Merriman’s Menu

  • Appetizers
  • Soup & Salads
  • Merriman's Pupu Taster
  • Ocean
  • Land
  • Merriman's Keiki Gourmet Menu
  • Vegetables and Sides
  • Sweet Stuff
  • Keiki - Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Merriman’s

  • Appetizers
  • Soup & Salads
  • Merriman's Pupu Taster
  • Ocean
  • Land
  • Merriman's Keiki Gourmet Menu
  • Vegetables and Sides
  • Sweet Stuff
  • Keiki - Dessert

Visit below restaurant in Lahaina for healthy meals suggestion.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Mary C.

    Hubby and I came here at 5:30p without reservations and was lucky to secure a high top table. Ahi poke appetizer was good, salads were standard. He had the monchong dish which he loved. I had the mahi mahi entree- waitress told me it wasn't spicy but it was, so didn't enjoy it. We had the cheesecake since some yelpers said it was amazing. It was good but wouldn't reorder. For both of us, we spent $150 here. View was nice but similar to our hotels.

    (4)
  • Darren A.

    Love it here! Can't wait to return! Excellent service, incredible food and breathtaking views!! The Mai Tai is prepared in a unique way with a frothy topper - you need to try one!! The food is some of the best flavors I have had in a long time!! Definitely a must if you're in Maui!!

    (5)
  • Mary M.

    Gorgeous views, friendly staff and the best Mai Tai on Maui!!

    (5)
  • Kei D.

    Loved dining overlooking the ocean. We were staying at the Montage Hotel and they recommended to make a reservation a week in advance. The walk from the Montage Hotel over to Merriman's along the beach was beautiful.... the seafood was delicious.... still remembered the memorable meal from a year ago...Thanks Merriman's.

    (5)
  • Trudy M.

    Ben was our server this delicious evening. We were a party of 5 and a few bottles of wine were ordered. Dishes consisted of Mac Nut crusted Monchong (spicy garlic broccoli, roasted mushroom sake reduction on top of mac nut brown rice)= DELICIOUS! I ordered the fresh fish of the day....I wish I remembered what the type was...white & flaky....sooooo yummy!!!! Butter poached keahole lobster (crispy pumpkin polenta, braised Evanuk Farms collards, Tamimi farms fresh tomato & olive vinaigrette) , a fellow diner had the steak.....which he said was THE best steak ever. Desserts were the creme brûlée with cookies, ice cream scoops, flourless choc cake with fresh whipped cream for the Birthday girl, a couple of french press coffees and port. The whole experience was superb! And now that I think of it....it was raining pretty hard outside and we sat at the edge of the restaurant with no walls...(ehh!!) didn't even notice that we were getting sprinkled on! (LOL!!). THAT'S how great this place is. They called our hotel for us to pick us up so that we did not have to deal with the rain. As I am writing this review---it's storming pretty fierce outside. But, we had a delicious night. Thank You Merriman's! Bravo!

    (5)
  • Chris C.

    One of our favorites because of the combo of view, food and service. Even though it was a holiday, our server did not rush us. Come early for the best seating, knowing that many people plan to see the setting sun here. It is beautifully situated so there are many water view tables. Bring a light wrap for the winter or if you're on the lower level, they will set up a heater if a wind kicks up. We started with the wonderful two kinds of mai tais. The oil they brought with the bread was not to our taste, so we asked for butter and received hand-churned butter, which was lovely especially with a sprinkle of their pink Hawaiian salt. Had the daily appetizer of pork belly and prawns. Very tender pork belly. Spouse had the poke and avocado w/ taro chips -- he loved this. The moi was offered and was excellent. Cheesecake dessert light and a perfect ending to this meal. A recent reviewer was disappointed with the lobster. Note that lobster is not something that Hawaii is known for as it's a cold-water shellfish. I would not order it in Hawaii.

    (5)
  • Simon S.

    This was our venue for our 44-person wedding reception. This is not an inexpensive restaurant. If you want a cheap meal, look elsewhere. However, if you are prepared to spend, the location, the view, the staff, the food, everything was phenomenal.

    (5)
  • Anna K.

    Great food great view and great service. The only thing that's not super excellent is the selection of draft beer. The black pepper corn rubbed prime grade rib eye is one of the kind, truly juice and tender to the cut, one that even the finest hotel chef will give a full hands down. Living in Texas, we haven't had this good rib eye for a very long time, especially all natural grass fed cattle. You can taste the difference. Prime grade is the highest grade beef on top of angus and usda which sold in Walmart and local grocery stores. It's defiantly a must try. In addition, the view from our table to the open ocean is breathless. The food is defiantly professionally prepared. Well done merriman!

    (5)
  • Rob E.

    This place is very preppy but there was a good mix of people dressed casual also. We came in for a late dinner so missed the sunset but this is definitely the place to be for a romantic dinner especially if you come early for sunset. Be prepared to spend some money though. Apps were average $20, drinks $15, and entrees $50. We started with the Hawaiian Ahi Poke for an appetizer and it was excellent. They also bring you fresh made bread which was great. I like how they had a duo option which is a set price for two half size portions of multiple entree options. My wife ordered the fish special which was Ono and huge shrimp! Plus with the duo option she also had the divers scallops which is one of their recommended selections. Both were amazing! I ordered the merrimans trio which had three small serving of their favorites. Mahi mahi, filet, and seared ahi. All were great but the steak was hands down the best! Pro Tip: I know your in Hawaii but go with the beef! Filet just melts in your mouth. Finished with the Hawaiian molten chocolate purse. Chocolate and fhilo pastry with the ice cream really went well together. I highly recommend that one!

    (5)
  • Edward B.

    We had dinner tonight at Merrimans and enough salt for the next few years. I couldn't believe how the chef over salted all of our dishes...the mushroom soup...was so salty I drank 2 glasses of water during the appetizer, my filet was over salted even worse. I tried to wash it down with the Cabernet, but I think it was someone else's pinot. Not exactly what we expected or paid for. Lahaina Grill was much better. Very disappointed in the dining experience tonight.

    (2)
  • Diane M.

    This place has the worst, slowest service. This is my fourth time in Maui and we thought we'd try something new. After waiting what seemed to be an eternity for our food, we started to get up to leave. At that exact moment our food came- cold! We were so hungry at that point we at some of it and then got the (expensive) check and left. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

    (1)
  • Christy S.

    Our favorite overall restaurant experience in Maui! Great service, and the sunset view was incredible. Also a great breeze that keeps you cool during dinner and keep the mosquitoes away. We would definitely go back here next time. A five-star experience at a five-star restaurant.

    (5)
  • Melissa C.

    This was our pinnacle dining experience while visiting Hawaii. Even my mother-in-law, who is not usually impressed or excited by food, was raving (and still is) about her meal. Everything about this place is magical. The duo that sang and played guitar/flute made for a great ambiance in addition to the amazing outdoor air and view. The service was attentive, yet respectful of space. The food was magnificent. We collectively had scallops with creamed corn, ahi tuna, ribeye, filet minon, and mahi mahi. Every piece of meat was cooked perfectly with perfect seasoning and all accompaniments were spot on. The drinks (especially the mai tai and house made pineapple run) were top notch. I get a warm fuzzy feeling when I think about our night here.

    (5)
  • Steve T.

    Absolutely my favorite "upscale" restaurant in west Maui. Although I was not overly impressed with the interior layout, the food and service completely makes up for it. We arrived after dark, so had we arrived to see the sunset, my opinion of the interior would likely be influenced by the beauty of the Maui sunset. We tried the appetizer sampler, and all the choices were great. I had probably the best duck entree that I have ever had...in my life, period. My wife had the Onaga entree, and that was amazing as well. Both were cooked perfectly.

    (5)
  • Seals N.

    Celebrated our 20th here... Mike was the best throughout; wonderful sunset, delectable meal, and a sweet surprise to move this to the top of our list of special fav's. Thanks Mike!

    (5)
  • Leanne R.

    Must visit if in Maui! Gorgeous ocean views on 3 sides, perfect for watching the sunset. The atmosphere was elegant yet beachy, relaxed yet trendy. We sat at the bar and enjoyed chatting with the local bartenders. The menu can be expensive if you order entrees but we ordered appetizers for dinner instead. They were perfect portion sizes along with sharing a salad and bread. My husband had the filet sliders, and I had the homemade pasta with veggies - to die for! I hope we have time to visit again before we leave the island...it's that perfect!!!

    (5)
  • A C.

    We came here on our first night on Maui and it was the perfect way to start the vacation! We made a reservation for 6pm and were able to catch the amazing sunset views. There's live music playing which adds to the nice ambiance. I got the lamb which was cooked to perfection, tender and flavourful. My husband got the duo of Ahi and beef filet (he preferred the Ahi as the beef was more well done than he wanted). We got the chocolate purse for dessert which was decent as well. Total for two entrees and one dessert was around $120 before tip, which was very reasonable for a restaurant of this caliber. There is also complimentary valet parking. This was hands down the best meal on our whole trip.

    (5)
  • Susan S.

    We ate here last night. The food and service were terrific. Get there early and enjoy cocktails overlooking the ocean. It feels like you are at the edge of the world. Bring a light jacket regardless of the temps. I recommend the Mahi-mahi for dinner and bread pudding for dessert. A younger, but sophisticated crowd in the bar area, but not too hip for adults.

    (5)
  • Glen E.

    Merriman's has a beautiful view of Kapalua bay and the ocean, but the food especially the appetizers were not edible! The presentation was terrible as well as the food! The selections were not very many either! We have been here a couple of times and it seems to get worse!

    (1)
  • Ken V.

    We were introduced to Merriman's in 1996 on the Big Island and have now also been to his restaurants on Kaua`i as well as Maui. Every one has been superlative, and this one was no exception. I started off with an ahi poke. It was amazing. Served over a bit of guacamole with just the right amount of spicy and savory. The serving dish was over a bed of ice to keep things cold -- a well appreciated detail here in Maui. For my main, I had a fish special of local snapper, served over some pureed pumpkin and a sauce that was out of this world. The snapper was tender and moist, and some of the freshest fish I've ever had. We washed down our meal with a half bottle of Ken Wright pinot noir, Shea Vineyard, from Oregon's Willamette valley. Oh, and for dessert we shared a lilikoi (passion fruit) tart and a carafe of pressed Maui coffee. I truly can't find anything to gripe about. Well, the bartender was a bit cheesy, but in a pleasant way. Oh, and I asked for some additional Sugar in the Raw with our coffee, and that never came. So they're not perfect, but I'll sure go back here at any and every opportunity I get.

    (5)
  • Jennifer B.

    Dinner at Merrimans was amazing! First there is no better place to see the sunset on the Island with cocktail in hand and amazing dinner to come. We started with the cavatelli which was homemade and cooked to perfection. The sauce was rich and the spicy baby meatballs, with the mushrooms and greens were off the charts. Another appetizer of house made corned beef with killer vine ripened tomatoes is not to be missed. They were great with children. Our son loved his filet mignon and pasta. The kampachi fish special was wonderful and the white chocolate filled Malassadas (amazing donuts) were worth coming back for. This place is a winner....

    (5)
  • Michael S.

    This Resturant was everything and then some. The food was awesome and the service was top notch. The view was outstanding. A definite stop when you are on Maui!!

    (4)
  • Bob N.

    Unbelievable view, good food, and terrible service. Too bad they can't seem to pull it all together as the service would be so simple to improve. A little common sense and consideration for the customer would make the service equal to the quality of the food. Try treating your customers like you appreciate them and see your scores go up.

    (2)
  • Robert B.

    Great location and view. Reception and seating staff are a little snobby. Table service was outstanding. Food is very so so. Tastes like they are riding thier reputation. I has fish for dinner 8 out I0 days on island. This was 8th. Dry, fishy poorly prepared. Definitely paying for the view and ambiance.

    (3)
  • Zack H.

    Blown away is how I would describe our visit to this restaurant! Food was outstanding and the ocean-front views were incredible, not shockingly. Service was a tad slow for the price point but the positives far outweigh that one disadvantage. Definitely would recommend Merriman's to anyone visiting especially to experience real, fresh, Hawaiian-inspired cuisine! Would definitely return!

    (4)
  • Ling K.

    This review is only for the food and service. I went for dinner, it was dark and wasn't able to appreciate the view. We selected this place for our "nice dinner" while in Maui. I had the Pupu appetizer as my main meal and a salad Pupu Taster: **Keahole Lobster, Avocado and Tomato Salad-Lobster was overcooked;rubbery **Eden Farms Kurobuta Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla-Tasted like carnitas **Tamimi Tomatoes and Kula Strawberries Salad-Had waaay too much oregano. Message to the chef - "Did you taste it before you sent it out?!?!?!" **Hawaiian Ahi Poke - Again, message to the chef - "Did you taste it before you sent it out?!?!?!". Waaay too salty. Had the Upcountry Organic Kale and Butter Lettuce Salad - Nothing to write home about. I would rather go somewhere else and pay less. My friend had to wait, wait, wait, AND wait for the food. Had to remind the waiter. We asked a question to the sommelier. Not happy with his answer... I have a question to the Peter Merriman, "If you are mentioning that you are a 3 time James Beard Finalist", why in the world do you charge exorbitant prices for your wine and have a unexperienced person for a sommelier?!??!?!? Spent tooooo much money for a the quality of food and service. Bill came over $500 for a dinner for two. Not interested in ever returning.

    (1)
  • JL P.

    Two of the restaurants you must go to in Maui are Merriman's and Mama's Fish House. At Merriman's you will get top notch food and excellent service. In short: strong drinks, great waiters, excellent food, attention to the details, and an amazing full unobstructed view of the sunset. Come early enough to enjoy the view of the shoreline, and if you come before 5 they have happy hour. And to top off an amazing dining experience we saw whales throughout dinner.

    (5)
  • J B.

    Spectacular! Amazing food! Service was superior! A totally amazing experience. The food was fresh and amazing. Flavors complimented and were outstanding! Presentation was beautiful. Service was wonderful. The best meal we have had in sometime. Well worth the $

    (5)
  • elisa b.

    This was our fav dining experience in maui the service was incredible. The server was very passionate about his menu and about being a hawaiian from lanai I believe. We had signature mojitos which were amazing and I had lobster and a fish I don't remember while my boyfriend had the steak. They also had live music which added a nice touch. I highly recommend it

    (5)
  • Debbie S.

    The setting is beautiful. The service is top notch and the food is amazing. Our favorite dinner of our vacation.

    (5)
  • Carrie S.

    Best restaurant I've visited on the island so far. Service was prompt and friendly. Food was wonderful. Had the Monchong, very moist and delicious. Excellent wine selection, sky was the limit on quality and rare bottles. Well worth the cost. Word to the wise; valet parking only, so be sure to have a little cash on hand.

    (5)
  • J F.

    Fabulous food, service and views!! If you want to see the sunset this place is fantastic. Nothing looking over Kapalua Bay and watching the sunset. They don't rush the service so you can enjoy the view! Excellent selection of wines!!

    (5)
  • Monique R.

    Monkeypod Kitchen is our favorite on the Wailea side so we had to try Merriman's and it did not disappoint. We started with several sides in lieu of appetizers which were out of this world good. The macadamia nut crusted broccolini was AMAZING. Our salads were sooo good too, I had the strawberry and chèvre salad and my husband had the kale salad which he loved. My husband had the Filet which he thought was delicious but my entree was truly inedible (it was their vegetarian dish which was some sort of Taro balls ... but they were a total miss in my opinion ... they looked like raw meatballs (the irony was not lost on that) and they had the consistency of mochi meets play doh) BUT our very nice server Brandi, immediately took care of it and took them away and we moved on to dessert which was very good. We came with our two children and they were nice enough to accommodate my son's request for grilled cheese even though they didn't have bread (they did them on mini sliders' buns) which he LOVED and my daughters' pasta looked so good I almost wanted to eat it myself :) We will be back!

    (5)
  • Nicole W.

    My favorite fine dining in Maui! The view and food are top notch.

    (5)
  • Ange M.

    Just okay. The service was great and I know the sunset is phenomenal but when you remove those two times the food is really just mediocre and overpriced as such. We had 4 different appetizers- Kauai shrimp, tagliatelle, lobster salad and fish and chips. The house pasta was good and tasty- very rich. The shrimp was also good with my favorite component being the cukes. The lobster salad could have done without the lobster and it would have still tasted the same- somewhat bland with tomatoes that could have used a bit more ripening. The fish and chips nothing to write home about. I had the rib eye which I ordered medium hoping it would be still pink but not mooing. The inside was Cooked perfectly but the steak itself was so charred that every bite tasted of bitter. I then ordered the coconut creme brûlée. Again the top was overdone and tasted bitter. All in all, just okay. I don't have much else to say.

    (3)
  • Kirk S.

    View was great. Food was alright. Service staff was average. The hostess seemed to not care at all and was very impersonal. Had the ny strip. Definitely NOT worth the price. Giving it 3 stars just because of the location.

    (3)
  • Evan F.

    Spectacular food, great service, and amazing view overlooking Kapalua Bay. Of course, remember that Merriman's is a high end restaurant, so prices are higher. Complimentary valet ... but remember to tip. They are now serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Brunch is awesome!

    (5)
  • Christine W.

    One word, AMAZING! Had the pupu app taster as my meal and special mushroom chowder of the day, my husband had filet and Mahi (the duo) and he licked the plate clean! this was my favorite place in Maui and I hit all the top ones! Great ambiance and service! A Maui must!

    (5)
  • Nike M.

    Alexis? Was so wonderful to squeeze me in on a full day. The food and service was also 5 star! Oh and the view? breathtaking.

    (5)
  • Jon S.

    This open aired restaurant is one of Maui true treasures. It's known for it awe inspiring sunsets. Reservations were just a simple call away and we were easily accommodated with a last minute placement. The maître d' asked if there were any celebration being honored with our reservations and we were placed at a special table to enjoy the endless sunset that Maui is known for. The waitstaff was very attentive to our every need. Our waiter was named Gary and he was delightful. Specials were on point and the table was well dressed. After dinner we were welcomed to walk outside and sit on the terrace to enjoy the final glimpses of the setting sun. On the terrace area a grill menu is offered with a full accoutrements of the full bar. As the evening progressed the restaurant opens up and breeze bring warm tropical air throughout the establishment. Upon leaving we were thanked and the valet was quick to retrieve our car.

    (5)
  • Chelsi B.

    We just hosted our wedding at Merriman's and couldn't have been happier with the food. All of our guests raved about how delicious everything was from the passed appetizers to the main course. It was all top notch! Which was very important to us and one of the main reasons we chose Merrimans as our venue. We offered the Ribeye and Chicken as our main course options. 95% of our guests ordered the Ribeye. I have to say I'm one of those foodies who thinks steakhouses are overrated and I can always do a better job of a steak at home versus paying for it in a restaurant. BUT Merriman's gave me a run for my money- the ribeye is quite possibly the best steak I've ever had outside of my own kitchen. Even though they aren't a steakhouse- they nailed it. For the guests who ordered the Chicken, they also complimented the dish but I can't speak to it myself. We were hooked, so much so we went back for dinner on our last night in Maui and ordered the Ribeye again! And while my waistline may not benefit- it was still just as amazing as our wedding night. Like other's said, be prepared to pay a little more at an establishment such as Merrimans- but I promise you won't be let down. And besides which- lets be honest, just about anything and everything in Maui is expensive so why not venture to a place you know will be good!?

    (4)
  • Charles F.

    Such a pleasant surprise. Having dined at their location in Wimea we couldn't pass up the opportunity to sample brunch while in the Kapalua area. Will the restaurant was virtually empty on the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend - we had our own private dining room. The views & trade winds were to die for. Brunch consisted of banana /pineapple bread, followed by one burger and one order of brioche French toast. Service was fantastic as was the presentation & quality of the food. Five stars to the lemon tart. Bar service excellent and wait staff top notch. Would highly recommend. Has to be one of the best kept secrets in Kapalua.

    (4)
  • Darien R.

    After dinner last night at Merriman's, driving out of the parking lot, my wife says, "Don't ever listen to Yelp again." She said that because we decided to go to Merriman's based on the awesome Yelp reviews. Yelp usually doesn't steer us in the wrong direction but occasionally it does happen, and Merriman's was one such occasion--a total bomb. Started with the service. The waiter was standoffish and impersonal. Every time we asked for a personal opinion, he gave us "yeah, you can do whatever you want". Had a bit of attitude too. His one recommendation, the cocktail, was one of the worst I've ever had. Not a good start. Here's a rundown of what we ordered: LOBSTER SALAD W/AVOCADO: Little bits of lobster placed on slimy avocado, and a very mediocre slice of tomato as the base. The dressing or sauce tasted like bottled Wishbone Italian dressing. A disaster of an appetizer. Ate the bits of lobster and left it. GARLIC TRUFFLE FRIES: Again, quite comical. These fries are served at any Red Robin, or for that matter, any Denny's across the United States. Completely UNdistinctive--a couple microscopic bits of parsley, but other than that, no reason to call this any thing other than "fries". MONCHONG FISH PLATE: The only good dish served. My wife ordered it, but she didn't care for it, but I liked it. Maybe because I was hungry (I wasn't eating anything else on the table.) SCALLOPS: My dish, and it was served cold. I should have sent it back, but I was completely unmotivated. I picked at the scallops and left it. CAVIATELLI PASTA: My daughter liked this. I thought it was just OK. For the caliber of this restaurant you'd expect much more. I think we ordered one more thing, but it escapes me now. We drove a long way to get to this restaurant, and we had high hopes. We made the mistake of saving this restaurant for our last meal in Hawaii. But the food and service were dreadful. I hope I can save you the time and the money. Here are a few other options for you if you're looking for good food on Maui: MORIMOTO'S (Andaz Hotel), MAMA'S FISH HOUSE, LAHAINA GRILL, ALOHA MIXED PLATE, ESKIMO CANDY, MONKEYPOD, and of course, ULULANI'S for shaved ice. DESPITE our experience at Merriman's, our time on Maui was heavenly!

    (2)
  • Gene G.

    I would rather bring food and enjoy the view . Yes Kapalua is a beautiful place but I do not need to eat at a very expensive place with not great food to enjoy the view. I really like Kapalua but my girl friend had a fish taco she did not like vs a place in Kihei coconut fish where she thought the fish taco was great . I had shrimp at merriman I did not really like. It was happy hour my girl friend had a glass of wine I just had water $50 with a tip. Expensive not great food wonderful setting but one does not need to eat there to enjoy the setting.

    (3)
  • Brandy R.

    Go for the happy hour and stay for dinner! Drinks are great and inexpensive at happy hour. The Pupu sampler was amazing, lick your plate delicious. The daily soup was corn chowder with bacon croutons, yum! And finally the macadamia nut crusted monchong was amazing!! Oh and then the malasadas and french pressed coffee...so so good!! Would eat here again and again! Forgot about the view- beautiful sunset table at 5pm was exactly what we were looking for on our first night in Maui! Did not miss here at all...perfection!

    (5)
  • Alizabeth L.

    Paul the bartender was on his cocktail game! He whipped up a very nice cocktail for me without much fuss or me knowing really what I was looking for. Unfortunately, he turned out to be the highlight of the meal. Our server didn't pay much attention to us, we felt more like we were at Applebee's than a higher priced restaurant. The food was okay - the menu sounded more creative than the food tasted, but didn't compare to similarly priced restaurants in other cities. It tasted like chain dining food... just normal. The atmosphere was nice enough (but loud and busy) with a good open view, but there was a youngster up past her bedtime screaming nearby that brought down the classiness of the restaurant. Overall, a so-so experience. We wouldn't go back.

    (2)
  • Juliet B.

    If you go to Maui and won't go to Merriman's you seriously missing out! Great view, great music (Live!), amazing food!!!! 5 stars!!!!

    (5)
  • Melanie H.

    Fabulous location, amazing meal, great service! 7 of us had dinner just before Christmas at this great restaurant. We will be back.

    (5)
  • Jay D.

    Great food in a great setting. I ordered the Merrimans mix plate trio. Excellent. My wife ordered the monchong (sp) fish. Both were very good dishes. The Cesar salad was pedestrian. The malasadas were very good ;) Our waiter was lame, rushed and somewhat rude. I asked to hv Grey goose vodka substituted instead of ketel 1. He did it but seemed put off by the request. In addition while trying to order a side of sautéed mushrooms he quickly grabbed my menu out of my hands. My wife noticed this, but I was busy talking with a friend. Overall good food.

    (3)
  • Alfy B.

    Great food and service. The restaurant is beautiful and food was fantastic. Go during sunset and get ready for a magical time.

    (5)
  • Steve R.

    My tastebuds are on strike after having learned what I've deprived them for the past 33 years. Literally, everything is tasting bland in comparison! I enjoyed every part o my meal: the pupu taster, two entree combo of lamb and catch of the day-yellowtail, pineapple and macadamia nut bread pudding with haupia ice cream!!! I know, right! Never disappointed at Merrimans.

    (5)
  • Susanna M.

    My husband and I went here for Christmas Eve. First and foremost, the view is amazing at sunset. Secondly, the waitstaff is very friendly. So based on that I would say 5 stars. We've came here before and were very disappointed to find out the trio plate and upside down pineapple dessert have since been removed from the menu. The food is not the best meal on the island and I would say overpriced as well. We started with the quesadilla appetizer, which was yummy. My husband got the Ahi (which that was great, very tasty) and I got the Mahi Mahi and was not impressed at all. My suggestion would be to come here for drinks and appetizers for a great view to watch the sunset.

    (3)
  • Nicole C.

