Last Updated on October 28, 2026 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
Maui is a place that spoils you before you even sit down to eat. The air is warm, the late-afternoon light makes every glass of wine (or mai tai) look more golden than it is, and the seafood is so fresh it almost doesn’t need a menu. I’ve eaten my way through two trips here, both anchored in Wailea on the south shore, and deciding where to eat is one of the most enjoyable Maui planning “problems.”
This isn’t a list of every restaurant on the island. It’s the places I’ve actually been, a few I keep hearing about from people I trust, and a short list for next time, because there will be a next time. Whether you’re staying at the Four Seasons, Wailea Beach Resort, or anywhere else in my guide to where to stay in Maui, these are the restaurants worth planning your evenings around, and if you’d like to see how they fit into a trip, here’s our 6-day Maui itinerary.
One thing to know going in: Wailea is a resort corridor, and dining sits at the higher end of the price range. Most of the spots below are worth what they charge, in my opinion, and I’ve noted the more casual options for balancing a few splurge dinners.
A note on Lahaina: the 2023 wildfires destroyed much of the historic town, including beloved restaurants that had been there for decades. Some have since relocated, reopened, or had other locations on Maui already; I’ve noted where that’s relevant below.
My Maui Restaurant Picks
Best Dinner
Spago
Wailea
Most Romantic
Ferraro’s
Wailea
Best Mai Tai
Monkeypod
Wailea & Kaʻanapali
Best Sunset Drinks
The Birdcage
Wailea
The best restaurants in Maui, from our two trips to Wailea, are Spago at the Four Seasons for a celebratory dinner, Ferraro’s for oceanfront Italian at golden hour, Monkeypod Kitchen for the island’s best mai tai, KOAST for a newer Wailea Village dinner with Molokini views, The Birdcage at Hotel Wailea for sunset cocktails, Nick’s Fishmarket at the Fairmont Kea Lani for a classic romantic dinner, and Paia Fish Market for casual fresh fish.
Spago by Wolfgang Puck – Four Seasons Maui at Wailea
There’s a reason Spago is still one of the most talked-about restaurants in Wailea. It sits within the Four Seasons, with an outdoor terrace overlooking the pool and the Pacific, and on a clear evening that view is hard to beat. We came here on our first Maui trip for a celebratory dinner, and it delivered: attentive service that never hovers, a menu that leans into Hawaii’s exceptional seafood with Puck’s California-meets-Italy flair, and an evening that felt like magic.
What to Order
- Hamachi tostada: I’m a fan of anything hamachi, and this is especially good.
- Bigeye ahi poke cones: A fun way to eat ahi.
- Maui onion sourdough focaccia: Focaccia with a Maui twist.
- Macadamia nut-crusted mahi mahi: Molokaʻi yam purée, cabernet reduction; a Maui staple, the Spago way.
- Seared bigeye tuna tataki: Wasabi potato purée, shiso-cucumber vinaigrette, ogo-tomato relish.
- Grilled prime New York steak: House-made steak sauce, caramelized Maui onion, petite carrots, pohole (Max’s favorite).
- Thai-style pineapple coconut red curry: Kauaʻi prawn, mahi mahi, scallop, Thai basil, lemongrass jasmine rice (my favorite, and probably top three of anything I’ve eaten on Maui).
Tip: Book through the Four Seasons concierge or OpenTable well in advance, especially in peak season.
Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante – Four Seasons Maui at Wailea
Ferraro’s is the Four Seasons’ other must, and it’s earned its place on so many Maui itineraries: Italian, oceanfront, open-air, with the relaxed elegance Maui does so well. On our second trip we had dinner here, and it was one of those evenings where everything works: good wine, good food, warm air, and the ocean at golden hour. The space could exist on the Amalfi Coast, and somehow it also feels completely at home in Hawaii.
What to Order
If you’d rather surrender the decisions to the kitchen, the Festa di Ferraro’s is the move: a family-style tasting of the chef’s signature dishes made with local ingredients. The whole table has to participate, which is easy with two. We did it, and it turned a beachfront Italian dinner into a true occasion.
If you’re ordering à la carte:
- Tonno tonnato: Ahi prepared vitello tonnato-style, which makes perfect sense once you remember you’re surrounded by some of the best tuna in the world.
