Soo K.

Went to Five Palms for happy hour based on a recommendation from a friend that used to live in Kihei for 2 years. My criterias were good ambiance, reasonably priced happy hour foods and drinks. I hate overpaying for food in the Hawaiian islands (which is quite often), especially if it's mediocre and unmemorable. We arrived at 5pm and had to wait about 20 minutes for table near the bar. The service was very good as both the hostess and the server were very nice and attentive. We ordered a variety of pupus and had cocktails while the sun was setting. I can't speak to their dinner as I've not eaten there, but definitely recommend it for happy hour food and drinks. The pupus were good so I would definitely look to return next time I'm in that area. Get there early if you go!

Sara N.

This review if for breakfast. They serve breakfast until 2:30pm to accommodate those of us that are not on Hawaiian time. Using mapquest it was a little hard to find since it's in one of the many shopping plazas on Kihei road. Once we found the plaza it was located towards the back of the plaza at a beachfront location right next to a small yoga studio. There is a nice view of the beach and we sat on their covered outside patio. We ordered the Hawaiian bread french toast which has sliced bananas and white chocolate chunks. It was amazing. We also ordered the crab & avocado omelet which sounded soooo good but sadly they were out of avocado for the day. There was a market across the street and I asked the waitress if they could get some avocados and she said no and looked at me like I was crazy but I thought they would have liked to have been more accommodating and besides that I really wanted to taste it. It was ok but maybe much better if they had the avocado =(. Any ways, the breakfast items were about $10-$18 a dish. The concierge at our hotel gave us a coupon for 15% off the whole order. I would go back again but I hope they don't run out of fresh produce in the future. I really would have liked to try dinner there. Maybe next time...

El Guapo G.

My wife and I came here for dinner one night and had a wonderful time. The restaurant has a great view of the sunset over Molokai. I had the rainbow roll and with a wedge salad while my wife had the Sunfish. Probably the best rainbow roll I've had. The Sunfish was a little disappointing - not very flavorful, perhaps that's just the type of fish it was, but I was unimpressed with the plate. I would have hoped that the chef would be a little more creative with it. Service was fantastic. Dessert was good. Overall we had a very good time here.

Steve M.

My favorite restauart on Maui. Geat food, good service and a wonderview view from the outside patio. The lobster salad is exceptional.

Bret C.

Fortunately, we arrived at 6pm and had the nicest table in the house (thanks to our concierge service) where the view was amazing. UNFORTUNATELY, the view and perfect time of day could not hide the fact that the sashimi/sushi was unbelievably horrible. Others around us appeared less dissatisfied than us regarding their meal, but when you are eating dinner and someone says "let's get this over with and get out of here," you are in a bad spot. The hotel this restaurant is in seems pretty mediocre and I would recommend you just make the trip up the road to Sansei. My wife just told me "not to write to much because it isn't worth your time." She is right and this restaurant is not worth yours.

Tim P.

This is a tough place to review. It has so much potential. Probably the nicest venue around. Just gorgeous view's and a nice dining area and bar with panoramic ocean views. With a venue like this, why not hire people who actually want to know the menu, or at least something about food offered. We found this a lot in Maui actually. Young people who don't care about their job or the importance of providing excellent service. The food here was below average. We would go back for a drink to enjoy the view, but that's all. It's too bad because the Palms has 5+ star potential...

Michael M.

Bit overpriced for the quality. Three star food at a four star price.

Diane W.

The happy hour sushi is great. The challenge is getting seated by the rude hostess. We tried going back two nights after we dined there and ended up leaving due to the hostess' attitude.

Lisa L.

The Five Palms is one of our most favorite restaurants in Kihei. Last night we went for the 3-7pm happy hour: 1/2 off pupus and sushi. It was fantastic! We tried the calamari, short ribs, spider roll, crab cakes and prawn summer rolls. We were STUFFED. We also had the house wine and while not the best it was good for $5 and full pours. Another great deal is the 3-course dinner for $30 if you order by 5:30pm. Great service, fun and friendly!

Kai R.

Location, location, location. You simply can't beat the location of Five Palms - right on the beach with GREAT views at sunset. Food is generally pretty good (their ribs are actually better than Roy's), but it isn't cheap. If you are staying in the South Maui area and are looking for a nice evening out but don't want to totally bust the bank (read: the resort restaurants down the street in Wailea), this is a solid choice. Parking can be a pain depending on how crowded the hotel/condo building the hotel is located in, but otherwise a solid choice.

Jason A.

We have gone to the Five Palms for the past couple of years, and are sold. Best view of any restaurant on Maui! So far we have only had breakfast (one of only three tables seated, it having been low season) and happy hour, but the wait staff we dealt with have all been top notch--friendly and casual, and never let us go dry. We have not had full dinner there yet (thus only 4 stars). There are not a lot options for vegetarians on the pupus menu (although its not bad compared to a lot of places--crudites and dip, one maki roll, Maui onion chips and dip, and spring rolls) if you want to make happy t a light dinner (or three). Their sashimi is very fresh and well prepared. For breakfast, they do eggwhite omlettes (if you are on the low cholesterol diet), and with a side of pineapple and fresh Kona coffee, what more do you need?

Sammy G.

3 stars for the breakfast food, 4 stars for service, 5 stars for the location and view...sitting practically right on the beach. The guava mimosas are delish, as well! If you're in Kihei for a few days, you should have one meal here just for the atmosphere...very nice.

Ron O.

Not happy at all, the food was mediocre at best, the service slow and we were lied to about the availabilty of some happy hour items. Will not go back or recommend

Eric S.

We really loved this place, if you could give 4 and a half stars this place would get it. This place is the perfect location for a romantic dinner, and I'm not all that romantic but this place works! It is right on the beach and you get an amazing view of the sunset. The service is awesome and the food is absolutely excellent. It's a little on the expensive side but well worth every penny! Our server was excellent and very knowledgeable about the menu. The only weird thing about this place is that it's connected to a hotel, I don't know why that bothered me. But put that aside and give this place a shot, it was the best meal that we had while on Maui!

I S.

Eek! Methinks not is right... I was highly disappointed with the food here. I ordered a simple fruit plate, and that couldn't do right by that--that's right in Hawaii where everywhere else, the fruit is world class. How could they serve overripe melons that verge on spoiled? It was so awful I could barely touch it, and wondered what the food preparer or chef was thinking when they served that. They had to know. Good location ruined by total lack of attention to food.

Jeff B.

Good food, great view. A little pricey for the food but overall a very good experience.

Kelly D.

right on a very nice beach! full bar, good food, great service. i had a sushi roll there that i wish i remembered the name of cause it was bomb.com

N L.

I was recently married in Maui (6-22-12) and had my "reception" (about 15 of us) at 5 palms Restaurant. I had a great time, food was perfect and my server was great! We weren't able to get a private room but were accommodated with a semi private room right at the front of the building, windows open to allow the sea breeze in and we were treated so special. We decided to skip the plated menu and allowed our guests to decide from the main menu what they would like to order (nerve racking) everyone loved this casual approach and we loved the bill at the end of the night, with everyone getting what they wanted, no holds bar, drinks and the cake fee, we still came in WAY under budget. Bonus! We did have our own wedding cake brought in which was set up backwards and cut with the little sticks left in the pieces, but overall had such a great night. Be warned that Kathleen the event coordinator takes forever to get back to you, but will do what she can to accommodate you. I was so happy with my experience. My husband and I went back alone for breakfast the morning of our last day and took in the views during the day; stunning! Great food, decent prices, and good service. :)

Sheryl C.

Our review for happy hour at Five Palms is it is THE BEST!! We have been here 6 weeks, and are leaving tomorrow, but moving back in 2 months. This will be our favorite place to come for happy hour without a doubt. The sushi is awesome, especially the Spicy Tuna roll and the Spider roll. Such a good deal for drinks and wine, and our waitresses were the best. Anna and Kayley helped us on several occasions. Everyone there is so friendly...at the hostess stand, bar, etc. They often let us sit up in the upper area to watch the sunset if the bar was getting full. Best view on this side of the island while you're enjoying happy hour for sure. We will be back soon. Mahalo for your aloha spirit and great food.

Patrick B.

Despite the lovely service and shaded, sea-side terrace, the breakfast is, alas, average. The food is better than you'd find at a greasy spoon, or the popular breakfast spot just down the street (forgot the name) and in fact it's just fine. I guess I hoped the food would match the elegance of the setting, but it didn't. It's a solid three-star type of experience.

Mina P.

Atmosphere was good. It was a bit pricey for what you get, even on Maui. We went for breakfast and I ordered some fresh fruit (expecting local fruit) and got canteloupe and grapes - no Hawaiian fruit, so was very disappointed. Otherwise, no complaints...but I wouldn't go back.

Sara C.

We came for breakfast and had a good meal. The bloody Mary was delicious and the orange juice was fresh. I had the Hawaiian roll French toast with white chocolate and bananas. I thought they were quite yummy. Though it would have been better with more white chocolate chips and some macadamia nuts. Also, they were a little skimpy on the bananas. My hubby had their eggs and potato breakfast with toast. He said it was ok, nothing special and the potatoes were not very good. The view was fantastic. We shared the pineapple which was really great, of course. Oh and the cherrywood bacon was quite yummy. They are the only place in Maui that serves this type of bacon apparently. Overall it was a good breakfast to start our day.

Greg H.

In terms of a view, this place is a 5. The setting is beautiful, but I have to say the food was just so-so. I had heard the specialty pancakes were out of this world, but after trying the macadamia nut pancake and apple cinnamon pancake I thought t the hype was a bit much. The food is good, but for $14 for the specialty pancake I was expecting something incredible. The portion was large, the service is friendly and the view is great, but just don't expect food that is out of this world.

Christina C.

This is my favorite restaurant in Kihei. The restaurant overlooks the ocean so the view is beautiful. The service is great here. All of the staff are super friendly and attentive. The crab and avocado omelette with Hollandaise sauce is the best breakfast I've ever had.

David S.

All the island guides recommend their Happy Hour, so my wife and I went for a couple of drinks and appetizers.At 4:30 on Saturday it was easy to get a table near the bar with a nice view of the ocean. Our waitress delivered the mai tai hastily, and sloshed at least a tablespoon of the dark liquid (rum?) onto the table. Didn't even wipe it up. Perhaps this is why the drink didn't have much of a punch to it. The Pacific Blue Crab Cakes were presented beautifully, but consisted mostly of filler, with only a faint flavor of crab. The California Roll was a success, as was the Sashimi Plate (3 thick slices each of maguro (tuna), hamachi (yellow tail), and salmon. Very fresh, as one would hope. Ended with a cold, draft Sierra Nevada ale...at $4 a pint, this was a pretty good deal. Total tab for two: $40.

Ann S.

Walked in, immediately loved the feel of this place. The patio was right on the beach and we watched the surfers right there. The view rocks. The food was fine, not exceptional, but above average. It was just what I wanted for a lovely Maui brunch.

Lovanna L.

Five Palms Restaurant sits on the ocean front and has a beautiful view of the sunset. This review is for their happy hour because my husband enjoyed their happy hour while I was getting a massage. He enjoyed it so much that after he picked me up, we went back there to eat some of their happy hour items. They have one of the best happy hour menus on the island. fivepalmsrestaurant.com/… The coconut crusted tiger prawns were big and good. The ahi tuna was really good as well as crab cakes. The drink specials are good as well.

Kat B.

We just spent a week in Kihei and were a little disappointed that almost all the restaurants seemed to be located in strip malls. Five Palms was a very welcome change with a gorgeous location right on the water. We went one day for breakfast (sweet bread french toast and omelette which were great, and great espresso drinks, $4 bloody marys and mimosas). We liked it so much that we went back the next day for lunch, the spinach salad (with a goat-cheese stuffed, baked portabello mushroom) was excellent. the reuben sandwich was a little wierd (too sweet with pineapple soaked cabbage) and the seared ahi appetizer was just average. We didn't have dinner or sushi but honestly I would be a little skeptical about ordering sushi in what is clearly a hotel restaurant. However if you stick to the 'ordinary' food and stay away from things that sound weird or hard I expect it's all pretty good. There are definitely way cheaper places to eat, but for the type of restaurant and view, their prices were reasonable. The staff was really friendly and seemed to actually enjoy their jobs. Not sure what previous reviewers meant about not being able to sit at the table... I did not have any trouble and no one around me seemed to have trouble either. Overall we were thrilled to find something that didn't feel like we were at Denny's, without having to go to Wailea and pay an arm and a leg.

Happy C.

The view and staff are top notch. The drinks are very good. The food . . . . Hmm. Not bad, not good. Just so so.

Jessica N.

We were in Kihei from September 21st to October 1st and staying down the street from the Five Palms. We had breakfast here the first morning and were very impressed with the food, location and service. The prices for breakfast seemed reasonable for Hawaii. We returned several times for happy hour, 1/2 drinks and pupus (appetizers). The rice on the sushi was a bit chewy but otherwise good for happy hour prices. The drinks were great. We had the mango margaritas and loved them. The staff was very tolerant of the fact that we had our 1 year old with us. The best night was our last night on the island. It was a couple of nights after we ate at Humuhumu at the Grand Wailea. The food at the Five Palms was so much better and at better prices. The service was consistently good each time we visited the restaurant, be it for breakfast, happy hour or dinner. Oh and did I mention the amazing view!!! WOW. Now that's a great spot in Maui! We will definately return.

Robert R.

So check it out. I have been coming to this Resturant "the Palms" for the last 10 years. Several owners over that time but it has survived which board well for a Restaurants in Kihei Maui. So my review, "Happy Hour", 4-7 offering drink specials and 1/2 off on all pupu's including from the sushi bar. Ordered a Mango Margarita with my glass rimmed with salt and sugar $6.50. Elaine ordered a screw driver $5.00. Got the bill $13.50 which doesn't add up. Should be $11.50 before tax. Told the Bartender and is he graciously went to correct it. After about 10 minutes (Maui time, it's cool enjoying the ocean view) he returns with corrected bill. $12.00 which still does not add up. While paying I said "by the way this still doesn't add up, your still .50 to much. He says embarrassingly, we charge and extra .50 if i have to blend the drink. Now he Originally asked me if I wanted it blended or on the rocks and I said blended and it never occurred to think or ask if there was a cost difference. Well apparently the labor to blend needs to be accounted for. Sorry silly but weird and worth sharing.

Lyn K.

Went for happy hour last night. Four of us sat at the bar. We ordered 4 drinks (3 magaritas and a Mai tai). Received 3 drinks. Mango margarita was on the rocks. I asked if it could be blended the unfriendly bartender's response was "that's extra" I said fine he threw it in the blender for approximately 10 sec and handed it back. Wow I can see why they charge extra that was a lot of effort. He then continued to make other drinks when it was clear he had forgotten the Mia Tia we got his attention and he made it with barely a smile let alone a apology. The drinks were weak and poor quality. My friend said her Mai tai was the worst. There appetizers are 1/2 off during happy hour but by this time we were not happy so we decided to move on. Would not return.

Inigo M.

Beautiful ocean views, especially at sunset. Excellent food quality and presentation. Pleasant waitstaff. A bit spendy. The duck entree was magnifico.

Mike K.

Skip it. The food and service was okay but the real reason they get one star is the "half-price" sushi "deal". I was here for happy hour in January and was told the sushi was half-price...so one would assume that means half-off the menu price (especially when the menu price is way overpriced). Nope. I wondered what was wrong when I saw two other tables get angry at the waiter after receiving the bill. I found out. The menu price IS the half-price. What a joke. Really put a damper on our evening. The waiter should have pointed it out and, judging by his canned response, was obviously accustomed to the dismay of the customers. I felt really bad for a group of young kids that, judging by the pile of dishes and silence after seeing the bill, must have had a $300 bill. Pretty lame tactic. I've had sushi of the same quality off a sushi track... but at least they're upfront about the price!

Doug H.

Only reviewing happy hour. Great location on the beach and great mai-tais. If I remember correctly (mai-tai fog), the appetizers were also good.

Jessie G.

We love to come here because of the great review. We've been here for both breakfast and dinner. Great food, pretty consistent. The reason for the 3 star rating was customer service. After looking over the breakfast menu, I asked our server (I will not disclose unless Five Palms would like to know) if I could substitute a specialty pancake on my order instead of the regular pancakes the dish came with. She said "sure no problem, as long as you're ok with the additional charge". I said no problem, after all their specialty pancakes are worth it. So I order the Eggs, and bacon dish and choose their Macadamia Nut pancakes, she immediately responded "Oh that's not going to happen, those pancakes are really big". SERIOUSLY?? My wife and I both looked at each other with confusion! Didn't she just say their would be additional charge??? Instead of arguing, I just went with the regular pancakes and pouted for a bit.

Nic W.

The Maui Cheesesteak tasted sooooo goood. The waitress said the cows were raised locally which is great. When you come here, its more for the ambiance and the views than perhaps the food. It is right on the beach which is unlike many of the other restaurants by resorts which have a beach view but is separated by pools/ other resort amenities. No complaints about the food or service. It was decent but the prices on the menu are like said reflective of the beach access.

laury g.

So i was in Maui for my wedding/honeymoon. Five Palms was recommended in the guide book Maui Revealed so looked over the menu and off we went. We went on New Years Eve and there was a set menu. The Service was just ok, but our main waiter was a bit strange personality wise, not rude...just weird kind of. Food was mediocre at best and while I am sure the view is amazing (it was dark when we ate) but the views are amazing all over Maui. So if im spending a few hundred dollars for dinner, i better be impressed. Will not be going back!

Ken S.

Pros: The view. The restaurant looks right out at the beach and you can see Kaho'olawe just across the water. Cons: The food. And the prices when compared to the food. Also, the service was less attentive than I would have liked. We ordered three courses, and not one of them was cooked in a halfway decent manner. Things like raw (deep fried) shrimps and raw potatoes (in the steamed veggies) should not have been on my plate. Seriously, how do you burn the breading on the shrimps, but leave the inside cold and raw?

R J.

They've stepped it up a bit. We enjoyed an anniversary dinner and were treated to a very decent meal with equal service. The night before, we spent an hour at the bar working the tropical drinks menu over and came away with the required beach front buzz..You know what I mean.. We did not do the breakfast that turned us off on the last visit but elected to give the dinner menu another go. They've toned the prices down but however its remains a bit pricey. But if you keep yourself under control you should get out of there inside a 100 bucks for two people, less if dare the booze free route.. Come'on!! Dont do the night with diet cokes. If you drink alky a little...enjoy. This is the place to do that..Again, no kids. Keep them up in the room with take-out or let them go to Pizza Hut, KFC or someplace up the road. This place is not Dennys, OK? As I said in my last review, you're buying a decent meal and one ef''n awsum view. Best on the island folks..No kidding! Especially at sunset. Time your reservations right and bring a camera. Request a window table so you dont have those fast ass dopes in the back barge in front of you leaving with a view of someones obese butt or backside instead of a beautiful orange Hawaiian sunset...Some first time tourists just never get it..They think its a ride at six flags or something.. By the way, the wait staff seems to have dropped the snotty up-your-nose, stick it up your butt attitude and appeared pleasant and mostly happy to be working. If its just the two of you or a small group of grownups, give it a go. Keep in mind where you are though. Dont go ordering something like Lobster (wifey did that) and expect it to be fresh and suculant. You're in shrimp and mahi-mahi land so work your menu choices in that direction. Beef is good. They have their own industry on the island so its pretty much right off the farm as I am told. Chicken dishes are of course pretty much from right out the back door. Chicken farms are everywhere. You dont have to import the damn things.. They grow like weeds.. Fruit and vegetables are the same thing. Keep the choices as close to home as you can. Pineapple of course is a hands down..Work the menu to what's local (anyplace you go) and you'll be satisfied...Just remember you're on an island. Food either flies in from far off or it comes out of a field nearby..Keep your eating requirements in check with that in mind and you'll have a Visa bill that won't come in a box when you get back home..

David D.

This was far and away the best breakfast we had while on an 8 day trip to Maui in March 2006. It was just as good when I went back in September. I would consider myself moderately well-travelled and (dare I say it) a relatively refined connoisseur of fine dining and the Five Palms was first class from start to finish. The view from their dining room is breathtaking... A perfect crescent shaped and palm-tree-studded beach was but a few yards away from our window seat. The service was friendly, proficient and professional. I had the hawaiian sweet-bread french toast and it was the honest to god the best I've ever had. My girlfriend had the eggs benedict which featured the lightest, fluffiest, freshest eggs I've ever tasted. The Canadian bacon, english muffin and hollandaise sauce were likewise perfect. We also ordered their baked banana pancake which arrived looking more like a gorgeous, golden brown banana "cake" than anything else. It was dense, lightly sweet and delectable. It was so filling that we were only able to enjoy a narrow slice each before packing the rest of the cake for our afternoon "Road to Hana" picnic provisions. Do yourself a favor and make sure you make it in here at least once for breakfast or lunch.

Kevin H.

It's better than 3.5 for sure! Food was quick. No wait on a Sunday morning. Great views. Attentive service. Very friendly and accommodating. Go soon.

Melanie B.

I have often gone to 5 Palms for their happy hour which is terrific. Last nite with a friend I decided to try some dinner. It was s huge disappointment. The prices are hefty$18for a California roil. Seriously?$160 for an opakakapaka for 2? It's one thing to pay for an expensive meal when everything else is excellent but it wasn't. The soft shell crab had been fried hours earlier and wasn't well put together, we had to ask for silverware twice- the service was terrible, slow and forgetful. Go for the happy hour but save your cash for better dinner elsewhere at a lower price.

Matt C.

Couldn't get a table during happy hour! Lots of tables open...just really poorly managed! Don't bother coming here if you want good service, cold beer or something to eat! Host had food in his teeth and was dirty!

Marsha B.

Friends that live in Kihei chose this for breakfast, and I checked the Yelp reviews and was skeptical. The service was a little slow, but acceptable. Our waitress was friendly but not attentive, which was not a problem for our group of 4. Our friends mentioned that service is sometimes poor, but we got along fine. Mimosas were on the small size, but tasty. Two had the Sweet Roll French Toast, one the Vegetable Frittata, and I had Eggs & rice with bacon. Our friends talked about how the French Toast they got in the past was much nicer, and without the candied ginger. Seriously, some fresh shaved ginger would have complemented much better. Food aside, yes, he view is amazing, and i would consider going there for drinks. The bar is kinda odd though, because instead of looking out to the beach, your back is to the beach. At least have a mirror. And the bar is in this narrow walkway that everyone going to the restaurant has to walk through. A serious remodel is needed. Maybe they could get rid of the clunky tables & chairs and get something fresh, add a few more tables & servers & be a 5-star.

J C.

Service was slow and not very attentive by server 2 Yelp Prime rib 3 Yelp nothing special Catch of the day Ono fish 3 Yelp not very flavourful Not that special and probably won't go back

Jack S.

You will love this restaurant! They have both inside and patio dining, but both times we have been there we ate on the patio, so we could enjoy Maui' s weather, and view. Our server, Zach, was terrific, giving honest opinions which makes for a better dining experience. We split as an appetizer, the Chinese ribs a house salad, with the house dressing, and for dinner we both had local sea bass, that a had a sesame seed crust. For dessert we had the pineapple cream Brule. Enjoy... We did!

Soph S.

This restaurant is fine for breakfast. It wins on convenience because it's close to where we're staying and on the view because it's beautiful and probably as close to the ocean as you can get. We came for breakfast. The macadamia nut pancakes were entirely underwhelming. Think three dry basic pancakes with tiny pieces of macadamia nuts that were far and few between. They just tasted like generic diner pancakes with a much heftier price tag. The frittata was pretty good as was the creme brulee oatmeal if really sweet oatmeal is to your liking. Fine food at prices that are manageable considering the proximity to the ocean.

Danielle F.

Still my favorite spot on the island. Great views, nice people, the happy hour is fab (love the coconut shrimp, ribs, and California roll). And lets not forget the mango margaritas. I will miss you 5 palms!

J F.

The view is great. It kinda goes down hill from there. Staff (with the exception of our busboy) seemed annoyed and rushed in general. Fish was overcooked/bland and the sides were missing components that were on the menu. For the price, way better places in Kihei.

David R.

Excellent meal here the other night. Well guided by Brian, the waiter, whose sea bass special was first-class. All in all a very good experience. Thanks!

D. K.

This was BY FAR the worst meal we had during our week on Maui. The service was absolutely terrible (we sat there for a good 15 minutes before a server ever came... we should have just left and avoided a terrible meal!) The only good part of the meal was the butter that came with the bread. The ahi tuna was inedible, the sushi rolls did not taste fresh (and they mixed up our order big time), and the ribs were super fatty. Yuck. Will NOT be back and would most definitely not recommend 5 Palms!

Cortney S.

Excellent food the bacon jam steak was delightful. Brian our server was very attentive, service was amazing.

Grace C.

We had our reception at the 5 Palms after our wedding. I arranged the reception with Tracy through e-mail. She was really nice and very thorough. She suggested a dinner menu and they made some changes per our request. Brian was over seeing the reception on site. He was great. Very punctual, informative, and personable. Our food turned out great. The miso passionfruit salad dressing was to die for. Our guests also loved the crab cake appetizers and ono and rib eye entrees. Highly recommend!

J. P.

Definitely the worst meal I had while staying on Maui. The view is 5 stars, but the service and food were terrible. We were a party of four that showed up on a busy Friday night during happy hour. The wait to get in wasn't bad at all. We got seated in the dining area in a spot with a beautiful view. Our waitress came to the table shortly and took our drink orders. We also ordered 4 drinks and the calamari appetizer at that time. 10 minutes went by and our calamari was delivered to our table, but no drinks yet. That was okay we thought it's busy. We ordered a couple more appetizers, the lettuce wraps and a California roll. The waitress said she was sorry about the wait for our drinks, but there was only one bartender working. Then she proceeded to ask what drink I ordered again. Well the next two appetizers arrived at the table and the drinks still hadn't arrived. Seems like we got stuck with a bad waitress. She was writing something down when we ordered our drinks, but it probably wasn't our drink order. The drinks finally arrived as we were finishing up with the lettuce wraps. The calamari was passable, but not better than standard bar fare. The lettuce wraps were frankly disgusting. The chicken looked like it came out of a dog food can with stringy bits of ginger peppered throughout. I ordered the California roll because they said it was made with real crab, not the krab you get everywhere else. I wish it had been krab instead. This was not fresh crab at all. You could tell by the fishy smell. We had another round of drinks, which didn't take too long and I ordered a Spider roll against my better judgement. The view is beautiful after all, why not stay a little longer. So another 10 minutes goes by and the waitress brings a spicy tuna roll to the table and sets it down. I say "that doesn't look like a spider roll". She apologized and said she'd be back with a spider roll. Sadly the spider roll was the same quality as the California roll, poor quality and not fresh. 5 palms has a great view, maybe the best on Maui, I would say go for a drink, or bring your own food and go sit on their beautiful beach.

bev k.

First, the view and location is a 10+. Second, the food and drinks were a 10+. The servers were amazing and attentive - can't say enough positive about this hidden gem!

Zelie D.

The hearts of romaine salad was the best part of my meal. The sushi menu was quite extensive and if you like spicey you'll be in sushi heaven. The entrees were mostly in the forty something range and the exquisite sunset and breaching whales certainly added to the ambiance.

Christa B.

We were told by other local waitresses that they go here for happy hour. So, we went for the late happy hour at 9pm. Quick seating in the bar area and great service from our waiter. We ordered spicy scallop roll (ok), hurricane roll (awesome) and the poke martini (outstanding). My husband are every single bite of the poke martini and wanted more. Prices we're bit too steep for dinner but it definitely was great for happy hour.

Wendy B.

Ahi salad....$19.99....4 small pieces of fish. Tried contacting someone, anyone, online to express dissatisfaction and never received a response. Oh well, at least the view was nice.

Pretty P.

This review is for breakfast only *** i have not had lunch or dinner there. I hate to say this but the place is totally over priced for mediocre food. And because of its locAtion in relation to where I stay in Maui, I've eaten here a lot. The service is excellent, the view is great, kids meals are reasonable and adult food is crazy expensive and just all around unimpressive. It's too bad. Hopefully a jewel of a chef will swoop in and revamp their tired and uninspired menu.

Brad M.

One of my favorite happy hour spots!! We always stay at a condo complex within walking distance of the hotel where 5 Palms is located. It has become part of our evening routine. They have a beautiful outdoor patio with full ocean views - perfect at sunset. We always go for the early happy hour which begins at 5 pm. It's smart to get there a little early because tables are at a premium. I love their sushi and their coconut shrimp. Simply a great way to end the day in Maui.

Duncan G.

We had a gorgeous breakfast here. My wife and I both had the avocado and crab omelettes and we were not disappointed. The service is very friendly and efficient without being intrusive. We'd eat here again.

Regina C.

the food here is just okay. it's pretty pricey for what it is but I suppose that's because you're paying for the stellar view of the ocean. I was here for my brothers wedding reception for lunch. calamari appetizers equated to one single piece per person along with a bowl of fruit to share. the loco moco I had was pretty good but I wouldn't necessarily encourage people to go here vs any other place that offers loco moco. I WILL say that having the very small, intimate wedding right on the beach there was very nice.

Charlie H.

Came here during Happy Hour...the view was nice those the food is a bit lacking. We ordered the calamari...left a slightly greasy, and soggy feeling in my mouth. The quesadilla was ok, nothing to bring home about. The Spider Roll is one word...tiny...and the sashimi...tasted like store bought sushi. The atmosphere is nice, though they really need to improve on their cooking especially with the prices you pay to enjoy.

Seth H.

We went to 5 Palms for mother's day. All four of us had great meals with excellent service. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Amy M.

Great drinks, beautiful beach, amazing staff! Love the late happy hour hours. Everyone is friendly and the menu is excellent. Thanks Leah L!

Jennifer C.

I was on Maui celebrating my 45th (gasp) birthday. Decided that I deserved an expensive dinner out. I chose 5 Palms based upon their menu posted on their website. I was in the mood for sea scallops, my friend wanted coconut encrusted crustaceans (prawns). As it nearly always does, it was raining on my birthday so we were seated indoors next to the ginormous open windows at 5 Palms, with the sea literally thirty feet away. Watching and listening to the waves gently lap the shore highlighted the evening. We ordered the coconut prawn appetizer which was four butterflied prawns served with a bit of lettuce, mango salsa and some delicious dip. They were quite good, but few for the price tag. The seared sea scallops that were present on the website menu were curiously absent from the restaurant menu, but were offered as an adjunct to a pasta dish which didn't float my boat. My friend and I each ordered the rib eye steak which was served with french fries topped with bleu cheese and the most garlicky sautéed spinach, ever. We asked that sea scallops be added to the plates. The server acquiesced. The rib eye was cooked to perfection, sprinkled with a bacon marmalade and the french fries were crispy. The sea scallops were large and tender and sweet, and I reluctantly devoured them too quickly. I couldn't really stomach all the fresh chopped garlic on the spinach but ate the greens regardless. For dessert, we shared a pineapple creme brûlée which was quite thin but flavourful, served in a slice of pineapple. My friend and I each dug into the pulp of the fruit, in attempt to greedily devour more of it. Our server, Brooklyn, paid fair attention to us, but the girl filling the water glasses appeared disinterested in working that night, ignoring my gracious responses to her doing her job. The gentleman who brought our food out was quite handsome, friendly and always smiling. I would recommend 5 Palms to others, maybe try a cocktail and appetizer type of evening. The price of the rib eye steak and scallops was more than the filet mignon and lobster, to my dismay. 5 Palms also serves breakfast and reservations are highly recommended.

Tammie T.

Enjoying the happy hour specials again. This place is a great location and has beautiful views. Customer service is excellent!! Kahea is a great bartender! Ribs, lettuce wraps, sushi rolls and mai tais are the best. They also have reverse happy hour.

Adam N.

The food is absolutely amazing. We received a bit of a cold welcome from the host(ess)s, but were warmly welcomed by our server, Brooklin. The meal was fantastic and service was just perfect. It is a bit pricey, but it is definitely worth it. Fantastic sushi and flavors I've never even tasted in sushi before. We later figured out it was mint! Ha! All and all, it was an awesome night, where you sit almost directly on the sand and a very fun, relaxing and intimate atmosphere. The late night happy hour is definitely a huge plus as well! Mahalo

Carolyn P.

Beautiful view, not so good food. The cocunut shrimp had no sign of coconut except in a too sweet dipping sauce. They were overcooked and hard. The bread came at the end of the meal and only after we asked. The steak my friend ordered medium well came out bloody.. Dessert took 45 minutes to arrive after ordering.Not worth the price.

Louie F.

Like many have said, this place delivers on a beautiful ocean view and unfortunately, the food leaves something to be desired. To begin, we were a party of eight looking to eat well -- few rounds of cocktails, appetizers, entrees and dessert. The service leaves a little to be desired. We were but a few people sitting in the main dinning area and it took forever to meet our server. She took our drink order and missed one of the people in our party. It then took a solid 10-15 minutes to even get our drinks out. We ordered a round of appetizers -- Lobster dip (x2) and the Dragon Roll (x2). Both were pretty delicious. For our entrees, the table ordered the following: Prawns and Scallops; Mahi Mahi Special and the Marlin Special. All of the Marlin dishes were severely overcooked. This was sad because it's (a) a restaurant specializing in seafood, (b) one of the evening's specials and (c) nearly $40.00 /plate. The waitress apologized for the issue and sent the manager over. The manager said he would take care of both dishes on the check -- he didn't. After our entrees, we ordered two desserts for the table and come check time, nothing was comp'd or discounted. We spent nearly $700 at this restaurant and they couldn't even make a concession on the entree errors they made -- what a shame. A free dessert, maybe? Just do something to show you care about the patron's experience. Next time, I'd come here for drinks and maybe a few appetizers to watch the sunset. Then move on to a better restaurant for dinner. 2-stars: "Meh. I've experienced better."

Amanda I.

A really great place for dinner. The outdoor patio is right on the beach, making it an ideal place for watching the sunset over dinner. (The indoor space looked elegant as well). We ordered several items for dinner including the hamachi, the Dragon Roll, Chinese Ribs, scallops and seaweed salad. The hamachi was mediocre ( the portion was huge though), the Chinese Ribs were unbelievable and so memorable ( the sauce was insane!), the seaweed salad was delicious and about twice the size of typical portions, and the scallops were tasty. But the Dragon Roll; forget-about-it. One of the best rolls I've ever had. The service was mediocre, but the food was great and portions were huge. Items were priced between $12-$50 each (with scallops being on the high end and salad on the low). This is a place you must stop at while in Maui. Totally worth it.

Dena H.

I've only had breakfast here and OMG the creme brûlée steel cut oats was so incredible! The location was beautiful as well.

Joan B.

Last year, came here often for happy hour and loved it. This year, sat and waited, and waited..... No one came to serve us. Told hostess and she didn't seem to care. Last year it was packed, today people only at two other tables. I know why. Stay away!!!!

Maile K.

Love love love...beautiful spot..

Kerry L.

Avoid at all costs!!! ALARM- Tourist trap- High prices -Terrible food. Bad attitude. Zero stars would be more appropriate.... April 2014 My wife and our friends are lucky to be able to enjoy fine dining on a regular basis, we debated Five Palms and Sarento's the Italian restaurant just down the beach, we wanted waterfront dining. The only thing that Five Palms delivered on was the Waterfront. From the very beginning there were warning signs.- The bread basket was filled with stale multi-day-old bread that was not eatable. We ordered a bottle of wine from California that we know very well , they brought a different bottle then was listed on the wine list and insisted it was the correct one!!! I called the manager over and educated him on the vintage, etc. He insisted I was wrong!! My friend even googled the vintage on his phone and showed the manager his error- he did not acknowledge it!! We ordered a different bottle. At that point my friend said the statement we all should have listened to "let's leave here and go to the other place...." We were stubborn and too comfortable, we stayed. Between the four of us we ordered five entrees - not a single one was good and a few were not even diner quality execution. I sent my local catch back to the kitchen it was overcooked to the point of being rubbery. to my surprise the Chef himself brought out my recooked fish entree and put it down in front of me making sure to give me the "i would kill you if I could..." glare right into my face!! Believe it or not, it was over cooked a second time!! _ I made everyone at the table taste it to confirm that I was not just imagining the whole error. They all agreed. My wife's shrimp dish was flavorless. The desert that was ordered had one tiny bite taken out of it and it sat there untouched, yet the waiter did not even try to offer replacement or removal from the bill. This horror of a dinner was $400.00......Sad. Execution and attitude of a grade school lunch room. Nice location, old school interior even with big upholstered booths.

Diane C.

I give this place a high four. The drink portions are huge. We ordered the Hama Kama tuna collar. It was the most flavorful one I have tasted, made of hamachi. The Chinese ribs with piñapple BBQ sauce was so tender the meat fell off the bone. My husband had the 5 Palms fish trio. The portion was super generous. Each sample of fish was a filet cooked in a different style on top of rice or potatoes. And the toppings ranged from passion fruit salsa to lumped crab. The fish selections included snapper, Opa, and mahi mahi.

Leia V.

Great setting and very nice staff... We watched a beautiful sunset and sat outside in the breeze. The food was really good- we had the fish prepared three ways- mahi mahi and Ono. I loved the scallops too! It was a beautiful night and good food!

Cynthia S.

Came across this gem thru word of mouth, I would hit up their happy hour & sitting at the sushi bar is a must! The sushi chefs treated us like a king & queen. They both came up with new & exciting rolls for us to try, suggested some on the menu also. We had a waitress but the chefs did all the work! Will be coming back for sure hopefully the two gentlemen who were working on 1/13 from 4-6pm will be there.

Greg G.

We had breakfast here yesterday. We were seated right away but the service was extremely slow and not extraordinary. Minus one star. I ordered the veggie frittata - it was basically an omelet but almost no veggies that were advertised that I could discern and I noted just a few specs of color in the frittata (microscopic bits of veggie?) with some basic greens on top and possibly French dressing. It was nothing special and not worth the price. Minus 2 stars. I will say the location and view were nice. The restaurant itself was spacious and tastefully decorated. Plus 1 star. Our hotel gave a 20% discount - Plus 1 star. Overall based on all of the other restaurant options in Maui I would much rather try another restaurant than come back here again.

Raymond R.

We went for the happy hour, where if you purchase a drink you can get any of the pupu plates for half off. Of course we jumped at the opportunity. We ordered the coconut shrimp and pork quesadilla, normally 19$ each. For that price you would expect a decent size portion. When the plates arrived I was surprised to see the shrimp pupu only had 4 pieces of shrimp. The quesadilla was tasty with a bit more food but still not something I would pay about 20 dollars for. The service was nice though. The quality? Nothing special. I gave 2 stars because the view was nice and the drinks were stiff.

Paula L.

Fantastic food and service. Brooklyn, our waitress, was a lot of fun and very attentive. The whole snapper special was amazing. Great restaurant.

Rob C.

This is a rather spendy restaurant with a most beautiful location and view. The service is good, the food is very good. We always come here at least a couple times when on Maui. Like I said. be prepared to spend at least $70+ each if you have drinks, wine, appetizer, etc. But, it's worth it.

M D.

Our family had a wonderful meal on our first night in Maui. We have also stopped by for happy hour. Prices are pricey but then again they have a million dollar view! Sunset is spectacular from their location on the beach. Roy was a great server....appreciated his attentiveness when needed. Food was good. Overall just really love 5 Palms and will continue to come here with our family.

Ken M.

This review is for happy hour. We were there Nov 21 at 420pm and there was about a 30 minute wait. Servers were good, food was decent but not great. Happy hour food was half price but honestly thats the max I would want to pay. Drink an came super slow, patrons that were seated for dinner in the restaurant 15minutes after us got their drinks well before we did

Karen C.