    If I had to pick a favorite restaurant out of all my experiences, Merriman's would have to be my all time favorite. Reasons: 1.) Location, Location, Location: You cannot beat the gorgeous views of Molokai and adjacent Napili Beach. Sunsets are gorgeous in general in Maui, but the sunsets here, out on the point, with a cocktail in hand is where my happy place is. The beauty and ambience is humbling. 2.) Cocktails: Couldn't get too far without mentioning these: Favorites in order from most favoite to a teeny bit less favorite but all equally awesome: 1.) Vodka & Passionfruit (AMAZING as lilikoi is my favorite but glass rimmed with Li Hing Mui....YES PLEASE!) 2.) Tequila & Mango, 3.) Nakano Farm Cucumber & Gin 4.) Merriman's Mai Tai. 3.) Food: Poke Cut & Keahole Lobster Salad...OMG both are fantastic! Fresh and tasty! For dinner I highly recommend their Merriman's Mix Plate. It is all sorts of amazing and a perfect dish if you're unsure if you'd rather surf it or turf it. Highlight: We had Thanksgiving Dinner here last Thanksgiving and they had a special menu for Thanksgiving that was AMAZING! Traditional Turkey Dinner but the sides were all from fresh produce and hands down the best Thanksgiving meal that I have ever had in my 29 years. They had a white chocolate cranberry cheesecake that I ordered for dessert that I actually was dumb enough to leave and go to the restroom for and by the time I got back my parents and husband had polished it off...unreal meal. If I had to chose my last meal on earth this would have had to be it...but the best personal touch was that for each of us who had ordered their thanksgiving special, we were given a turkey sandwich in a special merrimans reuseable bag to take home for an "post thanksgiving turkey sandwich" and it was awesome as well! If you are going to splurge on any high end restaurant in Maui, put this one at the top of your lists because I have tried them all and Merrimans is my absolute favorite place!

    (5)
  • Danny O.

    This place has a nice view but is really lacking in the food department. Everything we ordered was one note and fell quite flat in taste. It was our last meal in Maui and quite honestly the worst. We did have the good fortune of dining at some really excellent places. Taste is 3 stars, along the lines of a high end diner, but knock it down to a two star because my stomach feels terrible after eating there.

    (2)
  • Ryan A.

    This is my favorite restaurant in Maui, hands down! Location, food, service, wine list and the ambience are a perfect 10! I really cant say enough great things about Merriman's. The staff, especially JJ our waiter, and Jeff the sommelier, really help make the dining experience perfect! We came here the night after I proposed to my girlfriend and loved every aspect of the experience. Then a few days later we decided to elope and came back to Merriman's for dinner the night of our wedding, that is how great this restaurant is! Go to Merriman's at sunset for dinner, you will love it!

    (5)
  • Deborah N.

    Beautiful views and wonderful monchong fish dish. The server was fine but we were celebrating our honeymoon and the only disappointment was he didn't even congratulate or acknowledge our special occasion. Watched a nearby table get over the top birthday treatment and felt a little envious that we didn't have their amazing server. Either way..great location and the restaurant deserves 4 stars! Wouldn't go back tho...

    (4)
  • David S.

    The food here is incredible. The atmosphere is great. We even liked this experience better than The Beach House restaurant in Kauai, and that says a lot. We will be going back later this week to check out happy hour. I recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a place to have a great dining experience overlooking the ocean.

    (5)
  • Matthew L.

    I tried Merriman's based on the recommendation of a coworker. It was billed as a farm to table restaurant (locally sourced). What she didn't mention was the spectacular view. How could you not be enchanted by the view. We tried the pupu platter, a rib eye and monchong. It was my first time trying monchong and it was delicious. What I appreciated most was the seasoning. The staff spent great time in perfectly seasoning the food. We finished with the chocolate purse. The space sets up the meal, and the food delivers. Make sure to make a reservation or you won't get a table.

    (4)
  • Melissa B.

    This was our fancy dinner on our honeymoon (even though every dinner seemed like a fancy dinner since Maui is so expensive) We came a bit early for our 5:30 reservation to have happy hour at the bar. The Mai Tais? The best. We were then seated at our table along the glass wall. The view? WOW. It was so amazing to watch the sunset while we were eating dinner. We started with the fish and chips appetizer. So good. The eggplant chips were just as good as the fish (and that's saying a lot since I am NOT a fish eater). Then we had the Upcountry Kale and Butter Lettuce Salad. I wasn't a huge fan, but my husband wanted to try it so we had that. He loved it. I had the ribeye for dinner which was amazing and my husband had the fish special which I believe was albacore that night. Both were so delicious. We had the macadamia nut bread pudding for dessert and it was one of the best dessert we had on the island. They added a "Congratulations" in Hawaiian which was sweet. Our server (I wish I remembered his name!) was awesome. So insightful on recommendations on wine and food. He was very attentive, always asking how things were and if we needed anything. This was definitely one of our best meals on the island. We will be back when we return to Maui (right now our checking account is recovering)

    (5)
  • Morgan S.

    Merrimans is a wonderful restaurant! It was chilly so I would recommend a sweater. It was easy to get to we took the shuttle from the Ritz. We ordered steak, wine, a side of vegetables, and malasadas for dessert. The malasadas are to die for. The white chocolate middle melts in your mouth. The view is also beautiful. You can see all of kapalua bay. The menu is on the pricier side, but it is totally worth it!

    (5)
  • Diana F.

    The restaurant was beautiful, The staff was on point and the food was amazing. There were four in our group and all the food served was perfect. prepared well and the fish was amazing. Service couldn't be better and it was so pretty to look out over the water while sharing with friends.

    (5)
  • Kirsten D.

    We came here on or honeymoon and it was one of the best meals of our trip (I would say even better than that other "best place to eat on Maui" that you hear so much about) The view was spectacular & the service was great! We definitely wined and dined ourselves- started with cocktails at the bar. The Mai tai had a more fine dining twist to it but it was very good. We then had a cheese plate and wine to share- the port salute was so yummy! My husband had the scallops which he said were absolutely perfect, while I had a Cesar salad with fried green tomato croutons- something I've never had but was very good. For entrees I had the NY strip which had a wonderful char grilled flavor, and the hubby had the rack of lamb- which he said was so delicious! Finished our dinner up with a complimentary chocolate dessert & we pretty much had to be rolled out of there :) I would highly recommend coming here- the food was amazing with a sunset view that can't be beat!

    (5)
  • Peiran S.

    This place is in an unbeatable position, reaching out into the ocean. The view is supposed to be fantastic but we almost never had dinner before sunset in Hawaii so it's a what-so-ever good view to us, what so ever. While we were waiting outside, a valet dude bumped a customer's car into another customer's car. Lose lose lose situation for all three parties... I cannot remember what I had which probably means there's nothing impressive. I do remember what I had in Kauai's Merriman tho. That place is better than this Maui one. Service was ok but slow. Plus our waitress put tips in the check automatically, spontaneously and voluntarily. We were party of 3. Don't know why but it did obligate me not to tip her anything more than what she asked for. Fair game. All being said, it's not going to be anywhere close to the top of our Maui dinning list. Pineapple grill is still our #1 in Kapalua area.

    (3)
  • Michelle T.

    We had a 5:00 reservation for the last night of our vacation. We were seated right away. The service and food were excellent! Best meal we had all week. The view was spectacular especially at sunset and we even had a show put on by a few whales.

    (5)
  • Sara R.

    Amazing environment!! View, motif, live music.. Portions are tiny but taste is out of this world..

    (4)
  • Craig F.

    We went there for happy hour and the scenery is beautiful sitting outside on the deck having cocktails and pupus! Can't wait till the next trip back!

    (5)
  • K K.

    We had an exceptional meal at Merriman's; beautifully crafted modern Hawaiian fare, elegantly presented. Restaurant is sleek & modern. Just fell short of a 5-star for us due to a mishandling of our reservation that left us waiting 45 minutes or more for our table, which ended up being near the open nanowall, and was rather windy & chilly. Host seemed a bit harried--granted, it was one of the busiest weeks of the season--but she could've done a better job of making us feel she was sympathetic to our situation, & assuring us we hadn't been forgotten when we were waiting for so long...especially at a restaurant of this calibre where we plunked down over $400 for our meal. Just started off the evening on a less than stellar note. Our server was knowledgeable & efficient, and other support service was very good.

    (4)
  • Lee G.

    We were tired and hungry, having just walked the coastal trail, which begins/ends at Kampala Beach. Walked over to Merriman's, sat on the deck with the absolutely exquisite view, and ordered fish and chips, and shared an order of parmesan truffle fries. The "chips" were fried eggplant: superb! And the fries were superior and delicious. My only reason for the 4-star rating was the prices. Portions were small, prices were a bit high.

    (4)
  • Bill M.

    We only had drinks at Merimann's b/c we were trying to avoid pricey resort dinners (and it is indeed pricey). We did enjoy our time, there, however. A couple drinks on their incredible patio is a great way to spend an hour or two. They have great sunsets / views and a little fire pit. Drink selection is nice. Vibe is upscale / romantic. They have a happy hour 3-5 I believe. They force you to park valet but its free and the valet staff was very friendly and professional. Check out Merimann's, if anything for drinks / apps.

    (4)
  • Robert F.

    Sunday Brunch was to die for!! Excellent will be back, Keep up the Good work!! Mahalo

    (5)
  • Anthony W.

    We dined here yesterday and had a good meal. I did wish they served a tasting menu though. The place is valet only so don't bother looking for a parking space. We had the scallops and prime rib. The scallops were cooked perfectly and very enjoyable. My prime rib was also cooked perfectly but seemed to have a lot of fat on it. It seemed like 1/4 of it was fat. You can expect to have a good meal here but be ready to pay well for it.

    (4)
  • Jules H.

    Wonderful honeymoon dinner. Spectacular views, impeccable service, delicious food. Fish and chips appetizer was perfection. Salads were well thought out and flavored great. Main courses were devoured with gusto. We brought our own wine and they charge a 35.00 corkage fee. Worth it to us since they really up charge their wines on Maui.

    (5)
  • Manuel G.

    Came here for my bf's bday and and boy were we glad we did! the view we had of the ocean (table 51) was excellent. The ambiance was romantic with soft light and the sooth jams of r&b being played by a two piece band, they played sade, need I say more. The waiter was a real cool dude. Customer service A+ Now onto the food, my inner fat girl was very pleased. We both had the rib eye steak that had a dry run and some type of pesto ( I think) sauce on top that was BOMB DIGGITY!! and the mash potatoes were yummy and the parmesan French fries were hella good and the green beans were coo( I was hungry) Now onto what's dear and close to my heart, the booze. Good drinks, not to strong, but good. Das all!

    (5)
  • Glenn W.

    Our favorite high-end restaurant on Maui. While this version of Merriman's strays a bit from the local farm-to-table theme of the original spot on the big island -- and certainly more upscale -- its menu is still built on the freshest, high-quality ingredients around. Any fish dish is superb, but my favorite choice is one of their lamb preparations (even if the lamb typically comes from Colorado). Arrive in time to enjoy a glass of wine at sunset out on their patio.

    (5)
  • Mark H.

    This is a fabulous restaurant. We had the steak (perfect), fish and chips appetizer (creatively served in a paper bag) and the evening's fish special with prawns. Everything was delicious. The service was snappy, the first we've experienced on Maui; how refreshing! We were there on a rainy evening, so we missed the opportunity to sit outside. Tip; if the weather is nice, ask for an outdoor seat.

    (5)
  • Tamra P.

    JJ best waiter ever! Smoked taro hummus with radishes, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and taro chips. Kale salad with goat cheese and beets. Mix plate- seared ahi, mahi, fillet Anniversary dessert of chocolate, Hawaiian salted whipped cream, vanilla bean ice cream. House made cookies to go. Heavenly.

    (5)
  • Brian S.

    Nothing short of incredible. We decided to go to Mama's Fish House for the Coup de grâce on our last night of our Maui trip. It was a decent meal but unfortunately we decided to hit up Merriman's for happy hour before catching the red eye back home. It wasn't until then that we realized the error of our ways. The food and ambiance at Merriman's was far, far nicer than Mama's, at least for us. They're different beasts, so I won't compare/contrast but I will say that the service, drinks and view of the bay at Merriman's was wonderful. Great Mai Tai's, not a huge beer selection but they had some interesting stuff I hadn't tried before. The food was superb, perfect portion sizes and a great variety of options. The view was breathtaking as well, an amazing overlook of the bay and the water. The outdoor seating was full when we arrived but it looked incredible out there. The indoor seating had an equally good view but with some relief from the sun (much needed at that point in the trip). The inside has huge folding doors that completely open the dining room up to outside. There was a lovely breeze and couldn't have been more relaxing. I wish we had eaten here earlier in the trip, we would have gone back a couple more times. Good show, Merriman's.

    (5)
  • Marcus L.

    Ate here for a large work hosted dinner. Food was very good. Unfortunately we arrived after dark and missed the sunset, so not sure about the views. We did not see a lot of kids there. High end, contemporary atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Leona S.

    Oh Merriman's. Wow, wow, wow. Came here because my boss and his wife recommended it, saying it was a must. We actually only had appetizers and dessert because we wanted to sit at the patio overlooking the ocean. It was phenomenal. The view was just out of this world spectacular. The edge of the ocean was right there, the patio was serene and peaceful, just a gorgeous setting. We watched the sunset as we ate. It was picture perfect. The food. We had the Kalua pork quesadilla, Lobster tomato avocado salad, Filet Mignon sliders, truffle fries and the pineapple upside down cake. The quesadilla was not really a tortilla, but more like a flaky phyllo dough. It was delicious!! So good with the sauce they bring out. Four pieces of quesadilla, I wanted more! Lobster is always good. No matter what you pair it with, in my books, lobster is my last dying meal. Soft, not too chewy, tender and went very well with the tomato and avocado. The sliders were slightly disappointing, they were a bit dry. I wish it was cooked medium rare with a bit more cheese. Didn't really notice the filet mignon flavors. The truffle fries were to die for. So good, crispy and flavorful. Not oily at all. Lastly, dessert was yummy too. Very sweet. It came with a scoop of ice cream, which paired well with the sweet cake. Without drinks our apps and dessert came out to about $90 so it is a pretty pricey place. Definitely paying for the view and location (right in Kapalua Bay).

    (4)
  • Kevin V.

    My wife and I were in Maui for the past ten days and we went to Merriman's twice while we were there. The first time we were there, the patio area was closed for a private event. We were able to sit outside at one of the tables that forms the perimeter of the restaurant, however there was no bar service at these tables so the hostess explained to us that we would need to order our drinks from at the bar and take them to our table. We each had one of their signature Mai Tai's with their Honey lillikoi foam. The drinks were amazing, as was the incredible Maui sunset. From a customer service perspective, it was a little disappointing they were not offering bar service at the outside tables, but not a huge detraction from the time we spent at Merriman's. We enjoyed our sunset Mai Tai's at Merriman's so much that we decided to go back the night before we left Maui. We met some friends at the bar who were also vacationing in Maui. We ordered four Mai Tai's and left the credit card tab at the bar open. We walked down to the patio area and sat down at a table where we would have a nice view of the sunset. This was the area that was closed to the public on our previous visit. As soon as we sat down at the table, a female server name Corey approached us at the table. Seeing we had cocktails, she was quick to tell us that she was providing table service on the patio and she asked that we close out our tab at the bar and order all other food/drinks from her. There was no offer from her to transfer our tab from the bar to her. It was clear to me that this was all about Corey making sure she didn't miss out on her gratuity. What she didn't realize is that she just did miss out on her gratuity by the manner in which she chose to approach us at the table. We finished our first round of Mai Tai's, but Corey wasn't visible anywhere on the patio, so we walked up to the bar and ordered another round of four Mai Tai's and an appetizer. The bartender assisted by carrying two of the drinks to the patio, as well as the appetizer. He helped get the food and drinks situated at our table. Corey watched as this was occurring, but didn't say anything to us. We finished our food and drinks and were sitting at the table chatting when another female server (long blonde hair, thin, 40's) approached the table and began clearing our glasses, plates and silverware from the table. As she was clearing the table, she was banging the glasses around, as well as the plates and silverware making somewhat of a scene while not saying anything. It was clear that she was upset at us for something and it felt as though we were being ejected from the restaurant. She never offered anything to us. After she cleared the table, she walked to the nearby wait station where she deposited the items she had just cleared from our table. As she was doing this, our party began to talk about how she made us feel by her unfriendly demeanor as she was clearing our table. She overheard the conversation, walked back to the table and began to challenge us about the reason we didn't order our food and our second round of Mai Tai's from the table instead of walking back to the bar. Unbelievable!!! She was unprofessional, rude and completely out of line with the manner in which she treated us. The way we were treated by this server made me decide that I will never return to Merriman's. Our friends were considering having dinner at Merriman's that night, but changed their minds after the tantrum the server threw on the patio. My wife and I had reservations at another restaurant, so we were not planning on eating at Merriman's. When we left the restaurant, one of our friends who was with us (who was previously in the restaurant business) asked the bartender to speak to the general manager. We were quickly greeted by someone who we believed to be the general manager. It wasn't until we were leaving that we asked for his card, which he presented to us. His name was Jeremiah Allen and his card identified himself as a Sommelier, not the general manager. We explained our experience at Merriman's to him. He listened to us and said he would talk to the server, but beyond that he didn't do anything to remedy the manner in which we were treated by a member of his staff. My friend shared with him that she and her husband were planning to have dinner at Merriman's that night, however the negative experience on the patio had caused them to change their mind. Mr. Allen was quick to tell us that he would "take care of us" if we decided to stay for dinner, however considering the manner in which we had been treated, we declined his offer. This was an extraordinarily disappointing experience from a very nice restaurant with one of the best reputations on Maui and it highlights the importance of customer service for a business that caters primarily to the travel industry. I am certain that Peter Merriman would be appalled if he knew how we were treated.

    (1)
  • Joan A.

    We visit Maui twice a year and we finally made it to Merriman's! The views are oustanding...ocean and Molikai! We saw a spectacular sunset! My husband and I ordered fresh fish and and it was very good. I did ask for mine to be simply grilled (which I do at other fine restaurants, like Mama's Fish House and Kimo's) and there is never a problem. Our waiter, David G., seemed put out by this request and as he walked away from our table, he shook his head in disgust. He was very attentive at the beginning of the meal then his service petered out. Also, the noise level was quite high. We were disappointed in that. If we were with others, it would have been difficult to carry on a conversation. I am not sure if we will return to Merriman's. It does not even begin to hold a candle to Mama's Fish House...THE best restaurant on the island for service, food and views.

    (3)
  • Carla L.

    Went for Sunday brunch. Was disappointed. Had seen the pictures posted of the lobster eggs Benedict which had a large lobster claw on top- got a lobster cake topped with a perfectly poached egg with wonderful sauce and avocado. My daughter had a lovely mushroom omelet. The service was great as usual. Problem was the items came with nothing- need something for the price charged which is high- toast or potato or even a slice of pineapple at least... Also the waiter kept trying to upsell us on the baked goods which was bad. Really didn't get much lobster at all and they charge 26 dollars for it. Everything tasted good though.

    (3)
  • Danel R.

    Amazing food! Incredible view! I recommend sunset dinner. You will not be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Ronnie S.

    This place is all about the gorgeous view and location on the beach. Great for a romantic sunset or for a nice dinner with friends and family. Great Hawaiian atmosphere with a touch of elegance. The food was only decent--tasty but nothing to write home about. Given the price, it could've been more delicious. Ordered the ahi tuna and filet combo. Ahi tuna was delicious, but filet was lacking.,

    (3)
  • E F.

    This is going to be a boring review because everything was fantastic. We held our wedding rehearsal dinner at the oceanside cabana at Merriman's and it was an incredible, memorable, and flawless event. We selected a four-course fixed menu for our guests and the food was absolutely impeccable. The service, led by Patrick, was all that you could hope for at an event -- timely, warm, unobtrusive, but with just the right amount of personal attention. Our guests commented several times on how great the service was, which was pretty interesting, because our party of 19 was honestly a pretty tough crowd. We also thought that the wine selection was fantastic and infinitely better than a few other high-end restaurants on Maui. They also had a sommelier help us with the pairing for each course and you can be sure that our guests enjoyed that. I would highly recommend Merriman's for a special occasion and urge you to go with the oceanside cabana if you have a group of 20 or fewer! It rained HARD while we were there, so much so that the deck cleared out in a matter of a minute or so, but we were nice and dry in the cabana. They have these non-tacky plastic shields that block the rain and wind, so you will be fine. I can't wait to have another special occasion so we can rent it out again!

    (5)
  • Kiyomi H.

    The first time we went was year 2011, we had great food and service, we were very happy with the experience so we dined twice while our vacation. We were looking forward to the same experience in the following year, unfortunately it was the worst one... Worst service and awful servers. Bartenders were not as great as they should have been, Young servers were just chatting and I was not sure they had a manager on duty on the busy Friday evening either. I sent the comment about that horrible experience to the Management, I didn't receive any response for close to a week. That was how horrible management and training could be at this place. Also guess what, once you have that kind of experience, you don't want to waste your time and money. They are pretty pricy for the crappy service. We were very disappointed by the whole thing and we have never gone back this place again!

    (1)
  • Lee H.

    We had a great experience, Merriman's staff was super helpful and very accommodating. My wife and I had steak, cooked exactly as we asked, and our waiter was very classy and knew what he was doing. Just when I thought it couldn't get better they bring out a happy birthday desert, and the waiter said "we can't have you leave on your birthday without desert, it's on the house" wow! I can't recommend Merriman's enough! We will be back!

    (5)
  • jazzysanz s.

    For our honeymoon, this was the perfect last romantic dinner in the island. The sunset and drinks were 100% amazing!!! This spot is must go to. The selection of their specialty drinks are delicious. The service was definitely 5 star. We will come back here when we visit again! Thanks for a pleasant evening!!!!

    (5)
  • Jeanie S.

    Pretty much a perfect dining experience. Service was excellent from the moment we dropped the car with valet until the moment we got back in and drove away. We walked in right before 5:30pm without reservations and were seated at a table for 2 on the edge of the upper patio with an unobstructed panorama of the ocean. We'd called earlier and they were fully booked until 9pm, but we decided to walk in and take a chance, and I'm glad we did. Our server was fabulous. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and had perfect timing with our dishes. We never felt hurried. Support staff was a well-oiled machine. The busboy even pointed out whales that were spouting just offshore. Nice personal touch, especially on a fully booked out evening. Food was delicious and artfully presented. The special salad (kale, beet infused goat cheese, beets, quinoa, mac nuts) was truly special. Each bite presented a different facet of flavor and texture, all perfectly balanced with the light acidity and slight sweetness of the dressing. Basket of warm bread with softened butter was enticing. It was difficult to only eat one loaf. Nice crust, soft crumb, and mmmmm warm. My main dish was a duo plate (you can choose two smaller sized entrees) of the pan roasted diver sea scallops and macadamia nut crusted monchong with spicy garlic broccoli in a roasted mushroom, sake, butter reduction. Although I love scallops and these were perfectly cooked, the monchong blew me away. The texture of the mac nut crust and the incredibly moist fish was just sumptuous. Dessert of white chocolate filled malasadas with coffee caramel dipping sauce and coffee as the sun set, whales played, and the ocean shimmered. Awesome dining experience.

    (5)
  • Veronica D.

    Enjoyed Merriman's as our last dinner on Maui. It's an upscale restaurant where you do want to show up dressed in your finer Hawaiian attire. We enjoyed delicious Mai Tai's (best one on our trip) and A Day at the Spa. Both drinks had their kick and not weak. What I love about their menu is the duo option - pick any two of their entrées and they'll give you half portions so you can try more than one. I had the lobster and ahi which was the best ever. The lobster just came right out from the shell and tasted so fresh. The garnishings for each one was unique and delicious. My husband got the fish of the day and filet mignon. He ordered medium and the filet was practically raw and cold on the inside. We asked for them to cook it longer and the waitress brought us another filet within minutes that was slightly cooked longer. At least it wasn't cold. If you order the filet, clarify the level of pink you want because something for us just didn't go right. Nonetheless, it was good, but not great. We finished with their pineapple bread pudding topped with coconut ice cream. A perfect portion to enjoy the richness of this well crafted dessert. Overall, we loved Merriman's and would go here over Mama's.

    (5)
  • Susan C.

    Terrible service! Highlight of the service was the valet got my car quick. Will never come here again. Scallops were undercooked. Mahi mahi was overcooked. Chocolate purse was pretty good expect for the burnt part on top. Server didn't explain dessert special or bread plate and was inattentive to our table. This was so disappointing because the Merriman's on Kauai was excellent, service & food.

    (2)
  • Mike W.

    We chose to spend our last evening in Maui with our family at Merriman's and we are glad we did. The restaurant arranged for our table of 5 to be near the windows with the fabulous view. The appetizers were outstanding - we had the sampler platter and fish and chips. The pork quesadillas were fabulous. We each had different entrees - filet, rib eye, monchong, and mahi mahi. All of the entrees were prepared well and served hot at the same time. We were celebrating birthdays and an anniversary as well. We had the flourless chocolate cake with whipped cream and strawberries for dessert and it was perfect. Overall an excellent choice and will be on our agenda every time we return to Maui.

    (5)
  • Terry M.

    My wife and I got married at Merriman's Kapalua in February 2013. The wedding site was on a grassy area outside overlooking Kapalua Bay. Perfect spot for a small wedding! Absolutely gorgeous views that made for perfect sunset photography afterwards. I can't recommend Merriman's enough if you're looking to have your wedding in Maui! For our cocktail reception we had the following passed appetizers: 1. Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Tartare with Molokai Sweet Potato Chips 2. Miniature Kalua Pig Slider with Spicy Cabbage 3. Truffled Mushroom Risotto Fritters (see uploaded photos) I tried the Ahi Tuna Tartare and Truffled Mushroom Risotto before we got whisked away for photos. The Kalua Pig Slider was the biggest hit with our guests followed by the Ahi Tuna Tartare. Dinner Menu (Four Course): 1. Starter: Handcrafted Cavatelli Pasta 2. Salad: Kula Tomato, Kapalua Beet, and Papaya Salad 3. Wok Charred Hawaiian Ahi OR Peppercorn-Garlic Rubbed Pan Seared USDA Ribeye 4. Dessert: Maui's Best Tropical Fruit Plate Everything was excellent and our guests were raving about both the food and service! I had the Wok Charred Hawaiian Ahi and it was melting in my mouth. We moved to the back deck to finish off our evening with our first dance and a fire show. Thanks to Danielle our wedding coordinator and the whole Merriman's crew for making our wedding day absolutely perfect!