- Cavatelli al tartufo: Exceptional (Max’s pick).
- Bucatini alle vongole: Lemony and delicious; vongole is a life philosophy for me.
- Lemon ricotta cheesecake: If it’s on the menu, order it. It arrives shaped like a lemon and tastes as good as it looks.
- Gavi di Gavi: A crisp white I’d recommend again and again.
- Negroni: For the Negroni lover at your table (Max).
Humble Market Kitchin by Roy Yamaguchi – Wailea Beach Resort
Roy Yamaguchi is a Hawaii culinary icon, the chef behind Roy’s, which introduced Hawaiian fusion cuisine to the masses in the late ’80s. Humble Market Kitchin is his more relaxed concept, with the same commitment to local ingredients. It’s inside Wailea Beach Resort, so if you’re staying there (as we have, twice), you can wander down in a sundress and sandals. The menu mixes fresh fish, shared plates, and a few comforting dishes. Just know that the casual setting comes with Wailea pricing.
Staying the night? Humble Market Kitchin is inside Wailea Beach Resort, where we’ve stayed on both trips. To book a room there (not a table), use the hotel links below, and see my guide to where to stay in Maui for more options.
What to Order
If you’re staying at Wailea Beach Resort, this is the breakfast buffet that may be included in your stay. It’s the usual spread with an island twist (fried rice for breakfast? Yes, please) and one of the better hotel buffets I’ve had. Beyond the buffet:
- Makahiki omelet: Mushroom, local tomato, spinach, Maui onion, and white cheddar.
- Coconut macadamia nut pancakes: Haupia cream, toasted coconut, and brûléed fruit. Order them à la carte at least once, even with the buffet included; the haupia cream is beyond delicious.
- Blackened island ahi: Soy mustard, beurre blanc.
- Charred Brussels and cauliflower: Queso fresco, bawang crunch, cilantro aioli.
- Hamachi crudo: Hawaiian chili ponzu, green onion, takuwan (can you tell I love hamachi?).
- Wailea Kai roll: Tempura shrimp, hamachi, cucumber, sweet chili aioli.
- Potato-crusted mahi mahi: Aliʻi mushroom seafood couscous, charred carrot lobster sauce (so tasty).
- Crispy garlic and nori-crusted island ahi: Umami potatoes, Portuguese sausage stir-fry, beurre blanc.
- Braised boneless short rib: Market vegetables, honey mustard, demi-glace.
Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman – Wailea & Kaʻanapali
Monkeypod Kitchen has a special place in my Maui heart, and it goes back further than you’d expect. I first went to the Ko Olina location on Oʻahu with my family, well before I was old enough for a mai tai, and even the non-alcoholic drinks and island food made an impression. So when Max and I planned our first Maui trip, it was already on my list, and it delivered. We’ve gone back on both trips, and at this point it’s less a habit than a ritual.
Ask anyone where to get the best mai tai on Maui, and the answer is almost always Monkeypod. Chef Peter Merriman is a pillar of Hawaii regional cuisine, and his two Maui locations (Wailea, at the Shops at Wailea, and Kaʻanapali) have a following for good reason. The mai tais are made with fresh-squeezed juices and house-made lilikoi foam, and they live up to the reputation. The food holds its own, too: farm-to-table and locally sourced, from wood-fired pizza to fresh fish and shareables. It’s lively and unpretentious, and if you go for lunch, plan to stay longer than you meant to.
What to Order
Menus vary a little by location, and the specials are worth a look:
- Monkeypod mai tai: Kula organic silver and dark rums, lime, house-made macadamia nut orgeat, orange curaçao, honey-lilikoi foam (the holy grail of mai tais).
- Cabana Boy: Botanist gin, Licor 43, pineapple, lime, honey, mint, if you want to veer from a mai tai.
- Poke tacos: Raw ahi, ginger, shoyu, cabbage, avocado cream, crisp wonton shells (my favorite appetizer).
- Garlic truffle oil fries: Parmesan, whole-grain mustard aioli, Monkeypod ketchup.
