Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa
About
Dining Above the Lagoon
At Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa, the architecture is as much a draw as the plate. Set right on the water’s edge in Wailea, the restaurant is built over a half-million-gallon saltwater lagoon teeming with tropical fish. You aren't just eating dinner; you are dining inside a living ecosystem. The open-air thatched roof structure captures the constant salt-tinged breeze, making it a quintessential Maui experience for those who want to feel the ocean without getting wet.
A Taste of the Pacific
Chef’s expertise shines through in the Hawaiian-inspired menu, which leans heavily into locally sourced seafood. The signature lobster—pulled directly from the surrounding lagoon system—is the centerpiece of many tables. You will find the preparation techniques respectful of traditional island flavors, often incorporating macadamia nuts, island-grown mango, and fresh ginger. The ahi poke and fresh-caught opakapaka are staples that define the local culinary identity.
The Tropical Pulse
The atmosphere leans into high-end casual. While the service is polished, the environment remains distinctly laid back, fitting the Wailea coastline perfectly. Be prepared for a bit of a trek from the resort’s main lobby—the walk through the lush garden pathways is scenic, but keep an eye on your footwear if you’re wearing heels. As the sun dips below the horizon, the lights reflecting off the lagoon create a glow that makes the space feel incredibly private, even when the restaurant is at full capacity. It is the ideal spot for a sunset celebration where the soundtrack is the rhythmic splashing of the lagoon rather than background music.
Amenities & Features
Location
3850 Wailea Alanui Dr. Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Wailea, Hawaii, 96753
More to Explore
Reviews
Showing 6 of 1852 community reviewstoday not tomorrowGoogle Maps
Recently
We almost cancelled the reservation because of the bad reviews here, but we decided to go and it was the best decision. The staff were so friendly and acknowledged of everything in the menu and really helpful. The food was fresh and delicious. They also congratulated us with our anniversary and made a little signage on the cakes. It was so sweet. The atmosphere and the view overall were great. The bar was nice as well, the fish aquarium instead of counter looked so unique. I highly recommend to go there at least once for your trip. The prices was higher then overall rates, but it absolutely worth it. Thanks to the people who work there, we really enjoyed our night. Don’t forget to make a reservation, but you always can sit at the bar too.
TaylorGoogle Maps
Recently
We got engaged and went to dinner here! Our server was superb. Food was amazing. A tad pricey however you get what you pay for. The bar is lovely. Definitely worth a try!
Audrey GearGoogle Maps
Recently
Food was great. service great. super super nice server. 10/10 all day. 100$ plus a person. i must say… valet.. so i drove my car in there my self right? you can’t do that. oops. i don’t do non optional valet often lol. not my point.. they drive like complete lunatics in there. RACING FAST. like i get your getting our vehicles in and out fast but like can i get it back in one piece please. every turn that was taken was tires SCREECCHING! horrifying. glad i’m driving a rental because if that was my car being driven like that by someone else… nah. only i get to drive my car like that lol. but it was bad. i was sick to my stomach hearing that. i was genuinely scared just driving in there with them. my valet card got stamped so i didn’t have to pay because i was only at the hotel to eat, but rip if i did. thing would be garbage when i got it back. chill out. i’m not a karen i just care about my crap.
Farah AliGoogle Maps
Recently
Dined here last night. I had gotten my reservations ahead of time and I highly recommended it. It's a beautiful restaurant with Hawaiian vibes overlooking the beach. The food is delicious and the place is fairly busy I'm giving it three stars because of the service our server kept forgetting what we ordered and the food arrived really late. The Kids menu he never put in the order so our kids food arrived after we had already finished our meal. Yes, he gave a complementary ube bread, but it was still too late. The kids were hungry and the buttered noodles and the chicken teriyaki arrived after the appetizers and main course . He also forgot to put in the crab cakes order . We had the West Coast oysters, Ahi, pacific snapper, Brussels, carrots, buttered noodles, and chicken teriyaki.
WarmlyNotedGoogle Maps
Recently
An exceptional dining experience from start to finish. The food was truly outstanding—thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and full of flavour. The atmosphere struck the perfect balance between fine dining and comfort, making the whole evening feel special without feeling stuffy. Service was attentive and gracious, and the cocktails were excellent. This is the kind of place you plan your trip around. I loved the ube brioche, lilikoi butter, Red Snapper and dessert especially! I’ll absolutely be back.
Chef,Engineer,IndianEnthusiastGoogle Maps
Recently
To say that the food, service and Atmosphere was 5 stars is and understatement. Our server Michael and his team were just exceptional. This is the epitome of what you expect when you go to Waldorf Astoria. As a native Newyorker I can tell you that not only did you uphold the Waldorf Astoria reputation but you exceeded it which I thought was hard to do. Now to the important stuff, the food was absolutely amazing. We started with the Venison Lumpia and Ahi Agua Chile which was as classic as you can ask for. They didn’t try to reinvent the wheel but kept to the classic chili water and then embellished with perfect accompaniments. My wife had the Scallops which were cooked to perfection. I had the Snapper with each layer there was another surprise, just simply delicious. The garlic mashed potatoes were velvety smooth and perfectly seasoned, just enough salt without being salty.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa
Common questions from diners about Humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa in Wailea.
