As a Mexican, I can confidently say these chilaquiles were made with pure love. I'm not exaggerating when I say the flavors took me straight back to my abuelita's kitchen. The tomatillo salsa had the perfect balance of sourness and sweetness spot on. What impressed me most was the attention to authenticity. They didn't fall into the trap of using American shredded cheese (which so many places sadly do). Instead, the cheese, the crunch of the chips, and that salsa all came together in the most comforting, home-style way. Every bite made me feel like someone's grandma was back there cooking just for me. This place respects the dish, and you can taste that care in every detail. I'll definitely be coming back. If you want REAL chilaquiles, this is the spot! read more

Mala Ocean Tavern - Chilaquiles - Seafood Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

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We had a fantastic experience at MALA! We stopped in for happy hour and were impressed from start to finish. The service was outstanding -- attentive, friendly, and exactly what you hope for when dining out on Maui. The food was excellent. The ube bread was a unique and delicious highlight, and the coconut shrimp, salad with flank steak was full of flavor and beautifully prepared. The cocktails and beer selection paired perfectly with the meal. Of course, the views are incredible, but what really stood out was the combination of great food, excellent service, and a relaxed atmosphere. MALA delivered the full Maui dining experience, and we would definitely come back again. read more

Another impeccable experience at Mala's. Honestly better than the last. The drinks were DELICIOUS (on the rocks and mala spritz), the Brussels sprout pupu is to die for, and the surf and turf was exactly what I wanted it to be. Perfectly tender and charred octopus and a beautifully cooked steak. Even the sides of potatoes and broccolini were perfection. I'm really happy with this meal read more

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We came straight here from the airport and what a great way to start our trip! The views are gorgeous, drinks and food top-tier, excellent service, & lovely live music to top it off. Don't miss the Ahi Bruschetta--scrumptious. read more

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Really delicious high end meal in Maui! Service was very good and everything we tried was delicious. From the ube bread with honey whipped butter to the filet with mash potatoes, shrimp and my pesto shrimp pasta. We had the dessert speciality which was a chocolate cake with ube ice cream and this was also quite good. Will definitely be back my next time in Maui. read more

Mala Ocean Tavern - Seafood Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

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We came here with our toddler and 9 month old baby girl and we couldn't have better compliments for Mala Ocean Tavern. The food and drinks were phenomenal. We got the surf and turf, scallops, calamari, and ocean shooters along with the mai tai's. So delicious! The best part of our whole experience was our waitress Justine. She was so kind to our kiddos and was truly the best. Thank you so much Justine for making our last night in Maui so memorable! read more

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We went on the Makai adventures whale watching tour and stopped for lunch afterwards. My girlfriend had told me about Mala, despite all the times we had visited Maui, we have never been. We were warmly greeted immediately and sat down with a partial ocean view. The waitress was very attentive, brought us water right away. Since I was feeling a little queasy after the boat adventure, I decided on the Fish and Chips. My husband ordered the grilled fish sandwich. The presentation was very nice, the portions were generous. It was nice that both came with French fries. I thought the fish was over fried. The breading was too heavy. The fish was very good once I peeled away the breading. The grilled fish sandwich was a nice size, nothing fancy. I saw others had the sushi which looked amazing. It's possible we might have ordered the wrong entree. The view and service was fantastic. I would definitely go back, just order something different. read more

Mala Ocean Tavern - Specials - Seafood Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

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Sometimes a solo meal is exactly what you need, and Mala Ocean Tavern was the perfect spot for it. Sitting oceanfront with that Maui breeze and the sound of the waves just hits different. I ordered the ahi bruschetta to start and it was super fresh and flavorful. Then I had the whole fried opakapaka, which was absolutely amazing crispy on the outside, tender and flaky on the inside. One of those dishes that feels both comforting and impressive at the same time. I also tried the ponzu oyster shooters, which were bright, fresh, and such a fun little burst of flavor. Even dining solo, the experience felt relaxed and welcoming. Great food, beautiful ocean views, and one of those meals where you just sit back and enjoy the moment. Definitely one of my favorite spots on Maui. read more

Mala Ocean Tavern - Ponzu Shooter Ahi Bruschetta - Seafood Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

