Dinner on the Beach in Maui: Private Dining and Beachfront Restaurants
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Whether you’re heading to Maui for a special occasion like a honeymoon or anniversary or you just want to have a special night as part of a memorable trip, dining on the beach is probably high on your list.
Don’t just wing it and pick any old restaurant with a view of the water. To help you get started with planning, we’ve put together the best private dining experiences as well as the best beachfront restaurants on the island. Any of these dining options will help you create memories that will last a lifetime.
Private Dinner on the Beach in Maui
If you’re looking for a private dining experience where you can put your toes in the sand (or the sea) this won’t be quite what you’re looking for. All beaches in Hawaii are public, making private beach dining a challenge. But these four options offer the next best thing: an exceptionally private location just steps from the beach.
Marriott Wailea Beach Resort
Enjoy a five-course meal in a private setting just steps from the ocean at the Marriott Wailea Beach Resort. No dealing with crowds or waiting for a waiter to attend to your needs. You get a personal attendant to assist you with all of your needs.
For dinner, you’ll be able to choose from three different menus, ranging from $700 – $890 (for two people). Enjoy courses like Kauai Shrimp Carbonara, Angus New York Strip, and Coconut Mango Cake.
Reservations can be made easily online. You’ll need to book your dinner at least 72 hours in advance. If you have to cancel for any reason, you’ll need to do so more than 48 hours before your reservation, or you’ll be charged a $100 fee.
Book a private dining experience through the Wailea Beach Resort.
Fairmont Hoku Lani
Enjoy a four course dinner on a private terrace at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Wailea. The dinner, which comes with one bottle of wine or champagne, offers changing menu options that can include dishes like wok seared fresh island caught fish or grilled lamb chops. Before dinner, you have the option of a 45 minute photography session on Polo Beach.
The price for the dinner (for two) is $1,375 plus tax and gratuity. There is an additional fee for extra options like a chandelier or decorative canopy. Reservations need to be made at least 72 hours in advance and any cancellations within 48 hours of your reservation are subject to a $150 charge.
Book your private Fairmont Hoku Lani dinner.
Are you planning a honeymoon trip to Maui? Don’t miss two must-reads:
- Our list of the best honeymoon hotels and resorts on Maui
- A sample honeymoon itinerary
- Our list of the best Hawaii photographers (plus, the best beaches for photos)
Maui Restaurants for Dinner on the Beach
Like it was mentioned above, dining on the beach in Hawaii isn’t really possible since all of the beaches in Hawaii are public. But there are some restaurants that stand out as being very close to the beach. Plus they have delicious food, great views, and wonderful service. The best spots on Maui for dining on the beach are:
Pacific’o
Honestly, this is probably as close to being on the beach as you’ll get. Located in Lahaina at the south end of Front Street in the 505 shopping center, Pacific’o offers spectacular views (and food) just steps from the beach. If you sit outdoors, you’ll be just set back from the small beachfront walking path. Though you’re right next to the beach, it still feels private. Plan your dinner during sunset and you’ll have a front row view from here.
In business for nearly 30 years, Pacific’o focuses on farm-to-table cuisine. They produce is grown upcountry at their farm, O’o farms and they purchase local fresh fish daily. Honestly, the food is very good. Pacific’o is our go-to spot for a special meal.
Eat next to the sea at Pacific’o.
Merriman’s Maui
Set on one of the most beautiful beaches on west Maui, Kapalua Bay, Merriman’s Maui offers a truly special dining experience. You’re set on a small bluff overlooking the bay but it’s a short walk down the beach path to the sand — just a few steps and your toes can be in the ocean.
Read more about visiting, snorkeling, and swimming at Kapalua Bay.
Merriman’s offers a prix fixe menu with often changing options. Reservations can be hard to come by, so make sure you book your dinner well in advance. Occasionally, they’ll have outdoor casual dining and drinks setup that don’t require a reservation.
Don’t skip dinner at Merriman’s Maui.
Sea House Restaurant
Located on Napili Bay, this restaurant is set in the Napili Kai hotel just steps from the sand. The huge windows overlook the bay and make for amazing sunset viewing. You can start with their excellent and well-priced happy hour and then stay on for a dinner reservation. Grab a table outdoors where you are just feet from the beautiful blue bay and listen to the ocean as you enjoy your meal. Sunset here is not to be missed.
Heading to Napili Bay? We include it as one of the 17 best beaches on Maui.
Visit the Sea House restaurant.
Mama’s Fish House
The most famous restaurant on Maui, if not all of Hawaii, is Mama’s Fish House. Set in what feels like a private beach cove, you’ll enter the restaurant along a sandy beach path. At sunset, the beach gets lit with tiki torches and this is a perfect place to stop and take in your beautiful surroundings. One thing to note: Mama’s Fish House is on the north shore of the island, so you won’t actually see the sun dip into the ocean during sunset (you’re on the wrong side of the island for that).
The food at Mama’s is truly unbelievable. It’s expensive, but if you’re enjoying a special dinner and you want the best meal on the island, this is it. Mama’s is also open for lunch, so you might enjoy more of the beach view if you head there during the lunch hour.
Not sure when to go? We help you decide whether it’s better to visit Mama’s Fish House for lunch or dinner.
5 Palms Restaurant
Located on Kihei’s Keawakapu beach, 5 Palms offers one of the few beachfront dining options in south Maui. Just steps from the beach, you can enjoy Mai Tai’s during their great happy hour plus dinner options that include sushi, seafood, and steak.
They have both indoor and outdoor dining available, but the entire restaurant is open air, which helps to create a great atmosphere. After dinner, you’re just steps away from a path that leads you directly to the beach where you can take a long and relaxing beach stroll.
Enjoy dinner at the 5 Palms Restaurant.
Ferraro’s at the Four Seasons
Who doesn’t love a beachside romantic, Italian dinner? That’s what you’ll get at Ferraro’s, a restaurant that is part of the Four Seasons Wailea. Their outdoor dining area isn’t large, so be sure to make a reservation for that area specifically if that’s where you want to be. You can listen to the waves crash on Wailea Beach as you tuck into your pizza, pasta, or local catch of the day.
Enjoy your Italian beachfront feast at Ferraro’s.
Planning Your Maui Vacation?
We have your trip planning covered with our itineraries. These done for you days will take you around to the best spots on excursion days, so you can make the most of your valuable vacation time. We include beaches, restaurants, hiking spots, and more to make sure you have wonderful days out.
“Just wanted to thank you for the awesome itinerary you have put together. We just got back from our 10 day Maui trip & it was such a great help to my family. We saw and experienced so much. Thank you for putting all of this fantastic travel information out there! For this travel research nerd, I sure do appreciate it!”
Get The Maui Itinerary
The step-by-step itinerary takes you to all the best beaches, snorkeling spots, restaurants, and sights. You’ll get six carefully planned excursion days to help you see the can’t miss stops no matter how limited your time is.
Get all the details on our itinerary and download it for a memorable and easily planned trip to Maui.