First off I have to say you can't beat the ambiance of this place. Open air restaurant on a grassy knoll overlooking the Pacific Ocean with sunset views. Amazing right? Unfortunately I think they are using the location to carry the restaurant. When it comes to food and service it doesn't have a leg to stand on I ate here twice in August 2014 and both times left feeling disappointed. (I don't feel right judging a place on just one visit which is why I was foolish enough to go back a second time.). Service was friendly but slow and mediocre. Food was just generally disappointing. Nothing really caught my attention or seemed special. The biggest complaint - SOOOO SALTY! To the point I couldn't eat either the ribs or the chicken lettuce wraps, they were unbearable. Above that I paid $10.00 for a bowl of buttered pasta for my son - ridiculous. Nope, not going back, next time I'll pack a picnic, sit on the lawn, enjoy the same views and save a hundred bucks.

Mary H.

We were told "this is what you come to Hawaii for". We were there 3times - 2 breakfasts and a lunch. The food was delicious. My son said the calamari was the best ever. The view was terrific to sit next to the beach and watch the waves come in.

Jen H.

Reviewing happy hour: the food is tasty, although not outstanding, but very well priced at half off. The service was great--around to check on us but not overly intrusive. We sat for over 2 hours enjoying pupus (appetizers for mainlanders), drinks, and eventually the sunset. I was very excited that after the meal lilikoi cheesecake was served (2 heaping slices!!) because I've had difficulty finding it this visit to Maui. The best thing about this place is the gorgeous panoramic view of the pristine beach and turquoise water. Combine that with good pupus and cold cocktails and it was instantly one of my top picks for happy hour on the island.

Jean Y.

Walking distance from our hotel, that alone was a five star worth. I love their service, food, especially dragon sushi, and most of all their view! Just great place to eat and sit down. After nine pm, sushi and cocktails are 50% off! Didn't know about it until the last night in Maui! Beautiful place! A must go place in Maui!

Kim A.

Not a fan. Stopped in for happy hour and found food to be mediocre at best. Service was bland. They seemed to be just getting through happy hour waiting for dinner service.

Deanna W.

Great view, sushi was delicious (but pricey!), great service!

Steve F.

View great, drinks good, prices ok just a little high. Come after Beach Bums to see sunset and have one more.

Sergey P.

I came to spend time with the family in Maui and thought dinner here would be a good idea. Don't get me wrong the beach was breath taking, the view where we had dinner was astonishing! It's just a shame all of the employees we seemed to make contact with during our feast smelled like they had all been drinking. I can understand, it's christmas and some people would rather be taking a vacation than working a holiday. Unfortunately, when I spoke to the manager it seemed like he took more than a shot or two himself during work. It seemed like drinking on the job was a daily occurance, possibly even encouraged.

Dianna D.

Came here for happy hour twice! They have two happy hours every night, from 4-7 and from 9-11 in the bar/lounge area. The first night, we came for dessert to celebrate my friends last night as a single woman. We ordered everything on the dessert menu including chocolate cake, creme brulee, and passion fruit cheesecake. They ran out of mud pie. We also ordered drinks and I had the mango mojito which was pretty strong. My friend had the macadamia nut chi chi and it was so creamy and tasty. Some friends ordered sushi as well and it was 50% off their entire sushi menu. Chocolate cake took 20 minutes to prepare but it wasn't anything spectacular. The creme brulee was delicious and presented in a pineapple, I really enjoyed the creamy passion fruit cheesecake the most. The second time we came during the 4-7 happy hour and we had the spicy tuna roll, mud pie, and mai tai. A nice place to come to enjoy a beautiful sunset dinner. Service was great.

Paul B.

Beautiful spot right on the water, and great deals on happy hour pupus (3p-9p) and drinks (from 9p on)

Meghan H.

I have three words for you: Bring. Your. Pocketbook. Cause you gonna be SPENDIN'. I want to just start off by saying our server Lisa was amazing. Like if I had Lisa as my server at every restaurant for the rest of my life, I could die happy. Mgmt, please make her the trainer for all new staff and promote her to like Madam Awesomeness. She knew the menu, the fish, the drinks, the wine, everything, inside and out. She was courteous, very friendly, and everyone at our table just loved her. Great job. The hostess was a sketch bag who told us to "back away from the stand" because we were "stressing her out". Oh I'm sorry, are you saving kittens from a burning house or seating people? Seating people? Then you need to check yourself, before you wreck yourself. I ordered the 3 fish sampler. It was good! Nice portion sizes, little sides under each one, 46$, gave you a great taste of all... wait what? Yeah. $46. As in, $46 for a main with no set menu. I couldn't make this up if I tried. Others had dishes in the $38 range. I'm sorry, but unless Gordon Ramsey himself is cooking me a god damn Beef Wellington, I shouldn't be paying over $35 for an entree. The cocktail creations are also $10 a pop for your run-of-the-mill Mai Tais, etc. The view is amazing, you are paying for the view of the gorgeous beach and open windows and patio. But unless you're proposing to your girlfriend, just won the lottery, and quit your job and bought a new skidoo, this is the only time I would recommend coming here. There are PLENTY of restaurants around Kihei that offer great service and exceptional meals for sooo much less money. 5 Palms, I give your menu pricing 5 open palm slaps! Cause it's crai crai.

Wes B.

This location has been her for many years however I came here about 97 and then returned just last month. Still a great beach side restaurant that's have good Hawaiian Cuisine food. I love this place there's many beach side dine ins in Kihei HI but this one has a little more of a cozy setting. Food is good and always prepared delicious I ate here everyday for 3 days and loved it. Took me back years ago from when I was here at this same location in 84.

karen d.

I found this amazing restaurant just 3 days before my trip ended! I've gone to Mala and joes and had the same ahi and this was by far the best plus it was easy to get too! Then I went there for breakfast and again awesome, service food and the view is the best! Plus the best happy hour!! Soo good cant wait to get back for those amazing ribs!

Heidi P.

I went there for my birthday dinner and I was so disappointed in the service. We could not get a drink at the bar to save our life and then then once we were seated for dinner, it was a 2 hour struggle just to get dinner and one drink. I finally had to go up to the hostess to see if we could pay and leave. Some of the worst service ever. The food was good but very over priced. The best part is the view of the ocean. Don't waste your time!

Robbie M.

I was so looking forward to eating here. The last time I was here was fantastic. Today i am a tablenof one and the service is terrible. Why do single diners get overlooked?

Jessica L.

Perfect for lunch or brunch with an incredible view of the beach and Molokini. The Loco Moco is the best I've had on the island--- thick, rich gravy atop rice, with crunchy fried onion strings accenting the beef and gravy. The Hawaiian Sweetbread french toast sounded good, but was kind of a disappointment. It was more like 3 small wedges of sweetbread with white chocolate chips sprinkled sparingly on top and a couple slices of banana and shreds of crystallized ginger. Definitely underwhelming and kind of plain. However, the curried chicken salad was fantastic, with an excellent shallot vinaigrette. The macadamia nut coconut cocktail was insanely good and has me on the hunt for the ingredients so I can recreate it on the mainland. Definitely worth it for the view. There's a happy hour, so hoping to return.

Julia C.

Love the happy hour! We sat through many sunsets with fresh crab California rolls and margaritas! Enjoyed breakfast one morning in the restaurant watching the waves.

Ann K.

The Bar service was excellent. However, it was extremely hot and the fans were broken. The Happy Hour was reasonably priced and drinks were tasty. The appetizers were well priced and a good value. The Five Palms Restaurant was also extremely hot. The service was good to start with, but lagged at the end. We had a party of six and we are rating the food "5/10". This was mostly in part to dry fish and mediocre prepared steak. The ribs had a good spice. In addition, the cocktails were extremely tasty. The creme brûlée for dessert was delicious.

Laura J.

Our favorite restaurant that we ate at in our 8 days on Maui! We shared the lobster dip which had huge chunks of lobster in it. Very tasty and not at all spicy even though we were told it had jalapeño in it. I had the prime rib which was delicious and cooked to perfection. My husband had the Mahi Mahi dynamite which was topped with crab meat. I stole a bite or two and we both agreed it could not have been any better. If you took just a bite of the fish you knew it was wonderful by itself but the sauce and crab added in made it 5 star flavor. We had great service from our waitress who patiently explained their menu items and daily specials. Their sushi menu looked intriguing but we simply didn't have room for more food. We sat on the patio with a beautiful view of the ocean. They do have a happy hour that went from 3-11 in the lounge area with drink specials and half price sushi... I'm hoping we make it back for that.

Nick T.

I'm torn on this one. The food is just OK and the service is not great. The prices are high--welcome to Maui. They are always, always extremely busy. But the location is out of this world. Located in South Kihei/Wailea right on Keawakapu Beach, it's convenient and the view is spectacular. If you're staying at the hotel, it's a no-brainer. One tip: when the line is out the "door," try the sushi bar. It's tiny and cramped over there, but it's sometimes the only seat in the house, and the sushi chef is a hoot. For finer, similar dining, we liked the Lahaina location better.

Sidney S.

Food was excellent Brian our waiter was super friendly. The hostess had a bad attitude when we first arrived Brian smoothed it over though. Also have been for HH all appetizers half price good sushi

Ty B.

We debated how many stars to give this review. The 3 stars is an aggregation of several factors. We settled on 5 stars for the ambiance and sunset! We came to Five Palms on the first night we arrived in Maui. The open air seating was fabulous and the sunset was amazing! We gave the waitstaff 5 stars. They were very knowledgeable and attentive. We truly enjoyed our waitress, she was very good at her job. The food, however, received 1 to 2 stars. Surprisingly, it was bland and shockingly, it was overpriced. We expected better quality for our money. And a $12 mai tai in a plain highball glass is a bit extreme, especially during happy hour on a Sunday night. Crack out the Tiki God glass for the extra value, for crying out loud.

Lawrence B.

The food was good, nothing outstanding, and our server was very pleasant. The prices are just high, even for Hawaii standards! I think there are finer dining options in Waileia for the same price, down to the $25 corkage fee. Overall, it was nice but I wouldn't go back

S. J.

We first got there and had to wait a bit and the hostess was very friendly and helpful. We didn't wait long and we're seated for their outdoor bar happy hour. With all of the umbrellas we still were hit by sun and I wish they would have had all of the outdoor fans turned on because I noticed I wasn't the only one uncomfortable. We ordered the killer happy hour deals and the drinks were nice and the food was good. The ribs were actually amazing and the meat fell from the bone. The spicy tuna roll was nothing special, no aioli sauce or garnish which is so bland for Maui where they specialize in seafood. The service started out great but went downhill quickly. We ordered more drinks and our server disappeared for about 20 to 25 minutes. When she came back she apologized because the credit card machine went down and she had to do everything manually. OK. Crap happens but with SO many employees standing around, somebody should have been running drinks, a manager should have explained the situation or been processing cards. 2 bartenders just chatting up customers, and a completely clueless bus girl just wandering around even though I had our dirty plates stacked up at the end of the table. She never left the west end of the bar and we were at the center of the bar area. We paid cash and had to wait another 10 minutes for that. I blame management or lack thereof. The view, ambiance, fresh food, and great happy hour prices were wonderful so I would like to give this restaurant another chance at another time. Date of service 2/15/15

M Q.

Came here twice. Once just for happy hour and once for drinks and dinner. The ambience was great. Outdoor seating, views of the ocean and sunset, nice drinks, and friendly service. The drinks weren't anything super unique or unusual but they were tasty. We basically came here more than once because it is close to our condo and they have good happy hour prices. Ironically, we didn't stick to the happy hour drink menu. The food was okay. Maybe we are used to great dining and fresh seafood in our home town as it is so it takes more to impress us, or maybe this restaurant just isn't as top notch as we heard it rumored to be. Don't get me wrong, the mahi mahi entrees we tried were delicious. It's just that they weren't anything that stood out and didn't make up our top dining memories. The happy hour items we tried were delicious and actually we enjoyed the flavors more than the dinner menu items. We tried several rolls, lettuce wraps, quesadilla, and ribs. Delicious flavors and fun happy hour items. We did love the ambience and enjoyed the overall experience. But for a nicer dining meal on maui where you're going to spend 75 or more per person, we would go somewhere else next time.

Nicole B.

The food was pretty good, the wine selection could be better. Our service was decent, though I did feel like I was waiting for the waiter at times. It's truly a great place to watch the sunset except that you can see people from the hotel just outside the restaurant window which is a bit of a turn off. I wish it was just a little more private. I'm giving it 3 stars because nothing was awful but nothing really stood out and I wouldn't go back. I'm sure you can find better places to spend over a hundred dollars on dinner and a sunset.

Lily N.

Don't believe the 3.5 overall rating of 5 Palms. We had our wedding here on 11/3/13 and it was the most amazing experience! We had happy hour drinks and pupus the day before our wedding. The wait staff was very attentive and the food and drinks were outstanding! Highly recommend the sushi and the Three Kinky B's! Our wedding reception was even better :) They passed Mai Tai's around during pupu/cocktail hour with delicious fruits and cheeses. The coconut shrimp pupu was finger lickin' good! There was literally boat loads of sushi to enjoy and my ribeye entree was cooked to a perfect medium rare. They also did not skimp on our dessert table, which was full of goodies from fresh fruit to all different types of cakes! We even went there for dinner the night after our wedding and had the fresh catch of the day, which was delicious! The ambience is also stellar. The restaurant itself has huge windows that open completely up and makes you feel as if you're eating a 5 star dinner right on the beach. If you go for dinner, the sunset view is breathtaking. It is a definite must on your list of restaurants to try in Maui!

Rachel L.

Great location and atmosphere which can't be beat, but you can't sit in the area closest to the beach and view if you're doing happy hour prices. $5.75 margaritas at happy hour were good. However the happy hour sushi is a very limited selection and still a little pricey considering it's half price.

Jay G.

I had the bone in steak that was one of the best I've ever had my entire life and my wife had the chicken which she also gave five stars a bit pricey but the view is one of the best on the island every table has a water view and the owner goes out of his way to personally see that everything is perfect. You are really close to the ocean for the views probably one of the closest on the island outside of mamas fish house

Jessica B.

Worst service we received on all of Maui! We walked up and the hostess almost looked annoyed at our presence. Then instead of saying something like "Welcome to Five Palms, blah blah blah" she says "Reservations?". We said no, and then looked around and saw lots of empty tables. She said "You have to sit at the bar if you are just getting drinks." We explained that we did want drinks, but might be ordering appetizers if anything looked good. She looked even more annoyed. We got a table, ordered two mai tais, and coconut prawns. The mai tais were very good, coconut prawns were good, but nothing spectacular. Everyone that worked there just acted like they hated it! The morale was terrible which was unfortunate because they have the most beautiful setting! Our table was near the hostess podium and we heard her continuing to be unfriendly and unwelcoming to the other guests that arrived. I might go back for a mai tai and the view, but definitely not for the service or over-priced food.

Paul S.

Decent food overpriced ..... Way overpriced for the small portions .... And why do they allow patrons to have their pets at the table in the carrier ... Disgusting

Donna S.

3 years ago we ate in this restaurant a couple of times. It was good then, but seems to have gone downhill. We were part of a large group of 10. The bread brought out initially was suitable for building material. It was that hard! We pointed it out to the server, and he quickly replaced it with some rolls that were OK. Otherwise, service was slow and disorganized. Our server "upsold" on the special salad of the day, a caprese, and the whole fish dinner special. He didn't mention prices and foolishly, we didn't ask. When the bill came, we were shocked to see the fish priced at $60. The salad was about $20, small and nothing special. Other food choices were average in quality. My fish was overcooked and dry. The final concern came when we paid our bill in cash. Our server returned, and said we were $10 short. We gave him another $10 without question. Later, we reflected on the fact we had counted the total twice. Also, the member of our party counting is an accountant and doesn't make mistakes with money. The general feeling of our group is uncertainty. We won't return or recommend this place.

Stephanie T.

Fabulous views and great service made up for somewhat average food. We had our rehearsal brunch at the 5 Palms on the recommendation of a coworker who comes here regularly while in Maui. Because we were a bigger group, we had to pre-select a menu of around 7 items off of their a la carte menu and chose the loco moco, the eggs benny, the ahi tuna salad, the spinach salad, the lobster BLT, the buttermilk macadamia nut pancakes, and the Maui cheesesteak. The Maui cheesesteak and the lobster BLT were far and away the most popular dishes, and were also the fan favourites. Both were gigantic and on par with mainland American food portions (sandwiches the size of your head!), and the lobster BLT came with generous amounts of lobster meat. The rest unfortunately, were nothing to write home about - the eggs benny was soggy and bland, and the loco moco and pancakes, while okay, are much better at other restaurants. That being said, the views are outstanding and we had prime seating right by two large open windows: one facing the ocean, and one facing the beach. The views and the open breeziness of the restaurant make for an extremely cushy and comfortable dining experience, and some of our guests returned the day after for lunch and dinner. Prices are reasonable ($15-20/dish for the ones we chose), especially in comparison to other nice restaurants in the Kihei/Wailea area. And the service was excellent throughout: their reservations coordinator was responsive and professional, and they even printed up special "congratulatons" menus for each guest, which was an unexpected touch!

James A.

I ate here twice during a week long stay. The first time was very good. We were a party of 4, couldn't get a table straight away, so had a drink at the bar. The waitress came to get us after 15 mins or so and sat us at our table. The service was very good, and the waitress had a good sense of humour (my boss thinks he's hilarious). The food was also very good, with generous portion sizes. It's a little pricey, but on this experience was worth it. We came back for dinner on our last night, and wished we hadn't. Service was slow, the food was comparatively sub-standard, and I think our waitress was on something or had a history of being on something. Will probably pass on going back there next time i'm in the area.

Jake M.

wow! the best surprise on Maui! Had a wonderful 50th birthday with great food, service and location!! Would recommend in a heartbeat. I do not understand the lower reviews at all.....From our experience, this is a special place, with great personal attention.....Our waiter, Brian, was perhaps the best waiter I have ever experienced.

Gretchen F.

Came here for dinner for the first time with a friend. Our waitress was friendly and informative about the specials. I ordered the Macadamia Encrusted fish. It was wonderful. The sauce was fantastic as well. My complaints are the bread they served was not fresh and the service was slowwwww. Other than that, I would go back again.

Julie B.

Food is average at best. Coconut tiger prawns are a joke, more like medium fried shrimp. Service is not great either. Getting a glass of water was a stretch because a glass couldn't be found. We stay at the attached condo so it is convenient and they do make a good Mai tai with a long happy hour.

Robert H.

Interesting high middle end older restaurant . The host sucks ! The menu gets 6 points , native fern fronds used in salad excellent , waiter charming and informative , busgirl very sweet , host still sucks considering the setting ! Menu almost pricey , they will have to really impress me to come up to par . I will send a quick tip following this for a food taste review from 1 to 5 . Aloha

Meredith M.

Our family vacation couldn't have been complete without Five Palms. We nestled in the bar for their infamous pupus happy hour on our second night in Maui and really enjoyed everything. Be sure to get there EARLY or you wont find a seat! Service was slacking, which is never fun for happy hour, but the food, drinks and value of everything compensated for that. For our mother's 50th birthday we made dinner reservation for the dining room and were not disappointed. Not only are you quazi-outside but you're also right on the beach, where you will witness one of the most beautiful sunsets in the pacific. Food was amazing, heavy but amazing, service was even more on spot here. We were the last to leave as, being mom's 50th we got pretty sloshed, and the staff wasn't the least bit irritated. Wonderful evening!

Mechas Z.

Went for breakfast and other than the spectacular view of the beach, there was not much more to be said.

Betty N.

**FIVE PALMS TO YOUR FACE** Major suckage during Happy Hour. Two of us went to the bar and I sat down at the bar stool while he stood by me. One of the bartenders had to give us the "you HAVE TO get a bar stool or I can't serve you any drinks" without any further explanation. Did he POLITELY explain the Maui laws and regulations regarding standing at a friggin bar? NOPE. Just attitude. Your Mai Tai's suck anyway. Too many pale legs, mullets, and neon colored shirts. NOT RECOMMEND.

Linda W.

This restaurant is located inside of the Palms hotel and is in a lovely setting overlooking the pool and beach beyond. The menu is somewhat limited, but not unusual for a hotel dining room. The waiter was very enthusiastic about the special and convinced three of us to order it, however, shortly after he informed us that they were out and so we settled for the snapper. We also ordered the calamari for an appetizer. The calamari, as well as the snapper were acceptable, but nothing to write home about. Portions were small, which is fine with me, but I know some prefer a bit more for their money. The three $$$ listed on the Yelp site is no lie. Dinner for 4 came to $450.00 - which included a moderately priced bottle of wine and two cocktails. If you are used to paying this kind of money for a beautiful setting then this won't bother you, but if you want to get a little more for your hard-earned dollar (assuming you work for a living like I do) then the Cafe O' Lei or even the Ami Ami are better choices.

Allison D.

Tsunami sushi was amazing!!!!! My husband got the chicken, and it was just ok. Maybe that's what he gets for ordering chicken? Sat on the patio and enjoyed the views and wonderful mai tai. Fun place to celebrate a special occasion!

Craig M.

We have been staying at the Mana Kai for 15 years and eating @ the 5 Palms mainly for breakfast, happy hour PuPu's. Usually it's pretty decent, a little pricey but it's Maui and we are on vacation so who's counting change. We decided to have dinner on our last night there and what a mistake! The chef must own a "salt mine", my fish was so salty and over cooked I couldn't eat it. My wife had a pork chop, waitress said this was one of their specialties. She needed a chain saw to cut it, salty as well. We will continue to stay at the Mana Kai, but will avoid at all costs the restaurant.

Rey R.

Planned on going to Five Palms for dinner and watch the sunset. The view is excellent. We found out they have happy hour so we decided to go early. They have happy hour appetizers for half price. We ordered the lobster dip with wonton chips, spider roll sushi, and panko crusted shrimp. The lobster dip was bland, the sushi was mushy, and we only got 4 pieces of over cooked shrimp. This definitely was not worth $9 each. I can't imagine paying full price for this. The cocktails were decent, sweet but decent. The service was great though. The wait staff were very attentive. Maybe our experience with the food was a fluke but we will not be returning any time soon.

Dave S.

Five Palms is what you get when you try to do Wailea but end up in Kihei. Don't get me wrong, I *love* Kihei, but Kihei shouldn't try to do upscale. It can't. If Kihei were upscale, it wouldn't be Kihei. With that in mind, Five Palms basically fails. The food is just fine. The wait staff is just a little too inexperienced, which means they show up too often when not needed, and not at all when they are needed, and they don't really know anything about the food. Biggest knock on the place? The patio is oriented the wrong way for sunset -- it's looking south-southwest instead of west, so unless you're at the table closest to the water along the south edge of the patio, something will be at least partially blocking your view.

Doug S.

At the outset, let me state that the views and ambiance here are great. The owners are great people and the wait staff do a wonderful job. We eat here a couple times a month and have done so for many years as have members of my family. The good: Breakfast here is good. Not great, but good. The views make up for any small deficiencies in the food. I think they finally realized that people don't like warmed over roasted potatoes with tons of paprika on them. We almost stopped coming for breakfast because they always seemed to get things messed up, but I'm happy to report that the last couple of meals at breakfast time were much better. Thank you 5 Palms! The not so good: Dinner here is hit or miss. I do know that they now have yet another new chef. Hopefully he can get things straightened out. The food isn't terrible, it just could be so much better, particularly for the price. If this place wasn't on the ocean, I think they would have trouble surviving. We ate dinner there with some guests a few nights ago. (BTW - They have a great three course sunset special. Makes it much more affordable.). We all ordered the mahi mahi, which we've ordered here and other places. Sadly, it was way overcooked. Mahi is a delicate tasteful fish, but if overcooked, it turns into a dry tasteless fish stick. Fortunately, they had plenty of sauce to go with it to choke it down. Perhaps the new chef is from the mainland where some restaurants think you have to cook all the flavor out of fish. The mahi wasn't even close to being cooked correctly. We didn't want to send it back as we had out of town guests with us and just wanted to enjoy the evening with them. We do wish that the owners could get a first rate chef in there. Maybe they could persuade one of the sous chefs at Mama's Fish House to come in and take over. Mama's really knows how to cook fish. We will continue to patronize 5 Palms because we like the owners and want to support local businesses, but we would come much more often if the food were better.

Michelle N.

Had happy hour here twice. Food was good (overpriced if you aren't there during Happy hour), drinks came out quick. Service was better the second visit, lots of wait staff that were good but hostesses looked like they wanted to be anywhere but there. Beautiful location, great for sunset, restaurant side looked like it had a nice 3 course special. Is very busy and you might end up waiting if you don't get there early!

Rebecca A.

We ate here in early September - walked along the beach path from our condo. It was the most upscale place we ate - absolutely gorgeous. We didn't make reservations but were seated right away at a nice table. Our server was great - friendly, personable and seemed genuinely interested that we have a great time in a Maui - he even gave us several recommendations for other food places during our stay, including a food truck for inexpensive fish tacos - which did not disappoint. We felt very welcomed and relaxed. He didn't make you feel guilty about sharing an entree and salad, which was plenty of food. My only negative was the fish did not have a lot of flavor in terms of seasoning. It tasted fresh and good, just on the bland side.

Ee O.

Was at the restaurant for lunch few days back and we ordered the spinach salad with the fried calamari. The calamari was the best we have ever had. The calamari steaks were breaded and crispy on the outside, super juicy on the inside. They were just phenomenal. Today however, we went there hoping to have that again and were very disappointed when the calamari came out totally different and very mediocre. We were told that the chef is different, hence the new 'menu'. It would be great if you could go back to the old way of preparing it please. We will definitely be back for the breaded calamari steaks once it is back on the menu.

Jacklynn R.

Great place for a nice dinner with a great view. Service was a bit slow but it seemed intentional and we enjoyed the longer dining experience. Enjoyed the lobster dip pupu and the tsunami rolls. We each had chicken for dinner and enjoyed it along with some mango mojitos . The best part by far though was the pineapple creme brûlée . FANTASTIC!!!! It's not cheap but nowhere decent with this view is .

John S.

This is a great restaurant on the beach. Service is good, and the ocean breeze and view are outstanding. If you want to pay less than Sorentos right next to it, then this is a good compromise. We actually like getting a quick breakfast here before catching our flight home.

Sunny C.

The location and view are fabulous! Food is OK. This restaurant has a fabulous beach front location on an awesome beach. It's lovely to stop at the 5 Palms for breakfast or lunch or sunset drinks, while you enjoy a day at this heavenly beach. Food is a little pricey, and the menu has your standards like fish and chips, catch of the day, hamburgers. The food is good -- however you go for the location, views, ambience. Breakfast offers up the best value, and the breakfast menu is pretty good. Lunch is decent. Dinner can be expensive, and the meals are average (not exceptional). They have a very nice kids menu...... The most beautiful restaurant location in Kihei (and possibly all of Wailea).

Phil M.

I attended happy hour with 2 lady friends. Lady's liked the wine list, and that samples were available. Kalua pork quesadilla's(2) were very good. Sushi selection was limited, but, tasty and fresh. Great sunset view. staff was friendly, helpful, and very pretty(sexist, yes I know)

B G.

Love the service and FOOD! The view is amazing, happy hour is AMAZING! Went to Maui for our honeymoon, and as everyone told us food is EXPENSIVE! So, we went to happy hour, and dives! The service was so great, we went back for a 2nd time in short trip to Maui... Thank you guys!!

Tracy V.

Beautiful location, and the food was excellent! Went there on Yelp recommendations, and as always, they were proven correct. We split the basic salad, which was plenty for two, and was like a Caesar with generous amount of fresh Parmesan! Next was the fish. I asked for the Ono to be served with their Thai/curry/(and something else) sauce which was fabulous! It wasn't like Thai curry, more like peanutty creamy with a small hint of curry. Husband had the fish special (don't remember what it was exactly) and he loved it. He is picky about his food, so it must have been great! Try to get a window seat before sunset.... Amazing!!!

Kim S.

I got food poisoning there from the sushi! Had a terrible night. The manager was very unresponsive to my complaint the next day. I made a complaint with the health department.

Chris O.

I will not be going back to this place. To say the service is horrible is a huge understatement. Go if you wish (as a local) but know you will wait, be frustrated and be served at best weak drinks. You have been warned............ Good riddance PS---if you are a tourist give it a shot as the views are great---but as a local we can get that anywhere....

Emily N.

This place is so blah. We live here and been a few times for different meals and happy hour. But I finally decided to write a review after the worst meal we had there last week. Got the romaine salad ( forget what it was ??? Maybe Caesar?) but all it was is lettuce, capers and a tiny bit if dressing. Yuck. I didn't eat any. POG was warm almost hot with no ice. I asked for ice but the server never brought any. Location is beautiful, beachfront.... That's the only good thing. Save your money!!! Super overpriced.

Cassandra C.

The location is the best part of this restaurant. You are right on the beach and even if you are seated indoors the windows open directly onto the ocean. Make a reservation and come at sunset to enjoy both the view and happy hour. The food was very good, well presented and tasty. Ask about the sunset special and get 3 courses for $29.95. Upgrade to a specialty salad for $5 more. The serving sizes are the same as the regular portions but you get the full meal. We had more cheesecake at our table than we could eat! Free valet parking or there's a public lot right next to the hotel. Take advantage of your location and walk along the beach right after sundown with the tiki torches and the moon. Lovely. Expensive but I'd go here again.

Adkinl A.

Right next to Sorrento's but has arguably better views and a nicer ambiance, 5 Palms gives you dining on the beach in a great atmosphere. Had the breakfast which was good but might have been a bit better but the views more than make up for that.

R. M.

Service: Knowledgeable friendly staff. Food: Dined here quit a few times and have enjoyed the taste , portion size and quality of the fine dining. Atmosphere:very nice, ,and definitely a great date location right on the beach.

Elesha N.

2 words: Happy Hour In the array of 15$ beach side mai tais in Kihei, lies a gem; a beach side bar that offers one of the best happy hours DAILY! Look no further, 5$ beach side drinks and appetizers are not a mirage but a reality!!!! Driving Directions: Coming from Wailea side, youll pass "Sorentos on The Beach" Italian restaurant and make your next left turn into a gravel Public beach parking. Coming from South Kihei side, youll pass the Kihei Surfside Inn on your left and your next right turn will be the gravel Public beach parking. There is plentiful parking that is free and located right by the beach. The restaurant is located inside the Mana Kai condo/hotel. We visited Five Palms twice during our 7 day stay of Maui at my parents house. We both agreed that it was a perfect place to catch a drink and appetizers right from the beach :).... Their happy hour is a generous open window- (3pm-7pm) & (9pm-11pm). Menu 5$ mai tai, margerita, house wines 4.50$ well drinks, 3.50$ bottled Coors Light, Corona, Miller Light, Budweiser, 3$ draft (Budlight, Steinlager) 4$ draft Beers ( Stella, Kona Fire Rock, Sierra Nevada, Blue Moon) See the rest of the Happy Hour Menu here fivepalmsrestaurant.com/… I suggest the 6$ spicy tuna, 5$ california roll, Crispy Calamari 7.50$ Advice Do try to come early (around 3-4) as tables do fill up quickly before the sunset.

Rob M.

So we ran into a very long time ago professional colleague and spouse as they were about to leave another restaurant as we arrived, and decided to meet again in about a week near his place in Kihei for lunch with our spouses. He picked 5 Palms. It has a beautiful setting on the beach. That said the chairs were so hard my well padded butt really hurt after awhile, so do not linger over your meal especially if yours is boney. The price to quality ratio was way too high, so one star for value cancels out the 5 star for the setting. The service was just ok, our order was taken and delivered in a timely manner but we rarely saw our server again and there was never an offer to refresh our drinks. The food: considering the price is 2 stars. My spouse ordered the rare ahi salad, the tuna seems not to be very fresh and the dressing was bland and lacked flavor. I had the Philly cheese sandwich which was quite different then I remember last time I was in Philadelphia; but that is over 5000 miles away.....the Philly philly is much better. I must say that the fries were 4 stars and the onion rings 5. We had a very pleasant 5 star "catch up" with the professional and personal lives of our hosts, giving the overall experience a 3 star rating.

Amie P.

Fun local spot when you are in Kihei with great views of the sunset and fabulous short ribs on happy hour prices. Keep your eyes alert as tables of seating goes quick during happy hour!

MJ G.

My two friends and I are visiting Maui for the first time, and wanted to experience the highly rated happy hour at the Five Palms. We had a minimum wait to be seated, but we were seated at an unclean table with two chairs and a booster chair. The table was cleaned, an adult chair provided for our third party, then that was the last we saw of our hostess or anyone else. Parties that were seated just before and after us were served with one party on their second round of drinks when we left. We tried to make eye contact with our hostess or the server waiting on peripheral tables, but were completely ignored. After 30 minutes of no service, we left our table and let the hostess know why. She offered no apology or explanation . We were sorry not to sample the appealing menu, and will not return for another try. We would not recommend this restaurant based on the shoddy treatment we recieved.

Evan B.

This is a quality restaurant, but a bit too expensive for my tastes. We ordered the spicy roll as an appetizer and it was among the best rolls I have ever had, and I've had my fair share of sushi. It completely melted in your mouth and was incredible. We also scored crab cakes, which didn't beat you over the head with any crab flavor, and was well done. I ordered fish for dinner and enjoyed the presentation. It was yummy as well, perhaps not top-notch. The view over the water is great, but they don't really take advantage of it with how they choose to seat the place. I would say the price for the food is fair -- you will get what you pay for. A review below hated on the waiters for being inexperienced, but all I can say is that our waiter was one of the best we had in our trip all over Hawaii. He was most certainly a seasoned waiter.

Brian B.

Went here for dinner our last night in Maui. Great oceanfront setting, the food was great and great, fresh drinks. Will definitely be back!

Big T.

Happy hour everyday and late night from 3-7 & 9-11. Late night its 50% off entire sushi menu along with drink specials. If you havent been you must check it out :-) Can't beat this view

Alex B.

Review of their bar. We frequent their bar occasionally as the location is second to none. Good: Location, location, location. Bad: Most uncomfortable tables you'll ever sit at -- you can't put your legs under them. They've raised their prices. $10 for a watered down well drink or Mai Tai made with mix. WORST, WORST WORST service on the island five years running. The sushi is hit or miss depending on the chef on duty. Sometimes it's great, sometimes is really bad.

Tony Z.

A few months ago I spent 10 days in Maui. This was the best happy hour in the area and an awesome view. All the staff was amazing especially Anna. Super nice. I even forgot my carry out food and she ran it out to me. I was their 5 or 6 times in 10 days. Bartender? ... I think Jenna was great also. Even the manager waived to me while I was driving thru town. He was on his scooter. Love this place.

Scott R.

On a family vacation in Maui my wife and I were able to sneak out on a date while my parents watched the kids one night. After looking at a number of Yelp reviews and trying to get a reservation at several of the higher rated restaurants near our condo we decided on the Five Palms. My parents had eaten there and the menu looked promising for Hawaiian surf & turf. I could write about the five star view and what a great a place this is to watch the gorgeous Maui sunset but if the view is what you want eat somewhere else and get the view for free at nearby Keawakapu beach. I wish I had done that myself. We started with cocktails and some sushi rolls while we decided on the main course. The waitress was very patient as we took our time and asked questions (In fact the service was excellent and I would have given it four stars). Ultimately I decided on the catch of the day for which there were three choices, Hebi (a spear fish), Shutome (swordfish) and Walu. I had not heard of Walu so I asked the waitress about it. She described it as a "white fish with excellent flavor" that tends to be more moist and tender than the other fishes on the menu. The fish was highly recommended based on it's flavor and texture to the point the waitress guaranteed I would like it or she would take it back and get me what ever I wanted in exchange. So I had the Walu prepared "Sea Salt Grilled" style with a Thai Curry sauce, stir fried vegetables and Molokai sweet potatoes. The first bite was fishy (not unlike Ling Cod) and but as the flavors mingled it got better. About this time our waitress checked in and asked what I thought. I was polite and said it was OK. My wife said I thought it was too fishy and that I regretted not getting the Hebi. The waitress offered to take it back as she had promised. I explained that it was OK, just that I prefer less oily fish (salmon, Halibut, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, etc) and that I didn't want to be "that guy". We finished our meals, had a nice desert, and went for a walk on the beach. So why one star? Because I had never heard of Walu (or Waloo) so when I got home I looked up the fish online to see what it looked like (I am a fisherman and like to see what the fish I eat look like). I was shocked to learn Walu is a made up name for a fish also known as Snake Head Mackerel but globally known as Escolar. After what I read online I am shocked ANY restaurant would serve this fish to patrons. It's sale has been banned in Italy and Japan and it deemed not suitable for human consumption in several other countries. At one point a Hawaiian legislator introduced a bill to ban the sale of Walu statewide. The after effects of this fish or too gross to list on a food site but I think you'll get the point. The other Hawaiian name for Walu is Maku'u (roughly translated- "Exploding Intestines"). Here is the Wikipedia entry for Escolar: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Es… A Google search of "Escolar, "Hawaiian Walu", or "Maku'u Fish" and the post dinner horror stories will help you understand why I am giving this place one star and make you wonder why any restaurant would serve this fish.

Robert N.

Of my trips to Maui to see my Mom and Dad , who spend half the year there . I know its a rough life they live . This is one my favorite places to eat breakfast on Maui . Last time I was there I enjoyed Portuguese sausage in some egg dish , wow that had some heat to it , the dish went well with my two spicy bloody Marys . We all shared the food , I dont recall any bad item that we order . The only drawback was the wait time for our drinks to show up . I never went to the bar to see what was up , but if could guess it would that they had one bartender one shift and he/she was swamped with orders . I am looking forward to my next visit there to have breakfast is covered outside area with the hope of seeing a sea turtle or whale or two .

Lisa M.

*Happy Hour Review* Great selection of cocktails and pupus. 3-7pm - so one can make it a light dinner. Sushi, ribs, coconut shrimp, etc. Friendly staff and great location.

Larry B.

Save your money! The service is almost as bad as the food and the drinks are watered.

R H.

The seafood (especially opaka ) is delicious. Atmosphere is good and really like sunset. But, don't miss breakfast.

Rachelle T.

The white dragon roll is the roll to get! The beet salad was delicious! Sit in Jules' section and ask her about the local spots. She truly is the best server, we've ever had!

Chris T.

Bar service was terrible... Had to flag down a server. "We came in under her radar." Dinner took a long time, but the food was excellent. Outdoor seating at sunset was wonderful too. If you can afford the time to be patient, then you'll have a good experience, if not go somewhere else.

Gaea W.

Great view, right on the beach and very good food. Went here twice since it was so good-some items were hit and miss, the crab cakes were tiny for an entree and were overpriced for the amount you get, but the tomato basil soup was incredible as was the romaine hearts salad. Highly recommend this place for a romantic night out. Sit in the outdoor patio area and enjoy the sunset and delicious food. Make a reservation though since it gets crowded.

David G.

Excellent food for breakfast or dinner, wonderful location & great service. We showed up valentines day for breakfast without reservations and the were able to seat us without a huge wait.

Brittany S.

This place has an excellent happy hour, which is all I can comment on since we didn't have a formal dinner here. The open air feel and the view of the beach are stunning and relaxing. Their happy is from 3-7pm and consists of half off drinks, pupu's, and sushi (which is all excellent). My only reason for not giving them 5 stars is that when we asked to sit in the lower seating, closer to the water we were refused since we weren't having dinner. I find this is true at many higher-end Hawaii restaurants. Maybe if I wasn't treated like I wasn't worth a nicer seat I just might stay for dinner!

Nathan B.