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We sat out on the patio and had brunch which was delicious! The sound of the ocean was so relaxing, and the service was great (Tom). The hostess hooked it up by getting us an outdoor seat and we couldn't be more thankful. Will definitely be back. read more

Mala Ocean Tavern - HH Keiki Chicken Strips - Seafood Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

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First, the view was breathtaking! Make a reservation one hour before sunset and you will be able to enjoy a delicious meal with the most spectacular sunset overlooking the ocean. The braised pork shank may have been the best dish I've had in Hawaii in all of mine 11 visits to the various Hawaiian islands. The meat was so tender. It was falling off the bones. The flavor was spectacular and the purple yam mash was unforgettable. The sweetness of the yam went so well with the savouriness of the pork. This is an exemplary fusion dish that successfully intertwined western and Hawaiian flavours all on one perfect plate in terms of taste, texture and presentation! It's truly an elevated dish. Service was excellent. This is one of the few restaurants that survived the fires in Maui two years ago which makes this establishment even more special! Tip: You can park at the Safeway if you can't find parking off the street or in the small adjacent parking lot. read more

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Reservation for 3 at 8 pm. Table is readily available. Parking is next door lot with the waves splashing to the car. Beautiful view of ocean. Tables and settings are small and cozy. Probably too pack for special occasion. If you're seating outside, the surf is crashing on the breaker wall. Service is very attentive. Kay is our server. Filling water, Changing plates and utensils for appetizers and main course and checking on us regularly. We ordered coconut shrimps for appetizers, family style pan fried mahi mahi and Mala surf and turf. There are 6 shrimps over fennel , garlic aioli, mojo verde, crispy and best bang for the buck. The Yukon mashed potatoes is creamy and buttery. The mahi mahi is a little dry but still flaky. The raw pickled ginger on top is interesting for a cooked fish. I would prefer the fish served over just the mashed potatoes The charred Spanish octopus is perfectly cooked. The chimichurri is a good compliment. For some reasons, the medium rare Black Angus flank steak doesn't go well with the sauce tonite, just dry and plain compared to the surf. Both the chef and the owner came out and check and chat with us. Very intimate ambiance. Not many tables are next to the viewing windows so adjust your expectations accordingly. Anyway, not many restaurants left on Lahaina front street. Support the locals. read more

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Lovely restaurant and super kind staff. This place is cute yet classy on its own. Lots of good food choices and drink options. The pork shank was huge and the Molokai yam was sweet. We had fun with the table next to us who were also Kama'aina. Really happy to see restaurants like Mala Ocean Tavern doing well! Highly recommend for locals and tourists alike! read more

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This was so much more than I was expecting. Firstly my husband had confused their menu with a different one and we thought we were in store for cheeseburgers or something. The location is gorgeous and oceanfront, breathable with the slightest wind through the restaurant. The ambiance is relaxed but still on the upscale, and trendy side. The staff are very polite, great table service and knowledgeable about the ins and outs of their menu and all of the sourcing of the ingredients. This was impressive. Their ube roll was so perfect I regret ordering only one but it was large enough to share amongst three adults. For entres the duck was phenomenal, perfectly cooked with the best paired accompaniments and sweet and savory balance. Filet mignon was so lovely and balanced. The only thing I didn't care for was ordering fries, plain for my allergy toddler but they were seasoned with a spicy Cajun type of season. I appreciate being asked how our meal was and how we enjoyed everything. Overall such a wonderful, satisfying meal excellently done. A huge bonus if you're a parent is they have crayons and a kids menu and high chairs available. read more