    (5)
  • Jimmy N.

    I just so happened to get paired up with two Maui ER doctors at my kaanapali golf outing and they insisted that I take my family there for dinner. This was our third trip to Maui and we had never heard of or read about this place. Moving forward this will be a staple in our itinerary. The view sets the stage for one of the best sunset photo opportunities in Maui. The food is delicious. We were guilty of bring our children with us to dinner, as like most patrons we were on vacation and didn't have many other options. That being said our entire family enjoyed our experience. Unfortunately if you don't have reservations, you will likely have to wait a very long time or may not even get seated. Book your reservation 1-2 days in advance to alleviate any uncertainty. The steaks were amazing and the Mahi Mahi melted in my mouth. My children enjoyed the powdered doughnuts with the chocolate dipping sauce.

    (4)
  • Jay S.

    Amazing doesn't even come close to adequately describing our experience last night. We arrived 30 minutes early for our reservation and were seated immediately. We had time to place our order then head outside for stunning pictures at sunset. Both of us did a combo meal so experienced fish, lobster, and a fillet. The food was absolutely perfect. Dessert, well how can you go wrong with a bread pudding. The service, the atmosphere, the food, a perfect way to end a special birthday.

    (5)
  • teddy z.

    Merriman's ruined it for us. After eating dinner here, everything else pales in comparison. I had eaten at Merriman's on the Big Island many years ago but this bears faint resemblance to me. First off, the place is beautiful. And the views are awesome. We went at 5:30 PM so we could enjoy watching the sunset from our table. We would have loved to be seated on the patio but were told that it was for drinks and appetizers, but not dinner. As has been the case for many of the establishments in Hawaii, service was top notch. Our server was friendly and gracious. We started out with cocktails and bread and ordered our courses. They delivered complimentary local vegetables with purple chips and hummus. The chips were amazing and very beautiful. Next, came the Lobster, Avocado and Tomato salad. We loved it. The tomatoes were as tasty as the lobster, not to mention the sweet Maui onions. The Housemade Cavatelli Pasta was serious foodie food. The texture of the pasta was chewy (in a good way) but the hamakua mushrooms and house made ricotta really stood out. For our entree, we order the Merriman's Mix Plate featuring sautéed mahi maui, prime filet of beef and wok charred ahi. The portion was small, but we loved the choices and variety. The macadamia nut garlic rice was certainly memorable. I cannot stress enough what a first class experience this was. In retrospect, I would have chosen to eat every dinner here. It was that great.

    (5)
  • Chris O.

    While in some ways I preferred the big island Merriman's because it felt more homey and unique, this location was quite impressive. The food was still top notch with much of it being sourced locally (the main reason I favor them vs other HQ restaurants around). The service was very good as well. It's not cheap but it's worth going here at least once on any Maui visit. Also the setting is incredible here, it's right on the bay and the restaurant is open air on the back and side so even if you don't sit outside you can still see the ocean and feel the breeze. Excellent!

    (5)
  • Jen H.

    Above average flavor. Had lobster,while the fiance had mahi mahi.Always a fan of lobster. :)Do love their strawberry mojito. They also threw in a flourless cake slice for our anniversary/engagement celebration which I found to be my second fav during the dinner. View at sunset with the open doors is great. Bummed that our reservation didn't provide for seating against the glass wall which is super close to the beautiful lounge and no view obstruction. It still had a sunset view nonetheless,but just closer to the bar.

    (3)
  • Nicholas H.

    Excellent food! Very good. Filthy bathroom...Absolutely horrible and mean hostess and manager would do nothing about it!

    (2)
  • G B.

    Amazing view, great service and great food. We didn't have reservations so we sat at a high-bar table. Had the poke, the garden salad and combined two dishes; the mahi mahi and the filet. Comparing to the filet a Lahaina Grill...just different, not better. Amazing sunset view. There is not a single bad seat in the place. Highly recommend it.

    (5)
  • Carol L.

    A perfect last evening in Maui. Let's start with the location. In Kapalua on a bluff. A nice, upscale but comfortable interior. We arrived a little early for our reservation in order to be able to enjoy the view. They directed us outside to their large patio where everyone sat facing the vast expanse of ocean. The sunset was just beginning and couldn't have been more perfect. We were seated inside and no sooner did we sit than we heard everyone oohing around us. We looked toward the ocean and were treated to several whales breaching for several minutes. Wow. A perfect sunset and whale entertainment? Our server was attentive and efficient (and not that it matters -- except to any female reviewers -- but they were also the best looking boy servers I'd seen on the island). The kids menu was nice because it not only highlighted the typical kid fare, but they even had a petite filet (kid sized) on it. Nice. One had the slider burgers and one had the filet. They were both done nicely. They allow you to mix and match smaller portions of entrees, so I mixed their seared ahi and their scallops. The scallops were insane atop a sweet creamed corn and asparagus with a savory bacon chutney. The seared ahi was done perfectly with a ponzu sauce that worked perfect with it. We all shared their molten chocolate "purse" (and I was sad we did once it arrived). It was a kind of melted cake/brownie baked inside a chocolate filo purse and it came with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. It was delish. The whole evening, while pricey, was a perfect final meal for us. I'd recommend anyone go.

    (5)
  • Patrick H.

    My favorite restaurant in Maui by far. Make sure to book a reservation early enough to watch the sunset. We witnessed an awe-inspiring sunset while enjoying an amazing meal as hump back whales were breaching one after another. The service we received was world-class and our server was highly knowledgeable which made for some great wine pairings. This was an unforgettable dining experience and I can't wait to return.

    (5)
  • Kathleen B.

    Very disappointing. The view is excellent, food is good (but not spectacular) and the service is truly terrible. I was here for a special occasion (and informed the hostess of that at the time of the reservation as well as when we arrived) and wish we'd gone elsewhere. When we arrived we were told that we may want to order our own drinks at the bar to take outside instead of trying to get service from the waitstaff in the cocktail area outside as the staff was already busy. I purchased a bottle of champagne at the bar to bring outside with us thinking that would provide enough time to get a waitress to bring us a round of drinks. Our waitress outside took over 40 minutes to bring drinks and when I asked her if it would be possible to expedite our drinks, i was provided with a short lecture on how it takes time to get drinks from the bar... Our waitress was both slow and rude - not a winning combination. When I spoke with the manager, she assured me she would take care of our party but our service for the rest of the evening was average at best. There are many other locations on the island that provide breathtaking views - my advice is to pick one of those!

    (1)
  • Linda C.

    Had the scallops and they were cooked to perfection! This is high praise since I'm know to return food to the kitchen when fish and seafood is over cooked. The fish and chips and the kaula quesadilla was awesome. Kids meal wasn't over priced either. Can't wait to return.

    (5)
  • Cav M.

    TOO LOUD. The food was really quite delicious, but the ambiance was destroyed by the LOUD music competing with everyone shouting at each other to overcome the LOUD music. We arrived just as the sun had set, so we didn't have the view to awe us. Our server was nice, and was attentive and efficient. Two-thirds of the way through dinner, my husband asked him how he deals with the noise. The server agreed with us that it was extremely LOUD and that the musicians have a decibel monitor on their speakers which maintains that their music is always 2 decibels above what the noise level in the room is. Plus, if some of the sliding glass panels are shut on the sides of the restaurant (as they were tonight, due to gusty trade winds), that just adds to the cacaphonious din! It comes down to this: People talking + live music = people talking LOUDER to be heard over the music Decibel monitor cranks up to top the people's talking LOUDER. LOUDER music continues getting LOUDER to top the LOUDER people. And the cycle continues. This place really puts the "din" in "dinner". The poor server said, many times, he goes home with ear aches due to extended periods of all that noise. The energy in this restaurant is nothing short of frenetic! Although the server and water guy were super efficient, I would have preferred to not be reached across twenty times during the course if the evening. Maybe it's because they are used to having the sides of the restaurant open, and perhaps they usually reach around, but it is a bit of a pet peeve of mine to have arms constantly reaching across in my face. Again, the food was fabulous... great quality ingredients and delicious pairings. We had the Mac-nut encrusted Monchong and the filet mignon and a side of creamed corn, after the Merriman's garden salad. If you are looking for a romantic spot to pop the question, however, this ain't it! It's really a bummer to have such great food, a great location and attentive service ruined by the noise. You should leave a restaurant thinking about the great food, not about how before you finished your fine meal, you got a headache from the noise. How about we turn off the decibel meter and leave the music at a low level? Then if anyone wants to hear it, they will all get quieter to enjoy it. And PS... did I mention it was LOUD?

    (3)
  • Beagle P.

    Had a great experience, the food was tasty and well prepared but modest in portion size. Sunset views. We had great service staff and they were working a full house! Very enjoyable, we'll be back. Make a reservation, they get busy!

    (5)
  • Haleigh B.

    This place was delicious! Came here to celebrate getting engaged on the beach just down the way. Great atmosphere, such a beautiful restaurant. Open walls so you can see the beach and ocean, it's amazing. Ordered the peppercorn steak and it was so awesome. Came with a chimichurri to die for, roasted tomatoes, chili peppered green beans, and a tarot tot. Best steak ever! We ordered a side of the asparagus and bacon which was great and some delicious lava flows and kula mojitos! For dessert we got the molten chocolate purse and vanilla bean ice cream, I was in love. The service was a little slack but super friendly so it was all good. Would definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Ms K.

    This is the one of the best restaurants in Maui, if not THE best IMHO. FOOD: We wanted to try as many different plates as possible, so we opted to order 2 appetizers (pupus), a salad, the mixed plate entree and a dessert to share. 1. Housemade Cavatelli Pasta ($17): if I had to compose my last meal on earth, this pasta would definitely be the 1st course. It's decadent but still light enough. 2. Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Sashimi ($17): probably the freshest tuna I've ever had, served with a variety of pickled vegetable accompaniments. This is a pretty straightforward dish. The quality of the tuna is the star here. 3. Keahole Lobster, Avocado, Tomato Salad ($24): 3 slices of the most flavorful tomatoes topped with chunks of sweet Keahole lobster, arugula, shaved fennel and sweet Maui onions, lightly dressed in a lime-garlic chili vinaigrette. This is the perfect representation of what the best fresh ingredients can do for a simple dish. 4. Merriman's "Mix" Plate ($48): surf & turf that includes a sampling of the Crispy "Day Boat" Mahi Mahi Ponzu, Filet Mignon, and Wok Charred Ahi. This is a good option for those who want to try everything or just can't make up their mind. 5. White Chocolate Filled Malasadas ($12): a more gourmet take on the standard malasada. The dough is yeasty, soft and chewy at the same time. The white chocolate is gooey in the center. The slight bitterness in the coffee caramel dipping sauce gives a nice contrast to the sweetness. To make this dessert more multi-dimensional, they should offer an additional dipping sauce that has a little tartness to it like lilikoi, for example. SERVICE: If I had to knit pick something, it would be the hostess. Not as friendly and welcoming, considering theirs is the first face you see walking into the restaurant. The server and the busboy were delightful though. Even the valet guy was cool. VALUE: Expensive but worth it. Most of the ingredients are sourced locally, so they're not only fresh but sustainable, as well. TIP: If you do it "pupu" style like we did and share all the plates, it's not as hard on the wallet. LOCATION: WOW, WOW,WOW. Unbeatable view. Especially nice if you can catch the sunset. PARKING: Free valet. Just remember to tip. RESERVATION: Recommended. Available on OpenTable. Bon appetit!

    (5)
  • N. R. Y.

    We dined at Merriman's during our trip to Maui last December. It was one of the best meals we had ever had with some yummy cocktails! My husband had the filet mignon which was cooked perfectly and I had the Mahi Mahi which tasted very fresh. Make sure to request a table on the patio as the views are breathtaking especially during sunset. Reservations are highly recommended!

    (5)
  • Michelle L.

    The view is nice but food is just ok. The sampler taster was pretty good but the entrees are somewhat disappointing.

    (3)
  • Eliz S.

    Best views and happy hour with a touch of class. I think this is the most delicious place to dine and greatest views on the island!

    (4)
  • Russell C.

    If you read other reviews about how great this place is, its because its pretty darn good. But, don't let those reviews give you a false belief that the great food here is the cure all for everything wrong in the world, because people have different tastes and not everybody will be completely satisfied and this goes for any place you dine at. I've literally tried everything on this menu, and there are very little weaknesses in it. Ascetically one of the most beautiful settings for a restaurant you'll find anywhere. Very strong appetizer menu, everything on there is very tasty, it has the freshest and juiciest mahi fish and chips you'll find and with the eggplant gives it a new and delicious twist. The Kalua pig Quesadilla goes beautifully with the homemade kim chee as well and the mango chili dipping sauce. Ribeye and Filet are done well and very tasty, but you aren't here in hawaii to eat meat, especially ya'll from Texas who will never like beef from anywhere but from home, so stick to the seafood. On the seafood side of the menu, being a local hawaii boy, my favorite fish to eat is Monchong, if someone has it on the menu, I will order it. I see that recently they changed from Ono to Monchong in the Mac nut crusted preparation, so I order it. And i could not believe it when my taste buds went crazy, that this may be the greatest preparation of my favorite fish i've ever had! (Happy Russell) Also, it doesn't get much better with the locally grown keahole lobster. Juicy with a rich buttery flavor, comes with all the best (brains and such) parts. Dessert here, for me, isn't their strength. I've had the Chocolate purse, its good, but now wow good. Upside down cake isnt bad, but doesn't come close to the Upside down cake served at the Restaurant across the street (Pineapple Grill) So if there are any Cons of this restaurant, this would be it. But seriously how many people eat dessert here once you fill up on their fantastic menu.

    (5)
  • Virginia H.

    Service was underwhelming for such a reputable and expensive restaurant. Our waitress was nice but we had to flag her down several times. She never came to check back on us. She was chatting with another table she seemed forget she had other patrons. Will not go back!

    (1)
  • Betsy C.

    Love this place! Never had a bad meal, appetizer or dessert here. Their service is outstanding! It's upscale, but very comfortable. I hate dressing up, but will make a little effort for this place, and I have never had a bad table. This last visit I had their pork belly in mushroom sauce appetizer, that I can still taste, it was so incredibly good. It's one of my favorite places to have a nice dinner at.

    (5)
  • Cindy G.

    We debated whether to spend our last night in Maui at a traditional luau. We are so glad we chose to eat here instead. The food was amazing, and the service was outstanding. Our server Davy was great, took the time to really explain the menu, was very attentive, and took a personal interest in us. I would highly recommend coming here if you are near Lahaina. We will definitely come back the next time we're in Maui. This was by far our best rating experience here.

    (5)
  • David O.

    We just had a repeat dinner here tonight and I've got to bump Merriman's up to 4 stars. They're hella pricey, so I can't quite grant them 5 stars, but the service tonight was impeccable, as was the food. We showed up promptly at 5:25 PM for a 5:30 reservation since we had our kid in tow. He was actually pretty good throughout the meal, but it's always challenging to bring your toddler to a romantic dinner. Not only do you not want him to ruin your meal, you most certainly don't want him to ruin other people's meal. Thankfully, our child did neither tonight and was relatively subdued, probably due to the fact that he didn't get to take a nap on a fun-filled day. We skipped appetizers and went straight to the main course. I had a duo of wok seared Ahi and Colorado Lamb. That was just amazing and while I couldn't finish my plate, the food was truly remarkable. My wife ordered a duo of fish though I couldn't tell you exactly what fish she ate. She loved it, that's all I can tell you. We shared some Truffle Parmesan Fries and Beets as side orders. The Sommelier suggested we get a Hirsch Pinot Noir and we went with his recommendation. The wine was fabulous. All in all, a great dining experience and I'm very glad we went back to Merriman's!

    (4)
  • Lo L.

    We went here for brunch and really enjoyed ourselves. They get super busy so be sure to make a reservation. The food was fantastic! And the views are stunning! The service is great! It's worth going to! The bay to the restaurants right is amazing for snorkeling as well.

    (5)
  • Jamie E.

    It is upsetting to give Merriman's one star but the service we experienced was truly subpar. I came here with my husband with a Wanderable gift certificate. I emailed the assistant general manager several weeks before to make a reservation and to inform her of our gift certificate. She confirmed that the gift certificate was good to go and confirmed my reservation. While the food was great, the service was really lacking. At the end of the evening a different manager came over to tell me that my gift certificate wasn't accepted. I told him that I had confirmed with Danielle and showed him her email and the gift certificate. We then say around for 30 minutes with no response from him. Finally, 40 minutes later the waiter came by and said that we were good to go. He thought that the manager had come by to tell us this, but he had not communicated with is except to say that he didn't accept the gift certificate. To note- Our waiter was very friendly. He was totally overbooked though, so we saw very little of him. None if this review should be a reflection on him because he was a perfectly friendly guy. A woman walks around selling leis in the restaurant. I think this is very tacky for such an expensive restaurant. We started the evening with happy hour on the deck. That is a must do! Our waitress was very friendly and helpful during happy hour. I would have brushed this all under the rug with a simple apology from the manager. I would love to come back to Merriman's, but I don't think that will happen due to the negative experience. Mama's Fish House was a far better experience as a customer. I would say to skip Merriman's except for the happy hour and save your money for Mama's.

    (1)
  • Lisa L.

    Came after happy hour to avoid the crowds and sat outside on the point for a crazy amazing whale show and sunset. Our waitress was incredibly friendly server Cori was amazing. Great drink and food service from her. The server who brought the food was rude, didn't being utensils with the meal and seemed put out when we asked for some. When he brought the sliders I asked him to take our empty drink glass since the table outside as super small and he refused, said he would send someone over for that and never did. What is clearing a glass below the servers job description? We had the Pupu taster with poke and taro Chips, surfing goat cheese and kula strawberries and Maui onion salad, Kalua pork quesadilla and the local lobster and avocado salad. All were great. We finished with the prime rib and bacon blue. Cheese mini sliders with truffle fries. Total indulgence. Go for the view and good food. Try to not let some of the poor service spoil it for you

    (4)
  • Hal S.

    This has to be the best restaurant in Waimea. I ate there yesterday and was really surprised how nice the restaurant was. The physical space is very nicely arranged with the tables set far enough from each other that one feels privacy. The bank of windows over looking the garden gave the restaurant a nice garden like setting. The food was so delicious. Heidi, the server, could not have been more attentive or informative about the menu. And finally, I have always felt the bathroom of a restaurant is a true refleciton of the kitchen ---and their bathroom was immaculate.

    (5)
  • Scott W.

    This place is fantastic. Very romantic, And not at all staid. You can enjoy the restaurant itself or eat out by the fire pits. Both are amazing. Don't miss the Poopoo taster. And the mai tais are great. Brandi is A terrific server, if you eat by the fire pits.

    (5)
  • Taryn L.

    My husband and I love to visit Maui but we had never been to Merrimans before. We decided to check it out on our most recent trip and it was amazing! The service, food, and view are not to be missed. I would definitely suggest stopping here if you are in Maui.

    (5)
  • Ron G.

    Excellent food. By far the best dining views on the island. They have a spacious patio that is ocean front while enjoying happy hour. We always try to dine here at least twice while on vacation. The food,view and atmosphere are worth every dollar.

    (5)
  • Len S.

    Wow .What a setting. Food mostly good, but the place is OMG. Go for a drink if not for dinner. Just gorgeous.

    (4)
  • Regina S.

    We loved this place so much, we visited twice in one week. Great ambiance, nice entertainment, courteous staff, and lovely food too. It was also much more elegant and classy than many of the popular places on the island. It is also romantic too--which helps!

    (5)
  • C. B.

    Great drink selection and view is incredible. The place is like a zoo....so busy, but there is good reason got this. The live music is a spe old treat. Even the valet drivers provided quality and professional service.

    (5)
  • Holly G.

    I have been coming here for years and the place has been taken over by children.and loud obnoxious people. The bar was filled with people hooting and whistling at the entertainment, that was so loud we couldn't har each other talk. Half the restaurant was filled with kids and adults who were bare footed. Children were dancing all around the restaurant. Mind you this is supposed to be an elegant restaurant. The staff proclaimed they are not allowed to say anything to anyone. As we left, there was a whole group of very young children sitting on the floor blocking the door with a rude adult in charge, right in front of the staff. Half of them were barefooted. I have been to a Chucky Cheese that was more elegant. What a shame the wait staff is very good, the food was excellent but atmosphere was terrible...

    (1)
  • Laura B.

    Merriman's fell completely flat in both the service and food departments. The restaurant itself is beautiful. We had an 8:30 reservation so did not get to take advantage of the view, but you could tell it would be amazing at sunset. Our server was not very friendly and kind of snooty. The server for the table next to ours was much more approachable, helpful and funny! We wished we had gotten him. I thought the ahi and avocado salad appetizer was pretty good but my boyfriend thought it was bland. I ordered a duo plate with a petite filet and scallops. Both were pretty gross. The scallops didn't even look fully cooked! They were mushy and almost transluscent, I thought they were raw! I've eaten a lot of steaks in my life and this one may have been one of the worst, it tasted old and didn't even seem like usual filet quality. I'm pretty sure they just cut off a piece of a regular cut of steak. After we ate the ladies at the table next to us were also going to order the filet but their KIND server informed them that there was a beef shortage on the island and they were having a really hard time getting their usual beef! SERIOUSLY?! I felt so cheated that our server would fail to mention this! Both of the sides that came with the filet and scallops had some sort of creamed corn in them. Gross! It was like mashed potatoes with creamed corn for the filet and something else (greens maybe? I don't remember) with creamed corn for the scallops. How unoriginal. I don't want creamed corn flavored everything, especially not on a $50 plate. We tried to save the meal by ordering the chocolate purse that everyone raves about. The phyllo shell is pretty impressive, but the dessert is esentially just a ton of chocolate sauce. Needless to say we did not enjoy our meal here. I was hoping this would be the highlight of our dining experiences on our trip (it was the only higher end place we booked for dinner) and it was not at all. I would not come back.

    (2)
  • Timothy M.

    Great first class restaurant with an excellent view. Went last night Michael our waiter was outstanding he was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and the island. It was raining so we didn't get to fully utilize the deck but it looked awesome. Both of us did the duo entree option with the filet. Each of our filets was cooked to order my wife had the fish of the day as part two of her duo. It was wonderful, I had the big island lobster which was also excellent. Pricey sure but you know that going in.

    (5)
  • Darina H.

    I had an outstanding experience at Merriman's. My college girlfriend recommended that my family and I (including my in-laws) dine here for our rehearsal dinner. I heard great things about the food and the view at Merriman's. My father-in-law contacted their Event Coordinator, Danielle Kuck, to reserve the party of 15-16 people that we had. We got our reservations in and requested a table outside under a canopy. When we arrived, we did valet parking and were seated right away. The view outside was SPECTACULAR, almost mind blowing. The server (Chris, I believe) helped seat us and had two other assistants (twins, Lawrence and Luke?) to help with drinks. They paid wonderful attention to detail and made sure we were all very happy. We ordered appetizers and entrees. All very good. I had the amazing Caesar salad which was AMAZING! Chris recommended it instead of any of the other salads and I'm so glad he did. Let me tell you a little something about Peter's Original Caesar Salad. It had romaine lettuce, fried green tomato croutons and a whopping dash of AWESOMENESS! The best salad I've had in a long time. My mother-in-law had the Kula Tomato, Kapalua Beet and Papaya salad which was also very good! Tasted very healthy and fresh! For my main entrée, I had the pan roasted diver sea scallops (small portion). It had applewood smoked bacon, creamed local corn, anuhea asparagus and sweet pepper jam. I am very glad I got the small portion, not sure if I could have handled the full. Some of my family members ordered the half order of lobster, others ordered the filet mignon. I really and truly believe that anything you order from Merriman's will be a winner. I sure felt like one! I was very impressed with their wine list and selections. I think we must have ordered 6-7 types of wine for the entire party. Excellent choices and the staff were able to pour our drinks throughout the night. I enjoyed all the wine choices and variety. For dessert, we all ordered something! I had the white chocolate filled malasadas (Maui Oma Coffee Caramel dipping sauce, rhum clement and cuvee homere). Very good and delightfully surprised. My husband ordered the pineapple upside down cake which was also a thumbs up in my book. Overall, I honestly want to applaud the staff, servers and employees that work here that made our rehearsal dinner that much more fabulous. I cannot wait to come here many more years and celebrate our anniversary here. You guys are incredible. Thank you!

    (5)
  • Cindi W.

    Good food good service but nothing extraordinary. Very expensive...273 for three people (one app one salad three dinners, five drinks and two desserts). I'd like to have something a bit more original and exciting for that price :-)

    (4)
  • Stevie W.

    unbelievable panoramic view of the ocean feel like you own the island. Drinks are stiff and the ambiance is wonderful. Definitely going back.

    (5)
  • Candy B.

    Excellent food and ambiance. Our server, Ben, was very knowledgeable and friendly. The pupu platter was a great way to start our wonderful meal. We will be back. Can't wait to go to their restaurant on Kauai.

    (5)
  • RC S.

    A decade ago, my wife and I had the pleasure of eating at Merriman's original flagship restaurant on the Big Island. It is known for obsessively local and seasonal cuisine, served in an intimate white tablecloth restaurant set in the upcountry. We were thrilled to find a few years later that Merriman's had opened a restaurant on Maui (where we visit more frequently). The food lives up to Merriman's astonishingly high standards. The menu features fish, meat, and produce from Maui and the surrounding islands. The preparations are stunningly unique. And I haven't even gotten to the setting, which actually tops Merriman's Big Island location. They are right on the water with a breathtaking view of the waves. The restaurant is designed so that it is open-air, both in the "indoor"/covered portion and the outdoor portion. Make a reservation (and you will need it!) for sunset time and you will have an unforgettable experience for the senses. A NOTE TO PARENTS: True to the Hawaiian Ohana spirit, this is an ultra-fancy restaurant where kids are welcome. We've been here with toddlers and with an older (foodie) kid. And if sitting down for an hour and a half is too much for your little one, there is a lawn overlooking the water where you can take a stroll for a break.

