Wailea is a superb spot in Maui, and has a ton of great restaurants - here are what I consider among the top five!
Spago
3900 Wailea Alanui Drive
Maui, HI 96753
(808) 874-8000
Fine dining can also be experienced at the Spago restaurant located in Kihei, Maui. They offer some of the greatest food you could ever experience, the chefs are very dedicated to the place and are hoping to take you by surprise with some of their strong and fresh Maui ingredients. The dishes are influenced by traditional Hawaiian and even California cooking styles. You can even ask for some of Wolfgang Puck's inspired dishes, they serve some of the very best that you can find on Maui.
Joe's Bar and Grill
131 Wailea Ike Place
Maui, HI 96753
(808) 875-7767
When you are looking for somewhere to kick back and enjoy your time, Joe's bar and Grill is the perfect place to go. They have American inspired dishes and its fine dining like you've probably never experienced before. They even have special barbecue sauce that is absolutely delicious and it works well with their black market ribs. They also have fresh local seafood that is prepared and cooked unlike any other seafood in the area. They use special sauces like a chipotle honey butter to add spice and taste to their dishes.
Longhi's
3750 Wailea Alanui Drive
Maui, HI 96753
(808) 891-8883
Longhi's is located in Kihei as well, you can enjoy perfect seafood and absolutely great dishes. They've been open since 1976, but this location is a bit newer. They have been serving up great food to South Maui residents ever since their launch.
Nick's Fishmarket Maui
4100 Wailea Alanui Drive, Maui, HI
Fairmont Kea Lani
(808) 879-7224
Nick's Fishmarket is tucked just away from the beach, but surrounded by the natural beauty of Maui at its best. Wailea is a great place for so many reasons, and Nick's Fishmarket is making its mark as one of those reasons.
You will want to get reservations - many places do not live up to the hype, but Nick's is first and foremost a first class restaurant.
The Pork & Shrimp Spring Rolls can almost make by themselves; but you will not want to pass on the great selection of seafood; the day boat catch varies but is always excellent; you have got to try the Moroccan Spiced Salmon. This is the best place to relax and eat a long, beautiful dinner.
Capische: Maui Italian Fine Dining
www.capische.com/
555 Kaukahi Street Kihei, HI 96753
(808) 879-2224
Capische sits back from the Polo Beach Park, but that only intensifies the views - you will not believe the sunsets available from this small jewel of a restaurant nestled in the hills just off the coast; they have live jazz and blues over the weekend with two main dining rooms and ample outdoor seating.
Capische's gets good marks across the board from OpenTable diners, winning the best of in several categories, and they do not disappoint. They have an extensive dinner menu, and specialize in decadent deserts like the Artisan Cheeses and Chocolate Salted Caramel Tart. A lot of people are mad about the Mushroom Truffle Risotto, but the Ciopino is to die for.
Four Seasons Maui at Wailea
3900 Wailea Alanui Drive
HI
(808) 874-8000
Sometimes hotel dining is actually good dining - that is the case at any of the three restaurants at the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea. For the most romantic, dine under the open air at Ferraro's Bar e Ristorante. Specialties include Roast Sea Bass, oven roasted potatoes and pepper cress butter sauce to name just a few.
Spago is also on hand; Ginger BBQ is always great, as is the grilled Mahi Mahi and Shiitake Mushrooms; the Grilled Cote de Boeuf with Braised Celery, Armagnac, Peppercorns and 'Pommes Aligot' is a good argument as to why Spago is famous no matter where they are.
For a more laid back and down home pallet, the Duo Steak and Seafood serves both breakfast and dinner; from Sushi to a porterhouse, you will find the food you want at this great restaurant, or one of the sister restaurants at the Four Seasons Wailea!