I'm giving this 5 stars for lunch. I have no idea what it's like for happy hour (lots of reviews seem to focus on that) or dinner. But for lunch? I couldn't ask or expect any more. We went on a windy weekday after spending the morning on a local beach. Based on Yelp and some tour guides, it looked like either this place or Cafe O'Lei (sp?). The latter sounded like it had service issues, and I'm a sucker for a good view. And the view did not disappoint. Despite the gale force winds, the restaurant (which is a little tricky to find on the opposite side of a condo/hotel) was protected. It was all blue skies, beach and palm trees. It was as good as any view we had at any restaurant on Maui. We barely noticed the winds while we ate. Our server, Rick, was brilliant. He really nailed the proper approach of friendliness, suggestions, and additional information. It was like a breath of fresh air to deal with a normal person that made you forget, for a moment, that it was really a business relationship between waiter and customer. Very personable and easy to deal with. I ordered a mai tai that the menu claimed was the best. I was suspicious, but Rick testified to its quality. Frankly, I thought most of the mai tais I had were terrible, but had adopted the "when in Rome" attitude. The mai tai at Five Palms was a beverage that you felt like someone actually *prepared* the drink. It wasn't just "rum + mix + ice." You could taste the craft that went into it. It's like only knowing hamburgers from McDonald's then going to a fine restaurant that orders particular cuts of high-grade ground beef and lavishes attention over the preparation and the bun. It's night and day. It was the best mai tai, of many, I had in Maui, and nothing deserved second place. I had the lobster BLT and I don't recall what my wife had, other than she liked it. My lobster BLT was delicious and the bacon was good and thick. Not your cheap supermarket brand. Zero complaints about the food. It was relatively empty when we went in the late afternoon and there was really nothing we could have asked for, other than, perhaps, clearer indications as to how to find the place.

Jeff C.

Great food and service. Much better than reviews here indicate. Perhaps there are better places - either with better food or views - but I've not been to them. Great vacation ending meal.

Amber N.

I came here my first afternoon in Maui. Good happy hour menu. Ordered a mai tai and it tasted like they used Tang! Ordered the happy hour sashimi and crab cakes. Both dishes were mediocre. Crab cakes were very dry. Our waitress were very nice and the location was good, but, not good enough to make up for the less than stellar food.

Kevin B.

Fantastic Happy Hour. We had a group of 8, 4 adults and 4 kids. We arrived around 430 to get a table. Myself and the other dad ordered some appetizer and drinks while the kids played in the water. Then we switched..ordered more food and drinks. Then the kids came up and eat and we all sat together. They didn't seem to mind,but obviously we kept ordering and ordering. The bar prices were very good for Maui and the food was above average. 20 steps to the ocean, amazaing view, great service. I just can't see how anyone can go wrong here.

Austin O.

Great view.

Andrea T.

I have a love/hate relationship with this restaurant. The first time I ate at the Five Palms, it was during happy hour. They have an awesome happy hour and the food and drinks are great. The restaurant is right on the beach pretty much so theres a great view and its perfect to come here during a sunset. I came here for happy hour several times and also ate here for lunch. I always had a great time. My husband and I decided to have our wedding reception dinner at this restaurant and booked a reservation for 25 people. BIG MISTAKE. They had a set menu and the manager coordinated everything with us in advance so we could work out the details of pricing and payment beforehand so that we could enjoy ourselves the night of our wedding. Unfortunately, during our wedding reception here, the waiter was extremely rude to us. I asked the waiter if we could get a round of drinks for the table and he told me that he could but we wouldn't get our drinks for another half an hour because the bar was too busy. My brother ended up having to go to the bar to order drinks for everyone because the waiter was refusing to serve us drinks. Then, when our bill came it did not match what we had originally agreed upon. It turned out that the waiter failed to provide the children with a children's menu, so the 2 kids we had at the table had to order from the adult menu which was double the price. We talked to the manager and he said he would remove the extra charge. We get back home and found the credit had not been issued to us. It took several calls and lots of arguing back and forth with the restaurant to finally get our credit even though the manager promised the credit to us previously. Lesson learned: great place to have a meal, but NEVER go there for a group event.

Michelle B.

Found this place on a whim. Great beach in front to hang at and the beni's of a great bar and restaurant. Going up to bar we were greeted by Nathan the bartender with a great smile and a stiff Mai Tai. Got to say if you like a strong drink this us the place for you. The Pupu's are awesome. Coconut crusted prawns were amazing. The sushi chef Chris cut up some mean ahi. Plus the spicy tuna roll, tuna maki roll, and california roll were all very tasty. Have to say all the staff was really friendly especially, Julie, Leanne, Ellie, and Mona. The other bar tenders/staff were a blast too ... Ross and Nui were very attentive and fun too. Ask Nui about the $$ on the forehead fun story. All in all great place for food and fun at the beach. The Ruben sandwich is tasty as well as the Lobster sandwich. Lots of choices to fit your taste. If you like a kick back atmosphere, friendly people, good drinks and food this is a place to stop by. The management Shawn is very nice and always making sure his guests are pleased. This is a place I will always return to.

Mabelle A.

We came here a few years ago and I remember it being better. I think they realized with the economy they had to do some cutbacks so the portions are pretty small for breakfast at the typical Wailea/Kihei price but I guess you're really paying for the view which is stunning. Every seat looks out over the ocean towards Molikini. Our server was really nice and gave some recommendations on what to do during our visit.

Sarah C.

Thanks to Roy who is the funniest server Ive ever had! Made our experience very memorable! Beautiful place and great people! Thank you!

David B.

[This review is for the late-night happy hour only.] For a joint reminiscent of the tiki bar in Goodfellas, I was really (really) surprised at the quality of the sushi. This is not sushi boat/strip mall product; it's a really decent effort. After 9 PM the entire sushi menu is half-off -- which makes prices a bit under "normal" by mainland standards. The salmon, tuna, and yellow tail sashimi ($8 each) were all very fresh and presented nicely, though the slicing was sometimes a bit... odd. All the fish can be made nigiri or sashimi style, though some might feel that there is too much rice subtending the nigiri. The rolls are large, and again, not everyone will be a fan of the amount of rice employed. But the California roll ($5.50) and spicy tuna roll ($6) were quite good, and the rainbow roll ($11.50) was excellent. Give the spider roll (tempura-covered crab) ($8) a miss, though. The ahi poke ($9), with its martini glass presentation, is fun and tasty to boot. Late-night HH beer is $4 and specialty cocktails are $5.75. For an additional $2.50, you can upgrade your cocktail to an adult beverage like a martini. The beer selection is small but thoughtful, and is a better choice than the cocktails. The mai tai was meh, as were the other tropical island fruity thingies. Bartender Nick is cool. Went twice in two days. Don't expect a Koiso-type experience; ignore the decor and go for the product.

Jen M.

Beautiful view, hidden away and over the beach...yummy strawberry lemonade and the best coconut mahi mahi in the world. Healthy options and lite choices too. Went every day during my Maui stay as I love the food here. I prefer this restaurant over the Four Seasons Wailea!

Nancy G.

This place was so great that we went twice during our recent trip to Maui. Love the location, the service & the food. My son said it was the second best burger he had ever had. Happy hour was fabulous -- yummy sushi, potent fruity drinks, and reasonable prices.

Kelly R.

Three adults had dinner and all had the pan seared snapper and all three were burned on the bottom and for sure it was overcooked. Then at the end of the meal we had three 10 year old boys at the table behind us (with no parents around) making so much noise that we left. This was a very disappointing dining experience and will never go back to this restaurant. It was way over priced and food was not good at any price.

Brent E.

We came here for Christmas dinner tonight and I am not at all impressed. The menu was very limited (which is understandable for a holiday). The waitstaff was very personable and friendly but lacked in skill (a few of us didn't get what we ordered at first). The fish was very dry and flavorless, the prime rib was overcooked (sent back and still overcooked). The prices were astronomical and the food quality certainly didn't match. I give it two stars.

M. W.

We visited recently while staying at the Mana Kai. We knew it would be pricey, as we can all read the menu, but we were hoping for a real treat. 'Meh' sums it up pretty well. The food was ok. We shared the calamari appetizer, which was probably the best thing we had; we really liked the sauce that comes with it. Two folks had omelets, which were on par with, say, Denny's. I had the lobster salad, which featured much more mayo-type sauce than lobster meat. My teen son had a smoky chicken sandwich that, in his words, was just too smoky. But once he removed the gouda cheese, he liked it ok. For what we paid (over $110 + tip for lunch for 4 with no cocktails), it was just annoying to get such 'passable' food. However, I certainly can't argue with the spectacular view you get while dining.

Cheryl K.

Had the sunset special (served between 5pm and 6pm). For $30 you get a salad, entree and desert. Food was great and view of water on the patio is great as well. Regular menu is very pricey though!

Charlotte M.

The food is 4 stars but the kitchen is soooo slow. The outdoor-seating is practically on the beach. Breath taking views and very staff. Try their fluffy and flavorful Macadamia nut pancakes! You will not be disappointed. I will go here every time I visit Maui.

Jeremy L.

As of late, my most consistent dining experiences here have been for breakfast, so this review is for breakfast only. It has gone "downhill" in my experience. My last breakfast there was probably one of the worst breakfast meals I've had at any restaurant on Maui in years. The eggs were way over done, the sausage over cooked. Basically everything as overcooked and overpriced. The prices have gone up and the food quality down. Not a good combo, and I don't plan on eating there again the foreseeable future. One thing they definitely have going for them. THE VIEW!

Brad A.

Sushi at a Chinese restaurant? Hello? GO for the happy hour. It's AMBIENCE & VIEW OVER QUALITY.

Jalyn H.

Great burgers! And fantastic fruity drinks. Order the one that comes in a hollowed out pineapple. The Lava Flow is also very tasty. Located right next to the beach in the Mana Kai Maui Resort, it's a lovely place to dine if you're trying to stay out of the sun. Waitstaff is tremendous! Prices a little steep.

Nathan N.

Overpriced. We were in the mood for sushi the night we went. The waiter tells us, "we can only make hand rolls because the chef went home." Apparently, the guy behind the bar was his apprentice and can't make maki sushi yet. WHAT??!! Okay fine. I guess I can deal with that. So I ordered a $40 prime rib. How the heck do you serve me a dry slab of carcass and expect me to be happy? Fail. Never going back there again.

Hillary C.

This was my first time to Five Palms and we were off to a good start- the weather was gorgeous, the view spectacular, and the wait staff was very personable and attentive. For the most part everyone ordered something different so we had a wide range of food coming. We ran into a little issue and some of the party had to leave for 15 minutes and come back so we let our waiter know. The salads came out and sure enough the two came back and we were soon ready for our meals- 45 minutes we were still ready... and waiting. It was a little upsetting that we had to wait that long especially since there was much disappointment around the table when the food did finally come out. I would have preferred my prime rib to be a little more freshly cooked as it seems to have sat out for a little too long and the melted cheese on the mashed potatoes was not freshly melted and was hard which gave it away that it had been sitting out. There was an issue with the lamb and as many people know lamb has to be cooked the right way. The sauce was over bearing and killed the taste of the lamb and the lamb was burnt on the outside- this actually cause this person to get up and step out without ordering anything else. There was another problem with the fish that had the potential to be so delicious. It left a filmy feeling in her mouth and gave her a sick feeling- to a point where she had to push it away and take part of a prime rib. This does seem to be a little much and still have three stars but there were a number of positives to our experience as well. Jordan, a wonderful waiter, was very kind and made sure everyone was happy. You could tell that he felt bad that people were dissatisfied but it was not his fault, sometimes its just the way things are prepared. We all enjoyed our salads and poke as our starters. The drinks were tasty and allowed us to have a nice cap to our evening. The family that I am with are regulars to this area and there is a good chance that this will not stop them from giving them another chance- stuff like this happens but there are always ways of avoiding it. Overall I will give it three stars because it was a mediocre time, not by any means was it absolutely dreadful but it was also not top notch. I'd like to try this restaurant again and give it a second chance.

Stephanie V.

This is the best restaurant on Maui- you just CAN'T compete with the location/ view, the beautiful yet laid back atmosphere, the variety of delicious food throughout breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the AWESOME happy hour. This place is a MUST TRY when visiting Maui! Don't miss it... you'll be sorry you did! PS- this place is randomly a hot spot for A-list celebrities visiting Maui- might wanna bring your camera just in case! ;)

Trish J.

Love Love Love this place. They make the best coco prawns and most succulent beef tenderloin for dinner. Their scallops are also nicely carmelized and tasty too. Their setting right on the beach is magnificent. Highly recommended. Pricing moderate.

Guy R.

We visited for breakfast after an early morning whale watching excursion. We'd been told that this place had won "best breakfast" 5 years in a row. The ambience was excellent and the view is unbeatable. You are literally looking at the beach and the ocean in every direction. The food, on the other hand, was predictably average like most everything we had in Hawaii. The omelet was just an omelet and the french toast was good, but painfully small and expensive.

Aubrea M.

I only give the place 2 stars for location & ok sushi rolls. Their service was horrible! I went in with my 2 young daughters since were staying at the neighboring hotel for 1/2 happy hour sushi rolls. Our waiter Gerald failed to tell us it was only in the bar area & barely checked on us at all. The manager had to get me another drink after I had to literally waive him down & we waited for our bill for 20 min.. As I mentioned before I was there with my young children... like I was the typical "woman with kids" who wasn't going to tip well. I myself am a server & know restaurant etiquette I spent $100 and got treated like I had a $20 tab!!! Was extremely disappointed!!!!! So be careful if you're looking for good service this is not the place to come...

J M.

Good food, located right on the beach - we went for dinner but the happy hour was highly recommended by locals in the know. On the downside, waitstaff was a little green (young kids from as far as Boston) and hostess seemed a little overworked - it was hard to get a smile out of her. But this is a great place to eat if you're staying in the Kihei / Wialea area.

Norman B.

The spinach salad with Portabella mushroom, candied Mac nuts was fantastic. The Pineapple Creme Brûlée was superb. Service was outstanding. Restaurant decor is classy and intimate. Great place. Y

Alex A.

Had dinner here; we were sat quickly, even without a reservation. The food was very good; we both had fish. All the dishes were pricey, of course, the coconut crusted prawns (i though prawns were supposed to be bigger than shrimp?) maybe a little too pricey. Tasty, though, and probably worth it.

Lee S.

Went for our anniversary dinner as we had good experience the last 2 times we dined here. Got seated promptly and our special occasion was acknowledged, then the disappointment began. The outdoor patio seating area is under construction which isn't mentioned until you arrive, not the worst but not a plus. Our server, Lisa, was by far the least interested, helpful or attentive person we have run across in Maui. My wife has dietary restrictions and when we stated that and asked for some help on the menu it seemed to be a monumental task for Lisa. She was no help and then disappeared. We ordered a special salad for my wife and when it finally came it was split into two even though we hadn't requested that. Lisa then spent the next 5 minutes explaining she hadn't asked for that and didn't know why it came that way. We had enjoyed the restaurant before, neat setting on the beach and good food if a bit expensive, but when the service was this bad we won't be back.

Monica K.

Really good food and desserts. Service was just okay. Right on the beach and amazing view!

Chris C.

My daughter got married in Maui last month. She chose the wedding venue at 5 Palms. The view at the wedding location in front of 5 Palms was simply stunning. Beautiful palm trees all along the beach with beautiful sunset views. They had a reception at 5 Palms Restaurant following the wedding ceremony. Brian was our server at the reception from the beginning to the end. He knew exactly what to do, and his service was excellent. He was very efficient, very helpful and very professional. We all had a good time and enjoyed the food very much. Thank you Brian for making the whole evening so relaxing and so enjoyable with your excellent service.

Dave B.

Pretentious beach bar/restaurant with zero interest staff. Never got seated, finally stole someone's table which never got cleaned. I blame this poorly managed establishment on the fat pompous owners who don't give a crap.. Neither do I. Avoid this place like the plague.

Carol K.

3 stars food: Disclaimer**** Never ate a meal here. The Happy Hour food is good, not great. Just tried the lobster dip which was uber rich. The rolls are good, not fab and I don't recommend the calamari. I'll try the coconut prawns next time. 5 STAR- the place, vibe and view are just great. Who doesn't like to have access to a pint steps from the beach? We will come here a lot- for Happy Hour.

Al L.

Great Restaurant with a beautiful view in maui. Really good options for happy hour.

Kayla A.

Happy hour has been awesome as was breakfast yesterday. Today however, went for lunch. Not busy at all and although waiter was nice, service just to be seated was awful. Poor communication! Could not order sushi until 3:00. When we said we would just have drinks for now we were informed that we couldn't sit at a table unless we ordered food so we went to the bar where we sat and were ignored for at least 10 or 15 minutes. This was their slow time! Will not return here for lunch or dinner. Had an awesome waiter yesterday morning! Wish I had gotten his name!

Monica I.

Two Happy Hours 3-5 and 9-11! Half price sushi with one drink minimum purchase. Sushi! And they use real crab in the California rolls! The most tasty dish was definitely the sashimi. Our server brought me #glutenfree soy sauce in a tray, but to make sure I knew it was safe, brought the bulk jug of Yamasa #glutenfree Tamari soy sauce to show me +1 star! Service wasn't the most attentive I've ever had, but not bad. Suggested tips printed at the bottom of the bill were 18%, 20% and 21%. Hmmm. Mai Tai's weren't bad, but tipping... that's my decision. Views are great, just off the beach. Might be windy down on the grass, but was calm in the lounge.

Jeni N.

The ambiance is relaxing and beautiful and the food was fresh and yummy. Thank you to Moki and Rick for an enjoyable lunch experience! The lobster blt was by far the best thing we ate today.

Steven H.

This review is for the happy hour in the bar. Yes, the view is beautiful, directly on the ocean, unfortunately this was the worst food we have eaten while in Maui. We ordered the chicken lettuce wraps, spicy tuna roll and luau quesadilla. The lettuce wraps were literally inedible. The chicken was so over cooked and dry it and totally overpowered by ginger. One bite and we were done. The luau quesadilla was supposed to have Kalua pork but we didn't see or taste any. It was cheese and purple potatoes. The spicy tuna roll was just ok, I have had much better. Our bartender was friendly and provided good service but I just can't give this place more than one star with the awful food they serve. I agree 100% with Lisa K and JP's reviews. Go somewhere else!

Barbara M.

Don't do it! Maybe happy hour but not dinner! There are too many good restaurants in this price range. I can see the building that houses this restaurant from my home--a beautiful setting on the beach-- WE have rarely had a positive experience but tried again for dinner before taking visiting family members to the airport. Our final evening together was ruined by extremely slow service and expensive mediocre food. It took almost 90 minutes to be served with a 16 month old at the table who was actively expressing the frustration we all felt by that time. And my husband was charged $45 for a small salad with an added piece of frozen mahi mahi. Seriously? The manager made no adjustment to our bill but gave us his card and said he would take care of us the next time we came in. Really? We should have been taken care of this time.

Robyn R.

5 Palms boasts some of the most spectacular views on the south side of the island, from the stretch of Keawakapu Beach and the Wailea coastline to Makena's Pu'u O'Lai. Its outdoor seating area is lovely: lush, well-shaded, and simply decorated so that all the surrounding beauty can shine through. The restaurant has a great menu with everything from French toast and Creme Brûlée oatmeal to outstanding sushi. Best of all, it has an excellent Happy Hour that runs from 3-11 during the summer. But it's the bartenders that make this place so enjoyable and memorable--they're gifted, hilarious, and always serve with a smile.

Urich J. A. B.

Another wonderful meal at 5 Palms. A reunion with friends was only made more perfect by chef George. Our waitress Dee and the entertainment of Roy. The night was perfect for lingering outside and catching cool breezes. Baked lobster dip and sushi were amazing. My entree of fettuccine carbonara was excellent. Mahalo

Jeff P.

The ambiance is wonderful. The appetizers were good. The quality of our entrees was average. This is where the good reviews end. The service was horrible. Our water glasses were empty pretty much all throughout dinner. I never did get my pepper. They are hugely understaffed and unprofessional. Even our server complained about the rest of the staff. Until they change I don't recommend 5 Palms. There are way too many better places to go.

Amy V.

First off the view is amazing!!! Wonderful place to sit on the patio and enjoy your meal! We went for breakfast, I had the crab meat and avocado omelette with seasoned potatoes and toast. That was the best omelette only thing I didn't care for was the hollandaise sauce on top. The staff was very friendly and very inventive and service was quick. It is expensive to eat here but if you don't mind the food was wonderful! Worth the price.

Sheri K.

This is the best place I have ever been to for happy hour. The pricing is very reasonable. Non-generic happy hour foods like spicy tuna roll, coconut prawns, etc etc. I ordered an arnold palmer and wooooowee! That one drink put me in the perfect mood. The restaurant is right on the beach in the hotel too so I would recommend going at sunset. I always sit at the bar and the bartenders were nice. Also met a cool group of Canadians there...eh! Highly recommend trying this place.

User O.

Had the fish and chips, enjoyed them. They were made from marlin, which was a new experience for me, but I liked them

Sky D.

Nice location and variety. No concistency. My food came out dry, over cooked and burnt. The serving size was small. The sauce was so creamy it gave me a stomach ache. I came with a wedding party. Our waiter was nice. Unfortunately most of the other waiters lacked any level of courtesy.

Paul D.

3 stars for the food. 5 stars for the location and atmosphere. I had great and not so great service here. Depends on your server.

Joanne G.

Concierge at hotel recommended 5 Palms and made reservation for us. We were suppose to have table with ocean view but another group at a table moved and took our table. They had to set up another table for us. We never got menus after being seated. Took about 10 minutes to even get these. Our waitress took forever to get us our drinks, take order. Had to ask 3 different times for steak sauce for my nephews girlfriends steak. She was almost done by the time sauce arrived at table. My husband and I were drinking coca cola. This restaurant charges for refills. It would have been nice to be told about the charge before getting our bill. I do NOT recommend this restaurant for a sit down meal due to service. Also there is no air conditioning and it was hot with no trade winds. View is good but you can stand outside and get the view and eat somewhere where they want your business.

James C.

My family and I stay at the Mana Kai very often. We really just go down for pupu's during happy hour. I can tell you that they are very good. The Mai ties are strong! For me a least. Awesome view! Here's the kicker, I would avoid the place for dinner unless you have big money and little appetite. The waitress was very confusing on the prices of the special. Ended up getting what I thought was $60 dollar opakapaka (pink snapper). Turned out to be $120. Yikes! Let's make it clear $60 a person. Fish was great taste. The fish was worth $60. Any entree was $40 and above.

Paul S.

This was our second stop-in at the 5 Palms Restaurant for Happy Hour. Once last year and we liked it so much we made sure to stop in again this year. In 2013 we sat on a table indoors with a great view of the beach and ocean. This year (2014) we sat in the bar area, which had a great view of the pool, beach and ocean. By the end of Happy Hour (3-5pm) the bar is pretty full so make sure that you get here early to get a seat. We tend to visit Maui in the off-season so I imagine during the height of tourist season this place must be packed for Happy Hour! We usually stop in for Happy Hour to get some 1/2 priced sushi and other appetizers. I really like the Lobster Dip with Won Ton chips. My other half is the sushi fiend. We had a Happy Hour Mai Tai and a Happy Hour local beer. We must admit that the Mai Tai was okay but not our favourite Mai Tai on the island. This is a great destination Happy Hour destination you must try!

M H.

This place is unique and a great spot to take your date, meet with friends or have a cocktail. The menu is well thought out and well executed. The staff is professional, courteous and in tune with what customer service means and should be. The food is high quality and fresh. Not too pricey and not pretentious, just a great dining experience!

Wendy H.

Maybe it was an off night but I would rate this just ok. The service was excellent, very attentive. The meal presentation and taste was nothing special...I was surprised since we chose local fair. Disappointing meal. Mud pie desert was excellent, coffee machine was out of service so we had french pressed coffee which was wonderful.

Debbie C.

My husband & I were spending a week on Molokai & made a day trip to Maui so he could take a helicopter tour & hopefully get some great photographs. That unfortunately did not happen. I have a severe problem with motion sickness so I researched places for us to have lunch while he was up in the helicopter. I found the Five Palms in a Maui Drive Guide that Alamo gave us when we picked up our rental car. We were interested in getting some fresh fish in a nice location that was difficult for us to access from the Kahalui airport. After reading about it in the Drive Guide, I thought it would be worth a try. It was about 25 minutes from the airport & well worth the drive. The restaurant is open air on the ground floor of a resort. We sat on the covered patio portion & enjoyed the view of manicured grounds & beach. We got to see the excitement of kids & their parents when a large sea turtle came almost to shore right out in front of us. We were hoping the fresh catch of the day would be Ono but it wasn't so we decided to try the fish & chips made with a fish my husband & I didn't recognize. Before we ordered we saw the Maui onion rings some other diners were eating & thought they looked good. We asked our waitress if we could upgrade our chips (fries) to onion rings & she said we could. When our food arrived, we were impressed with how it looked. We were even more impressed when we ate it! The fish was lightly breaded, not greasy, thick pieces of perfectly cooked fish - loved it! The onion rings were very good & we weren't expecting the wonderful fresh side salad with a tropical vinegrette dressing that also came on our plates. Our lunch was delicious & filling but that didn't stop us from ordering dessert when we saw the locally made Lillikoi Passionfruit Cheesecake with graham cracker crust on the menu. It was expensive but delicious & oh so worth it! At least we split a piece! It came with sliced strawberries, a dollop of whipped cream & Passionfruit purée on the plate. It was so good, we ate it before I thought about taking a picture! We love tart flavors! The food was delicious, the service was great and the scenery was beautiful. The icing on the cake was when my husband asked if they gave a military discount. Our waitress did not know but said she would go ask. The happy answer was yes - the Five Palms gave a 15% discount to both active & retired military members with proper ID. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch experience at Five Palms.

Aja N.

This place is an all around gem!!! Happy hour after 9 pm-? Yes please!! The sushi is still outrageously expensive, but it's so good!! I had a Tsunami tool and a 1/2 Mauro 1/2 hamachi hand roll. It was the best hand roll I've experienced!! Yum!! The sushi chef was hysterical last night and I had an amazing time! I'll be back for sure!!

Amanda H.

Had a wonderful birthday dinner for my husband last night at the 5 Palms. The food was excellent and the 2 specials for the night were on point. Our server Roy was friendly and attentive. Only downside was it was very hot sitting outside at 5pm. The staff couldn't get all the fans turned on, but once they did and the sun started to set the ambience matched the view and food.

Kristen S.

We chose 5 Palms Kihei for brunch after our wedding, for all our guests to attend. We couldn't have been happier! We coordinated with Kathryn and everything came out just how we wanted. We had a reserved area of the restaurant that had great views of the beach and ocean - some of our guests even spotted turtles from their tables! We had a buffet with eggs benedict, portuguese sausage, bacon, pancakes, fruit, and much more, and we added a mimosa station, where guests can pour their own champagne and orange juice. The food was delicious, service was friendly and prompt, and our guests enjoyed themselves so much that some people stayed pretty late. We were not rushed out by any staff members. It was leisurely and a lovely way to end our wedding week in paradise.

Jason M.

We eat breakfast and lunch at Five Palms twice a year when we're in Maui. Always a great experience that includes the best view on Maui, excellent service, and friendly staff. Try the lobster BLT and a side of onion rings..this would be my final meal if I ever get into that position...

Lisa K.

Mistake #1 - I believed the Yelp reviews that the 5 Palms was a good restaurant. Mistake # 2 - Ignored the feeling in my gut (before we ate lunch) that this restaurant was about the view and not the food. Mistake # 3 - Didn't consider the RED FLAG that the restrooms require a 'code' for access. (code # 8181) We ordered calamari for an appetizer - it was good. Husband ordered - a "maui' cheese steak sandwich which included onion rings and steak fries. The steak sandwich meat was so overcooked it looked like beef jerky. The rings were good as well as the fries. I ordered an ahi tuna salad which had four pieces of meat and was overpriced at $20. The waitress dropped off the meals and we never saw her again. Had to flag her down to get more water and our bill. The view was beautiful - the meal was not.

Sanat K.

I used to love 5 Palm. They got a new chef and now they stopped serving whole steamed fish that I loved. No hamachi Kama I also love. The local fish is not fresh. The view is great. We still go there hoping the menu will get better and new chef may discern old fish from fresh

Adrienne S.

It's all about the view. The view is gorgeous and the atmosphere relaxing calm and pretty quiet. We were here for lunch, didn't have to wait or have a reservation. Ordered the Maui cheesesteak and the curry chicken salad. Both were great. I wouldn't say the menu or the food is particularly unique or impressive but it was a great lunch and you can't beat that great lawn-to-lavarock-to-sapphire blue water scene.

Kaiulani K.

Arrived from Oahu craving sushi. Tour guide boyfriend (TGBF) said he had a spot he'd been wanting to try. We pulled into the crowded hotel parking and walked through the lobby. Restaurant looked empty, I was sure we were going to get turned away or the kitchen was going be closed, but TGBF assured me they had a late night option. They were happy to have us, sat us, gave us menus and drinks. All sushi was 50% off, drinks had HH prices. So I did what I do best and ordered copious amounts of sushi. Meh items were the spicy ahi and spicy scallop (the scallops were super fresh and yummy, so the other ingredients in roll overpowered it; i would've rather just had fresh scallop). Same with the negi hama; the roll wasn't great, but the quality of the fish itself was impressive. The caterpillar roll and sushi trio were both solid. It was super cool that our awesome sushi chef (Kev) gave us a plate gratis. Possibly because we were ordering everything else on the menu and he thought that we missed one? Or maybe just because he's a nice guy :) Amazing Items: white dragon, salmon skin, salmon sashimi. The shiso leaf in the white dragon roll balances the flavor of the hamachi. I don't even like hamachi, but that was a good combo! Salmon skin was the best of both worlds: crispy, salty skin with a bit of juicy, flavorful meat still on it. Definitely order it and eat it hot. The salmon sashimi was so good and fatty- highlight of my meal. Then again, it's always the highlight of my meal. Some of the fish was warm, which I know is the style at some places. It's not a style I love, but I tolerate it. I'm not sure if that's intentional here, but I went for it but it paid off this time. All the food was well done and TGBF kept remarking how great our sushi chef was. His name was Kevin and he was cool and talented. The bartender and Kevin both had great personalities and great attitudes. They were really nice and I can't wait to go back. The atmosphere just makes everything even more awesome. Imagine getting late night sushi while dining at a bar inside a quiet, chill, and low key open door restaurant with the waves crashing right next to you. Sea breeze, night air, and chill people added a lot of great ambience. It was just us and two other patrons, so chatting it up with the bar staff and getting all that attention and just relaxing together was effing amazing. In fact, the experience was so good I may one day forgive TGBF for watching and smiling as a more *ahem* soused patron a few seats down complimented on how cute I was and as we left decided I needed to hug him and get a big kiss on the cheek. "Sushi lover, you so cute. Eh, take care of her, man." Thanks for the kind words, my new shnockered friend. All in all DEF do again. Highly recommend late night HH.

Sharon V.

My husband and I had our anniversary dinner here. The food was fantastic. My scallops were definitely our favorite. Although his Ahi was delicious as well. Wonderful creative flavors with beautiful presentation. Dessert was fabulous too! We were sat in a front table outside and although you are by the public sidewalk and beach the setting was still very nice and close to the beach. We planned around sunset and enjoyed it very much! Service was great too!

Michelle H.

Food was over priced, not good quality. Service could of been better, the staff was not attentive at all.

Denise A.

Not sure how many stars to actually give this restaurant. So you decide and here's my story !! We completed an Open Table reservation for 6 people and added a notification requesting a table by the window so we could watch the sunset. I also indicated that we were celebrating a 50th birthday and requested something special for dessert signifying this. Never happened. When we arrived our table was not what we requested. We asked to change locations and begrudgingly they did so. However we had to beg several times to get adequate table settings for 6 since there was only 4 on the table. That literally took at least 4 requests to accomplish. We needed to request bread to the table. 4 pieces arrived that were already sliced in half. 4 pieces for 6 guests ? Ok. The appetizers arrived at different times so we all felt like we were not dining together. We had to request someone to bus our tables. Several times. All the time. It was not something that was immediately done for us. One of our diners ordered the prime rib. No steak knife was presented. When we asked for a steak nice the first waiter brought one that looked like a steak knife from Denny's. The assistant manger eventually brought us a legitimate steak knife in which to cut a $45 piece of prime rib. 3 diners were sharing a bottle of wine so the diner who ordered a different glass of wine did not receive their drink order until we asked the waiter three times. Whew !! That was difficult. Truthfully ... the food was very good. The daily fish special of Opah was fabulous. Kudos to the chef. He can cook his butt off. But if this restaurant wants to stay in business they need to reevaluate the front of the house wait staff. When an 18% gratuity is added to the bill in advance, it's unfortunate when the wait staff does not strive for more. We were 6 women who are employed in the customer service industry and would have more than compensated for amazing service. 2 STARS goes to the chef !!!! Actually 4.5 but I didn't wait to over rate this review.

Enrique G.

Old Old old... This is like going back to the 80's these guys have not jnvested in their restaurant in decades... Food is good tho, service too... The y have an amazing view and so over all a good experience... Worth trying

Jen C.

Beautiful view and awesome service! The food is delicious! My only complaint is the decaf coffee was old tasting (not unusual for decaf) and the waitress brought another one and didn't charge me for an additional. This is our second time here, the last time being three years ago...it's one if our favorite spots on Maui!

Greg O.

My partner and I had three meals at 5 Palms and they were wonderful! The waiters (Thaddeus, Mason and one other who's name I forgot!) were warm and friendly. The rest of the staff equally projected Aloha to us. The food was very good - my one complaint: a salad I had, though good, wasn't chilled as I would have expected it to be. Other than that one oversight, the food was good tasting and presented well. We recommend highly the 5 Palms Restaurant - and if you get there for dinner, be sure to stay for the sunset view!

Ben L.

Picture it kids - You and your lady have just finished up at church on Sunday, the sun is shining, the water is sparkling, there's a cool breeze in the air, and you're looking for breakfast along Maui's south shore that will let you sit outside and take in the splendor. Definitely have to throw 5 Palms into your consideration mix, yeah? That's what we thought, too. But we were wrong. Our trip to 5 Palms had been built up over the course of weeks with The Awesome Girlfriend telling me about other excellent trips (for dinner) she'd taken at the restaurant in the recent past. After bailing on our last post-church breakfast spot due to some "interpersonal ugliness" we set a new course for uncharted breakfast territory, and we were pretty excited about it. We were able to get a table right away. They had a good crowd, but it wasn't so busy and cramped as to make me uncomfortable. As mentioned above, the view was absolutely stellar. You really can't ask for much more in that department. The menu offered a fine selection of breakfasts without being overly complicated. The prices were reasonable given the location and the offerings. And our waitress, Erin, was an absolute gem. All of these things bode well for our experience as we looked to plant our flag at a new Sunday breakfast spot. But (you knew there was going to be a but in this story, yeah?) when our food finally arrived, none of it was warm. Potatoes were room temperature as were the eggs and pancakes and sourdough toast. The coffee was also cool, but additionally suffered from being watery. The Awesome Girlfriend likes food hot. I can deal with warm. The food served was not satisfactory to either of us. Erin, Patron Saint of Servers, heard our complaint, apologized, and offered to have them redo our order. She came back a few minutes later with a brand new plate of food. Unfortunately, it suffered from the same temperature issue and the one bite of scrambled eggs had a runny consistency. It was enough to tap out on breakfast at 5 Palms. Erin returned with the manager who was very gracious in offering to substitute new food and who assured us breakfast would be on the house, but by that time, the idea of breakfast didn't seem appealing and we opted to head out. I'm almost 100% sure we just had a freak occurrence at 5 Palms. Their reputation among locals and The Awesome Girlfriend's previous experiences would lead me to believe that things like today don't happen often. Maybe dinner is a safer bet than breakfast. I don't know. I want to give everything BUT the food four or five stars, totally deserves it. All of those parts, including Erin and management were really, really good. Unfortunately, food being what it was (and that being the most important part of why we were there) I can't do that. I'll give 5 Palms another try somewhere down the road and will be sure to update this review if, as suspected, we have a radically different experience.

Cynthia L.

Best french toast I have ever tasted!! I was kind of not happy with the portion size because I thought it wasto little, but my husband and I couldn't finish our plates, the really filled us up. And we wanted to keep eating jaja We both got the french toast, it have bananas and white chocolate Going back next time we are in Maui =]

Leilani M.

April 22, 2015 11am Let me start off by saying that I was born and raised here. Now let's start. We checked out yelp & trip advisor where to eat and we wanted to have a nice brunch and 5 palms popped up. So we went. Parked in the public parking in the gravel lot and walked towards the beach where the entrance is. We walked in there and everyone looked at us like we didn't belong, but we disregarded that and continued into the restaurant to the hostess stand. She was nice and sat us near the front and I requested to sit in the back corner. She said it was fine & that our server will be right with us. Immediately we got waters from a back waiter, but that was it. A couple were seated 5 minutes after we were sat and immediately had a server there; even before the guests could look at their menu! Maybe because we're locals maybe; which is pretty unprofessional! Your restaurant is on Maui! I think you should treat locals equally! Anyways we placed our menus down that way they know we were ready, but still NOTHING, no one acknowledged us up until we started to get up! Then a server approached us. Our mind was made up & we left! Sadly we didn't get to try the food, but that's how it goes sometimes!

Trish S.

1. Menu covers were raffia covered, but then you open it up and all the menu pages are enclosed in Avery plastic sheet protectors! Threw us off. This was the first sign. 2. After a mild wait, server who awkwardly stood near our table for several seconds finally greeted us with "You haven't been waiting long, have you?" followed by some kind of excuse about not knowing that we were seated in his section. We were not waiting long so this greeting took us aback. Second sign. 3. When ordering, asked about whether the salad dressing was made in house, and server first replied that he didn't know, and then "Oh yes it is. I'm sure of it." Third sign. 4. After placing our orders, server comes back and says "We are out of prime rib and I just got the memo now." Feeling rushed, I placed my order. Mind you, it was very early in the evening--before 7pm. How could they be out of prime rib already, or was it just not updated on the menu? And why wasn't the server aware of it? Fourth sign. 5. Food was okay. The fish was fresh--you can get really good fresh fish everywhere in Kihei. The preparation was mediocre. Every preparation came with a rich creamy sauce and the fish sitting on a mound of mashed potatoes. 6. Server was rude and unprofessional. He only had 3 tables and doted on the others most of the time. Did not check with us once our meals arrived at our table. For the quality of service--poor--and mediocrity of food, absolutely not worth the price!!!!!

Ashley L.

Make a reservation if you want waterfront seating. Our waitress was so friendly throughout our entire meal and was more than happy to take a photo of us with the beach in the background. A pretty rude man at the table next to us was throwing a fit about exactly how gluten free options were prepared (nothing wrong with asking but he was not nice about it). The waitress was unsure so she had their Head Chef come out to speak with the customer personally. The customer continued to be rude but the Chef handled it professionally and answered all of his questions. Tasty food, good drinks, knowledgeable and friendly staff. What more could you ask for?

Kymberly M.

I have lived on Maui since 2000 and have had a handful of friends work here. Today, after a special, Hawaiian blessing, a small group of us came here today for breakfast. The view is beautiful the food looked pretty good... Until I found a black hair in my potatoes!! I turned this black haired potato into my waitress, Mariah, and she showed the Manager on duty. The Manager Moki did not speak to us regarding this disgusting mistake but was generous enough to give me a $3 discount on the food that had hair in it. I do NOT recommend this restaurant if you want to enjoy your food or have professional service. Go next door to Sarentos on the beach where they will take excellent care of you.

Mathias H.

