Napua at Mauna Lani Beach Club

Napua: A Tale of a Million-Dollar View, a Four-Dollar Soda, and a Thirty-Two Percent Tip Napua, situated at the Mauna Lani Beach Club, offers a view that is, simply put, incomparable. Dining here feels like you've been seated on the set of a postcard. With an open-air layout, the ocean and beach are your dinner companions, and they are exceptionally well-behaved. The kitchen operates on a similar level of excellence. The chefs are clearly masters of their craft. The fresh catch of the day, a beautifully prepared Mahi Mahi, was seasoned to perfection. The kitchen staff also demonstrated wonderful flexibility, happily transforming a standard pasta dish into a delicious vegetarian meal upon request. The Calamari appetizer was a strong opening act, and the Lumpia Banana dessert provided a perfectly sweet finale. Now, let's talk about the beverages, or more specifically, one beverage. Our dining experience included an interesting subplot: the quest for a Diet Coke. Ordered at the beginning of the meal, this simple soda embarked on its own journey, choosing not to appear alongside the appetizer or even with the main course. Halfway through our entrees, we enlisted the help of the bartender, who successfully captured the elusive beverage for us and even secured a refill later on. Our waitress, Coral, seemed to become aware of the Diet Coke's existence only when it was time for it to be added to the bill. The service from our waitress was minimal. After the main courses were delivered, we were left to our own devices, with no check-in to see how things were. In contrast, the back waiter was efficient and attentive, clearing plates promptly. So, what does one do when faced with world-class food, a sublime view, and service that is noticeably absent? In an unconventional move, a 25% tip was left. The philosophy behind this was not to penalize, but rather to provide a moment for reflection, hoping the generous gesture might encourage more attentive service in the future. Final Score: * View: 10/10. Worth the visit alone. * Food: 9/10. The kitchen is performing brilliantly. * Service: 6/10. It appears to be a matter of chance. In summary, Napua is a fantastic choice for its culinary skill and breathtaking location. Just be prepared that your server might be as taken with the view as you are, to the point of distraction.

Our family ate at Napua for dinner. I have to say it was one of the best meals we have eaten. We tried both salads and had the Ono special and the mahi mahi fresh catch, both were prepared so deliciously. We literally licked our plates. The server and wait staff were all super attentive. I would highly recommend this for a high end dinner on the big island. We got our reservation 30 days in advance, plan accordingly. The outdoor seating and setting is beautiful.

This place is an absolute gem! The location offers breathtaking views, and the food and service were simply incredible. The only downside is that if you’re not staying at the resort and you’re visiting during lunch, you’ll have to park your car a mile away and then walk to the restaurant. But other than that, I highly recommend this place.

The pork sandwich was delicious. Had a nice sweet note from the barbecue, with a little tang from the coleslaw. Wished it came with a side of fries. The virgin lava flow was SO good. Right next to the beach