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Our group had dinner reservations for a 7:15PM dinner, we checked in at 7PM and were told our table would be ready at the reservation time. And they were right, and they got our party seated and took drink orders right away. Our table was right behind the hostess stand so we did not get a view of the ocean but it was fine. The inside was Hawaiian nautical theme with blue walls and modern tables and chairs. We had a surprise birthday cake for one of the guests which I had secretly handed over to the hostess for storage until the end of dinner and mentioned it was a surprise. All of our party were waiting together when she came over to the whole group to share that there would be a cake cutting fee. So much for a surprise. I wished she would've pulled me aside to confirm with me. At the table, we started with the highly recommended Ube hot bread and crispy calamari. The Ube bread had a nice crust yet fluffy on the inside and fantastic with the paired butter. The crispy calamari was also good. It was thicker cut calamari, battered and fried. They had a nice snap when you bite into them. For cocktails, the Dragon Kiss was delicious and mixed well, other cocktail Mac Daddy and a Hibiscus Refresher Mocktail were good. The Dragon Kiss was the best dish at the restaurant. We ordered the whole fried fish for the table. And it was ok. It's whole so there are bones to worry about and overall the flavor was just ok. The entrees are slightly larger than expected but the high price for each was not. The Seared Scallop was served with truffled risotto. The truffle fragrance was obvious in the dish but the risotto was more like a soup with no pieces of truffle. The scallops were seared well. The Pappardelle Pesto Pasta was a disappointment. The pasta was served over a hot liquid base and loaded with whole shrimp, and dolloped with goat cheese. The dish was piping hot. The pasta fell apart because it was over cooked sitting in the hot liquid base. Pieces tore apart making it difficult to scoop up and mushy to eat. Skip this dish. For the price, I would expect the entree dishes to be prepared better. read more

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January 20, 2026 because the Mai Tais are better than anywhere else and the calamari is so good. We stopped in for our third visit prior to departing for home after 11 days on the island. Tonight's fresh catch was Marlon and the fish and chips were from that same Marlon, thus the fish and chips are absolutely delicious! The service was great as it has been on all of our stops for brunch/dinner the past 11 days. Sol A. (with the blue eyes that we both complement her on during our 11 day stay), thank you for the great service and sharing some laughs too! Bella, who was sitting to our left-hand side at the bar area, it was a great meeting you and we wish you the best in your travels!! To all the staff, we look forward to our return and thank you for making us feel so welcomed. read more

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5 stars for location and atmosphere, 4 stars for food/price. The brunch manager was so sweet and checked on us twice, making sure we enjoyed our choices. I got the chilaquiles with huli huli style chicken thighs and over easy eggs. My husband got the eggs Benedict with the fish of the day (mahi mahi) instead of ham. Both were very good! He got the iced horchata espresso and I got the hibiscus refresher, which were very tasty non-alcoholic choices! It was a little expensive for what we got, but that's this economy so I can't discount that too much. All in all, definitely a place I'd return. I've only ever been for breakfast/brunch but I'd love to try lunch/dinner someday! read more

Mala Ocean Tavern - View from our table - Seafood Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

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We stopped here on a whim and ended up agreeing this was one of our favorite meals while on vacation! For starters, the location is superb, being right on the ocean with amazing views. The food prices were very reasonable and boy was the food delicious! Because of the time we arrived, we managed to order off of both the brunch menu and later the happy hour menu. Literally everything we ordered was DELICIOUS; I highly highly recommend trying the ahi bruschetta. To me what really takes this experience over the top were the workers. Our server (China I think) was so friendly and helpful, going above and beyond. Plus the owner/manager made a point of visiting every table! Do yourself a favor and check this place out! read more

Great service everyone was super welcoming! Our appetizers came out very fast, we order the seared Ahi bruschetta and it was absolutely delicious. Our main course did take quite a while, granted it was busy so the kitchen must have been very hectic. We ordered the Shrimp Pesto Pasta which was so creamy and fresh, and the Seared Mahi Mahi which again was so fresh and fl read more

Warm evening in Lahaina but we were comfortable and seated near the doorway for a nice breeze. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and she explained the day specials. The salad and bruschetta were both very fresh and very flavorful. The snapper was served deep fried and covered in Asian sauces and green onions, pineapple, and a variety of other greens. My seared Ahi was cooked perfectly and served on a bed of mashed potatoes. Everyone enjoyed their dinners! Will be back! read more

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Service was excellent. Right on the water great. The food was very good. Had 1 app, 2 entrees. 3 drinks. $220 before tip. So expensive

If you're looking for a beautiful waterfront dining experience, Mala Ocean Tavern is an excellent choice for its scenic ocean views. We ordered the turmeric-seasoned fish and chips, which were very flavorful. While I found the portion sizes a bit small for the price, the quality of the service was outstanding. The atmosphere is somewhat casual and unrefined, but the unbeatable proximity to the ocean more than makes up for it. read more

Mala Ocean Tavern - Fish and chips - Seafood Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

