When it comes to dining out, a sweeping view of Maui’s intrinsic landscape can boost an already excellent experience to an out-of-this-world culinary event. With palm tree fronds dancing overhead, shimmering light reflecting on the ocean waves, and vibrant multi-hued sunsets, every bite of your meal becomes a decadent show for all of your senses.
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone anniversary at a high-end resort or looking for a budget-friendly bite away from the crowds, these are the best restaurants on Maui (in no particular order) when you’re looking for an epic view to accompany your meal.
Map of the best restaurants in Maui with a view
1. Bully’s Burgers
Region: Kula, Upcountry
View type: Landscape, ocean
Budget: $
What they serve: Local grass-fed burgers
Reservations required? No
Don’t miss: The black and blue special
Insider tip: It can get windy at this remote spot. Long-haired friends, secure your tresses with a hair tie. And don’t forget to hold on to your hats.
If you’ve had your share of fine dining, mosey over to Maui’s paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) Upcountry away from the crowds. From its South Maui perch overlooking South Maui toward Wailea and the ocean beyond, Bully’s Burgers offers both sweeping views and succulent burgers. They source their meat from Maui’s family-owned Triple L Ranch, where free-range and grass-fed cattle dine on the grassy slopes of Haleakala.
The best seat in the house? Bully’s Burgers iconic saddle counter, which offers unobstructed ocean views.
Bully’s Burgers, 15900 Piilani Highway, Kula 96790
https://www.triplelranchmaui.com/bullys-burgers
2. Mama’s Fish House
Region: North Shore
View type: Ocean, beach
Budget: $$$$
What they serve: Fresh seafood and Polynesian cuisine
Reservations required? Highly recommended
Don’t miss: Ask about the dayʻs special. In my experience, itʻs often a particularly tasty fresh catch of the day.
Insider tip: Reservations are in high demand at Mama’s, with slots booking anywhere from three to six months in advance. If Mamaʻs is on your bucket list and you donʻt have a reservation, you may be able to score a seat at the bar if you show up as soon as they open (at 11:00 a.m.)
You can’t talk about the best restaurants on Maui without mentioning Mamaʻs. The North Shore mainstay is a must-do for most visitors, and itʻs the top place for celebrating a special occasion.
Mamaʻs exceeds at providing impeccable service, from the amuse bouche to the Polynesian Black Pearl pastry dessert. Just prepare yourself: While youʻre in for a dining treat at Mamaʻs, youʻre also in for a lighter wallet by the end of the night — the bill at Mamaʻs is a budget buster.
Mama’s Fish House, 799 Poho Place, Paia 96779
https://mamasfishhouse.com/
3. Roy’s
Region: Lahaina, West Maui
View type: Golf course, mountain
Budget: $$$
What they serve: Dishes with Asian and Pacific influences
Reservations required? Recommended
Don’t miss: Misoyaki butterfish
Roy’s boasts a solid all-around dining experience, from their excellent service to the well-executed classic dishes. Floor-to-ceiling windows show off picturesque golf course views while dining at this longtime Maui favorite. You won’t find the trendiest food concoctions at Royʻs — but you can rely on their masterful execution of island favorites.
Roy’s, 2290 Kaanapali Pkwy, Suite A, Lahaina 96761
https://www.royyamaguchi.com/roys-kaanapali-maui
4. Restaurant at Hotel Wailea
View type: Ocean vista, garden
Budget: $$$$
What they serve: Island fare with seasonal ingredients sourced from the region
Reservations required? Strongly recommended
Named among the top 10 best restaurants in Hawaii (according to the OpenTable dinerʻs choice awards), the Restaurant at Hotel Wailea exceeds at elegant, upscale resort dining.
Unlike the other Wailea resorts, Hotel Wailea sits slightly back and above the South Maui shoreline, a secluded enclave for discerning guests. Along with the restaurantʻs prix fie three-course meal, the Restaurant features a view of both the treetops and the ocean from the dining roomʻs lanai.
