Loved our meal here! There was a bit of a wait for our reservation but it went by quickly. The atmosphere is a bit loud and the lightening needs to change (it's overhead and makes you look awful). However our server was soo sweet and the food was outstanding. The special of monchong fish with cauliflower puree was amazing. The shrimp with cornbread also amazing, though portion size a bit small. The banana pie was way too sweet, I wish there was some chocolate or something to break through the sweetness, and the portion was a bit big for the two of us.
Overview
Walking into Monkeypod Kitchen By Merriman - Wailea, Maui feels like stepping into the laid-back heart of South Maui dining, where locals and visitors mingle over craft cocktails and plates built around the island’s best ingredients. Located at 10 Wailea Gateway Pl B-201, Kihei, HI 96753, United States, this spot has become a regular stop for people who care about what’s on their plate but don’t want the experience to feel stiff or overdone.
I’ve eaten here more times than I can count, usually after a long beach day when I want something comforting yet thoughtfully prepared. The vibe always strikes a balance: open-air energy, friendly servers who know the menu inside out, and a hum that tells you the restaurant is busy for a reason. Monkeypod Kitchen is closely tied to the philosophy of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, a movement that emphasizes local farms, fresh seafood, and seasonal produce. Chef Peter Merriman, widely recognized as one of the pioneers of this approach, built the concept around relationships with farmers and fishers rather than mass suppliers.
The menu reads like a snapshot of the islands. Fresh catch plates rotate depending on what’s landed that morning, which aligns with sustainability data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showing that regionally sourced seafood reduces environmental impact while improving freshness. You’ll often see fish like ono or mahi mahi paired with simple preparations that let the flavor do the talking. Their wood-fired pizzas are another standout, especially the one topped with wild mushrooms and truffle oil, cooked just enough to get that crisp-chewy crust that’s hard to pull off consistently.
One thing that keeps showing up in reviews is the commitment to real ingredients. Monkeypod Kitchen works with local farms for produce and proteins, a process that means the kitchen adapts daily. From a professional standpoint, that flexibility requires tight coordination between chefs and suppliers, but it’s also why the food tastes alive rather than standardized. During one visit, our server explained how a shortage of a specific herb led the kitchen to adjust a sauce that morning, which speaks to real-time decision-making rather than prepackaged solutions.
Drinks deserve their own moment here. The mai tai, topped with honey-lilikoi foam, has earned almost legendary status. It’s not just hype; the balance between citrus, rum, and that lightly sweet foam shows technical skill. According to industry beverage reports from the Distilled Spirits Council, consumers increasingly favor cocktails made with fresh juices and natural sweeteners, and this drink fits that trend perfectly without feeling trendy for the sake of it.
Monkeypod Kitchen also earns trust through consistency. Online reviews often mention attentive service and clear communication about dietary needs. From personal experience, servers are proactive about gluten-free or vegetarian options, and they don’t guess if they’re unsure-they check with the kitchen. That transparency matters, especially as more diners manage food sensitivities.
No place is flawless. At peak dinner hours, wait times can stretch longer than expected, and parking in the Wailea area can test your patience. Still, those are logistical issues rather than reflections of food quality or service integrity.
What makes this restaurant stand out is how naturally it blends expertise with approachability. You can taste the thought behind each dish without feeling like you’re part of a lecture on sourcing or technique. Monkeypod Kitchen By Merriman - Wailea, Maui manages to feel both special and easygoing, which explains why so many people add it to their Maui routine and keep coming back every trip.
Good to know
Service options
✓ Outdoor seating ✓ On-site services ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-in ✓ DeliveryHighlights
✓ Fast service ✓ Great beer selection ✓ Great cocktails ✓ Great dessert ✓ Great wine list ✓ Serves local specialtyPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Cocktails ✓ Coffee ✓ Comfort food ✓ Happy-hour drinks ✓ Happy-hour food ✓ Healthy options ✓ Late-night food ✓ Organic dishes ✓ Small plates ✓ Spirits ✓ Vegetarian options ✓ WineDining options
✓ Brunch ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Bar on site ✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ TrendyCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ Groups ✓ TouristsPlanning
✓ Brunch reservations recommended ✓ Lunch reservations recommended ✓ Dinner reservations recommended ✓ Accepts reservations ✓ Usually a waitPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ High chairs ✓ Kids' menuParking
✓ Free of charge street parking ✓ Free parking lot ✓ ParkingPhotos
1 / 4
Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 7107 reviews
I had a great experience at Monkeypod Kitchen in Maui. The Mai Tai was outstanding—perfectly balanced, refreshing, and easily one of the best I’ve had on the island. The pineapple pizza was delicious with its sweet-savory combination, and the ulu ravioli was a unique standout, rich in flavor and beautifully prepared. Ryan was our server and he explained vegetarian options and recommended drinks. We ordered from his suggestion and everything turned out pretty well.
We dined here on our honeymoon and we loved the experience! The ambiance of the restaurant was really fun and it was cool to see all the various cocktails and things on the menu. We got truffle fries and some type of ravioli to start… loved the fries but would not recommend the ravioli. It was a weird texture and overpoweringly cheesy. The drinks and margaritas pizza were great, too! We came for happy hour and our waiter was great! We did feel a little forgotten about at the end of our meal, but it was starting to pick up a ton by that time as it transitioned to dinner time.
A beautiful restaurant with delicious locally themed dishes and a staff that is efficient, friendly, and attentive. The restaurant is comfortably decorated in a modern tropical theme. Tables and booths are available and are spaced so that you're not on top of other visitors. A large bar offers comfortable counter service. Tables are also available on an outside patio. We have never needed to make reservations. However, during busier times of the year and for large groups it would probably be smart to make arrangements. A free parking lot is available adjacent to the restaurant.
My husband and I were in Maui last week for our honeymoon and we came to Monkeypod twice during our stay. The first night I got the famous mai tai and it was delicious. I’m not even really a fan of sour/sweet cocktails, but the foam on this one really made it special and more decadent. We tried several items, but we especially loved the sashimi tacos, beef bulgogi tacos, and the gyoza. All were exceptional! If we are ever back in Maui we will definitely come back again!
We had a great experience here recently. The place was busy, but even as a party of 6 we were seated quickly. Most of us indulged in their famous Mai Tais, delicious. The gluten-free options are limited, but our server was knowledgeable about gluten and said the kitchen could support a variety of options. We got the roast chicken wings and fish tacos. Both were very good. While we didn't indulge in cream pie for dessert, our gluten eating friends had slices of the banana and strawberry cream pies. They said they were delicious.
Overall a good experience. The major negative was the kitchen service fee. Is that your credit card fee? Enforced kitchen staff tip? What gives? At these prices, that's just a money grab. Shame on you. Anyway, kiddo had fish & chips. He's not discerning and ate it all. Husband had the chicken. No complaints but nothing spectacular. I had the mahi mahi. It was good but not great. Fancy Mai Tai was very good but I have now had a better one at another restaurant in town. Service was great. So that matched the prices. It was okay but you can get the same food and drinks elsewhere for less.