The Five Palms has a very nice location right by the water. It is a perfect spot for watching the sunset and they have happy hour (with prices that are pretty good to be on Maui). Do come early for happ hour (starts at 3) as it is very popular. A selection of dishes on the menu are half-price during happy hour and there are some drinks and beers that are also discounted. Tried some of the small dishes and the ribs were excellent as well as the desserts. The sushi was poor as well as the drinks (the happy hour drinks are not good, some of the regular drinks are ok). The mqin negative was the service. A lot of people 'working' there but most of em were just standing around chatting with each other and showing no or little interest in doing their jobs. For this reason I will not visit again. Are many other places where they are actually hppy serving its customers.

Julien B.

Expensive for ok food. The restaurant itself is nice, especially if you sit outside but DON'T GET STUCK AT A BOOTH. We first were seated at one of the booths and it was probably the wobliest table I've ever sat at for a restaurant. And this isn't the kind of table where you can just stick a few napkins and voila it's fixed. I'm not paying 45$ an entree to sit a table which I felt was about to collapse on me. When I asked to change tables, they first seemed a little put off by my request... I then showed them how wobbily the table was, and they agreed it wasn't good. They sat us at the booth right next to it which was also wobbily, but bearably so. I couldn't believe they sat other people at the first table. Go to Mama's and forget about this place.

Teresa P.

Had lunch there today and the view was amazing! Great atmosphere right on the water! We ordered ahi salad and it came out with no dressing on it and our server was no where to be found. After about 5 minutes of patiently waiting I walked up to the manager by the hostess stand and asked for dressing! He was very sorry and accommodated us immediately! That made up for it! Besides that everything was great! Food was delicious! Breakfast are great there too!

Kylie H.

Was less than impressed with the view and the food for the price. I was still starving after! They do offer a sunset dinner that has about three choices on it, steak, chicken or a fish dish with salad and a desert. Luckily the servers were attentive and had a great sense of humor! If you like upscale places that like to charge a lot for small portions, then go ahead!

Michael D.

One of our favorites - food is always exceptional and you can't beat the view! Be sure to ask for a table "by the rail" for the best views.

Mark F.

We were staying nearby and discovered the Happy Hour at the Five Palms (thanks to Yelp). The pricing is great for fantastic oceanfront views. The menu is limited for the half price pupus and sushi. Over four different happy hours we sampled just about all of them. We could do a dinner for two based on pupus and two cocktails or beers and get out the door for about $30. That might get you a hot dog at regular dinner prices. The happy hour is also a long one, from 3 til 7 pm, much longer than most places in Kihei. FWIW, we finally had a mixed drink on our last happy hour trip and found the Mai Tais quite acceptable. We also did a breakfast, only because a 20% off discount made breakfast just expensive rather than WTF. Mac-Nut Pancakes were lackluster but the French Toast with white chocolate and ginger was quite good. That recipe will be replicated at home. Coffee was good and strong and we had the oceanfront dining room to ourselves.

Eric B.

Great specialty drinks at the bar. We has some fantastic California Rolls too. Enjoyed a leisurly evening chatting with the bar staff and patrons.

Monica B.

My boyfriend and I have been several times for dinner. We went a couple of weeks ago for the first time for lunch. There was a bit of a wait but due to location not a big deal. Great view with plenty to look at. When we were seated, our waitress was very slow. Drinks and service took forever. We ordered a couple of sandwiches and the wait was so long, I'm glad we weren't in a rush. I had the Reuben and it wasn't very good. Bread was very soggy. Onions rings were delicious though. Sad part was that there was a hair under my sandwich on the plate. When I told the waitress she looked at me and asked me what she should do! I was appalled. Isn't there a standard immediate recovery that should be in place when something like this happens? May I get you a freshly made sandwich, would you like something else? I'll make sure this is take off your bill? Anyway, I said take it away, I don't want it but bring me a fresh order of onion rings which they did. The manager did follow up, apologized and took it off the bill. Unfortunately bad service on a good day.

Howard B.

5Palms sounded good in the reviews, so we decided to have dinner there tonight. We arrived in Maui yesterday on a little midwinter getaway, and we could walk down the hill and reach the restaurant, so it seemed like a perfect spot. I took the precaution of making a reservation, and we got seated fairly close to the time of the reservation. Then we sat, and sat and finally our waitress came to take our drink orders, but when we didn't order alcohol, instead asking for coffee with the dinners we ordered that some how decreased our priority further. A tiny loaf of bread arrived, but no plates on which to eat it.We finally got those plates and ate our tiny slice of bread. And waited. Three of us ordered salads, which finally arrived, and then our entrées, but not the coffees. We asked again, with no result. The Mahi in a lemon caper sauce was good though overpriced, but given the quality of the service we won't be trying anything else there. We never did get that coffee.

Kalani C.

Got tipped off by our waiter at 808 Bistro to head here to the bar before our friends' sunset beach wedding. Perfect tip! Place was nice and classy looking. View of Keawekapu Beach is spectacular! Staff friendly and drinks were your standard fare, not mixologist fancy. Sat next to a tourist couple. The female was chatty, but the male was stiff and said nothing, well, not directly. He overhead our conversation with his wife that we were going to a beach wedding in a few minutes. He had his wife tell us that beach weddings were not allowed without proper permits. I'm like, whatever. I can tell you exactly where that permit should go...right up your....yeah, sure, I'll have another beer, thanks! The problem with overhearing conversations is that you may not get the entire story, just the part you eavesdropped on. I think he thought me and my buddy were getting married on the beach. Now that's hilarious shit! And if we were, what's wrong with that, right?! Makes for a funny story. We downed our beer and headed towards the beach as the wedding party showed up in their brilliant aloha attire. The sunset hovered briefly before it slipped behind the silhouette of Lana'i island while the moon took its place. Perfect spot to get married no matter what anybody says. View my pics at: web.stagram.com/tag/keaw…

Brad M.

Dinner during my Maui vacation last week was as great as usual (10 or so visits in the past 15 years). Incredible location on the water and view through their very cool open windows. Newly expanded outdoor dining area is also very nice. Service and food in always incredibly consistent. My favorite nicer dining restaurant in Kihei! (Excellent Happy Hour at 3 pm too).

Christopher I.

Dined here with friends and enjoyed the open and refined atmosphere of the restaurant. The staff were very professional and knowledgeable in assisting us decide the perfect dishes for each of our individual tastes. The food was exquisite! Granted the prices were a little high, but for a resort setting on Maui, it is to be expected. Also, the restaurant has a hired magician who entertained our table while we waited for our food. He was very charismatic and extremely skilled. Our table tried to figure out how he did his tricks but were unable to come up with anything! He didn't make us feel pressured to accept his performance either. It definitely made the wait for the food seem to fly by. Overall, the experience was excellent and well worth the price of the menu items. You can't beat the Maui sunset to accompany this dining experience!

Lulu O.

I've been going to 5 palms for years but will not go again until they make some changes. The bar stools suck. They are so worn out you barely can sit in them. Some of the fans don't work, the cupboards behind the bar are filthy, tv has been broken for years. It's a disgrace. Food is just ok. Owner probably won't do anything because people come for the view. It's wrong.

steve a.

This review is for the 5-7 happy hour. Sat at the bar and the barmaid was very friendly. Also the happy hour sushi was decent and the price was decent. Drinks were a little watered down and nothing special. Order a beer. So why the two stars.....oh my god....by accident the waitress left the door to the kitchen open a little to long and got to see the filthy atmosphere in which they cook the food. Truly this kitchen was disgustingly filthy. Had we ordered any of the salmonella encrusted entrees from the kitchen I would probably have to give this place 1/9 of a star.

Coco M.

I happened on this restaurant by mistake and was really nervous about all the negative reviews but I'm so glad I decided to give Five Palms a try. I went there twice for brunch and dinner and was not disappointed at all. On two separate days, I enjoyed a beautifully made crab cake benedict, lobster salad, hamachi sashimi, seafood crusted monchong and the Best. Bread. Ever. Yes, I said bread. I drooled, overate and still dream about the dinner bread topped with nori and served with lilikoi butter topped with a a sprinkle of Hawaiian salt. YUM! The lanai is a great place to people watch as well as catch some pretty amazing sunsets

Dennis S.

We've had more breakfasts here and a fabulous rehearsal meal before our daughter's wedding on Maui. They've all been four stars for food, four stars for service, and five stars for the view. You simply cannot beat the setting at the beach. Time to move them up to four stars.

Leslie T.

Our early Christmas dinner was near perfect at Five Palms. The view was fantastic, service good and the food was delightful. The prix fixe turkey dinner seemed a little pricey for the food, but every course was cooked just right, delicious, complex, local. According to my bro, fish tasted fresh and well prepared. Mom said the deserts were very very good. Plates virtually licked clean. They were fully booked and servers were running full bore, but struck a balance between friendly, knowledgeable, efficient and giving us cordial space to take our time. Four cheers for Five Palms!

DJ M.

A buddy of mine on Maui asked me to join him for breakfast at Five Palms, and naturally I turned to YELP for some insight before I arrived. Going in, I had some idea that 1. The view is spectacular. What I didn't know, is that the the view is from the beach... on the water... unobstructed... and beyond spectacular. 2. The Food - I went for the Yelper's suggested Hawaiian Sweet Bread French Toast, and my friend ordered the Eggs Benedict and the French Press Coffee (He's done this before). Good call on the coffee. The Illy French Press comes with chocolate chips and fresh cream. They leave the 8 cup press at the table to steep to a nice rich and bold octane. I enjoyed the French Toast, but was envious of the Eggs Benedict. Next time, perhaps. The price was reasonable, and who could balk at $15 a plate for breakfast on the beach!?

Alex K.

Pretty good. I come here once a Maui trip partially because its tasty and partially because its such a beautiful location. I came this trip seeking the happy hour specials but the bar was packed so opted for normal seating. I tried the seafood crusted kajiki. The sauce served with the fish was tasty however the texture of the fish I wasnt crazy about. **Disclaimer** I wanted to try something different and that's exactly what I got. The Crab Cakes are spicy and delicious -- definitely have a kick. Beautiful really delicious cocktails! Try a lava flow!

Francis N.

The sushi was surprisingly good. Entrees were okay and service was okay. I would definitely go back there for the sushi, it was the best part of our meal.

Kimmy K.

Our last day on Maui Mr. Kupcakes and I always have breakfast at Five Palms. It's right on the beach and perfect for a last morning together on Maui. They have lovely mango mimosas and the most delicious Hawaiian sweet bread french toast.. Make sure to get them with white chocolate chips and strawberries instead of bananas. We loved it all so much.

Jim B.

This is absolutely the worst restaurant in Maui, period. The food was bad and service mediocre. The only saving grace to this place is it's proximity to the water. I ordered the grilled Ono and it tasted like shoe leather. I conferred with the staff who had a hard time coming up with an alternative, which made it apparent that they really don't know their menu or the fish they offer. When I ordered a replacement it took so long to arrive we had sat there without food for at least 15-20 minutes, so we just got up, paid what we owed, and left. (On top of this, my wife's salad tasted like it had dish soap in it.) Do yourself a favor and stay away from this very sub-par hotel food.

Joseph P.

Ok..... The food was good and expensive, but the service was horrible. Our hotel, Fairmont, recommend this place. This place is class "A" but messed up this time. Do not go there unless you are Happy, Happy, Happy paying top dollar for good food and crappy service. If that is what you like then this is the place for you. Oh yea.... The view of the ocean was OUTSTANDING. But, I would have rather has a Big Mac sitting on the beach. Cheers

J.R M.

My husband and I had the Reuben sandwich and the fish and chips! Very delicious! They had large proportions, and worth the price...for the food and the beautiful view!

Liz O.

Well, this was the worst breakfast we had while in Maui, and the most expensive. But we got to sit closest to the ocean, the restaurant meets the beach sand. I loved that! The birds helped themselves as guests to the restaurant, walking at my feet. The food was no bueno. I didn't care for their potatoes, loved their toast, and even though I just ate here last month and remember all other details of my trip, I can't remember what my main entree was. It was that forgettable. Believe it or not, it wasn't the bad-tasting food that killed it; my meal was ruined by the worst bloody mary I've ever had. So much that after a few sips I threw it up. It really tasted like they blended it with fish particles. Just the thought makes me feel nauseous again. Normally I'd bring it up and ask for a credit, but I was hoping that the waitress would question why I only had a few sips of the drink. You know, to make sure the customer is happy. I guess that's asking too much though. But, you're paying for a beach-side meal, and I suppose that's worth it!

Jason B.

Got a recommendation from our friends that went there the night before. They still claim it was great. Walked in expecting a fun night, and we wanted to like this place. Pulled up: weird location but I don't have a problem with that. Valet guy was very nice Hostess was rude, but I shook it off. The guy that seated us was very nice. Bread and butter come out, very good. - at this point still loving this evening. I open the menu to find about 8 pages in a three ring binder with each page in one of those plastic sleeves that I thought were really cool when I would turn in my 8th grade book reports trying to pull out a C- Even though I never read the book. Half the menu is Sushi half is traditional cooked fish dishes. We decide to go with the Sushi because we love Sushi, Sashimi, Poke, etc. And because this stuff is pricey and we were ready to splurge. Example: they have 4 special sushi rolls. Ranging between $22 and $32 each. I don't have a problem with you have a $32 sushi roll. But it better be good. As a matter of fact I ordered it. It was so SAD I did not finish it. We left a lot of food on our plates. One of the other other dishes we had included Ahi Sashimi, they served it on top of Goat Cheese.

Matthew S.

If you're looking for an excellent place to watch the sunset while in the Kihei / Wailea area, then Five Palms is a good choice. I think the food is overpriced and not that delicious, however, if you catch their early sunset happy hour menu, you can enjoy a bite to eat while savoring the beautiful Maui sunset! Their drinks are good, but for food, I'd spend a little more money and go to the Grand Wailea for a superb dinner.

Leo H.

My husband and I have celebrated our 25th and 30th wedding anniversaries at this restaurant. The staff is most accommodating and the setting is beautiful, reminiscent of "old Hawaii." We were offered complimentary glasses of champagne to celebrate the occasion, and our meals came promptly and were fresh and delicious.

Dana Z.

I've been going to the Five Palms on and off for over 20 years. They are a establishment that is located in the Mana Kai condominium complex in South Kihei. It is a great location with gorgeous views of the water and surrounding area. We have tried all meals at all times and your best bet is happy hour and breakfast. The breakfasts are served on the main patio with views of the ocean that take your breath away. Their seared ahi eggs benedict is amazing as well as their Apple banana pancakes and crab and avo omelet. They serve breakfast till 2:30 FYI. Happy hour is really fun and they have decent mai tais for cheap. Our favorite pupus from their happy hour menu is the Chinese spare ribs and the sushi. Ono! The veggie platter isn't worth the money so skip that one. Now something to take into consideration about happy hour is they stuff you all in the bar, which doesn't have as good as views and it is CROWED! If you do not get there right when happy hour stars you will have a wait. They do seat a overflow area above the dinning room if there isn't a catered event there. We sat in there last time and I liked it better. Not as crowed and noisy and decent views of the ocean. You have to ask for it usually. Skip dinner, it doesn't deliver as well.

Joe H.

My wife and I came for happy hour and dinner at Five Palms for our honeymoon. Our experience will most likely differ from yours but I'm reviewing it for our night. We made reservations and arrived early to take part in the happy hour. We luckily got a table shortly. If you're going for happy hour expect to wait for a table or be ready to stand. We ordered the Spicy Sushi roll and the Chinese Style Ribs at happy hour. They were both very good, especially the Ribs. Good sauce with the right amount of spice. We both had a couple of drinks. The mai tai was a touch sweet, not enough sour. My wife had a refreshing spritzer of some kind. When we were finished the hostess sat us at a both overlooking the beach and ocean. We noticed that a couple had just finished their wedding and were taking pictures. Their small party (less than 15 total) was sitting at a large table across from us. Apparently, the couple hired a guitarist to play during their dinner. He had amplified sound which provided such a great atmosphere for our dinner. We got lucky! Combining the view with the soft music made our evening incredibly romantic. Our waitress was great and didn't rush us through dinner. She allowed us to sit there for a long time after dinner and even brought us a complimentary dessert since it was our honeymoon. We must have sat in that booth for 2 hours. We split the spinach salad which had great mushrooms and a nice dressing. For dinner I had the special which was swordfish in the lobster sauce and my wife had the macadamia nut mahi. This place is great because you pick your fish and how you want it prepared and they have a lot of choices! Both fish were fresh and well prepared. The lobster sauce was decadent! I talked to the maitre'd after dinner and suggested that they have music nightly. He indicated that they were now considering using the guitarist on weekends. I really hope they do because it made such a difference!

Erin G.

Come here for happy hour! 3-7 and 9-11pm I think. Anyway, the sushi is wayyy better than the overhyped sansei... Extremely fresh fish, great sized rolls... Amazing Mai Tais... All the appetizers are actually really good, and the happy hour price makes it perfect.

Pua S.

We ate there this morning for breakfast, we started by ordering a latte and a Mocah, the server said they can't do flavored drinks and could only do a latte. I said I will stick with water and my boyfriend went ahead w the latte. When he got his latte it was luke warm w no foam. He tried to make it work but it tasted like watered down coffee. So he sent it back and asked for just a plain coffee. As far as the meal goes I ordered the smoked salmon Benedict and my boyfriend ordered the Hawaiian French Toast. My smoked salmon was a piece of English muffin one piece of salmon and egg, served w again luke warm potatoes. I'm sorry but for $22.95 I expect something a little more. My boyfriends French Toast was bland, the bananas were brown the only tasty thing was the white chocolate chips. When we received the bill we noticed his latte still on our tab, we were so over it we paid still left a 20% tip and left, all the while wishing we went to sarentos instead. Bottom line 5 star prices but with out the quality.

Kimmy T.

This place is a bit pricey so we decided to enjoy it during Happy Hour where all the appetizers and drinks are 50% off. It was nice in the mid-afternoon since there was no one else in the dining room and we were able to have the place to ourselves. It was very romantic with the sun setting and looking out on the ocean. All the appetizers were very good and we thoroughly enjoyed the cocktails. I definitely recommend going to Five Palms at least for the Happy Hour which is a great value.

Sam M.

Super pricey but very good. Really good seafood! A great place to take a date, good outdoor seating.

Teresa C.

Went here for happy hour. Try the coconut prawns they were great

Steve O.

Let me start by saying that the happy hour specials here used to be great! We used to go quite frequently but not for the past few months, a lot has changed and unfortunately for the worse. We ordered the coconut crusted prawn, the coconut flakes are now just a powdered coating, and the prawn, which used to me flavorful and delicious- are now quarter sized shrimp, and the server pretended not to know the difference! The crab cakes are now the size of a diver dollar- they used to be the size of hockey pucks- and came to us cold and unseasoned. The spicy tuna rolls- well, tuna rolls should never be made with shredded tuna- horrible texture! And both the tuna rolls and the spider rolls were half of the size of their previous portions- I realize that everyone uses the economy excuse- but tourist business is booming and I don't think anyone would mind a dollar or two more for food up to value. But for $66 of really disappointing appetizers, not only will I not be back- but will never recommend this restaurant to anyone else- and even before- the dinner pricing was never commensurate with the quality- it's a pity that not even the appetizers are worth it now.

Brooke T.

We have been to 5 Palms about a dozen times. The happy hour is excellent starting at 3pm (this is the best deal) as the prices for pupus are about half price. Had our wedding this venue and was fantastic. We had our ceremony on the lawn, which they don't charge a rental fee for if you book the reception with them. We booked the entire patio for our reception with an open bar, acoustic band, and great food. Highly recommend and wasn't as expensive as having our wedding at one of the resorts. Kathryn is helpful to get everything set up and Brian was great the night of the reception keeping everything in order. Our family and friends said the dinner was one of the best they ever had. We had the surf & turf for dinner with a baby spinach salad. The drinks were definitely strong and everyone raved about the mai tais. Great place to watch the sunset and is ocean front. Only bad thing is the bathroom situation as it is in the hallway requiring a code with the condos. Had a slight issue with management because we were dancing with glass and wouldn't serve someone without shoes at the reception. Overall, Kathryn was good (she is the event coordinator), but at times not overly responsive. Seemed to be a lack of communication with her and management that night as she only works days. Overall, the evening was a success and everyone had a great time.

Kristin C.

This is a conditional 4 star rating. I give it 5 stars for the happy hour and 3 stars for the dinner. Great location right on the beach. Make sure you make a reservation and tell them you want to sit outside. The happy hour cocktails and food were at great prices and the atmosphere is fun. Our dinner of the 3 types of fish was good but not for the price! Our order was goofed up but our server was really nice. I think she was having a rough night! Check your bill to make sure you are charged properly. They are so busy that they messed ours up. The valet service was great and ended our evening on a very positive note with the car waiting for us at the front right when we walked out! Being from Las Vegas where you have to wait soooooo long for your car when you drop it at valet, the service wth the Five Palms valet was terrific!

Geoff D.

Three stars for the location and beautiful view. The food is average, nothing spectacular.

Linnea E.

One of the best meals I had on the island. The location is beautiful, the food is wonderful, and service is superb. Our waiter, Jude, was really awesome - fun and attentive. I went against my original plan to have fish, and ordered the lamb. I was so glad I did! It was the best lamb I've ever had... cut like butter! cooked perfectly, with just the right amount of a yummy sauce. mmmmm! everyone else at the table was happy with their orders too... including my finicky teenager. Will be back for sure!

n n.

Just got back from Maui. Last Monday my wife and I were driving around Kihei and Wailea looking for a seaside place for lunch. Disappointed at the sheer lack of such places we pulled into the Four Seasons where the valet recommended Five Palms. The hotel has a gravel parking lot and triggered thoughts of broken glass windows on rental cars. The hotel's name escapes me but it wasn't much to look at except for a real nice little lobby area. On to the restaurant .... It was a bit busy but we lucked out and were seated right away at a table nearest the beach. Service was prompt. Drinks were so-so. Food was very good. Overall a great lunch experience. A security guard patrols the grounds and politely clears out folks who aren't guests. Gotta find an excuse to go down to Kihei to make the drive worthwhile then hit Five Palms. fivepalmsrestaurant.com

Andreea G.

Fantastic happy hour with amazing sunset views. The ribs are my favorite thing on the happy hour menu... They have a nice spice to them and the meat just falls off the bone! Also tried the Calamari and the pork quesadilla, which were also very good. The sushi is just ok... If I were you I would go for the spider roll. Love that the happy hour lasts till 7, which isn't the case for most places in Kihei. Great spot to grab a drink and a bite after a day at the beach!

Kathleen G.

Coolest location in Kihei...the staff is super friendly, Kennan the general manger is the perfect Irish host and the food was terrific! The asian barbeque ribs are tasty and during happy hour they're half price....always a nice treat in Maui!

Debby F.

Big bust on the pancakes. They were dry and tough. Terrible, really. At $15.00, the eggs, bacon, one slice of toast and Sahara desert dry pancakes weren't worth it. Nice view, but I'll stick with the Kihei Cafe-- now, there are so fluffy good pancakes at half the price. No ocean view, unless you cross the street. I don't recommend this place at all.

Paul E.

We really enjoyed our food, sushi, steak, ribs, shrimp and scallops. The setting pushes this to a solid 4. The service was good, but the view and the breeze was superb. One significant glitch, our "shrimp & scallops" entree came with no shrimp! This error was quickly corrected, but it did undermine our confidence in the chef! Very pricey but that's what we expected.

Jen H.

Amazing place. Breakfast- Hawaiian Sweet Bread French Toast. Killer good. Lunch- Lobster B.L.T. Big portion. Fresh everything Happy Hour- Everything is good. Coconut Crusted Tiger Prawns are good but only come with three per order ($15) Food is amazing; but you pay for what you get. Definitely a treat, but a little on the high side. Patio seating right on the ocean front-- beware, wind may bring an unpleasant sprinkle of sand, and mid-day the sun kinda overpowers the patio's shade.

Lizok T.

We were suprised to find this place was an elevator ride away - because we stayed at the condo that houses this restaurant. I've got 2 words - Happy Hour! Runs daily from 3pm - 7pm this is the time to visit this place because looking at the regular prices on the menu hanging outside will kill your apetite. During Happy Hour a selected number of dishes are served half price and seating is contained to the bar area which is open and overlooking a beautiful beach. The service is very good, food comes up really fast. The mai tais are delicious, and so is the food. We loved the ribs, calamary and the variety of sushi plates (spicy tuna and snow crab california rolls were our favourite). Getting there at about 6pm will still give you enough time to get a seat and have a great dinner. I loved being able to snack on 3-4 different dishes as opposed to having one main course. After scooting around the island in a search of good seafood treats and being constantly blown away by the ridiculous prices everywhere else, we visited Five Palms several more times for Happy Hour, and were extremely happy with the food, the vibe and the people we met.

Cathy N.

You must look hard for this place-but a lot of people obviously do. It sits facing the ocean, around the backside of a building. It is not visible from the road-and barely from the parking lot. Make the effort though because the restaurant is beautiful, with a beautiful view. if you can't sit outside, inside is almost as good because the big windows are opened wide. You will be warmly greeted and treated like a regular by everyone who works here. Service here is excellent-big shout out to DeeDee. The food is wonderful and the prices are fair. We had a wonderful dinner here and watched the sun set...always a perfect sight in Maui. Five Palms has a non-touristy low key vibe and is an extremely enjoyable way to spend an evening. Start with Happy Hour and stay for dinner. PS-Reading the negative reviews, I am puzzled...our experience couldn't have been nicer.

David S.

Despite some of the bad reviews, 5 Palms is a great restaurant. First off, the service was great! The views are great! Even if your inside, you still have a great view of the ocean. Most important of all, the food was very fresh and tasty. I highly recommend this restaurant even if you only have a few days on the island. It is truly a hidden treasure!

Sara S.

The ambience is kinda icky, the carpets are reminiscent of old vegas casino that hasn't been remodeled in a while. The view is good, the portions are huge--my plate could have fed 3 girls; I had the trio of fish, and each fish was at least 3oz. Be weary of the starter bread, it's addicting and we definitely over ate our fill on that.

Karen G.

After arriving at the Mana Kai Resort, we were hungry from our long trip. We entered the restaurant around 2:30pm. The friendly hostess informed us that it was Happy Hour which equals 1/2 price cocktails (mai tais & margs). If we could wait until 3:00, many of the pupus (appetizers) would also be 1/2 price. Sold! I was in the mood for something tropically and colorful. I ordered a Blue Hawaiian, which was served with a pineapple slice and tropical parasol. There is just something about a little parasol in my drink that makes me feel happy. :) The pupus were really tasty...coconut shrimp skewers, sushi and crab cakes, yum! Pupus and cocktails make me a happy girl. We also had dinner here one night and breakfast our last day on the island. Dinner was ok. My sister and I split the spinach salad and two sushi rolls. One of the sushi rolls was too spicy for my taste, but that may just be me. Breakfast was really good. I ordered macademia nut buttermilk pancakes served with Tahitian Vanilla syrup and puha berry sauce. The pancakes were so light and fluffy. Loved them! I must confess that we had pre-dinner cocktails at the bar every day. I mean, when you are on vacation, you simply must partake in a little libation here and there! One afternoon, my sister and I were sitting at the bar enjoying our tropical drinks when a lady approached us and asked if her photo crew could photograph us for the resort's new brochure. Who knows if our pics will even be used, but it was rather flattering to be asked!

Del R.

Really great for dinner or breakfast. Took family there for their last night on Maui dinner. It could not have been better. All of the food was excellent, service was great, and we had nice ocean view table. We had beef, lamb, fish, and shrimp among the 6 of us as well as some sushi and other pupu's. Unlike some restaurants that specialize in one type of food, all that we ordered was great. Another day my wife and I were there for breakfast. Also great. Crab-cake eggs Benedict was to die for.

Stuart B.

We've eaten at the Five Palms a lot over the last couple of years and it keeps getting better! We enjoy the food, wait staff and the view! It is a very nice dining establishment.

R J.

First thing - Aaaaawesome view! It's right on one of Southwest Maui's nicest beaches and they've got big ol' windows to give you plenty of seabreeze and eye candy. I had my wedding reception here. Couldn't have gone better. A so-chill-I-initially-thought-she-was-stoned events coordinator worked with us to arrange the details of menu, bar, service, etc. They made the whole process painless. It's pricey, but was perfect for what we needed. Veggie pasta primavera - Really good, with Maui's own pohole. Spinach salad - Dig it. Pineapple creme brulee - As you can guess, that was awesome. All my carnivore guests also thought the salmon and steaks were top notch. It's some of the best food we've all had on our trip out here.

Sisca S.

We wanted to find a place to enjoy a sunset dinner so we decided to dine here b/c their restaurant is so close to the beach. We discovered it while walking and exploring on our first day on the island and came on our 4th night. We were seated in a great spot to watch the sunset, while enjoying happy hour & our meal. Our server was quite attentive and was more than willing to help us take photos for us. For the half off pupus, we ordered the Crab Cakes ($8). It came w/ 3 cute little cakes and tasted quite good. We also ordered the House Combination sushi ($12.50). The Bud Light draft was only $2.50 per glass & the Mango Rita was $6.25. We got the Spinach Salad ($13) which was delicious. Anything that has bacon in it is always good. The Tomato Soup ($8) was flavorful, as well, esp. when you dip the bread that they give you. The fish of the day was either the Wahoo or the Mahi Mahi. I chose the more buttery fish encrusted with macadamia nut. Holy cow, this dish was magnificent. That was $33.00. We were a little perturbed that there was a sunset dinner special for $29.95 which includes a mixed green salad, your choice of prime rib, macadamia nut crusted fresh catch, or soy ginger glazed chicken, followed with a lilikoi cheesecake. I found this out by grabbing a takeout menu on the way out and they didn't even offer it to us, which I felt like they should've, esp. since I ordered the fresh catch mac nut crusted (for $33 by itself). Whatever, you guys know now so don't make the same mistake we did. Our experience was still very nice and we were able to enjoy some half off pupus so... Oh, and check with your hotel/condo concierges...they usually have a 10-15% off coupon. Our condo happen to run out of them, but we still decided to go there none-the-less.

Ivonne G.

I flew into Maui super late in the evening and when I woke up, I was in paradise. My husband and I (with some friends we made on the way from Miami to Maui) went next door to this restaurant and literally were in heaven. The waitress was so friendly and the food was phenomenal. I ordered fresh fruit that was placed in a gutted pineapple (check pic posted). My husband ordered the Hawaiian sweet bread french toast which he still talks about until this day. Must check it out!!

Logie Z.

Lunch Review. Another great find with spectacular view right on the beach between Kihei and Wailea. The wooden chairs and white linen tables out on the patio makes this a place to hang out and relax. We walked in still soaking wet from snorkeling Ahihi Cove in Makena. There's a huge bar adjacent to the open dining area. I felt like Mango Mimosa with a huge filet mignon burger that I could not finish. It was literally 1/2 pound of juicy filet patty! I had to share that one with my hubby. Cutie pie ordered the grilled Monchong Filet ($9) with a side of fruit from a KID'S MENU. A virgin pina colada to drink, of course! Hubby wasn't as hungry as he ordered a lava flow and big house salad with lilikoi dressing. My mom had the grilled Monchong with portabello mushroom and arugula salad. FIL was on a Reuben sandwich kick! Islander nieces both had the cheesesteak sandwich. I have no idea where they put all that food! Well, one does hula and the other one is very active canoeing. I miss ocean canoeing... Lunch is from $9-$30 for entrees. Coctails are from $4.50 and up. Overall, this is a great place to have a tropical drink and great food!

Fog N.

Great happy hour! Pupu's are fantastic - calamari, spider roll, spicy tuna roll - amazing setting on the beach

Amy I.

Food was delicious but - a BIG BUT - the service was absurd. We sat at the bar and watched the bartender walk by us multiple times, stop in front of us multiple times, and clean glasses all before we finally flagged her down to ask if we could bother her to ask for a drink. Then, when we asked for another drink, she used our same glass with watered down ice to make the next drink - uh, hello bar tending 101?? The bartender was either treating us poorly for no apparent reason (maybe we looked younger and she expected a weak tip from us - we appreciate bartenders and tip 20+%), is incompetent, or just doesn't give a ****. Either way, that one experience will likely prevent us from returning, despite the excellent food.

Tina M.

3.5 stars would be more accurate. Service was good. We had the Poke (EXCELLENT!) and the Coconut Shrimp (OK - but overcooked) for our apps. For the main course we did the Trio of Fresh Hawaiian Fish. We actually split the dish (thank god - it was a lot of food!). We liked 2 of the preparations, but were not huge fans of the nut crusted piece. The fish was a little tough. We did the sake sampler, which was interesting with the different foods. View, is of course, beautiful. I would recommend it to a friend. We had a nice time, left full and not broke, and parking was easy.

Michelle S.

I've reviewed this before. Went for happy hour apps and a dessert this time. You can't beat the view and the setting here. It's amazing! We love the spicy tuna roll appetizer. We also tried the California roll this time and it was really good. They don't use the imitation crab like most. It was quite good. We also indulged in the Italian coffee in the French press - which makes for some really, really good coffee. To go with that we got the chocolate "lava" cake for dessert. It was really rich but really good! It takes a while so order it early if you don't want to wait too long. There is white chocolate in the middle which was very good but it didn't ooze or pour out the way I thought it was going to. But it was very tasty. If the coffee wasn't so good I'd say you should order a huge glass of ice cold milk to go with this one but the coffee is too good to pass up.

Dan K.

Sushi was so so. I had better in Chicago. However, the happy hour is a good deal in terms of Hawaii prices. Service was very good. My wife had the lamb which she says is one of the best dishes she has ever had. I had some kind of fish trio which was pretty good. I would go back again.

Bob K.

Service was horrendous, the food and view was above average. The appetizers arrived with dinner. I asked 4 times for lime. Was never offered coffee with my dessert. Our waitress had nearby tables complain as well about the service. For the price, I expected MUCH more.

Alex L.

An OK restaurant in an excellent location. If you want location, just go to the bar and have a drink, but I wouldn't do the restaurant ever again. We were here on Wednesday night for early dinner at 6 PM., restaurant was only about 30% full. We got really good table with the view. Then we got the bread, that was so dry, it seemed like these were leftovers from a week ago. The bread had no taste, just a bunch of spices... About 15 minutes later, the waiter finally took our order, and then we waited... and waited... and waited.... at around 6:45 I went to the bathroom (you need a key code to get in, at least it wasn't voice and fingerprint activated), when I came back 70% of customers at the restaurants were chewing on their stale bread drinking wine and beer. May be it's the strategy: if you bring the drinks fast but even your appetizers take 30-45 minutes to deliver, then by the time you'll have your appetizers, you will already have three or four drinks and by then you''ll be totally drunk and won't give a crap? Nevertheless, appetizers finally came in by 7 p.m., I was watching envious gazes from other visitors who have been waiting for something other than bread for over 40 minutes too, and again, the restaurant was still about 40-50% empty but there were bunch of waiters and staff aimlessly wandering around offering you more water, but no more bread. The kids' food came together with our appetizers, by that time, they were starving and restless, so they just gulped their food in 10 seconds, and, in fairness, I have to say that the kids menu was good, reasonably priced by Hawaiian standards, and their food was good ( I should have just ordered for myself from kids menu). Our food came in at 7:30, by then my wife was really fuming, she called the manager, who really couldn't come up with any explanation why our (and everybody else's) food was taking so long, I mean, I was told that they already caught the "fish of the day" this morning, I didn't realize they were still fishing for it! So, our food arrived, by then the kids were long finished with their food, and now again, they had nothing to do, so they were restless and now we couldn't enjoy our food being distracted by kids with nothing to keep them busy... The food was so-so, much hyped "buttery" local fish was dry, short ribs were dry and not flaky, prawns were OK. Again, everything was just OK, something you can get at a local cafe or deli for $6-7, not at $35-45 per plate. So, we finished our below average overpriced food as soon as possible so we could take tired kids out of here back to the hotel as soon as possible, we were done by 7:50 and out of there. The manager/owner never came to apologize for such horrendous experience.... who cares. I don't mind leaving $300-400 on good dinner, this restaurant was absolutely NOT worth the money, we still have two weeks to stay in Maui, we won't go to this place for sure... Here is my other gripe: we had 7 people in our party. Why do restaurants always include MANDATORY gratuity of 18% in the bill, and they even write that they are doing it for "YOUR CONVENIENCE"!!! Why is the 6-people cutout ? Is it some type of union deal? Is it labor law? What if I didn't feel like the service I got was worth 18%? Ridiculous, but nobody seems to question it. Oh, and on top of it, they add another line on your bill: "Additional Tip". Really????

Chris P.

Great Place, best view I saw in Maui. Actually I will never forget the view from this restaurant as long as I live. My friend had his wedding and reception here, it was top notch and not super spendy I dont think. Wedding on the beach and entire reception in the restaurant, great food. They have a wedding person who sets everything up. My friend just kind of showed up and we helped set up a few things and they just did everything else. Super great staff. Only thing to watch out. The wind in Kihei can go from 0 to 35mph in a matter of minutes. Usually at 1pm it starts and stops gusting at 4pm. Sometimes sooner, sometimes later. In our case It went big wind directly before the ceremony at the worst time. Wedding was still awesome, but that was the only thing. But then after the ceremony, no wind, awesome party. If you do the ceremony before noon, I'd think you'd be golden--no wind. Great place, Im going to eat there next time im in Kihei.

lisa a.

Happy hour 3-7 and again from 9-11. Free valet. We were looking for a place to have a drink and watch the sunset, but the views are partially obstructed even in the back. Appetizers were fine, but mostly because they were half price for happy hour. Prawn summer roll was decent as well as the shiromi sashimi. The crab cakes were greasy but more flavorful than the others.

Tara M.

View is wonderful, but the food is NOT worth the prices. I've gone twice and the best word to describe the food is: mush. I've had the french toast which wasn't bad, and I had the oatmeal creme brulee, which sounds better than it actually is (there was something off about it), and the crab cake eggs benedict with potatoes. The potatoes were not good and not flavorful despite the visible (orange) spices all over them. I felt that the quality of the benediict was poor. The service was very good though. If you end up going, it will not be that bad, but I myself have no desire to go again.

Ali U.

I didn't expect a ton from this condo resort restaurant, so the friendly, attentive service, island atmosphere and scrumptious food was a please by surprise! From the hostess to the busser to the server, the entire staff was hospitable and made sure we had everything we needed for a pleasant dinner. I was craving an array of seafood and indulged in a specialty sushi roll, cajon scallops, coconut prawns and a ample side salad. On one side of the deliciousness spectrum; the coconut prawns were ok, but could have used a bit more coconut. On the other end, the scallops were perfectly browned and slightly translucent in the middle with a gentle briny sweetness. The accompanying spinach and mushrooms were adorned with the most delightful butter sauce. I could not quite put my finger on the exact flavor notes, but I'm thinking there was a clam or lobster broth base to the sauce. All this for under $100. I'll be back for sure!

Cheryl H.

Amazing view and wonderful service! I could not have asked for a better sunset :-))) They have a ridiculously good happy hour from 4-7pm and 9-11pm. I love their Mai Tai's, and their sashimi appetizer was SO fresh. For my entree, I had the trio of fish (mahi mahi, wailoo (sp?), and opah). All three fish were amazing and perfectly cooked! I will definitely come back the next time I am in Maui!

Angela C.

I came here for Happy Hour my first night in Maui-so this review is strictly for that and not the restaurant. Drinks and food are a steal here from 3-7! My boyfriend and I tried the tiger prawns, calamari and ribs. The ribs were exceptional and come in a sauce that tastes heavenly. The service was excellent and the staff was extremely friendly. What a great way to spend the first sunset!

