We went their for lunch on our honeymoon in Maui. We had an amazing experience all because we had such a great server Tina! She was so nice and made us feel so special! She was really amazing and made what we thought was "just a lunch" feel like an amazing experience and one of our best places just because of how amazing and kind she was! read more

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - New American Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

See all

Ryan was our server and he was absolutely incredible and we could not stop talking about how amazing he was... even days later. We were celebrating a birthday and he made sure to make the experience so special. He is very knowledgeable about the food and the drinks! You can tell he loves his job and he loves providing an experience for guests. 10/10. As always the food was amazing. read more

We haven't been back to Maui since 2021 (preoccupied with soccer-themed vacations). We order the Monkeypod Mai Tai, Ube Rey, Poke Mixed Plate, Seared Ahi Steak, Organic Macadamia Nut Crusted Fresh Fish, Strawberry Cream Pie, and Chocolate Cream Pie. There are two locations, so pay attention to which one you're making reservations for. read more

See all

Great spot for happy hour! They offer discounted drinks and half‑off apps, and the place gets busy, so reservations are definitely recommended. Service was a bit slow, but we chalked it up to the happy‑hour rush. The open‑air layout is awesome for enjoying the island weather, with both indoor and outdoor seating available. They're known for their Mai Tai, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The Lilikoi foam and pineapple on top made it the highlight of the visit, excellent drink. We ordered a variety of items to share: Garlic Truffle Fries -- Great flavor, though they weren't very hot. Kalua Pizza with Pineapple -- Sweet and spicy combo that worked really well. Margherita Pizza -- Fresh, tasty, and something we'd order again. Fresh‑Caught Fish Tacos -- Good flavor, and the salsa had a nice kick. Burger with Jalapeño Mashed Potatoes -- The burger was just okay. The potatoes tasted good but were lukewarm. Fish & Chips with Kimchi -- Fresh, lightly fried, and really enjoyable. Fun happy‑hour spot and definitely worth trying while you're on the island. read more

See all

We wanted to try Monkeypod since we were staying nearby but found it a little overhyped. We had reservations at 7 pm and we got there about 15 mins early and walked behind another couple who did not have a reservation and they were told by the hostess they had to wait for a table. For some reason, the couple with no reservation was seated before us and we did not get seated until about 10 mins after our reservation time while the couple ahead of us got seated within 5 mins of arriving. It made no sense to me and we were all seated inside. I would've thought we would've been seated before a walk-in. We also saw other smaller groups that arrived after us get seated before us. I make it a point because these were groups of like 3 or 4 and when we finally did get seated, we were seated in a table for 4. As the food, it is expensive for the portion of food you get. The food was good, but not something I would go out of my way to experience again. The drinks were fine, but nothing too memorable. The mai tai was good, but I think the lilikoi foam made the drink more delicious than a usual mai tai. The smoke screen was average but was lacking the smokiness taste that mezcal usually has. Overall, it's not decent place to try if you're in the Wailea or Kihei area but for the price point, I rather go to Roy's. Just don't expect your reservation to be honored because they'll sit people on a first come, first serve basis. read more

See all

This is a casual spot with a laid back but pleasant beach vibe. We came four years ago and returned in 2026. It was as great as we remembered. Good service. They are known for the mai tai, which is amazing and served with a pineapple foam. They also have several homemade pies. read more

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - Banana Cream Pie - New American Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

Amazing views of the ocean. Good is amazing the chef special Ahi Tuna Melt was so flavorful so large I could only eat half. The in house made rye was toasted perfectly. The open air concept was so nice to feel the breeze while we dine. The servers were so kind and on top of service. The banana cream pie so light and full flavor of fresh banana read more

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - Banana Cream Pie - New American Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

See all

Monkey pod was amazing! This was my first time and I couldn't have enjoyed it more. The drinks were the highlight for me; best mai tais on Maui with the lilikoi foam. Their happy hour was busy and the ambiance was popping; definitely a wait but well worth it. Our server was quick and attentive. Will definitely be back!! read more

