Whenever you want to enjoy true Hawaiian classics right on the waterfront, the Hula Grill is definitely the place to land in Lahaina. At this popular Whalers Village eatery, the mai tais flow freely alongside fish tacos galore. Live music and hula dancing complete the picture of perfection, making it a great spot to land when you’re looking for food and fun.
With so much awesomeness happening from morning to night, it’s no wonder this restaurant stays plenty busy at all times. Thankfully, you can make reservations well in advance by going to their website or giving them a call. You’ll need to decide whether you’d like to sit in the open-air dining room or out on one of their two large patios. No matter which option you choose, get ready for truly phenomenal views all around.
As you soak in all the sights, your server will get busy helping set the stage for an amazing meal. They’ll bring out the menus, get you whatever drinks you’d like, and take your appetizer order. Always plan to start your meal with an app, like their ever-popular Lobster Cocktail, to get a taste of the finest island flavors. Their main courses are equally good, of course, so you’re sure to love whatever you order.
For all their menu items, they take a smart farm-to-table approach, supporting local farmers, ranchers, and fishermen in their endeavors. You can count on the chef using the highest quality of ingredients to handcraft every app, entrée, and dessert plus all your drink orders, too. Signature tropical cocktails are the name of the game, although they also have hard seltzer, beer on tap, and wine by the glass or bottle.
While the decadent food and drinks are reason enough to visit all on their own, the live entertainment takes the experience to the next level. Local musicians come by on the regular to wow the crowds. And they often appear alongside hula dancers that put their whole heart into every performance.
Definitely try their:
Hawaiian Ceviche
The Hawaiian Ceviche allows you to enjoy fantastic island flavors at their very best. This starter features fresh fish, Maui onion, cucumber, avocado, and jalapeno elevated with lime and coconut milk. Right before serving, this delightful mix gets a sprinkle of crispy taro chips to bring it all together.
Firecracker Fish
If you love a little bit of a spicy kick, go with the Firecracker Fish for lunch. This entrée starts with the expert preparation of ultra-fresh fish from local fishermen. Then, they put the fish on locally sourced flour tortillas before piling on the black bean avocado salsa. A drizzle of spicy firecracker aioli completes this dish perfectly right before it arrives at your table.
Hawaiian Salt & Pepper Ribeye
Whenever you order the Hawaiian Salt & Pepper Ribeye, get ready for big flavor in every bite. This dinnertime entrée centers around a 28-day dry-aged ribeye from Double R Ranch. Right before cooking, the steak gets salt and pepper on both sides, and then lands on the grill until it reaches your preferred level of doneness. After that, it goes on the plate with truffle mashed potatoes and a drizzle of housemade Worcestershire sauce.
As you grub on all your favorite flavors, don’t forget to leave room in your belly for dessert. Their sweet treats are out of this world delicious, especially if you love pie. You can go with either their Original Hula Pie or the Pono Pie, both of which promise to satisfy your sweet tooth in an instant. Want a tropical kick instead? Treat yourself to the incredible Pineapple Upside-Down Cake.
Insider Tips:
-If you park in the Whaler’s Village parking structure, you can skip the charge by having the restaurant validate your ticket. To do that, just give them your ticket when you pay your bill, and you’ll get the validation back with your receipt.
-Walk-ins are welcome, but you could have up to an hour wait ahead. So, try to make reservations ahead of your arrival or get ready to kick around the village until they call to let you know your table is ready.
-Want to take a piece of the magic home with you? Ask to buy their mai tai glasses or other swag before you leave.
-For discounts on drinks and apps, swing by between 2:30pm and 5pm for happy hour.