Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Kapalua

Great time at the Banyan Tree! Very good food. We are vegan and they had plenty of options. Our waiter, Nick was personable, friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. I loved the open air seating with a view of the ocean. There was Hawaiian music playing that was easy to talk over. I would recommend the Banyan Tree for their Alternative ha spirt and good food.

We were initially seated at a table right in front of the musician. I asked to be moved and was accommodated with a table on their lower patio. It was quiet and lovely with sparkling little white lights around the canopy poles. Our server, Robert, was excellent. He was very personable and helpful but never intrusive. His menu suggestions were terrific. The filet and mahi-mahi were perfectly cooked and served with yummy potatoes or rice and veggies. Salads are crisp and delicious as our their other starters. If you have room for dessert, they are decadent. My husband says their Mai tais are the best and the no Kai oi martini is my favorite. Merriman’s is pricey but worth it for the great drinks, food, and service. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time.

We thoroughly enjoyed our Valentine's Day lunch at the Plantation House. We were seated at the open window at a table for two with a commanding view of the links and ocean afar. As if on cue the whales were breeching. I ordered the Catch of the Day, Mahi Mahi with a lobster sauce (40 something$) and my wife had the omelette. We enjoyed two cocktails, I the Majestic Mai Tai and she the Pain in the Coconut. Both drinks were very good and presented with the expected Hawaiian flair. Our server, whose name escapes me at the moment was very pleasant, helpful and guided us perfectly in our menu choices. The rest of our experience was orchestrated by the Tradewinds.

A must visit every year when we are on the island. If you love expertly prepared sushi, sashimi, and rolls maybe only one other place that compares on the island and that’s way down south. Plus love the dynamite shrimp and the panko crusted ahi rolls.

Taverna is an absolutely extraordinary dining experience!! The setting is gorgeous with inside and outside dining with spectacular golf course and mountain views. The food is exceptional (4 star as a result of inconsistency with pistachio crusted Ahi. 1st night, one of the top 2% Ahi steaks I've ever had. Two nights later, not at all tasty and off texture. SAD) My Cioppino on different two nights was excellent, and everything was made with attention to several food allergy restrictions. My husband's favorite was the Veal Ossobuco. He said it melted in his mouth, and the marrow was intact for consuming and savoring. I can't even begin to say enough about the staff (Chewie, Lance, Audrey, Natalie, Christina, Bec, and the Chef!!!). They are an amazing team who work hard towards customer satisfaction and appear to love what they do. ROCK STAR professionals. We can’t wait for our next Maui visit a year from now and dining at Taverna as many nights as we can. PS We make reservations here far in advance on the day they open them up ( 60 days) prior to our trip.