MALA OCEAN TAVERN FEATURED in Coast to Coast Newspaper’s Fine Dining Guide

For us, great service is personal. It goes beyond taking an order or delivering a dish. It is about genuine connection, warmth, and making every guest feel seen and cared for. When someone dines with us, we want them to feel like they belong here. We want the evening to unfold naturally, with thoughtful recommendations, relaxed conversation, and a sense of ease that feels effortless.

That spirit is at the heart of what we do at Mala Ocean Tavern, and it is part of what led to our recent feature in the Coast to Coast Newspaper Fine Dining Guide for Maui, Waikīkī, and Honolulu for November 2025. The guide described Mala as “a gem of Lahaina” and highlighted the meaning behind continuing to serve our community after the devastating wildfires. That recognition feels especially meaningful because this restaurant has always been more than a place to eat. It is history, gathering, and connection by the ocean.

The review also celebrated some of the dishes our guests return for again and again. The writers called our Ahi Bruschetta one of the best they have tasted in Hawaiʻi and described the Taro Root Veggie Burger as surprisingly unforgettable. Each dish on our menu is crafted with intention using fresh island ingredients and flavors that reflect the spirit of Hawaiʻi. While we love hearing praise, what truly matters is knowing guests experience the care behind every bite.

What resonated most in the feature was how they described the feeling of dining here. The ocean only steps away. A relaxed elegance that never feels formal or stiff. A space where time slows just enough to savor a cocktail, a sunset, or a conversation you have been waiting to have.

We are honored by the recognition and grateful for the guests, neighbors, and returning visitors who fill our dining room with energy and aloha every day. Without you, none of this is possible.

If it has been a while since your last visit, consider this your invitation. The view is waiting. The kitchen is ready. Your table is here.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day at Mala Ocean Tavern

Whether it’s Christmas Eve under the stars or Christmas Day with ocean waves as your soundtrack, Māla Ocean Tavern invites you to celebrate the holidays Maui-style , with warmth, flavor, and aloha.

🌟 Christmas Eve & Christmas Day 🌟
Brunch: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Dinner: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
(Please note there will be no Happy Hour service on these days.)

Enjoy our full brunch and dinner menus, along with a festive featured entrée that perfectly balances indulgence and island sophistication:

Featured Entrée
Roast Prime Ribeye | Yukon mash, grilled lemon-garlic asparagus, crispy Kula onions, horseradish cream, sunflower chimichurri, and au jus.

Our sommelier’s wine selections will be available to complement your meal and toast to the season.

Holiday Reservations

Māla Ocean Tavern’s cozy, oceanfront setting makes it one of Maui’s most sought-after places to celebrate the holidays. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

The holidays are about connection with family, friends, and community. From all of us at Māla Ocean Tavern, mahalo nui loa for being part of ours.

Thanksgiving at Mala Ocean Tavern

Celebrate Thanksgiving by the Sea

This Thanksgiving, trade the kitchen chaos for ocean views and handcrafted island flavors. Join us at Māla Ocean Tavern for a day of gratitude, gorgeous food, and the kind of easy elegance that makes the holidays feel effortless.

Thursday, November 27, 2025
Brunch: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Dinner: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
(Please note there will be no Happy Hour service on Thanksgiving Day.)

Our MALA ‘Ohana is serving up our full brunch and dinner menus, along with featured holiday specials that put a Māla twist on tradition:

Featured Entrée
Wild Mushroom Stuffed Turkey Roulade
“Mother Mushroom Farms” Ali‘i, Lion’s Mane & Shiitake, Yukon mash, charred green beans, cranberry compote, rosemary jus.

Soup
Spiced Pumpkin Soup with brown butter, sage, and crème fraîche.

Dessert
Pumpkin Mochi Crunch with butter pecans and cream cheese icing.

Curated wine pairings, including Monte Tondo Soave Classico (Veneto, Italy 2023) and Bruna Grimaldi Dolcetto D’Alba (Piedmont, Italy 2021), round out the meal beautifully.

Enjoy these specials alongside your Māla favorites, with online ordering available and service on a first-come, first-served basis.

Reservations & Details

Māla Ocean Tavern is an intimate oceanfront restaurant, and our holiday tables fill quickly.

• Reservations are highly encouraged.

• Dress Code: Island Smart Casual

• Kamaʻāina Discount: 20% off restaurant-wide (not combinable with other promotions).

• Parking: Adjacent lot, Safeway, or across the street at our sister restaurant, Coco Deck Lahaina. Please avoid parking in residential areas.

Mala Ocean Tavern: Among Maui’s Most-Booked Oceanfront Restaurants

Maui is home to incredible dining, but few places capture the magic of the island quite like MALA Ocean Tavern. Recently recognized on OpenTable’s Most Booked Restaurants list, MALA continues to be a top choice for locals and visitors alike.

Oceanfront Dining in the Heart of Lahaina

Set right on the water, MALA offers guests a front-row seat to Maui’s breathtaking sunsets. The sound of waves, the salty breeze, and a warm island welcome create a dining experience that’s as memorable as the food itself.

Of course, it’s not just the view that makes MALA so unforgettable, it’s the food. The menu is a celebration of Maui’s bounty, built on the island’s freshest ingredients and crafted with both creativity and care. Every plate is designed to reflect the rhythm of the ocean just steps away: vibrant, full of life, and impossible to forget. The flavors strike that perfect balance between comfort and sophistication, the kind of cooking that encourages you to slow down, sip a glass of wine, and savor every bite as the sky deepens into twilight.

What truly sets MALA apart, though, is its people. Guests often write about the Aloha spirit they feel from the moment they walk in. Servers who remember your name, a kitchen that puts heart into every plate, and a team that makes you feel less like a reservation and more like an honored guest.

With its mix of stunning views, unforgettable food, and warm hospitality, it’s no wonder MALA Ocean Tavern is one of the most booked restaurants in Maui. Tables fill quickly, especially at sunset, so reservations are a must. And once you’ve experienced it, you’ll understand why so many visitors return year after year. 💙🧡

Mala Ocean Tavern Receives Bronze for Best Maui Restaurant in 2025 HaleʻAina Awards

We are honored to share that Mala Ocean Tavern has been awarded Bronze for Best Maui Restaurant in the 2025 Hale ʻAina Awards, presented by Honolulu Magazine. This distinction places Mala among the very best in Hawaiʻi’s vibrant and competitive culinary landscape.

The HaleʻAina Awards, established in 1984, are considered the gold standard of dining recognition across the state. Voted on by thousands of local residents and passionate food lovers, the awards reflect a deep appreciation for excellence in food, service, ambiance, and hospitality. To be named among the top three restaurants on Maui is both a tremendous honor and a meaningful affirmation of the care and quality that go into every detail of the Māla experience.

Located oceanfront on Lahaina’s historic Front Street, Mala Ocean Tavern has long been known for its welcoming atmosphere, breathtaking views, and commitment to island-inspired cuisine. Whether guests are enjoying brunch by the water, a sunset dinner with loved ones, or a refreshing afternoon cocktail during happy hour, Mala offers an experience that is both elevated and grounded in the spirit of aloha.

This recognition is especially significant in light of all that the Lahaina community has endured. Following the 2023 wildfires, Mala was among the first restaurants to reopen, serving as a space for both comfort and connection during an incredibly difficult time. To be honored in 2025 is a celebration of culinary achievement, resilience, heart, and community.

We extend our heartfelt mahalos to everyone who voted for Mala and to all those who continue to support us. We are proud to be part of Maui’s rich culinary tradition and are committed to continuing to provide our guests with an unforgettable oceanfront dining experience.