Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - Kaanapali, Maui
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Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - Kaanapali, Maui

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A vibrant farm-to-table eatery and bar on Kaanapali Beach, famous for its fresh Hawaiian cuisine and legendary Mai Tais.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - Kaanapali, Maui

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - Kaanapali, Maui

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A vibrant farm-to-table eatery and bar on Kaanapali Beach, famous for its fresh Hawaiian cuisine and legendary Mai Tais.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"The best Mai Tai on the island, paired with fresh, farm-to-table delights in a lively atmosphere!"

TIP

Arrive Early for Happy Hour

Beat the crowds and enjoy discounted appetizers and drinks during happy hour.

Make Reservations

The restaurant is popular; securing a reservation in advance is highly recommended.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Sunday 11AM

Cuisine

Hawaiian, New American

Price

$$$

Phone

(808) 878-6763

Address

2435 Kaanapali Pkwy Bldg I-1, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Legendary Monkeypod Mai Tai

The Legendary Monkeypod Mai Tai

Legendary Mai Tais with lilikoi foam and locally made rum, a must-try Hawaiian cocktail experience.

The 9 Best Restaurants in Lahaina16 of the Best Things to Do in Ka'anapaliGoogle Review
Farm-to-Table Freshness

Farm-to-Table Freshness

Savor fresh, locally sourced ingredients in creative dishes like Taro Ravioli and Pork Tacos.

Google Review
Lively Atmosphere & Live Music

Lively Atmosphere & Live Music

Enjoy an upbeat, welcoming vibe with live music performances, perfect for a fun island evening.

TikTokGoogle Review+2
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The Monkeypod on Sundays 1-3pm #organicislandmusic #maui #damienawai #monkeypodkitchenkaanapali damienawai.com
@damienawai_music
21 likes • 366 views

Arrive Early for Happy Hour

Beat the crowds and enjoy discounted appetizers and drinks during happy hour.

Make Reservations

The restaurant is popular; securing a reservation in advance is highly recommended.

🙊I can honestly say I wish we would’ve gone back to Monkeypod during dinner or happy hour! The ambiance, live band, patio, pizza, pie & Mai Tai made up for my bland fish tacos! #fyp #maui #mauihawaii #thingstodoinmaui #mauirestaurants #thingstoeatinmaui #mauieats #monkeypod #monkeypodrestaurant #monkeypodwailea #foodie #mauifoodie #mauifood
@kanionamarie
68 likes • 9.3K views
Monkeypod Wailea, Maui! #dinner #hawaiitiktok #maui #traveltok #maitai
@gabrielagrantoninstagram
91 likes • 15.2K views

Don't Skip Appetizers

Appetizers like poke tacos or Ahi Tuna are highly recommended and can be a meal in themselves.

Try Unique Sides

Consider the Jalapeño Mashed Potatoes for a flavorful and unique side dish.

Well worth the hype. Monkey pod in maui
@sightswithsaad
22 likes • 936 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Arrive Early for Happy Hour

Beat the crowds and enjoy discounted appetizers and drinks during happy hour.

Make Reservations

The restaurant is popular; securing a reservation in advance is highly recommended.

Don't Skip Appetizers

Appetizers like poke tacos or Ahi Tuna are highly recommended and can be a meal in themselves.

Try Unique Sides

Consider the Jalapeño Mashed Potatoes for a flavorful and unique side dish.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Monkeypod Kitchen is widely praised for its lively atmosphere, excellent drinks, and farm-to-table cuisine, particularly its legendary Mai Tais and delicious pies. While many find the food fresh and flavorful, a few reviewers noted that some dishes can be overpriced or less impressive compared to others, with occasional waits due to its popularity.

"All the food was definitely farm-to-table fresh. The gnocchi pasta was absolutely delicious and the pork tacos packed a punch. Mai Tai’s were refreshing and had perfect flavor. The T.B.D drink was weirdly delicious, though I couldn’t really figure out the flavors. The banana cream pie was the perfect dessert to top off the night. We will definitely be coming back before our trip is over."

Casey Lauer

"Monkeypod at Whalers Village Kaanapali Beach is simply outstanding.
Food and service we have had here has always been really good and tasty.
Went again and it was really excellent again. The space is very open, yet has some distinct differentiation in seating and areas. Bar is super attractive with great swivel chairs, and most places in store have great view of ocean.
Our server Brenda was very helpful, nice and patient, we always ask a lot of questions and talk a lot, she was awesome.
To start we had the Rosemary Grilled Chicken Wings and they were fantastic. Also had Poke Tacos, only thing we had th hat was so so.
For Dinner we had
Bulgolgi Pork Tacos, Monchong Fish Sandwich, Gnocchi, Maui Cattle Burger for mains, and they were all truly beautifully prepared and delicious. We added sides of Jalapeño Spinach Mashed, Corn Bread and Brocolli and yes, they were also all fabulous, like amazing delicious and plentiful. Was just a great dining experience and we enjoyed ourselves the entire time.
Thank you Brenda and the Monkeypod Team !!"

