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2
Mon, 18/03
20:00

Ratings and reviews

Travellers' Choice2023
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
About
Maui isn't just a popular vacation spot because of its gorgeous beaches and beautiful oceans. The island is also known for its oceanfront restaurants. Dining in an oceanfront restaurant on Maui is one of the best ways to take in the entire island's breathtaking ocean scenery. Experience and relish the taste of delicious meals at Mala Ocean Tavern! Here's what makes our oceanfront restaurant on Maui the preferred choice for many:
PRICE RANGE
RM 118 - RM 401
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Breakfast, After-hours, Drinks, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
CUISINES
Wine Bar, Hawaiian, American, Seafood, International
FEATURES
Takeout, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Television, Free Wifi, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Waterfront, Beach
Reviews (2,141)
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2,101 results
Traveller rating
1,285
452
207
87
70
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
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Traveller rating
1,285
452
207
87
70
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All reviews brunch seared ahi bruschetta oyster shooters hummus seafood burger fresh fish coconut shrimp potatoes fries sea turtles catch of the day small restaurant make reservations great view mai tai happy hour
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Reviewed 5 days ago

Mala is back and just as good as ever Staff is amazing and food is fresh and well prepared If you are lucky to get there for sunset it is stunning Extra treat were turtles feeding

Date of visit: March 2024
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley Davis, Owner at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded today

Mahalos for the five star review! We are glad that you came back to join us and we look forward to seeing you again, hopefully soon. Many alohas!

Reviewed 1 week ago

We very much enjoyed out dinner here a couple weeks after their reopening. Overlooking the water, you van her the waves. The service is great and we really enjoyed the appetizers (coconut shrimp and the ahi bruschetta). Very cool drink menu and our kids loved...the big selection of mocktails. The dinners were not as good but maybe they are still getting into a rhythm. We wish them all the best in this tough time.More

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley Davis, Owner at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded today

Mahalos for the review and feedback! We hope that your next visit with us is five stars.

Reviewed 1 week ago

I had made a reservation at Mala and chose to sit at the bar. The support and service staff were all friendly and knowledgeable, providing a pleasant dining experience. On this particular evening, I decided to switch things up and opted for a meat dish....I ordered the ribeye with root vegetables, specifically requesting it to be cooked medium rare. However, when it arrived, it was well done instead. I brought this to the attention of the staff, and they promptly took it back to the kitchen and brought out another ribeye. The manager personally apologized for the initial mistake and checked in to ensure the second one was to my liking. Unfortunately, I found the ribeye to be lacking in flavor and not up to the standard one would expect from a ribeye. It was rather bland, which was disappointing. I spoke to the manager about my experience, and he mentioned that he had personally enjoyed a good ribeye at the restaurant on a different occasion. It's possible that it was just an off night for the chef, although such instances should ideally be avoided. This was my second visit to Mala, with my first experience being a salad, making it difficult to form a definitive judgment on the overall quality of the restaurant. The reviews for Mala are generally excellent, so I will give it another chance in the future. However, I will likely steer clear of meat dishes and wait for some time before doing so. It's a shame, as Mala had faced challenges after the fire and was unable to open for a period of time.More

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley Davis, Owner at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded today

Mahalo nui loa for the review and feedback. Thank you for sharing your experience we us, and letting us know that you will return. We hope to see you again soon, and that your visit is five stars. Aloha!

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

What a great choice! The view was amazing. We were lucky and got a table right by the water. Service was top notch. Everyone very friendly and eager to answer all the questions we had about the menu. We had the Greek Pita Wrap with...Blackened Mahi Mahi. And the Fish and Chips. I highly recommend Mala Tavern.More

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley Davis, Owner at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded today

Mahalos for the five star review! We are so happy that you found Māla as a fabulous choice for your lunch dining. Many thanks for the recommendations, we hope to see you again soon. Aloha!

Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

Saw that Mala's had reopened and wanted to try it again. (I had been with my son in Feb 2021). Service was very good. I had the Seared Ahi and added the Parmesan risotto.. both the Ahi and the risotto tasted great.

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley Davis, Owner at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded today

Mahalos for the five star review Chuck! We are so happy that you had a wonderful experience with us. Aloha!

Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile

The restaurant was fine. They have reduced their outdoor seating to have 7 parking spaces. For us being next door to the burn zone and our friends neighborhood was just too emotional. Visitors could feel differently.

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley Davis, Owner at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

Aloha, actually the county took our outdoor seating away from us, because of parking requirements. We wish that we were able to still have it.

Reviewed 4 weeks ago

As always, great food and excellent service! I highly recommend the Ahi and the grilled fresh fish sandwich. Prices are fair for the quality and freshness of the food.

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley Davis, Owner at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

Mahalos for the five star review!

Reviewed 4 weeks ago

The food was amazing. I am vegetarian, and the typical response I get when ordering from a place that is known for great seafood is not always warm and welcoming. Not true at Mala. The waiter said yes of course we can help you out....My partner and I shared the gnocchi with parmesan sauce, the seasonal veggies, and the fried rice dish. All were so delicious. The gnocchi was a nice departure from the usual pesto or cream sauce. The parmesan was perfect, the sauce did not feel overly tangy and the dish was not too rich. The seasonal veggies were carrots and broccolini. I have no idea what they were sauteed in, but each bite was perfection. Not overdone, not under, just right. Fantastic flavors. The fried rice too was wonderful. We had a mocktail, really good stuff. The staff were helpful and friendly. Waves crashing all around was a super nice touch. We saw turtle heads bobbing in the surf right outside the windows.More

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley Davis, Owner at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

Mahalo nui loa for the five star review. We hope to see you again soon, and are thrilled that you found so many items that you enjoyed with us. Aloha!

