Parking: street parking, or lot next door…read more Service: table service Ambiance: themed holiday bar, cute place for a date night, drinks with friends Drinks: fun holiday themed drinks and full service bar

Esters Fair Prospect is one of those rare spots that just has it. You can't always put your finger…read moreon what makes a place stand out, but this bar nails the intangibles--the je ne sais quoi that makes you want to stay a little longer and come back sooner than planned. The outdoor seating is refreshingly simple, but once you step inside, it's pure vibe. There's a thoughtful design touch to everything--from the mid-century glassware to the way each drink seems to have its own personality. They're not just slinging cocktails here; they're crafting an experience. I ordered the VOG CUTTER--Pisco, watermelon, lemon, absinthe, cubeb bitters--and it came topped with a pickled watermelon garnish. I'm usually not an absinthe fan, but this drink was perfectly balanced, bright and herbal with just enough edge. It landed squarely in the "perfect cocktail" category for me. My partner had the Velvet Elvis and was equally impressed. We both kept commenting on how varied and intentional the drinkware was--punch cups, tea glasses, you name it. It makes everything feel more special. The bartender was sharp, friendly, and clearly knew the menu inside and out--eager to help guide us through the options and talk about the thought behind each drink. At one point, a child wandered in by mistake (Esters is 21+ due to its bar zoning), and the bartender gently asked them to leave--but not before handing over a vanilla wafer as a parting gift. One of my favorite touches? The name. There's actually a thoughtful explanation printed right on the menu: "Esters are natural compounds that are created through chemical reactions during fermentation. Esters give a diverse range of aromas and flavors to rum." It's a subtle homage to the science of spirits--and it fits perfectly with the experience Esters delivers. If you're looking for a cocktail bar that hits on every level--drinks, vibe, service--Esters Fair Prospect is the move.

Great food and beer in a super chill environment, great addition to old Wailuku…read more Stopped in incidentally after another place we wanted to check out closed 2 hours early. Best way to find a local gem! No one greeted us as we arrived at 2pm, offered menus, anything. We sat ourselves, ordered beers at the bar. Great beer selection. Found out after looking online that they had food and happy hour from 3-5pm. No problem, just don't expect a tip. Menu changes regularly based on old photos. We tried the roasted eggplant for $15, and waited until HH to get $2 off the smashburger. While the latter was quite good, the eggplant dish was standout unique and tasty. The sauce in which it was served harkened to African spicy peanut marinade, excellent match with the perfectly roasted eggplant. Wonderful salubrious surprise that will be recreated at home. I asked a fellow clearing plates the inspiration for this dish, he said he'd ask the chef but never got back to us. With all of 3 tables to concern himself with... Great food, nice chill vibe, distant DIY service. Worth a return visit.

The Parlay in Wailuku was fantastic for a quick lunch! I was in search for a good burger on the…read moreisland and lady at the Maui Plantation told us to go back down the road into Wailuku and go to The Parlay for their Smash Burger. I'm glad we listened. We sat at the bar for quick service. The service was fast and super friendly. I ordered the Smash Burger with bacon and an order of garlic fries. Everything is a la carte so if you want fries, just know they do not come with the burger. Everything was delicious. The Smash Burger was perfectly cooked, seasoned wonderfully, and so juicy! The burger also had some spice to it! It had some pickled jalapenos on it and they added the perfect heat. I loved it. The garlic fries were perfectly fried and crispy and had a great garlic flavor and kick. I will definitely come back here on my next visit to island.

I was recommended to try Tiffany's, and honestly, it ended up being one of the best restaurant…read moreexperiences of my trip! I loved everything about it. I still think about their banana lumpia all the time. We sat at the bar, and the bartender was super friendly and welcoming. We ordered the BBQ teriyaki chicken plate and the pork belly plate, and both were so good. It's local comfort food, but everything felt really well-made and high quality. Just really satisfying, flavorful food. And then we had to try the ube banana lumpia for dessert. It was SO delicious. The combination of ube ice cream and banana with the crispy lumpia wrapper was incredible. Definitely one of those desserts I'll be thinking about for a long time. The ambiance was nice and cozy, although it was super cold inside. Great food, friendly service and reasonable prices. I absolutely loved this place and would 100% come back.

