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.
Ben Bar-Lev
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November 03, 2025
Came here on a Saturday night , day after Halloween, place was half full. I’ve heard a lot about Mala from family & friends , knew i was in for a treat.
My wife, 25 weeks pregnant , eats plant based and there were several options for her.
Our server, Carlos, was soft spoken but confident & gave us great pointers - he’s someone you just know you can trust.
I got the ceviche w the sweet potato
Chips , my wife got the Brussel sprouts to start, both were just fantastic! The brussel sprouts were cooked to perfection & the ceviche i got was in this rich coconut broth that i ended up drinking. Really refined and confident flavors.
For our main dish, my wife got the vegan curry & i was stuck between the pork shank (Carlos said it falls off the bone) and the pan seared mahi mahi (which i ended up getting).
While the portion size of the mahi mahi was on the smaller side, the actual dish was huge — Yukon potatoes and a great ginger sauce with mushrooms and carrots - just really full flavor.
Id like to note that i got their version of a Mai tai as well as a gin drink that were some of the best cocktails I had during our trip.
Pricing was fair and the food quality was just superb - couple that with Carlos service and the incredible waterfront views — you got yourself a fantastic meal . Would RUN back. Also, their sambal was SPICY!
Hawa Sultani
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November 03, 2025
Would not come back here.
We had dinner here last night for my husband’s birthday, and unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience.
Our server was wonderful—warm, attentive, and accommodating—and our table by the ocean was beautiful. However, the food quality and flavor fell far short of expectations, especially for a restaurant so highly rated. It honestly ruined what was meant to be a special evening; we didn’t even feel like ordering dessert to celebrate.
For starters, we ordered the Ube bread and the Poisson Cru. The bread arrived cold in the middle, suggesting it had been reheated rather than freshly prepared. The Poisson Cru lacked the salt, lime, and chili flavor described on the menu—it tasted mostly like fish in plain coconut milk.
We then ordered the Caesar salad and the Surf & Turf. The salad was decent, though overly dressed. The Surf & Turf, however, was the most disappointing dish of the night. The filet mignon had no seasoning or flavor, the octopus was bland, and the potatoes on the side resembled unseasoned breakfast potatoes rather than a dinner accompaniment.
Given the restaurant’s reputation and glowing reviews, we expected a refined, flavorful dining experience. Unfortunately, the dishes lacked balance and care in execution. The service and setting were excellent, but the food was simply not up to par—especially for a special occasion.
Big Fish Dive Club
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September 18, 2025
What a pleasant surprise find near the old Mala Wharf. Apparently this place somehow survived the Lahaina fire.
We came at around 3 pm, so only Happy Hour menu was available, which wasn’t bad at all. We had the taro burger (vegetarian), butter lettuce and deep fried calamari. The taro burger came with Swiss cheese and tasted very good (yes, even without any meat in it) and the fries were crispy and seasoned very well. The salad was really fresh and the dressing was on the sweet side, but acceptable. The calamari was excellent paired with artichoke tartar sauce.
The service was excellent from the entire team and our server, China, was friendly and helpful.
Now, the seating area was the highlight as the waves were splashing our table while we dined. An added bonus, sea turtle would come to the rocky shore below restaurant’s windows to munch on the algae. We saw a couple of young ones while we were there.
Parking spaces were limited at the restaurant, but there’s a huge lot across the street where Safeway and the ABC Store are located. The drinks were good as well.
Jorge Nunez
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October 31, 2025
🌊 Pure Magic at Mala Ocean Tavern, Maui 🌴
I’m still in awe of the experience we had at Mala Ocean Tavern — it was absolute perfection from start to finish. I went for the surf and turf (and couldn’t resist adding scallops 😋), while my wife had the green curry with seafood, and every bite was pure heaven.
What made it even more unforgettable was the ocean view, just steps away — the sound of the waves, the warm breeze, and that Maui sunset painting the sky. 🌅 The staff went above and beyond — so kind, attentive, and full of great recommendations that made the meal even more special.
