Arrived early and was seated quickly. Our server was Jessica. She was outstanding. She explained the best dishes and my scallops were cooked to perfection. My wife's Mahi Mahi was delicious. Thanks again Mala Ocean Tavern for an outstanding meal.
Emily
We went for a nice dinner to celebrate our anniversary and brought our 3 children with us. From start to finish it was wonderful! The table and view were gorgeous, the staff was friendly and our server was very knowledgeable! The food was delicious! I had the catch of the day which was prawns and my husband had a filet. The ahi bruschetta appetizer was wonderful so fresh and delicious flavors! The kids had a large kids menu to choose from and the food was great! We had a wonderful experience and would highly recommend Mala to everyone!
Shay
My wife and I and two friends dined at Mala Ocean Tavern last night - sitting at the bar. We had a light dinner (Ahi Bruschetta, Brussels Sprouts and Coconut Shrimp) - along with two Makai Tais (the best Mai Tais we've had on the island in 10 days!). Roberto was an excellent bartender and engaged us in a friendly, caring manner! The food is outstanding, the beachfront location has amazing views around sunset (and all day!) and the experience is special!
Opentable Diner
Every trip to Maui we always plan a visit to Mālā at least twice during our stay. Last night was another incredible evening! Started off with a Makai Tai topped with a beautiful POG foam. Then enjoyed the oyster shooters which are so good damn with that dollop of Wasabi! Then the warm burrata with fresh tomatoes, and the catch of the day, Onaga on a bed of rice and vegetables. Warning: definitely a sharable plate! Beautiful presentation, and absolutely delicious! Shout out to Sergio and our gracious bartenders Roberto and Emily for making us feel so welcome at their bar. And looking forward to our next visit!
kathe
We enjoyed a beautiful and delicious dinner at Mala. The inside seating was a bit tight. Next time we will be sure to make reservations earlier for a window seat.
Elliot
My wife and I shared the red snapper ‘whole fish!' This was excellent! The server served us the initial serving showing us how to serve ourselves. The seasoning and the stir fried vegetables were excellent. We also enjoyed the bread pudding with lilikoi sauce and vanilla gelato was fabulous too. Lastly, don't forget to order the Ube bread.
Tom
An expensive meal, like most on Maui, but the food was fantastic and the staff were great!
Lesley
We always bring mainland visitors to Mala Tavern for great food, a fun and friendly vibe, and a feeling of hanging out with ohana.  The waitstaff staff is awesome, fun and engaging. The menu is super flexible so you can customize to your liking. Our favorite Maui restaurant for sure!
Mary
Everything was excellent. Service was incredible and food was delicious. Coconut shrimp was perfectly done. Yummy sauce.
Bethany
We have enjoyed going Mala every time we are on the island. My favorite item on the menu is their hummus appetizer. I look forward to it every year! This year did not disappoint. I love their olives! Yum! We just happened to be there during happy hour so my husband and I chose to share it along with the calamari and then share a fish sandwich. We amazingly ate everything! It was all delicious! I also tried their version of a Mai tai. It was yummy too. The highlight of our meal was looking out to the ocean and watching a pod of whales swimming around and enjoying the day.
Dinner was great! We very much enjoyed our dining experience- service, food, atmosphere. Mala is on the north side of Lahaina, along the water. Parking was tight. We were fortunate to get a spot in the lot, but before going, you should try to figure out a back up plan. Restaurant itself is very cozy, with not much space between tables. Not the place to have a very private conversation! However, people were making friends with their neighbors- fun. We timed our visit to coincide with sunset. Just beautiful. Our server was wonderful… fun, professional, and made some good recs, including the ube hot bread. Delicious!! We also really enjoyed the warm tomatoes and buratta. The pappardelle pesto pasta was amazing. If you’re staying near Lahaina, you should definitely add this place to your “must try” list.
Judge_Smails-BR
Very good food and a wonderful setting. My wife enjoyed the Ahi tuna appetizer, and I enjoyed the scallops entrée. This is somewhat of an expensive place as my scallop entrée was $61. I would have given this place five stars, but was put off by the kitchen fee that surprised on the bill. It wasn’t a lot of money, but that’s not the point.
GradingMachine
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed dining here. Our server (Emma) was awesome. We enjoyed chatting with the friendly couple next to us (felt very European), and we loved the food. I had the catch of the day (shrimp--similar to tiger prawns). My wife enjoyed the delicious, generous portion of green curry with abundant seafood. To compliment our meal, we enjoyed a Loire Valley Chenin Blanc.
111JimC
Wow, this was a great dinner experience. Beautiful view, tasty fare, friendly service. Our table was right next to the water, with the waves lapping just a few feet away. I had the scallops and polenta, others at our table had the fish of the day (large local shrimp) and the seared ahi. We really had fun, and enjoyed a great serviced by our waitress, Yvonne.
Peter T
The greeting staff appear professionally committed to incompetence. A confirmed reservation was treated like a charming rumor, something heard once and immediately forgotten. Hosts stared blankly, shuffled papers with theatrical importance, and spoke in hushed tones as if solving a murder, not seating guests. Accountability evaporated on contact; apologies were clearly against policy. After an absurd wait, a table “suddenly” existed, presented with the smug triumph of people who believe confusion is customer service. If this is hospitality, it is hostile by design. Making a reservation here is an exercise in humiliation, patience testing, and lowered expectations. We left and I suggest you do the same
Arrived early and was seated quickly. Our server was Jessica. She was outstanding. She explained the best dishes and my scallops were cooked to perfection. My wife's Mahi Mahi was delicious. Thanks again Mala Ocean Tavern for an outstanding meal.