Erick Nielsen

"Atmosphere is great. Upbeat and welcoming. Indoor restaurant with some seating by the open wall that faces the stunning ocean. Servicer when there was great. Needed for nothing. But when she wasn't was of course is when we needed something and we had thought she left for the night. Had to ask 2 other servers for help. Food was fantastic. I had a hamburger. Not much special there right. WRONG. It was so good. Husband had fish tacos. Strawberry cheesecake. 🍓 Everyone liked their meal."

angela mccloskey

What People Like

Legendary Mai Tais with lilikoi foam
Fresh, farm-to-table Hawaiian cuisine
Lively atmosphere with live music

What People Dislike

Occasional long waits
Some dishes perceived as pricey
Inconsistent food quality for some

Frequently Asked Questions

Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak hours and for dinner, as the restaurant is very popular. They do not take reservations for happy hour.

Google Review

The legendary Monkeypod Mai Tai is a must-try. Popular food items include the Taro Ravioli, Pork Tacos, and their delicious pies like coconut cream pie.

TikTokThings to Do in Maui With Kids: The Ultimate GuideGoogle Review+2

Yes, they often feature live music performances, adding to the lively and upbeat atmosphere of the restaurant.

TikTokGoogle Review+1

Yes, it's considered family-friendly with a great atmosphere. They even offer free noodles and cheese for children under three.

14 Amazing Kid-Friendly Maui Restaurants (2023)

Happy hour is a great time to visit for discounted appetizers and drinks. Arriving early during happy hour can help avoid long waits.

TikTokKehei and/or Lahaina restaurants - Fodor's Travel Talk ForumsGoogle Review

The atmosphere is described as lively, upbeat, welcoming, and casual, with open-air seating and ocean views from some spots.

TikTokGoogle Review+2

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I also recommend Monkeypod for some good eats, and at happy hour, there are a lot of half priced apps and pizza. Get some shave ice at one of the Ululani's or Local Boys shops in both west (lahaina) and south maui (kihei).

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Right on Kaanapali Beach, this open-air mall offers everything from Louis Vuitton to Tommy Bahama, with a few island designers in the mix. Find classy aloha wear from Honolulu’s Tori Richard (www.toririchard.com; tel 808/667-7762) and matching mother-daughter batik clothing from Maui’s Blue Ginger (www.blueginger.com; tel 808/667-5793). The Totally Hawaiian Gift Gallery (www.totallyhawaiian.com; tel 808/667- 4070) carries Niihau shell jewelry, Norfolk pine bowls, and Hawaiian quilt kits, while you’ll find smaller koa wood items like pens, jewelry, and photo frames among the art gallery-worthy wooden tables and bedframes at Martin & MacArthur (martinandmacarthur.com; tel 808/667-7422.) The Honolulu-based chain Na Hoku jewelers (www.nahoku.com; tel 808/667-5411) offers stellar island-inspired sparkles and watches.

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Monkeypod Kitchen: With two Maui locations, in Wailea and Ka’anapali, it’s one of our favorite places to eat in Maui. Nothing beats starting off with an appetizer of poke tacos, a Monkeypod Mai Tai or a cold beer from Maui Brewing Company. The Ahi Tuna with mashed potatoes is my go-to meal at Monkeypod, and you can’t leave without trying the strawberry pie for dessert – sooooooo good!!!!!!

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When you’re planning on spending a good portion of your vacation sipping on cocktails, it pays to know which spot has the best ones. Maui has plenty of good contenders, but Monkeypod takes the cake when it comes to mai tais. Made with locally made rum, freshly squeezed juice, and topped with lilikoi (passionfruit) foam, it’s enough to make anyone want to book a ticket to Maui.

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One of Merriman’s restaurants is the lively and casual Monkeypod Kitchen in Wailea (also soon to open in Whalers Village, Ka’anapali), where the locally sourced menu includes items such as Kauai shrimp and Hamakua mushroom potstickers; handmade gnocchi with pork sausage, ricotta, vine-ripened tomatoes, and organic kale; and kiawe (a mesquite tree) wood oven pizzas.

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Merriman’s (Kapalua): Chef Peter Merriman, one of the founders of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, oversees a locally inspired culinary empire that includes the more casual Monkeypod Kitchen in Wailea and Whalers Village. The farm-to-table menu at his elegant Kapalua outpost almost matches the breathtaking island, ocean, and beach views from its perch on a rocky point.

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At Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman’s, one of the best Wailea restaurants, you will find live music and delicious food the entire family will love!. If you are visiting with little ones under three years old, they get to eat some noodles and cheese here for free!. Otherwise, there is a great Keiki menu, appetizers, and other dishes that everyone will enjoy.

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Monkeypod Kitchen is an extremely popular restaurant and bar in Whaler’s Village, and it features a large patio for an open-air dining experience. It stands apart by serving a wonderful selection of handcrafted drinks, including their famous Mai Tais. What sets this Mai Tai apart from others is the Lilikoi foam they put on top, it is ridiculous!.

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Monkeypod Kitchen is where sustainability meets mouthwatering flavors. Sip on craft cocktails like their signature Mai Tai topped with honey-lilikoi foam while you savor wood-fired pizzas, fresh seafood, and organic salads. Add in some live music and a vibrant crowd, and it’s the perfect spot for any meal, from casual bites to lively dinners.

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Beyond its mai tais and farm-to-table dining, Monkeypod Kitchen is known for its live music. Both the Kā‘anapali and Wailea locations are live entertainment hubs and host some of Maui’s most talented musicians. You never know who might show up at Monkeypod Kitchen, from “The Voice” contestants to local radio stars.

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A great Happy Hour (3:30pm to 5:00pm) with their unique Mai Tai served with a foam topping made with house-made liliko’i syrup. A Merriman restaurant. Open daily from 11am to 10pm.

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