Restaurant at Hotel Wailea, 555 Kaukahi Street, Wailea 96753
https://www.hotelwailea.com/rhw/
5. Spago at the Four Seasons
View type: Ocean
Budget: $$$$
What they serve: Locally-inspired dishes, Asian fusion
Reservations required? Strongly recommended
Don’t miss: The tomahawk steak is always a treat
Insider tip: Bring a hat and sunglasses if you arrive just before or around sunset to battle the harsh glare off the water
You canʻt go wrong with a culinary collaboration between Wolfgang Puck and The Four Seasons, two top-notch names in their respective industries. At Spago, youʻre guaranteed an elegant and attentive dining experience while enjoying an ocean view from nearly every table.
Spago, 3900 Wailea Alanui, Maui 96753
https://www.fourseasons.com/maui/dining/restaurants/spago/
6. Cafe O’Lei at The Mill House
Region: Central Maui
View type: Mountain and duck pond
Budget: $$
What they serve: Island cuisine
Reservations required? Recommended
Don’t miss: Ahi nachos
Insider tip: Ask for seating on the terrace for the best view
Cafe OʻLei at The Mill House offers one of the most romantic dining scenes on the island, and it’s not even an ocean view.
Cafe OʻLei took over the restaurant space at The Mill House in early 2022, continuing the locationʻs tradition of fresh and tasty island fare. The interior features relics of the plantationʻs past, with antique-looking gears and a locomotive decorating the space.
But the standout view at The Mill House is on the terrace. Palm trees frame the sight of green-covered mountains in the dance, which are often shrouded by a heavy cloud blanket. In the foreground, a flock of ducks leisurely paddle around a meticulously landscaped pond.
Cafe O’Lei at The Mill House, 1670 Honoapiilani Highway, Waikapu 96793
https://www.cafeoleirestaurants.com/cafe-olei-at-the-mill-house
7. Mala Tavern
View type: Ocean beachfront
Budget: $$$
What they serve: Island cuisine
Reservations required?
Don’t miss:
Insider tip: Keep an eye out on the water near the shoreline. Every time I visit Mala Tavern, I see a turtle bobbing up and down among the waves.
The food at Mala Tavern is always exceptional, and Iʻve always received prompt and friendly service without feeling suffocated. Mala Tavern boasts a cozy interior with an open back patio that practically sits on top of the water.
With room for only a handful of tables and a bar inside, Mala Tavern also features a larger exterior seating area. Diners sit under string patio lights on the grassy lawn while waves lap against the shore.
Mala Tavern, 1307 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761
https://malatavern.com/qr-code-menus/
8. Pacific’o on the Beach
View type: Beachside ocean
Budget: $$$
What they serve: Farm to table island cuisine
Reservations required? Recommended
Don’t miss: Duck fried rice
As the name suggests, Pacificʻo sits alongside the Lahaina beach path, with direct access to the sandy shore. We’ve had some of the friendliest, most chipper service on Maui while dining at Pacificʻo while enjoying the restaurantʻs beachside view.
Pacific’o on the Beach, 505 Front Street Suite 114, Lahaina 96761
http://pacificomaui.com/
9. Merriman’s
Region: Kapalua, West Maui
View type: Ocean
Budget: $$$$
What they serve: Farm-to-table island cuisine
Reservations required? Yes
Merriman’s boasts a 3- course prix fixe dinner using at least 90% local ingredients. Diners enjoying Chef Peter Merriman’s concoctions dine under string patio lights, beach umbrellas, and palm trees while facing the open ocean view.
Merriman’s, One Bay Club Place, Lahaina 96761
https://www.merrimanshawaii.com/kapalua/
10. Kimo’s
Region: Old Lahaina town, West Maui
View type: Ocean
Budget: $$
What they serve: Classic island cuisine
Reservations required? Recommended
Don’t miss: Kimo’s famous Hula pie
Insider tip: Some seats are close enough to the water where you could get splashed at high tide
An old Lahaina town mainstay for 30 years, Kimo’s features live entertainment on weekends along with astonishing water views.