Tiffany K.

Have been here three times for breakfast! Love the view - there is a lovely nature walk from the park to this place. That's the route I always take. Although it is a bit on the higher side, we come here to linger over coffee and take in the view. Magnificent! There is not a bad seat in the house if you are outside. For breakfast, I've had the macadamia pancakes, Hawaiian bread french toast and the big breakfast ($14), but not all at once. They also make "keiki" portions and charge a few dollars less. The big breakfast is not as intimidating as it sounds. I recommend the Portuguese sausage to go with. Their tropical fruit platter is good too! The coffee is so so, but hey, you don't come here for coffee, if you want that, go to Starbucks, right? Service is attentive enough. We had the same waiter we had the first time we came here a year and a half ago!

Doug B.

Good dinner outside on their lanai, watching the sunset. Watch out for the angle of the sun, though: you'll get it right in the face for a while if you're not careful. But we wanted a beautiful sunset dinner, and they provided one. The food was good (not brilliant, but good). They had one standout frou-frou drink (something like a Pina Colada but with Macadamia Nut liqueur) that was amazing. And their desserts (including fruit plate) were great. I wouldn't call the food amazing, but the experience was very nice. Looked like a good bar scene as well.

Jon M.

I had dinner here a few nights back and it was one of the best experiences ever! The view is untouchable. I ordered the steak and shrimp special and everything was cooked to perfection. The steak melted in my mouth and the shrimp was just so large and so juicy :-) I ended up coming back here for lunch and breakfast over the next two days. My new favorite place in maui!

Mark G.

Sat in the bar and looked at the menu and thank goodness that it was 1/2 off for the pupu because there's no way in God's green earth that I'll pay 17 bucks for two golf ball sized crab cakes. Clearly it's a marketing ploy so that's ok. I had a little bit of everything on the pupu menu. I found the food was less than amazing. The presentation was there but the taste was lacking. The rice in the sushi was a little chewy. I ordered their Shiromi Sahimi special and I asked the runner who delivered it what kind of fish it was and he said "white fish." I laughed. I can see that the fish is white. Anyway that's not a slight it's just a personal amusement. Later I looked up Shiromi and in fact it is a general term for white fish but it can be any white fish hopefully whatever is freshest All in all the service was really good, I found, although it wasn't particularly busy. The views are very nice too although the view from the bar is somewhat obstructed by the dining room I think I'd go back for the view if I wasn't particulary hungry.

Monica I.

Two Happy Hours 3-5 and 9-11! Half price sushi with one drink minimum purchase. Sushi! And they use real crab in the California rolls! The most tasty dish was definitely the sashimi. Our server brought me #glutenfree soy sauce in a tray, but to make sure I knew it was safe, brought the bulk jug of Yamasa #glutenfree Tamari soy sauce to show me +1 star! Service wasn't the most attentive I've ever had, but not bad. Suggested tips printed at the bottom of the bill were 18%, 20% and 21%. Hmmm. Mai Tai's weren't bad, but tipping... that's my decision. Views are great, just off the beach. Might be windy down on the grass, but was calm in the lounge.

Kayla A.

Happy hour has been awesome as was breakfast yesterday. Today however, went for lunch. Not busy at all and although waiter was nice, service just to be seated was awful. Poor communication! Could not order sushi until 3:00. When we said we would just have drinks for now we were informed that we couldn't sit at a table unless we ordered food so we went to the bar where we sat and were ignored for at least 10 or 15 minutes. This was their slow time! Will not return here for lunch or dinner. Had an awesome waiter yesterday morning! Wish I had gotten his name!

Chris C.

My daughter got married in Maui last month. She chose the wedding venue at 5 Palms. The view at the wedding location in front of 5 Palms was simply stunning. Beautiful palm trees all along the beach with beautiful sunset views. They had a reception at 5 Palms Restaurant following the wedding ceremony. Brian was our server at the reception from the beginning to the end. He knew exactly what to do, and his service was excellent. He was very efficient, very helpful and very professional. We all had a good time and enjoyed the food very much. Thank you Brian for making the whole evening so relaxing and so enjoyable with your excellent service.

Dave B.

Pretentious beach bar/restaurant with zero interest staff. Never got seated, finally stole someone's table which never got cleaned. I blame this poorly managed establishment on the fat pompous owners who don't give a crap.. Neither do I. Avoid this place like the plague.

Carol K.

3 stars food: Disclaimer**** Never ate a meal here. The Happy Hour food is good, not great. Just tried the lobster dip which was uber rich. The rolls are good, not fab and I don't recommend the calamari. I'll try the coconut prawns next time. 5 STAR- the place, vibe and view are just great. Who doesn't like to have access to a pint steps from the beach? We will come here a lot- for Happy Hour.

Al L.

Great Restaurant with a beautiful view in maui. Really good options for happy hour.

Jeni N.

The ambiance is relaxing and beautiful and the food was fresh and yummy. Thank you to Moki and Rick for an enjoyable lunch experience! The lobster blt was by far the best thing we ate today.

Steven H.

This review is for the happy hour in the bar. Yes, the view is beautiful, directly on the ocean, unfortunately this was the worst food we have eaten while in Maui. We ordered the chicken lettuce wraps, spicy tuna roll and luau quesadilla. The lettuce wraps were literally inedible. The chicken was so over cooked and dry it and totally overpowered by ginger. One bite and we were done. The luau quesadilla was supposed to have Kalua pork but we didn't see or taste any. It was cheese and purple potatoes. The spicy tuna roll was just ok, I have had much better. Our bartender was friendly and provided good service but I just can't give this place more than one star with the awful food they serve. I agree 100% with Lisa K and JP's reviews. Go somewhere else!

Barbara M.

Don't do it! Maybe happy hour but not dinner! There are too many good restaurants in this price range. I can see the building that houses this restaurant from my home--a beautiful setting on the beach-- WE have rarely had a positive experience but tried again for dinner before taking visiting family members to the airport. Our final evening together was ruined by extremely slow service and expensive mediocre food. It took almost 90 minutes to be served with a 16 month old at the table who was actively expressing the frustration we all felt by that time. And my husband was charged $45 for a small salad with an added piece of frozen mahi mahi. Seriously? The manager made no adjustment to our bill but gave us his card and said he would take care of us the next time we came in. Really? We should have been taken care of this time.

Robyn R.

5 Palms boasts some of the most spectacular views on the south side of the island, from the stretch of Keawakapu Beach and the Wailea coastline to Makena's Pu'u O'Lai. Its outdoor seating area is lovely: lush, well-shaded, and simply decorated so that all the surrounding beauty can shine through. The restaurant has a great menu with everything from French toast and Creme Brûlée oatmeal to outstanding sushi. Best of all, it has an excellent Happy Hour that runs from 3-11 during the summer. But it's the bartenders that make this place so enjoyable and memorable--they're gifted, hilarious, and always serve with a smile.

Urich J. A. B.

Another wonderful meal at 5 Palms. A reunion with friends was only made more perfect by chef George. Our waitress Dee and the entertainment of Roy. The night was perfect for lingering outside and catching cool breezes. Baked lobster dip and sushi were amazing. My entree of fettuccine carbonara was excellent. Mahalo

User O.

Had the fish and chips, enjoyed them. They were made from marlin, which was a new experience for me, but I liked them

Joanne G.

Concierge at hotel recommended 5 Palms and made reservation for us. We were suppose to have table with ocean view but another group at a table moved and took our table. They had to set up another table for us. We never got menus after being seated. Took about 10 minutes to even get these. Our waitress took forever to get us our drinks, take order. Had to ask 3 different times for steak sauce for my nephews girlfriends steak. She was almost done by the time sauce arrived at table. My husband and I were drinking coca cola. This restaurant charges for refills. It would have been nice to be told about the charge before getting our bill. I do NOT recommend this restaurant for a sit down meal due to service. Also there is no air conditioning and it was hot with no trade winds. View is good but you can stand outside and get the view and eat somewhere where they want your business.

Jeff P.

The ambiance is wonderful. The appetizers were good. The quality of our entrees was average. This is where the good reviews end. The service was horrible. Our water glasses were empty pretty much all throughout dinner. I never did get my pepper. They are hugely understaffed and unprofessional. Even our server complained about the rest of the staff. Until they change I don't recommend 5 Palms. There are way too many better places to go.

Amy V.

First off the view is amazing!!! Wonderful place to sit on the patio and enjoy your meal! We went for breakfast, I had the crab meat and avocado omelette with seasoned potatoes and toast. That was the best omelette only thing I didn't care for was the hollandaise sauce on top. The staff was very friendly and very inventive and service was quick. It is expensive to eat here but if you don't mind the food was wonderful! Worth the price.

Sheri K.

This is the best place I have ever been to for happy hour. The pricing is very reasonable. Non-generic happy hour foods like spicy tuna roll, coconut prawns, etc etc. I ordered an arnold palmer and wooooowee! That one drink put me in the perfect mood. The restaurant is right on the beach in the hotel too so I would recommend going at sunset. I always sit at the bar and the bartenders were nice. Also met a cool group of Canadians there...eh! Highly recommend trying this place.

James C.

My family and I stay at the Mana Kai very often. We really just go down for pupu's during happy hour. I can tell you that they are very good. The Mai ties are strong! For me a least. Awesome view! Here's the kicker, I would avoid the place for dinner unless you have big money and little appetite. The waitress was very confusing on the prices of the special. Ended up getting what I thought was $60 dollar opakapaka (pink snapper). Turned out to be $120. Yikes! Let's make it clear $60 a person. Fish was great taste. The fish was worth $60. Any entree was $40 and above.

Paul S.

This was our second stop-in at the 5 Palms Restaurant for Happy Hour. Once last year and we liked it so much we made sure to stop in again this year. In 2013 we sat on a table indoors with a great view of the beach and ocean. This year (2014) we sat in the bar area, which had a great view of the pool, beach and ocean. By the end of Happy Hour (3-5pm) the bar is pretty full so make sure that you get here early to get a seat. We tend to visit Maui in the off-season so I imagine during the height of tourist season this place must be packed for Happy Hour! We usually stop in for Happy Hour to get some 1/2 priced sushi and other appetizers. I really like the Lobster Dip with Won Ton chips. My other half is the sushi fiend. We had a Happy Hour Mai Tai and a Happy Hour local beer. We must admit that the Mai Tai was okay but not our favourite Mai Tai on the island. This is a great destination Happy Hour destination you must try!

M H.

This place is unique and a great spot to take your date, meet with friends or have a cocktail. The menu is well thought out and well executed. The staff is professional, courteous and in tune with what customer service means and should be. The food is high quality and fresh. Not too pricey and not pretentious, just a great dining experience!

Wendy H.

Maybe it was an off night but I would rate this just ok. The service was excellent, very attentive. The meal presentation and taste was nothing special...I was surprised since we chose local fair. Disappointing meal. Mud pie desert was excellent, coffee machine was out of service so we had french pressed coffee which was wonderful.

Sky D.

Nice location and variety. No concistency. My food came out dry, over cooked and burnt. The serving size was small. The sauce was so creamy it gave me a stomach ache. I came with a wedding party. Our waiter was nice. Unfortunately most of the other waiters lacked any level of courtesy.

Paul D.

3 stars for the food. 5 stars for the location and atmosphere. I had great and not so great service here. Depends on your server.

Debbie C.

My husband & I were spending a week on Molokai & made a day trip to Maui so he could take a helicopter tour & hopefully get some great photographs. That unfortunately did not happen. I have a severe problem with motion sickness so I researched places for us to have lunch while he was up in the helicopter. I found the Five Palms in a Maui Drive Guide that Alamo gave us when we picked up our rental car. We were interested in getting some fresh fish in a nice location that was difficult for us to access from the Kahalui airport. After reading about it in the Drive Guide, I thought it would be worth a try. It was about 25 minutes from the airport & well worth the drive. The restaurant is open air on the ground floor of a resort. We sat on the covered patio portion & enjoyed the view of manicured grounds & beach. We got to see the excitement of kids & their parents when a large sea turtle came almost to shore right out in front of us. We were hoping the fresh catch of the day would be Ono but it wasn't so we decided to try the fish & chips made with a fish my husband & I didn't recognize. Before we ordered we saw the Maui onion rings some other diners were eating & thought they looked good. We asked our waitress if we could upgrade our chips (fries) to onion rings & she said we could. When our food arrived, we were impressed with how it looked. We were even more impressed when we ate it! The fish was lightly breaded, not greasy, thick pieces of perfectly cooked fish - loved it! The onion rings were very good & we weren't expecting the wonderful fresh side salad with a tropical vinegrette dressing that also came on our plates. Our lunch was delicious & filling but that didn't stop us from ordering dessert when we saw the locally made Lillikoi Passionfruit Cheesecake with graham cracker crust on the menu. It was expensive but delicious & oh so worth it! At least we split a piece! It came with sliced strawberries, a dollop of whipped cream & Passionfruit purée on the plate. It was so good, we ate it before I thought about taking a picture! We love tart flavors! The food was delicious, the service was great and the scenery was beautiful. The icing on the cake was when my husband asked if they gave a military discount. Our waitress did not know but said she would go ask. The happy answer was yes - the Five Palms gave a 15% discount to both active & retired military members with proper ID. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch experience at Five Palms.

Aja N.

This place is an all around gem!!! Happy hour after 9 pm-? Yes please!! The sushi is still outrageously expensive, but it's so good!! I had a Tsunami tool and a 1/2 Mauro 1/2 hamachi hand roll. It was the best hand roll I've experienced!! Yum!! The sushi chef was hysterical last night and I had an amazing time! I'll be back for sure!!

Amanda H.

Had a wonderful birthday dinner for my husband last night at the 5 Palms. The food was excellent and the 2 specials for the night were on point. Our server Roy was friendly and attentive. Only downside was it was very hot sitting outside at 5pm. The staff couldn't get all the fans turned on, but once they did and the sun started to set the ambience matched the view and food.

Kristen S.

We chose 5 Palms Kihei for brunch after our wedding, for all our guests to attend. We couldn't have been happier! We coordinated with Kathryn and everything came out just how we wanted. We had a reserved area of the restaurant that had great views of the beach and ocean - some of our guests even spotted turtles from their tables! We had a buffet with eggs benedict, portuguese sausage, bacon, pancakes, fruit, and much more, and we added a mimosa station, where guests can pour their own champagne and orange juice. The food was delicious, service was friendly and prompt, and our guests enjoyed themselves so much that some people stayed pretty late. We were not rushed out by any staff members. It was leisurely and a lovely way to end our wedding week in paradise.

Jason M.

We eat breakfast and lunch at Five Palms twice a year when we're in Maui. Always a great experience that includes the best view on Maui, excellent service, and friendly staff. Try the lobster BLT and a side of onion rings..this would be my final meal if I ever get into that position...

Lisa K.

Mistake #1 - I believed the Yelp reviews that the 5 Palms was a good restaurant. Mistake # 2 - Ignored the feeling in my gut (before we ate lunch) that this restaurant was about the view and not the food. Mistake # 3 - Didn't consider the RED FLAG that the restrooms require a 'code' for access. (code # 8181) We ordered calamari for an appetizer - it was good. Husband ordered - a "maui' cheese steak sandwich which included onion rings and steak fries. The steak sandwich meat was so overcooked it looked like beef jerky. The rings were good as well as the fries. I ordered an ahi tuna salad which had four pieces of meat and was overpriced at $20. The waitress dropped off the meals and we never saw her again. Had to flag her down to get more water and our bill. The view was beautiful - the meal was not.

Sanat K.

I used to love 5 Palm. They got a new chef and now they stopped serving whole steamed fish that I loved. No hamachi Kama I also love. The local fish is not fresh. The view is great. We still go there hoping the menu will get better and new chef may discern old fish from fresh

Adrienne S.

It's all about the view. The view is gorgeous and the atmosphere relaxing calm and pretty quiet. We were here for lunch, didn't have to wait or have a reservation. Ordered the Maui cheesesteak and the curry chicken salad. Both were great. I wouldn't say the menu or the food is particularly unique or impressive but it was a great lunch and you can't beat that great lawn-to-lavarock-to-sapphire blue water scene.

Kaiulani K.

Arrived from Oahu craving sushi. Tour guide boyfriend (TGBF) said he had a spot he'd been wanting to try. We pulled into the crowded hotel parking and walked through the lobby. Restaurant looked empty, I was sure we were going to get turned away or the kitchen was going be closed, but TGBF assured me they had a late night option. They were happy to have us, sat us, gave us menus and drinks. All sushi was 50% off, drinks had HH prices. So I did what I do best and ordered copious amounts of sushi. Meh items were the spicy ahi and spicy scallop (the scallops were super fresh and yummy, so the other ingredients in roll overpowered it; i would've rather just had fresh scallop). Same with the negi hama; the roll wasn't great, but the quality of the fish itself was impressive. The caterpillar roll and sushi trio were both solid. It was super cool that our awesome sushi chef (Kev) gave us a plate gratis. Possibly because we were ordering everything else on the menu and he thought that we missed one? Or maybe just because he's a nice guy :) Amazing Items: white dragon, salmon skin, salmon sashimi. The shiso leaf in the white dragon roll balances the flavor of the hamachi. I don't even like hamachi, but that was a good combo! Salmon skin was the best of both worlds: crispy, salty skin with a bit of juicy, flavorful meat still on it. Definitely order it and eat it hot. The salmon sashimi was so good and fatty- highlight of my meal. Then again, it's always the highlight of my meal. Some of the fish was warm, which I know is the style at some places. It's not a style I love, but I tolerate it. I'm not sure if that's intentional here, but I went for it but it paid off this time. All the food was well done and TGBF kept remarking how great our sushi chef was. His name was Kevin and he was cool and talented. The bartender and Kevin both had great personalities and great attitudes. They were really nice and I can't wait to go back. The atmosphere just makes everything even more awesome. Imagine getting late night sushi while dining at a bar inside a quiet, chill, and low key open door restaurant with the waves crashing right next to you. Sea breeze, night air, and chill people added a lot of great ambience. It was just us and two other patrons, so chatting it up with the bar staff and getting all that attention and just relaxing together was effing amazing. In fact, the experience was so good I may one day forgive TGBF for watching and smiling as a more *ahem* soused patron a few seats down complimented on how cute I was and as we left decided I needed to hug him and get a big kiss on the cheek. "Sushi lover, you so cute. Eh, take care of her, man." Thanks for the kind words, my new shnockered friend. All in all DEF do again. Highly recommend late night HH.

Sharon V.

My husband and I had our anniversary dinner here. The food was fantastic. My scallops were definitely our favorite. Although his Ahi was delicious as well. Wonderful creative flavors with beautiful presentation. Dessert was fabulous too! We were sat in a front table outside and although you are by the public sidewalk and beach the setting was still very nice and close to the beach. We planned around sunset and enjoyed it very much! Service was great too!

Michelle H.

Food was over priced, not good quality. Service could of been better, the staff was not attentive at all.

Denise A.

Not sure how many stars to actually give this restaurant. So you decide and here's my story !! We completed an Open Table reservation for 6 people and added a notification requesting a table by the window so we could watch the sunset. I also indicated that we were celebrating a 50th birthday and requested something special for dessert signifying this. Never happened. When we arrived our table was not what we requested. We asked to change locations and begrudgingly they did so. However we had to beg several times to get adequate table settings for 6 since there was only 4 on the table. That literally took at least 4 requests to accomplish. We needed to request bread to the table. 4 pieces arrived that were already sliced in half. 4 pieces for 6 guests ? Ok. The appetizers arrived at different times so we all felt like we were not dining together. We had to request someone to bus our tables. Several times. All the time. It was not something that was immediately done for us. One of our diners ordered the prime rib. No steak knife was presented. When we asked for a steak nice the first waiter brought one that looked like a steak knife from Denny's. The assistant manger eventually brought us a legitimate steak knife in which to cut a $45 piece of prime rib. 3 diners were sharing a bottle of wine so the diner who ordered a different glass of wine did not receive their drink order until we asked the waiter three times. Whew !! That was difficult. Truthfully ... the food was very good. The daily fish special of Opah was fabulous. Kudos to the chef. He can cook his butt off. But if this restaurant wants to stay in business they need to reevaluate the front of the house wait staff. When an 18% gratuity is added to the bill in advance, it's unfortunate when the wait staff does not strive for more. We were 6 women who are employed in the customer service industry and would have more than compensated for amazing service. 2 STARS goes to the chef !!!! Actually 4.5 but I didn't wait to over rate this review.

Enrique G.

Old Old old... This is like going back to the 80's these guys have not jnvested in their restaurant in decades... Food is good tho, service too... The y have an amazing view and so over all a good experience... Worth trying

Jen C.

Beautiful view and awesome service! The food is delicious! My only complaint is the decaf coffee was old tasting (not unusual for decaf) and the waitress brought another one and didn't charge me for an additional. This is our second time here, the last time being three years ago...it's one if our favorite spots on Maui!

Greg O.

My partner and I had three meals at 5 Palms and they were wonderful! The waiters (Thaddeus, Mason and one other who's name I forgot!) were warm and friendly. The rest of the staff equally projected Aloha to us. The food was very good - my one complaint: a salad I had, though good, wasn't chilled as I would have expected it to be. Other than that one oversight, the food was good tasting and presented well. We recommend highly the 5 Palms Restaurant - and if you get there for dinner, be sure to stay for the sunset view!

Ben L.

Picture it kids - You and your lady have just finished up at church on Sunday, the sun is shining, the water is sparkling, there's a cool breeze in the air, and you're looking for breakfast along Maui's south shore that will let you sit outside and take in the splendor. Definitely have to throw 5 Palms into your consideration mix, yeah? That's what we thought, too. But we were wrong. Our trip to 5 Palms had been built up over the course of weeks with The Awesome Girlfriend telling me about other excellent trips (for dinner) she'd taken at the restaurant in the recent past. After bailing on our last post-church breakfast spot due to some "interpersonal ugliness" we set a new course for uncharted breakfast territory, and we were pretty excited about it. We were able to get a table right away. They had a good crowd, but it wasn't so busy and cramped as to make me uncomfortable. As mentioned above, the view was absolutely stellar. You really can't ask for much more in that department. The menu offered a fine selection of breakfasts without being overly complicated. The prices were reasonable given the location and the offerings. And our waitress, Erin, was an absolute gem. All of these things bode well for our experience as we looked to plant our flag at a new Sunday breakfast spot. But (you knew there was going to be a but in this story, yeah?) when our food finally arrived, none of it was warm. Potatoes were room temperature as were the eggs and pancakes and sourdough toast. The coffee was also cool, but additionally suffered from being watery. The Awesome Girlfriend likes food hot. I can deal with warm. The food served was not satisfactory to either of us. Erin, Patron Saint of Servers, heard our complaint, apologized, and offered to have them redo our order. She came back a few minutes later with a brand new plate of food. Unfortunately, it suffered from the same temperature issue and the one bite of scrambled eggs had a runny consistency. It was enough to tap out on breakfast at 5 Palms. Erin returned with the manager who was very gracious in offering to substitute new food and who assured us breakfast would be on the house, but by that time, the idea of breakfast didn't seem appealing and we opted to head out. I'm almost 100% sure we just had a freak occurrence at 5 Palms. Their reputation among locals and The Awesome Girlfriend's previous experiences would lead me to believe that things like today don't happen often. Maybe dinner is a safer bet than breakfast. I don't know. I want to give everything BUT the food four or five stars, totally deserves it. All of those parts, including Erin and management were really, really good. Unfortunately, food being what it was (and that being the most important part of why we were there) I can't do that. I'll give 5 Palms another try somewhere down the road and will be sure to update this review if, as suspected, we have a radically different experience.

Cynthia L.

Best french toast I have ever tasted!! I was kind of not happy with the portion size because I thought it wasto little, but my husband and I couldn't finish our plates, the really filled us up. And we wanted to keep eating jaja We both got the french toast, it have bananas and white chocolate Going back next time we are in Maui =]

Leilani M.

April 22, 2015 11am Let me start off by saying that I was born and raised here. Now let's start. We checked out yelp & trip advisor where to eat and we wanted to have a nice brunch and 5 palms popped up. So we went. Parked in the public parking in the gravel lot and walked towards the beach where the entrance is. We walked in there and everyone looked at us like we didn't belong, but we disregarded that and continued into the restaurant to the hostess stand. She was nice and sat us near the front and I requested to sit in the back corner. She said it was fine & that our server will be right with us. Immediately we got waters from a back waiter, but that was it. A couple were seated 5 minutes after we were sat and immediately had a server there; even before the guests could look at their menu! Maybe because we're locals maybe; which is pretty unprofessional! Your restaurant is on Maui! I think you should treat locals equally! Anyways we placed our menus down that way they know we were ready, but still NOTHING, no one acknowledged us up until we started to get up! Then a server approached us. Our mind was made up & we left! Sadly we didn't get to try the food, but that's how it goes sometimes!

Matt C.

Couldn't get a table during happy hour! Lots of tables open...just really poorly managed! Don't bother coming here if you want good service, cold beer or something to eat! Host had food in his teeth and was dirty!

Marsha B.

Friends that live in Kihei chose this for breakfast, and I checked the Yelp reviews and was skeptical. The service was a little slow, but acceptable. Our waitress was friendly but not attentive, which was not a problem for our group of 4. Our friends mentioned that service is sometimes poor, but we got along fine. Mimosas were on the small size, but tasty. Two had the Sweet Roll French Toast, one the Vegetable Frittata, and I had Eggs & rice with bacon. Our friends talked about how the French Toast they got in the past was much nicer, and without the candied ginger. Seriously, some fresh shaved ginger would have complemented much better. Food aside, yes, he view is amazing, and i would consider going there for drinks. The bar is kinda odd though, because instead of looking out to the beach, your back is to the beach. At least have a mirror. And the bar is in this narrow walkway that everyone going to the restaurant has to walk through. A serious remodel is needed. Maybe they could get rid of the clunky tables & chairs and get something fresh, add a few more tables & servers & be a 5-star.

J C.

Service was slow and not very attentive by server 2 Yelp Prime rib 3 Yelp nothing special Catch of the day Ono fish 3 Yelp not very flavourful Not that special and probably won't go back

Kevin H.

It's better than 3.5 for sure! Food was quick. No wait on a Sunday morning. Great views. Attentive service. Very friendly and accommodating. Go soon.

Melanie B.

I have often gone to 5 Palms for their happy hour which is terrific. Last nite with a friend I decided to try some dinner. It was s huge disappointment. The prices are hefty$18for a California roil. Seriously?$160 for an opakakapaka for 2? It's one thing to pay for an expensive meal when everything else is excellent but it wasn't. The soft shell crab had been fried hours earlier and wasn't well put together, we had to ask for silverware twice- the service was terrible, slow and forgetful. Go for the happy hour but save your cash for better dinner elsewhere at a lower price.

Jack S.

You will love this restaurant! They have both inside and patio dining, but both times we have been there we ate on the patio, so we could enjoy Maui' s weather, and view. Our server, Zach, was terrific, giving honest opinions which makes for a better dining experience. We split as an appetizer, the Chinese ribs a house salad, with the house dressing, and for dinner we both had local sea bass, that a had a sesame seed crust. For dessert we had the pineapple cream Brule. Enjoy... We did!

Soph S.

This restaurant is fine for breakfast. It wins on convenience because it's close to where we're staying and on the view because it's beautiful and probably as close to the ocean as you can get. We came for breakfast. The macadamia nut pancakes were entirely underwhelming. Think three dry basic pancakes with tiny pieces of macadamia nuts that were far and few between. They just tasted like generic diner pancakes with a much heftier price tag. The frittata was pretty good as was the creme brulee oatmeal if really sweet oatmeal is to your liking. Fine food at prices that are manageable considering the proximity to the ocean.

Danielle F.

Still my favorite spot on the island. Great views, nice people, the happy hour is fab (love the coconut shrimp, ribs, and California roll). And lets not forget the mango margaritas. I will miss you 5 palms!

J F.

The view is great. It kinda goes down hill from there. Staff (with the exception of our busboy) seemed annoyed and rushed in general. Fish was overcooked/bland and the sides were missing components that were on the menu. For the price, way better places in Kihei.

David R.

Excellent meal here the other night. Well guided by Brian, the waiter, whose sea bass special was first-class. All in all a very good experience. Thanks!

D. K.

This was BY FAR the worst meal we had during our week on Maui. The service was absolutely terrible (we sat there for a good 15 minutes before a server ever came... we should have just left and avoided a terrible meal!) The only good part of the meal was the butter that came with the bread. The ahi tuna was inedible, the sushi rolls did not taste fresh (and they mixed up our order big time), and the ribs were super fatty. Yuck. Will NOT be back and would most definitely not recommend 5 Palms!

Cortney S.

Excellent food the bacon jam steak was delightful. Brian our server was very attentive, service was amazing.

J. P.

Definitely the worst meal I had while staying on Maui. The view is 5 stars, but the service and food were terrible. We were a party of four that showed up on a busy Friday night during happy hour. The wait to get in wasn't bad at all. We got seated in the dining area in a spot with a beautiful view. Our waitress came to the table shortly and took our drink orders. We also ordered 4 drinks and the calamari appetizer at that time. 10 minutes went by and our calamari was delivered to our table, but no drinks yet. That was okay we thought it's busy. We ordered a couple more appetizers, the lettuce wraps and a California roll. The waitress said she was sorry about the wait for our drinks, but there was only one bartender working. Then she proceeded to ask what drink I ordered again. Well the next two appetizers arrived at the table and the drinks still hadn't arrived. Seems like we got stuck with a bad waitress. She was writing something down when we ordered our drinks, but it probably wasn't our drink order. The drinks finally arrived as we were finishing up with the lettuce wraps. The calamari was passable, but not better than standard bar fare. The lettuce wraps were frankly disgusting. The chicken looked like it came out of a dog food can with stringy bits of ginger peppered throughout. I ordered the California roll because they said it was made with real crab, not the krab you get everywhere else. I wish it had been krab instead. This was not fresh crab at all. You could tell by the fishy smell. We had another round of drinks, which didn't take too long and I ordered a Spider roll against my better judgement. The view is beautiful after all, why not stay a little longer. So another 10 minutes goes by and the waitress brings a spicy tuna roll to the table and sets it down. I say "that doesn't look like a spider roll". She apologized and said she'd be back with a spider roll. Sadly the spider roll was the same quality as the California roll, poor quality and not fresh. 5 palms has a great view, maybe the best on Maui, I would say go for a drink, or bring your own food and go sit on their beautiful beach.

bev k.

First, the view and location is a 10+. Second, the food and drinks were a 10+. The servers were amazing and attentive - can't say enough positive about this hidden gem!

Zelie D.

The hearts of romaine salad was the best part of my meal. The sushi menu was quite extensive and if you like spicey you'll be in sushi heaven. The entrees were mostly in the forty something range and the exquisite sunset and breaching whales certainly added to the ambiance.

Christa B.

We were told by other local waitresses that they go here for happy hour. So, we went for the late happy hour at 9pm. Quick seating in the bar area and great service from our waiter. We ordered spicy scallop roll (ok), hurricane roll (awesome) and the poke martini (outstanding). My husband are every single bite of the poke martini and wanted more. Prices we're bit too steep for dinner but it definitely was great for happy hour.

Grace C.

We had our reception at the 5 Palms after our wedding. I arranged the reception with Tracy through e-mail. She was really nice and very thorough. She suggested a dinner menu and they made some changes per our request. Brian was over seeing the reception on site. He was great. Very punctual, informative, and personable. Our food turned out great. The miso passionfruit salad dressing was to die for. Our guests also loved the crab cake appetizers and ono and rib eye entrees. Highly recommend!

Wendy B.

Ahi salad....$19.99....4 small pieces of fish. Tried contacting someone, anyone, online to express dissatisfaction and never received a response. Oh well, at least the view was nice.

Pretty P.

This review is for breakfast only *** i have not had lunch or dinner there. I hate to say this but the place is totally over priced for mediocre food. And because of its locAtion in relation to where I stay in Maui, I've eaten here a lot. The service is excellent, the view is great, kids meals are reasonable and adult food is crazy expensive and just all around unimpressive. It's too bad. Hopefully a jewel of a chef will swoop in and revamp their tired and uninspired menu.

Brad M.

One of my favorite happy hour spots!! We always stay at a condo complex within walking distance of the hotel where 5 Palms is located. It has become part of our evening routine. They have a beautiful outdoor patio with full ocean views - perfect at sunset. We always go for the early happy hour which begins at 5 pm. It's smart to get there a little early because tables are at a premium. I love their sushi and their coconut shrimp. Simply a great way to end the day in Maui.

Duncan G.

We had a gorgeous breakfast here. My wife and I both had the avocado and crab omelettes and we were not disappointed. The service is very friendly and efficient without being intrusive. We'd eat here again.

Regina C.

the food here is just okay. it's pretty pricey for what it is but I suppose that's because you're paying for the stellar view of the ocean. I was here for my brothers wedding reception for lunch. calamari appetizers equated to one single piece per person along with a bowl of fruit to share. the loco moco I had was pretty good but I wouldn't necessarily encourage people to go here vs any other place that offers loco moco. I WILL say that having the very small, intimate wedding right on the beach there was very nice.

Charlie H.

Came here during Happy Hour...the view was nice those the food is a bit lacking. We ordered the calamari...left a slightly greasy, and soggy feeling in my mouth. The quesadilla was ok, nothing to bring home about. The Spider Roll is one word...tiny...and the sashimi...tasted like store bought sushi. The atmosphere is nice, though they really need to improve on their cooking especially with the prices you pay to enjoy.

Seth H.

We went to 5 Palms for mother's day. All four of us had great meals with excellent service. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Jennifer C.

I was on Maui celebrating my 45th (gasp) birthday. Decided that I deserved an expensive dinner out. I chose 5 Palms based upon their menu posted on their website. I was in the mood for sea scallops, my friend wanted coconut encrusted crustaceans (prawns). As it nearly always does, it was raining on my birthday so we were seated indoors next to the ginormous open windows at 5 Palms, with the sea literally thirty feet away. Watching and listening to the waves gently lap the shore highlighted the evening. We ordered the coconut prawn appetizer which was four butterflied prawns served with a bit of lettuce, mango salsa and some delicious dip. They were quite good, but few for the price tag. The seared sea scallops that were present on the website menu were curiously absent from the restaurant menu, but were offered as an adjunct to a pasta dish which didn't float my boat. My friend and I each ordered the rib eye steak which was served with french fries topped with bleu cheese and the most garlicky sautéed spinach, ever. We asked that sea scallops be added to the plates. The server acquiesced. The rib eye was cooked to perfection, sprinkled with a bacon marmalade and the french fries were crispy. The sea scallops were large and tender and sweet, and I reluctantly devoured them too quickly. I couldn't really stomach all the fresh chopped garlic on the spinach but ate the greens regardless. For dessert, we shared a pineapple creme brûlée which was quite thin but flavourful, served in a slice of pineapple. My friend and I each dug into the pulp of the fruit, in attempt to greedily devour more of it. Our server, Brooklyn, paid fair attention to us, but the girl filling the water glasses appeared disinterested in working that night, ignoring my gracious responses to her doing her job. The gentleman who brought our food out was quite handsome, friendly and always smiling. I would recommend 5 Palms to others, maybe try a cocktail and appetizer type of evening. The price of the rib eye steak and scallops was more than the filet mignon and lobster, to my dismay. 5 Palms also serves breakfast and reservations are highly recommended.

Tammie T.

Enjoying the happy hour specials again. This place is a great location and has beautiful views. Customer service is excellent!! Kahea is a great bartender! Ribs, lettuce wraps, sushi rolls and mai tais are the best. They also have reverse happy hour.

Carolyn P.

Beautiful view, not so good food. The cocunut shrimp had no sign of coconut except in a too sweet dipping sauce. They were overcooked and hard. The bread came at the end of the meal and only after we asked. The steak my friend ordered medium well came out bloody.. Dessert took 45 minutes to arrive after ordering.Not worth the price.

Dena H.

I've only had breakfast here and OMG the creme brûlée steel cut oats was so incredible! The location was beautiful as well.

Joan B.

Last year, came here often for happy hour and loved it. This year, sat and waited, and waited..... No one came to serve us. Told hostess and she didn't seem to care. Last year it was packed, today people only at two other tables. I know why. Stay away!!!!

Maile K.

Love love love...beautiful spot..

Louie F.

Like many have said, this place delivers on a beautiful ocean view and unfortunately, the food leaves something to be desired. To begin, we were a party of eight looking to eat well -- few rounds of cocktails, appetizers, entrees and dessert. The service leaves a little to be desired. We were but a few people sitting in the main dinning area and it took forever to meet our server. She took our drink order and missed one of the people in our party. It then took a solid 10-15 minutes to even get our drinks out. We ordered a round of appetizers -- Lobster dip (x2) and the Dragon Roll (x2). Both were pretty delicious. For our entrees, the table ordered the following: Prawns and Scallops; Mahi Mahi Special and the Marlin Special. All of the Marlin dishes were severely overcooked. This was sad because it's (a) a restaurant specializing in seafood, (b) one of the evening's specials and (c) nearly $40.00 /plate. The waitress apologized for the issue and sent the manager over. The manager said he would take care of both dishes on the check -- he didn't. After our entrees, we ordered two desserts for the table and come check time, nothing was comp'd or discounted. We spent nearly $700 at this restaurant and they couldn't even make a concession on the entree errors they made -- what a shame. A free dessert, maybe? Just do something to show you care about the patron's experience. Next time, I'd come here for drinks and maybe a few appetizers to watch the sunset. Then move on to a better restaurant for dinner. 2-stars: "Meh. I've experienced better."

Amanda I.

A really great place for dinner. The outdoor patio is right on the beach, making it an ideal place for watching the sunset over dinner. (The indoor space looked elegant as well). We ordered several items for dinner including the hamachi, the Dragon Roll, Chinese Ribs, scallops and seaweed salad. The hamachi was mediocre ( the portion was huge though), the Chinese Ribs were unbelievable and so memorable ( the sauce was insane!), the seaweed salad was delicious and about twice the size of typical portions, and the scallops were tasty. But the Dragon Roll; forget-about-it. One of the best rolls I've ever had. The service was mediocre, but the food was great and portions were huge. Items were priced between $12-$50 each (with scallops being on the high end and salad on the low). This is a place you must stop at while in Maui. Totally worth it.

Amy M.

Great drinks, beautiful beach, amazing staff! Love the late happy hour hours. Everyone is friendly and the menu is excellent. Thanks Leah L!

Adam N.

The food is absolutely amazing. We received a bit of a cold welcome from the host(ess)s, but were warmly welcomed by our server, Brooklin. The meal was fantastic and service was just perfect. It is a bit pricey, but it is definitely worth it. Fantastic sushi and flavors I've never even tasted in sushi before. We later figured out it was mint! Ha! All and all, it was an awesome night, where you sit almost directly on the sand and a very fun, relaxing and intimate atmosphere. The late night happy hour is definitely a huge plus as well! Mahalo

Kerry L.