    (5)
  • Nina T.

    Amazing meal : kale salad was like no other salad, beef filet was incredibly tender, amber jack fish special on cauliflower puree, Monchong fish entree . They let you choose two entrees and get half portion size. Great when you can't decide. Didn't have room to try any deserts. Love this place. Highly recommend !

    (5)
  • Karlene D.

    Had cocktails & appetizers once & brunch another time. All our cocktails were delicious! The sampler appetizer plate was small not that great, especially for the price. Brunch, on the other hand, was delicious & reasonably priced. I had the Fried Green Tomato Eggs Benedict which was really good & plenty of food. The French bread was too rich for me. If they are serving the mango banana bread, get it! There isn't a bad seat in the place, the views are gorgeous & the wait staff friendly & helpful.

    (4)
  • Jill M.

    Great atmosphere. Incredible views. Near perfect service. Great salads. Nice asparagus soup. Scallop dish was lovely.

    (4)
  • Darlene R.

    We had a great time at Merriman's. The food was great and the sunset was awesome! We just had a good feel about the entire place. Relaxing and enjoyable.

    (5)
  • Deb Z.

    Food was tasty. Portions were great, just enough without waste. The prices, however are disproportionate to the portions. Overpriced. Bottom line, we're paying for the view. We split a salad and each had an entree. That along with 2 glasses of house Chardonnay was a bit over a hundred and thirty dollars. Live music that night added to the ambiance. Overall a good experience and we'd go back.

    (4)
  • sarah R.

    Great food, great service, great music, great location. Pricy but it's one of the nicer places in the area.

    (4)
  • Eve K.

    Small Roys-esque chain I never knew about but really enjoyed. 4.3 stars Food: 4.3, Atmosphere: 4, Service: 3.5 Cost to worth it rating: 4 (some spendier items but so much more worth it than the sub-par tourist spots) Return worthiness: yes Highlights: - Kalua pork quesadilla: so perfectly cooked with the crispy exterior and packed with pork interior. No meat skimping here. - Pork belly shrimp special starter: large shrimp, huge tender cube of pork, and side of mixed vegetables was large enough to be an entree. Even though it was a lot on one plate, it was a clean presentation, delicious, and maintained its separate flavors while still complimenting the others. - Duos: liking variety, I took advantage of this option to mix up entrees with 2 different fishes - Ahi: billed as wok-seared, it was some of the best I had. Thick cuts, seared perfectly, and very tender. Loved the huge stalk of broccoli it came with in the mahi duo. - Mai tais: great renditions especially with the flavored foam Lowlights: - Corkage fee: $45 is the most outrageous fee I've seen. We brought an overflow bottle my friend wasn't going to be able to use, but wouldn't have bothered if we knew. I enjoyed our dinner here and would come back at sunset time for the food and cocktails.

    (4)
  • Tiffany F.

    Wow!! This place rocks. The views are absolutely breathtaking and we even got to watch whales playing from our table. Our server was so helpful, sweet, and fun. And the food was out of this world amazing!! An experience that touches all your senses!

    (5)
  • Ryan C.

    Wonderful food! Extremely difficult to get reservation for party of 5 or more as they only accept those parties very early and late in the night. But well worth it great food and ambiance.

    (5)
  • Kathy F.

    Had dinner here last night for 20th Anniversary. Perfect choice! View is indescribable from outside deck for drinks. The dining room gorgeous and very comfortable. Service outstanding. Attentive, but never intrusive. Food phenomenal. I loved the Mac nut crusted mongchong and my husband loved his filet. Chose to add mushrooms and asparagus with bacon!!! Wow. Considering going back tonight. Favorite dinner to date. Thanks Merrimans for providing such a wonderful memory for us.

    (5)
  • Helen L.

    Outstanding!!!! The setting, the service, and, most importantly, the FOOD will blow your socks off. Not used to finding 5-star quality food in Hawaii (outside of Oahu), so we were delighted!! Best restaurant in Hawaii.

    (5)
  • Michael T.

    My wife and I had an amazing dinner here the other night! We were treated to dinner by my Aunt and her husband. I can see why they love this place so much! The view, the food, the service, the drinks...all first class. Our server Donovan made it a night to remember! Will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Miranda C.

    Had a wonderful sunset dinner here during our stay in Maui. Our server Davy was very nice and the food was good. The menu and portions are small and pricey but the quality wasn't bad. We had a wonderful view of the bay and overall enjoyed our experience.

    (5)
  • Christina P.

    I didn't come prepared with many recommendations before my vacation in Maui (that's what Yelp's for, right?), but there was one very emphatic one by my favorite foodie Brittany B. She said I absolutely MUST go to Merriman's for our 'nice' meal of the trip, so of course I obliged. So let me pay it forward and tell everyone else planning a trip to Maui soon - GO TO MERRIMAN'S! From the gorgeous decor to the friendly service to the view to the food, there is not one complaint about this place. Be sure to call for a reservation around sunset time and request a table on the balcony/patio. You can get there a little earlier and have cocktails on the deck, which stretches out over the water to give you one of the most incredible ocean views on the island (and that's saying a lot!). As for the food, it's all incredible as well. We loved the farm fresh amouse bouche they gave us with the sweetest, most delicious tomatoes I've ever tasted. For my entree, I can never resist a delicious sounding scallop, so I had the diver scallops with smoked bacon, pepper jam, and the most amazing sweet creamed corn ever. My husband ordered the mac nut crusted ono, and the standout of the dish was definitely the sake reduction sauce. Though we were stuffed after our meal, we just couldn't resist the white chocolate filled malasadas, which were fluffy and perfect. Now imagine this whole meal being enjoyed while observing the most dramatic, gorgeous Hawaiian sunset. If this doesn't convince you to book a ticket to Maui immediately, I don't know what will. GO!

    (5)
  • Terry C.

    Good craft beer on tap...only $4 during happy hour. We ordered a sampler. Which was good, but overall reminds me of Skate's in the Bay Area

    (3)
  • Tim K.

    Great food and the only place that showed extra effort for my honeymoon. The monchong was delicious

    (5)
  • Georgie S.

    One of the best meals on the island! Amazing fresh food! We all had the duo which was a great way to taste different main meals on the menu. This is more on the high end of restaurants so we dressed up more than usual on the island. If we could change anything, it would be that we have an early reservation and have cocktails near the bonfire and watch the sunset. We heard the views by the water are amazing during sunlight.

    (5)
  • Katie I.

    My favorite restaurant in Maui! This was the best dining experience we had all around. The view of the restaurant is amazing, you can't beat its location. But the food and service was just as equally amazing. I ordered the monchong and my husband had a split of the filet minon and mahi. both our meals were prepared in a timely manner, the presentation was nice and the taste you can't beat. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Mike T.

    Just ask to sit in JJ's section and let him guide you through your dinner. Don't hold back!

    (5)
  • Terry B.

    Spectacular view. We went for appetizers and drinks on the deck at sunset. Awesome service and the appetizers we ordered were great. Sliders are a must have along with the lobster salad. Unfortunately for us, it was so popular we could not get a reservation for dinner while we were in Maui. Next time we will book long in advance.

    (5)
  • Nicole W.

    I was first introduced to Merriman's while on Kona and was blown away by the fantastic meal we had so when I heard there was now one on Maui I had to go. This is an expensive restaurant but if you have a reservation at 6pm like we did at sunset the views are amazing and worth the hefty price tag. The food was very good but I do think Kona was better. Our group had the pupu taster, beet salad, Ahi, Filet, Ribeye and Lamb. The portions are huge if you get the full option. If I went again I would get the small because I couldn't finish and that is rare! For dessert we had the pineapple upside down cake with coconut ice cream which was a sweet finish. My favorite part of the night was the 2 person live band that played throughout the evening. Imagine a older lady and gentleman with acoustic instruments playing War's "low rider" and Outkast's "Hey Ya" (it made me chuckle). Tip: bring a jacket -- the restaurant is open so it's as though you are sitting outside and can get chilly.

    (4)
  • Terry B.

    We had a friend get married here, which is a stunningly beautiful location. The view is absolutely wonderful, the sunsets ridiculous, the whales breaching were well, whales breaching. (but cool!) The staff was very helpful and the food insane. As a wine-o, they've got a ridiculous wine list as well with everything from bargain but good wines to drop a fortune for a Penfold's Grange wines. We had a number of apps that weren't included in the menu, but the crab cakes and the poke over sweet potato chips were fabulous if they ever appear on the menu. The warm goat cheese with Maui Onions, strawberries, and vinagrette was a remarkable pupu. The Mrs. loved her seared diver scallops while I considered the grass-fed filets some of the best beef I've had. For desert, I'll admit I made the wrong choice opting for the sorbet with fresh fruit instead of the molten chocolate purse. It's not that the sorbet and fruit were bad...can they be in Hawaii? But that chocolate purse? Wow! Dress is slacks/khakis with a polo or button up shirt if I recall the other patrons correctly, which is kinda fancy for Hawaii.

    (5)
  • Rob C.

    Best in West Maui -- great food, service, view, great even for kids --

    (5)
  • Maxine M.

    Merriman's dining room is thoughtfully designed. We noted the tables were staggered in such a manner that each table would have a nice view. Tables of two are seated so the guests are closer to each other rather than across from each other for a more intimate dining experience. Overall, the experience was good, but mostly because our server was very nice. The food was good, not spectacular. The Keahole Lobster Salad is a set of three sliced tomatoes topped with pedestrian guacamole and Keahole Lobster served with pickled fennel and old arugula. I would have to say it is just ok. No real outstanding flavors, nothing terribly wrong, just plain. The ribeye was ... hmmm... plain. I don't think it was salted enough or early enough, so the salt was not able to flavor the meat. It was tender, but not flavorful enough for me. I almost feel like the prime steaks I get at Costco tasted better. No, wait. My prime steak from Costco is better. Husband enjoyed his sashimi appetizer and his filet was very tender and flavorful. However, when I asked him if it was Mastro's Ocean Club good, he said no. We had the Chocolate Purse for dessert which is a piece of phyllo dough with chocolate death inside of it served with Earl Grey Caramel and a vanilla bean ice cream. The caramel is outstanding. I make caramel a lot and this stuff was complex, not overly sweet, nor was it outright buttery. It was excellent. The vanilla bean ice cream was equally spectacular. Not super creamy, not super sweet, but flavorful and complex. the first bite was amazing. Overall I would say the view is nice (but I think Mama's Fish House wins on this one) and the food is good. As for going back, I'm on the fence. Maybe?

    (3)
  • Martin S.

    Celebrated wife's birthday at Merriman's tonight. While the food was excellent as described in the many reviews here on Yelp, I've deducted a point for the front staff that failed to make us feel welcome on a special occasion. They didn't honor our request for a table on the railing, instead seating us on the inside table that was farthest from there. All I can think is why did I bother making a reservation request weeks in advance? Luckily our waiter was great which made up for the poor start. He was knowledgeable on every dish, patient with our many menu questions, and attentive without being obtrusive. Kudos also to the kitchen which was flexible enough to change one item on the appetizer sampler. Scallops were the best dish of the evening. Amazing flavor.

    (4)
  • Andrew S.

    This is a tale of two dinners. This was going to be our big dinner out. We lined up child care, put on our nice clothes, and headed up for our 8:30 reservation. We had read a bit about HRC (hawaiian regional cuisine) and the locavore movement and Merriman's seemed to be at the epicenter. What made eating out interesting was that I don't eat meat, and my wife is vegetarian. Neither preference should have been an issue; one was. We started with the fried gnocchi appetizer which was very tasty and had a surprisingly spicy bite. The mains were where the story diverged. I ordered a duo of fish with the Mahi Mahi and the Ono (highly recommend). My wife wanted a veg option, of which there was one. Not feeling up to trying the taro dish, she asked for a solution comprised of three of the local veggie sides. This engendered a surprising level of confusion from our waiter. He attempted a second go at pushing the taro plate before lamely asking if she wanted the sides separately or cooked together as an entree. Not knowing how beets, spinach, and broccoli would come out together, we asked to keep them separate. The food came out in a reasonable amount of time. Mine was beautifully plated; the wife was given three bowls of food and had to ask for a plate. Overall thoughts: Appetizer - 4 Bread - 5 (honey wheat with a lovely crust) Fish - 4 (Ono 5, Mahi 3) Veggie dishes - 4 ( broccoli 5, beets 3, spinach 4) Dessert - 4 ( pineapple upside-down cake with coconut gelato) Service: -1 ( being made to feel a freak for being vegetarian and not wanting the only option on the entree menu + being avoided and ignored when there were only two other tables)

    (2)
  • Audra R.

    Best seafood dish I have ever had: Butter Poached Keahole Lobster- black pepper gnocchi, swiss chard, pumpkin, citrus brown butter, AH-MAZING!!!!! Decor was Hamptons meets Maui, pretty chic actually. Seemed very exclusive and upscale without being pretentious. It was such a wonderful experience. Asked for the best table in house via reservation for my bday and def got it. The view and sunset was impeccable. Service was also up to par for 5 star dining, no problems there. Asparagus soup, great, homemade ginger beer was AWESOME! All these gastro pubs are doing their own moscow mules these days and this ginger beer blew all the other crap Ive had out of the water. The Hawaiian organic vodka was delish. The chocolate purse was hands down the best flourless choc cake ive had. The only thing lackluster was the salad. Dont know why? Also liked that the menu had tons of local and organic ingredients. Had a very Hawaiian twist without shoving it down your throat that it was fusion. Very refined menu. Honestly less expensive than an upscale bday dinner in OC/LA. Value was pretty good here!!!

    (5)
  • Richard B.

    Went here for the Werewolf, a full moon party that celebrates mixology and wines. Had four takes on rum punch, plus an appetizer, for $40 a person. All four drinks were superbly made, sourcing rare rums and unusual recipes, one dating from 1790. The outdoor patio was perfect: nice sweeping views of the ocean and Kapalua cove.

    (4)
  • Ahmad N.

    Excellent food!

    (5)
  • Stephanie M.

    This restaurant was really disappointing, especially since it was recommended. We did get there an hour early and were able to sit at the outside bar which was amazing - right on the water. At the bar we ordered the hummus/taro appetizer which was really good, of course we did not realize that it is actually given to each diner when they order dinner, so we had it again when we sat down for dinner. That was the only good part of dinner. I had chicken which looked as unappealing as it tasted. My boyfriend had the combination plate of fish and lamb which was minuscule in comparison to the price. The waiter was strange and although I would not go back for dinner I would recommend the outside bar for drinks - the view is unforgettable.

    (3)
  • Sean D.

    5 stars We were a little hesitant after reading that some fellow Yelpers had had hit-or-miss experiences at Merriman's, but let me tell you that this was one of the most memorable dining experiences we ever had. After reserving on OpenTable a few weeks prior just to secure a reservation on Valentine's Day, we joined Merriman's on the 14th and couldn't have been happier. Parking was valet only, which I did not know, but no worries there. Upon approaching the hostess, I gave our last name and she immediately knew my first name, a nice touch of familiarity. We were seated outside on the balcony overlooking sweeping waves and a dimly-lit cove, and with a pleasant breeze to boot it was a truly gorgeous setting. The hostess also gave my wife a rose as we sat down - "Hey, I was about to do that!" I said...and I would have if I actually had one. The wife forgave this silly man. On to the food: We started with cocktails - she got the house version of the mojito - "Muddled Mint from Our Garden, Kimo Farms Limes, Bacardi Rum. Finished with Sparkling Wine." and I had a pina colada-esque concoction, "Kapalua Farms Pineapples, Kimo Farms Limes, Coconut, Bacardi Rum and Disarrono Ameretto, blended, garnished with a wedge," both for $12 and both extremely refreshing. For an appetizer, we split the Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla ($11) which was light and savory. And the entree item both ou eyes settled on - which we can't recommend highly enough - was the sampler, the "Mix plate". This is 3 smaller entree portions on one plate ($48) as follows: Crispy Day Boat Mahi Mahi with Local Citrus Ponzu Maui Cattle Beef Filet with Papaya Mustard Original Wok Charred Ahi with Wasabi Soy These were accompanied by a moderate side of white rice/black Chinese rice which was very good. The ahi came as three generous slices and with a distinct chared scent and perfect texture it was the best ahi we had on the island. The local filet was "to die" and the mahi mahi, cooked to flaky perfection, had an unexpected peanutty element to the citrus glaze that really amazed. We had a few glasses of the Adelsheim pinot noir ($17) to accompany and it wasn't bad at all - we like pinot, but maybe would have picked something a little fuller bodied. Dessert? I'd be in serious trouble if not on V Day, so we split the Crunchy Waialua Molten Chocolate Purse (a chocolate phyllo dough casing) drizzled with Earl Grey Caramel and served with a generous scoop of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream ($12). I loved that - unlike Mama's and Spago, which we had recently visited - you could order a small french press coffee ($5), which I did, which was still enough for a cup and a half. Some have had bad experiences with the service, but Michael really earned 5 stars - the perfect balance between familiarity and (un)obtrusiveness, and very helpful and knowledgable about the offerings. He was fantastic. So we channeled the pickiest of our friends and tried to find SOMEthing they might have complained about and couldn't think of anything - this was truly a 5 star experience and we would go back in a heartbeat. Just need to fly back to Maui first....

    (5)
  • Kristen S.

    Merriman's in Kapalua is one of the best restaurants in Maui. Tied with Mama's Fish House for the number one spot. The food is amazing. It's Peter Merriman. It's local and organic. It's prepared to perfection. But we'll get to that later... dining is a holistic experience. First of all, the VIEW. Cannot be beat in a million years. Secondly, the service. Our server, Davey, was the best. He was gracious with recommendations, attentive, awesome about providing me with a safe, gluten free meal. He spent a good 10 minutes with us chatting up coffee. Coffee is our thing. My husband doesn't drink alcohol, and I am a wine snob. But coffee... we are both coffee snobs. Davey walked us through the different coffee offerings on the menu, talking about the spirit of each brew and where it was grown, and even told us that there were coffee fields in Maui we could visit! We've been coming to Maui for YEARS and did not know this. We are forever grateful to Davey for introducing us to MauiGrown Coffee and being the best server in this history of dining. And last but CERTAINLY not least - the food. I had my first filet, ever, here at Merriman's. Maui Cattle Co. has awesome, grass-fed beef that is completely local. After 28 years on this planet, I decided that if I was going to lose my steak virginity, Maui is the place to do it and Merriman's is the place to trust it with. And I LOVED it. Best meal of my life. With fresh Kapalua corn, Hana greens, and Ka'u coffee... the flavors still dance in my tastebuds. It's just *that* good. We cannot wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Greg J.

    Update on October 1, 2012 Downgraded to one star, meaning at this price, it's not worth it. First, I used to like their custom cocktails. Now their Mai tai has a whipped cream topping that is more frappacino than cocktail, awful and way too sweet. Bourbon and hibiscus much better. Then dinner. Waiter didn't tell us about the special until asked. Ordered a bottle of wine. First, they bring chardonnay instead of cabernet, then they bring the wrong vintage. I tell them it's the wrong year. They scurry away again, come back with the same bottle and a different bottle from another vineyard that is the correct year, but more expensive. Substituting a different vintage is really unethical, and possibly illegal. Not explaining the error and offering at least a wine list back is obnoxious. I asked for the wine list back and they acted like they were doing me a favor, big attitude. Then the food and service. My sustainable seafood special was breaded and oily on the outside and dry on the inside. Like a high end fish stick. The accompanying shrimp and clams were nice. My partners wok seared ahi was WAY to smoky, and the taste just accumulates. After a couple pieces, hard to eat. Since our wine came about the same time as our food, we had wine after eating and thought we'd have dessert. Asked waiter what was on the cheese plate. He didn't know. Ran away and came back in about 5 min and rattled off the list, but didn't know if any were local or what kind of milk they were made from (sheep, cow, goat...). Ordered the cheese plate and it was uninspired at best. Like you sent someone who didn't know anything about cheese to Costco to get a variety of cheeses. The macadamia honey was good though. All in all, about $280, with our bar tab, before tip and I can't think if one reason I'd want to go back there again. Lackluster in all fronts, except the view. I don't mind spending a lot for a meal if the food, drinks and service are worth it. This clearly is not We ate at Merrimans on Tuesday, January 25, 2011. We've eaten here before an probably will again in the future. The bar area is great. Very knowledgeable bartenders who actually know how to make drinks (it seems rare today that anyone behind a bar can make anything beyond something and something, eg, gin and tonic, or what is on their specialty drink menu). They also have a very extensive and wide ranging wine list. The mark-ups are a bit high, but they are everywhere on Maui. I had their original, Trader Vics, Mai Tai, which was great. The bar also has a great view of the sunset over the ocean, although you might need your sunglasses inside right at sunset as the sun can be really bright. My partner had a first course special, half a quail and seared blue shrimp which was extraordinary. Hands down, the best dish of the evening. For entree, he had a beef fillet with polenta that was well prepared. I had a lobster and avocado salad as my first course. It was a bit too much dressing and creamy avocado for my taste, but not bad by any stretch, but not what I was hoping for. Probably should have made a better selection. My entree was lamb chops, which were a bit more done than the medium rare I requested. The accompanyments were fine, with the exception of the caponata, which was a bit too strong for the dish, but was easily pushed aside. As I mentioned before, the wine list is extensive and it took a bit of time to work through to find a good match for our entrees. But I could think of worse things than too many choices. The service was a little odd. I'm not sure if they are going for old-school stuffy or what, but it just comes across a bit detached and less than knowledgeable. When I ordered the wine, I actually had to open the menu and point to my selection on the wine list for the server to take the order. We also asked a few questions about the menu items and specials which the server wasn't really able to answer (or, answered like a politician given a question they don't want to answer, she just answered a different question than the one we asked). The food also came out really quickly, litterally picking up the first course plates and putting down our entrees. I do like a little space between courses The views are great and we had a table right on the balcony, hard to find anything wrong with that. There is also a lower patio with a bar and what looks to be a fire pit. It looks like a great place to have a drink and snacks at sunset. Overall, it is a good place, but, you do have to expect more from a restaurant at that price point and I think they do fall just a bit short,

    (1)
  • Michael K.

    This is a very elegant restaurant, the waiters even wear ties. Do not show up in a tattered T-shirt and sneakers. Dress like you are about to drop some serious coin on dinner, because you are. The wine list is extensive, with some bottles costing thousands of dollars. I made a joke about the Screaming Eagle, which was $2,900 a bottle, but the server bragged that he actually sold one. Me, I ordered beer, and was shocked that they only had four choices--Bud Light, two other equally dismal domestics, and one awful Belgian white ale, which tasted like piss. Why they don't carry any of the delicious beers made by the local Maui or Kona Brewing Companies, I don't know. For apps, I had loco moco, and my wife had an avocado, ahi, and Kula greens salad. The loco moco was good, even if it was 1/4 the size of the same dish as Da Kitchen Express, at twice the price. They threw a couple shrimp on top to dress it up. The salad was lackluster, and the avocado chunks had brown spots. Next, my wife had an herb-crusted opakapaka over sesame spaetzle which was very good. i should have ordered that. Instead, I had their signature wok-charred ahi, which was tasty, but a tiny portion, more like an appetizer priced as an entrée. I was still hungry after two courses. Dessert was a trio of ice creams--Tahitian vanilla, mac nut, and Kona coffee, which looked hurriedly scooped out and plopped in a small, white bowl without any garnish or flair. I asked if they were made in-house, and was told that they were "outsourced" from the Big Island. From a supermarket there, no doubt. They were too soft, and not good. I make my own ice creams at home, and, unlike the amazing ice creams and sorbets at Star Noodle, these did not impress. If you are looking for an upscale dining experience with a scenic view, this place is an option, but the food is hit-or-miss.

    (3)
  • Kevin S.

    Merrimans is awesome. Incredible food, incredible view. Excellent service, great wine list. We will visit every time we are on Maui!! Our waiter JD was awesome too! Most romantic place to watch the sunset......even from the bar.

    (5)
  • Stephen B.

    I've been visiting Maui for over 40 years and, when this restaurant, was part of the Kapalua "Rock Resort" had several of the best dining experiences of my life. With this as background I returned to this restaurant with its perfect setting overlooking Kapalua Bay and had one of the greatest disappointments of my life. In brief, the service was incredibly pretentious, the food poor to mediocre while managing to retain very high prices - all in all terrible experience.

    (2)
  • Justin S.

    Best meal on Maui! We had JD as our waiter and he was very knowledgeable about every item on the food as well as the wine menu. I had the ribeye which was fantastic and my wife had mix plate that she thought was excellent. The view was one that can't be described you have to see it for yourself. The waiter even took time to take a picture of us down by the water with the sun setting behind us. It's pricey but worth every penny.

    (5)
  • J B.

    We just got married at Merriman's. It was perfect. The deck is perfectly located with an unbeatable view. The ceremony was on the deck followed by a perfect, gourmet dinner in the dining room and again open bar on the deck with torches and the fire pit. The food is amazing (second to the view it is the reason we picked this location for our ceremony). The staff is also excellent, I can't say enough positive things about this restaurant. Aside from our wedding, the regular dinner menu is excellent, drinks are awesome, and the atmosphere can't be beat. Additionally, their wine menu can't be beat. Thanks for the perfect wedding Merriman's.

    (5)
  • Samantha J.

    Absolutely Beautiful place to catch the Sunset while sipping on cocktails! HH food was wonderful too!

    (5)
  • Basil M.

    Food was good, location even better. Try to sit outside - the view is spectacular. You can't beat the ambiance and setting here... It's amazing.

    (3)
  • Cristy S.

