Are you looking for delectable farm-to-table cuisine served in an ultra-hip setting? If that’s the case, then you definitely need Vana Paia in your life. Although they’re somewhat of a newcomer to the Maui restaurant scene, they’ve been making waves since they kicked open their doors in 2016. Their food is good enough reason to visit all on its own, but it’s their unique dining experience options that truly wow the crowds.
Across their island eatery, they have four distinct dining areas for you to choose from at every visit. You can grab a seat under the stunning Hau Tree in their main dining area. Or sidle up to the Jade Bar to chat with the bartender while you enjoy your food and drinks. If you’d like to get a front-row view of all the action, however, the Chef’s Table is the place to land. Want to enjoy a private meal with up to 16 special guests? Then, be sure to reserve their Vana Room instead.
As for their food, their approach always starts with the freshest local ingredients around, allowing them to bring Hawaiian flavors to every dish. Then, they transform those ingredients using time-honored Japanese recipes and a little bit of a personal touch all their own. After that, the team always artistically plates up every dish, complete with island flower accents here and there. So, whether you order the full sushi spread or their popular hot dishes, take a moment to admire their handiwork before digging in.
Since they have a full bar running day in and day out, you can always get the highest quality prohibition-inspired drinks around. Their mixologists expertly handcraft specialty cocktails on demand, like their Spicy Lilikoi Mezcalita. If you’d like to keep it simple, they have wine by the glass, beer, and sake, too.
Their top selections:
Deviled Eggs Delux
You haven’t truly had deviled eggs until you’ve tried the Deviled Eggs Delux. This bold appetizer centers around their wonderfully delicious truffle deviled eggs. Then, alongside that, they add their caper cream cheese stuffed cucumbers and ikura over the top.
Sushi Sample
If you’re instantly overwhelmed by all the sushi options, do yourself a favor by getting the Sushi Sample. When you order this popular dish, you get one piece each of their tuna, salmon shrimp, kanpachi, and Hamachi rolls. Want to take it to the next level? Order the Chef’s Daily Special Roll alongside to bring it all together.
Jidori Chicken Karaage
Whenever you want a hot meal, you cannot go wrong with the Jidori Chicken Karaage. This entrée starts with chicken well seasoned, dipped in batter, and then fried until crispy. After that, they plate it up with spicy mayo and Thai chili water on the side for dipping.
As you fill up on all their scrumptious dishes, don’t forget to save room for dessert. You’ll want to get a taste of their Coconut Cream Mochi, for sure, which pairs wonderfully with their Cinnamon Toasted Martini. Want a romantic dessert to share? Order up the Peaches and Cream for 2.
Insider Tips:
-Come by between 5 pm and 6 pm to get happy hour specials by the boatload.
-When dining with six or more, don’t be surprised to see a 20% gratuity automatically added to your bill. On top of that, they charge a 3% kitchen service fee for all their food items.
-Since they only use fresh, local ingredients, they often run out of menu items before close. So, be ready to order something else just in case they’re out of your first pick.
-Find a parking spot along Hana Highway instead of trying to park in the alley. The parking behind the building is for the business next door.