on Broadhurst Dr. in Whitehall Oh., not two miles from the famed Kahiki. Fond fond memories of the building's long "fish tank" on one side or a one-of-a-kind, building-long "rain forest." It would actually "rain" several times an hour. Or the grass skirted woman who would "offer up" to the gods the "mystery bowl" drink, as she would deliver the drink to patrons who ordered it. The atmosphere was absolutely unforgettable.

[philip breining, 01/30/2009]
Tropical Bistro - Gone

The Tropical Bistro has closed, it's furnishings auctioned, and sign removed. I went to Bistro numerous times and enjoyed it immensely. It was in a bad location -- not a bad area, but a shopping strip center mostly vacant. I will miss dining there.

[Anthony Bolton, 06/01/2008]

Kahiki Light via the fish tank.

Tropical Bistro (Kahiki Light)

You already know the owners of Kahiki have reopened in a suburb of Columbus in an unassuming strip mall location next to a Lowe's. The food is better than Kahiki's; everything else pales in comparison. A notable lack of grandeur.

The photo is a view of the dining room as seen through the fish tank. The Easter Island head IS a nice touch.

[Rebecca Kerewsky, 03/24/2007]
Son of Kahiki (sort of) - Tropical Bistro

The war canoe building may not be back, but the food, chefs and old employees are -- at The Tropical Bistro. You walk in and it's like being back at Kahiki. The menu from the drinks to the appetizers to entrees are exactly the same! The only new addition is a sushi menu. There is a lunch buffet Monday-Friday and a Sunday Brunch. Tables, platters, glasses and even some decorative Kahiki artifacts decorate this bistro. The food is still excellent. I had the Hong Kong Steak and my husband had the Malagasy Steak as well as a crab puff appetizer (the best we've EVER had). They were exactly as we remembered.

It will bring back the Aloha Spirit that's long been missing since August 2000. Mahalo!

[Ang, 10/10/2006]

Sigh. Reviving the old menu is a pale substitute for the Kahiki's Tiki building and Easter Island heads, but it's nice to know everyone is again gainfully employed in the Polynesian restaurant industry.

Kahiki Restaurant Remnants - Factory Outlet Store

Though the Polynesian-themed Kahiki Restaurant in Columbus is gone, the owners have opened a "factory outlet" where customers can order Kahiki products, sauces and food. Kahiki's Factory Outlet Store has a limited supply of memorabilia for sale if you visit in person, along with some of the decorative trappings from the old Kahiki Restaurant. [Thanks to Daina for the tip]

[Roadsideamerica.com Team, 03/04/2005]

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