Avoid at all costs!!! ALARM- Tourist trap- High prices -Terrible food. Bad attitude. Zero stars would be more appropriate.... April 2014 My wife and our friends are lucky to be able to enjoy fine dining on a regular basis, we debated Five Palms and Sarento's the Italian restaurant just down the beach, we wanted waterfront dining. The only thing that Five Palms delivered on was the Waterfront. From the very beginning there were warning signs.- The bread basket was filled with stale multi-day-old bread that was not eatable. We ordered a bottle of wine from California that we know very well , they brought a different bottle then was listed on the wine list and insisted it was the correct one!!! I called the manager over and educated him on the vintage, etc. He insisted I was wrong!! My friend even googled the vintage on his phone and showed the manager his error- he did not acknowledge it!! We ordered a different bottle. At that point my friend said the statement we all should have listened to "let's leave here and go to the other place...." We were stubborn and too comfortable, we stayed. Between the four of us we ordered five entrees - not a single one was good and a few were not even diner quality execution. I sent my local catch back to the kitchen it was overcooked to the point of being rubbery. to my surprise the Chef himself brought out my recooked fish entree and put it down in front of me making sure to give me the "i would kill you if I could..." glare right into my face!! Believe it or not, it was over cooked a second time!! _ I made everyone at the table taste it to confirm that I was not just imagining the whole error. They all agreed. My wife's shrimp dish was flavorless. The desert that was ordered had one tiny bite taken out of it and it sat there untouched, yet the waiter did not even try to offer replacement or removal from the bill. This horror of a dinner was $400.00......Sad. Execution and attitude of a grade school lunch room. Nice location, old school interior even with big upholstered booths.

Diane C.

I give this place a high four. The drink portions are huge. We ordered the Hama Kama tuna collar. It was the most flavorful one I have tasted, made of hamachi. The Chinese ribs with piñapple BBQ sauce was so tender the meat fell off the bone. My husband had the 5 Palms fish trio. The portion was super generous. Each sample of fish was a filet cooked in a different style on top of rice or potatoes. And the toppings ranged from passion fruit salsa to lumped crab. The fish selections included snapper, Opa, and mahi mahi.

Leia V.

Great setting and very nice staff... We watched a beautiful sunset and sat outside in the breeze. The food was really good- we had the fish prepared three ways- mahi mahi and Ono. I loved the scallops too! It was a beautiful night and good food!

Cynthia S.

Came across this gem thru word of mouth, I would hit up their happy hour & sitting at the sushi bar is a must! The sushi chefs treated us like a king & queen. They both came up with new & exciting rolls for us to try, suggested some on the menu also. We had a waitress but the chefs did all the work! Will be coming back for sure hopefully the two gentlemen who were working on 1/13 from 4-6pm will be there.

Greg G.

We had breakfast here yesterday. We were seated right away but the service was extremely slow and not extraordinary. Minus one star. I ordered the veggie frittata - it was basically an omelet but almost no veggies that were advertised that I could discern and I noted just a few specs of color in the frittata (microscopic bits of veggie?) with some basic greens on top and possibly French dressing. It was nothing special and not worth the price. Minus 2 stars. I will say the location and view were nice. The restaurant itself was spacious and tastefully decorated. Plus 1 star. Our hotel gave a 20% discount - Plus 1 star. Overall based on all of the other restaurant options in Maui I would much rather try another restaurant than come back here again.

Mechas Z.

Went for breakfast and other than the spectacular view of the beach, there was not much more to be said.

Betty N.

**FIVE PALMS TO YOUR FACE** Major suckage during Happy Hour. Two of us went to the bar and I sat down at the bar stool while he stood by me. One of the bartenders had to give us the "you HAVE TO get a bar stool or I can't serve you any drinks" without any further explanation. Did he POLITELY explain the Maui laws and regulations regarding standing at a friggin bar? NOPE. Just attitude. Your Mai Tai's suck anyway. Too many pale legs, mullets, and neon colored shirts. NOT RECOMMEND.

Julie B.

Food is average at best. Coconut tiger prawns are a joke, more like medium fried shrimp. Service is not great either. Getting a glass of water was a stretch because a glass couldn't be found. We stay at the attached condo so it is convenient and they do make a good Mai tai with a long happy hour.

Robert H.

Interesting high middle end older restaurant . The host sucks ! The menu gets 6 points , native fern fronds used in salad excellent , waiter charming and informative , busgirl very sweet , host still sucks considering the setting ! Menu almost pricey , they will have to really impress me to come up to par . I will send a quick tip following this for a food taste review from 1 to 5 . Aloha

Meredith M.

Our family vacation couldn't have been complete without Five Palms. We nestled in the bar for their infamous pupus happy hour on our second night in Maui and really enjoyed everything. Be sure to get there EARLY or you wont find a seat! Service was slacking, which is never fun for happy hour, but the food, drinks and value of everything compensated for that. For our mother's 50th birthday we made dinner reservation for the dining room and were not disappointed. Not only are you quazi-outside but you're also right on the beach, where you will witness one of the most beautiful sunsets in the pacific. Food was amazing, heavy but amazing, service was even more on spot here. We were the last to leave as, being mom's 50th we got pretty sloshed, and the staff wasn't the least bit irritated. Wonderful evening!

Linda W.

This restaurant is located inside of the Palms hotel and is in a lovely setting overlooking the pool and beach beyond. The menu is somewhat limited, but not unusual for a hotel dining room. The waiter was very enthusiastic about the special and convinced three of us to order it, however, shortly after he informed us that they were out and so we settled for the snapper. We also ordered the calamari for an appetizer. The calamari, as well as the snapper were acceptable, but nothing to write home about. Portions were small, which is fine with me, but I know some prefer a bit more for their money. The three $$$ listed on the Yelp site is no lie. Dinner for 4 came to $450.00 - which included a moderately priced bottle of wine and two cocktails. If you are used to paying this kind of money for a beautiful setting then this won't bother you, but if you want to get a little more for your hard-earned dollar (assuming you work for a living like I do) then the Cafe O' Lei or even the Ami Ami are better choices.

Allison D.

Tsunami sushi was amazing!!!!! My husband got the chicken, and it was just ok. Maybe that's what he gets for ordering chicken? Sat on the patio and enjoyed the views and wonderful mai tai. Fun place to celebrate a special occasion!

Craig M.

We have been staying at the Mana Kai for 15 years and eating @ the 5 Palms mainly for breakfast, happy hour PuPu's. Usually it's pretty decent, a little pricey but it's Maui and we are on vacation so who's counting change. We decided to have dinner on our last night there and what a mistake! The chef must own a "salt mine", my fish was so salty and over cooked I couldn't eat it. My wife had a pork chop, waitress said this was one of their specialties. She needed a chain saw to cut it, salty as well. We will continue to stay at the Mana Kai, but will avoid at all costs the restaurant.

Rey R.

Planned on going to Five Palms for dinner and watch the sunset. The view is excellent. We found out they have happy hour so we decided to go early. They have happy hour appetizers for half price. We ordered the lobster dip with wonton chips, spider roll sushi, and panko crusted shrimp. The lobster dip was bland, the sushi was mushy, and we only got 4 pieces of over cooked shrimp. This definitely was not worth $9 each. I can't imagine paying full price for this. The cocktails were decent, sweet but decent. The service was great though. The wait staff were very attentive. Maybe our experience with the food was a fluke but we will not be returning any time soon.

Dave S.

Five Palms is what you get when you try to do Wailea but end up in Kihei. Don't get me wrong, I *love* Kihei, but Kihei shouldn't try to do upscale. It can't. If Kihei were upscale, it wouldn't be Kihei. With that in mind, Five Palms basically fails. The food is just fine. The wait staff is just a little too inexperienced, which means they show up too often when not needed, and not at all when they are needed, and they don't really know anything about the food. Biggest knock on the place? The patio is oriented the wrong way for sunset -- it's looking south-southwest instead of west, so unless you're at the table closest to the water along the south edge of the patio, something will be at least partially blocking your view.

Doug S.

At the outset, let me state that the views and ambiance here are great. The owners are great people and the wait staff do a wonderful job. We eat here a couple times a month and have done so for many years as have members of my family. The good: Breakfast here is good. Not great, but good. The views make up for any small deficiencies in the food. I think they finally realized that people don't like warmed over roasted potatoes with tons of paprika on them. We almost stopped coming for breakfast because they always seemed to get things messed up, but I'm happy to report that the last couple of meals at breakfast time were much better. Thank you 5 Palms! The not so good: Dinner here is hit or miss. I do know that they now have yet another new chef. Hopefully he can get things straightened out. The food isn't terrible, it just could be so much better, particularly for the price. If this place wasn't on the ocean, I think they would have trouble surviving. We ate dinner there with some guests a few nights ago. (BTW - They have a great three course sunset special. Makes it much more affordable.). We all ordered the mahi mahi, which we've ordered here and other places. Sadly, it was way overcooked. Mahi is a delicate tasteful fish, but if overcooked, it turns into a dry tasteless fish stick. Fortunately, they had plenty of sauce to go with it to choke it down. Perhaps the new chef is from the mainland where some restaurants think you have to cook all the flavor out of fish. The mahi wasn't even close to being cooked correctly. We didn't want to send it back as we had out of town guests with us and just wanted to enjoy the evening with them. We do wish that the owners could get a first rate chef in there. Maybe they could persuade one of the sous chefs at Mama's Fish House to come in and take over. Mama's really knows how to cook fish. We will continue to patronize 5 Palms because we like the owners and want to support local businesses, but we would come much more often if the food were better.

Michelle N.

Had happy hour here twice. Food was good (overpriced if you aren't there during Happy hour), drinks came out quick. Service was better the second visit, lots of wait staff that were good but hostesses looked like they wanted to be anywhere but there. Beautiful location, great for sunset, restaurant side looked like it had a nice 3 course special. Is very busy and you might end up waiting if you don't get there early!

Rebecca A.

We ate here in early September - walked along the beach path from our condo. It was the most upscale place we ate - absolutely gorgeous. We didn't make reservations but were seated right away at a nice table. Our server was great - friendly, personable and seemed genuinely interested that we have a great time in a Maui - he even gave us several recommendations for other food places during our stay, including a food truck for inexpensive fish tacos - which did not disappoint. We felt very welcomed and relaxed. He didn't make you feel guilty about sharing an entree and salad, which was plenty of food. My only negative was the fish did not have a lot of flavor in terms of seasoning. It tasted fresh and good, just on the bland side.

Ee O.

Was at the restaurant for lunch few days back and we ordered the spinach salad with the fried calamari. The calamari was the best we have ever had. The calamari steaks were breaded and crispy on the outside, super juicy on the inside. They were just phenomenal. Today however, we went there hoping to have that again and were very disappointed when the calamari came out totally different and very mediocre. We were told that the chef is different, hence the new 'menu'. It would be great if you could go back to the old way of preparing it please. We will definitely be back for the breaded calamari steaks once it is back on the menu.

Jacklynn R.

Great place for a nice dinner with a great view. Service was a bit slow but it seemed intentional and we enjoyed the longer dining experience. Enjoyed the lobster dip pupu and the tsunami rolls. We each had chicken for dinner and enjoyed it along with some mango mojitos . The best part by far though was the pineapple creme brûlée . FANTASTIC!!!! It's not cheap but nowhere decent with this view is .

John S.

This is a great restaurant on the beach. Service is good, and the ocean breeze and view are outstanding. If you want to pay less than Sorentos right next to it, then this is a good compromise. We actually like getting a quick breakfast here before catching our flight home.

Sunny C.

The location and view are fabulous! Food is OK. This restaurant has a fabulous beach front location on an awesome beach. It's lovely to stop at the 5 Palms for breakfast or lunch or sunset drinks, while you enjoy a day at this heavenly beach. Food is a little pricey, and the menu has your standards like fish and chips, catch of the day, hamburgers. The food is good -- however you go for the location, views, ambience. Breakfast offers up the best value, and the breakfast menu is pretty good. Lunch is decent. Dinner can be expensive, and the meals are average (not exceptional). They have a very nice kids menu...... The most beautiful restaurant location in Kihei (and possibly all of Wailea).

Phil M.

I attended happy hour with 2 lady friends. Lady's liked the wine list, and that samples were available. Kalua pork quesadilla's(2) were very good. Sushi selection was limited, but, tasty and fresh. Great sunset view. staff was friendly, helpful, and very pretty(sexist, yes I know)

B G.

Love the service and FOOD! The view is amazing, happy hour is AMAZING! Went to Maui for our honeymoon, and as everyone told us food is EXPENSIVE! So, we went to happy hour, and dives! The service was so great, we went back for a 2nd time in short trip to Maui... Thank you guys!!

Tracy V.

Beautiful location, and the food was excellent! Went there on Yelp recommendations, and as always, they were proven correct. We split the basic salad, which was plenty for two, and was like a Caesar with generous amount of fresh Parmesan! Next was the fish. I asked for the Ono to be served with their Thai/curry/(and something else) sauce which was fabulous! It wasn't like Thai curry, more like peanutty creamy with a small hint of curry. Husband had the fish special (don't remember what it was exactly) and he loved it. He is picky about his food, so it must have been great! Try to get a window seat before sunset.... Amazing!!!

Kim S.

I got food poisoning there from the sushi! Had a terrible night. The manager was very unresponsive to my complaint the next day. I made a complaint with the health department.

Chris O.

I will not be going back to this place. To say the service is horrible is a huge understatement. Go if you wish (as a local) but know you will wait, be frustrated and be served at best weak drinks. You have been warned............ Good riddance PS---if you are a tourist give it a shot as the views are great---but as a local we can get that anywhere....

Emily N.

This place is so blah. We live here and been a few times for different meals and happy hour. But I finally decided to write a review after the worst meal we had there last week. Got the romaine salad ( forget what it was ??? Maybe Caesar?) but all it was is lettuce, capers and a tiny bit if dressing. Yuck. I didn't eat any. POG was warm almost hot with no ice. I asked for ice but the server never brought any. Location is beautiful, beachfront.... That's the only good thing. Save your money!!! Super overpriced.

Cassandra C.

The location is the best part of this restaurant. You are right on the beach and even if you are seated indoors the windows open directly onto the ocean. Make a reservation and come at sunset to enjoy both the view and happy hour. The food was very good, well presented and tasty. Ask about the sunset special and get 3 courses for $29.95. Upgrade to a specialty salad for $5 more. The serving sizes are the same as the regular portions but you get the full meal. We had more cheesecake at our table than we could eat! Free valet parking or there's a public lot right next to the hotel. Take advantage of your location and walk along the beach right after sundown with the tiki torches and the moon. Lovely. Expensive but I'd go here again.

Adkinl A.

Right next to Sorrento's but has arguably better views and a nicer ambiance, 5 Palms gives you dining on the beach in a great atmosphere. Had the breakfast which was good but might have been a bit better but the views more than make up for that.

R. M.

Service: Knowledgeable friendly staff. Food: Dined here quit a few times and have enjoyed the taste , portion size and quality of the fine dining. Atmosphere:very nice, ,and definitely a great date location right on the beach.

Elesha N.

2 words: Happy Hour In the array of 15$ beach side mai tais in Kihei, lies a gem; a beach side bar that offers one of the best happy hours DAILY! Look no further, 5$ beach side drinks and appetizers are not a mirage but a reality!!!! Driving Directions: Coming from Wailea side, youll pass "Sorentos on The Beach" Italian restaurant and make your next left turn into a gravel Public beach parking. Coming from South Kihei side, youll pass the Kihei Surfside Inn on your left and your next right turn will be the gravel Public beach parking. There is plentiful parking that is free and located right by the beach. The restaurant is located inside the Mana Kai condo/hotel. We visited Five Palms twice during our 7 day stay of Maui at my parents house. We both agreed that it was a perfect place to catch a drink and appetizers right from the beach :).... Their happy hour is a generous open window- (3pm-7pm) & (9pm-11pm). Menu 5$ mai tai, margerita, house wines 4.50$ well drinks, 3.50$ bottled Coors Light, Corona, Miller Light, Budweiser, 3$ draft (Budlight, Steinlager) 4$ draft Beers ( Stella, Kona Fire Rock, Sierra Nevada, Blue Moon) See the rest of the Happy Hour Menu here fivepalmsrestaurant.com/… I suggest the 6$ spicy tuna, 5$ california roll, Crispy Calamari 7.50$ Advice Do try to come early (around 3-4) as tables do fill up quickly before the sunset.

Rob M.

So we ran into a very long time ago professional colleague and spouse as they were about to leave another restaurant as we arrived, and decided to meet again in about a week near his place in Kihei for lunch with our spouses. He picked 5 Palms. It has a beautiful setting on the beach. That said the chairs were so hard my well padded butt really hurt after awhile, so do not linger over your meal especially if yours is boney. The price to quality ratio was way too high, so one star for value cancels out the 5 star for the setting. The service was just ok, our order was taken and delivered in a timely manner but we rarely saw our server again and there was never an offer to refresh our drinks. The food: considering the price is 2 stars. My spouse ordered the rare ahi salad, the tuna seems not to be very fresh and the dressing was bland and lacked flavor. I had the Philly cheese sandwich which was quite different then I remember last time I was in Philadelphia; but that is over 5000 miles away.....the Philly philly is much better. I must say that the fries were 4 stars and the onion rings 5. We had a very pleasant 5 star "catch up" with the professional and personal lives of our hosts, giving the overall experience a 3 star rating.

Amie P.

Fun local spot when you are in Kihei with great views of the sunset and fabulous short ribs on happy hour prices. Keep your eyes alert as tables of seating goes quick during happy hour!

Brad M.

Dinner during my Maui vacation last week was as great as usual (10 or so visits in the past 15 years). Incredible location on the water and view through their very cool open windows. Newly expanded outdoor dining area is also very nice. Service and food in always incredibly consistent. My favorite nicer dining restaurant in Kihei! (Excellent Happy Hour at 3 pm too).

Trish S.

1. Menu covers were raffia covered, but then you open it up and all the menu pages are enclosed in Avery plastic sheet protectors! Threw us off. This was the first sign. 2. After a mild wait, server who awkwardly stood near our table for several seconds finally greeted us with "You haven't been waiting long, have you?" followed by some kind of excuse about not knowing that we were seated in his section. We were not waiting long so this greeting took us aback. Second sign. 3. When ordering, asked about whether the salad dressing was made in house, and server first replied that he didn't know, and then "Oh yes it is. I'm sure of it." Third sign. 4. After placing our orders, server comes back and says "We are out of prime rib and I just got the memo now." Feeling rushed, I placed my order. Mind you, it was very early in the evening--before 7pm. How could they be out of prime rib already, or was it just not updated on the menu? And why wasn't the server aware of it? Fourth sign. 5. Food was okay. The fish was fresh--you can get really good fresh fish everywhere in Kihei. The preparation was mediocre. Every preparation came with a rich creamy sauce and the fish sitting on a mound of mashed potatoes. 6. Server was rude and unprofessional. He only had 3 tables and doted on the others most of the time. Did not check with us once our meals arrived at our table. For the quality of service--poor--and mediocrity of food, absolutely not worth the price!!!!!

Ashley L.

Make a reservation if you want waterfront seating. Our waitress was so friendly throughout our entire meal and was more than happy to take a photo of us with the beach in the background. A pretty rude man at the table next to us was throwing a fit about exactly how gluten free options were prepared (nothing wrong with asking but he was not nice about it). The waitress was unsure so she had their Head Chef come out to speak with the customer personally. The customer continued to be rude but the Chef handled it professionally and answered all of his questions. Tasty food, good drinks, knowledgeable and friendly staff. What more could you ask for?

Kymberly M.

I have lived on Maui since 2000 and have had a handful of friends work here. Today, after a special, Hawaiian blessing, a small group of us came here today for breakfast. The view is beautiful the food looked pretty good... Until I found a black hair in my potatoes!! I turned this black haired potato into my waitress, Mariah, and she showed the Manager on duty. The Manager Moki did not speak to us regarding this disgusting mistake but was generous enough to give me a $3 discount on the food that had hair in it. I do NOT recommend this restaurant if you want to enjoy your food or have professional service. Go next door to Sarentos on the beach where they will take excellent care of you.

Leslie T.

Our early Christmas dinner was near perfect at Five Palms. The view was fantastic, service good and the food was delightful. The prix fixe turkey dinner seemed a little pricey for the food, but every course was cooked just right, delicious, complex, local. According to my bro, fish tasted fresh and well prepared. Mom said the deserts were very very good. Plates virtually licked clean. They were fully booked and servers were running full bore, but struck a balance between friendly, knowledgeable, efficient and giving us cordial space to take our time. Four cheers for Five Palms!

Mathias H.

The Five Palms has a very nice location right by the water. It is a perfect spot for watching the sunset and they have happy hour (with prices that are pretty good to be on Maui). Do come early for happ hour (starts at 3) as it is very popular. A selection of dishes on the menu are half-price during happy hour and there are some drinks and beers that are also discounted. Tried some of the small dishes and the ribs were excellent as well as the desserts. The sushi was poor as well as the drinks (the happy hour drinks are not good, some of the regular drinks are ok). The mqin negative was the service. A lot of people 'working' there but most of em were just standing around chatting with each other and showing no or little interest in doing their jobs. For this reason I will not visit again. Are many other places where they are actually hppy serving its customers.

Julien B.

Expensive for ok food. The restaurant itself is nice, especially if you sit outside but DON'T GET STUCK AT A BOOTH. We first were seated at one of the booths and it was probably the wobliest table I've ever sat at for a restaurant. And this isn't the kind of table where you can just stick a few napkins and voila it's fixed. I'm not paying 45$ an entree to sit a table which I felt was about to collapse on me. When I asked to change tables, they first seemed a little put off by my request... I then showed them how wobbily the table was, and they agreed it wasn't good. They sat us at the booth right next to it which was also wobbily, but bearably so. I couldn't believe they sat other people at the first table. Go to Mama's and forget about this place.

Teresa P.

Had lunch there today and the view was amazing! Great atmosphere right on the water! We ordered ahi salad and it came out with no dressing on it and our server was no where to be found. After about 5 minutes of patiently waiting I walked up to the manager by the hostess stand and asked for dressing! He was very sorry and accommodated us immediately! That made up for it! Besides that everything was great! Food was delicious! Breakfast are great there too!

Kylie H.

Was less than impressed with the view and the food for the price. I was still starving after! They do offer a sunset dinner that has about three choices on it, steak, chicken or a fish dish with salad and a desert. Luckily the servers were attentive and had a great sense of humor! If you like upscale places that like to charge a lot for small portions, then go ahead!

Michael D.

One of our favorites - food is always exceptional and you can't beat the view! Be sure to ask for a table "by the rail" for the best views.

Mark F.

We were staying nearby and discovered the Happy Hour at the Five Palms (thanks to Yelp). The pricing is great for fantastic oceanfront views. The menu is limited for the half price pupus and sushi. Over four different happy hours we sampled just about all of them. We could do a dinner for two based on pupus and two cocktails or beers and get out the door for about $30. That might get you a hot dog at regular dinner prices. The happy hour is also a long one, from 3 til 7 pm, much longer than most places in Kihei. FWIW, we finally had a mixed drink on our last happy hour trip and found the Mai Tais quite acceptable. We also did a breakfast, only because a 20% off discount made breakfast just expensive rather than WTF. Mac-Nut Pancakes were lackluster but the French Toast with white chocolate and ginger was quite good. That recipe will be replicated at home. Coffee was good and strong and we had the oceanfront dining room to ourselves.

Eric B.

Great specialty drinks at the bar. We has some fantastic California Rolls too. Enjoyed a leisurly evening chatting with the bar staff and patrons.

Monica B.

My boyfriend and I have been several times for dinner. We went a couple of weeks ago for the first time for lunch. There was a bit of a wait but due to location not a big deal. Great view with plenty to look at. When we were seated, our waitress was very slow. Drinks and service took forever. We ordered a couple of sandwiches and the wait was so long, I'm glad we weren't in a rush. I had the Reuben and it wasn't very good. Bread was very soggy. Onions rings were delicious though. Sad part was that there was a hair under my sandwich on the plate. When I told the waitress she looked at me and asked me what she should do! I was appalled. Isn't there a standard immediate recovery that should be in place when something like this happens? May I get you a freshly made sandwich, would you like something else? I'll make sure this is take off your bill? Anyway, I said take it away, I don't want it but bring me a fresh order of onion rings which they did. The manager did follow up, apologized and took it off the bill. Unfortunately bad service on a good day.

Howard B.

5Palms sounded good in the reviews, so we decided to have dinner there tonight. We arrived in Maui yesterday on a little midwinter getaway, and we could walk down the hill and reach the restaurant, so it seemed like a perfect spot. I took the precaution of making a reservation, and we got seated fairly close to the time of the reservation. Then we sat, and sat and finally our waitress came to take our drink orders, but when we didn't order alcohol, instead asking for coffee with the dinners we ordered that some how decreased our priority further. A tiny loaf of bread arrived, but no plates on which to eat it.We finally got those plates and ate our tiny slice of bread. And waited. Three of us ordered salads, which finally arrived, and then our entrées, but not the coffees. We asked again, with no result. The Mahi in a lemon caper sauce was good though overpriced, but given the quality of the service we won't be trying anything else there. We never did get that coffee.

Kalani C.

Got tipped off by our waiter at 808 Bistro to head here to the bar before our friends' sunset beach wedding. Perfect tip! Place was nice and classy looking. View of Keawekapu Beach is spectacular! Staff friendly and drinks were your standard fare, not mixologist fancy. Sat next to a tourist couple. The female was chatty, but the male was stiff and said nothing, well, not directly. He overhead our conversation with his wife that we were going to a beach wedding in a few minutes. He had his wife tell us that beach weddings were not allowed without proper permits. I'm like, whatever. I can tell you exactly where that permit should go...right up your....yeah, sure, I'll have another beer, thanks! The problem with overhearing conversations is that you may not get the entire story, just the part you eavesdropped on. I think he thought me and my buddy were getting married on the beach. Now that's hilarious shit! And if we were, what's wrong with that, right?! Makes for a funny story. We downed our beer and headed towards the beach as the wedding party showed up in their brilliant aloha attire. The sunset hovered briefly before it slipped behind the silhouette of Lana'i island while the moon took its place. Perfect spot to get married no matter what anybody says. View my pics at: web.stagram.com/tag/keaw…

steve a.

This review is for the 5-7 happy hour. Sat at the bar and the barmaid was very friendly. Also the happy hour sushi was decent and the price was decent. Drinks were a little watered down and nothing special. Order a beer. So why the two stars.....oh my god....by accident the waitress left the door to the kitchen open a little to long and got to see the filthy atmosphere in which they cook the food. Truly this kitchen was disgustingly filthy. Had we ordered any of the salmonella encrusted entrees from the kitchen I would probably have to give this place 1/9 of a star.

Coco M.

I happened on this restaurant by mistake and was really nervous about all the negative reviews but I'm so glad I decided to give Five Palms a try. I went there twice for brunch and dinner and was not disappointed at all. On two separate days, I enjoyed a beautifully made crab cake benedict, lobster salad, hamachi sashimi, seafood crusted monchong and the Best. Bread. Ever. Yes, I said bread. I drooled, overate and still dream about the dinner bread topped with nori and served with lilikoi butter topped with a a sprinkle of Hawaiian salt. YUM! The lanai is a great place to people watch as well as catch some pretty amazing sunsets

Dennis S.

We've had more breakfasts here and a fabulous rehearsal meal before our daughter's wedding on Maui. They've all been four stars for food, four stars for service, and five stars for the view. You simply cannot beat the setting at the beach. Time to move them up to four stars.

Christopher I.

Dined here with friends and enjoyed the open and refined atmosphere of the restaurant. The staff were very professional and knowledgeable in assisting us decide the perfect dishes for each of our individual tastes. The food was exquisite! Granted the prices were a little high, but for a resort setting on Maui, it is to be expected. Also, the restaurant has a hired magician who entertained our table while we waited for our food. He was very charismatic and extremely skilled. Our table tried to figure out how he did his tricks but were unable to come up with anything! He didn't make us feel pressured to accept his performance either. It definitely made the wait for the food seem to fly by. Overall, the experience was excellent and well worth the price of the menu items. You can't beat the Maui sunset to accompany this dining experience!

Lulu O.

I've been going to 5 palms for years but will not go again until they make some changes. The bar stools suck. They are so worn out you barely can sit in them. Some of the fans don't work, the cupboards behind the bar are filthy, tv has been broken for years. It's a disgrace. Food is just ok. Owner probably won't do anything because people come for the view. It's wrong.

DJ M.

A buddy of mine on Maui asked me to join him for breakfast at Five Palms, and naturally I turned to YELP for some insight before I arrived. Going in, I had some idea that 1. The view is spectacular. What I didn't know, is that the the view is from the beach... on the water... unobstructed... and beyond spectacular. 2. The Food - I went for the Yelper's suggested Hawaiian Sweet Bread French Toast, and my friend ordered the Eggs Benedict and the French Press Coffee (He's done this before). Good call on the coffee. The Illy French Press comes with chocolate chips and fresh cream. They leave the 8 cup press at the table to steep to a nice rich and bold octane. I enjoyed the French Toast, but was envious of the Eggs Benedict. Next time, perhaps. The price was reasonable, and who could balk at $15 a plate for breakfast on the beach!?

Alex K.

Pretty good. I come here once a Maui trip partially because its tasty and partially because its such a beautiful location. I came this trip seeking the happy hour specials but the bar was packed so opted for normal seating. I tried the seafood crusted kajiki. The sauce served with the fish was tasty however the texture of the fish I wasnt crazy about. **Disclaimer** I wanted to try something different and that's exactly what I got. The Crab Cakes are spicy and delicious -- definitely have a kick. Beautiful really delicious cocktails! Try a lava flow!

Francis N.

The sushi was surprisingly good. Entrees were okay and service was okay. I would definitely go back there for the sushi, it was the best part of our meal.

Kimmy K.

Our last day on Maui Mr. Kupcakes and I always have breakfast at Five Palms. It's right on the beach and perfect for a last morning together on Maui. They have lovely mango mimosas and the most delicious Hawaiian sweet bread french toast.. Make sure to get them with white chocolate chips and strawberries instead of bananas. We loved it all so much.

Jim B.

This is absolutely the worst restaurant in Maui, period. The food was bad and service mediocre. The only saving grace to this place is it's proximity to the water. I ordered the grilled Ono and it tasted like shoe leather. I conferred with the staff who had a hard time coming up with an alternative, which made it apparent that they really don't know their menu or the fish they offer. When I ordered a replacement it took so long to arrive we had sat there without food for at least 15-20 minutes, so we just got up, paid what we owed, and left. (On top of this, my wife's salad tasted like it had dish soap in it.) Do yourself a favor and stay away from this very sub-par hotel food.

Joseph P.

Ok..... The food was good and expensive, but the service was horrible. Our hotel, Fairmont, recommend this place. This place is class "A" but messed up this time. Do not go there unless you are Happy, Happy, Happy paying top dollar for good food and crappy service. If that is what you like then this is the place for you. Oh yea.... The view of the ocean was OUTSTANDING. But, I would have rather has a Big Mac sitting on the beach. Cheers

J.R M.

My husband and I had the Reuben sandwich and the fish and chips! Very delicious! They had large proportions, and worth the price...for the food and the beautiful view!

Liz O.

Well, this was the worst breakfast we had while in Maui, and the most expensive. But we got to sit closest to the ocean, the restaurant meets the beach sand. I loved that! The birds helped themselves as guests to the restaurant, walking at my feet. The food was no bueno. I didn't care for their potatoes, loved their toast, and even though I just ate here last month and remember all other details of my trip, I can't remember what my main entree was. It was that forgettable. Believe it or not, it wasn't the bad-tasting food that killed it; my meal was ruined by the worst bloody mary I've ever had. So much that after a few sips I threw it up. It really tasted like they blended it with fish particles. Just the thought makes me feel nauseous again. Normally I'd bring it up and ask for a credit, but I was hoping that the waitress would question why I only had a few sips of the drink. You know, to make sure the customer is happy. I guess that's asking too much though. But, you're paying for a beach-side meal, and I suppose that's worth it!

Jen H.

Amazing place. Breakfast- Hawaiian Sweet Bread French Toast. Killer good. Lunch- Lobster B.L.T. Big portion. Fresh everything Happy Hour- Everything is good. Coconut Crusted Tiger Prawns are good but only come with three per order ($15) Food is amazing; but you pay for what you get. Definitely a treat, but a little on the high side. Patio seating right on the ocean front-- beware, wind may bring an unpleasant sprinkle of sand, and mid-day the sun kinda overpowers the patio's shade.

Angela C.

I came here for Happy Hour my first night in Maui-so this review is strictly for that and not the restaurant. Drinks and food are a steal here from 3-7! My boyfriend and I tried the tiger prawns, calamari and ribs. The ribs were exceptional and come in a sauce that tastes heavenly. The service was excellent and the staff was extremely friendly. What a great way to spend the first sunset!

Jason B.

Got a recommendation from our friends that went there the night before. They still claim it was great. Walked in expecting a fun night, and we wanted to like this place. Pulled up: weird location but I don't have a problem with that. Valet guy was very nice Hostess was rude, but I shook it off. The guy that seated us was very nice. Bread and butter come out, very good. - at this point still loving this evening. I open the menu to find about 8 pages in a three ring binder with each page in one of those plastic sleeves that I thought were really cool when I would turn in my 8th grade book reports trying to pull out a C- Even though I never read the book. Half the menu is Sushi half is traditional cooked fish dishes. We decide to go with the Sushi because we love Sushi, Sashimi, Poke, etc. And because this stuff is pricey and we were ready to splurge. Example: they have 4 special sushi rolls. Ranging between $22 and $32 each. I don't have a problem with you have a $32 sushi roll. But it better be good. As a matter of fact I ordered it. It was so SAD I did not finish it. We left a lot of food on our plates. One of the other other dishes we had included Ahi Sashimi, they served it on top of Goat Cheese.

Dana Z.

I've been going to the Five Palms on and off for over 20 years. They are a establishment that is located in the Mana Kai condominium complex in South Kihei. It is a great location with gorgeous views of the water and surrounding area. We have tried all meals at all times and your best bet is happy hour and breakfast. The breakfasts are served on the main patio with views of the ocean that take your breath away. Their seared ahi eggs benedict is amazing as well as their Apple banana pancakes and crab and avo omelet. They serve breakfast till 2:30 FYI. Happy hour is really fun and they have decent mai tais for cheap. Our favorite pupus from their happy hour menu is the Chinese spare ribs and the sushi. Ono! The veggie platter isn't worth the money so skip that one. Now something to take into consideration about happy hour is they stuff you all in the bar, which doesn't have as good as views and it is CROWED! If you do not get there right when happy hour stars you will have a wait. They do seat a overflow area above the dinning room if there isn't a catered event there. We sat in there last time and I liked it better. Not as crowed and noisy and decent views of the ocean. You have to ask for it usually. Skip dinner, it doesn't deliver as well.

Ken S.

Pros: The view. The restaurant looks right out at the beach and you can see Kaho'olawe just across the water. Cons: The food. And the prices when compared to the food. Also, the service was less attentive than I would have liked. We ordered three courses, and not one of them was cooked in a halfway decent manner. Things like raw (deep fried) shrimps and raw potatoes (in the steamed veggies) should not have been on my plate. Seriously, how do you burn the breading on the shrimps, but leave the inside cold and raw?

Joe H.

My wife and I came for happy hour and dinner at Five Palms for our honeymoon. Our experience will most likely differ from yours but I'm reviewing it for our night. We made reservations and arrived early to take part in the happy hour. We luckily got a table shortly. If you're going for happy hour expect to wait for a table or be ready to stand. We ordered the Spicy Sushi roll and the Chinese Style Ribs at happy hour. They were both very good, especially the Ribs. Good sauce with the right amount of spice. We both had a couple of drinks. The mai tai was a touch sweet, not enough sour. My wife had a refreshing spritzer of some kind. When we were finished the hostess sat us at a both overlooking the beach and ocean. We noticed that a couple had just finished their wedding and were taking pictures. Their small party (less than 15 total) was sitting at a large table across from us. Apparently, the couple hired a guitarist to play during their dinner. He had amplified sound which provided such a great atmosphere for our dinner. We got lucky! Combining the view with the soft music made our evening incredibly romantic. Our waitress was great and didn't rush us through dinner. She allowed us to sit there for a long time after dinner and even brought us a complimentary dessert since it was our honeymoon. We must have sat in that booth for 2 hours. We split the spinach salad which had great mushrooms and a nice dressing. For dinner I had the special which was swordfish in the lobster sauce and my wife had the macadamia nut mahi. This place is great because you pick your fish and how you want it prepared and they have a lot of choices! Both fish were fresh and well prepared. The lobster sauce was decadent! I talked to the maitre'd after dinner and suggested that they have music nightly. He indicated that they were now considering using the guitarist on weekends. I really hope they do because it made such a difference!

Erin G.

Come here for happy hour! 3-7 and 9-11pm I think. Anyway, the sushi is wayyy better than the overhyped sansei... Extremely fresh fish, great sized rolls... Amazing Mai Tais... All the appetizers are actually really good, and the happy hour price makes it perfect.

Matthew S.

If you're looking for an excellent place to watch the sunset while in the Kihei / Wailea area, then Five Palms is a good choice. I think the food is overpriced and not that delicious, however, if you catch their early sunset happy hour menu, you can enjoy a bite to eat while savoring the beautiful Maui sunset! Their drinks are good, but for food, I'd spend a little more money and go to the Grand Wailea for a superb dinner.

Leo H.

My husband and I have celebrated our 25th and 30th wedding anniversaries at this restaurant. The staff is most accommodating and the setting is beautiful, reminiscent of "old Hawaii." We were offered complimentary glasses of champagne to celebrate the occasion, and our meals came promptly and were fresh and delicious.

Pua S.

We ate there this morning for breakfast, we started by ordering a latte and a Mocah, the server said they can't do flavored drinks and could only do a latte. I said I will stick with water and my boyfriend went ahead w the latte. When he got his latte it was luke warm w no foam. He tried to make it work but it tasted like watered down coffee. So he sent it back and asked for just a plain coffee. As far as the meal goes I ordered the smoked salmon Benedict and my boyfriend ordered the Hawaiian French Toast. My smoked salmon was a piece of English muffin one piece of salmon and egg, served w again luke warm potatoes. I'm sorry but for $22.95 I expect something a little more. My boyfriends French Toast was bland, the bananas were brown the only tasty thing was the white chocolate chips. When we received the bill we noticed his latte still on our tab, we were so over it we paid still left a 20% tip and left, all the while wishing we went to sarentos instead. Bottom line 5 star prices but with out the quality.

Kimmy T.

This place is a bit pricey so we decided to enjoy it during Happy Hour where all the appetizers and drinks are 50% off. It was nice in the mid-afternoon since there was no one else in the dining room and we were able to have the place to ourselves. It was very romantic with the sun setting and looking out on the ocean. All the appetizers were very good and we thoroughly enjoyed the cocktails. I definitely recommend going to Five Palms at least for the Happy Hour which is a great value.

Sam M.

Super pricey but very good. Really good seafood! A great place to take a date, good outdoor seating.

Teresa C.

Went here for happy hour. Try the coconut prawns they were great

Steve O.

Let me start by saying that the happy hour specials here used to be great! We used to go quite frequently but not for the past few months, a lot has changed and unfortunately for the worse. We ordered the coconut crusted prawn, the coconut flakes are now just a powdered coating, and the prawn, which used to me flavorful and delicious- are now quarter sized shrimp, and the server pretended not to know the difference! The crab cakes are now the size of a diver dollar- they used to be the size of hockey pucks- and came to us cold and unseasoned. The spicy tuna rolls- well, tuna rolls should never be made with shredded tuna- horrible texture! And both the tuna rolls and the spider rolls were half of the size of their previous portions- I realize that everyone uses the economy excuse- but tourist business is booming and I don't think anyone would mind a dollar or two more for food up to value. But for $66 of really disappointing appetizers, not only will I not be back- but will never recommend this restaurant to anyone else- and even before- the dinner pricing was never commensurate with the quality- it's a pity that not even the appetizers are worth it now.

Brooke T.