See all

Literally came for the famous Mai Tai and I was really happy I got to come, even though I didn't get to try the food this time. I came with my boyfriend right after eating elsewhere but knew I had to try their Mai Tai. I'm from Ninth Island and definitely had to see what the hype was about. Entrance is on the second floor, I got greeted by the hosts right away. Excellent service right from the beginning; I had advised that I'm just here to drink so 2 seats at the bar would be perfect. Hosts did their best to find out and another employee had come out saying there was only 1 seat available. They said that we could sit at a table instead with a 10 min wait and they sat us sooner. We got a text that our table was ready, the hosts had us go inside to be seated and we got sat on their outside balcony areas. Great atmosphere with a waterfall right out front and the tiki torches were on. SHOUT OUT TO SIDNEY!! Absolutely amazing service from the get-go. She came over, asked if it was our first time and it was. She dived right into Monkeypod and what they were famous for and how all of their ingredients are locally sourced and everything is fresh. I went straight to the point and said we just wanted a few drinks and she took our order and drinks were brought out immediately after. Mai Tai was so good, I loved the flavor of the foam and definitely mixed it in after taking a couple of sips. My boyfriend got the Sour Ale? I think it was at the top beer on the menu, that was really good too! I'm not much of a beer girl but it had great flavor! On top of the service from the beginning, Sidney definitely ended our experience amazingly! I would love to come back again to try their food next time with another Mai Tai! read more

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - Mai Tai - New American Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

See all

This is a busy second floor restaurant at the top of the tiny Wailea Gateway commercial area with 2 large buildings. Plenty of parking in this ever-changing poorly designed shopping and dining area. On the corner is MonkeyPod. Outside there's a hostess to manage your reservation if you don't want to wait 45 minutes. Lots of action from the open kitchen juggling pizzas, a 30 ft bar with 4 tenders, Surf TV, vintage boards and Vodka bottles, to Live acoustic music in the evenings, if you can barely hear a guitar strum. There's outside dining for cooler evenings and barstools for drop ins. I'm sure regular folks like the casual feel of ball caps, shorts and slippers, cacophony, close quarters and din. The menu is succinct, starting with $20 cocktails. Not cheap, but not a resort. Pretty organized to get you sat, drunk and fed quickly. There is an army of busy relatively young staff and servers hustling to and fro in black uniforms. Food is good, and streamlined but not the proportional value I've come to discover in comparison to other Maui restaurants. Mai Tai has a nice pacojet foam that folks love. Beers are good, but don't know why there's a beef with Maui Brewing. Maybe it's too close for competition down the road. Apps seem almost a second thought. Usually for sharing. Wings, ravioli eggs ok, but soup and 2 kinds of tepid, droopy "hand cut" fries at a 10% food cost make a fool out of you. Leave those to In and Out, not your fancy restaurant. Maybe train prep to make tater tots. Mushroom Truffle oil pizza was ok, but not as crisp, robust, seasoned or flavorful as we've had for the value elsewhere. Fish and chips were a pile of thin brown fried potatoes under 3 strips of nicely battered product that we estimated were 3-4 ounces of fish. After awhile the soggy greasy fries were simply filler with no textural contrast. Not a tourist trap, but perfect for Wailea locals with $3m homes. read more

See all

This is definitely our favorite restaurant in Maui so far, after trying Koast, Paia fish market and Ferraros. Cocktails: The mai tai has a ton of hype and they do live up to it. They have a great flavor with not too much sweetness and pack a fair amount of alcohol into that glass. We also had the Cabana Boy and After Midnight, which are both highly recommended. Most of the fancy cocktails out there are way too sweet, and we found MP's to be perfectly balanced! Food: We had the Kaluha pork pizza which was one of the best combos I've ever had. You definitely need to have the jalapeños on top--they complement the sweetness of the pineapple. The truffle fries were so delicious as well. My wife and I split the macadamia nut crusted fresh ono--such a meme Hawaii dish, but it was excellent!! Our boys split the chicken platter and the fish tacos, and they loved both. We finished with the banana cream pie which was ridiculously good. Service: All the severs were friendly and efficient, helping create a fun, hospitable, energetic atmosphere. read more