- Maui Cattle Company cheeseburger: Dijon aioli, sautéed onion, fontina, tomato, butter lettuce, house pickles.
- Pete’s fish and chips: Troll-caught fresh fish, tempura-style, malt vinegar aioli.
- Fresh-caught fish tacos: Chipotle mole, salsa fresca, sour cream, cilantro, cabbage, corn tortillas.
- Seared ahi steak: Jalapeño mashed potatoes, sautéed bok choy, soy-sesame Maui onion sauce (my go-to).
- Macadamia nut-crusted fresh fish: Maui pineapple relish, scallion-garlic rice, bok choy, lemon beurre blanc.
KOAST – Wailea Village, Wailea
KOAST is one of Wailea’s newer restaurants and already one of the most talked about. Led by Top Chef Masters winner Chris Cosentino, it sits on the second floor of Wailea Village with a wraparound lānai and views of Molokini Crater. The philosophy is whole-animal cooking, local Hawaiian ingredients, and what the team calls “simple, honest food.”
What to Order
What we ordered at dinner (and what we were tempted by):
- Beet and strawberry: Surfing Goat Dairy cheese, raspberry vinegar (some of the freshest strawberries we’ve ever had).
- “Maui hot” crispy calamari: Black garlic ranch (we didn’t order it, but it looked delicious).
- Grilled ahi: Calamansi-sage brown butter, spinach.
- Local line-caught fish: Sauce provençal, zucchini.
- Rigatoni: Dry-aged wagyu ragù, basil (Max’s runner-up).
- Crispy fried potatoes: Rosemary, aioli.
Paia Fish Market – Paʻia & Kihei
Paia Fish Market exists on Maui the way a great taco shop exists in Southern California: not fancy, the line is real, and it’s absolutely worth it. We first ate at the Lahaina location, lost in the 2023 fires, but the original in Paʻia, on the North Shore near the famous windsurfing beach, has been there for decades, and there’s a Kihei location for anyone on the south side. Order at the counter, grab a table, and be perfectly happy with fresh fish and garlic shrimp on paper plates in the open air. There are locations on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi, too.
What to Order
The menu is mostly build-your-own, market-price plates. My picks:
- Fresh catch plate: Mahi mahi sautéed in butter, garlic, wine, and lemon, with Cajun rice (my order).
- Fish and chips: Always a good choice.
- Sashimi: Thin-sliced ahi on cabbage with pickled ginger.
- Onion rings: A good Maui onion ring to round out the meal.
The Birdcage – Hotel Wailea, Relais & Châteaux
The Birdcage is the rooftop restaurant and bar at Hotel Wailea, and one of the most beautiful places to spend an evening on Maui. Max booked it for drinks on our second trip, and the property was lush, green, adults-only, boutique in scale, and so unhurried. The concept is Japanese-inspired small plates and cocktails with wraparound views of the south shore.
Oh, and did I mention the parakeets? As someone who isn’t a bird person, I needed a few minutes, but they kept to the edge of the pergola and left our table alone. You don’t need to stay at Hotel Wailea to dine here, and you should absolutely go.
Want to stay, not just dine? Hotel Wailea is one of the most romantic places to stay on Maui, and adults-only. To book a room at the hotel (not a table at The Birdcage), use the links below.
What to Order
Share a few Japanese bites, order a craft cocktail or two, and stay for sunset. Arrive early for the best seats on the lānai.
- Yabai fries: Spicy aioli, furikake, arare, scallion (unexpected, delicious flavors on curly fries).
- Hamachi hand roll: Ponzu, furikake, micro shiso.
- Ahi hand roll: Cilantro, tare, furikake.
- Yuzu whiskey sour: Hibiki Harmony, kuromitsu, yuzu, lemon, egg white.
- Green Jay: Hendrick’s gin, melon liqueur, cucumber, rosemary syrup (I had two).
- Kauaʻi prawn skewer: Garlic chili, cherry tomatoes.
Nick’s Fishmarket – Fairmont Kea Lani, Wailea
Nick’s Fishmarket has been around longer than most of its neighbors. Inside the Fairmont Kea Lani, it’s more formal than most Wailea dining (white tablecloths, candlelight, a serious wine list), and it’s one of the best places on the island for fresh Hawaiian fish prepared simply and well. If you want a romantic dinner that isn’t flashy, this is it. It was the last dinner of our first trip, and the perfect send-off.