We have been to 5 Palms about a dozen times. The happy hour is excellent starting at 3pm (this is the best deal) as the prices for pupus are about half price. Had our wedding this venue and was fantastic. We had our ceremony on the lawn, which they don't charge a rental fee for if you book the reception with them. We booked the entire patio for our reception with an open bar, acoustic band, and great food. Highly recommend and wasn't as expensive as having our wedding at one of the resorts. Kathryn is helpful to get everything set up and Brian was great the night of the reception keeping everything in order. Our family and friends said the dinner was one of the best they ever had. We had the surf & turf for dinner with a baby spinach salad. The drinks were definitely strong and everyone raved about the mai tais. Great place to watch the sunset and is ocean front. Only bad thing is the bathroom situation as it is in the hallway requiring a code with the condos. Had a slight issue with management because we were dancing with glass and wouldn't serve someone without shoes at the reception. Overall, Kathryn was good (she is the event coordinator), but at times not overly responsive. Seemed to be a lack of communication with her and management that night as she only works days. Overall, the evening was a success and everyone had a great time.

Kristin C.

This is a conditional 4 star rating. I give it 5 stars for the happy hour and 3 stars for the dinner. Great location right on the beach. Make sure you make a reservation and tell them you want to sit outside. The happy hour cocktails and food were at great prices and the atmosphere is fun. Our dinner of the 3 types of fish was good but not for the price! Our order was goofed up but our server was really nice. I think she was having a rough night! Check your bill to make sure you are charged properly. They are so busy that they messed ours up. The valet service was great and ended our evening on a very positive note with the car waiting for us at the front right when we walked out! Being from Las Vegas where you have to wait soooooo long for your car when you drop it at valet, the service wth the Five Palms valet was terrific!

Geoff D.

Three stars for the location and beautiful view. The food is average, nothing spectacular.

Linnea E.

One of the best meals I had on the island. The location is beautiful, the food is wonderful, and service is superb. Our waiter, Jude, was really awesome - fun and attentive. I went against my original plan to have fish, and ordered the lamb. I was so glad I did! It was the best lamb I've ever had... cut like butter! cooked perfectly, with just the right amount of a yummy sauce. mmmmm! everyone else at the table was happy with their orders too... including my finicky teenager. Will be back for sure!

n n.

Just got back from Maui. Last Monday my wife and I were driving around Kihei and Wailea looking for a seaside place for lunch. Disappointed at the sheer lack of such places we pulled into the Four Seasons where the valet recommended Five Palms. The hotel has a gravel parking lot and triggered thoughts of broken glass windows on rental cars. The hotel's name escapes me but it wasn't much to look at except for a real nice little lobby area. On to the restaurant .... It was a bit busy but we lucked out and were seated right away at a table nearest the beach. Service was prompt. Drinks were so-so. Food was very good. Overall a great lunch experience. A security guard patrols the grounds and politely clears out folks who aren't guests. Gotta find an excuse to go down to Kihei to make the drive worthwhile then hit Five Palms. fivepalmsrestaurant.com

Andreea G.

Fantastic happy hour with amazing sunset views. The ribs are my favorite thing on the happy hour menu... They have a nice spice to them and the meat just falls off the bone! Also tried the Calamari and the pork quesadilla, which were also very good. The sushi is just ok... If I were you I would go for the spider roll. Love that the happy hour lasts till 7, which isn't the case for most places in Kihei. Great spot to grab a drink and a bite after a day at the beach!

Kathleen G.

Coolest location in Kihei...the staff is super friendly, Kennan the general manger is the perfect Irish host and the food was terrific! The asian barbeque ribs are tasty and during happy hour they're half price....always a nice treat in Maui!

Debby F.

Big bust on the pancakes. They were dry and tough. Terrible, really. At $15.00, the eggs, bacon, one slice of toast and Sahara desert dry pancakes weren't worth it. Nice view, but I'll stick with the Kihei Cafe-- now, there are so fluffy good pancakes at half the price. No ocean view, unless you cross the street. I don't recommend this place at all.

Paul E.

We really enjoyed our food, sushi, steak, ribs, shrimp and scallops. The setting pushes this to a solid 4. The service was good, but the view and the breeze was superb. One significant glitch, our "shrimp & scallops" entree came with no shrimp! This error was quickly corrected, but it did undermine our confidence in the chef! Very pricey but that's what we expected.

Greg H.

In terms of a view, this place is a 5. The setting is beautiful, but I have to say the food was just so-so. I had heard the specialty pancakes were out of this world, but after trying the macadamia nut pancake and apple cinnamon pancake I thought t the hype was a bit much. The food is good, but for $14 for the specialty pancake I was expecting something incredible. The portion was large, the service is friendly and the view is great, but just don't expect food that is out of this world.

Christina C.

This is my favorite restaurant in Kihei. The restaurant overlooks the ocean so the view is beautiful. The service is great here. All of the staff are super friendly and attentive. The crab and avocado omelette with Hollandaise sauce is the best breakfast I've ever had.

Lizok T.

We were suprised to find this place was an elevator ride away - because we stayed at the condo that houses this restaurant. I've got 2 words - Happy Hour! Runs daily from 3pm - 7pm this is the time to visit this place because looking at the regular prices on the menu hanging outside will kill your apetite. During Happy Hour a selected number of dishes are served half price and seating is contained to the bar area which is open and overlooking a beautiful beach. The service is very good, food comes up really fast. The mai tais are delicious, and so is the food. We loved the ribs, calamary and the variety of sushi plates (spicy tuna and snow crab california rolls were our favourite). Getting there at about 6pm will still give you enough time to get a seat and have a great dinner. I loved being able to snack on 3-4 different dishes as opposed to having one main course. After scooting around the island in a search of good seafood treats and being constantly blown away by the ridiculous prices everywhere else, we visited Five Palms several more times for Happy Hour, and were extremely happy with the food, the vibe and the people we met.

Cathy N.

You must look hard for this place-but a lot of people obviously do. It sits facing the ocean, around the backside of a building. It is not visible from the road-and barely from the parking lot. Make the effort though because the restaurant is beautiful, with a beautiful view. if you can't sit outside, inside is almost as good because the big windows are opened wide. You will be warmly greeted and treated like a regular by everyone who works here. Service here is excellent-big shout out to DeeDee. The food is wonderful and the prices are fair. We had a wonderful dinner here and watched the sun set...always a perfect sight in Maui. Five Palms has a non-touristy low key vibe and is an extremely enjoyable way to spend an evening. Start with Happy Hour and stay for dinner. PS-Reading the negative reviews, I am puzzled...our experience couldn't have been nicer.

David S.

Despite some of the bad reviews, 5 Palms is a great restaurant. First off, the service was great! The views are great! Even if your inside, you still have a great view of the ocean. Most important of all, the food was very fresh and tasty. I highly recommend this restaurant even if you only have a few days on the island. It is truly a hidden treasure!

Sara S.

The ambience is kinda icky, the carpets are reminiscent of old vegas casino that hasn't been remodeled in a while. The view is good, the portions are huge--my plate could have fed 3 girls; I had the trio of fish, and each fish was at least 3oz. Be weary of the starter bread, it's addicting and we definitely over ate our fill on that.

Karen G.

After arriving at the Mana Kai Resort, we were hungry from our long trip. We entered the restaurant around 2:30pm. The friendly hostess informed us that it was Happy Hour which equals 1/2 price cocktails (mai tais & margs). If we could wait until 3:00, many of the pupus (appetizers) would also be 1/2 price. Sold! I was in the mood for something tropically and colorful. I ordered a Blue Hawaiian, which was served with a pineapple slice and tropical parasol. There is just something about a little parasol in my drink that makes me feel happy. :) The pupus were really tasty...coconut shrimp skewers, sushi and crab cakes, yum! Pupus and cocktails make me a happy girl. We also had dinner here one night and breakfast our last day on the island. Dinner was ok. My sister and I split the spinach salad and two sushi rolls. One of the sushi rolls was too spicy for my taste, but that may just be me. Breakfast was really good. I ordered macademia nut buttermilk pancakes served with Tahitian Vanilla syrup and puha berry sauce. The pancakes were so light and fluffy. Loved them! I must confess that we had pre-dinner cocktails at the bar every day. I mean, when you are on vacation, you simply must partake in a little libation here and there! One afternoon, my sister and I were sitting at the bar enjoying our tropical drinks when a lady approached us and asked if her photo crew could photograph us for the resort's new brochure. Who knows if our pics will even be used, but it was rather flattering to be asked!

Del R.

Really great for dinner or breakfast. Took family there for their last night on Maui dinner. It could not have been better. All of the food was excellent, service was great, and we had nice ocean view table. We had beef, lamb, fish, and shrimp among the 6 of us as well as some sushi and other pupu's. Unlike some restaurants that specialize in one type of food, all that we ordered was great. Another day my wife and I were there for breakfast. Also great. Crab-cake eggs Benedict was to die for.

Stuart B.

We've eaten at the Five Palms a lot over the last couple of years and it keeps getting better! We enjoy the food, wait staff and the view! It is a very nice dining establishment.

R J.

First thing - Aaaaawesome view! It's right on one of Southwest Maui's nicest beaches and they've got big ol' windows to give you plenty of seabreeze and eye candy. I had my wedding reception here. Couldn't have gone better. A so-chill-I-initially-thought-she-was-stoned events coordinator worked with us to arrange the details of menu, bar, service, etc. They made the whole process painless. It's pricey, but was perfect for what we needed. Veggie pasta primavera - Really good, with Maui's own pohole. Spinach salad - Dig it. Pineapple creme brulee - As you can guess, that was awesome. All my carnivore guests also thought the salmon and steaks were top notch. It's some of the best food we've all had on our trip out here.

Sisca S.

We wanted to find a place to enjoy a sunset dinner so we decided to dine here b/c their restaurant is so close to the beach. We discovered it while walking and exploring on our first day on the island and came on our 4th night. We were seated in a great spot to watch the sunset, while enjoying happy hour & our meal. Our server was quite attentive and was more than willing to help us take photos for us. For the half off pupus, we ordered the Crab Cakes ($8). It came w/ 3 cute little cakes and tasted quite good. We also ordered the House Combination sushi ($12.50). The Bud Light draft was only $2.50 per glass & the Mango Rita was $6.25. We got the Spinach Salad ($13) which was delicious. Anything that has bacon in it is always good. The Tomato Soup ($8) was flavorful, as well, esp. when you dip the bread that they give you. The fish of the day was either the Wahoo or the Mahi Mahi. I chose the more buttery fish encrusted with macadamia nut. Holy cow, this dish was magnificent. That was $33.00. We were a little perturbed that there was a sunset dinner special for $29.95 which includes a mixed green salad, your choice of prime rib, macadamia nut crusted fresh catch, or soy ginger glazed chicken, followed with a lilikoi cheesecake. I found this out by grabbing a takeout menu on the way out and they didn't even offer it to us, which I felt like they should've, esp. since I ordered the fresh catch mac nut crusted (for $33 by itself). Whatever, you guys know now so don't make the same mistake we did. Our experience was still very nice and we were able to enjoy some half off pupus so... Oh, and check with your hotel/condo concierges...they usually have a 10-15% off coupon. Our condo happen to run out of them, but we still decided to go there none-the-less.

Ivonne G.

I flew into Maui super late in the evening and when I woke up, I was in paradise. My husband and I (with some friends we made on the way from Miami to Maui) went next door to this restaurant and literally were in heaven. The waitress was so friendly and the food was phenomenal. I ordered fresh fruit that was placed in a gutted pineapple (check pic posted). My husband ordered the Hawaiian sweet bread french toast which he still talks about until this day. Must check it out!!

Logie Z.

Lunch Review. Another great find with spectacular view right on the beach between Kihei and Wailea. The wooden chairs and white linen tables out on the patio makes this a place to hang out and relax. We walked in still soaking wet from snorkeling Ahihi Cove in Makena. There's a huge bar adjacent to the open dining area. I felt like Mango Mimosa with a huge filet mignon burger that I could not finish. It was literally 1/2 pound of juicy filet patty! I had to share that one with my hubby. Cutie pie ordered the grilled Monchong Filet ($9) with a side of fruit from a KID'S MENU. A virgin pina colada to drink, of course! Hubby wasn't as hungry as he ordered a lava flow and big house salad with lilikoi dressing. My mom had the grilled Monchong with portabello mushroom and arugula salad. FIL was on a Reuben sandwich kick! Islander nieces both had the cheesesteak sandwich. I have no idea where they put all that food! Well, one does hula and the other one is very active canoeing. I miss ocean canoeing... Lunch is from $9-$30 for entrees. Coctails are from $4.50 and up. Overall, this is a great place to have a tropical drink and great food!

Fog N.

Great happy hour! Pupu's are fantastic - calamari, spider roll, spicy tuna roll - amazing setting on the beach

Amy I.

Food was delicious but - a BIG BUT - the service was absurd. We sat at the bar and watched the bartender walk by us multiple times, stop in front of us multiple times, and clean glasses all before we finally flagged her down to ask if we could bother her to ask for a drink. Then, when we asked for another drink, she used our same glass with watered down ice to make the next drink - uh, hello bar tending 101?? The bartender was either treating us poorly for no apparent reason (maybe we looked younger and she expected a weak tip from us - we appreciate bartenders and tip 20+%), is incompetent, or just doesn't give a ****. Either way, that one experience will likely prevent us from returning, despite the excellent food.

Tina M.

3.5 stars would be more accurate. Service was good. We had the Poke (EXCELLENT!) and the Coconut Shrimp (OK - but overcooked) for our apps. For the main course we did the Trio of Fresh Hawaiian Fish. We actually split the dish (thank god - it was a lot of food!). We liked 2 of the preparations, but were not huge fans of the nut crusted piece. The fish was a little tough. We did the sake sampler, which was interesting with the different foods. View, is of course, beautiful. I would recommend it to a friend. We had a nice time, left full and not broke, and parking was easy.

Michelle S.

I've reviewed this before. Went for happy hour apps and a dessert this time. You can't beat the view and the setting here. It's amazing! We love the spicy tuna roll appetizer. We also tried the California roll this time and it was really good. They don't use the imitation crab like most. It was quite good. We also indulged in the Italian coffee in the French press - which makes for some really, really good coffee. To go with that we got the chocolate "lava" cake for dessert. It was really rich but really good! It takes a while so order it early if you don't want to wait too long. There is white chocolate in the middle which was very good but it didn't ooze or pour out the way I thought it was going to. But it was very tasty. If the coffee wasn't so good I'd say you should order a huge glass of ice cold milk to go with this one but the coffee is too good to pass up.

Dan K.

Sushi was so so. I had better in Chicago. However, the happy hour is a good deal in terms of Hawaii prices. Service was very good. My wife had the lamb which she says is one of the best dishes she has ever had. I had some kind of fish trio which was pretty good. I would go back again.

Bob K.

Service was horrendous, the food and view was above average. The appetizers arrived with dinner. I asked 4 times for lime. Was never offered coffee with my dessert. Our waitress had nearby tables complain as well about the service. For the price, I expected MUCH more.

Alex L.

An OK restaurant in an excellent location. If you want location, just go to the bar and have a drink, but I wouldn't do the restaurant ever again. We were here on Wednesday night for early dinner at 6 PM., restaurant was only about 30% full. We got really good table with the view. Then we got the bread, that was so dry, it seemed like these were leftovers from a week ago. The bread had no taste, just a bunch of spices... About 15 minutes later, the waiter finally took our order, and then we waited... and waited... and waited.... at around 6:45 I went to the bathroom (you need a key code to get in, at least it wasn't voice and fingerprint activated), when I came back 70% of customers at the restaurants were chewing on their stale bread drinking wine and beer. May be it's the strategy: if you bring the drinks fast but even your appetizers take 30-45 minutes to deliver, then by the time you'll have your appetizers, you will already have three or four drinks and by then you''ll be totally drunk and won't give a crap? Nevertheless, appetizers finally came in by 7 p.m., I was watching envious gazes from other visitors who have been waiting for something other than bread for over 40 minutes too, and again, the restaurant was still about 40-50% empty but there were bunch of waiters and staff aimlessly wandering around offering you more water, but no more bread. The kids' food came together with our appetizers, by that time, they were starving and restless, so they just gulped their food in 10 seconds, and, in fairness, I have to say that the kids menu was good, reasonably priced by Hawaiian standards, and their food was good ( I should have just ordered for myself from kids menu). Our food came in at 7:30, by then my wife was really fuming, she called the manager, who really couldn't come up with any explanation why our (and everybody else's) food was taking so long, I mean, I was told that they already caught the "fish of the day" this morning, I didn't realize they were still fishing for it! So, our food arrived, by then the kids were long finished with their food, and now again, they had nothing to do, so they were restless and now we couldn't enjoy our food being distracted by kids with nothing to keep them busy... The food was so-so, much hyped "buttery" local fish was dry, short ribs were dry and not flaky, prawns were OK. Again, everything was just OK, something you can get at a local cafe or deli for $6-7, not at $35-45 per plate. So, we finished our below average overpriced food as soon as possible so we could take tired kids out of here back to the hotel as soon as possible, we were done by 7:50 and out of there. The manager/owner never came to apologize for such horrendous experience.... who cares. I don't mind leaving $300-400 on good dinner, this restaurant was absolutely NOT worth the money, we still have two weeks to stay in Maui, we won't go to this place for sure... Here is my other gripe: we had 7 people in our party. Why do restaurants always include MANDATORY gratuity of 18% in the bill, and they even write that they are doing it for "YOUR CONVENIENCE"!!! Why is the 6-people cutout ? Is it some type of union deal? Is it labor law? What if I didn't feel like the service I got was worth 18%? Ridiculous, but nobody seems to question it. Oh, and on top of it, they add another line on your bill: "Additional Tip". Really????

Chris P.

Great Place, best view I saw in Maui. Actually I will never forget the view from this restaurant as long as I live. My friend had his wedding and reception here, it was top notch and not super spendy I dont think. Wedding on the beach and entire reception in the restaurant, great food. They have a wedding person who sets everything up. My friend just kind of showed up and we helped set up a few things and they just did everything else. Super great staff. Only thing to watch out. The wind in Kihei can go from 0 to 35mph in a matter of minutes. Usually at 1pm it starts and stops gusting at 4pm. Sometimes sooner, sometimes later. In our case It went big wind directly before the ceremony at the worst time. Wedding was still awesome, but that was the only thing. But then after the ceremony, no wind, awesome party. If you do the ceremony before noon, I'd think you'd be golden--no wind. Great place, Im going to eat there next time im in Kihei.

lisa a.

Happy hour 3-7 and again from 9-11. Free valet. We were looking for a place to have a drink and watch the sunset, but the views are partially obstructed even in the back. Appetizers were fine, but mostly because they were half price for happy hour. Prawn summer roll was decent as well as the shiromi sashimi. The crab cakes were greasy but more flavorful than the others.

Tara M.

View is wonderful, but the food is NOT worth the prices. I've gone twice and the best word to describe the food is: mush. I've had the french toast which wasn't bad, and I had the oatmeal creme brulee, which sounds better than it actually is (there was something off about it), and the crab cake eggs benedict with potatoes. The potatoes were not good and not flavorful despite the visible (orange) spices all over them. I felt that the quality of the benediict was poor. The service was very good though. If you end up going, it will not be that bad, but I myself have no desire to go again.

Ali U.

I didn't expect a ton from this condo resort restaurant, so the friendly, attentive service, island atmosphere and scrumptious food was a please by surprise! From the hostess to the busser to the server, the entire staff was hospitable and made sure we had everything we needed for a pleasant dinner. I was craving an array of seafood and indulged in a specialty sushi roll, cajon scallops, coconut prawns and a ample side salad. On one side of the deliciousness spectrum; the coconut prawns were ok, but could have used a bit more coconut. On the other end, the scallops were perfectly browned and slightly translucent in the middle with a gentle briny sweetness. The accompanying spinach and mushrooms were adorned with the most delightful butter sauce. I could not quite put my finger on the exact flavor notes, but I'm thinking there was a clam or lobster broth base to the sauce. All this for under $100. I'll be back for sure!

Cheryl H.

Amazing view and wonderful service! I could not have asked for a better sunset :-))) They have a ridiculously good happy hour from 4-7pm and 9-11pm. I love their Mai Tai's, and their sashimi appetizer was SO fresh. For my entree, I had the trio of fish (mahi mahi, wailoo (sp?), and opah). All three fish were amazing and perfectly cooked! I will definitely come back the next time I am in Maui!

Tiffany K.

Have been here three times for breakfast! Love the view - there is a lovely nature walk from the park to this place. That's the route I always take. Although it is a bit on the higher side, we come here to linger over coffee and take in the view. Magnificent! There is not a bad seat in the house if you are outside. For breakfast, I've had the macadamia pancakes, Hawaiian bread french toast and the big breakfast ($14), but not all at once. They also make "keiki" portions and charge a few dollars less. The big breakfast is not as intimidating as it sounds. I recommend the Portuguese sausage to go with. Their tropical fruit platter is good too! The coffee is so so, but hey, you don't come here for coffee, if you want that, go to Starbucks, right? Service is attentive enough. We had the same waiter we had the first time we came here a year and a half ago!

Doug B.

Good dinner outside on their lanai, watching the sunset. Watch out for the angle of the sun, though: you'll get it right in the face for a while if you're not careful. But we wanted a beautiful sunset dinner, and they provided one. The food was good (not brilliant, but good). They had one standout frou-frou drink (something like a Pina Colada but with Macadamia Nut liqueur) that was amazing. And their desserts (including fruit plate) were great. I wouldn't call the food amazing, but the experience was very nice. Looked like a good bar scene as well.

Jon M.

I had dinner here a few nights back and it was one of the best experiences ever! The view is untouchable. I ordered the steak and shrimp special and everything was cooked to perfection. The steak melted in my mouth and the shrimp was just so large and so juicy :-) I ended up coming back here for lunch and breakfast over the next two days. My new favorite place in maui!

Mark G.

Sat in the bar and looked at the menu and thank goodness that it was 1/2 off for the pupu because there's no way in God's green earth that I'll pay 17 bucks for two golf ball sized crab cakes. Clearly it's a marketing ploy so that's ok. I had a little bit of everything on the pupu menu. I found the food was less than amazing. The presentation was there but the taste was lacking. The rice in the sushi was a little chewy. I ordered their Shiromi Sahimi special and I asked the runner who delivered it what kind of fish it was and he said "white fish." I laughed. I can see that the fish is white. Anyway that's not a slight it's just a personal amusement. Later I looked up Shiromi and in fact it is a general term for white fish but it can be any white fish hopefully whatever is freshest All in all the service was really good, I found, although it wasn't particularly busy. The views are very nice too although the view from the bar is somewhat obstructed by the dining room I think I'd go back for the view if I wasn't particulary hungry.

MJ G.

My two friends and I are visiting Maui for the first time, and wanted to experience the highly rated happy hour at the Five Palms. We had a minimum wait to be seated, but we were seated at an unclean table with two chairs and a booster chair. The table was cleaned, an adult chair provided for our third party, then that was the last we saw of our hostess or anyone else. Parties that were seated just before and after us were served with one party on their second round of drinks when we left. We tried to make eye contact with our hostess or the server waiting on peripheral tables, but were completely ignored. After 30 minutes of no service, we left our table and let the hostess know why. She offered no apology or explanation . We were sorry not to sample the appealing menu, and will not return for another try. We would not recommend this restaurant based on the shoddy treatment we recieved.

Evan B.

This is a quality restaurant, but a bit too expensive for my tastes. We ordered the spicy roll as an appetizer and it was among the best rolls I have ever had, and I've had my fair share of sushi. It completely melted in your mouth and was incredible. We also scored crab cakes, which didn't beat you over the head with any crab flavor, and was well done. I ordered fish for dinner and enjoyed the presentation. It was yummy as well, perhaps not top-notch. The view over the water is great, but they don't really take advantage of it with how they choose to seat the place. I would say the price for the food is fair -- you will get what you pay for. A review below hated on the waiters for being inexperienced, but all I can say is that our waiter was one of the best we had in our trip all over Hawaii. He was most certainly a seasoned waiter.

Brian B.

Went here for dinner our last night in Maui. Great oceanfront setting, the food was great and great, fresh drinks. Will definitely be back!

Gaea W.

Great view, right on the beach and very good food. Went here twice since it was so good-some items were hit and miss, the crab cakes were tiny for an entree and were overpriced for the amount you get, but the tomato basil soup was incredible as was the romaine hearts salad. Highly recommend this place for a romantic night out. Sit in the outdoor patio area and enjoy the sunset and delicious food. Make a reservation though since it gets crowded.

David G.

Excellent food for breakfast or dinner, wonderful location & great service. We showed up valentines day for breakfast without reservations and the were able to seat us without a huge wait.

Brittany S.

This place has an excellent happy hour, which is all I can comment on since we didn't have a formal dinner here. The open air feel and the view of the beach are stunning and relaxing. Their happy is from 3-7pm and consists of half off drinks, pupu's, and sushi (which is all excellent). My only reason for not giving them 5 stars is that when we asked to sit in the lower seating, closer to the water we were refused since we weren't having dinner. I find this is true at many higher-end Hawaii restaurants. Maybe if I wasn't treated like I wasn't worth a nicer seat I just might stay for dinner!

Scott R.

On a family vacation in Maui my wife and I were able to sneak out on a date while my parents watched the kids one night. After looking at a number of Yelp reviews and trying to get a reservation at several of the higher rated restaurants near our condo we decided on the Five Palms. My parents had eaten there and the menu looked promising for Hawaiian surf & turf. I could write about the five star view and what a great a place this is to watch the gorgeous Maui sunset but if the view is what you want eat somewhere else and get the view for free at nearby Keawakapu beach. I wish I had done that myself. We started with cocktails and some sushi rolls while we decided on the main course. The waitress was very patient as we took our time and asked questions (In fact the service was excellent and I would have given it four stars). Ultimately I decided on the catch of the day for which there were three choices, Hebi (a spear fish), Shutome (swordfish) and Walu. I had not heard of Walu so I asked the waitress about it. She described it as a "white fish with excellent flavor" that tends to be more moist and tender than the other fishes on the menu. The fish was highly recommended based on it's flavor and texture to the point the waitress guaranteed I would like it or she would take it back and get me what ever I wanted in exchange. So I had the Walu prepared "Sea Salt Grilled" style with a Thai Curry sauce, stir fried vegetables and Molokai sweet potatoes. The first bite was fishy (not unlike Ling Cod) and but as the flavors mingled it got better. About this time our waitress checked in and asked what I thought. I was polite and said it was OK. My wife said I thought it was too fishy and that I regretted not getting the Hebi. The waitress offered to take it back as she had promised. I explained that it was OK, just that I prefer less oily fish (salmon, Halibut, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, etc) and that I didn't want to be "that guy". We finished our meals, had a nice desert, and went for a walk on the beach. So why one star? Because I had never heard of Walu (or Waloo) so when I got home I looked up the fish online to see what it looked like (I am a fisherman and like to see what the fish I eat look like). I was shocked to learn Walu is a made up name for a fish also known as Snake Head Mackerel but globally known as Escolar. After what I read online I am shocked ANY restaurant would serve this fish to patrons. It's sale has been banned in Italy and Japan and it deemed not suitable for human consumption in several other countries. At one point a Hawaiian legislator introduced a bill to ban the sale of Walu statewide. The after effects of this fish or too gross to list on a food site but I think you'll get the point. The other Hawaiian name for Walu is Maku'u (roughly translated- "Exploding Intestines"). Here is the Wikipedia entry for Escolar: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Es… A Google search of "Escolar, "Hawaiian Walu", or "Maku'u Fish" and the post dinner horror stories will help you understand why I am giving this place one star and make you wonder why any restaurant would serve this fish.

Robert N.

Of my trips to Maui to see my Mom and Dad , who spend half the year there . I know its a rough life they live . This is one my favorite places to eat breakfast on Maui . Last time I was there I enjoyed Portuguese sausage in some egg dish , wow that had some heat to it , the dish went well with my two spicy bloody Marys . We all shared the food , I dont recall any bad item that we order . The only drawback was the wait time for our drinks to show up . I never went to the bar to see what was up , but if could guess it would that they had one bartender one shift and he/she was swamped with orders . I am looking forward to my next visit there to have breakfast is covered outside area with the hope of seeing a sea turtle or whale or two .

Lisa M.

*Happy Hour Review* Great selection of cocktails and pupus. 3-7pm - so one can make it a light dinner. Sushi, ribs, coconut shrimp, etc. Friendly staff and great location.

Larry B.

Save your money! The service is almost as bad as the food and the drinks are watered.

R H.

The seafood (especially opaka ) is delicious. Atmosphere is good and really like sunset. But, don't miss breakfast.

Rachelle T.

The white dragon roll is the roll to get! The beet salad was delicious! Sit in Jules' section and ask her about the local spots. She truly is the best server, we've ever had!

Chris T.

Bar service was terrible... Had to flag down a server. "We came in under her radar." Dinner took a long time, but the food was excellent. Outdoor seating at sunset was wonderful too. If you can afford the time to be patient, then you'll have a good experience, if not go somewhere else.

Big T.

Happy hour everyday and late night from 3-7 & 9-11. Late night its 50% off entire sushi menu along with drink specials. If you havent been you must check it out :-) Can't beat this view

Alex B.

Review of their bar. We frequent their bar occasionally as the location is second to none. Good: Location, location, location. Bad: Most uncomfortable tables you'll ever sit at -- you can't put your legs under them. They've raised their prices. $10 for a watered down well drink or Mai Tai made with mix. WORST, WORST WORST service on the island five years running. The sushi is hit or miss depending on the chef on duty. Sometimes it's great, sometimes is really bad.

Tony Z.

A few months ago I spent 10 days in Maui. This was the best happy hour in the area and an awesome view. All the staff was amazing especially Anna. Super nice. I even forgot my carry out food and she ran it out to me. I was their 5 or 6 times in 10 days. Bartender? ... I think Jenna was great also. Even the manager waived to me while I was driving thru town. He was on his scooter. Love this place.

Nathan B.

I'm giving this 5 stars for lunch. I have no idea what it's like for happy hour (lots of reviews seem to focus on that) or dinner. But for lunch? I couldn't ask or expect any more. We went on a windy weekday after spending the morning on a local beach. Based on Yelp and some tour guides, it looked like either this place or Cafe O'Lei (sp?). The latter sounded like it had service issues, and I'm a sucker for a good view. And the view did not disappoint. Despite the gale force winds, the restaurant (which is a little tricky to find on the opposite side of a condo/hotel) was protected. It was all blue skies, beach and palm trees. It was as good as any view we had at any restaurant on Maui. We barely noticed the winds while we ate. Our server, Rick, was brilliant. He really nailed the proper approach of friendliness, suggestions, and additional information. It was like a breath of fresh air to deal with a normal person that made you forget, for a moment, that it was really a business relationship between waiter and customer. Very personable and easy to deal with. I ordered a mai tai that the menu claimed was the best. I was suspicious, but Rick testified to its quality. Frankly, I thought most of the mai tais I had were terrible, but had adopted the "when in Rome" attitude. The mai tai at Five Palms was a beverage that you felt like someone actually *prepared* the drink. It wasn't just "rum + mix + ice." You could taste the craft that went into it. It's like only knowing hamburgers from McDonald's then going to a fine restaurant that orders particular cuts of high-grade ground beef and lavishes attention over the preparation and the bun. It's night and day. It was the best mai tai, of many, I had in Maui, and nothing deserved second place. I had the lobster BLT and I don't recall what my wife had, other than she liked it. My lobster BLT was delicious and the bacon was good and thick. Not your cheap supermarket brand. Zero complaints about the food. It was relatively empty when we went in the late afternoon and there was really nothing we could have asked for, other than, perhaps, clearer indications as to how to find the place.

Jeff C.

Great food and service. Much better than reviews here indicate. Perhaps there are better places - either with better food or views - but I've not been to them. Great vacation ending meal.

Amber N.

I came here my first afternoon in Maui. Good happy hour menu. Ordered a mai tai and it tasted like they used Tang! Ordered the happy hour sashimi and crab cakes. Both dishes were mediocre. Crab cakes were very dry. Our waitress were very nice and the location was good, but, not good enough to make up for the less than stellar food.

Kevin B.

Fantastic Happy Hour. We had a group of 8, 4 adults and 4 kids. We arrived around 430 to get a table. Myself and the other dad ordered some appetizer and drinks while the kids played in the water. Then we switched..ordered more food and drinks. Then the kids came up and eat and we all sat together. They didn't seem to mind,but obviously we kept ordering and ordering. The bar prices were very good for Maui and the food was above average. 20 steps to the ocean, amazaing view, great service. I just can't see how anyone can go wrong here.

Andrea T.

I have a love/hate relationship with this restaurant. The first time I ate at the Five Palms, it was during happy hour. They have an awesome happy hour and the food and drinks are great. The restaurant is right on the beach pretty much so theres a great view and its perfect to come here during a sunset. I came here for happy hour several times and also ate here for lunch. I always had a great time. My husband and I decided to have our wedding reception dinner at this restaurant and booked a reservation for 25 people. BIG MISTAKE. They had a set menu and the manager coordinated everything with us in advance so we could work out the details of pricing and payment beforehand so that we could enjoy ourselves the night of our wedding. Unfortunately, during our wedding reception here, the waiter was extremely rude to us. I asked the waiter if we could get a round of drinks for the table and he told me that he could but we wouldn't get our drinks for another half an hour because the bar was too busy. My brother ended up having to go to the bar to order drinks for everyone because the waiter was refusing to serve us drinks. Then, when our bill came it did not match what we had originally agreed upon. It turned out that the waiter failed to provide the children with a children's menu, so the 2 kids we had at the table had to order from the adult menu which was double the price. We talked to the manager and he said he would remove the extra charge. We get back home and found the credit had not been issued to us. It took several calls and lots of arguing back and forth with the restaurant to finally get our credit even though the manager promised the credit to us previously. Lesson learned: great place to have a meal, but NEVER go there for a group event.

Michelle B.

Found this place on a whim. Great beach in front to hang at and the beni's of a great bar and restaurant. Going up to bar we were greeted by Nathan the bartender with a great smile and a stiff Mai Tai. Got to say if you like a strong drink this us the place for you. The Pupu's are awesome. Coconut crusted prawns were amazing. The sushi chef Chris cut up some mean ahi. Plus the spicy tuna roll, tuna maki roll, and california roll were all very tasty. Have to say all the staff was really friendly especially, Julie, Leanne, Ellie, and Mona. The other bar tenders/staff were a blast too ... Ross and Nui were very attentive and fun too. Ask Nui about the $$ on the forehead fun story. All in all great place for food and fun at the beach. The Ruben sandwich is tasty as well as the Lobster sandwich. Lots of choices to fit your taste. If you like a kick back atmosphere, friendly people, good drinks and food this is a place to stop by. The management Shawn is very nice and always making sure his guests are pleased. This is a place I will always return to.

Mabelle A.

We came here a few years ago and I remember it being better. I think they realized with the economy they had to do some cutbacks so the portions are pretty small for breakfast at the typical Wailea/Kihei price but I guess you're really paying for the view which is stunning. Every seat looks out over the ocean towards Molikini. Our server was really nice and gave some recommendations on what to do during our visit.

Sarah C.

Thanks to Roy who is the funniest server Ive ever had! Made our experience very memorable! Beautiful place and great people! Thank you!

David B.

[This review is for the late-night happy hour only.] For a joint reminiscent of the tiki bar in Goodfellas, I was really (really) surprised at the quality of the sushi. This is not sushi boat/strip mall product; it's a really decent effort. After 9 PM the entire sushi menu is half-off -- which makes prices a bit under "normal" by mainland standards. The salmon, tuna, and yellow tail sashimi ($8 each) were all very fresh and presented nicely, though the slicing was sometimes a bit... odd. All the fish can be made nigiri or sashimi style, though some might feel that there is too much rice subtending the nigiri. The rolls are large, and again, not everyone will be a fan of the amount of rice employed. But the California roll ($5.50) and spicy tuna roll ($6) were quite good, and the rainbow roll ($11.50) was excellent. Give the spider roll (tempura-covered crab) ($8) a miss, though. The ahi poke ($9), with its martini glass presentation, is fun and tasty to boot. Late-night HH beer is $4 and specialty cocktails are $5.75. For an additional $2.50, you can upgrade your cocktail to an adult beverage like a martini. The beer selection is small but thoughtful, and is a better choice than the cocktails. The mai tai was meh, as were the other tropical island fruity thingies. Bartender Nick is cool. Went twice in two days. Don't expect a Koiso-type experience; ignore the decor and go for the product.

Jen M.

Beautiful view, hidden away and over the beach...yummy strawberry lemonade and the best coconut mahi mahi in the world. Healthy options and lite choices too. Went every day during my Maui stay as I love the food here. I prefer this restaurant over the Four Seasons Wailea!

Nancy G.

This place was so great that we went twice during our recent trip to Maui. Love the location, the service & the food. My son said it was the second best burger he had ever had. Happy hour was fabulous -- yummy sushi, potent fruity drinks, and reasonable prices.

Kelly R.

Three adults had dinner and all had the pan seared snapper and all three were burned on the bottom and for sure it was overcooked. Then at the end of the meal we had three 10 year old boys at the table behind us (with no parents around) making so much noise that we left. This was a very disappointing dining experience and will never go back to this restaurant. It was way over priced and food was not good at any price.

Brent E.

We came here for Christmas dinner tonight and I am not at all impressed. The menu was very limited (which is understandable for a holiday). The waitstaff was very personable and friendly but lacked in skill (a few of us didn't get what we ordered at first). The fish was very dry and flavorless, the prime rib was overcooked (sent back and still overcooked). The prices were astronomical and the food quality certainly didn't match. I give it two stars.

M. W.

We visited recently while staying at the Mana Kai. We knew it would be pricey, as we can all read the menu, but we were hoping for a real treat. 'Meh' sums it up pretty well. The food was ok. We shared the calamari appetizer, which was probably the best thing we had; we really liked the sauce that comes with it. Two folks had omelets, which were on par with, say, Denny's. I had the lobster salad, which featured much more mayo-type sauce than lobster meat. My teen son had a smoky chicken sandwich that, in his words, was just too smoky. But once he removed the gouda cheese, he liked it ok. For what we paid (over $110 + tip for lunch for 4 with no cocktails), it was just annoying to get such 'passable' food. However, I certainly can't argue with the spectacular view you get while dining.

Cheryl K.

Had the sunset special (served between 5pm and 6pm). For $30 you get a salad, entree and desert. Food was great and view of water on the patio is great as well. Regular menu is very pricey though!

Charlotte M.

The food is 4 stars but the kitchen is soooo slow. The outdoor-seating is practically on the beach. Breath taking views and very staff. Try their fluffy and flavorful Macadamia nut pancakes! You will not be disappointed. I will go here every time I visit Maui.

Jeremy L.

As of late, my most consistent dining experiences here have been for breakfast, so this review is for breakfast only. It has gone "downhill" in my experience. My last breakfast there was probably one of the worst breakfast meals I've had at any restaurant on Maui in years. The eggs were way over done, the sausage over cooked. Basically everything as overcooked and overpriced. The prices have gone up and the food quality down. Not a good combo, and I don't plan on eating there again the foreseeable future. One thing they definitely have going for them. THE VIEW!

Brad A.

Sushi at a Chinese restaurant? Hello? GO for the happy hour. It's AMBIENCE & VIEW OVER QUALITY.

Jalyn H.

Great burgers! And fantastic fruity drinks. Order the one that comes in a hollowed out pineapple. The Lava Flow is also very tasty. Located right next to the beach in the Mana Kai Maui Resort, it's a lovely place to dine if you're trying to stay out of the sun. Waitstaff is tremendous! Prices a little steep.

Austin O.

Great view.

Nathan N.