See all

Good drinks, quick service, and excellent live music. Our server was very friendly, and gave us some good recommendations. Only issue was that all the dishes were very salty and over seasoned for my palette. A little less salt, and this would have been a 5/5. read more

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - Ahi and Macadamia Nut Fish - New American Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

See all

On our first night in Maui, after our flight landed a little too early for us to check into our hotel, we made our way to Monkeypod Kitchen for happy hour (3:30-5 PM). We were promptly seated, and our server was extremely kind and attentive. We were very hungry, so we decided to order a little bit of everything. We started with an order of the cast-iron skillet shrimp, the Kahlúa pork pizza, and the Bulgogi tacos. I decided to try the blind tiger mocktail while my husband ordered a local beer. The shrimp were juicy and succulent, although I wish they had given us a few more. The Kahlúa pork pizza had a nice spice to it with the jalapeños, and the pork was so juicy and tender. But the winner for us was definitely the Bulgogi tacos. We both could have easily eaten an entire order on our own. To wrap up our meal, we couldn't pass on their infamous cream pies, so we decided to try the banana cream pie for there, and we took a slice of the coconut cream pie to-go. Both pies were absolutely delicious, but I think the banana cream pie slightly edged out the coconut cream pie for me. If you find yourself in Maui and looking for a delicious bite to eat, I would highly recommend Monkeypod Kitchen. Be sure to make a reservation if you aren't feeling in the laid-back, aloha spirit. read more

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - Banana Cream Pie - New American Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

I called 2-3 times to get a reservation for seven (including two toddlers) and was eventually called back and snagged the rez. Very worth the effort and I recommend the outdoor seating every time, especially if you have littles that want to walk around. Wonderful mai tais, great food and service. See photos for some highlights. Would go back again and again...as good as Merriman's! read more

See all

Very nice restaurant and had both indoor and outdoor seating! They had a good mai tai and pina colada drinks here that had a good strength to them! We started with their special potstickers which was very good! I got the fish and chips which was very good and the fries were well done and had good seasoning! The family got the bulgogi pork tacos, jerk chicken, and the kalua pork pizza. The jet chicken was a huge portion of chicken that could definitely be shared. Great dinner spot that had good food altogether! read more

See all

We came midday during their happy hour so we were seated immediately. The food was good as we shared a few appetizers and a pizza. We had their Mai-Tai's, which had a good amount of alcohol in it...sweet! The kids had their virgin Mai-Tai drinks and enjoyed theirs too. Besides the solid food, we were pleased by all the friendly staff. From the first person that greets you to our server, Jarret. A big thanks to Jarret for sharing a favorite shave ice place for him. We loved the atmosphere, the food and the service! read more

See all

It had been many years since my last trip to Monkeypod, so we tried it out! This place runs like a machine- lots of tables, and almost always people waiting outside. We had a reservation and were seated within 10 minutes. It has a lively atmosphere with a lot of families and groups big and small. We decided to stick with drinks and appetizers. We had the Mai Tais, which were truly the best Mai Tais we had on our trip. The Lillikoi foam is unlike any other. We also had the ahi tacos and the lobster deviled eggs. Both dishes we enjoyed and would definitely order again. We finished with the banana cream pie- we asked our server for her recommendation and she suggested we add coconut shavings. It was delicious! I think we could come back just to try all of their pies! read more

Went for happy hour, was sat outside and it was beautiful. Food was great ordered the Kalua Pork & Pineapple Pizza, Taro Ravioli and Mai Tais. The ravioli was soft and out of this world, and the drinks were soft different and delicious. They weee busy but right on top of things. Can't wait to return some day. read more