What to Order
I once had tiger prawns here that were a special, so they may not come back around. From the regular menu:
- Kalua pig potstickers: Caramelized Maui pineapple curry (so good).
- B&B ahi: Blackened yellowfin, seared rare, sake-mustard beurre blanc, mango-papaya-avocado relish.
- Lump crab cake: Mango pico de gallo, Parmesan-yuzu aioli.
- Potato-scaled mahi mahi: Asparagus, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, beurre rouge.
- Ginger-soy marinated ahi: Baby bok choy, wasabi whipped potatoes, lemongrass jus.
- Coconut panna cotta: Fresh berries, macadamia nut biscotti, lilikoi syrup.
- Bananas Foster: Myers’s dark rum, crème de cacao, cinnamon, vanilla ice cream, sweet bread French toast.
Before You Book Dinner in Maui
Reserve early: Spago, Ferraro’s, Mama’s Fish House, and KOAST book up, especially in peak season.
Use the resort shuttle: Wailea restaurants up the hill are farther (and steeper) than they look.
Time it for sunset: Ferraro’s and The Birdcage are best at golden hour.
Mix in casual meals: Paia Fish Market and Monkeypod balance out a few splurge dinners.
Pack for resort evenings: My Resort Style collection on ShopMy has the dresses I wear to dinner on Maui.
Also on the List: Restaurants I Haven’t Tried Yet
A few spots that keep coming up with people I trust, saved for next time, because I’m coming back to eat my way through this island again.
- Mama’s Fish House (Paʻia): Somehow, across two trips, I still haven’t made it. It’s been around since 1973 in a beach house in Paʻia, with a menu that names where each fish was caught and who caught it. Tables book out weeks or months ahead, so if you’re reading this before your trip, book it first. I’ve missed it twice, and I intend to make up for it.
- Duke’s Beach House (Kaʻanapali): Right on the sand with an open-air dining room facing the water. On my list for the next west-side day, hula pie included.
- Lineage (The Shops at Wailea): Right up the drive from where we’ve stayed twice, and one of the most talked-about restaurants on Maui. Next time.
- Gather (Wailea): A newer Wailea spot, locally sourced and well reviewed.
- Mala Ocean Tavern (Lahaina): A former coworker’s recommendation, oceanfront in Lahaina and the first business on Front Street to reopen after the fires, with a menu built around local farmers and fishermen.
- Kitoko Maui (Kihei): A food truck in Kihei, and word is the poke is exceptional.
If You Want to Explore the Island’s Flavors
If you’d rather eat your way through a destination with a guide, the Authentic Taste of Maui food tour is a fun half-day: a small group, a knowledgeable guide, and six local stops most visitors never find on their own. And if you’re celebrating, a luau is its own kind of Maui dinner; the Feast at Mōkapu at the Andaz is one of the best on the island.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best restaurant in Maui?
From our two trips, Spago at the Four Seasons in Wailea is our favorite for a special dinner; order the Thai-style pineapple coconut red curry.
Where can you get the best mai tai on Maui?
Monkeypod Kitchen, with locations in Wailea and Kaʻanapali. Its mai tai is topped with honey-lilikoi foam.
What are the best restaurants in Wailea?
Spago and Ferraro’s at the Four Seasons, KOAST in Wailea Village, The Birdcage at Hotel Wailea, Nick’s Fishmarket at the Fairmont Kea Lani, and Monkeypod at the Shops at Wailea.
Saving Room for Next Time
Maui makes every meal feel like an occasion, even the ones on paper plates at a picnic table; the setting does half the work before the food arrives. Whether you’re working through the Festa di Ferraro’s with a glass of Gavi di Gavi or sitting down with a fish taco and no agenda, there’s a perfect Maui meal for every kind of evening. Start with the mai tais at Monkeypod, end with the lemon ricotta cheesecake at Ferraro’s, and leave a little room on the list for next time.
Where to stay between all these meals? My guide to where to stay in Maui covers the island’s best resorts, from our home base in Wailea to Kapalua.