Mala Ocean Tavern: Fresh Flavors & Friendly Service
I’ve visited Mala Ocean Tavern twice—for lunch in August and again for Thanksgiving, both experiences were excellent.
The staff is genuinely friendly and attentive, making you feel welcome without being intrusive.
The food is outstanding. The **Pan Fried Mahi Mahi** is so good I’ve ordered it both times. Served with Yukon mash, mushrooms, green beans, and a black bean garlic ginger butter sauce, it perfectly showcases fresh, vibrant flavors without being overdone. The **poisson cru** is another must-try—a refreshing Polynesian-style dish that captures the essence of island dining.
For Thanksgiving, we enjoyed the pumpkin mochi crunch dessert, which was a delicious creative twist on seasonal flavors.
The atmosphere is relaxed yet polished—perfect for both casual lunches and special occasions. If you’re in Maui, Mala Ocean Tavern is a must-visit.​​​​​​​​​
Sarah Jonas
-
February 02, 2026
I am so grateful we chose a dinner at Mala to celebrate my 30th birthday. Of all the places we went this week- Mala was the best service as far as making my birthday feel special. They started off by seating us at a perfect beachside table, which I requested In the reservation. I was very pleasantly surprised to see that they brought out a scoop of delicious Ube ice cream (unprompted!) with a wine glass covering the flame due to it being breezy out by our table :) I had the pork shank, And hot Ube bread as an appetizer. I would come back here every time if I could! Mahalo nui loa Mala Ocean Tavern 💜
My partner and I have been to most restaurants in and around Lahaina, and we were so happy to have found Mala! We’re both gluten-free and total foodies, and it’s rare to find a place that delivers on both flavor and service — but Mala absolutely did.
Our server Thomas was the BEST — friendly, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive. He knew all the specials, kept our glasses full, and made sure our table was always clean without hovering. The food was outstanding, and Thomas went above and beyond by helping us secure Mother’s Day / birthday reservations seven months in advance! He even introduced us to Sergio, the manager, who took amazing care of us as well.
Everything about our experience was perfect — the food, the service, the vibe. If you’re anywhere near Lahaina, do yourself a favor and pull up to Mala for a fantastic meal and some of the best service you’ll find anywhere.
Christian Martinez
-
January 23, 2026
After a long first full day in Maui we showed up without a reservation (they prefer reservations). We were a bit underdressed, but starving after hikes and long driving around the island.
The hostess was so kind in checking for availability for us.
We got very lucky and she kindly sat us after 5 minutes.
Keep in mind it's January, a "slower" time for vacationing - so we’ve been told ( our first time here).
Our waiter was Joe. He was amazing.
He Checked in on us & Gave us food recommendations. All of the food and drinks were brought to us in a timely manner.
Food was delicious & fresh.
I got the Seared Ahi & my partner got the surf & turf (rare). Both came out perfectly. For desert, the bread pudding, absolutely amazing.
Highly recommend this place for a romantic night out or for any occasion.
Mala Ocean Tavern: Fresh Flavors & Friendly Service I’ve visited Mala Ocean Tavern twice—for lunch in August and again for Thanksgiving, both experiences were excellent. The staff is genuinely friendly and attentive, making you feel welcome without being intrusive. The food is outstanding. The **Pan Fried Mahi Mahi** is so good I’ve ordered it both times. Served with Yukon mash, mushrooms, green beans, and a black bean garlic ginger butter sauce, it perfectly showcases fresh, vibrant flavors without being overdone. The **poisson cru** is another must-try—a refreshing Polynesian-style dish that captures the essence of island dining. For Thanksgiving, we enjoyed the pumpkin mochi crunch dessert, which was a delicious creative twist on seasonal flavors. The atmosphere is relaxed yet polished—perfect for both casual lunches and special occasions. If you’re in Maui, Mala Ocean Tavern is a must-visit.​​​​​​​​​
I am so grateful we chose a dinner at Mala to celebrate my 30th birthday. Of all the places we went this week- Mala was the best service as far as making my birthday feel special. They started off by seating us at a perfect beachside table, which I requested In the reservation. I was very pleasantly surprised to see that they brought out a scoop of delicious Ube ice cream (unprompted!) with a wine glass covering the flame due to it being breezy out by our table :) I had the pork shank, And hot Ube bread as an appetizer. I would come back here every time if I could! Mahalo nui loa Mala Ocean Tavern 💜
The food here is truly special—easily some of the best I’ve ever had. The ube bread was amazing: served hot and fresh, soft, and paired perfectly with the salted butter and honey dip—a truly divine combination. Their green curry was fantastic, with tofu, vegetables, rice, and a topping of plantain chips that added a delightful crunch. And the crème brûlée? Absolutely out of this world. The creamy texture paired with the caramelized bites was heavenly, with each bite perfectly blending creaminess and caramel for an extra-special touch. The service was good, though the restaurant was hosting a New Year’s event and seemed a bit distracted toward the end. We had to ask for our check multiple times, which took longer than expected. I understand it was a busy day, but even on hectic days, maintaining attentive service is important. Overall, this is a super nice place with fantastic food and good service. My only wish is that they offered more vegetarian options.
My partner and I have been to most restaurants in and around Lahaina, and we were so happy to have found Mala! We’re both gluten-free and total foodies, and it’s rare to find a place that delivers on both flavor and service — but Mala absolutely did. Our server Thomas was the BEST — friendly, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive. He knew all the specials, kept our glasses full, and made sure our table was always clean without hovering. The food was outstanding, and Thomas went above and beyond by helping us secure Mother’s Day / birthday reservations seven months in advance! He even introduced us to Sergio, the manager, who took amazing care of us as well. Everything about our experience was perfect — the food, the service, the vibe. If you’re anywhere near Lahaina, do yourself a favor and pull up to Mala for a fantastic meal and some of the best service you’ll find anywhere.
After a long first full day in Maui we showed up without a reservation (they prefer reservations). We were a bit underdressed, but starving after hikes and long driving around the island. The hostess was so kind in checking for availability for us. We got very lucky and she kindly sat us after 5 minutes. Keep in mind it's January, a "slower" time for vacationing - so we’ve been told ( our first time here). Our waiter was Joe. He was amazing. He Checked in on us & Gave us food recommendations. All of the food and drinks were brought to us in a timely manner. Food was delicious & fresh. I got the Seared Ahi & my partner got the surf & turf (rare). Both came out perfectly. For desert, the bread pudding, absolutely amazing. Highly recommend this place for a romantic night out or for any occasion.