Category: Local Business Spotlight

Top West Maui Restaurants

Many find West Maui to be the most dynamic region on the island Maui; as is evident in its incredible dining scene. The area is home to a wide variety of dining options, from quaint fine dining restaurants to casual eateries and quirky food trucks. Given the wealth of dining options in the area, it can be a daunting task to decide where to eat; to help you with this here is a list of some of the top West Maui restaurants that are worth checking out:

Hula Grill & Barefoot Bar
Located within the Whaler’s Village, a popular shopping destination in the Kaanapali area, Hula Grill serves delicious comfort foods, including famous Hawaiian specialties like Poke Tacos and Hawaiian Ceviche. This dining spot also features the Barefoot Bar, which serves refreshing cocktails and some delectable pupus (appetizers) as well. This beachside dining spot is famous for its celebration of Hawaiian culture through its aloha-inspired interior and Hawaiian menu. Serving authentic Polynesian dishes, the restaurant’s menu is a creation of Chef Peter Merriman, a distinguished chef and restaurateur who founded some of Hawaii’s best restaurants. The delectable menu allows customers to explore authentic Polynesian flavors while getting a taste of the freshness of Maui’s local produce harvested from the local farms in the island. Open daily, Hula Grill is the perfect place for a romantic dinner dates and big family gatherings alike.

Japengo at Hyatt Regency Resort
Set at the beachfront of Hyatt Regency Resort in Kaanapali Beach, Japengo is an Asian fusion restaurant serving a blend of Asian cuisines prepared using island-grown ingredients. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor dining spaces overlooking the gorgeous West Maui coastline out across the waters towards the beautiful outer island of Lanai. Japengo has a diverse range of items on its menu. Some of the most popular dishes include wok-fired and roasted items, sashimi, sushi rolls, and a variety of Asian side dishes. There are also “special items” that can be ordered as half-plates, which is a great option for diners who wanted to savor a full spectrum of the restaurant’s menu in a single visit. Japengo also features a sushi bar that is open for dinner and Happy Hour. As an added perk, this restaurant sources their ingredients fresh from local farms on the island!

Roy’s Kaanapali
Owned by restaurateur Roy Yamaguchi, this restaurant serves a fusion of Asian and local Hawaiian dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Known for its scenic views overlooking the West Maui Mountains and Kaanapali, Roy’s features a higher end upscale dining ambiance featuring expertly prepared selections, which will amaze your palette. The menu here features a savory selection of International and Hawaiian cuisines, including appetizers and refreshing cocktails. Open for lunch, dinner, and happy hour, Roy’s in Kaanapali is famous for its delectable family-style appetizers that include sushi rolls, fish sandwiches, spring rolls, and much more!

Lahaina Grill
Conveniently located just off of Lahaina’s famed Front Street, Lahaina Grill is an award-winning restaurant famous for its delicious menu consisting of appetizers, soups, and salads. Some of the most popular dishes on their menu are the sautéed mahi-mahi, Wagyu beef ravioli, and Maui onion soup.They also have a delectable list of delicious wines and cocktails on the menu, the most popular of which is the Maui Mule, which is the island version of the famous Moscow Mule.

Monkeypod Kitchen Kaanapali
Monkeypod Kitchen is another West Maui restaurant located in the wonderful Whaler’s Village in Kaanapali. This restaurant is one of three locations currently serving the islands. Famous for their delicious foods made from sustainably sourced ingredients, Monkeypod Kitchen welcomes guests to dine in with a casual ambiance and live local musicians playing in the background. Monkeypod’s menu consists of salads, pizzas, burgers, and tacos. They also have wines, craft beers, and craft cocktails. If you have kids, Monkeypod is a great option as they also offer exclusive meals just for your keiki. Visit during happy hour for additional discounts on a wide selection of appetizers and craft cocktails.

