After a long day of fun in the sun on Maui’s beaches and golf courses, visitors and locals alike head to the many upscale restaurants in and around Lahaina with ocean views where they can feast on locally sourced beef, produce, and fish caught just offshore. There are several of these fine eateries, located both in town and at the many resorts that line the golden beaches.
Some of Lahaina’s most popular restaurants, Roy’s and Merriman’s, offer up the best of what is known as Hawaii Regional Cuisine. In 1991, a group of 12 Hawaiian chefs got together intending to change the negative perception about restaurant food in Hawaii and to make dining as memorable as other activities in the Aloha State. Their approach was to build a network of ranchers and farmers who would produce food that was as fresh as it gets. That included cattle that graze on the green grasses of upland pastures, fruits and vegetables grown in fertile volcanic soil, and of course, fish from just offshore.
To enjoy all Lahaina’s food scene has to offer, you’ll need to consider owning Lahaina property. Housing on Maui, including Lahaina real estate for sale, remains extremely popular for many reasons, including fine dining options. Lahaina is a community of about 12,000 on the west side of the island, with some of the world’s best beaches, golf courses, and numerous luxury resorts. Lahaina is just a half-hour drive from Kahului Airport.
Let’s dive into some of the best oceanfront eateries near Lahaina:
Merriman’s
There might not be a more breathtaking place to watch the fiery sun sink behind the Pacific Ocean than at the award-winning Merriman’s at Kapalua. Chef/restaurateur Peter Merriman was one of those 12 chefs who pioneered the “Farm to Table” concept of fine dining. To guarantee that his restaurant serves the freshest meals, he makes sure that 90% of the ingredients are locally caught or grown. One of the favorites is a four-course prix fixe dinner on the open-air lanai.
Roy’s
Roy’s is a high-end restaurant that serves chef Roy Yamaguchi’s Hawaiian-fusion fare using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Roy’s has been serving residents of Kapalua luxury homes for 30 years. The restaurant recently moved to the Kaanapali Resort, so many tables overlook the 18th hole of the Kaanapali Golf Course, which in turn sits above the beach.
Yamaguchi, who was born in Tokyo, has won many awards over the decades for his Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, which is a fusion of California-French-Japanese traditions using meat, fish, and produce from the islands. Roy’s features a Sunset Prix-Fixe dinner for $59 that features Bubu Arare and Furikake crusted calamari Caesar salad, honey mustard glazed beef short rib with Yukon gold gratin potato, garden vegetable, and Roy’s natural pineapple upside-down cake.
Fleetwood’s On Front Street
Fleetwood’s On Front Street is owned by Fleetwood Mac drummer, Mick Fleetwood, and is an upscale-casual restaurant offering American fare. It serves meals indoors and outdoors, and diners often want a table on the rooftop deck that has stunning ocean views, especially at sunset. Fleetwood’s On Front Street has earned a reputation for having an attentive, friendly staff, which is what keeps residents of Lahaina homes coming back often. Fleetwood’s has an extensive wine list and customers rave about the cocktails.
Lahaina Fish Co.
Lahaina Fish Co. is a local favorite that has attracted visitors and owners of Lahaina properties for three decades, both for the wonderful food and what has been described as the best ocean views in the area. It’s hard to beat the Lahaina Fish Co., which is located right on the ocean in the quaint downtown area and has two levels for open-air dining, with 180-degree views of the ocean.
Its menu is packed with healthy as well as tasty offerings made with fresh, local products. There is a variety of Hawaiian fish, seafood, and certified Angus beef. Lahaina Fish Co. also serves “E Ola Pono” or “Living Well” menu items that are either gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan.
Hula Grill Kaanapali
Hula Grill Kaanapali offers one of the best dining experiences on Maui, including outdoor dining with an ocean view, a great menu to enjoy while watching the breathtaking sunset, and live music. It doesn’t get any fresher than having local farmers delivering their all-natural meats and fishermen dropping off their fresh catch directly to the open-air kitchen every day. Guests can have a cocktail at the Barefoot Bar on the water’s edge before heading to the dining room for one of the nightly chef’s specials.
Mauka Makai
Mauka Makai at the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas has plenty of water views to enjoy while dining on fish caught in local waters and produce grown locally, including the freshest pineapple around. The name in Hawaiian means “toward the mountain" and "toward the sea," and the restaurant is located poolside with incredible views of the Pacific Ocean. Favorites at the award-winning restaurant include lobster, taro, sweet potato, and breadfruit.
Mala Tavern
Few things capture the spirit of Lahaina than dining outdoors next to the ocean at Mala Tavern. Mala Tavern has even won an award for Best Oceanfront Dining, as well as for its great service. Residents of Lahaina homes drop by for brunch, lunch, happy hour, dinner, and late-night cocktails. Overlooking the Mala Wharf, Mala Tavern offers views from every seat and the staff tries to accommodate every guest who requests patio or oceanfront seating.
Honu Seafood and Pizza
The casual dining and drinking experience reaches a new level at Honu Seafood and Pizza, which is set on a rocky beach right next to Mala Tavern. Diners enjoy artisanal pizzas baked in a brick oven, as well as seafood offerings such as oysters on the half shell, steamed clams and mussels, and Crab Louie salad. There are 50 beers on tap, a large selection of scotch and rum, and a deep wine list.
These are just a handful of the many oceanfront eateries near Lahaina. If you want to enjoy this wonderful lifestyle by purchasing Lahaina real estate for sale, let Jeff Onderko show you how he’s been meeting clients’ needs for nearly two decades.
*Header: Lahaina Fish Co.