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Food was decent. High ratings for the area/restaurant. At this time, parking is only allowed at the Safeway lot across the street. I ordered fried calamari, but not a fan of the thick cut (looks like chicken katsu or sliced pork tonkatsu). Gotta cover your food sometimes dining in the patio. Waves come in and splash in your food sometimes. read more

Mala Ocean Tavern - Outdoor seating overlooking the Sea Turtles refuge. Families of Big turtles just on the rocks while eating - Seafood Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

Interesting twist on Hawaiian food! Whole fried fish, pork shank served with dark gravy and purple mashed potatoes, and seared ahi tuna steak in a plate full of gravy and sautéed mushrooms and pickled ginger (not pictured). Definitely make a reservation ahead if you want seating with an ocean view! It's a smaller place with only a few tables. Food was interesting. Everything was fresh and cooked well, but I am not convinced the flavors all went together. However, quality of ingredients and preparation and presentation were great! Worth a stop. Prob not one of my top picks for the area, but good! read more

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I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Maui. This was by far, not only the best meal that we had in Maui, but the views were amazing, ambience was great, and our server was truly the best. Mala was a family favorite, hands down! Also, If you dine in here, definitely request China as your server if possible. She was awesome!! So informative and she was amazing with the kiddos and on point with her recommendations. We absolutely plan to come back to this restaurant every time we go to Maui. read more

5 stars for ambiance and service. 4 stars for food. I had the coconut shrimp, which I thought was average. My husband had the fish sandwich- grilled. The Mahi was cooked perfectly. The bun was just a regular bun with 1 piece of lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, fries and garlic aioli. I had their Mai tai. It was good but a little on the sweeter side. Overall a good local cafe with great location and good food. read more

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How does a restaurant make it 100 years... go there and you won't need to ask. Amazing fresh fresh food, creative and unique. They had a limited time ceviche based on receiving two special fish that am. Had the seared ahi signature dish and it rocked. And uber Hawaiian fresh butter salad. Enough about the food. You're right on the ocean. Very cool environment. We loved it. read more

One of my favorite restaurants to get breakfast in Lahaina. They have indoor and outdoor patio seating that is right next to the water. The staff are so friendly & service is quick. We ordered the ube hot bread, French toast, build your own omelette, pork belly eggs Benedict special. The ube hot bread is a great starter- light, fluffy & perfect for sharing. The French toast comes with berries, coconut syrup, & ube ice cream on top. This is a great sweet plate for anyone with a breakfast sweet tooth. The build your own omelette can be created to your liking with the ingredients you choose. The pork belly eggs Benedict special was savory and delicious with soft pork belly. We finished the meal with cinnamon sugar malasadas for a sweet finish. Parking- few parking spaces out front or street parking read more

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Live music. Friendly, efficient staff. Delicious food. Excellent view. This place has it all!! We received a coupon for a free coconut shrimp with an entree, so we were tempted to try Mala Ocean Tavern. We're glad we did. We were seated immediately, and our view of the ocean and sailboats was lovely. We got the free coconut shrimp appetizer - 3 each. It was so good!! Husband had the fish & chips and I had the garlic cheese flatbread. We enjoyed the entrees as much as the coconut shrimp. As we ate, a gentleman played live music. What a treat! Our water glasses were also replenished without asking. So nice. We are so glad we came here for lunch. We are pleasantly full and the cost was reasonable. read more

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This view from this restaurant is absolutely stunning. Whether you're getting dinner or drinks, prepare for a breathtaking sight. Parking can be tricky if you're visiting during peak dining hours. The food was delicious. We tried several items that were all fabulous. We made a reservation, which we highly recommend. We had a party of 7, yet walked right in. Our server was accommodating and friendly. read more

Mala Ocean Tavern - The view from our table, inside. - Seafood Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

I went for dinner and was by myself so I got to sit at the bar. I made good friends with other families and enjoyed an exceptional appetizer dinner and dessert. I went with the oyster shooter I had to they were so delicious for my entrée. I did the filet mignon which was cooked to perfection and for dessert, I did the affogato. I would go back just for the oyster shooters they were addicting. read more

Mala Ocean Tavern - So delicious - Seafood Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