Leilani’s on the Beach
Set against the backdrop of the world famous Kaanapali Beach, guests at Leilani’s can enjoy dining with a gorgeous beachfront view just steps from their table. When dining at this West Maui restaurant, guests can choose to eat at the beachside grill or the more formal dining room area. Both dining areas serve appetizers, salads, seafood, and desserts. Although their menus are totally different, there are a few crossover selections as well. If you will choose to dine in the dining room, it is highly recommended that you try the Chef’s Tasting Menu. The Aloha Hour at the beachside grill is also worth a try.

These are just a few of the many dining options available to you when you make your home on Maui. Keep an eye on my blog for more great places to enjoy before, during, and after your Maui home purchase. Mahalo!

The Best Restaurants in Kapalua

Maui may be surrounded by gorgeous beaches and lined with world-renowned hotels, but the Valley Isle is also home to some of the finest restaurants in all of Hawaii. Kapalua, a quiet natural paradise hidden away in the far west side of the island, offers the crème de la crème as far as dining with a spectacular view. It’s not a question of picking the sole best of the bunch, but rather which one you’d like to start with. Here are some of the very best restaurant experiences that Kapalua has to offer.

  • Sea House
    Sea House at the Napili Kai Resort is helmed by renowned chef Alex Stainslaw. Graduating with honors at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Stainslaw’s stomping grounds were at the Kapalua Bay Hotel. He honed his craft at Seafood Grotto, followed by a lengthy stint at the Plantation House. Stainslaw’s sensibilities are firmly rooted in Kapalua; Sea House is the culmination of years of fine-dining taste and experience. It’s a sea-foodies delight! Try the Center-Cut Filet Mignon, or the Sautéed Hawaiian Fish. Treat yourself to the finest in-house dining in Napili or relax on the open patio with the beach sitting next to you.
  • The Gazebo
    At the other end of Napili Bay sits The Gazebo, a popular breakfast-only hotspot. Their breakfast selection is so sought after that a wait is almost guaranteed. It’s first come, first served. Known for their macadamia nut pancakes topped with a personalized delectable sweet crème concoction, The Gazebo is pancake heaven! There’s also the usual breakfast offerings of specialty omelets, eggs benedict, French toast, breakfast burritos, etc. For those packing a mega appetite, their breakfast fried rice will fill you up and then some. The absurdly large offering is enough to feed an entire party; you’ll be having fried rice for days!
  • Pineapple Grill
    Sitting atop the wide-open green of the Kapalua Bay Golf Course and tucked beneath the iconic Cook pines, Pineapple Grill is a serene fine-dining retreat like no other, one that offers seclusion on top of luxury eating. Its casual American-style menu will offer tourists some familiarity, with, as always, a local spin. All ingredients are locally-sourced, everything made fresh. Guests can lounge at the bar with fish and chips and watch the game, enjoy a prime cut steak out on the lanai, or kick back inside and sway to the live entertainment. Perfect for all occasions: group parties, romantic-style evenings, or celebrating a successful round on the golf course.
  • Cane & Canoe
    The layout of Cane & Canoe is reminiscent of a Hawaiian canoe house – a communal gathering place for locals and weary voyagers. The restaurant’s vibrant interior honors the aloha spirit of the Hawaiian culture and the multicultural heritage of Hawaii. Guests are invited to partake in the past with a mouth-watering Seafood menu replete with fresh catches of the day. The sheer variety of food nevertheless offers an innovative spin on the flavors of contemporary Hawaii to satisfy your ‘opu (stomach) while delighting you with a taste of Hawaii’s history. Cane & Canoe certainly makes you feel like you’ve just come off a voyage of your own and leaves you ready to embark on another.
  • Merriman’s​
    Merriman’s at the Kapalua Resort is the most elegant fine-dining experience in all of Kapalua. Overlooking Kapalua Bay, Merriman’s bathes in island luxury and spoils guests with pure decadence. You can enjoy the view of Molokai from the dining room, or take in the shimmering sunset out on the lanai beneath the gentle glow of dimly lit tiki torches. You simply have to try the Wok-charred Ahi – a Merriman’s original creation. Merriman’s otherwise offers a wonderful farm-to-table style menu. Chef Peter Merriman is firmly committed to local farmers and vendors. Everything on the menu is locally grown, guaranteed fresh and organic. It’s all about community at Merriman’s. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to stay long after the check is paid.