Reviewed 6 February 2024

Service was excellent! Loved the fish sandwich for lunch. Incredible setting where you can see turtles from the patio. So glad we went for lunch…going back for dinner tomorrow.

Date of visit: February 2024
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley Davis, Owner at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

Mahalo nui loa for the five star review. We hope to see you again soon. Aloha!

Reviewed 1 February 2024

Great atmosphere, friendly service, and delicious food! We sat at the perfect spot to view the ocean waves as we ate. A very relaxing vibe. Our waitress Katie was kind and made it a pleasant experience. The manager came by to assure we were in...great hands and loved our food. Definitely a go-to spot during our vacation. The food was top notch, drinks and dessert didn't disappoint. Highly recommend the bread pudding!More

Date of visit: January 2024
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley Davis, Owner at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

Mahalos for the five star review!

Reviewed 6 September 2023

Best meal we have had in all of Maui including Mama's. Very happy that your restaurant survived but I know that the fire was still a tragic loss for you. We can't believe Lahaina is gone. Mahalo for our memorable meal two years ago and...best wishes for your recovery.More

Date of visit: October 2022
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley Davis, Owner at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

Mahalo nui loa for the five star review!!

Reviewed 14 August 2023 via mobile

Seated on the deck you are right on the water, and may be splashed by the waves. We were there just before the big Lahaina fire, and we really hope this place re-opens when the area recovers. The food is quite good, especially the fish,...of course. The service is also quite good with friendly and helpful servers. The best place to watch the spectacular Maui sunsets is from that deck, sipping the beverage of your choice. We requested the outdoor seating, and had to wait for it past our reservation time, but it was well worth it.More

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley Davis, Owner at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

Mahalos for the review!

Reviewed 7 August 2023

Mala Ocean Tavern is probably our new favorite restaurant on Maui. A few recommendation comments to begin: 1. Make reservations- not a large restaurant 2. For sunset views, request outdoor deck seating (see risk comment below) 3. request the time about 30 to 45 minutes...before sunset so that you are seated at sunset. We've eaten here on previous visits and it remains a favorite. Very good food. Good beverage alternatives and wine list. Great service which is not only helpful but very friendly. Staff is well trained and all seem to enjoy their work- a rarity at many Maui restaurants (credit to management). There is a small parking lot but plenty of free street parking is available. The restaurant is on Front Street behind the Lahaina Safeway.More

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akilah Curtis, Marketing at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded 8 August 2023

Mahalo for the five star review and the recommendations. We appreciate you taking the time to dine with us and look forward to seeing you again soon. Aloha!

Reviewed 4 August 2023 via mobile

Realy Nice and friendly service, great food and fantastic view to the pacific ocean and green tuernes :-) we were there 3 times for lunch

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akilah Curtis, Marketing at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded 8 August 2023

Mahalo for the five star review! We appreciate you taking the time to dine with us and are so grateful you enjoyed the friendly service, great food, and fantastic views. We look forward to seeing you again on your next visit. A hui hou!

Reviewed 28 July 2023 via mobile

Eating at this restaurant was an amazing experience. All of the food was really good. The server had good knowledge of the menu and ingredients. There are good vegetarian options and gluten free options. My wife has gluten allergies and she was able to choose...from a number of different cocktails, which is pretty unusual. I had indicated that this dinner was for our anniversary when I made the reservation. They had a card for us on the table when we arrived, which was a very nice touch.More

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akilah Curtis, Marketing at Mala Ocean Tavern, responded to this reviewResponded 1 August 2023

Mahalos for the five star review Kevin! We are so glad we could celebrate your anniversary with you and that your server could help you identify all vegetarian and gluten free options. We look forward to celebrating more special occasions with you! Aloha!

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Questions & Answers
Ask a question
Taylor P
17 July 2021|
AnswerShow all 6 answers
Response from 101calebh | Property representative |
Aloha! We will indeed be open for Christmas, but have not opened up reservations. We are awaiting all the new restrictions and seeing how things are a little closer to time. We will announce via our website and social media... More
0
Votes
butterfly47
27 January 2020|
AnswerShow all 4 answers
Response from Javier B | Property representative |
Aloha! You can park at the lot next to MĀLA or the two lots at the restaurants next door. Parking is for MĀLA, Honu, Frida's, and Aloha Mix Plate. Valet if FREE during dinner service.
0
Votes
VnM
15 September 2018|
AnswerShow all 7 answers
Response from Italscott | Reviewed this property |
Yes My granddaughter said the chicken was the best ever
1
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Mala Ocean Tavern, Lahaina - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Mala Ocean Tavern

Yes, Mala Ocean Tavern offers takeaway services.

Yes, Mala Ocean Tavern is taking precautions against COVID-19. A full list is available within the "safety precautions" section of this page.

Mala Ocean Tavern is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4.5