Super friendly service and the food was amazing! An extra bonus was that they are located right beside the water in Lahaina. You must have reservations to get a table at dinner but I've heard you can walk in for brunch. Their host was super accommodating. One of the best meals we have had in Maui! read more

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The fish was amazing!!!! Four of us (3 adults and 1 toddler) thoroughly enjoyed it. We got the table outside to watch the sunset, but so focused on the fish and didn't watch the sunset as much as I want . read more

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Come for the ahi bruschetta and oyster shooters, but stay for server Olivia. She is Venus, born of seafoam--thankfully the same seafoam that splashes against our table does well to hide the sweat upon my brow whenever she approaches. Olivia, I shall return. Also, try the Mai Tai. read more

A must visit! The green curry dish was spectacular. Carlos was our waiter and did an excellent job.

Stopped by for happy hour at Mala Ocean Tavern and boy was it a great experience. Had a fish burger with their fish of the day Hawaiian blue Gill and it was scrumptious. We also went with the wagyu burger, it was super juicy and full with flavor. Far an appetizer fried calamari was our choice tasty and full of flavor. We went around 2:30pm wasn't a long wait even though the place was full we waited 5 min to check In but we were seated almost immediately. Great place to eat and listen and watch the waves crashing into the rocks. Great place great food definitely a must try spot. read more

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Best Meal we've had yet on the island. Can't go wrong with the fish special, my daughter ordered the wagyu burger and it was superb. Order their ube homemade ice cream for the perfect sweet ending! Highly recommend! read more

Mala Ocean Tavern - Seafood Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

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Beautiful restaurant and lovely views. Staff is friendly and service is excellent. Food was delicious. My Bloody Mary was not good. Their house made ketchup was incredible. read more

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Had an unforgettable birthday lunch/brunch. We were celebrating and were greeted with a table so close to the water you could feel the ocean spray. The service was amazing and the food was excellent! The restaurant is open to the ocean with a neighborhood fancy tavern vibe. The brunch was wide-ranging. giving specials like crab Benedict and chilaquiles along with giant pancakes and fish plates. We ordered a really tart lemonade with lilikoi and the ahi avocado bruschetta. The fish was crusted beautifully and the serving of two was generous and well-seasoned. The fish dish was amazing. The mahi was blackened and avoided being salty and the veggies really shined! Watching the turtles eat their lunch, surrounded by a Lahaina that was shining and healing was a wonderful way to spend lunch! read more

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As many times as we'd been to Lahaina, and seeing this very popular place with a crowd outside, we somehow had never tried it. I booked it for our 30th anniversary, and I'm so glad I did. We had a hiccup and were running late, but left a message but luckily we got there in time. They had held our table for us, a window next to the ocean waves and they were so attentive and kind. The two gals at the host table, wishing us happy anniversary, our server, and another gal later who was at the host stand as well, that they payed attention to our open table reservation and made sure to acknowledge it. There's a very homey vibe here, which we loved. The food and service was great. The MAI TAI was the best in Maui for us! The POG foam on top was a big hit! The Ube bread with the honey butter, everyone at the table was happy with their food, the pesto noodles- he's picky and he was cleaning the plate with the bread. The filet, mahi, green coconut curry ... everything was so good and we rolled out of there so full. They gave us a signed postcard for our anniversary, which will become a souvenir. Mahalo Mala family for making our last night in Maui extra special and so personal. We will be booking here from now on! read more

Mala Ocean Tavern - Mai tai with Pog foam - Seafood Near Me - Lahaina, Hawaii

Lahaina: come spend some money here, mainlanders and people from other continents. Food: Crab Benedict and fish ceviche 7 of 10! Solid meal, no disappointments, especially sitting ocean front literally. Crab Benedict had a bit of citrus overkill, quite the tang and we've got a winner! The fish ceviche was flavored nice and the fish was delightfully fresh in taste, yet too many white onions, the green ones were probably enough. On both dishes think less is best, yet don't go by tastebuds alone, it could certainly be a hit for you! It's one of the first stops coming into Lahaina heading south and it's every bit worth the stop. Not to mention, it's Sunday at 2p and a local artist is playing the ukulele and singing while rocking a baseball hat and locs (giggle), I'm in friggin heaven. About to head across the street to their sister restaurant, Coco Deck to eat drink and watch football! read more

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