These are just a few of the many great dining options near your Kapalua home or West Maui condo. For more great fine and casual dining ideas in Kapalua and beyond, have a look at our Maui Information Database. Mahalo!

Taste the Hawaiian Rainbow at Ululani’s

A plantation treat turned state staple, shave ice has been ingrained into the local culture making it a must try for those looking to get the full Hawaii experience. A specialty that has evolved separately from the snow cones and shaved ice of the Pacific Northwest, Hawaiian shave ice has shaped into a mix of treats that radiates the diversity of Hawaii. Syrups have expanded from the traditional strawberry and vanilla to the more exotic, like guava and passion fruit. Different flavors are not the only additions to what was once ice with sugar cane syrup, shave ice can now be coupled with ice cream and azuki beans. With the variety of interesting flavors, you will want to get your taste buds a treat.

So where would a visiting foodie find this icy sweet (or tangy) cup of goodness on Maui? Well the local favorite, Ululani’s, has locations all over the island making it easy for a traveler to get their hands on this flavored, feathery ice treat. Making their debut at the end of 2008 with a small shop on Front Street in Lahaina, just 20 minutes from your Kapalua residence, the company has quickly gained popularity enabling them to expand to more than just one shave ice machine. What has set Ululani’s apart from other shave ice vendors on the island is their dedication to providing quality syrups touched with aloha.

Embodying the spirit of aloha within every part of their operations, Ululani’s also works to include every type of customer at each of their five locations around Maui. With ten of the fifty-eight syrups being sugar-free, the company is providing options for even the diabetic consumer looking for a treat. Infusing island tastes as well as the modern basics, Ululani’s has every flavor of the rainbow and is experimenting with much more. They even make it easy for a newbie to try the local’s favorite combinations with a combo list on their menu. Whether you are trying Hawaiian shave ice for the first time or are a seasoned frozen dessert enthusiast, Ululani’s hits the spot with a little aloha.

Hawaiian Style Happy Hour

Looking for a place to have happy hour on Maui? Near Jo Dorner’s properties, there are many options within minutes on the West Side of the island. We also love to visit the South Side for a beach day and happy hour. Here, we will give you some ideas for both.

In Kapalua, Sansei undoubtedly delivers Maui’s best sushi. Happy hour is from 5:15 – 6:00p.m. and includes 25% off sushi and appetizers. On Thursdays and Fridays between 10:00p.m. to 1:00a.m., Sansei goes one step further and offers 50% off. Some of our favorite starters include the Ocean Salad, Sunomono, Lobster & Blue Crab Ravioli and Fresh Hawaiian Ahi Carpaccio. As for Sushi, Sansei has everything you could imagine plus unique specialty rolls.

Sea House, also located in Kapalua, is oceanfront and includes a patio where you can soak up the sun and enjoy the beautiful breezy weather. Appetizers are 50% off between 2:00 to 4:30 p.m. The location is also ideal for whale watching. Specialty drinks include everything from beers, wines, Mai Tais, Lava Flows, Pina Coladas and more! Sea House has many options for Pupus including for those with a gluten allergy. Our favorites are the Kalua Pork Tacos, seared ahi and coconut shrimp. Each plate is $8 or less!

Heading South for the day? The best place to refresh and replenish after a day in the sun is at a tropical happy hour! One of our favorites is Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman. Monkeypod offers two happy hours everyday from 3 – 5:30 p.m. and 9 – 11 p.m. This popular restaurant can get very crowded for dinner service so we think the ideal time to load up on delicious food and drinks is during happy hour. Food includes $9 pizzas and 50% off appetizers (some exceptions may apply.) For drinks, try a draft beer, house wine or Ocean Vodka cocktail. Cheers!