Umalu

Umalu – Swing by to Chow Down on Island Cuisine Poolside in Lahaina
Local Expert's Rating:
4 / 5
The Bottom Line:

When you want to dine poolside while enjoying the beautiful waterfront views, put Umalu on your radar. Located in the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, this Lahaina eatery serves up all the best island fare plus the drinks to match. You’ll need to secure your spot well ahead of your trip though – or risk missing out on a chance to grab a table.

- The HawaiianIslands.com Local Expert Team

For an iconic poolside dining experience right on the oceanfront, you just need to get on over to Umalu. Set in the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, this Lahaina favorite goes all out in serving up the tastiest Island cuisine around plus wood-fired pizza. They have the drinks to match as well, of course, all made with flair by their skilled mixologists.

If you’d like a taste of all they’re serving up, plan to book your spot well ahead of your trip. Their tables stay full year-round, making it rather tough to get a spot on the fly. Fortunately, they make it easy to reserve a table. You just need to either give them a call or use the online booking system through their website.

Once you have reservations, aim to arrive about 15 minutes early. If you’re late, they could give away your table, so it’s best to come early if you can. They have seating available in their quaint dining room and up at the bar. But the poolside tables are definitely where it’s at. From there, you get to see the sparkling lights glimmer off the surface of the pool. Plus, you get a glimpse of the oceanside framed by beautiful palm trees all around.

As soon as you get settled in your seats, your server will drop menus by your table. Be sure to take your time looking them over because there are tons of amazing items to consider. They make all their island fare using fresh, local ingredients and innovative recipes. As you browse their offerings, you’ll find amazingly decadent dishes, like Ahi Poke Nachos, Korean Fried Chicken, and Pasta Caprese.

If you need more time to explore it all, you can kick off your meal with a tasty appetizer and a fancy drink. Their signature tropical cocktails are well worth sipping on at your leisure, especially if you love pineapple and coconut. Want to take your drink to the next level? Just ask for their freshly cut pineapple cup for an extra charge.

Treat yourself to their:

Margarita Flatbread
A true vegetarian favorite, the Margarita Flatbread is the perfect way to whet your appetite. This appetizer starts with fresh baked flatbread topped with roasted baby heirloom tomatoes. Then, they add fresh mozzarella and basil before popping it into the oven until hot and bubbly.  

Volcano Spiced Seared Ahi
To kick off your meal with a flavor explosion unlike anything you’ve had before, get the Volcano Spiced Seared Ahi. This dish starts with Kula greens topped with tomato, candied pecans, and mango. Over that, they add seared ahi sashimi before drizzling on the wasabi aioli and crystallized ginger vinaigrette.

Fish & Chips
For a true island classic that will leave you singing its praises far and wide, treat yourself to the Fish & Chips. They create this dish by dipping mahi-mahi in a light beer batter and taking it for a dip in the deep fryer. Once it’s golden brown, they put it on the plate with French fries, mango slaw, and tartar sauce for dipping.

As you finish up your meal, make sure to leave room for their delicious Coconut Chocolate Cake. Made fresh on the regular, this dessert promises to tantalize your tastebuds from the first bite through to the last. If you’d like something a little creamier, then go with the NY Style Vanilla Cheesecake instead. With its luscious blueberry topping, their cheesecake will undoubtedly have you coming back for more.

Insider Tips:
-Need a gluten-free bun? Just let your server know.
-If you prefer to take your meal to go, just call it in. Be prepared to see a 15% gratuity added to the bill though.
-When dining with six or more in your party, expect to see a 20% gratuity automatically added as well.  
-They have two happy hours each day. The first runs from 11 am to noon, while the second is from 4 pm to 5 pm.