    Service was excellent and that is why I give the full five stars. The waiter we had was always there for us, we never felt like we were waiting around. Food was DELICIOUSLY SUPERB. I had the Ono Fish and it was amazing!!!!! Very fresh and cooked perfectly. I love it how they brought out hummus and fresh garden grown vegetables for us to eat before our meal. Along with that they brought bread that was freshly baked and so good as well! We asked to take our bread home as we didn't finish it all and the waiter replaced our leftover bread with NEW fresh, warm bread and said it could be our snack for later! So sweet of him. I loved the atmosphere - beautiful views of the ocean every where you looked. There was also a live saxaphone performer - very romantic. Valet parking. Expect to pay around 40 - 50 for an entree. It's worth it if you want to treat yourself.

    (5)
  • Missy F.

    Wow! What a romantic, amazing place for dinner. We went while on our honeymoon and it didn't disappoint. The service was very fantastic. So knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We started with the appetizer sampler which allowed us to taste everything. Portions aren't huge so it was perfect for 2. My hubby had the mixed plate and loved everything. I had the fish special. Out of this world. The food is great but the view is what really gives this place 5 stars. It's right on the water with the most amazing views! We were there in early April and watched whales breech while dining! It doesn't get any better!

    (5)
  • Roz D.

    My most fabulous Maui experience. It was probably even better because it salvaged a HORRIBLE night that was ruined by I'O, but I feel fortunate to have found this place. Totally tops if you are looking for farm-to-table. When you want to go somewhere and enjoy every single moment and every tiny morsel, this is the place to choose. Best view we found on Maui, fabulous service (fine dining but not too stuffy), AMAZING outdoor lanai, food that truly melts in your mouth. They have tasting menus for both appetizers and entrees, and the combinations are fantasitc and give you a taste of everything you might crave. My husband and I got different tasting combinations to share, and I don't think there was anything on the menu that we didn't get to try. Do yourself a huge favor and order one of their specialty cocktails. There is a lower level outdoor bar and fire pit that is great for happy hour or lingering after dinner, but otherwise I recommend dining on the lanai before/during sunset. If you are there with someone you love it will be magical.

    (5)
  • Russ W.

    Some of the best food I've had but expensive and slow service at the start. Food gets five stars. The customer Ferrari out front gets five stars as well. I had an Ono with macadamia garnish, Japanese forbidden rice and garlic chili pepper broccoli. The macadamia garnish was perfect, without the bitter edge you get when the fish is cooked with it. Fish was nicely prepared with a sauce I can not remember but enjoyed. My brother had an Ahi dish which he was very happy with. Dessert was amazing- a pineapple upside down cake made from banana bread with a side of house made coconut gelato. I know, banana bread sounds odd but trust me it was amazing and the perfect ending of an incredible meal.

    (4)
  • Rob J.

    My wife and I are die-hard Merriman's fans. We've frequented the place on the Big Island many times. If you're familiar with that one, it's more of a relaxed feel. This Merriman's is top notch elegance, and the food, view and service matches. This place is now our standard by which we judge all other restaurants.

    (5)
  • John D.

    How it took so long for someone to take advantage of the old Kapalua Bay Club house and make it into an amazing restaurant is beyond me, but the location and restauranteur are truly a match made in heaven! My wife and I watched as the building was being transformed and eagerly anticipated the opening of Merriman's. It is always one of the highlights of our visits here and we go there several times during our stays. The food, location and service make us come back time and time again and we are always impressed and can't wait for our next visit!

    (5)
  • Mari S.

    This was our 2nd visit and it was much better this time. Location is amazing, food is good, though not great. Service was excellent this time, but our friends knew her and the runner, so that could be why we were taken such good care of. Overall, we enjoyed it and will go back

    (4)
  • Mark C.

    This place is faux fancy. Best thing about it is that it exists in a place that is not cold, a place where you don't have to go to work, and a place where people are theoretically always happy. A baby was screaming in the background, and the food was merely satisfactory. It lacked complexity and subtlety, just about everything was swimming in butter/dressing without the restraint and nuances that makes doing that OK. Service was bad. We ordered a bottle of wine. Our starter was served and still no wine. Told server we would like to enjoy our wine with dinner and it came about 5 minutes later. Main plate was timed better. We decided not to venture into dessert but asked for coffee. Not kidding, the refill I agreed to was ice cold. We seemed to be a little rushed at the end (check presented before coffee) evidenced by our server escaping on his skateboard as we waited for the hotel shuttle out in front of the restaurant. If you don't usually do this sort of thing or they happen to be spot on for you, you may think this is worthy of five stars. If dining well in restaurants or at home is your style, buyer beware. I would have enjoyed a good bowl of ramen much better. The view is outstanding if there's still daylight, but a walk on the beach at sunset followed by a good bowl of ramen could do the trick if this place is considered, "the best".

    (2)
  • Sharon D.

    Rarely do I pass out 5 stars but Peter Merriman, your crew here does it right. From the exceptional greeting as we pulled up to valet park, to the warm smile from the hostess who sat us to our amazing waitress to wandering around to enjoy the fire pit and the stars after our meal. Five stars all the way. My lilikoi vodka cocktail was impressive. Merriman's has quite the mixologist, not your average sunset cocktails. The shrimp appetizer was perfectly cooked and seasoned well as the ahi sashimi and poke combo could have been my entire meal. Thankfully I did order the macadamia crusted Monchong. Not sure what was in the mushroom sauce drizzled on top but I almost licked my plate. Hubby had the citrus kampachi special and was equally impressed. Incredible food combined with a beautiful sunset, amazing views and impeccable service. Living on Oahu has its perks considering I cannot wait to return to Maui and another meal at Merriman's!

    (5)
  • Kimberly T.

    This place is SPECTACULAR. We had our wedding reception here last summer. Merriman's is by far the most beautiful restaurant I have ever been to. The decor - the VIEW - amazing. My mom worked with the manager to create a preset menu to make it not only easy on the staff, but easy on everyone at our table (none of us wanted to search through a menu - we wanted to celebrate!). They were incredible to work with; food, wine & everything else was handled ahead of time - so all we had to do was relax once we arrived. The food was amazing. I think everyone's plate was licked clean. Our food & service was impeccable. I can't imagine a better place for our reception!

    (5)
  • Anne F.

    My husband and I just got back from a week on Maui's west side. We concluded our restaurant adventures with a Friday night dinner at Merriman's overlooking Kapalua Bay. The steak I had was incredible, AT LEAST on par with Hanna's in RSM or Ruths Chris. Add to that some great side dishes and an amazing view and you get one of the best places in the world to have a meal. Thank you Peter Merriman!!

    (5)
  • Ian M.

    Everything we had was just ok. The service wass impeccable. The only place you can probably buy a $7500 bottle of wine in Maui. Don't know if that's good or bad but interesting.

    (3)
  • Travis K.

    This was our first time here. Friggin good restaurant. The service from valet parking in all the way to our check on the way out was spot on! Patrick, our server was amazing. I ate the opakapaka special with couscous and veggies and it was awesome! The black pepper gnocchi with tomato coulis side dish was mouthwatering. Every bite melded perfectly. The seared ahi I didn't care for too much because it was too warm for me. Everything is still more than top notch here. The toasted coconut creme brulee was a nice treat to round out the meal. I also got to try a sample of the upside down pineapple cake and that was a nice way to end the night. More than stuffed. Beautiful ocean panoramic views. The setting is perfect. We will definitely return.

    (5)
  • V P.

    4 1/2. Stunning views. Wonderful staff and service. The food was delicious, just a tad pricey but it's what you'd expect for fine dining in Maui. Started off with the pupu platter, quesadilla was awesome with the mango chili sauce and homemade kimchi. The lobster salad was good with the tangy vinaigrette as was the ahi sashimi. The thing I didn't like was the fried goat cheese, too cloying even with the strawberries and onions. I like their choose two option. I got the scallops and the lamb prepped 2 ways. All the sides that came with each were great. One side was the savory and spicy lamb, the other was the sweet and creamy scallops and corn. All of it delicious,. Husband got the steak which he shared with our daughter, she didn't touch her plate of food instead she ate his. He said it was good. For dessert we got the pineapple upside down cake, while it wasn't stellar it was still pretty darn good with a nice twist. It seemed very homey not fancy. Will have to try making that one at home. Dinner was a pretty penny but it was worth it. Free cookies at the end. 2 1/2 hour dinner with a 3 year old went pretty smoothly.

    (4)
  • Rich D.

    Unbelievable venue, good food.

    (4)
  • Andy S.

    It was very close to a perfect dinner. The filet mignon I ordered was outstanding, as were the creamed corn and mashed potato sides. They also offer small entree portions, which is really nice. My mojito was good, but not as good as the ones I make at home. Chalk that up to me being fussy. My girlfriend had a mai tai and the scallops, which she really enjoyed. For desert we had a bag of Portuguese donuts with white chocolate filling and dark chocolate dipping sauce, which were excellent. Yum! Nice ambiance and service too. Expensive, but worth it.

    (5)
  • E L.

    had a decadent specialty cocktail, a yummy appetizer (truffle fries), a decent entree (the fish of the day), and an ok dessert (the flourless chocolate number). service was almost too hands off. we started at the bar, and they forgot my appetizer twice. they took it off the bill, so that was a plus. had front row seats for the sunset; i only wish they'd raise those maskings and have sunglasses handy for those that need them. it's too beautiful a view to hide it until the last seconds!! live music. great ambiance. good times :)

    (3)
  • Rosanne K.

    Awesome sunset! Amazing service and beautiful food..great experience overall...

    (5)
  • Ray U.

    Food & service was ok not outstanding. Portions are small and pricy. 2 appetizers, fish entrees, and 2 drinks cost $200. You are paying mostly for the views and ambiance.

    (3)
  • Charlene L.

    This was our last dinner in Maui before heading back to San Francisco...Gosh this place is hard to find in the dark! At any rate, we had a lovely dinner there. We were there with our 2 year old and it was lovely. The service was great, and the host was kind to bring out toys for our LO to play with while waiting for food. Free valet! A little on the loud side, but it's all good. The food was good, and I wish I had more time to savor it. The two half portions of fish I had (hard to explain, but basically smaller versions of two entree dishes) was wonderful. We are going to start here next time we're on the Island.

    (4)
  • nisha c.

    The View 5* The Location 5* The Wine Selection 5* The front Staff 2*, no I think 0*, if I include the attitude. The Service Staff and Manager Brandi 10* The Food 4* When we were seated the restaurant was about half empty. We were seated at the worst table in the restaurant. Near the noisy bar and fruit fly infested. After I spend 20 mins, fighting my battle with them, I asked to be moved. The seater with a total attitude, said you WANT to be moved. I said yes, somewhere where we dont have have fruit flies to fight... SHE had the odasity to say, I heard you that's why I am here to move you. I was at that moment ready to walk out. If it wasnt for Brandi, who we later found out was the manager.. she changed a bad experience to a wonderful experience. NOTE To MANAGEMENT: cute young girls, scantly dressed, can sometimes BACK fire. They have to have customer service skills. Yours don't. food, wine, atmosphere, view all exceptional. Would definetly go again and agian.

    (3)
  • Elle P.

    Loved, loved, loved Merriman's. Fantastic service, great location, beautiful view.... Delicious, beautifully presented entrees.... Pricey, of course, but worth the visit.... Perfect dining experience!

    (5)
  • Mallards R.

    Amazing food and incredible view! The mixed plate allows you to sample several overwhelmingly delicious entrees. Two of us split a mixed plate and a pick two dinner. OMG, everything was fresh, flavorful, and so so delicious! Don't forget the chocolate purse for dessert... to die for!

    (5)
  • Meg M.

    Dinner is good here. Service is very good. One waitress on the deck remembered my wife and i the next day and she even remembered what I had ordered. She asked on the second day we were there "Nice seeing you guys again!, Do you want a beer? You had the longboard yesterday right?"..... wow, that was impressive considering she was the only waitress on the deck because the other one called in sick, so she was running around with her head cut off. Now, I gotta talk about the deck. It opens up at 3:30 or so every day, the resturant opens at 5pm or so, so you can get a great seating if you come early..... then they have the best view of the ocean and sunsets.... just amazing. HK's parting shot: -- go there every day for happy hour and enjoy the sunsets!!! Happy hour drafts are $3.... wtf? . . . yah I said $3.

    (5)
  • xotelle C.

    Merriman's was our last din din in Maui from our pre-honeymoon trip and it was definitely one perfect dinner! How does it deserve 5 stars? Location: we had an oceanfront table and were able to enjoy the incredible sunset in Maui - breathtaking! Because we stayed at the Ritz (5 min away from Merriman's), we had a complimentary shuttle that took us there so that was a big plus! Food: The hubby ordered the scallops and I got the special of the night which was snapper and both of us added half of a lobster to our meal. The food was AMAZING! Their side dishes were sooo good and complimented their main dish so well! As for dessert, we ordered the pineapple upside down cake and that was pretty good. The ambiance/service was just outstanding! Can't think of any other ways for making our dinner any more perfect! Merriman's is THE top restaurant and we'll definitely return on our next trip to Hawaii!

    (5)
  • Anne D.

    My husband and I went here for our one year anniversary. We went for sunset and the views were incredible. It's right near the Ritz Carlton so the sun sets right between Lanai and Molokai. We were greeted warmly and promptly sat at our table. The host was extremely friendly. They had a live band playing Hawaiian music which added to the ambiance. The food: The wine list was extensive. The service was excellent...top notch. The ahi appetizer with mango and tomato was delicious. I ordered the combo scallops and filet. Both were very good. I ordered this because I couldn't make a decision, but if I were to be lucky enough to go back I would order the scallops because they were so tasty. My husband ordered the filet and loved it. Dessert: Originally we were not going to get dessert because we were so full, but then decided we were celebrating and what's a fancy meal without dessert at the end. We ordered the chocolate purse and were not let down. AND, at the end, the restaurant gave us the dessert on the house! We really enjoyed our meal here. It's definitely on the pricey side so it was good to go for a special occasion. Oh, and they have a wine bar down on the patio with a fire pit that overlooks the ocean so it's a nice romantic way to sit and relax after eating a great meal (they let us bring our unfinished wine glasses down from the restaurant so we could enjoy them while digesting).

    (4)
  • Sheryl S.

    Wow. Ok to live here and know the best of Maui is one thing. Then to take family from the mainland here and be disappointed is another. We had reservations at 5:30 for a week... to be there at sunset for the awesome view and terrific food. What a joke. The food was more than an hour and a half late to our table, no manager came over to our table and the server appeared to know nothing she was like a deer in the headlights! Finally our food arrived and it was not only cold, but not good. The manager even brought me another fresh hot meal without me asking but the fiood was cold and the fish was bad. We wanted to leave, the manager comped our main course but still gave us a check for over $150.00 for wine, one salad and one appetizer. She assumed that was fine. I have no problem paying for great food and excellent service, but when you receive neither........that's what you should pay for...nothing! Beware of the hype, there are far better restaurants on Maui .

    (1)
  • Corey M.

    Really excellent, and unique. It is a different style of restaurant, farm to market. They source all the ingredients themselves, it is about the freshest and best ingredients. The seared Ahi and Mahi Mahi combo plate was spectacular. The chocolate purse desert is truly something special. The Opakapaka was great. The sampling of vegetables really lets you understand how good fresh vegetables can be. The farm to market approach does come with costs, as in $$. This isn't a restaurant to just get something to eat. The waitstaff we had were very knowledgeable at leading us to the best choices, listen to them. The dishes here are unique because of the farm to market concept, the descriptions don't do them justice. I was surprised by all the negative reviews. First, this restaurant is expensive. I have a sense that some people expected something in particular, and didn't get what they thought they were getting. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I am not saying they are wrong, but I would say this is the kind of restaurant that you need to be willing to be led a bit by the waitstaff, they food just won't conform to other restaurants, it isn't that kind of restaurant. I highly recommend the specialties of the house, Mahi Mahi with Ponzu sauce, seared Ahi, vegetable sampler, and chocolate purse for dessert. In addition, a spectacular view. Get a reservation for sunset.

    (5)
  • Michael A.

    Gorgeous setting, one of the best, great cocktail menu, very inventive, enjoyed the Mai Tai with the homemade Mac nut syrup, the salad and the mongchoi were delicious

    (5)
  • J. W.

    Ok this place is quite expensive but it's not because of the food, it's only because of the view. It is a great place to watch the sunset. Great service and all but seriously over priced and the portions are quite small.

    (3)
  • Vern G.

    This restaurant is wonderful. Natural ingredients. Beautiful flavors. Incredible atmosphere. If you are in west Maui, you need to dine here. The bar at happy hour is unparalleled in beauty.

    (5)
  • E T.

    Can't say perfect because I don't believe there is a perfect place to eat but this is pretty close. Everything from service to view and location is amazing. Our server Donavon was outstanding. He made our dinner memorable.

    (4)
  • maureen k.

    If i were to Go to the electric chair and I had one last meal (4 courses last meal that is) the scallops dish from Merriman's would be my entree! The concept of this joint is from farm to table (however Maui location did not emphasize this). The meals are delicious. In fact, we loved Merrimans so much in Kauai...we made it a point to hit it up in Maui on the last night of our honeymoon. The service is superb (thanks Sean!) and they even called over to the Kauai location to see how to make their "OMG" cocktail that I fell in love with (you almost got it right practice makes perfect). The location in Maui is amazing. Make reservations for 615, but arrive at 530 for sunset cocktails...breath taking. I had the goat cheese app..scallops entree..and pineapple upside down cake for dessert The old man had the pork quasidilla, special salad, and Maui raised beef tenderloin for dessert. Skip all the bad places to eat on Maui and spend a little more for an orgasmic meal.

    (5)
  • Chris T.

    I'll keep this short and sweet because words cannot explain how great this experience was. Our table had 180 degree views of the water, and the food was to die for. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and answered all of our questions about the menu, the wine list, and even surrounding islands. We had the first seating with a 5:45 reservation and had a great view of the Hawaiian Sunset. This was our favorite meal of the entire trip!

    (5)
  • Elizabeth R.

    My husband and I went here on a romantic night out on our recent vacation and were both pretty disappointed with our experience at Merriman's. There were not one, but two weddings going on, therefore completely shutting down any gorgeous views that Merriman's is known for. The wait staff seemed incredibly overwhelmed with the evening's events, and wasn't able to give us (and the other restaurant patrons) as much attention as we were paying for. The best thing we had was the Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla, but all the rest of the food was just okay. I'd only return to Merriman's just to walk outside to see the view we missed out on, but not to eat.

    (2)
  • Simon M.

    Our first big dinner in Maui and what a wonderful experience. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and even held off on firing our entrees while we look at the sunset. I had their signature dishes of sashimi two ways and the grilled Ahi, and the flavors of the fresh fish were so abundant. Simple sauces accentuated the food and great wine list made this a great experience.

    (4)
  • Jim E.

    We have been to Merriman's twice now. Our first experience just over a month ago was fabulous. The food was great, the service was wonderful and the atmosphere was outstanding. Based on our first experience we returned this week anticipating a similar experience and we were terribly disappointed. Our server and service overall was very poor. The food was just okay and we left feeling like we had paid a premium price for a less than average experience.

    (2)
  • Ryan J.

    Amazing view and a very friendly staff. My girlfriend and I were seated in a beautiful seat overlooking the beach and palm trees. If you can get a reservation around sunset you will not be disappointed. The ambiance of this place is stunning, the decor and live music coupled with the view make this an unforgettable location. The service was impeccable and the wine selection astonishing. I was pleasantly surprised to see some selections from local vineyards located in the Santa Cruz mountains. The food was delicious, especially the Ahi salad. The sweetness of the mango and the saltiness of the Ahi and dressing was a perfect combination. I ordered some more Ahi as the main dish and it was seared perfectly with an amazing seasoning. My girlfriend ordered the scallops which were also prepared exquisitely. The only reason this establishment does not get 5 stars is it is a little on the pricey side. Still a very nice place to take someone special.

    (4)
  • Sylvia F.

    For Maui, I think this is a solid 4 stars. Comparable to some of the better restaurants in San Francisco, good friendly competent service. Docking one star bc you are paying for the amazing location and view and because I've had better food elsewhere but def the highlight of my dining experience in Maui.

    (4)
  • Gary F.

    Great food ! Great view! We come to Maui two to six weeks every year and this is one of best . Had to comment after reading a review from someone comparing it to Long john Silvers? They should take there food stamp money and head on back to there trailer.

    (4)
  • Ann m.

    Great meal! Five of us ate here for our last night on Maui. We had a wonderful time in a beautiful room with live music and a wonderful ocean breeze. The food was all outstanding, the pasta cavatelli dish sublime and the snapper special a five star. The service was friendly and professional, just the right amount of attention without hovering too much. This is not an inexpensive place but the quality of the food showed and the experience was worth the cost. Can't wait to return!

    (5)
  • Jen S.

    wow. WOW! this place is well worth the money, all around. See my review on Lahaina Grill, if you have to choose, pick this place for 'special night out' (or Pacific' Os) over LG. This is THE place to come for sunset cocktails, no lie. Great venue, even has a firepit. If you don't feel like spending big bucks to dine there, go for cocktails and feed of the appetizers/pupu menu - the pork quesadillas are crazy good. We loved this place, the food was amazing, and pricey but the quality, service AND venue made the extra $$ more palatable. Ask for a view table when you book on Opentable, they will accomodate. I like that our server knew our name from checking our reservation & was very informative, even giving details about the area & local specialties AFTER we had already paid our bill & tipped him. I also liked that they offer most entrees in 2 different sizes. Seriously, if you have an appy with sunset cocktails & split a salad, you don't need an 8 oz filet vs a 4 oz. But thats me. The wine list is impressive. I have a pretty atypical knowledge of Napa/Sonoma 'odd' wines...and many were there, which surprised me. Overall, we spend probably $300 on sunset cocktails, an appy, shared salad & soup & 2 entrees, with a $100 bottle of vino. Not something I do 5 nights a week, but very glad I did it here. Cheers.

    (5)
  • Stuart M.

    Great view, but things have gone down hill, special fish opakapaka $45 was salty, overcooked really bad, complained to manager, who gave me the " we try our best", but no satisfaction. So be careful, view is great but food quality and management attitude leaves a lot to be desired.. BTW, least expensive bottle of wine was $65!!! Ouch!

    (2)
  • Jack W.

    In the heart of the very upscale Kapalua area on Maui, Merriman's is not for the faint of wallet. They're particularly proud of their wine list! On Monday night two of us shared a starter salad, two entrees, a shared dessert and a modest bottle of New Zealand Pinot Noir (no pre-dinner drinks or after dinner coffees) with the tab coming to $230 including tip. However, that said, they definitely deliver on the quality, freshness, innovation and overall execution of the dining experience. And you just can't beat the setting on the magnificent point that separates Napili bay from Kapalua bay. This is what luxury dining on Maui is all about. They extensively support local producers and really do the direct from farm to table thing well, and menu's are creative, putting a distinctive Hawaiian touch onto traditional recipes. Service was great, we never waited too long for anything. And there's obvious attention to detail in everything they do. We've dined at Merriman's several times over the past few years and they've maintained their quality. I'd give them 5 stars, but I think their wine is a bit overpriced. Still, you can't beat the location and the food really is well done. They're consistently busy any night of the week so best to book ahead.

    (4)
  • cynthia w.

    Crowded and lively! Make sure to make reservations. My food was great! My husband only thought what he ordered was so-so. All in all we had a fun time and would do it again.

    (4)
  • John S.

    Pricey, but amazing location/ view, service, and food. Outstanding overall and worth every penny!

    (5)
  • andrew f.

    For hawaii this place is stellar. For the prices compared to other places i've dined it's so-so. The food is a bit dated but prepared well. The patrons are annoying with their fake blonde hair and fake laughs. I found the whole experience on balance good perhaps bc of the good drinks at the bar. My only piece of advice is avoid the taro fritters there is nothing crispy or good about them. The Ono was good as was the special, though I expected LARGE prawns when they were described as head on. It's definitely a must do for Maui though.

    (3)
  • Kelsey F.

    Had an amazing experience here. Marc was our waiter, and he was great. Patient, kind, and mellow. Warm crusted goat cheese appetizer: Lots of flavors, and very good. Hubby liked the sashimi. (I don't eat fish). Ordered a salad, and Marc kindly understood we were sharing it, and had it made on two plates. The rest of our meal was great too. Awesome environment, and great service. Only glitch: The greeter wasn't as friendly as the rest of the staff. Maybe it's just us: but we didn't feel she fit in with the rest of the service quality. I give five stars, will definitely return, and recommend to anyone. Best service I've encountered on Maui, hands down.

    (5)
  • Steve C.

    My wife and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary here last night. It was a real treat. It began with an amazing table for two at the edge of the dining room with an amazing view of the ocean and sunset. I really appreciated the hookup on that. The service here was terrific all night long. Our host, April took great care of us and even gave us a special unexpected anniversary treat. Thanks again April! Based on the review of another Yelper, we ordered the pupu appetizer and the Merriman's mixer, sharing both of them instead of ordering separate entrees. While this is a great way to sample many of the items offered and the food included is fantastic, I call this the teaser combo because there isn't enough of any of the items to truly satisfy you. You simply end up wanting more of everything! For dessert we had the highly recommended chocolate purse and it was delicious as well. I am not a huge chocolate guy and still, I loved it! My wife was making sensuous sounds as she ate it so I'm pretty sure she agrees! After dinner, we spent a few minutes by the fire pit by the ocean. It was a nice way to wrap up the occasion before heading out for the rest of our night together. Overall, we were very pleased with the food, the atmosphere and the service. I probably would have rated it with 5 stars had it not been for the value aspect. I dont mind paying good money for incomparable food but there simply needs to be more of it. The portion sizes, at least with what we ordered, were very small for what you pay. Other than that, Merriman's is a winner and should be added to your list of places to eat on Maui, especially for those once a year occasions.

    (4)
  • Jill H.