A friend recommended Tiffany's since we are in Town…read more And boy, this place did not disappoint. Everything we ordered was amazing . My favorite was the miso butterfish and Mac salad and the crispy chicken. Ambience is great for family, and clean Service was fantastic and quick 10/10

Man, oh man--everything we ordered was absolutely amazing! We got a bunch of starters and sides,…read moreincluding the risotto (heavenly, rich, and creamy!), corn, buttered potato purée, and crab mac and cheese. Everything was so delicious! We also tried two specials: the swordfish and Wagyu chow fun, and both were incredible. The service was fantastic, too. Everyone was so sweet and made our birthday celebration extra special by surprising us with an additional dessert and a cute Havens-themed Christmas ornament. Such a thoughtful touch! Overall, an amazing dining experience from start to finish. Can't wait to come back!

So happy to see a great restaurant up and running at the Maalaea harbor. Definitely one of the…read morebetter upscale dining experiences in central Maui. The restaurant is located at the shopping center where the Maui Ocean Center is. There is plenty of parking. It has great views of the harbor as well as air conditioned inside seating, and a very clean private bathroom. We spend a lot of time here and have watched restaurants not last quite frankly because they have a hard time staying consistent. It took us a couple of visits to give this place a try and we are bummed that we waited, because it is SO GOOD! Our server, Riley, was super friendly and offered us his suggestions, which we took. We started with the crispy kanpachi toll. Then tried the special (uku), the scallops, a salad and cioppino. Everything was so fresh and perfectly cooked. The mash was perfect with whatever sauce the scallops had. We topped it off with two desserts because we couldn't make up our minds. The chocolate cake was okay - we opted for no caramel so maybe that was the missing piece, the cookie in the cast iron skillet was SO GOOD. Gooey, and perfect with the mac nut ice cream. Kudos guys, please keep it up! If you're on Maui, definitely give them a try!

Back again and we still really enjoy this place. It changed ownership a while back. The drinks are…read morea little different, but the vibe a d the food is still awesome. This is our first meal on the island when we ver we can. Come support a local restaurant and grab a fantastic sandwich. Don't forget the spicy pasta as your side it is delicious.

After reading all the wonderful reviews, we decided to try this place for my husband's birthday…read morelunch. It was empty when we got there, with many tables to choose from, so we sat in one of the small booths near the back door. Service was pretty quick and he was very friendly and professional. Okay, the food that sounded so yummy on the menu ended up being disappointing. We ordered the reuben panini and the mahi with tropical salsa. The sandwich came without the promised sauerkraut, though the French fries were good. And, while the mahi mahi was good and the accompanying mac salad extremely tasty, the tropical salsa left much to be desired. It was bitter and was overwhelmed by the taste of the cilantro and onions and was in desperate need of an additional fresh fruit to join the Papaya. Overall, I recommend the service, but not the food.

There are 3 colorful bars within walking distance of each other in Wailuku, this one being the…read moreoldest- about 9 years old. When it opened it drew lots of friendly attention as the only place to get a drink once the open beer garden closed down on Wailuku First Fridays. At the beginning it was 4 bartenders, soft live jazz, elegance, bouncers, and pro craft cocktails. Fri-Sun and holidays made up the rest of the week's day drinkers. As we say in hospitality-Everything changes to make ends meet. Enter DJs, Karaoke nights, and Mokes. You'll need to shout in my hearing aid to find out if there's enough seating, where the head is or whether your drink is ready. In the back, there was once an overflow area, that is now a perfect place to sit with others to have a conversation away from the 150 decibel speakers and the other two attractive bars are full.

We planned to meet friends before the theater doors open. That makes it a lot easier to find a…read moreparking place downtown. The Wai Bar would be the best location, so I checked their website. Opens at 4pm. Perfect. We'll meet there at 4:15. We arrived and the lights were off and nobody inside. Nothing showing hours other than Emo Mondays 9pm to midnight. Fortunately, Esters Fair Project was open for business and we had a good time there. C'mon guys, update the hours on your website. We'll come to visit and give you more stars.