See all

We've tried many restaurants in Maui this week and MonkeyPod has hands down been both the best tasting and highest quality food we've had. Everything is so fresh and delicious I would eat here every day if we could. You can't go wrong with the house Mai Thai + cheeseburger with fresh fries. The fresh caught fish tacos are some of the best I've ever had. Just delicious! The ambiance and service has also been incredible! Would recommend sitting outside with the beautiful view of the mountains. 1000/10! read more

See all

We had an outstanding experience from start to finish. We walked right in and sat at the bar, where Breanne took excellent care of us as both our bartender and server. She was attentive and friendly. The food was fantastic. I ordered the ahi poke tacos and the bulgogi pork tacos. The bulgogi ones were a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and spicy. This was my third Monkeypod location and they continue to deliver on every level, consistent food, excellent service, and a great atmosphere. If you're visiting Wailea, this is a must. read more

See all

Great vibe, excellent service, and we loved the live music; it made for a fun atmosphere. The food was good, but nothing particularly memorable. The real star of the show was the Mai Tai. It was absolutely delicious and the main reason I'd come back! read more

See all

We visited Merriman during our last visit to Maui, so this time we decided to check out their sister restaurant, Monkeypod Kitchen. The vibe is definitely more trendy and casual in comparison to its counterpart, with a vast menu of Hawaiian inspired/fusion dishes. We decided to try the: - Taro Ravioli - Waipoli Farm Organic Mixed Greens Salad - Organic Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi - Lilikoi Foam Mai Tai (Original & NA Versions) The taro ravioli was the star of the meal with its unique flavor, followed by the freshness of the Mahi Mahi. They also knew we were sharing, so they conveniently split the Mahi Mahi for us in advance. You also can't go wrong with the infamous Mai Tais - the Lilikoi foam is -chef's kiss-! I highly recommend making reservations prior to visiting, as the restaurant does get pretty busy. Our server was also so kind and surprised us with complimentary champagne (original & NA) for our babymoon, making our visit that much sweeter. read more

See all

Enjoyed a nice meal tonight. Rachel was our server and she did a good job with recommendations and service. Food was very good and we all liked our meals. The Mai Tai were very good good with a different taste of not on the sweet side. Jerk chicken was flavorful as was the steaks. Deserts were a reminder of the way our mom would make these pies. They had some live music going on. read more

See all

Came here one night for an early dinner and we were not disappointing. Beautifully inside area and some nice outside seating with some views of the ocean. We had a couple of Mai Tais and their version of an espresso martini. Both amazing. Mai tai one of the best. We shared fries and a fish sandwich which was made with swordfish. The swordfish was great. For dessert get the banana cream pie. OMG. Ate it so quickly didn't get a chance to take a picture. Oh and have to mentioned the exceptional service from our server Kristina. So pleasant, friendly and attentive. read more

See all

We were so looking forward to our return visit to Monkeypod Kitchen after a great experience on a previous trip to Maui. We eagerly booked our first dinner reservation of the trip there, but unfortunately, the meal was a major disappointment. Both pizzas we ordered came out incredibly charred--to the point we questioned why the kitchen would even send them out. I am kicking myself for not sending them back, but we had a late 9:00 PM reservation, and by that point, we were exhausted and just wanted to head back to our hotel. Additionally, my fish tacos were lukewarm at best, and the Macadamia Nut Crusted Fresh Fish my son ordered for $54 was so tiny it felt like a complete rip-off. Even the side order of garlic fries we ordered was overcooked Definitely a miss for us this time around. read more