    Went here for my birthday while in Hawaii. We wanted to go to Mama's Fish House but over and over again people from Maui said go to Merriman's instead since Mama's is over-rated and over-priced. WE LOVED MERRIMAN'S. The service was outstanding. Truly personable and knowledgable. Our waiter Michael was so friendly and helpful. The sommelier (do not recall his name) came to our table quickly and was not a wine-snob. He didn't push a $300 or $1200 bottle of wine, but raved about our own suggestion. (The L'Ecole Cabernet 2006 was delicious.) The food: if it is in season, get the Opakapaka. Of the four dishes we ordered, it was the best. We tried the beef filet, it was good, not great. Same with the mahi mahi. I found it tasteless. Otherwise, everything else we had was very good: salad, lobster, ahi, wahoo, and the lobster app. All very good. The location: beautiful view of the water. Truly outstanding. Go there about 45 minutes or more before sunset. We got there a bit after sunset and only had a few moments of sun before it went to black. But what we got to see was amazing. The best part is the service. Top notch.

    (4)
  • D J.

    We went back and made a good discovery: go into the restaurant, order drinks from the bar, and then go sit out on the terrace. You can't order mixed drinks out there, but you can take anything the bar can make you out and camp for as long as you like. And while you are there you can eat from a menu based on the stuff being served inside. We ordered about $100 worth of food and dessert and had a great meal; kind of like Hawaiian tapas. It was a far better experience than sitting in the restaurant. Our views were spectacular and we saved $200... As nice as the restaurant is, it's much nicer to be sitting outside, on the point, looking off into the sunset. Not to mention you can wear flip-flops and look like you came off the beach. Our kids insisted on going back again.

    (4)
  • Kristin K.

    I thunk if an establishment has a good happy hour, everything else will be solid. We ordered the sliders and they tasted like someone was attempting to grill for the first time. Also ordered the Parmesan white truffle fries and they were really just fries. Absolutely no Parmesan on them. Trust me: I looked. Drinks were nice and strong but for a $40 happy hour, I expect more. The thing is, there were many regulars there which makes me think that people like this place, so maybe you'll have better luck. Also, the service was good so no problem there.

    (2)
  • Mickie F.

    My husband and I celebrated our ten year anniversary dinner at Merriman's. The concierge at our hotel (Westin Kaanapali) highly recommended the place and set up our reservation for us. When we arrived we were a bit disappointed to find that they didn't have any oceanfront seating for us. The hostess said, "I know that you guys are celebrating an anniversary, but unfortunately we don't have any oceanfront seating. It will be about an hour if you'd like to wait." That was a little bit of a downer. Why go to a beautiful restaurant on the beach and not sit by the water, right? So we decided to wait. We headed down to the bar area to check things out and have a drink, but once we actually walked through the restaurant we saw that because the restaurant was open-air and it was already dark, any of the tables inside would be just fine. So we ended up being seated right away after all. Our waiter was very nice, very soft-spoken and professional although he was a little scary in the way with which he'd just appear out of nowhere. I had a Caesar salad to start and it came with "fried green tomato croutons." I am not a fan of tomatoes but those croutons were the bomb! They were like little tiny fried okras. So good! For entrees my husband had the misoyaki salmon which was very tasty and I ordered the fresh fish special. It was opakapaka served over a bed of kale and corn with some fresh gnocchi. They also surprised us with a special anniversary dessert - the chocolate purse with vanilla bean ice cream. All in all it was a memorable meal - definitely the best on we had while on Maui this time around.

    (4)
  • Freddie N.

    Went here for anniversary in early May and requested seat with direct view of water for 6:45 and they said that it would be ready at 7, waited 30 minutes and when I asked about it they said they thought reservation was 7. And thus I believe that others got our table and we didn't get to see sun set while having dinner. Front of the house definitely needs a lot of work in seating people timely and without discrimination. For all hooplah about food I think it was only ok and not worth the $80 per person. So when you add bad service and average food my recommendation is DO NOT GO HERE.

    (2)
  • Joseph B.

    Love this place...stunning sunset...great food and service...we will be back.

    (5)
  • Debbie M.

    We were at Merriman's the last week of August and it was lovely. The large deck is at the ocean's edge. So, a perfect setting for watching the sun set. Food is excellent! Regional cuisine - very tasty. We went back later in the week just to have a glass of wine and enjoy the setting.

    (5)
  • Chad A.

    This place is simply top notch. It's expensive, but not unreasonable compared to the surrounding restaurants. ($50/plate) We got there an hour early to sit on the patio and watch sunset with a cocktail and appetizer. Can't imagine a better spot to watch sunset. We tried the pu pu taster which featured 4 different appetizers, all very good. After sunset we were seated at a front table looking over the patio and ocean. Since we already had a large app, we split the mixed plate that had 3 small entrees (ahi, mahi and filet). Again, all very good and great presentation. We finished with the chocolate purse, it's a molten style chocolate wrapped in filo paper with a side of vanilla nice cream. Perfectly decadent. The only downside we had was we were seated by a large party of around 20 people, so it was very loud. I'm not sure how often this occurs though. You definitely need reservations, and probably a couple days in advance for a preferred time. Must try in Kapalua though.

    (5)
  • Denise H.

    Party of 10 so we had a chance to sample many of the dishes on the menu. All were good but some stood above the rest. The appetizer pasta is a sleeper, but order it! Homemade goodness with a sauce that has a nice kick to it! Paired with the caesar salad? Perfect! The chocolate purse for dessert was also a surprise. Filo dough with a rich chocolate filling was both light and dense all at the same time! Entrees: lamb chops, scallops and steak were all good. The location can't be beat right on the ocean! The musicians were perfect too ~ sort of like Hiroshima with the asian instrument!

    (4)
  • Cory P.

    Spectacular view, great menu and then there's JJ, he's great, simple as that. Oh and try the "screw the french" champagne. Yes you will be spending $60 on two glasses however it is to die for.

    (5)
  • Sam T.

    My brother had his wedding here last weekend and we had an awesome experience. It was pouring rain as the other groomsmen and I waited for the others to arrive and everything to begin. The skies cleared just in time and we had a beautiful ceremony on the bluff overlooking the sea. When it came time to eat we were well cared for. We had a party of 23 and they were very attentive to our needs and the food was served to our entire table at the same time. Dinner was elegant and flavorful. They are very well staffed and experienced at providing a great wedding experience. Great location for dinner and also highly recommended for a destination wedding.

    (4)
  • Marian M.

    Dined there last night and couldn't be happier. Everything -- warm goat cheese appetizer with strawberries; special salad with shaved fennel, beets, cucumber and a duck spring roll; Ono with spicy broccoli; scallops with creamed corn and asparagus; chocolate "purse" with vanilla ice cream; drinks and wine -- were fresh, tasty and beautiful. We called midday and they said they'd just gotten a cancellation, so we were seated at the rail: fantastic Maui sunset accompanied end of entree. Service was very pleasant and paced perfectly. Would happily return despite priciness!

    (5)
  • Julian K.

    My wife and I along with some friends celebrated our anniversary at Merrimans. We were more than happy with the meals we all had and the service was excellent, bordering on too efficient. My wife had the Opaka paka fish and loved it and she isn't a seafood lover, but wanted to expand her horizons. Overall the ambiance and experience was superior in all facets. We will definitely return. Thanks for making out anniversary memorable.

    (5)
  • Kerrie R.

    Just ate there...go early, have a cocktail out back watching the sunset next to the fire rings - heavenly. Dinner was great, great steak, had several appetizers, all well prepared. Old school friendly waiter...worth the splurge! We'll be back!

    (4)
  • Lauren E.

    The view at Merrimans was by far one of the most beautiful views ever. If you get there just before the sunset you can sit by the fire pit and have cocktails. Although the view is spectacular the menu is overpriced for very small portions of food. Overall food is good but don't go there expecting to leave full, your basically paying for the view. I recommend only going once to have the experience of the view

    (4)
  • Patrick L.

    We first went to Merrimans to have drinks at Happy Hour and watch the sunset. It was fabulous, except it was roasting hot waiting for the sun to go down and drinking martinis. We went back for dinner a couple nights later and had our most memorable of evenings. The service was good and the food was fantastic. I have to agree with some other yelpers here about the hostesses. They are good looking but lack brains to perform their job. I still give them five stars due us having the most fantastic evening.

    (5)
  • Tom D.

    Amazing sunset views. The food was first-rate, fresh and delicious. The best meal of our week-long trip to Maui.

    (5)
  • Kendra C.

    This is a clear cut winner. Service, ambiance and food were all top notch. Ask for Marc as your waiter - he is knowledgeable and friendly. Food was locally grown and raised making for a true Maui experience. Nothing processed or frozen here... And even if you are a meat eater, don't shy away from the taro mignon. This dish was so unique and flavorful, you'd never know it was vegan..... We returned two days later to experience their happy hour - amazing patio and view. Definitely worth the trip.

    (5)
  • James H.

    This restaurant has a beautiful ocean view in Kapalua and has a nice open decor. And yes, it is pricey and probably has to be to support this property. But I expect world class food and it didn't even come close. My wife ordered Ono. The waiter said she MUST have it very rare. Rather than just suggesting this due to the type of fish, he more or less said this is the way you must have it. This attitude was prevalent. She said it was OK. But I ordered a peppercorn rubbed Rib Eye steak with spinach side. The steak was tough, stringy, lacking in flavor and overpowered by the rub. I've truley had better steak from Safeway. The side dish was plain boiled spinach. The service was average, but the food was a terrible disappointment.

    (1)
  • Su-Lynn T.

    We had a wonderful dinner at Merriman's while in Maui. It's located past the Ritz Carlton in the Kapalua resort area. When we went, it was pretty dark, so we didn't get to partake of the amazing views but from the looks of it, it must be specatacular during sunset hours. The whole restaurant is decorated in very elegant yet modern plantation style decor. There is an outside patio/seating area and when it is dark they have nice tiki torches. Nothing kitchy or luau-like here though, it's definitely a fine-dining establishment. We started by sharing the Merriman's "Pupu" Taster which consisted of tasting portions of the Crudo of Fresh Island Fish and Kula Avocado, Eden Farms Kurobuta Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla, Baked Surfing Goat Cheese with Red Wine and Beet Chutney & Herbed Tartines, and Kona Kampachi Sashimi with Miso Marinated Calamari Salad. They were really nice to accomodate my request of substituting the goat cheese with something else, as I don't eat goat cheese. So they gave me a bowl of the lobster bisque instead. Everything was really good, with the best being the fish dishes. Our server was funny and nice, and very attentive. For an entree, my husband got the Merriman's "Mix" Plate - A Taste of Signature Dishes: Crispy Day Boat Mahi Mahi with Local Citrus Ponzu, Maui Cattle Beef Filet with Sautéed Ali'i Mushrooms, Original Wok Charred Ahi with Braised Kula Romaine, and Macadamia Nut Brown Rice. I got the Big Island Butterfish Misoyaki served with Shimeji Mushrooms, Baby Bok Choy, Braised Daikon, and Young Ginger Broth. Now everything was excellent, I loved my butterfish with the pure asian flavors meshing extremely well with with flakiness of the fish. The only the exception being my husbands steak was a bit overcooked. But they took it away immediately and served us a new piece of perfectly cooked steak. For dessert we shared the pineapple upside down cake, which was delicious. Yum. Now here's the surprising part, when we got our bill, our server mentioned that he thought that since the steak was overcooked, they took the entire entree price off the bill. Now that was really nice, but in addition, they felt like we waited too long for the entrees in general, and comped BOTH our entrees. This level of service is to me, unheard off. There were many times we've waited for entrees at other fine restaurants which have taken a while and we've never expected to not pay for them. This just goes to show they really go out of their way to establish themselves as not only a excellent restaurant, but also a star in customer service. We loved everything about Merrimans. Would I have given them 5 stars even if I had to pay for our entrees? Absolutely! It's definitely a pricey restaurant, but in my opinion much more worth it than Spago or Lahaina Grill. You get amazing ambiance, delectiable cuisine, and wonderful views. Can you ask for anything more in Maui? Anyways, we were so surprised and grateful, we left a very large tip for our server, who was the one who suggested the entrees be comped. We're heading to Kauai in January and are definitely checking out the Merrimans there!

    (5)
  • Jonathan L.

    I just returned from a 9 day vacation in Maui with my wife. We spent a lot of time traveling the island and eating at different restaurants, and after being largely disappointed with the food on Maui, I was pleasantly surprised with Merriman's in Kapalua. We arrived around 6:15 for dinner, just in time to see the sun setting from the beautiful vantage point that Merriman's provides. If you get there after sunset, you've missed a huge opportunity. The view is easily one of the best you'll find at any restaurant in the world. Its not to be missed! The atmosphere overall is excellent, although I could have done without the live saxophone music. The service was excellent. Our server's name was JJ, and he was knowledgeable, helpful, and attentive. He offered excellent recommendations from the start of the meal when we ordered cocktails, all the way through dessert. Its also important to mention that our cocktails were fantastic -strong, properly mixed, and well portioned. As for the food, it was some of the best I had on Maui. I've had better meals, to be sure, but the food was very very solid all around, and I definitely enjoyed their emphasis on local, sustainable food. We started with the Pu Pu selections, which was excellent. I had a duo of filet mignon and seared ahi, which was good, but nothing to write home about. My wife ordered a red pepper bisque, which was delightful, and a duo of scallops and filet. The scallops were wonderful -well seasoned, and seared to perfection, and easily my favorite part of the meal. The dessert was also excellent. We enjoyed the pineapple upside down cake made with banana bread, and the portuguese beignets with a coffee caramel sauce. Compared to my experience the prior day at Joe's Grill in Wailea (terrible), it was a five-star experience, but compared to the fantastic restaurants here in Atlanta, it was just really solid. The biggest issue I have is value for money, and the lack of seasoning on my steak and ahi. That said, I was very pleased overall, and had a delightful time at Merriman's. I will definitely return on my next trip to Maui!

    (4)
  • Nerdy G.

    FIVE STARS: The location is right on the point between Napili and Kapalua bays; a perfect location to watch the sun set between Lanai and Molokai. The foodwas delicious and also available as small plates, which allows for indulgence in appetizers and dessert. The ingredients are fresh, well presented and complement each other well - this is a proficient chef. I really enjoyed the malasadas for dessert, which are served hot and steaming in a paper bag. Just shake them in the powdered sugar and enjoy; perfect with coffee. The service was outstanding - our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable, and made excellent recommendations for wine. Finally, an unusual cocktail with cucumber and chili peppers scored for novelty; unexpectedly refreshing. THREE STARS: The live music is problematic if you want to chat. We did, but we would have waited for thirty minutes for another table. The music was delightful smooth jazz, but he did feel like he was right over your shoulder (because he was). SUMMARY: Fabulous food and excellent service in a perfect sunset location; well worth the money. If you want to chat then ask for a table away from the stage when you make your reservation.

    (4)
  • Laura C.

    We actually had a fantastic time at this restaurant from start to finish! Our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, and offered the most amazing suggestions for each course! We listened to each of his suggestions and it paid off! I had the Ahi over pureed sweet potato and it was fantastic. The venison that J ordered was absolutely TO DIE FOR! That is honestly one of the best meals he's ever ordered in a restaurant! We had the chocolate purse for dessert and a small pressed coffee (also recommended by the waiter). All that food and our bill was only about $200, which shocked me! That's incredibly reasonable for how excellent the food was. The portion sizes were perfect! I get so tired of going to restaurants and not being able to see my plate under all the food! These were just right! Everything from the music, to the breeze, to the drinks and all the way out to the valet guys was excellent! We will definitely be back!

    (4)
  • David F.

    Great dining, great staff and great food.

    (5)
  • Keoni P.

    really rolling the dice on this one, my choice and I had read other reviews on poor service. last night five of us dined at Merrimans's and all five dice from all five players came out five five five five five, YAHTZEE !!! three of us waited at the table with a glass of different wines and a complimentary smoked humus dip with taro chips for a good 20 minutes for our other party to arrive listening to this duo of musicians, through the night they played classical versions of Crazy Train, Kashmir, Red Hot Chili Peppers and other popular classics that stumped us but we new the beats. It was loud and lively here and perfect for us. able to just laugh and enjoy a good dinner with good company. when the table was full we settled into two modest bottles of red wine, the wine on the right in the pic (Eponymous) is a solid good choice for a decent low end priced wine. appetizers were eventful as three of us ordered the Caesar Salad and it was boring, don't do it. lots of nicer looking salads on the menu, however I always order Caesar when I see it. asked by the waiter J.D. how was the first tastes and we told him. my complaint was not fishy enough and J.D. came back with a small plate of anchovies that I added to my salad. sorry it still didn't cut it and everyone else agreed. now getting over that bump the lobster bisque made me forget all about my salad. this is a nice rich flavored starter with a few chops of lobster. dinner was bliss, I'll start with my entree the mac nut crusted ono. I like my mac nut on mahi mahi and thought this dish would fail and I made a wrong choice. it was not a wrong choice and it was not really crusted, seemed the mac nuts were cooked separately and added. it didn't matter it was as the fishes name ono (taste good) and I cant tell you enough about the broccoli and sauce it was served with. no kidding no lying this was the best broccoli I ever had. going to the left of me was served the lamb special. tasting every dish on the table this came in second, my fish was the first place winner. next was a split entree plate of herb crusted opakapaka and the fillet minion. this fish was also done really well and lighter then my ono. going around the table came up with a fillet minion with the same broccoli that was also served on my plate. very tender and very nicely done and next to that plate was another split entree with the peppercorn rubbed rib eye and added half lobster. actually that lobster evaded me and I wasn't offered a bite. got some of that rib eye and there was the third place winner. we were all full and fully satisfied but we could not leave without trying deserts here. we figured we would split two between the five of us. it worked and we were able to conquer them. first the white chocolate filled malasadas with a coffee sauce which come in a paper bag. dropping them on the plate produced 5 of them and an easy one each worked. this is a nice desert and I love white chocolate. still the next culprit the chocolate purse was a perfect caper to an astonishing meal. served with a vanilla ice cream this rivals Roy's chocolate souffle. along with these nice sugary treats we got three orders of a nice port and another mixed drink (Dark and Stormy). here comes the total and I don't think it was bad at all with the good service, food and ambiance without tip a total of $647. all items listed above minus two glasses of wine the bread and a second order of complimentary humus. this was not shocking at all and would do it again. I really had my doubts on Merriman's and I hope to ease any worries for you future diners. its just one of those perfect places. the few negatives were (not for us) its really loud here and some romantic diners may not care for this or wish a table in a quieter section, the Caesar Salad (please work on the dressing) and tables are a bit close together but again not a problem for us. the menu we found small but I can tell you we all had a good look at it and choices were hard to make, everything looks so good. great staff, we never got nobody snooty just great service. late note for Kamaaina, they offer 25% off on Tuesdays and 25% off everyday dining at the bar.

    (5)
  • Butch P.

    I have been back on the mainland for almost a week but needed to give a positive review on this place. I am only judging Merriman's at Kapalua Bay on their happy hour in the bar area. We did not eat dinner so I would check with other reviewers on that.. Mai Tai's are good and $6 is a great price-$13 during sad hours. The draft beers are $3 -I think $6 is the regular price. Hoogarten Belgian wit beer, longboard lager and Hapa brown ale are a few of the choices. Their well drinks are $4 and they pour Jack Daniels for their well bourbon-great deal! The bartenders and bar manager were very nice and professional. The views of Kapalua bay out one set of windows and the blue Pacific and Molokai channel out the patio window-SPECTACULAR! I would have given 5 stars but was hoping to see a few moderately priced pupus (appetizers) on the happy hour menu.

    (4)
  • Mary Beth B.

    We went for happy hour outside on the patio. The views are gorgeous but windy, but we were used to it at that point. The happy hour wine list wasn't the best, but the food was excellent. The pork quesadillas were our favorite.

    (4)
  • Ginny P.

    We had a reservation but arrived at the restaraunt over an hour early and politely explained to the hostess that we would like the first available table. She wrote our name down and said she would get us at the bar. We waited for over an hour watching this hotess seat several parties in front of us that didnt have reservations and never gave us the time of day. When we talked to her about it she was so snooty. She was really smooth at talking to the locals and making sure everyone noticed her but a real unprofessional about dealing with a seating order. Can't comment on the food because we never got that far, we were so angry at the pretentious attitudes of the hostesses that we left. Also, overheard a waiter bossing around the bartender. Just an unprofessional picking order of the staff that didn't suit us right

    (1)
  • Dan B.

    Excellent place! Sat out at point bar ( no reservation). Although had limited menu, the food was excellent! Try the sliders, kahlua pork quesadilla, fish and chips, and truffle fries! Sunset was incredible! Finally, try the malasados and pineapple upside down cake for dessert.....incredible!

    (5)
  • Ty S.

    I ate here with my girlfriend for her birthday. I made reservations with open table and noted on the reservation that it was a birthday. Merriman's location arguably cannot be beaten. It is an incredible view, and surely the best one I have seen from a restaurant on this island. 5 stars for the view. The food, however, is another matter. I was disappointed with every dish that came. The Kalua pork quesadilla was decent, but nothing I couldn't have gotten from any other decent restaurant on the island. The fish and chips appetizer was fine, but many restaurants here have better. I had the Filet for dinner, and I can honestly say it is the blandest steak I have had in a long, long time... it had no flavor. The beets-tomato-onion chutney was also a bit weird and did nothing to enhance what was already poor tasting meat. The drinks were, again, decent... but nothing special. The service was fine. Our waiter was courteous and we had everything we needed at the right time. He wished my girlfriend a happy birthday as we sat down, but that was the last we had heard of it. I was surprised that we weren't offered a complimentary dessert or any other acknowledgment of it being special occasion. Bottom line: This is a great place to come and enjoy drinks with an amazing view before you head to dinner. There are many restaurants in the area that blow Merriman's out of the water food wise... Pineapple Grill, for starters, which is right across the street.

    (3)
  • Elisha C.

    We had dinner here twice while on vacation. I suggest sitting at the bar where service is top notch and the view is spectacular. You can ordered from the main dinner menu or the bar menu. On our first visit my husband ordered the small portion of the Grilled Maui Cattle Grass Fed Filet of Beef and liked it so much that he ordered the full size on our 2nd visit. I first ordered the "Poke Cut" Ahi and Avocado as my entree instead of an appetizer. On the 2nd visit I ordered the not as popular (as the wait staff informed me) Lemongrass Scented Natural Chicken, it was fantastic! We of course had dessert, the Toasted Coconut Crème Brulée and like everything else it exceeded our expectations. The bartenders were amazing especially with the amount of mojitos that they were making and each tasted just as great as the first. I would highly recommend Merriman's for dinner and/or happy hour while you are in Maui.

    (5)
  • Brian B.

    My wife and I had an amazing dinner here with many business associates. I can tll you the setting was amazing right on the ocean with open seating with views from every seat. The food was amazing as well could not have picked a better location to have an unforgettable dinner with friends. Highly recommended located by the Ritz Carlton Maui

    (5)
  • Dan G.

    To me Merriman's is what Hawaiian cuisine is all about. Fresh seafood, light and creative dishes that take advantage of local suppliers. Wow, what a treat. We've dined at the original quaint location on the big island four times. This new location set on a scenic cliff overlooking Kapalua Bay brings Maui fine dining to a new level. The open dining room with picturesque views of Molokai and the bay from any table was stunning. Get there early for breathtaking sunsets. Our waiter Will was superb and helpful with suggestions. Timing was precise and he was even candid enough to rave about Pineapple Grill's signature pineapple dessert with us. We had looked forward to this meal our entire trip and it delivered and then some. Starting with the kalua pork and Maui onion quesidilla with spicy Kimchee and beet salad with greens and goat cheese. Gotta go local and these apps were a solid start. The pork reminded me of good southern BBQ. The local surfing goat cheese was buttery goodness. On to the mains. So tough to choose from this outstanding menu. Much love to Peter Merriman for not making us. Many entrees can be paired and are still huge portions, don't know what that earlier review was thinking. As I said we couldn't decide so we basically enjoyed four incredible dishes. My wife had the sauteed Alaskan halibut special served on a wasabi potato mash and the seared ahi on sweet potato mashed. I did a surf and turf combo of line caught grilled Ono with a local cherry tomato compote served with pesto asparagus and braised Haleakala lamb shank on green beans with kalamata olives. Both were so good. The lamb was very flavorful and the Ono was perfectly grilled with cross hatch marks and well complemented by it's sauce. Dessert was a nice pineapple upside down cake and candied Maui gold pineapple pieces. Will hooked us up with a few scoops of sorbet and ice cream, so I can't tell which comes with. But, we enjoyed all of them pineapple sorbet, coconut, and vanilla bean ice cream. A nice hookup and a props again to Will for joining us in our love of the previous evening's killer dessert. Service, location and great food. As good as it gets. Do yourself a favor and make sure you dine here on your visit as it will likely be the best meal you'll have.

    (5)
  • Nicole K.

    We had great expectations coming here for dinner but were very disappointed. The waiter forgot our drinks TWICE and brought us an appetizer which was missing an ingredient. We had the Poke Avocado starter which was tasty but had few pieces of poke and a lot of beets, mango & avocado. Then the main courses: beef filet was tender but tasteless. The scallops were no more than good and the macadamia nut crusted Ono was great. In all, food was mediocre, service was terrible. It seems like the place to go if you want to "be seen" but has nothing special for your tastebuds. Better go to the Sea House down the street which has better food, service and views.

    (3)
  • Amy D.

    Everyone said we had to go here and they were right the view was great but so is the view from many restaurants on the island. The bar service was terrible. I literally waited at a fairly empty bar for a drink for 20 minutes and I had to ask if I could order. The food was absolutely under par for the price. The restaurant is very pretty. Our server was very nice. Wine was great. Lobster bisque wonderful. Main course I did the pick two option and chose fillet and scallops. Both were fine but certainly not the best I have had and that is what I expected for the price. We spent about $100 per person and had wine and three courses. Desserts were good.

