As a seasoned Maui pro, I get asked all the time for recommendations on what to do and where to eat in Wailea, so I thought I’d round up my favorite best restaurants in Wailea here!
Where to Eat in Wailea
There are endless options of really great restaurants in Wailea. Admittedly, my husband and I are foodies and tend to gravitate toward higher-end experiences (we like to spend our money on good food and drinks!), so that is what you’ll find in this list.
Chefs Table at Ka’ana Kitchen, Andaz Maui Resort
We have done the chef’s table experience at Ka’ana Kitchen more than once (it’s that good!), and can’t say enough great things – it’s an amazing dining experience. As the name implies, you are reserving a table directly in the kitchen, giving you a front-row seat to the behind-the-scenes of a busy dinner service while enjoying a six-course (sometimes more!) tasting menu, with the option to add a wine pairing experience. Some courses will be the same for each diner, some will be different and it’s fun to share and try each other’s main courses. Throughout the meal, the chefs will come to visit and walk you through each course–though they’re truly with you through the whole meal as well to answer questions or offer a taste if something they’re cooking looks of interest to you. It’s a longer dining experience, which is neat because you get to observe the hustle and bustle of an entire night from start to finish in the kitchen. Watching them balance the dinner rush is such a learning experience! We like to do an earlier reservation (5 or 5:30) to chat and get to know the staff before things get busy for them. You’ll be there for a few hours!
If you go – tell Chef Chance Jon and Natalie from Iowa sent you!
The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea
While the name of this one sure isn’t creative, their dishes definitely are (they are all beautiful like the photo above!). Located on the serene property of Hotel Wailea, you’ll feel like you’re in a treehouse with outdoor seating (which sidenote, eating in an actual treehouse is an option – they have a private treehouse that takes just one reservation a night, complete with a private chef!) as you dine al fresco with a beautiful view. It’s a great deal – $140 pre-fixe dinner menu where each diner chooses a starter, main, and dessert. I wish I could tell you our favorite menu items to order, but the menu changes too frequently based on local ingredients! We’ve dined here multiple nights in one trip, it’s that good.
Proof outside of just my word: The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea earned a spot on Top 10 Best Restaurants in Hawaii and Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America list, and received a 2023 Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator!
Bonus: Drinks at The Birdcage at Hotel Wailea
If you do dinner at Hotel Wailea, you MUST go early and do drinks at their lobby bar, The Birdcage. Honestly, it’s special enough to make the journey over just for drinks even if you aren’t staying for dinner! The vibes are magical – trendy open-air restaurant/lounge with panoramic views in what feels like, well…a giant birdcage. And yes – there are real lovebirds flying in and around that add to the ambiance in addition to all the subtle bird decor and servingwear. The little touches make it that much more special! In addition to drinks, they also have a food menu that leans more Japanese cuisine – think sushi! No reservations – first come, first serve.
Bonus: Live music Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Mama’s Fish House
If you’ve been to or are headed to Maui, you’ve no doubt heard of Mama’s Fish House. Is it nearly impossible to get a reservation? Yes. Is it worth the hype? I think so, especially for a special occasion or romantic dinner, but you’ll have to go and see for yourself! We had our first married dinner just the two of us the night after our wedding here, so it will always hold a special place. The combination of amazing service, delicious food, and ambiance, all rooted in tradition, makes this a memorable dinner no matter what. When placing your reservation, try to get a time that will allow you to see the sunset. What to order: 100% the bouillabaisse (the photo above does not do it justice). I still dream about it! They take reservations up to a year in advance and are usually booked out 4-6 months, so make this reservation as soon as you know you’re going to Maui.
Tip: Can’t get a reservation for dinner? You might get lucky if you’re willing to book a lunch reservation (or you could even try to walk in for lunch if there aren’t any open reservations).
Note: Mama’s Fish House is about a one-hour drive from Wailea (as well as Kaanapali and Lahaina), but so worth it! Plan accordingly.
Best Luau – The Feast at Mōkapu Lu’au at the Andaz
If you’re looking to do a Luau, we enjoy the Feast at Mokapu at the Andaz. Luau’s can be a little cheesy sometimes, but the Andaz puts on a great show. Phenomenal performances and storytelling, a gorgeous location, an open bar, and attentive staff that ensure you’re never empty-handed. One of our favorite touches is they have a professional photographer take your photo with the panoramic ocean views/mountains in the background before the show. They print off a large copy to give to you (along with a digital copy) as a souvenir – it is my husband and I’s favorite photo we’ve ever taken! We now have it framed in our house.
Casual Lunch – Monkeypod Kitchen
Monkeypod is our favorite casual lunch spot, and is the best place for a mai tai. In fact, they are known for having the best mai tai in Hawaii! And we have verified again and again that, yes, it really is the best! The honey-lilikoi foam on top is *chef’s kiss* (be sure to mix it in!). Great food, great price, and within walking distance of most of the Wailea resorts + Shops at Wailea. It’s a local favorite, they have a great happy hour menu and they often have live music. Highly recommend Monkey Pod for lunch!
Spago – Four Seasons Maui
Monkeypod is our favorite casual lunch spot, and is the best place for a mai tai. In fact, they are known for having the best mai tai in Hawaii! And we have verified again and again that, yes, it really is the best! The foam on top is *chef’s kiss*. Great place for mai tais, good food, great price, and within walking distance of most of the Wailea resorts + Shops at Wailea. It’s a local favorite, they have a great happy hour menu and they often have live music! Highly recommend Monkey Pod for lunch!
Spago is Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant located within the high-end resort Four Seasons Maui. If you enjoy fine dining, this is a great upscale restaurant for elevated fresh seafood and is one of Wailea’s best spots for a romantic sunset dinner. This is another restaurant you’ll want to book ahead of time as it fills up quickly! While I can’t speak to specific menu items because we went on Valentine’s Day when they did a pre-fixe menu, everything we had (down to the optional fresh truffle shavings – worth the extra splurge!) was fantastic. Great service and beautiful ocean views – definitely try to get a reservation around sunset, and ask for patio seating if you’d like to be on the veranda!
Tip: Wolfgang himself often makes appearances and enjoys visiting with guests–he was there on Thanksgiving when we were there two years ago!
Ferrarao’s – Four Seasons Maui
If you’re craving Italian while on the island and staying at the Four Seasons or nearby, head to Ferraro’s. This is another restaurant with great views that I’d recommend getting a sunset reservation for. The picture above shows the outdoor seating and what could have been a beautiful sunset if I had taken it a little earlier. We often enjoy grabbing a spot at the bar if we don’t have a reservation! They have great wood-fired pizzas if you’re feeling casual, as well as pasta – the Linguine alla Vongole is my favorite (half order pictured above – my husband and I split alongside a pizza).
In summary, it’s hard to get a bad meal in Wailea (everything tastes better in paradise, right?), but I hope this list gives you some inspiration of special places to eat the next time you’re in Maui!
I’d love to hear if you have any recommendations for additional best restaurants in Wailea as I know we’ll be back before long!
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