Overpriced. We were in the mood for sushi the night we went. The waiter tells us, "we can only make hand rolls because the chef went home." Apparently, the guy behind the bar was his apprentice and can't make maki sushi yet. WHAT??!! Okay fine. I guess I can deal with that. So I ordered a $40 prime rib. How the heck do you serve me a dry slab of carcass and expect me to be happy? Fail. Never going back there again.

Hillary C.

This was my first time to Five Palms and we were off to a good start- the weather was gorgeous, the view spectacular, and the wait staff was very personable and attentive. For the most part everyone ordered something different so we had a wide range of food coming. We ran into a little issue and some of the party had to leave for 15 minutes and come back so we let our waiter know. The salads came out and sure enough the two came back and we were soon ready for our meals- 45 minutes we were still ready... and waiting. It was a little upsetting that we had to wait that long especially since there was much disappointment around the table when the food did finally come out. I would have preferred my prime rib to be a little more freshly cooked as it seems to have sat out for a little too long and the melted cheese on the mashed potatoes was not freshly melted and was hard which gave it away that it had been sitting out. There was an issue with the lamb and as many people know lamb has to be cooked the right way. The sauce was over bearing and killed the taste of the lamb and the lamb was burnt on the outside- this actually cause this person to get up and step out without ordering anything else. There was another problem with the fish that had the potential to be so delicious. It left a filmy feeling in her mouth and gave her a sick feeling- to a point where she had to push it away and take part of a prime rib. This does seem to be a little much and still have three stars but there were a number of positives to our experience as well. Jordan, a wonderful waiter, was very kind and made sure everyone was happy. You could tell that he felt bad that people were dissatisfied but it was not his fault, sometimes its just the way things are prepared. We all enjoyed our salads and poke as our starters. The drinks were tasty and allowed us to have a nice cap to our evening. The family that I am with are regulars to this area and there is a good chance that this will not stop them from giving them another chance- stuff like this happens but there are always ways of avoiding it. Overall I will give it three stars because it was a mediocre time, not by any means was it absolutely dreadful but it was also not top notch. I'd like to try this restaurant again and give it a second chance.

Stephanie V.

This is the best restaurant on Maui- you just CAN'T compete with the location/ view, the beautiful yet laid back atmosphere, the variety of delicious food throughout breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the AWESOME happy hour. This place is a MUST TRY when visiting Maui! Don't miss it... you'll be sorry you did! PS- this place is randomly a hot spot for A-list celebrities visiting Maui- might wanna bring your camera just in case! ;)

Trish J.

Love Love Love this place. They make the best coco prawns and most succulent beef tenderloin for dinner. Their scallops are also nicely carmelized and tasty too. Their setting right on the beach is magnificent. Highly recommended. Pricing moderate.

Guy R.

We visited for breakfast after an early morning whale watching excursion. We'd been told that this place had won "best breakfast" 5 years in a row. The ambience was excellent and the view is unbeatable. You are literally looking at the beach and the ocean in every direction. The food, on the other hand, was predictably average like most everything we had in Hawaii. The omelet was just an omelet and the french toast was good, but painfully small and expensive.

Aubrea M.

I only give the place 2 stars for location & ok sushi rolls. Their service was horrible! I went in with my 2 young daughters since were staying at the neighboring hotel for 1/2 happy hour sushi rolls. Our waiter Gerald failed to tell us it was only in the bar area & barely checked on us at all. The manager had to get me another drink after I had to literally waive him down & we waited for our bill for 20 min.. As I mentioned before I was there with my young children... like I was the typical "woman with kids" who wasn't going to tip well. I myself am a server & know restaurant etiquette I spent $100 and got treated like I had a $20 tab!!! Was extremely disappointed!!!!! So be careful if you're looking for good service this is not the place to come...

J M.

Good food, located right on the beach - we went for dinner but the happy hour was highly recommended by locals in the know. On the downside, waitstaff was a little green (young kids from as far as Boston) and hostess seemed a little overworked - it was hard to get a smile out of her. But this is a great place to eat if you're staying in the Kihei / Wialea area.

Norman B.

The spinach salad with Portabella mushroom, candied Mac nuts was fantastic. The Pineapple Creme Brûlée was superb. Service was outstanding. Restaurant decor is classy and intimate. Great place. Y

Alex A.

Had dinner here; we were sat quickly, even without a reservation. The food was very good; we both had fish. All the dishes were pricey, of course, the coconut crusted prawns (i though prawns were supposed to be bigger than shrimp?) maybe a little too pricey. Tasty, though, and probably worth it.

Lee S.

Went for our anniversary dinner as we had good experience the last 2 times we dined here. Got seated promptly and our special occasion was acknowledged, then the disappointment began. The outdoor patio seating area is under construction which isn't mentioned until you arrive, not the worst but not a plus. Our server, Lisa, was by far the least interested, helpful or attentive person we have run across in Maui. My wife has dietary restrictions and when we stated that and asked for some help on the menu it seemed to be a monumental task for Lisa. She was no help and then disappeared. We ordered a special salad for my wife and when it finally came it was split into two even though we hadn't requested that. Lisa then spent the next 5 minutes explaining she hadn't asked for that and didn't know why it came that way. We had enjoyed the restaurant before, neat setting on the beach and good food if a bit expensive, but when the service was this bad we won't be back.

Monica K.

Really good food and desserts. Service was just okay. Right on the beach and amazing view!

Soo K.

Went to Five Palms for happy hour based on a recommendation from a friend that used to live in Kihei for 2 years. My criterias were good ambiance, reasonably priced happy hour foods and drinks. I hate overpaying for food in the Hawaiian islands (which is quite often), especially if it's mediocre and unmemorable. We arrived at 5pm and had to wait about 20 minutes for table near the bar. The service was very good as both the hostess and the server were very nice and attentive. We ordered a variety of pupus and had cocktails while the sun was setting. I can't speak to their dinner as I've not eaten there, but definitely recommend it for happy hour food and drinks. The pupus were good so I would definitely look to return next time I'm in that area. Get there early if you go!

Sara N.

This review if for breakfast. They serve breakfast until 2:30pm to accommodate those of us that are not on Hawaiian time. Using mapquest it was a little hard to find since it's in one of the many shopping plazas on Kihei road. Once we found the plaza it was located towards the back of the plaza at a beachfront location right next to a small yoga studio. There is a nice view of the beach and we sat on their covered outside patio. We ordered the Hawaiian bread french toast which has sliced bananas and white chocolate chunks. It was amazing. We also ordered the crab & avocado omelet which sounded soooo good but sadly they were out of avocado for the day. There was a market across the street and I asked the waitress if they could get some avocados and she said no and looked at me like I was crazy but I thought they would have liked to have been more accommodating and besides that I really wanted to taste it. It was ok but maybe much better if they had the avocado =(. Any ways, the breakfast items were about $10-$18 a dish. The concierge at our hotel gave us a coupon for 15% off the whole order. I would go back again but I hope they don't run out of fresh produce in the future. I really would have liked to try dinner there. Maybe next time...

El Guapo G.

My wife and I came here for dinner one night and had a wonderful time. The restaurant has a great view of the sunset over Molokai. I had the rainbow roll and with a wedge salad while my wife had the Sunfish. Probably the best rainbow roll I've had. The Sunfish was a little disappointing - not very flavorful, perhaps that's just the type of fish it was, but I was unimpressed with the plate. I would have hoped that the chef would be a little more creative with it. Service was fantastic. Dessert was good. Overall we had a very good time here.

Steve M.

My favorite restauart on Maui. Geat food, good service and a wonderview view from the outside patio. The lobster salad is exceptional.

Bret C.

Fortunately, we arrived at 6pm and had the nicest table in the house (thanks to our concierge service) where the view was amazing. UNFORTUNATELY, the view and perfect time of day could not hide the fact that the sashimi/sushi was unbelievably horrible. Others around us appeared less dissatisfied than us regarding their meal, but when you are eating dinner and someone says "let's get this over with and get out of here," you are in a bad spot. The hotel this restaurant is in seems pretty mediocre and I would recommend you just make the trip up the road to Sansei. My wife just told me "not to write to much because it isn't worth your time." She is right and this restaurant is not worth yours.

Tim P.

This is a tough place to review. It has so much potential. Probably the nicest venue around. Just gorgeous view's and a nice dining area and bar with panoramic ocean views. With a venue like this, why not hire people who actually want to know the menu, or at least something about food offered. We found this a lot in Maui actually. Young people who don't care about their job or the importance of providing excellent service. The food here was below average. We would go back for a drink to enjoy the view, but that's all. It's too bad because the Palms has 5+ star potential...

Michael M.

Bit overpriced for the quality. Three star food at a four star price.

Diane W.

The happy hour sushi is great. The challenge is getting seated by the rude hostess. We tried going back two nights after we dined there and ended up leaving due to the hostess' attitude.

Lisa L.

The Five Palms is one of our most favorite restaurants in Kihei. Last night we went for the 3-7pm happy hour: 1/2 off pupus and sushi. It was fantastic! We tried the calamari, short ribs, spider roll, crab cakes and prawn summer rolls. We were STUFFED. We also had the house wine and while not the best it was good for $5 and full pours. Another great deal is the 3-course dinner for $30 if you order by 5:30pm. Great service, fun and friendly!

Kai R.

Location, location, location. You simply can't beat the location of Five Palms - right on the beach with GREAT views at sunset. Food is generally pretty good (their ribs are actually better than Roy's), but it isn't cheap. If you are staying in the South Maui area and are looking for a nice evening out but don't want to totally bust the bank (read: the resort restaurants down the street in Wailea), this is a solid choice. Parking can be a pain depending on how crowded the hotel/condo building the hotel is located in, but otherwise a solid choice.

Jason A.

We have gone to the Five Palms for the past couple of years, and are sold. Best view of any restaurant on Maui! So far we have only had breakfast (one of only three tables seated, it having been low season) and happy hour, but the wait staff we dealt with have all been top notch--friendly and casual, and never let us go dry. We have not had full dinner there yet (thus only 4 stars). There are not a lot options for vegetarians on the pupus menu (although its not bad compared to a lot of places--crudites and dip, one maki roll, Maui onion chips and dip, and spring rolls) if you want to make happy t a light dinner (or three). Their sashimi is very fresh and well prepared. For breakfast, they do eggwhite omlettes (if you are on the low cholesterol diet), and with a side of pineapple and fresh Kona coffee, what more do you need?

Sammy G.

3 stars for the breakfast food, 4 stars for service, 5 stars for the location and view...sitting practically right on the beach. The guava mimosas are delish, as well! If you're in Kihei for a few days, you should have one meal here just for the atmosphere...very nice.

Ron O.

Not happy at all, the food was mediocre at best, the service slow and we were lied to about the availabilty of some happy hour items. Will not go back or recommend

Eric S.

We really loved this place, if you could give 4 and a half stars this place would get it. This place is the perfect location for a romantic dinner, and I'm not all that romantic but this place works! It is right on the beach and you get an amazing view of the sunset. The service is awesome and the food is absolutely excellent. It's a little on the expensive side but well worth every penny! Our server was excellent and very knowledgeable about the menu. The only weird thing about this place is that it's connected to a hotel, I don't know why that bothered me. But put that aside and give this place a shot, it was the best meal that we had while on Maui!

I S.

Eek! Methinks not is right... I was highly disappointed with the food here. I ordered a simple fruit plate, and that couldn't do right by that--that's right in Hawaii where everywhere else, the fruit is world class. How could they serve overripe melons that verge on spoiled? It was so awful I could barely touch it, and wondered what the food preparer or chef was thinking when they served that. They had to know. Good location ruined by total lack of attention to food.

Jeff B.

Good food, great view. A little pricey for the food but overall a very good experience.

Kelly D.

right on a very nice beach! full bar, good food, great service. i had a sushi roll there that i wish i remembered the name of cause it was bomb.com

N L.

I was recently married in Maui (6-22-12) and had my "reception" (about 15 of us) at 5 palms Restaurant. I had a great time, food was perfect and my server was great! We weren't able to get a private room but were accommodated with a semi private room right at the front of the building, windows open to allow the sea breeze in and we were treated so special. We decided to skip the plated menu and allowed our guests to decide from the main menu what they would like to order (nerve racking) everyone loved this casual approach and we loved the bill at the end of the night, with everyone getting what they wanted, no holds bar, drinks and the cake fee, we still came in WAY under budget. Bonus! We did have our own wedding cake brought in which was set up backwards and cut with the little sticks left in the pieces, but overall had such a great night. Be warned that Kathleen the event coordinator takes forever to get back to you, but will do what she can to accommodate you. I was so happy with my experience. My husband and I went back alone for breakfast the morning of our last day and took in the views during the day; stunning! Great food, decent prices, and good service. :)

Sheryl C.

Our review for happy hour at Five Palms is it is THE BEST!! We have been here 6 weeks, and are leaving tomorrow, but moving back in 2 months. This will be our favorite place to come for happy hour without a doubt. The sushi is awesome, especially the Spicy Tuna roll and the Spider roll. Such a good deal for drinks and wine, and our waitresses were the best. Anna and Kayley helped us on several occasions. Everyone there is so friendly...at the hostess stand, bar, etc. They often let us sit up in the upper area to watch the sunset if the bar was getting full. Best view on this side of the island while you're enjoying happy hour for sure. We will be back soon. Mahalo for your aloha spirit and great food.

Patrick B.

Despite the lovely service and shaded, sea-side terrace, the breakfast is, alas, average. The food is better than you'd find at a greasy spoon, or the popular breakfast spot just down the street (forgot the name) and in fact it's just fine. I guess I hoped the food would match the elegance of the setting, but it didn't. It's a solid three-star type of experience.

Mina P.

Atmosphere was good. It was a bit pricey for what you get, even on Maui. We went for breakfast and I ordered some fresh fruit (expecting local fruit) and got canteloupe and grapes - no Hawaiian fruit, so was very disappointed. Otherwise, no complaints...but I wouldn't go back.

Sara C.

We came for breakfast and had a good meal. The bloody Mary was delicious and the orange juice was fresh. I had the Hawaiian roll French toast with white chocolate and bananas. I thought they were quite yummy. Though it would have been better with more white chocolate chips and some macadamia nuts. Also, they were a little skimpy on the bananas. My hubby had their eggs and potato breakfast with toast. He said it was ok, nothing special and the potatoes were not very good. The view was fantastic. We shared the pineapple which was really great, of course. Oh and the cherrywood bacon was quite yummy. They are the only place in Maui that serves this type of bacon apparently. Overall it was a good breakfast to start our day.

David S.

All the island guides recommend their Happy Hour, so my wife and I went for a couple of drinks and appetizers.At 4:30 on Saturday it was easy to get a table near the bar with a nice view of the ocean. Our waitress delivered the mai tai hastily, and sloshed at least a tablespoon of the dark liquid (rum?) onto the table. Didn't even wipe it up. Perhaps this is why the drink didn't have much of a punch to it. The Pacific Blue Crab Cakes were presented beautifully, but consisted mostly of filler, with only a faint flavor of crab. The California Roll was a success, as was the Sashimi Plate (3 thick slices each of maguro (tuna), hamachi (yellow tail), and salmon. Very fresh, as one would hope. Ended with a cold, draft Sierra Nevada ale...at $4 a pint, this was a pretty good deal. Total tab for two: $40.

Ann S.

Walked in, immediately loved the feel of this place. The patio was right on the beach and we watched the surfers right there. The view rocks. The food was fine, not exceptional, but above average. It was just what I wanted for a lovely Maui brunch.

Lovanna L.

Five Palms Restaurant sits on the ocean front and has a beautiful view of the sunset. This review is for their happy hour because my husband enjoyed their happy hour while I was getting a massage. He enjoyed it so much that after he picked me up, we went back there to eat some of their happy hour items. They have one of the best happy hour menus on the island. fivepalmsrestaurant.com/… The coconut crusted tiger prawns were big and good. The ahi tuna was really good as well as crab cakes. The drink specials are good as well.

Kat B.

We just spent a week in Kihei and were a little disappointed that almost all the restaurants seemed to be located in strip malls. Five Palms was a very welcome change with a gorgeous location right on the water. We went one day for breakfast (sweet bread french toast and omelette which were great, and great espresso drinks, $4 bloody marys and mimosas). We liked it so much that we went back the next day for lunch, the spinach salad (with a goat-cheese stuffed, baked portabello mushroom) was excellent. the reuben sandwich was a little wierd (too sweet with pineapple soaked cabbage) and the seared ahi appetizer was just average. We didn't have dinner or sushi but honestly I would be a little skeptical about ordering sushi in what is clearly a hotel restaurant. However if you stick to the 'ordinary' food and stay away from things that sound weird or hard I expect it's all pretty good. There are definitely way cheaper places to eat, but for the type of restaurant and view, their prices were reasonable. The staff was really friendly and seemed to actually enjoy their jobs. Not sure what previous reviewers meant about not being able to sit at the table... I did not have any trouble and no one around me seemed to have trouble either. Overall we were thrilled to find something that didn't feel like we were at Denny's, without having to go to Wailea and pay an arm and a leg.

Happy C.

The view and staff are top notch. The drinks are very good. The food . . . . Hmm. Not bad, not good. Just so so.

Jessica N.

We were in Kihei from September 21st to October 1st and staying down the street from the Five Palms. We had breakfast here the first morning and were very impressed with the food, location and service. The prices for breakfast seemed reasonable for Hawaii. We returned several times for happy hour, 1/2 drinks and pupus (appetizers). The rice on the sushi was a bit chewy but otherwise good for happy hour prices. The drinks were great. We had the mango margaritas and loved them. The staff was very tolerant of the fact that we had our 1 year old with us. The best night was our last night on the island. It was a couple of nights after we ate at Humuhumu at the Grand Wailea. The food at the Five Palms was so much better and at better prices. The service was consistently good each time we visited the restaurant, be it for breakfast, happy hour or dinner. Oh and did I mention the amazing view!!! WOW. Now that's a great spot in Maui! We will definately return.

Robert R.

So check it out. I have been coming to this Resturant "the Palms" for the last 10 years. Several owners over that time but it has survived which board well for a Restaurants in Kihei Maui. So my review, "Happy Hour", 4-7 offering drink specials and 1/2 off on all pupu's including from the sushi bar. Ordered a Mango Margarita with my glass rimmed with salt and sugar $6.50. Elaine ordered a screw driver $5.00. Got the bill $13.50 which doesn't add up. Should be $11.50 before tax. Told the Bartender and is he graciously went to correct it. After about 10 minutes (Maui time, it's cool enjoying the ocean view) he returns with corrected bill. $12.00 which still does not add up. While paying I said "by the way this still doesn't add up, your still .50 to much. He says embarrassingly, we charge and extra .50 if i have to blend the drink. Now he Originally asked me if I wanted it blended or on the rocks and I said blended and it never occurred to think or ask if there was a cost difference. Well apparently the labor to blend needs to be accounted for. Sorry silly but weird and worth sharing.

Lyn K.

Went for happy hour last night. Four of us sat at the bar. We ordered 4 drinks (3 magaritas and a Mai tai). Received 3 drinks. Mango margarita was on the rocks. I asked if it could be blended the unfriendly bartender's response was "that's extra" I said fine he threw it in the blender for approximately 10 sec and handed it back. Wow I can see why they charge extra that was a lot of effort. He then continued to make other drinks when it was clear he had forgotten the Mia Tia we got his attention and he made it with barely a smile let alone a apology. The drinks were weak and poor quality. My friend said her Mai tai was the worst. There appetizers are 1/2 off during happy hour but by this time we were not happy so we decided to move on. Would not return.

Inigo M.

Beautiful ocean views, especially at sunset. Excellent food quality and presentation. Pleasant waitstaff. A bit spendy. The duck entree was magnifico.

Mike K.

Skip it. The food and service was okay but the real reason they get one star is the "half-price" sushi "deal". I was here for happy hour in January and was told the sushi was half-price...so one would assume that means half-off the menu price (especially when the menu price is way overpriced). Nope. I wondered what was wrong when I saw two other tables get angry at the waiter after receiving the bill. I found out. The menu price IS the half-price. What a joke. Really put a damper on our evening. The waiter should have pointed it out and, judging by his canned response, was obviously accustomed to the dismay of the customers. I felt really bad for a group of young kids that, judging by the pile of dishes and silence after seeing the bill, must have had a $300 bill. Pretty lame tactic. I've had sushi of the same quality off a sushi track... but at least they're upfront about the price!

Doug H.

Only reviewing happy hour. Great location on the beach and great mai-tais. If I remember correctly (mai-tai fog), the appetizers were also good.

Jessie G.

We love to come here because of the great review. We've been here for both breakfast and dinner. Great food, pretty consistent. The reason for the 3 star rating was customer service. After looking over the breakfast menu, I asked our server (I will not disclose unless Five Palms would like to know) if I could substitute a specialty pancake on my order instead of the regular pancakes the dish came with. She said "sure no problem, as long as you're ok with the additional charge". I said no problem, after all their specialty pancakes are worth it. So I order the Eggs, and bacon dish and choose their Macadamia Nut pancakes, she immediately responded "Oh that's not going to happen, those pancakes are really big". SERIOUSLY?? My wife and I both looked at each other with confusion! Didn't she just say their would be additional charge??? Instead of arguing, I just went with the regular pancakes and pouted for a bit.

Nic W.

The Maui Cheesesteak tasted sooooo goood. The waitress said the cows were raised locally which is great. When you come here, its more for the ambiance and the views than perhaps the food. It is right on the beach which is unlike many of the other restaurants by resorts which have a beach view but is separated by pools/ other resort amenities. No complaints about the food or service. It was decent but the prices on the menu are like said reflective of the beach access.

laury g.

So i was in Maui for my wedding/honeymoon. Five Palms was recommended in the guide book Maui Revealed so looked over the menu and off we went. We went on New Years Eve and there was a set menu. The Service was just ok, but our main waiter was a bit strange personality wise, not rude...just weird kind of. Food was mediocre at best and while I am sure the view is amazing (it was dark when we ate) but the views are amazing all over Maui. So if im spending a few hundred dollars for dinner, i better be impressed. Will not be going back!

R J.

They've stepped it up a bit. We enjoyed an anniversary dinner and were treated to a very decent meal with equal service. The night before, we spent an hour at the bar working the tropical drinks menu over and came away with the required beach front buzz..You know what I mean.. We did not do the breakfast that turned us off on the last visit but elected to give the dinner menu another go. They've toned the prices down but however its remains a bit pricey. But if you keep yourself under control you should get out of there inside a 100 bucks for two people, less if dare the booze free route.. Come'on!! Dont do the night with diet cokes. If you drink alky a little...enjoy. This is the place to do that..Again, no kids. Keep them up in the room with take-out or let them go to Pizza Hut, KFC or someplace up the road. This place is not Dennys, OK? As I said in my last review, you're buying a decent meal and one ef''n awsum view. Best on the island folks..No kidding! Especially at sunset. Time your reservations right and bring a camera. Request a window table so you dont have those fast ass dopes in the back barge in front of you leaving with a view of someones obese butt or backside instead of a beautiful orange Hawaiian sunset...Some first time tourists just never get it..They think its a ride at six flags or something.. By the way, the wait staff seems to have dropped the snotty up-your-nose, stick it up your butt attitude and appeared pleasant and mostly happy to be working. If its just the two of you or a small group of grownups, give it a go. Keep in mind where you are though. Dont go ordering something like Lobster (wifey did that) and expect it to be fresh and suculant. You're in shrimp and mahi-mahi land so work your menu choices in that direction. Beef is good. They have their own industry on the island so its pretty much right off the farm as I am told. Chicken dishes are of course pretty much from right out the back door. Chicken farms are everywhere. You dont have to import the damn things.. They grow like weeds.. Fruit and vegetables are the same thing. Keep the choices as close to home as you can. Pineapple of course is a hands down..Work the menu to what's local (anyplace you go) and you'll be satisfied...Just remember you're on an island. Food either flies in from far off or it comes out of a field nearby..Keep your eating requirements in check with that in mind and you'll have a Visa bill that won't come in a box when you get back home..

David D.

This was far and away the best breakfast we had while on an 8 day trip to Maui in March 2006. It was just as good when I went back in September. I would consider myself moderately well-travelled and (dare I say it) a relatively refined connoisseur of fine dining and the Five Palms was first class from start to finish. The view from their dining room is breathtaking... A perfect crescent shaped and palm-tree-studded beach was but a few yards away from our window seat. The service was friendly, proficient and professional. I had the hawaiian sweet-bread french toast and it was the honest to god the best I've ever had. My girlfriend had the eggs benedict which featured the lightest, fluffiest, freshest eggs I've ever tasted. The Canadian bacon, english muffin and hollandaise sauce were likewise perfect. We also ordered their baked banana pancake which arrived looking more like a gorgeous, golden brown banana "cake" than anything else. It was dense, lightly sweet and delectable. It was so filling that we were only able to enjoy a narrow slice each before packing the rest of the cake for our afternoon "Road to Hana" picnic provisions. Do yourself a favor and make sure you make it in here at least once for breakfast or lunch.

Raymond R.

We went for the happy hour, where if you purchase a drink you can get any of the pupu plates for half off. Of course we jumped at the opportunity. We ordered the coconut shrimp and pork quesadilla, normally 19$ each. For that price you would expect a decent size portion. When the plates arrived I was surprised to see the shrimp pupu only had 4 pieces of shrimp. The quesadilla was tasty with a bit more food but still not something I would pay about 20 dollars for. The service was nice though. The quality? Nothing special. I gave 2 stars because the view was nice and the drinks were stiff.

Paula L.

Fantastic food and service. Brooklyn, our waitress, was a lot of fun and very attentive. The whole snapper special was amazing. Great restaurant.

Rob C.

This is a rather spendy restaurant with a most beautiful location and view. The service is good, the food is very good. We always come here at least a couple times when on Maui. Like I said. be prepared to spend at least $70+ each if you have drinks, wine, appetizer, etc. But, it's worth it.

M D.

Our family had a wonderful meal on our first night in Maui. We have also stopped by for happy hour. Prices are pricey but then again they have a million dollar view! Sunset is spectacular from their location on the beach. Roy was a great server....appreciated his attentiveness when needed. Food was good. Overall just really love 5 Palms and will continue to come here with our family.

Ken M.

This review is for happy hour. We were there Nov 21 at 420pm and there was about a 30 minute wait. Servers were good, food was decent but not great. Happy hour food was half price but honestly thats the max I would want to pay. Drink an came super slow, patrons that were seated for dinner in the restaurant 15minutes after us got their drinks well before we did

Karen C.

First off I have to say you can't beat the ambiance of this place. Open air restaurant on a grassy knoll overlooking the Pacific Ocean with sunset views. Amazing right? Unfortunately I think they are using the location to carry the restaurant. When it comes to food and service it doesn't have a leg to stand on I ate here twice in August 2014 and both times left feeling disappointed. (I don't feel right judging a place on just one visit which is why I was foolish enough to go back a second time.). Service was friendly but slow and mediocre. Food was just generally disappointing. Nothing really caught my attention or seemed special. The biggest complaint - SOOOO SALTY! To the point I couldn't eat either the ribs or the chicken lettuce wraps, they were unbearable. Above that I paid $10.00 for a bowl of buttered pasta for my son - ridiculous. Nope, not going back, next time I'll pack a picnic, sit on the lawn, enjoy the same views and save a hundred bucks.

Mary H.

We were told "this is what you come to Hawaii for". We were there 3times - 2 breakfasts and a lunch. The food was delicious. My son said the calamari was the best ever. The view was terrific to sit next to the beach and watch the waves come in.

Jen H.

Reviewing happy hour: the food is tasty, although not outstanding, but very well priced at half off. The service was great--around to check on us but not overly intrusive. We sat for over 2 hours enjoying pupus (appetizers for mainlanders), drinks, and eventually the sunset. I was very excited that after the meal lilikoi cheesecake was served (2 heaping slices!!) because I've had difficulty finding it this visit to Maui. The best thing about this place is the gorgeous panoramic view of the pristine beach and turquoise water. Combine that with good pupus and cold cocktails and it was instantly one of my top picks for happy hour on the island.

Jean Y.

Walking distance from our hotel, that alone was a five star worth. I love their service, food, especially dragon sushi, and most of all their view! Just great place to eat and sit down. After nine pm, sushi and cocktails are 50% off! Didn't know about it until the last night in Maui! Beautiful place! A must go place in Maui!

Kim A.

Not a fan. Stopped in for happy hour and found food to be mediocre at best. Service was bland. They seemed to be just getting through happy hour waiting for dinner service.

Deanna W.

Great view, sushi was delicious (but pricey!), great service!

Steve F.

View great, drinks good, prices ok just a little high. Come after Beach Bums to see sunset and have one more.

Sergey P.

I came to spend time with the family in Maui and thought dinner here would be a good idea. Don't get me wrong the beach was breath taking, the view where we had dinner was astonishing! It's just a shame all of the employees we seemed to make contact with during our feast smelled like they had all been drinking. I can understand, it's christmas and some people would rather be taking a vacation than working a holiday. Unfortunately, when I spoke to the manager it seemed like he took more than a shot or two himself during work. It seemed like drinking on the job was a daily occurance, possibly even encouraged.

Dianna D.

Came here for happy hour twice! They have two happy hours every night, from 4-7 and from 9-11 in the bar/lounge area. The first night, we came for dessert to celebrate my friends last night as a single woman. We ordered everything on the dessert menu including chocolate cake, creme brulee, and passion fruit cheesecake. They ran out of mud pie. We also ordered drinks and I had the mango mojito which was pretty strong. My friend had the macadamia nut chi chi and it was so creamy and tasty. Some friends ordered sushi as well and it was 50% off their entire sushi menu. Chocolate cake took 20 minutes to prepare but it wasn't anything spectacular. The creme brulee was delicious and presented in a pineapple, I really enjoyed the creamy passion fruit cheesecake the most. The second time we came during the 4-7 happy hour and we had the spicy tuna roll, mud pie, and mai tai. A nice place to come to enjoy a beautiful sunset dinner. Service was great.

Paul B.

Beautiful spot right on the water, and great deals on happy hour pupus (3p-9p) and drinks (from 9p on)

Meghan H.

I have three words for you: Bring. Your. Pocketbook. Cause you gonna be SPENDIN'. I want to just start off by saying our server Lisa was amazing. Like if I had Lisa as my server at every restaurant for the rest of my life, I could die happy. Mgmt, please make her the trainer for all new staff and promote her to like Madam Awesomeness. She knew the menu, the fish, the drinks, the wine, everything, inside and out. She was courteous, very friendly, and everyone at our table just loved her. Great job. The hostess was a sketch bag who told us to "back away from the stand" because we were "stressing her out". Oh I'm sorry, are you saving kittens from a burning house or seating people? Seating people? Then you need to check yourself, before you wreck yourself. I ordered the 3 fish sampler. It was good! Nice portion sizes, little sides under each one, 46$, gave you a great taste of all... wait what? Yeah. $46. As in, $46 for a main with no set menu. I couldn't make this up if I tried. Others had dishes in the $38 range. I'm sorry, but unless Gordon Ramsey himself is cooking me a god damn Beef Wellington, I shouldn't be paying over $35 for an entree. The cocktail creations are also $10 a pop for your run-of-the-mill Mai Tais, etc. The view is amazing, you are paying for the view of the gorgeous beach and open windows and patio. But unless you're proposing to your girlfriend, just won the lottery, and quit your job and bought a new skidoo, this is the only time I would recommend coming here. There are PLENTY of restaurants around Kihei that offer great service and exceptional meals for sooo much less money. 5 Palms, I give your menu pricing 5 open palm slaps! Cause it's crai crai.

Wes B.

This location has been her for many years however I came here about 97 and then returned just last month. Still a great beach side restaurant that's have good Hawaiian Cuisine food. I love this place there's many beach side dine ins in Kihei HI but this one has a little more of a cozy setting. Food is good and always prepared delicious I ate here everyday for 3 days and loved it. Took me back years ago from when I was here at this same location in 84.

karen d.

I found this amazing restaurant just 3 days before my trip ended! I've gone to Mala and joes and had the same ahi and this was by far the best plus it was easy to get too! Then I went there for breakfast and again awesome, service food and the view is the best! Plus the best happy hour!! Soo good cant wait to get back for those amazing ribs!

Heidi P.

I went there for my birthday dinner and I was so disappointed in the service. We could not get a drink at the bar to save our life and then then once we were seated for dinner, it was a 2 hour struggle just to get dinner and one drink. I finally had to go up to the hostess to see if we could pay and leave. Some of the worst service ever. The food was good but very over priced. The best part is the view of the ocean. Don't waste your time!

Robbie M.

I was so looking forward to eating here. The last time I was here was fantastic. Today i am a tablenof one and the service is terrible. Why do single diners get overlooked?

Jessica L.

Perfect for lunch or brunch with an incredible view of the beach and Molokini. The Loco Moco is the best I've had on the island--- thick, rich gravy atop rice, with crunchy fried onion strings accenting the beef and gravy. The Hawaiian Sweetbread french toast sounded good, but was kind of a disappointment. It was more like 3 small wedges of sweetbread with white chocolate chips sprinkled sparingly on top and a couple slices of banana and shreds of crystallized ginger. Definitely underwhelming and kind of plain. However, the curried chicken salad was fantastic, with an excellent shallot vinaigrette. The macadamia nut coconut cocktail was insanely good and has me on the hunt for the ingredients so I can recreate it on the mainland. Definitely worth it for the view. There's a happy hour, so hoping to return.

Julia C.

Love the happy hour! We sat through many sunsets with fresh crab California rolls and margaritas! Enjoyed breakfast one morning in the restaurant watching the waves.

Laura J.

Our favorite restaurant that we ate at in our 8 days on Maui! We shared the lobster dip which had huge chunks of lobster in it. Very tasty and not at all spicy even though we were told it had jalapeño in it. I had the prime rib which was delicious and cooked to perfection. My husband had the Mahi Mahi dynamite which was topped with crab meat. I stole a bite or two and we both agreed it could not have been any better. If you took just a bite of the fish you knew it was wonderful by itself but the sauce and crab added in made it 5 star flavor. We had great service from our waitress who patiently explained their menu items and daily specials. Their sushi menu looked intriguing but we simply didn't have room for more food. We sat on the patio with a beautiful view of the ocean. They do have a happy hour that went from 3-11 in the lounge area with drink specials and half price sushi... I'm hoping we make it back for that.

Nick T.

I'm torn on this one. The food is just OK and the service is not great. The prices are high--welcome to Maui. They are always, always extremely busy. But the location is out of this world. Located in South Kihei/Wailea right on Keawakapu Beach, it's convenient and the view is spectacular. If you're staying at the hotel, it's a no-brainer. One tip: when the line is out the "door," try the sushi bar. It's tiny and cramped over there, but it's sometimes the only seat in the house, and the sushi chef is a hoot. For finer, similar dining, we liked the Lahaina location better.

Sidney S.

Food was excellent Brian our waiter was super friendly. The hostess had a bad attitude when we first arrived Brian smoothed it over though. Also have been for HH all appetizers half price good sushi

Ty B.

We debated how many stars to give this review. The 3 stars is an aggregation of several factors. We settled on 5 stars for the ambiance and sunset! We came to Five Palms on the first night we arrived in Maui. The open air seating was fabulous and the sunset was amazing! We gave the waitstaff 5 stars. They were very knowledgeable and attentive. We truly enjoyed our waitress, she was very good at her job. The food, however, received 1 to 2 stars. Surprisingly, it was bland and shockingly, it was overpriced. We expected better quality for our money. And a $12 mai tai in a plain highball glass is a bit extreme, especially during happy hour on a Sunday night. Crack out the Tiki God glass for the extra value, for crying out loud.

Lawrence B.

The food was good, nothing outstanding, and our server was very pleasant. The prices are just high, even for Hawaii standards! I think there are finer dining options in Waileia for the same price, down to the $25 corkage fee. Overall, it was nice but I wouldn't go back

Ann K.

The Bar service was excellent. However, it was extremely hot and the fans were broken. The Happy Hour was reasonably priced and drinks were tasty. The appetizers were well priced and a good value. The Five Palms Restaurant was also extremely hot. The service was good to start with, but lagged at the end. We had a party of six and we are rating the food "5/10". This was mostly in part to dry fish and mediocre prepared steak. The ribs had a good spice. In addition, the cocktails were extremely tasty. The creme brûlée for dessert was delicious.

S. J.

We first got there and had to wait a bit and the hostess was very friendly and helpful. We didn't wait long and we're seated for their outdoor bar happy hour. With all of the umbrellas we still were hit by sun and I wish they would have had all of the outdoor fans turned on because I noticed I wasn't the only one uncomfortable. We ordered the killer happy hour deals and the drinks were nice and the food was good. The ribs were actually amazing and the meat fell from the bone. The spicy tuna roll was nothing special, no aioli sauce or garnish which is so bland for Maui where they specialize in seafood. The service started out great but went downhill quickly. We ordered more drinks and our server disappeared for about 20 to 25 minutes. When she came back she apologized because the credit card machine went down and she had to do everything manually. OK. Crap happens but with SO many employees standing around, somebody should have been running drinks, a manager should have explained the situation or been processing cards. 2 bartenders just chatting up customers, and a completely clueless bus girl just wandering around even though I had our dirty plates stacked up at the end of the table. She never left the west end of the bar and we were at the center of the bar area. We paid cash and had to wait another 10 minutes for that. I blame management or lack thereof. The view, ambiance, fresh food, and great happy hour prices were wonderful so I would like to give this restaurant another chance at another time. Date of service 2/15/15

M Q.

Came here twice. Once just for happy hour and once for drinks and dinner. The ambience was great. Outdoor seating, views of the ocean and sunset, nice drinks, and friendly service. The drinks weren't anything super unique or unusual but they were tasty. We basically came here more than once because it is close to our condo and they have good happy hour prices. Ironically, we didn't stick to the happy hour drink menu. The food was okay. Maybe we are used to great dining and fresh seafood in our home town as it is so it takes more to impress us, or maybe this restaurant just isn't as top notch as we heard it rumored to be. Don't get me wrong, the mahi mahi entrees we tried were delicious. It's just that they weren't anything that stood out and didn't make up our top dining memories. The happy hour items we tried were delicious and actually we enjoyed the flavors more than the dinner menu items. We tried several rolls, lettuce wraps, quesadilla, and ribs. Delicious flavors and fun happy hour items. We did love the ambience and enjoyed the overall experience. But for a nicer dining meal on maui where you're going to spend 75 or more per person, we would go somewhere else next time.

Nicole B.

The food was pretty good, the wine selection could be better. Our service was decent, though I did feel like I was waiting for the waiter at times. It's truly a great place to watch the sunset except that you can see people from the hotel just outside the restaurant window which is a bit of a turn off. I wish it was just a little more private. I'm giving it 3 stars because nothing was awful but nothing really stood out and I wouldn't go back. I'm sure you can find better places to spend over a hundred dollars on dinner and a sunset.

Lily N.

Don't believe the 3.5 overall rating of 5 Palms. We had our wedding here on 11/3/13 and it was the most amazing experience! We had happy hour drinks and pupus the day before our wedding. The wait staff was very attentive and the food and drinks were outstanding! Highly recommend the sushi and the Three Kinky B's! Our wedding reception was even better :) They passed Mai Tai's around during pupu/cocktail hour with delicious fruits and cheeses. The coconut shrimp pupu was finger lickin' good! There was literally boat loads of sushi to enjoy and my ribeye entree was cooked to a perfect medium rare. They also did not skimp on our dessert table, which was full of goodies from fresh fruit to all different types of cakes! We even went there for dinner the night after our wedding and had the fresh catch of the day, which was delicious! The ambience is also stellar. The restaurant itself has huge windows that open completely up and makes you feel as if you're eating a 5 star dinner right on the beach. If you go for dinner, the sunset view is breathtaking. It is a definite must on your list of restaurants to try in Maui!

Rachel L.