Oao - Sushi Bar & Grill at Wailea
A top sushi destination on Maui, Oao offers fresh, beautifully presented Japanese fare with creative flair and skilled bartenders.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Oao - Sushi Bar & Grill at Wailea
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A top sushi destination on Maui, Oao offers fresh, beautifully presented Japanese fare with creative flair and skilled bartenders.
Happy Hour Deals
Visit during happy hour (noon-5pm) for special pricing on drinks and food.
Sit at the Sushi Bar
Experience an interactive dining atmosphere by watching the chefs.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Japanese, Sushi
Price
$$$
Phone
(808) 318-1602
Address
34 Wailea Gateway Pl, Kihei, HI 96753, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Exceptional Fresh Sushi
Experience beautifully presented and delicious sushi with fresh fish and locally sourced ingredients.
Standout Dishes
Don't miss inventive rolls like the Oao baked California roll or the salmon karage.
Creative Cocktails
Skilled bartenders craft amazing cocktails with love, perfect for happy hour or dinner.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Happy Hour Deals
Visit during happy hour (noon-5pm) for special pricing on drinks and food.
Sit at the Sushi Bar
Experience an interactive dining atmosphere by watching the chefs.
Reservations Recommended
Make reservations in advance, as it's a popular spot among locals and visitors.
Try Chef's Specials
Ask about any specials of the day for unique menu offerings.
Tips
from all over the internet
Happy Hour Deals
Visit during happy hour (noon-5pm) for special pricing on drinks and food.
Sit at the Sushi Bar
Experience an interactive dining atmosphere by watching the chefs.
Reservations Recommended
Make reservations in advance, as it's a popular spot among locals and visitors.
Try Chef's Specials
Ask about any specials of the day for unique menu offerings.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners rave about Oao - Sushi Bar & Grill at Wailea for its exceptional quality sushi, beautifully presented dishes, and creative flavor combinations, with many highlighting the salmon sashimi and unique rolls as standouts. While some find the prices high, the attentive service and interactive sushi bar experience often justify the cost, though a few reviews suggest inconsistency or disappointment with certain dishes.
"We sat at the sushi bar for dinner. Great spot to watch the action. Fantastic menu, so many choices and variety. The sushi was so beautifully presented and delicious. Service was great too!"
A G
"Excellent quality sushi in the Wailea area, close by several hotels. Everything we ordered was great but surprisingly the salmon sashimi was a total standout. The servers and our bartender were very friendly and attentive - would recommend this place to anyone staying in the area."
Jeff B
"Stopped by on a Saturday evening around 8pm and was able to be seated upon arrival for our party of four. Overall, food and service is very good for this pricey Japanese style restaurant.
The teriyaki chicken skewer was good but nothing special. The Oao baked California roll was filling and delicious. The Cilantro Lime salad was fresh and tasty. The spicy Japanese edamame was delicious and spicy but unfortunately were not shelled. The rock shrimp tempura was not very filling but was tasty."
S B
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Oao is renowned for its exceptionally fresh and beautifully presented sushi, creative rolls like the Oao baked California roll, and skillfully crafted cocktails.
Yes, Oao offers a long happy hour from noon to 5pm with special pricing on drinks and food, making it a popular choice.
It is recommended to make reservations in advance, as Oao is a popular spot among both locals and tourists.
Standout dishes include the salmon sashimi, Oao baked California roll, salmon karage, and hamachi carpaccio.
Yes, sitting at the sushi bar is a great option for an interactive dining experience, allowing you to watch the chefs at work.
While known for sushi, Oao also offers other Japanese-inspired dishes, including steak and local seafood.
Mentioned in
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36 Hours on Maui: Things to Do and See
Oao Sushi Bar & Grill offers beautifully prepared Japanese fare, such as inventive sushi rolls and purple-yam pot de crème, in a Wailea shopping center.
6 Best Wailea Happy Hours
Vibe: The vibe here is very casual and laid-back, exactly what many are looking for when they seek out a happy hour (or five!). While it lacks lanai seating with ocean views, it makes up for it with a large happy hour menu, great food, excellent service, and a 5-hour happy hour!. Oao (pronounced “wow”) is a newer restaurant that opened its doors in late 2022 and boasts the longest happy hour in Wailea.
Where to Find the Best Sushi on Maui
You’ll find traditional sushi rolls and unexpected rice cakes (you’ll want to try at least 2), alongside Prime Ribeye and Poached Lobster. Chef Oao Jr. focuses on fresh and locally sourced ingredients to highlight dishes that fuse familiar Japanese recipes with a french twist.
Reddit - Dive into anything
We would be especially interested if you have recommendations for locally owned places.So far, we plan on going to Oao and Cafe o’lei (the Kihei one) restaurants. I find it hard to get excited about the restaurants in the hotels.Thank you for any recommendations!
Best Sushi On Maui - Isana, Miso Phat, Koiso, Oao, Morimoto
Located in Wailea, Oao Sushi grew from a food truck to a bona fide restaurant. Now it’s one of Maui’s best!. Fresh fish and local ingredients are emphasized here, as well as stunning presentation.
The best restaurants in Wailea Maui (best Wailea restaurants)
It is a family-owned business that is led by sushi expert Chef JR. Oao has an extensive menu. In addition to sushi, they serve steak and other local seafood.
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