I ordered the mahi mahi and it was unbelievably delightful. For a fair price of $40, I was…read moreimpressed with how juicy and flavorful it was without being overcooked. The macadamia nut crust brought out an Incredible yet subtle nutty flavor. Accompanied by soft mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus stalks, served in a creamy lemon butter sauce with capers, this entree was remarkable. If it were socially acceptable to lick a plate clean after finishing my meal, I would have done exactly that. Incredible rustic ambiance and speedy service brought this experience to the next level. Kudos to Cafe O'lei for making my last meal in Maui one to remember. Keep up the great work.

Cafe O'Lei at the Plantation was one of the highlights of our Maui trip. The setting is absolutely…read morebeautiful, with lush tropical surroundings, mountain views, and a relaxed island atmosphere that makes you want to linger. It's the perfect blend of casual and upscale. The food was outstanding. We ordered the mahi mahi and the swordfish, and both were cooked perfectly--fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The cocktails were equally impressive and some of the best we've had on the island. Be sure to save room for dessert because the malasadas were incredible, especially with the three different dipping sauces. What really sets this place apart for families is everything beyond the food. There were ducks, geese, koi, and other animals roaming the plantation grounds, which kept the kids entertained before and after dinner. Combined with the friendly, attentive service, Cafe O'Lei delivered a memorable dining experience that we'd recommend to anyone visiting Maui. We can't wait to come back!

Not much in food unless we're talking maraschino cherries or lime wedges…read more If Mid day drinking is the plan, here's the place. Plenty of parking to escape your troubles or hide your whereabouts. Adjacent lot just in case you need wide turns. Friendly little bartenders who know how to pour a beer and make highballs or Hawaiian ice tea. Pretty tidy and clean, lots of light to ward off vampires and an outside bench for smokers. Clean restrooms are the biggest surprise. Denizens include a bunch of regular seniors who love to talk and shoot the shit while sipping a beer. Pool table for local sharks or bored barflies. Gone is the sign for oysters on the half shell. Take the side streets home slowly if you're over the limit.

The second we walked in, the bartender came at us like we were criminals demanding IDs right in our…read morefaces. After we handed them over, she rolled her eyes like we had just ruined her day. We were with locals who actually live here, so there was no excuse for the attitude. The vibe? Absolutely dead. Zero friendliness, zero aloha spirit. If this place thinks this is "hospitality," then the owner clearly doesn't care. Honestly, the bartender needs anger management classes or maybe just a different career altogether, because customer service clearly isn't for her. Do yourself a favor: don't waste your money or your time here. There are plenty of better places where you won't be treated like garbage the second you walk in.

Kool local bar in Maui. This is like a Cheers bar. Everyone is super nice, the drinks are strong…read moreand they have karaoke. There are a lot of locals that are regulars here and can really sing. Its always nice to hear someone get on the mic and do a throwback. Recently tried the wings here and they were great. We had plain. They were seasoned well and perfectly krispy. The place is spacious so you dont feel cramped and the vibe is very chill. Recommended if your going out for a few drinks with friends or having a karaoke night.

Very cute hole in the wall karaoke. We had lots of fun tonight celebrating my friend transferring…read moredepartments. It was super laid back and fun. We will definitely be back. Check them out.

We came here because we thought it was L'ava Bar and Grill. Turned out it's a hostess bar, which…read moreexplained all the stares we got walking in. The bartender was really friendly and chatty, so that was definitely a plus. Cocktails were $6 each and tasted pretty decent. I've never been in a hostess bar so this was an interesting experience. Definitely a laugh since my boyfriend and I had no idea we entered one.

This was definitely my favorite spot during my vacation. I was looking for L'AVA's but stumbled…read moreacross this gem. Great drink prices with a great staff. The bartender John was very friendly. They also had karaoke which was fun and funny at times. Great place to meet some locals.