    (3)
  • Ronald A.

    Two nights ago, we had a very boring meal at The Plantation House. Last night we had a wonderful meal at the Sea House; i rated it at 5 stars, when it should have been 4.5 stars. However, i was reacting to the dinner the night before and my joy at the meal we had enjoyed. Tonight we had a full 5 star meal. We stared with the green salad; it was just right. it was dressed lightly. They use locally sourced greens and vegetables they either grow themselves or grow from farmers the work with continuously. As i compare the tomato I had tonight with the one two nights ago, locally sourced food is far superior. Rebecca had the diver scallops with a soy citrus Ponzu. It was fabulous. It came with a slaw of carrots, fennel and zucchini that matched perfectly. I had the mahi mahi that was cooked in sesame and came with a combination of creamed corn, asparagus bacon and sliced tomato. Both were wonderful. in fact, a bit better than wonderful. Dessert was a pineapple upside down cake that was unlike anything i have every had. it was a perfect way to end the meal, particularly couple with an Armagnac. The wine list at the Sea House is a bit more approachable and a bit less expensive. However, this list gave us at least three choices for Sancerre. Our server knew her wine list well enough to give us a good recommendation. It was good and It turned out to be a very good accompaniment to the dinner. Although a bit more expensive that the Sea House, both met our expectations and we will go back to both on our next visit. Merriman's is just a half step better. We had a wonderful evening. Please give this place a try and enjoy yourself.

    (5)
  • Andrew T.

    My fiancé and I were on Maui for a week and dined all over the island. This place was by far the best! We fell in to the tourist traps in Lahaina and went all the way down to Wailea and even Mama's fish house. Every place we ate except for Merrimans was overpriced and under delivered. Merriman's staff was very professional, attentive, knowledgeable and personal. I work in the F&B industry and admit that this place is among the best! The food's taste, presentation and quality was all incredible. The value was the best on the island for fine dining. This place, even though it is a high priced fine dining establishment, was one of the least expensive meals we had on the island. My number one pick for dinner when I return to Maui. Oh yeah.... If you like sweet tropical drinks, try the pineapple coconut martini. I was able to talk our bartender into leaking the recipe and I still haven't been able to duplicate it. Have never had a drink like it and would go back just to have one more...

    (5)
  • DeLacey A.

    Absolutely amazing beautiful unforgettable view if you go at sunset!! Drinks are perfect! Good wine selection and better prices if you go for happy hour. Food was good but not the best compared to the price! Definitely paying for location. A woman came around selling leis and this was our favorite part! Dessert was yummy, we got the purse cake and the ice cream. The soup and salad were our favorite part of the dinner!!

    (4)
  • OL G.

    We came a little bit early for our reservation which wasn't a problem as we could enjoy the sunset on their beautiful patio. We had a coctail and a little appetizer before the dinner. They seemed to be a little understaffed on the patio but the service inside the restaurant was great. The food was excellent and we had great last night in Maui.

    (4)
  • Peter R.

    I truly don't understand the experience some folks have at restaurants. "We waited an hour for our drinks then the waiter Il ne parlent que le français à utiliser!" I know these folks aren't imagining this treatment. Do some places have a stray dementor on staff? Our experience was 5 star. Arrived 10 minutes early - quickly got a drink at the bar. Seated at 705 and served a progression of truly superb food. We had the Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla & Hawaiian Ahi Poke appys. Super. And to my wife's chagrin we had the same entree - Mahi Mahi, Beet Ponzu - Filet of Beef - Hawaiian Wok Charred Ahi. (I tricked her and did a feint to to the lobster.) Again - superb. Service - shout out to J.J. - was Goldilocks grade - professional, attentive and not overbearing or neglectful. Merriman's was fantastic. So it's a chain - who cares - it is great. Note - Top Chef finale 2014 is being filmed here .

    (5)
  • Faria C.

    One of the highlights of my Maui vacation! The view and the sunset is absolutely gorgeous. The service is impeccable. The wait staff knows each detail of every ingredient in the dishes and when they talk to you about their chef specials they actually speak about them like they are works of art. It is an amazing skill that they have and the best part is that the food is totally delicious.

    (5)
  • Aly R.

    Incredible everything! Food, view, ambiance, food and service, all 5 stars! My husband and I went without the kids for a date night and it was worth every penny. We shared a few things so we could try more, we started with the seared scallop appetizer, then shared the kale/butter lettuce salad with goat cheese, crispy Maui onions and little pieces of pineapple. Then we had the server recommended monchong, everything was absolutely fresh and delicious! After dinner, we walked down to the point overlooking the ocean to have a drink. It was a great experience and probably made my top ten restaurants. I would definitely come back on our next visit.

    (5)
  • Sharon L.

    Went to Merrimans with our family and while restaurant is in a beautiful spot and the food is decent we had several major issues. Our server LEVI was such a pretentious snob and terrible server, sneering and rolling his eyes at every request and we were envious of some of the other tables who had servers who were pleasant and engaging. After spending over a hundred dollars per person for tasty but slightly dry, I.e., overlooked fish, our evening and celebration was greatly impacted by this terrible server! We always tip 20% minimum but wish that we had stated on the Bill, "LEVI, YOUR TIP is to get out of the restaurant business." He must know someone in management or he wouldn't still be there. IF we return we will ask to NOT HAVE LEVI!

    (2)
  • Nathan T.

    Phenomenal service, conception of food, execution of food, and ambiance. If you are on Maui and do not visit, you will regret it. Merriman's is truly worth the price.

    (5)
  • Fernando E.

    we had brunch there and it outstanding..went back for wedding anniversary dinner and again..food..service was outstanding..... it made our 'A' list....

    (5)
  • Phuong H.

    Not sure what the big hype is all about. The restaurant has a gorgeous view and we were lucky to grab a seat outside and got to admire the beautiful sunset but the food was mediocre for the price tag! There was nothing memorable about the expensive dishes and their ahi poke appetizer made us laugh. When the waiter set the appetizer on our table, we were excited as it looked like the fish was piled on high...only a few bites into it, we realized that the dish was deceiving because there was a big lump in the middle of the dish and there was only a layer of poke...for $20. The only thing I could rave about is their chocolate purse dessert. There are so many other places you can go for delicious food on Maui for half the price of Merriman's.

    (2)
  • Mk T.

    I live in NYC and consider myself to have high standards when it comes to restaurants. When we got to Maui, we ate at several highly rated restaurants, but Merriman's was by far the best. It was actually one of my favorite restaurants I've ever been to. My family and I ended up coming here two nights in a row and ordering different dishes. Everything we ordered was delicious, and the Kalua Pork Quesadillas are worth going to the restaurant alone. You must try them. The view, ambiance and live music are also spectacular.

    (5)
  • Mark C.

    I have to give merrimans Kapalua a 4 star because of the location and view. The food is very good, although a little inconsistent. My fish was perfect; my wife's somewhat overcooked. The views are great. Kapalua tends to be breezy to windy, so be prepared. If the ladies are wearing dresses, bring a wrap.

    (4)
  • Douglas M.

    If a person was to have a dream..... and in it was the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine. Warm sun, a gentle breeze...Sailboats off in the distance, a school of dolphins close to shore, giving you the show of their lives....jumping out of the water and doing their triple axles. Maybe a few (but not too many) beautiful people sitting in the tables nearby.... you are dreaming of Merriman's a little after 3pm when they open. That was EXACTLY our experience! Except that I had the Mai Tai instead of the wine (but in a dream who would be drinking a Mai Tai?) Add to it a wonderful wife and a close friend. A tasty appitizer and a very pleasant server and it was a wonderful experience. I am scared to go there for dinner though, I understand it can be crowded...not that it is a bad thing, and totally understandable considering the perfect location. Maybe the food wouldn't be the best I ever had... and my perfect place would be tarnished, maybe not a five star but a four star... I would hate that. But life is about risks and I should have faith that such a wonderul place will accept the challenge and impress me with a dinner experience as wonderful as the afternoon cocktail experience that I enjoyed last week... I am sure that they wouldn't dare disappoint.

    (5)
  • Hal W.

    Menus are for Peasants JJ said... Can't say much more than that. If you can get JJ as your waiter by all means do... He has guests come back year after year. He's a gentleman and a foodie and will make sure you have a meal to remember... Menus optional. We celebrated our 3rd anniversary here and were fortunate enough to have JJ take care of us... We'll be back! Maui grown Taro chips, Big Island beef- scallops as large as your wrist... Enjoy it all. Everything about Merrimans is first class. Enjoy it!

    (5)
  • L E.

    Great food but very expensive. Very uncomfortable chairs. If I am gonna pay those prices again I want a comfortable chair to sit in.

    (3)
  • Jason B.

    My wife and I came here for dinner on our recent trip to maui. The service was amazing. Our waiter was kind, helpful, and attentive. The Mai-tai was skillfully and originally crafted with a delicious foam on top. I tried a combination of the small plates and mixed the scallops with the filet mignon. Both proteins were cooked incredibly well and the filet basically melted in my mouth. My wife tried the gnocchi, which was not your typical gnocchi, but was cut a bit thinner and came with some nice browning on eat piece. Both our plates were presented beautifully and I would order either again without a second thought. You might want to show up before it's dark to enjoy the view. We'll be back on our next visit!

    (5)
  • Becky T.

    All I have to say is the chocolate purse is life changing!!! Best meal and service on the island by far. Went with my husband and his family and we all thoroughly enjoyed our food. If you can't decide between two entrees, no worries! They will give you half of two entrees of your choosing! I highly suggest the scallops and fish. Both were amazing. My husbands filet was cooked to perfection. Even though we were all stuffed we ordered a few desserts to share. Boy and I glad we did. As stated previously, chocolate purse is phenomenal!!!!

    (5)
  • Michael G.

    Merrrimans is always top on my list when in Maui. Been coming here for 14 yrs and make it a point to eat at Merrrimans. Expensive but the view is amazing they usually have entertainment and a nice children's menu for families. Don't miss it.

    (5)
  • Staycie K.

    Some of the best service in Maui. Superb ingredients and a thoughtful menu to satisfy any palate. Great place if youre celebrating an event. The views are breathtaking, especially when the sun is setting. If you cant get there early enough for sunset, dont worry, the moon on the ocean is just as beautiful.

    (5)
  • Lauren B.

    I am probably slightly biased because I've been going to Kapalua since 1987 and got married on the beach and had my reception at merrimans. However, it's really the best dining on maui. The food is inventive and the quality can't be beat. Their food and service is top notch. And although kapalua beach has changed a lot in the past 27 years; it's still the best point in maui for ambiance, views, and sunsets. I do miss the pool that used to be on the point which is now a bar and sitting area. My life and memories will always be a part of kapalua and merrimans is a welcome addition to fine dining and the Hawaiian lifestyle. I highly recommend their kahlua tacos, burgers, lamb for dinner, any fish entrees and their Sunday brunch. And definitely the best Mai tais!

    (5)
  • Lily B.

    **DISCLAIMER** This review is for TAKE OUT!!! Please read my review on Pineapple Grill... if you did, you'd know that I didn't eat my entree and I was kinda hungry. So after Yelping, I decided to make a take out order from Merriman's and bring it back to the condo so we could just chill and drink. Why Merriman's and not somewhere else?... well, I'm on vacation and I wanted to try this fancy place which had great reviews on Yelp! (and other websites) I called in my order and the hostess was sooooooo patient and friendly!!! When we arrived my friends dropped the BF and I off. It was already past 8PM and pretty dark, but the restaurant sits right next to the ocean and it has big open windows and the restaurant is just beautiful!!! I wished we had time to actually dine in on another day but we were out of days on Maui. :( There's always next time... So I ended up ordering ahi sashimi for the BF. $17. He said it was okay. yelp.com/user_local_phot… I ordered a side of garlic macadamia nut rice for my fish. $8. It had NO hint of garlic WHATSOEVER. It was BLAND and HORRIBLE. I took one bite and threw it away. Even my BF and friends were like WTH is this?!?! yelp.com/user_local_phot… I ordered the macadamia nut crusted monchong with garlic broccoli. I think it was $42. It was DELICIOUS. The fish was cooked perfectly. The garlic broccoli was *amazing* and the best broccoli I've ever had. The half white/half black rice triangle that it came with actually worked with the dish. yelp.com/user_local_phot… When we arrived we checked in with the hostess and informed them that we we placed a take out order. She was very friendly and instructed us to go to the bar. We waited at the bar for well over 10 minutes before we were even acknowledged. FINALLY a female bartender acknowledged us (the male continued to ignore us) and asked us if we wanted to start with a drink to which I informed her that I had placed a take out order. She asked for my name and went to check on it. At the same time, we saw a gentleman from the kitchen come out carrying 3 take out boxes which he brought to the bar. Some sort of miscommunication happened because she didn't realize that it was our order. She took her time and in the end we finally got our food and were on our way. In all honesty, after getting such awesome friendly service from the hostess (both on the phone and in person), it was a big disappointment to receive a complete LACK of service from the bartenders, who were, I'll say it, borderline RUDE. This is not to say other servers are this way, but I'm just speaking for my experience at the bar. Just because I'm making a take out order doesn't mean I don't tip, because I do leave at least a 20% tip. I was pretty annoyed with service, or lack thereof, and was glad to get our food and be on our way back to the condo. Luckily the fish and broccoli were amazing (and the hostesses were great)... but sorry Merriman's, you need to have your bartenders attend another training session on customer service and etiquette 101! FOOD = AMAZING BARTENDERS = (NOT) amazing

    (3)
  • Sarah D.

    Food was delicious, service was great, ambiance was lovely. The only detractor was that prices were very steep. The Fish and Chips appetizer was too salty and a bit disappointing, but our entrees, especially the Monchong, was out of this world.

    (4)
  • Christina M.

    This place is simply breathtaking! The service was amazing, food was delish and the sunset.. Best location in Maui! I had the lamb chops and scallops. Both were cooked to perfection!! The Mai Tai was the best on my trip so far.. Not too sweet and clearly made with fine ingredients. This place is a must do!!

    (5)
  • M B.

    What a great place for happy hour (3-4:59 p.m. daily)! They have a bar indoors and outdoors. My husband and I sat indoors and it has a beautiful view of the ocean and beach. We ordered (see pics): - merriman's pupu taster ($32 but it gives you the opportunity to taste a good portion of their appetizer menu) - mini prime filet and applewood bacon sliders - $13 - mango colada - $12 - mai tai - $6 HH price - white wine - 25% off regular price during HH It's pricey for happy hour but it's totally worth it. The food is top notch and fresh! And the cocktails are well crafted. Our bartender, Cori, was friendly and attentive. Be sure to check this place out (if you're not on a budget) when you're on the island.

    (5)
  • Eric W.

    The best meal I have had in Hawaii. The setting is fantastic (better than the original) and every dish we had was excellent. Really recommend the appetizer sampler plate as a good way to go; then we all did the split main course option each of us choosing two fish courses. Delicious. Service was excellent and the wine list was outstanding. The singer was the icing on the cake. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Julie Marcellina V.

    The view is fantastic and so is everything else. Hands down to the best restaurant and dinner I've ever had. My waiter was amazing, unfortunately I don't remember his name. He had recommended everything from my wine to my dinner. The white wine from France is so great, with any entree. Yumm! Make your reservation about an hour later than you plan. Once you get to the restaurant head outside and order an appetizer and a drink. Enjoy the view, take a couple of pics. Sit around the fire pit. It's a amazing! Maybe even watch the sunset. Then once you're ready for dinner head inside. Get seated and enjoy your dinner(the view is lovely). Make sure you order the chocolate purse. It melts in your mouth and you won't regret it ( make sure you tell your spouse to order their own). Hehe. It's too good to share. Then after dinner go to the couch and watch as the band plays some wonderful music, request a song. :-) Enjoy!!

    (5)
  • Julie D.

    We really enjoyed eating here. Best views of the whales kept us entertained all evening. We sat in the bar because we couldn't get reservations. It was worth it. Fun crowd. The food was delicious. The ahi poke was fabulous. Then ate some fish that neither of us had previous heard of macadamia crusted mon Chong and the fish of the day. Both were really tasty. Dessert was icing on the cake.

    (5)
  • Tini N.

    Had the best meal of my vacation. I started with seared scallops with asparagus, stole some of my Fiancée's lobster bisque, then had a beautiful mongchong fish with macnut rice! I also had a beef filet that was cooked to perfection. It's a great idea that you can choose two entrees and have smaller portions! The meal ended with a simple lemon shortbread and strawberry dessert. Yum!!! Can't wait to go back next year.

    (5)
  • Ryan G.

    Fantastic dinner for our final night in Maui! Cant wait to go back

    (5)
  • Cath M.

    Since it was our last night in the Island... the sis opted to go "fancy" and have our last dinner here ... of course recommended by yours truly (came here in 2010 for happy hour + early lunch and I was instantly in love with the venue... and others reasons of course!) Came in here 15 mins late (its quite a drive from downtown Lahaina) but was promptly greeted and was seated right away... given our menus and water. Our server (Natalie) was just superb ... friendly and helpful and catered to all our needs (particularly my sister...) Sis mentioned that she loved their extensive wine list... she was very happy and impressed. She ended up getting a bottle of her favorite: Caymus Vineyards, Special Select, Napa Valley, 2009 (it was delicious!!!) I forgot what they ordered since I was catering to my sunburned body due to overdoing it on the stand up paddle so I was so out of it... I did remember what I had and they were the following: - warm bread (free) = it was actually really good... it was warm and the butter was just melting right onto it. I tried to stop so that I wouldn't be that filled right away but it was hard! - Soup of the Day (which was asparagus) = it was creamy but not filling ... it was just right. - Pan Roasted Diver Sea Scallops (GF) Applewood Smoked Bacon, Creamed Local Corn, Anuhea Asparagus, Sweet Pepper Jam (smaller portion ~ 2 scallops) = this was actually just the perfect portion for me. I wasn't quite hungry and so I managed to finish this without any problems. It was good... the scallops wasn't hard and it was cooked just right... the creamed corn was delicious... it balanced the saltiness of the bacon and the scallops. - Maui Gold Pineapple Upside Down Cake (Mama Anderson's Banana Bread Candied Macadamia Nuts, Caramelized Pineapple, Haupia Ice Cream) = I had to get this so I could compare it to Pineapple Grill and uhm... Merriman's version definitely is the winner. It's not uber sweet and it was just the perfect portion. Plus it wasn't heavy and believe it or not, tasted somewhat "healthy" if there is such a thing with regards to desserts! I highly recommend it. - Lilikoi and Kula Strawberry Caramel Mousse Fried Crispy Banana = the sis ordered this... it was a lot! We ended up just picking through the fried banana and leaving a chunk of the mousse. Overall... perfect dinner with perfect company as well as perfect service! I highly recommend making a reservation... and check them out for happy hour (they are pricey...) but during HH... the view plus the drinks plus whoever you're with... trust me, you'll love it... I sure did! Definitely looking forward to the next time!

    (5)
  • Jim M.

    Superb experience!!! We had reservations for 5:30 and were seated along the front row with an absolutely beautiful view of the sun setting over the ocean. We had excellent service throughout our meal. Our server, David G., explained very thoroughly our choices including the evenings specials. We shared a Merriman's garden salad. It was prepared with all local Maui grown vegetables and was delicious. I chose a split seafood plate of Monchong and Scallops, My wife chose a Fillet Mignon. All items were prepared to perfection and were delicious. Having saved room for dessert, I chose the Decadent Chocolate Purse and my wife chose the Lilikoi Tart. Both were great choices. The total bill came to $130.00 and was worth every penny of it. We have eaten at Merriman's original restaurant on the big island and the one in Poipu previously. We have loved them all. Jim M. Denver Colorado

    (5)
  • Christina K.

    Great flavor profiles and I love that they use local ingredients. Too bad the food came out luke warm. We were assigned 2 waiters for "double the attention" but it turned into multiple fumbles during service. Sprite was refilled with waiter offered to refill my beer about 15 minutes after the glass was dry and long after my beer bottle was empty. Merriman's Kauai and big island (10+ meals there) offer much better quality food and way more on point with service. Only the view was great.

    (2)
  • Kaylee H.

    Hubby and I chose Merriman's for my 50th birthday dinner last month because of the great reviews, and because of the fact that it is right on (and I do mean right on) the water. I did my due diligence in selecting the location of my special dinner by reading reviews etc., and was initially torn between Merriman's and Pineapple Grill. Since the latter is a Cohn Restaurant, I wanted to add it to the list of Cohn eateries we have tried. While Pineapple Grill does have a view of the water, it is not on the water, so I decided on Merriman's. So happy I did because the food was very very good. I had hoped that I could peruse the on-line menu to refresh my memory regarding what we had, but since it is a "farm to table" kind of restaurant (love that), the menu changes too frequently for them to post it on their web site. I do remember my husband had lamb and said it was the best he's ever had, practically the best dinner he's ever had. He was quite excited about it. I don't remember what I had, I'm sure it was some kind of fish and I'm sure it was fabulous. The waiter brought us some passion fruit ice cream with Happy Birthday written on the plate in Hawaiian (see picture). It was refreshing and tasty. The setting is so gorgeous that there were no less than 6 weddings (or wedding photo sessions) happening on or around the Merriman's grounds. This restaurant is in the middle of pricey Kapalua Resort, so if you don't like fancy places, steer clear and go to Lulu's Lahaina Surf Club and Grill at the Lahaina Cannery Mall, it's fun and casual. All in all, service was good, food was very good. The room is a bit loud (because it's so large), but they have a lovely outdoor patio that we could see from our table. Valet parking. A great experience. We will add Merriman's to our short list of favorite Hawaiian fine dining eateries (along with Orchids at the Halekulani in Honolulu).

    (5)
  • Natalie J.

    Hands down the best place I've ever eaten. Awesome food, service, and ambiance. I would definitely recommend!!

    (5)
  • G B.

    Simply amazing. My husband and I were married at Merriman's on a Friday and dined at Merriman's on Saturday. Both experiences were amazing. I could not have asked for a more beautiful setting for our wedding. As far as the meal the following evening, everything about it was excellent. Our server was extremely attentive, the food was wonderful, and the views were beautiful as always. They treated us like royals and we received many congratulations from our recent wedding. We will definitely go back when we visit Maui again.

    (5)
  • Mike K.

    Just had Thanksgiving dinner there last night. A beautiful setting with spectacular food and great service. We went long (nearly 3 hours-having too much fun!), so they even bought us a round of drinks by the fire pit outside at the end. The lobster main, the scallops, the pineapple bread pudding-but a few of the wonderful dishes at this terrific restaurant.

    (5)
  • Julie K.

    This restaurant is at the top of my list in Maui. My husband and I were in Maui for a week this past September, and visited Merriman's based on a friend's recommendation and ended up going twice (it was that good). Both times, the service and food were impeccable. Our first experience was later on a Sunday night, and the restaurant was fairly quiet, but with nice live music in the background. They sat us on the Lanai and due to it being so late (8:30ish), there was no view, but yet the ambiance was still perfect. The service and food were outstanding. I had the Macadamia nut crusted ono and it was phenomenal (not your typical macadamia nut crusted something or another at most restaurants). Just light enough and the flavors with the mushroom sake reduction and the spicy broccoli were spot on. My husband enjoyed the wok charred ahi and repeatedly comment on how excellent the char was, to the point of asking the server what spices they used for the crust. We finished off the meal with dessert, lilikoi and kula strawberry mousse. Typically, I am a chocolate person, but this was a perfect way to end the meal. Not overly heavy or too sweet. We enjoyed the meal so much that we made reservations for later that week, and planned to bring friends with us. Our second visit did not disappoint. We brought a group of friends, so we hoped that we didn't romanticize this in our heads, but Merriman's delivered yet again. This time, we went on a Friday evening, starting off with cocktails and appetizers outside so we could watch the sunset. The view was stunning, and not only did we have an incredible sunset, but there was a small rain storm that brought us a beautiful rainbow. We then went in for dinner where our group enjoyed another fantastic meal. At the beginning of the meal, our server told us they were out of the dish I was planning to order and I couldn't hide my disappointment. As I looked to order something else (I should mention that I am pregnant, so just ordering tuna wasn't an option), the server comes running (yes, literally running) from the kitchen to let me know he secured the last dish for me. Such service and he continued to be just as wonderful throughout our meal. All in all, if you're looking for a great meal with top-notch service and a spectacular view (in a fairly low-key atmosphere), then please visit Merriman's!

    (5)
  • Lucy E.

    My two star rating is entirely related to the service (or lack of) that we received during happy hour at Merriman's while sitting on the patio. Everything else was lovely, although we only had drinks (no food). The service was bad enough that I felt compelled to write this review. Our friends sat for 20-minutes before a wait person came by, and only then she came after we got up TWICE to request service. When she finally came she was rude, she clearly thought we were out of line for getting up and asking them to serve us... but it had been 20 minutes! When she brought our order it was wrong and it took another 20 minutes before we had the right drinks in front of us. Long story short, the service was bad. I was especially disappointed because I'd heard such great things about this restaurant. The food may be wonderful (we didn't have any) and the view was certainly spectacular. We actually enjoyed our hour there because the view was so gorgeous, despite the service. I'd go again to try the restaurant section... the menu looked delicious (although definitely pricey).

    (2)
  • Wa H.

    Great food, service and location, although the latter is lost after sunset. I would give 3.5 stars if possible but they benefit from the systems constraints. Merriman's was recommended by a 'local expert' and we were happy to follow their lead. The service was beyond helpful and very accommodating. We shared the Chef's Pupu (appetizer) - four items all outstanding, especially the ahi. I wanted a farm-fresh salad but needed some protein. Our waiter was happy to add any protein I wanted. I ended up with 3 fat scallops - perfect! Except, he failed to inform me they were $10 a piece so my $15 salad was now a $45 entree. Not that I was disappointed but I probably would have ordered a regular entree. While the food was farm-fresh, flavorful and beautifully presented, it was outshined by the service, which was impeccable. I'm glad we were able to snag a reservation while on vacation!

