Casanova Italian Restaurant and Deli

Casanova Italian Restaurant – Fill Up on Fantastic Food and Drinks Plus Live Music in Makawao
Local Expert's Rating:
4.5 / 5
The Bottom Line:

A true Makawao favorite, Casanova Italian Restaurant promises to take you on a memorable culinary journey at every visit. They make absolutely everything from scratch – including their amazing pasta – using the freshest ingredients and traditional recipes. Plus, they go all out in serving up tasty drinks and bringing in live music several days a week.

- The HawaiianIslands.com Local Expert Team

For a deep dive into the amazing Upcountry Maui lifestyle, you just have to jet on over to Casanova Italian Restaurant. Set in the heart of Makawao, this timeless eatery rolls out delicious meals to remember plus the drinks to match. On top of that, they regularly invite popular musicians to come and play for the crowd and get everyone dancing the night away.

Day in and day out, the team proudly serves up scratch-made Italian food in generous portions. They make all their noodles by hand each day, ensuring that their pasta dishes always steal the spotlight. Their many other offerings are equally good, however, as they’re all made using fresh ingredients and time-honored recipes.

You can get a taste of all the homemade Italian deliciousness by coming through the doors for dinner any day of the week. If you want to start your day off right, plan to swing by on Saturday or Sunday for brunch. Either way, don’t hesitate to take a long gander at their drink menu full of decadent cocktails, top-notch wines, and more.

On Friday and Saturday, popular musicians head up on stage to keep you well entertained while you dine and sip in style. You never truly know who will show up either. Notable acts like Kool and the Gang, Dave Mason, and Los Lobos have landed on their stage to wow the crowds. You can groove to the music from your table or hit the dance floor to show off your moves.

Come by for their:

Lychee Martini
For an impressive spin on a classic, treat yourself to their Lychee Martini. They make this drink using the finest Pau Vodka. Then, they pair it with a mix of fresh-squeezed lime juice and lychee puree.

Polenta Al Gorgonzola
The Polenta Al Gorgonzola always serves as a great way to start your meal. This appetizer features housemade polenta cakes fried to a rich golden brown. Once they’re done, they land on fresh arugula and get covered in sauteed mushrooms and a decadent gorgonzola cream sauce.

Tagliolini Alla Checca
The Tagliolini Alla Checca boasts ribbon pasta for days elevated by all the best fresh, rich flavors. This dish start with the creation of their handmade tagliolini pasta that’s cooked perfectly al dente. Over that, they add sauteed garlic, roma tomatoes, organic spinach, capers, and pine nuts. Shaved parmesan goes over the top to finish it off right. Want a seafood kick to take it to the next level? Ask them to add their shrimp sauteed in a garlic, lemon, and white wine sauce.

Quattro Stagioni Pizza
When you’re craving pizza pie done right, you cannot go wrong with the Quattro Stagioni Pizza. They always create the dough and tomato sauce by hand. Over that, they add plenty of mozzarella plus eggplant, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and roasted peppers. After it’s well dressed, the pizza goes into their wood-fired oven until bubbly and golden brown around the edges.

Classic Italian desserts are the only way to finish your dining experience at this restaurant. They always have the best sweet treats available, including Tiramisu, Crème Brulee, and Chocolate Mousse Cake. If you simply don’t have enough room left in your belly for dessert, ask to take your favorites to go. Or you can just sip on their stunningly good Affogato made by pairing a single shot of espresso with vanilla ice cream.

Insider Tips:
-Looking for a quieter, more intimate dining experience? Request a table toward the back of the restaurant.
-When you’re craving pasta, but need to skip the wheat, ask your server for gluten-free pasta instead.
-For discounts on drinks and appetizers, skip on in for happy hour held daily from 5 pm to 6 pm.
-If you’re in town often or staying for a while, join their Five Stars loyalty program to earn rewards at every visit.
-In the mood for a midweek party? Stop in for dinner, drinks, and dancing during Ladies’ Night each Wednesday.