Every day, the Pita Paradise experience begins with owner and fisherman, Captain Johnny Arabatzis Jr, hitting the water to bring in fresh catch fish for the restaurant. The fresh catch fare changes on the regular as a result, depending on what’s biting. No matter what comes up on the line, the team expertly transforms it into poke, sashimi, pan-seared fillets, and so much more. But that’s not all they can do.
At this Wailea restaurant, they create a wide variety of Hawaiian-fusion dishes with a Greek and Italian spin. They go beyond fresh catch fish to using quality meats, like Australian free-range lamb, as well. Then, they elevate all those rich protein flavors with the freshest produce obtained from nearby farms. Absolutely everything is made from scratch to order, ensuring that you’ll quickly end up mesmerized by your meal. Even their desserts come together by hand on the daily, so you can get the full dining experience at every visit.
Between their strip mall location and slightly misleading name, their quality cuisine often comes as quite a surprise. Your first hint is their upscale bistro décor, however, which deserves a long admiring gaze as soon as you walk through their doors. The second hint? Their exceptional service and clear passion for helping people enjoy phenomenal meals from start to finish.
As you settle in at your table, do yourself a favor and start with an appetizer and a drink. If you prefer alcoholic beverages, you’ll be delighted to see that they run a full bar all throughout the day. You can get tropical cocktails, top-notch wines, and a variety of cold brews at any point during your meal. They go big on the non-alcoholic beverages, too, like their ever-popular Hibiscus Cooler. They even have a coffee bar for when you need a little pick-me-up to get you through the rest of the day.
When your food comes out of the kitchen, you’ll get a glimpse into their culinary expertise through the artistic plating. Then, once you get that first bite into your mouth, it all becomes quite obvious why they are a fan favorite for locals and tourists alike. The perfect pairing of bright, bold flavors and all the right textures never fail to delight. The ultra-fresh ingredients make all the difference in the end, especially if you go with the fish.
You’re going to love the:
Ziziki Bread
Although it’s just a simple dish, the Ziziki Bread kicks your meal into high gear in an instant. For this popular starter, they just put three high-quality cheeses on pita bread, and then broil it up. Once the bread comes out a rich, golden brown, it lands on the plate alongside tzatziki sauce for dipping.
Owner’s Fish Special
You can never be quite sure what you’ll get when you order the Owner’s Fish Special, but you can bet it’ll sweep you off your feet. They create this dish using the fresh fish caught by the owner plus all their most popular sides, including Mediterranean slaw.
Lamb Gnocchi
Whenever you order the Lamb Gnocchi, you can bet that tons of care went into preparing your dish. This entrée begins long before you arrive as they slow-roast a lamb shank in preparation for dinner service. Once you order, they pull the lamb off the bone and create their housemade gnocchi. Carrots, onions, spinach, feta, and fennel puree fill out the sauce, which then goes over all the lamb and gnocchi goodness.
As you savor your entrée, cut it short and save the rest for later once you start to get full. Otherwise, you might miss out on the chance to try their incredible desserts. With its sweet honey nut flavors in every bite, the Baklava Ice Cream Cake is always a showstopper. If you prefer a tropical kick, the Mascarpone Cheesecake with Lilikoi Sauce serves as a great choice, too.
Insider Tips:
-For discounts on drinks and more, time your visit for happy hour, which runs from 3 pm to 6 pm each day.
-If you’re looking for a great way to make your next event truly special, ask about their full-service catering.