Kimo’s, 845 Front Street, Suite A, Lahaina 96761
https://www.kimosmaui.com/
11. Duke’s Beach House
Region: Lahaina, West Maui
View type: Ocean, Molokai and Lanai islands
Budget: $$$
What they serve: Dishes with a Hawaiian influence, seafood and steak
Reservations required? No
Don’t miss: Hula pie
Along with the water view, enjoy casual Hawaii beach vibes at Duke’s. This Maui favorite honors Olympic swimmer Duke Kahanamoku, who also popularized the sport of modern day surfing.
Diners come to Duke’s for a taste of the spirit of aloha.
Duke’s Beach House, 130 Kai Malina Parkway, Lahaina 96761
https://www.dukesmaui.com/
12. Star Noodle
Region: Lahaina, West Maui
View type: Ocean
Budget: $$
What they serve: Asian-inspired dishes for sharing
Reservations required? Recommended
Don’t miss: Steamed pork buns
This hip, casual Maui favorite was featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” but its popularity is backed by Star Noodle’s staunch execution of their Asian-inspired dishes.
The popular establishment moved from its original industrial park location to a new, larger Front Street spot in 2020. Now guests can nosh at the open air restaurant on kim chee and saimin noodles — ocean backdrop included.
Star Noodle, 1285 Front Street, Lahaina 96761
https://www.starnoodle.com/
13. Gannon’s
Region: Wailea, South Maui
View type: Golf course, ocean
Budget: $$$
What they serve: Contemporary Hawaiian fare
Reservations required? Recommended
Don’t miss: Shrimp and chorizo linguine
Popular wedding reception venue, upscale dining
Palms trees, sunset
Gannon’s, 100 Wailea Golf Club Drive, Wailea 96753
https://gannonsrestaurant.com/
14. The Plantation House
Region: Lahaina, West Maui
View type: Golf course, ocean
Budget: $$
What they serve: Island-inspired dishes
Reservations required? Recommended
Don’t miss: Bananas foster pancakes smothered in syrup and topped with chopped macadamias and banana slices
Located at the Kapalua Plantation Golf Course, dining at The Plantation House guarantees immaculate grounds with distant ocean views of Molokai.
The Plantation House, 2000 Plantation Club Drive, Lahaina
https://www.cohnrestaurants.com/theplantationhouse
15. MonkeyPod Kaanapali
Region: Lahaina, West Maui
View type: Ocean
Budget: $$
What they serve: Regional Hawaii cuisine
Reservations required? No
Don’t miss: Happy hour and Mai Thais. My favorite dish at MonkeyPod is the bulgogi pork tacos.
MonkeyPodʻs newest location sits smack dab in the middle of the action at Whalers Village in Lahaina, a popular (and perpetually busy) outdoor shopping plaza. MonkeyPod offers both indoor and outdoor seating for a view of the water.
MonkeyPod Kaanapali, 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy Bldg I-1, Lahaina 96761
https://monkeypodkitchen.com/
16. Lahaina Fish Company
View type: Ocean
Budget: $$
What they serve: Casual island fare
Reservations required? Recommended
Locally owned Lahaina Fish Company sits in the heart of Lahaina, on the bustling and tourist-friendly Front Street.
Diners enjoy ocean views from one of the restaurantʻs two levels of open-air dining — along with three hours of validated parking.
Lahaina Fish Company, 831 Front Street, Lahaina
https://www.lahainafishco.com/
17. Fleetwood’s on Front Street
View type: Ocean
Budget: $$$
What they serve: Classic American cuisine
Reservations required? Highly recommended
Owned by drummer and rock-and-roll icon Mick Fleetwood, Fleetwoodʻs boasts live music along with its epic outdoor ocean views. Lucky diners may end up with dinner and a show featuring the legend himself — Mick Fleetwood regularly plays at this location. Check the restaurantʻs website for tickets and details on scoring a coveted seat.
Fleetwood’s on Front Street, 744 Front Street, Lahaina 96761
http://www.fleetwoodsonfrontst.com/
18. Morimoto
View type: Ocean beachfront
Budget: $$$$
What they serve: Japanese and Asian fusion cuisine
Reservations required? Recommended
Don’t miss: Sticky spare ribs
Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s offering at Wailea’s Andaz resort offers beachfront views from nearly every seat in the house.
Morimoto, 3550 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea 96753
http://www.morimotomaui.com/