If you drive by Mala Ocean Tavern on Lahaina’s famous Front Street, you may mistake it for a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, a place in a nice location but easy to miss. But this top-rated Maui restaurant is anything but plain, and eating here will definitely be a treat during your next Hawaii vacation.
Mala Ocean Tavern has long been a favorite for Maui visitors. Nestled on Lahaina’s tranquil shores, this upscale restaurant serves up great food and great views. But what happened to this spot after the Lahaina wildfires? Can you still eat at Mala Ocean Tavern? Should you even visit this part of Lahaina? Let’s get the latest updates so you can plan your Maui dining outing.
Mala Ocean Tavern: Great Food and Great Views
Mala Ocean Tavern is a restaurant in Lahaina, Maui, right on Front Street. It serves brunch, lunch, dinner, and drinks in an open-air, oceanfront setting that is sure to wow anyone who appreciates Hawaii’s natural beauty.
Have you ever been to a restaurant that is only about the view? They may offer run-of-the-mill food and watered-down cocktails at a premium price because they’re by the water. Well, we’re happy to report that Mala Ocean Tavern is NOT that kind of place. This is where you go when you want good views and good food – a dining experience that begins on the plate and extends into the ambiance and then on into the surroundings.
The Menu
Mala Ocean Tavern has a classic surf-n-turf menu that you’ll find in many of Hawaii’s oceanfront restaurants. But it’s all elevated by local ingredients and fantastic flavors.
Want to eat fresh, local seafood? Mala Ocean Tavern is one of the best seafood restaurants in Maui. The Fried Opakapaka or Mahi Mahi is delicious, and the sides threaten to steal the show with their unique flavors. Potato gnocchi with Rosemary Cream Sauce, or Mashed Molokai Sweet Potatoes are popular at Mala Ocean Tavern. Food here tastes familiar and comforting but also tropical and unique – a difficult feat that’s achieved by experience and attention to detail.
There are also steaks, chicken, and vegetarian options for anyone not interested in the seafood, and don’t skip appetizers. The calamari and oysters are delicious starters at Mala Ocean Tavern.
They also have an expansive lunch and brunch menu along with a kids menu.
Like any great tavern, they keep the drinks flowing at Mala. The craft cocktails will likely be enough to lure you in. I know it’s what I look for when I’m on vacation: refreshing, expert-made cocktails in a scenic location.
Drinks at Mala Ocean Tavern
Try the Maka Tai, their take on the classic Mai Tai that includes local rum and a unique POG foam (POG = Passion Orange Guava juice). Or, get adventurous with the Ube Bang, which is made with the iconic purple sweet potato.
They also have wines, local beer, and a collection of alcohol-free mocktails that will please patrons of any age.
After the Wildfires
In 2023, wildfires swept through Lahaina, devastating the town and destroying shops and restaurants along Front Street. But Mala Ocean Tavern was still there.
Though the restaurant was spared from complete destruction, it wasn’t ready to immediately reopen. First was the most pressing tasks: ensuring employees were safe and accounted for and caring for its people.
Then, it was time to rebuild. Sure, not from the ground up, but structures needed replaced and improved. Not to mention access to water and electricity, a hurdle that the Old Lahaina Luau also faced during its reopening.
Finally, in February 2024, Mala reopened, ushering in a new era for Lahaina. It marked the beginning of a slow and thoughtful reopening of West Maui, one that prioritizes the people yet still celebrates all the town was and will be in the future.
This is a great place to eat in Lahaina for your 2025 Hawaii vacation.
Your Visit to Mala Ocean Tavern
Are you ready to eat at Mala Ocean Tavern? The first step: reservations. Make them in advance online. Tables get booked up pretty quickly, but not months in advance. And if you’re in the area, you may be able to get in without a reservation. Still, for the best experience and worry-free planning, get that reservation as soon as possible.
Pro Tip – look up the Lahaina sunset time during your Hawaii vacation and make your reservation for a little before then.
When you’re ready to eat, you’ll want to head toward Lahaina and find the restaurant on Front Street. If you’re coming from Central or South Maui, you’ll get to Lahaina via the bypass. Follow signs to ensure you don’t enter any restricted areas.
Mala Ocean Tavern is in the Northern part of Front Street. You’ll park in the restaurant’s lot or across the street at the Lahaina Cannery Mall.
As for seating, you aren’t guaranteed an oceanside table, but there’s hardly a bad table in the house. Settle in, order your cocktails and pupus, and enjoy an unbeatable meal in a great setting.
What I love about Mala Ocean Tavern is that eating here doesn’t feel rushed. There was time to enjoy my drinks without being pushed to order or eat fast. That isn’t to say that service is slow, just the perfect pace for a special dinner out.
Mala FAQ
How expensive is Mala Ocean Tavern?
Dinner prices are about $45 – $55 per entree. Brunch items and lunch small plates are mostly under $20 each. And cocktails are $16-$18.
What are the hours?
2025 Mala Ocean Tavern hours are 9 AM-9 PM, with late-night entertainment and small plates on Friday and Saturday until midnight or later.
Is there a Happy Hour?
Yes, from 2-4 pm daily. Happy Hour typically has live music, and you can make reservations for that timeframe, too.
What is the dress code?
The website requests Island Smart Casual Attire. Think resort-wear: khaki shorts and Aloha Shirts for men, and dresses or nice tops for women. So it’s not a place where you need to dress up to the nines (few places in Hawaii are), but it’s a good spot to wear your nicer vacation clothes.
Is Mala Ocean Tavern family-friendly?
Yes, there is a kids menu, and they welcome children. Each children’s dinner item includes a small ice cream.
Other Lahaina Restaurants Open for 2025
Mala Ocean Tavern isn’t the only Lahaina restaurant that’s opened since the 2023 wildfires. Businesses in the same northern area of Front Street have been able to open in recent months. Here are some of the great spots welcoming guests in 2025:
- The Old Lahaina Luau
- Coco Deck Lahaina (located across the street from Mala Ocean Tavern)
- Aloha Mixed Plate
- Honu Oceanside (next door to Mala Ocean Tavern)
- Star Noodle
Additionally, some Lahaina favorites have reopened in other parts of the island. For example, Cool Cat Cafe now serves their beloved burgers in Kihei. And Kohala Brewery opened a taproom and eatery in Wailea.
How to Support Lahaina Restaurants
The best way to support Lahaina restaurants as they reopen? Eat, drink, and be merry. Take your business there, tip the staff well, and leave a shining review.
Many restaurants still have fundraisers to help employees who lost homes and livelihoods in the wildfires. They also ask that you don’t talk with the serving staff about the fires, as it is likely still hard to talk about and can become draining after all they’ve been through.
What is your favorite Lahaina Restaurant that has reopened? Or which one do you hope will reopen soon? Let us know!
And if you need help planning a Maui vacation that’s mindful of the island’s hardships and supports local businesses, contact Hawaii Aloha Travel. We can’t wait to see you in the islands!