See all

AMBIANCE: Everybody loves the monkey pod and their Mai Tai. Located on the second floor,You'll be greeted by a host outside and then if you're lucky like us, you'll be sent to the host inside. It is a very casual comfortable wooden atmosphere with seating outside. They have a local live Hawaiian music duo at the front door as you walk in setting the mood. SERVICE: with no reservations, we were seated right away FOOD: our group ordered the Margherita, pizza, fish and chips,Jawaiaan jerked chicken, Keiki swordfish and the macadamia nut crusted fresh fish. everything was exceptional except for the jerk chicken. It was a little too spicy and dry for my palate so I switched plates with my son who had the macadamia nut crusted fish and he agreed. Lastly, the MaiTais group opinion was that they were just OK. nothing to write home about and if it wasn't for the a/c vent above me that kept dripping on my Hawaiian shirt, it would've been a perfect dinner. But Everybody loves the monkey Pod! read more

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - New American Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

Worth the hype, and their happy hour is elite. The mai tai is a MUST. Even if you're not a fan, this one is in a league of its own. So just do it. We ended up splitting all the appetizers for our meal at our table which was perfect, The poke tacos, pork & pineapple pizza, and garlic truffle fries were our standouts for sure. So yummy, service was so good, we were so satisfied. read more

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - New American Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

They get really crowded so make sure you make a reservation! Super fun casual vibes and great food options. My friends and I opted for more shareable food so we went with the pizza and fish & chips which were really good. Definitely recommend the lobster pizza! They're known for their mai tais so even though I'm unfamiliar with them, I still have to say it was really enjoyable! read more

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - New American Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

Absolutely loved this place! Everything we ordered was so good and came out looking amazing. The pizza was my favorite -- the crust was crispy but still soft, and the toppings were super flavorful. The jalapeños added a nice little kick, and everything tasted really fresh. The wings were also really good -- juicy, flavorful, and the dipping sauce that came with them was perfect. And dessert was honestly the best way to end the meal. The strawberry cream pie was light, creamy, and not overly sweet, with fresh strawberries on top that made it even better. The drinks were refreshing, the food was great, and the whole meal was just really enjoyable. Definitely a spot I'd come back to and recommend if you're looking for a good meal and a nice atmosphere! Service was good! read more

See all

mai tai ($20) - it is giving tropical and fruity with notes of lime, orange, and pineapple - the lilikoi foam was quite unique, blends perfectly with the rum - would get again; solid drink rating: 4/5 - ambiance is lively and family friendly - came here only for the drinks and would do it again because it was yummy - wouldn't come here for a date since it's quite loud and lights weren't dim enough but that's a given since it's more of a restaurant rather than bar - friendly and attentive service; wouldn't have known to mix my drink well before sippin aheehee IG: @nom.noms.only read more

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - IG: @nom.noms.only | mai tai - New American Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

Mai tais live up to the hype. The lilikoi foam is heavenly. Get it for $4 off at happy hour. Wings were good, half off during happy hour. We also got the saimin and ahi tuna steak off the regular menu. Both were okay, but way too salty. read more

See all

Way overpriced. Be careful because they charge 5% kitchen fee and their tip option starts at 20% . Decent food but very poor value read more

Granted we came for lunch and while I did enjoy what we ordered, I'm not sure what the fuss is all about. I'll admit, the fries were magnificent, and the burger tasty, and the poke nachos fresh and delicious, but nothing earth shattering. Good, maybe even great, but just not "wow.I'm so glad I waited 2 hrs for a table" great. Even the famous Mai Tai just met expectations. Pretty big place, and I'm glad we made a reservation. They happy hour and music but that was the tailend of our visit so we didn't get to enjoy either. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town, and will go for dinner next time. Perhaps I'll be more impressed then! read more

See all

Went for their famous happy hour. We did not have a reservation, but they had open tables inside, so we were able to be seated right away. Unfortunately their pizza oven was broken that day, so foodwise, there weren't many happy hour options. That was a bummer, as we ended up spending a lot more than we intended. Our food was still delicious, our server was super kind and helpful, and the cocktails were delicious. The mai tais there can't be beat! I would probably skip the lobster deviled eggs in the future. They were good, but they have better options for the price. Poke tacos were fresh and flavorful, and the seared ahi steak was perfectly done. I wasn't sure about the jalapeno potatoes, but they were delicious! A yummy combo I would not have thought to do. Definitely worth a visit when in Maui! read more