We went for a nice dinner to celebrate our anniversary and brought our 3 children with us. From start to finish it was wonderful! The table and view were gorgeous, the staff was friendly and our server was very knowledgeable! The food was delicious! I had the catch of the day which was prawns and my husband had a filet. The ahi bruschetta appetizer was wonderful so fresh and delicious flavors! The kids had a large kids menu to choose from and the food was great! We had a wonderful experience and would highly recommend Mala to everyone!
My wife and I and two friends dined at Mala Ocean Tavern last night - sitting at the bar. We had a light dinner (Ahi Bruschetta, Brussels Sprouts and Coconut Shrimp) - along with two Makai Tais (the best Mai Tais we've had on the island in 10 days!). Roberto was an excellent bartender and engaged us in a friendly, caring manner! The food is outstanding, the beachfront location has amazing views around sunset (and all day!) and the experience is special!
Every trip to Maui we always plan a visit to Mālā at least twice during our stay. Last night was another incredible evening! Started off with a Makai Tai topped with a beautiful POG foam. Then enjoyed the oyster shooters which are so good damn with that dollop of Wasabi! Then the warm burrata with fresh tomatoes, and the catch of the day, Onaga on a bed of rice and vegetables. Warning: definitely a sharable plate! Beautiful presentation, and absolutely delicious! Shout out to Sergio and our gracious bartenders Roberto and Emily for making us feel so welcome at their bar. And looking forward to our next visit!
We enjoyed a beautiful and delicious dinner at Mala. The inside seating was a bit tight. Next time we will be sure to make reservations earlier for a window seat.
My wife and I shared the red snapper ‘whole fish!' This was excellent! The server served us the initial serving showing us how to serve ourselves. The seasoning and the stir fried vegetables were excellent. We also enjoyed the bread pudding with lilikoi sauce and vanilla gelato was fabulous too. Lastly, don't forget to order the Ube bread.
An expensive meal, like most on Maui, but the food was fantastic and the staff were great!
We always bring mainland visitors to Mala Tavern for great food, a fun and friendly vibe, and a feeling of hanging out with ohana.  The waitstaff staff is awesome, fun and engaging. The menu is super flexible so you can customize to your liking. Our favorite Maui restaurant for sure!
Everything was excellent. Service was incredible and food was delicious. Coconut shrimp was perfectly done. Yummy sauce.
We have enjoyed going Mala every time we are on the island. My favorite item on the menu is their hummus appetizer. I look forward to it every year! This year did not disappoint. I love their olives! Yum! We just happened to be there during happy hour so my husband and I chose to share it along with the calamari and then share a fish sandwich. We amazingly ate everything! It was all delicious! I also tried their version of a Mai tai. It was yummy too. The highlight of our meal was looking out to the ocean and watching a pod of whales swimming around and enjoying the day.
Restaurantji Recommends
Dinner was great! We very much enjoyed our dining experience- service, food, atmosphere. Mala is on the north side of Lahaina, along the water. Parking was tight. We were fortunate to get a spot in the lot, but before going, you should try to figure out a back up plan. Restaurant itself is very cozy, with not much space between tables. Not the place to have a very private conversation! However, people were making friends with their neighbors- fun. We timed our visit to coincide with sunset. Just beautiful. Our server was wonderful… fun, professional, and made some good recs, including the ube hot bread. Delicious!! We also really enjoyed the warm tomatoes and buratta. The pappardelle pesto pasta was amazing. If you’re staying near Lahaina, you should definitely add this place to your “must try” list.
Very good food and a wonderful setting. My wife enjoyed the Ahi tuna appetizer, and I enjoyed the scallops entrée. This is somewhat of an expensive place as my scallop entrée was $61. I would have given this place five stars, but was put off by the kitchen fee that surprised on the bill. It wasn’t a lot of money, but that’s not the point.
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed dining here. Our server (Emma) was awesome. We enjoyed chatting with the friendly couple next to us (felt very European), and we loved the food. I had the catch of the day (shrimp--similar to tiger prawns). My wife enjoyed the delicious, generous portion of green curry with abundant seafood. To compliment our meal, we enjoyed a Loire Valley Chenin Blanc.
Wow, this was a great dinner experience. Beautiful view, tasty fare, friendly service. Our table was right next to the water, with the waves lapping just a few feet away. I had the scallops and polenta, others at our table had the fish of the day (large local shrimp) and the seared ahi. We really had fun, and enjoyed a great serviced by our waitress, Yvonne.
The greeting staff appear professionally committed to incompetence. A confirmed reservation was treated like a charming rumor, something heard once and immediately forgotten. Hosts stared blankly, shuffled papers with theatrical importance, and spoke in hushed tones as if solving a murder, not seating guests. Accountability evaporated on contact; apologies were clearly against policy. After an absurd wait, a table “suddenly” existed, presented with the smug triumph of people who believe confusion is customer service. If this is hospitality, it is hostile by design. Making a reservation here is an exercise in humiliation, patience testing, and lowered expectations. We left and I suggest you do the same
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