It’s one of those rare moments where everything just clicks — incredible food, an amazing team, and the beauty of nature all around you. Feeling so grateful to have experienced it. 💙
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.
Came here on a Saturday night , day after Halloween, place was half full. I’ve heard a lot about Mala from family & friends , knew i was in for a treat. My wife, 25 weeks pregnant , eats plant based and there were several options for her. Our server, Carlos, was soft spoken but confident & gave us great pointers - he’s someone you just know you can trust. I got the ceviche w the sweet potato Chips , my wife got the Brussel sprouts to start, both were just fantastic! The brussel sprouts were cooked to perfection & the ceviche i got was in this rich coconut broth that i ended up drinking. Really refined and confident flavors. For our main dish, my wife got the vegan curry & i was stuck between the pork shank (Carlos said it falls off the bone) and the pan seared mahi mahi (which i ended up getting). While the portion size of the mahi mahi was on the smaller side, the actual dish was huge — Yukon potatoes and a great ginger sauce with mushrooms and carrots - just really full flavor. Id like to note that i got their version of a Mai tai as well as a gin drink that were some of the best cocktails I had during our trip. Pricing was fair and the food quality was just superb - couple that with Carlos service and the incredible waterfront views — you got yourself a fantastic meal . Would RUN back. Also, their sambal was SPICY!
Would not come back here. We had dinner here last night for my husband’s birthday, and unfortunately, it was a disappointing experience. Our server was wonderful—warm, attentive, and accommodating—and our table by the ocean was beautiful. However, the food quality and flavor fell far short of expectations, especially for a restaurant so highly rated. It honestly ruined what was meant to be a special evening; we didn’t even feel like ordering dessert to celebrate. For starters, we ordered the Ube bread and the Poisson Cru. The bread arrived cold in the middle, suggesting it had been reheated rather than freshly prepared. The Poisson Cru lacked the salt, lime, and chili flavor described on the menu—it tasted mostly like fish in plain coconut milk. We then ordered the Caesar salad and the Surf & Turf. The salad was decent, though overly dressed. The Surf & Turf, however, was the most disappointing dish of the night. The filet mignon had no seasoning or flavor, the octopus was bland, and the potatoes on the side resembled unseasoned breakfast potatoes rather than a dinner accompaniment. Given the restaurant’s reputation and glowing reviews, we expected a refined, flavorful dining experience. Unfortunately, the dishes lacked balance and care in execution. The service and setting were excellent, but the food was simply not up to par—especially for a special occasion.
What a pleasant surprise find near the old Mala Wharf. Apparently this place somehow survived the Lahaina fire. We came at around 3 pm, so only Happy Hour menu was available, which wasn’t bad at all. We had the taro burger (vegetarian), butter lettuce and deep fried calamari. The taro burger came with Swiss cheese and tasted very good (yes, even without any meat in it) and the fries were crispy and seasoned very well. The salad was really fresh and the dressing was on the sweet side, but acceptable. The calamari was excellent paired with artichoke tartar sauce. The service was excellent from the entire team and our server, China, was friendly and helpful. Now, the seating area was the highlight as the waves were splashing our table while we dined. An added bonus, sea turtle would come to the rocky shore below restaurant’s windows to munch on the algae. We saw a couple of young ones while we were there. Parking spaces were limited at the restaurant, but there’s a huge lot across the street where Safeway and the ABC Store are located. The drinks were good as well.
🌊 Pure Magic at Mala Ocean Tavern, Maui 🌴 I’m still in awe of the experience we had at Mala Ocean Tavern — it was absolute perfection from start to finish. I went for the surf and turf (and couldn’t resist adding scallops 😋), while my wife had the green curry with seafood, and every bite was pure heaven. What made it even more unforgettable was the ocean view, just steps away — the sound of the waves, the warm breeze, and that Maui sunset painting the sky. 🌅 The staff went above and beyond — so kind, attentive, and full of great recommendations that made the meal even more special. It’s one of those rare moments where everything just clicks — incredible food, an amazing team, and the beauty of nature all around you. Feeling so grateful to have experienced it. 💙