See all

We came here for lunch and were able to make a reservation just two hours in advance, which was convenient. Once we arrived, we were seated immediately. The place was fairly busy, though there were still a few open tables. Our server was okay--friendly, but it felt a bit forced at times. She didnt check with us in between, only in end! We ordered the taro ravioli, beet salad, fish and chips, and the macadamia-crusted mahi mahi with extra sauce. For drinks, we tried the famous mai tai and a virgin mai tai. The virgin version was overly sweet, and the regular mai tai felt a bit overhyped--the alcohol content seemed quite low. As for the food, everything was decent overall. The macadamia-crusted mahi mahi was the standout dish, while the fish and chips were just okay, with the fries a bit soggy. Overall, it was a decent experience, and we had a good time. read more

See all

We went there for dinner on a Saturday night. The place was packed. We do have reservation, so no waiting. We bought some cold brew at the coffee ship downstairs and were told no outside drinks, kind of inflexible. Had to finish it before we can be seated. Once seated, the service is very good. Server is friendly, patient and attentive. We ordered chicken wings, fries for appetizers; sasim and Macedonia crusted fish for main dish. Honestly, all the dishes are just OK, nothing really stands out, probably on the level of cheese cake factory. read more

See all

We've been to this specific Monkeypod location at least 12-15 times over the past 10 years. This last 2 weeks, we were there 3x. From the Mai Tais, to the other delicious cocktails to the pizza, all fish dishes, and the unforgettable lobster and ahi linguine dish, I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend Monkeypod. The service is always outstanding, the vibes are immaculate with live music, comfy seating, and a great bar area. It is loud inside, so be prepared for that or sit outside for a quieter environment. We've tried almost everything on the menu - some of our faves include mac nut crusted fish, ahi tuna with mashed potatoes, shrimp/muschroom potstickers, and the fish tacos. Go when you're in Maui and plan to eat, drink, and be merry! read more

Went for Happy Hour. Food was great and Rachel was amazing!! Great atmosphere. We has a great time!! read more

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - Monkeypod Mai Tai - New American Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

We've been coming to Monkeypod for the Mai Tais for over 10 years, and this was the first time we had truly standout, memorable service from a bartender. Chris is hands down our favorite bartender at any Monkeypod we've visited! My husband and I stopped in during happy hour for drinks and checked in with the hostess. We noticed open tables and a few at the bar. Since we wanted drinks only, I headed to the bar to ask about it, and Chris warmly welcomed us and told us to let the hostess know you prefer bar seating and he'd be happy to serve us. From the moment we sat down, Chris was friendly, genuine, and engaging. He made us feel welcome whether we were ordering a Mai Tai or a ginger ale for my husband, who recently quit drinking. No judgment--just great hospitality. He effortlessly connected with guests around him while staying on top of everyone's orders. 5+ stars for service. Mahalo, Chris, for making such a lasting impression. And thanks for convincing me that the strawberry cream pie is a must-order from now on! #GoWizards read more

See all

A great location spot to enjoy dinner with family or friends. The truffle fries are a must and so tasty especially with the aioli. The ahi tacos were also so fresh and so great! We got the pesto Hawaiian for the table as well which was surprisingly flavorful as well, it's a little sweet so it may not be for everyone. The ahi steak was so tasty and probably one of the best dishes of the night. For dessert we got the strawberry pie which was great but the guava wasn't my favorite topping to pair with it. I wish the orange creamsicle was on the menu similar to other locations. Service was spot on and never had to ask for anything, the only miss was there were quite a few flies in the restaurant because of the open concept style of the layouts. read more

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - New American Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

See all