    (4)
  • S. M.

    Amazing place to watch the sunset. The food was good, the service was outstanding and the restaurant is very romantic.

    (5)
  • Rob M.

    Merrimen's is an exquisite dining experience. My ribeye was scrumptious and my wife love the vegetarian sides and asked them to include the vegetarian ravioli that came with one of the entrees. Alas, it was stormy so we missed the legendary view. My daughter was proposed just outside when it was the Bay Club. That's how special it is.

    (5)
  • D V.

    Having been to the Waimea Merriman's on the Big Island earlier this year, our expectations were to expect a similar experience. My rating of that night in March merited 3 stars and summed up as OK at best. Unfortunately, this Maui branch was a further disappointment food-wise. As others have stated, the view cannot be beat. If you do go, make your reservation no later than 6:15 to catch the sunset. Every component of dinner was uninspired and lacking care (with the exception of the bread which was nice and crunchy/chewy). The Maui chips that came with my Ahi Poke were stale; The Truffled Fries accompanying the Rib Eye were cold; The Gnocchi served with the Pork Chop were gummy and flavorless. The Pork Chop itself was tough and not served at the "chef's recommended medium preparation". The whole table shook as I tried to carve out a bite. Had the food been better, I would say that the prices were reasonable given the tourist clientele and location. Go for drinks....but spend your dinner dollars elsewhere.

    (2)
  • Rosa C.

    My husband and I came here for dinner last night and had an amazing experience. The view was beautiful, food was absolutely delicious, and the service was equally wonderful (warm & attentive upon checking in and all the way until we left the restaurant). We ordered the filet mignon and mix plate (smaller portions of mahi, filet of beef, and ahi) as entrees, with a side of parmesan truffle fries (sooo good!)... all of which were cooked perfectly and delicious! For dessert, we had the flourless chocolate cake (which was gluten free) and the molten chocolate purse. Both were very rich and tasty, but my husband would've liked more "substance" to the chocolate molten purse, which is just seemed like a crispy wonton shell filled with chocolate. I have to add we came in for pupus earlier in the week and enjoyed the same great service & food. You can't go wrong with this place! We used to always make it a point to go to Mama's Fish House every time we are in Maui, but this will be our new "go-to" place for a nice dinner out.

    (5)
  • Ani A.

    We enjoyed drinks and a light dinner from the patio. We watched the sun set across the ocean and then watched the tide roll in and over the rocks in front of the patio. The location alone would warrant a visit. Lucky for us, the food was also fabulous. We had a light dinner from the bar menu and were well satisfied. Every bite was delicious. Reservations for dinner are HIGHLY recommended. Try and get a table at sunset.

    (5)
  • Stephen M.

    Absolutely amazing. The views are incredible so get there early and have a drink to watch the sunset. The service is impeccable and the food is phenomenal. The Malasadas (donut-ish) with caramel dipping sauce for dessert were the best part.

    (5)
  • Kayla M.

    This was my favorite restaurant we went to on our recent trip to Maui. The view is incredible and we were there to see a great sunset. The food was also amazing. Everything we had we enjoyed. We had the macadamia crusted Ono, the filet and the passionfruit vodka cocktails. Our waiter Nicholas, was also great. He was super attentive and made the experience just that much better.

    (5)
  • Amy V.

    Beautiful view, awful service. After waiting on the outer deck for 20 minutes to be greeted by a server, I decided to go to the waiter's area to try to put in a drink order. I had to wait behind a guy that was trying to get anyone to accept his payment so he could leave. When I did get to speak to a waitress she told me, in a very rude manner, "to have a seat and someone would be over when they had time". Needless to say, we did not wait around. As a local that lives up the street, I was very disappointed to be treated so rudely. Now when asked where to go, this place does not make the cut. The Valets were nice at least!

    (1)
  • Susan S.

    Beautiful setting, in a cove in Kapulua, especially to watch the sunset. Very pricey but service great and food stellar. Goat cheese salad delicious with a generous amount of goat cheese, scallops wonderful, fish of the day great. Allowance to order small OR full-size portion is nice, as is the option to combine two dishes in order to get to taste more.

    (5)
  • Emily G.

    So I may be a little biased because my boyfriend popped the question here, but... It was a great experience. The view is spectacular and we had the perfect corner table with an ocean view. We had the fish and chips appetizer which was fish and eggplant (which my BF never eats, but he loved). The entrees were amazing too. The service was also excellent, April our server planned the whole thing with my boyfriend to make the special occasion perfect.

    (5)
  • Rick H.

    We decided to have our wedding here instead of some other venues nearby that we were considering, and this turned out to be an excellent decision! The grounds were terrific and provided an excellent background for our special day. The staff was excellent to work with and went beyond their call of duty to work out our special requests. The food was great and we had absolutely no "glitches" to overcome. Thank you Merriman's for a great wedding location.

    (5)
  • Andrew M.

    Mahalo Merriman's. This place was unbelievable! Walking in, I immediately noticed a strange version of a Led Zeppelin song playing. It was only after taking a seat at the bar with my lovely lady and a couple friends that I noticed it was being played by a chica on a lap harp and a dude on an electric guitar. There were several delicious local brews on tap and, oh I don't know, about 700 wines to choose from (not even joking). We were seated quickly (we had reservations, I don't think you'd get in with out them) and a very kind young man began rambling off specials and pairing them with wines at every price point. He was fabulous. We started with some appetizers, as the musicians started in on a flamenco piece; fresh pasta with a light truffle sauce (probably the best thing we had all night), a yummy tomato soup and gnocchi in a red sauce. Then on to salads; Cesar and a delicious mixed bit of greens with a a light citrus vinaigrette drizzling-the waiter coming back to check on us several times-the duo on stage began playing a version of Metallica's "One" (I was pretty tipsy at this point and thought it appropriate, a tad strange, and, well, ridiculously awesome because my buddy and I had been in a drunken argument about the band a few nights earlier!). For the main course my buddy had a rare fillet, draped over a bed of mashed/whipped corn, it melted like butter and I had the catch of the day, a lightly crusted snapper, perfectly cooked, in an amazing red pepper sauce, brussel sprouts, and quinoa. The ladies proceeded to grub on a couple more appetizers, one was handful of goat cheese croquettes over greens that was silly good, and a lovely malbec... we all sorta of nibbled off everyone's plate and sipped off each others glasses at our table, because that's sort of how we do. It happened to be my ladies birthday vacation so the gals were comped their wine and an amazing coconut creme brulee was brought out as well-it too didn't show up on the check... This was my first trip to the islands and I was very fortunate to have eaten here. Though pricey (between the four of us, we dropped about three bills, when it was all said and done), the atmosphere was perfect and the food was up there with any top rated place I have ever eaten at. Go, it's worth it!

    (5)
  • Alicia K.

    After snooping around Yelp, my fiance and I decided to go to Merriman's last August on my birthday while vacationing in nearby Ka'anapali Beach, and we loved it! Great food, wonderful service, and a beautiful view of the sunset. We made an early reservation, which was a wise choice, because we were able to have a drink outside on the patio during their infamous happy hour, and they still had a great selection of tables available. Noting that it was a birthday dinner, we were given an awesome table right on the edge of the dining room with a low glass wall so that you can still enjoy the views to the fullest. The food is mostly (if not all) farm-to-table, and we loved trying the local fruits and veggies. Our server was great and very knowledgeable, as was the sommelier. Loved the live music, and we were lucky enough to witness two weddings throughout our meal! All in all, it was a wonderful experience and we would definitely go back. Mahalo!

    (5)
  • Bamboo G.

    fresh and high quality. taste very good. great service. great location. a good overall experience. all come with the price.

    (4)
  • Kelly B.

    We had dinner here while on vacation. We sat down to an absolute great view on what was actually a rainy day. There were 6 of us and we were really excited to have a nice dinner together. The appetizer platter was ordered by two in our party. It was very good. I ordered the Lobster salad with Tomato and avocado. I love all of the components of this dish, but felt the avocado really over powered the other ingredients. There seemed to be A LOT of time in between courses. We finished our drinks and our server was nowhere to be found. other servers brought out our food and had trouble getting it to the correct people. Then we all had to sit there and look at our food. We had no utensils. It took several minutes while our food chilled for the two people that brought out our food to finally get us silverware. I had the scallops, they were VERY Good. No one else really cared for their food. Just really nothing special. I was told the mixed plate seemed like something that would have been put together for a wedding banquet. Ironically enough, we just then noticed our server was waiting on a party of 16 for a wedding party down on the beach. Mystery solved, there was our server. He had a wedding party of 16 plus our table of 6 and at least 2 more tables of 2 each. Maybe it wasn't his fault. We asked for dessert menus but honestly didn't feel like waiting any longer so by the time he asked us if we wanted dessert, we just asked for our checks. I spoke to the manager to tell her we thought maybe our server was spread to thin. Explained the situation and she said he should have been able to cover it. At this point I could have cared less if they wanted to know what I had to say, but felt it needed to be said. After I explained everything to the manager she walked away from me saying she had better go check on the wedding party to make sure they weren't getting the same service!!! Beware, Merriman's seems to rest on their reputation and doesn't care. Buh Bye!

    (1)
  • Raymond A.

    We had a 6PM reservation and was seated right away. Nice view of the sunset except for a little cloudy. Our waiter was very friendly and knew the menu very well. We split a salad and then I had the 3 item sampler and my wife had the fish special. Both were excellent. We shared the pineapple upside down cake. It was very good too.

    (5)
  • Cheryl c.

    The food is extraordinary, the service is spectacular, the view is UNBELIEVABLE! My favorite restaurant on Maui, by far!

    (5)
  • Mel B.

    Ocean-front view - check 5-star service - check Amazing food - check We came here for dinner while on a family vacation and were not disappointed. Everything tasted great, the wine list was impressive, and the service was amazing. Will definitely come back again in the future!

    (5)
  • Kathleen R.

    I have been to Hawaii many times and until now have considered it a restaurant wasteland (although I understand Honolulu now has better restaurants). I have finally had not only a good dinner but a great one. I live in LA and am rather picky but how hard is it to make fresh flavorful food? The organic local vegetables are amazing. The lobster was cooked to the second of perfection and not any more. Lovely animated environment open to the outside. Really beautiful. Roy's should hide their head in shame. I'll be returning for dinner again this week.

    (5)
  • ginger t.

    slightly too pretentious for me.

    (3)
  • Jeff A.

    We are currently staying at Kapalua Ridge Villas and ate at Merriman's last night (Tu 3/20/12). This is our first time in Maui, and based on conversations with Kapalua resort staff, residents, and visitors, we decided that this would be our one dinner out for the week. He had happy hour at Merriman's at 3:30 after spending most of the afternoon at Kapalua bay snorkeling, and I have to say that the setting is superb! Drinks were very good and happy hour prices were about 25% off normal dinner drink / pupu prices, which was obviously not the primary enticement factor. We had dinner at 7:45, and the house was super busy. We started with a special arugula salad (very good) and a tomato / beet salad (also very good). The restaurant's touted commitment to sustainable and local agriculture is laudable and was certainly evident in these dishes. The main courses were another matter. The (regular) mahi was a small portion and slightly overcooked. The (special) seared ono with shrimp was good, mainly because the sear resulting in a suitable cooking level for this fish. The (regular) macadamia nut encrusted ono was also overcooked. I opted for the 'duo' (split plate) option, between the special ono and the mahi, and the menu advertises this as a way to sample more than one option. What it does NOT tell you is that there is a substantial split plate charge for this! A reasonable approach (absent notice of a split plate charge) would be to charge half for each dish and add these together ($44/2 + $36/2 = $40); however, the total cost for the plate was $51. Absolutely ridiculous. I feel that Merriman's is overpriced and overhyped for the quality of fish preparation. A restaurant charging these prices should be 'beyond reproach' for quality of fish preparation. Any 80th percentile fish restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area offers better fish preparation at much lower cost.

    (2)
  • Jeff W.

    We made the 5:30 reservation so we would be on the first seating. We had one of the best tables to watch the sunset. Everything was great from the appetizers, an asparagus based soup that they split for us. We had 2 seafood items and a small filet mignon as I had the duo dinner. A good creme brûlée finished the dinner. They have an excellent wine list, many by the glass. The service was prompt, professional and friendly. The priced are not for the faint of heart, but it is well worth the money spent! The only concern I would have wold be the wind. The point is very exposed and he on a relatively calm day we could feel the wind.

    (5)
  • R D.

    Great restaurant. My husband had the Ono dish and it was excellent. Expensive but I feel you get wonderful ambiance, great views, fresh seafood and the right level of service.

    (5)
  • Marline P.

    Our dinner was wonderful. Every dish was delicious and fresh from the kale salad to the fish, lamb and pasta. Desserts were amazing - try the chocolate purse! Great service and lovely atmosphere. This is a perfect place for a special meal!

    (5)
  • Jodie P.

    We went to Merriman's to celebrate my parents' vow-renewal/35th wedding anniversary. It was just 4 of us... my husband, myself and my parents at dinner. Merriman's location is beautiful on Kapalua Bay and the menu selection is great, but it is extremely expensive and they give small portions. The food was ok, but in my opinion.. not worth the price. I would rather go to Mama's Fishhouse.

    (3)
  • Douglas J.

    Fantastic location but pretty poor food, especially given the stunningly high prices. Everyone is 'encouraged' by the hostess to have a drink at the bar before dinner - but the reception from the bartender is less than warm and friendly - bad start. The annoying big screen TV in the reception area can be seen from most of the restaurant and is distracting and rather 'down market.' We had a great table overlooking the ocean front lounge. Could not fault the setting at all. Our reservation was on a Saturday night at 7pm. The PuPu starter was aptly named....an odd mix of local tasters, none of which were unique or exceptional - panko encrusted goat cheese and mini quesadillas etc - for $32. Even the presentation was average at best. For the main I ordered macadamia nut 'encrusted' Ono, which wasn't actually 'encrusted', but rather had a pile of extremely salty macadamia nuts, etc piled on top. This pile of fish and nuts were placed over top of some wildly overcooked broccoli. Truly awful, mushy, cruise ship buffet broccoli. Served with rice, which according to the waiter, was from Bhutan, where the rice is grown on terraced hillsides fed by glacier water. Really? It tasted of nothing whatsoever. Expensive, salty , dull and mushy. Drinks were also priced well into the stratosphere. FYI, we commented how noisy the room was a few times and had trouble hearing the waiter tell us the specials etc. Great location/setting for a restaurant but definitely not worth the money - with very underwhelming food and service.

    (2)
  • Lidiya B.

    Merriman's felt like paradise to me. We came here to watch the sunset and and enjoy a few drinks. The outdoor patio is composed of tables and chairs as well as a few lounge chairs - all very comfortable and luxurious. I do wish they had a few more umbrellas, because the sun can be really strong! I hate places where you have to put your butt in somebody's face to get into your chair and you will not find that here! The waitress serves wine outside, but drinks are available from the bar at the restaurant. They serve limited menu in the outdoor seating, which includes primarily appetizers. The food is really incredible! Pupu taster, Kalua Pig Quesadilla, and hummus were all top notch! We also had their desert, which should not be missed!!! We loved the place so much that we came back the next day for dinner and had no regrets! The restaurant is completely open-door to take full advantage of the great climate and spectacular view.

    (5)
  • Michael D.

    While the food was good, they had the live music speakers turned up so high it was impossible to have a conversation at the table. Everyone around us was yelling to make themselves heard which made it even worse. A request to turn the amps down was ignored by the waiter. If you want great food and be able to have a quiet meal without the music dominating the scene, there are plenty of equally good restaurants on Maui.

    (3)
  • Nicole Z.

    We went here on our Honeymoon and we had a wonderful time. Staff was very helpful and kind. The menu was a fantastic mix of local fresh treats that everyone who visits the island should indulge in. The ocean air runs through the open restaurant just as the sun sets with live music filling the room... an amazing experience everyone should have.

    (5)
  • Peter C.

    Great Place for dinner and drinks. We arrived at 5:30 PM for drinks on the lanai overlooking the bay and the island of Molokai. As the sunset about six PM, , with a really nice fire pit keeping us warm we watched the whales spouting off in the distance. Once seated for dinner, my wife had Ahi Tuna over creamed sweet potatoes with a tangerine pepper sauce, really excellent. My entre was Sea Scallops over a cream corn sauce with asparagus, also excellent. We had a glass of Australian Shiraz, very good. Desert was also great: a toasted almond cake with buttermilk gelato and fresh strawberries. The service was first rate from our initial cocktail's to desert, everyone made you feel welcome. Great food, excellent service with a fantastic setting made for a great dining experience.

    (5)
  • Abby L.

    Great special occasion dining in Maui! We went here after getting engaged and days on end of lackluster resort and chain restaurant eating, and this place was fantastic. Seafood was cooked and seasoned perfectly (I had the scallops with creamed corn), and the sides we selected (macadamia nut rice and spicy green beans) paired well. The sommelier did a fantastic job making wine selections for us, and all the staff and ambiance made the night extra special. We would return here in a heartbeat!

    (5)
  • Miranda S.

    This was one of the few restaurants we ate at on Maui that was actually worth the hefty price tag (Mama's Fish House being the other). The setting is breathtakingly beautiful (right on the nw coast of the island at Kapalua) - eat around 7pm and you'll be treated to a spectacular sunset. The service was also excellent. Our server, Colin, was a great host the whole evening through. But the food is the real deal here. It is innovative, fresh, creatively and well-prepared, and very, very tasty. We tried the Ahi Poke (I highly recommend this - super fresh and presented beautifully) to start, as well as the Vanilla bean Shrimp (sous vide with vanilla beans and served over avocado and citrus) - this latter dish was very creative but perhaps too strongly vanilla-flavored (kind of overwhelmed the other flavors). Our entrees and desserts were just as fabulous. If you eat out only once or twice while on Maui, make the drive up to Merrimans and you will be a very happy camper. Final bill was around $200 (with a bottle of wine and tip - the wine list is surprisingly reasonable). Oh, and were SO impressed: the valet guy had our car *waiting* for us when we walked out of the restaurant!

    (5)
  • J. R.

    Very good! View: Beautiful at sunset! Arrive early so that you can have a drink outside and take in the view. Service: For a party of 8, we had 2 servers. They were very attentive and polite. They also have someone specifically to help with your wine selection. Food: Delicious! The BLT salad has an avocado ranch dressing and was very tasty. If you can't decide between 2 entrees, you can get a duo plate. I had the scallops and filet and it was wonderful. The creamed corn and mashed potatoes had a lot of flavor as well. And the creme brulee! It had a macadamia nut crust or something and it was delicious! Everyone enjoyed their food very much. Those foods included lamb, ahi, and ribeye, to name a few. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone visiting Maui. I have not heard of a Merriman's in Lahaina. I'm not sure if the location is a mistake or not, but I went to the one in Kapalua.

    (5)
  • Susan S.

    We celebrated my husband 60th birthday at Merriman's and I can't say how pleased I am. I arranged, long distance, for a bottle of champagne, a lei and a special cake with the events coordinator, Danielle, and everything went fantastic. When we arrived we were seated at a beautiful table over looking the ocean. We were served our champagne and my husband presented with his lei. The food was fantastic starting with the pupu special of prawns in chili sauce over polenta. The best part is that we were never rushed, or hurried in any way. We lingered for almost three hours just enjoying the food, the atmosphere, pleasant conversation with staff and, of course, the incredible view. We have a new favorite on Maui.

    (5)
  • John B.

    Probably the best location site available. Amazing setting, live music, great food & outstanding service. I had the cesare salad & lobster. My wife had the quesades pork & butterfish. The lobster was a little small for the price but did not lack in flavor. All appetizers, entrees and desserts were outstanding. I had the pineapple upside down cake & my wife had the special strawberry special. Just like everything else, it was great. I cancelled my Friday reservation at Sonz on Swan Court so we could return on Friday. Our waiter was Mark and he was great!

    (5)
  • Steve M.

    Great rib eye, terrific view and a heck of a bar.

    (5)
  • Dick C.

    We went for drinks at Happy Hour. The B.W. and I each had a Mai Tai for $6 each. Fabulous. Our dinner reservations were for 5:30, so they seated us at a table with an unobstructed view of the sunset. During the late afternoon, they had a screen that kept the hot sun off the diners, but it still gave a great view of the surf and sunset. The screens went up when the sun's intensity decreased. Water and hot bread arrived quickly. We ordered wine, Molly Dooker 2 Left Feet Shiraz at $72. It turns out they were out, and proposed a Molly Dooker Cab instead. Good choice , because it was as hearty and fruity. Very, very good to us. Sharon ordered the goat cheese appetizer, but with no tomatoes and no strawberry dressing. They substituted mango fruit and another dressing. We were pleased they were able to change it, Sharon thought it was outstanding. I had the soup of the day, a mushroom soup with bits of goat cheese in it. The soup was lighter than I expected, and better than I had hoped. I had a beet salad, S. had a Caesar salad. Both were very good. We both had the small filet of beef, 4 oz portions at $39 each. S. asked them to hold the mushrooms and the sauce on the entree. I had it all. We both thought the filets were done as requested. The entrees pleased each of us. Desert was a shared pineapple upside cake which was outstanding. S. had a mocha coffee and a Frangelico while I finished the wine and downed as much water as I could. All of the vegetables, fruit and meat are locally sourced. The food is outstanding, and is as good as we get at the big restaurants on the strip in our home town, Las Vegas. Our dinner bill, including the wine was $235.50. I consider our evening fairly priced, as a meal of this quality at Las Vegas high quality restaurants catering to tourists looking for a great meal to cost from roughly $200 to $300+ I recommend this restaurant highly for a memorable evening.

    (5)
  • D D.

    We came here while we were visiting Maui on our honeymoon. The restaurant had been recommended by a friend so we were excited to try it out. The views are amazing and i would recommend going here for a cocktail at sunset and skipping dinner. We came early, took pictures and had some drinks. That was the highlight of our visit. The sun went down and we were seated at our table. We ordered an appetizer, 2 more cocktails and our entrees but told the waiter to space them out since we were on our honeymoon and were just looking for a leisurely dinner. It was just before 8 pm on a wednesday when we were seated. our appetizer came out immediately. we weren't done with it and our entrees arrived. The entire dinner was 17 minutes! It was so depressing. We felt so rushed and unwelcome.

    (2)
  • Shez P.

    The restaurant has a great view and our entrees were excellent. The wine list is quite extensive as well. The soup was fantastic, but the salad was a little mediocre. Service was average for a restaurant of this caliber. A little better svc and this would have been a 5 star experience. After Lahaina Grill, this was the second best meal we had on the island.

    (4)
  • Megan L.

    Great place to eat! We made reservations here for after our beach wedding and it was the perfect stop for a romantic evening and good food! Our waiter, David, was very attentive and friendly. We got the pork quesadillas as an appetizers and we really liked them. They were definitely on the sweeter side, but an excellent starter. The warm bread and butter they bring out is soooo good, but make sure not to fill up on it because the entrees are even better! I ordered the ribeye steak medium-well and it was AMAZING! It came with a chopped salsa on top and a side of green beans. My husband ordered the ahi and it was delicious as well! They treated us to a nice dessert of flourless chocolate cake, strawberries, and whipped cream since it was our wedding night and it was really good as well. The food and service are really great, just beware that you will pay for it. For two of us it was over $100 without tip...

    (5)
  • Jessica S.

    We came to Merriman's recommended by NYT and when we pulled up, I had a pang of regret, "what was it about this place that made me reserve two months ago?" I said to my husband, he asked if I wanted to cancel and I said no - and how glad I am that we kept it! Don't be fooled when you pull up - the open restaurant onto the sea is gorgeous and I was glad we had our reservation for sunset. The best part about this place is the local food - if you're interested in food and some ambiance, ignore the polynesian spectacle and sit back and enjoy the local fish, beets, and cheese. I started with taro fritters and the beet/tomato/Surfing Goat Dairy chevre salad and had the brown butter poached half-lobster. Yum all around. My husband had the fish and chips (yes! the pickle!!!), lobster salad and prime rib. We closed out with malasadas and the pineapple upside down cake (I just wanted haupia [sp?] ice cream) and some coffee. Unlike Mama's, a $10 french press is actually a 4 cup press, not a 2 cup press, so in retrospect, I wish we'd both gotten a $5 press and shared two kinds rather than 4 cups of one. Overall, a fantastic (and expensive, but worth it) dinner with great service!

    (4)
  • Cheryl M.

    We've eaten at Merriman's in Waimea on the Big Island several times although it has been a few years. We were really looking forward to dinner here. The food was good but not of the same caliber as the original. The service left much to be desired. Waiter just not that attentive...long lag times between taking orders and beverages and then food arriving.....Had to ask for certain items more than once....Was supposed to bring out my granddaughter's food right away but didn't.... I will say that the setting is really beautiful - sunset in that location absolutely gorgeous. I believe you should always give a place at least two chances....would try it again when we go back. Hopefully next time their food and service will be on a par with the view.

    (2)
  • Tara C.

    My husband and I went here on our recent trip to Maui. It was the best dinner we may have ever had! The setting was amazing. The restaurant sits right by the water. We were able to watch the sun set from dinner. Their service was awesome and the food was perfect. They also had a very good wine list. We plan to go back the next time we visit Maui.

    (5)
  • Melinda W.

    This is our favorite restaurant on Maui! The views, the food & the service can't be beat. Plus they make the best mai tai on the islands. Go to sit on their lanai for sunset with a cocktail or glass of wine, simply the best!

    (5)
  • Christy L.

    The service was good. The food was great! The view is spectacular! And the Cosmo was the perfect way to start the meal. I had the daily fish special and couldn't have been happier. And for dessert, a friend and I split the Pineapple Upside Down Cake (made from banana bread with coconut ice cream) and the Chocolate Purse (with vanilla bean ice cream) - both of which where simply tremendous! I would definitely go back.

    (5)
  • J.M. B.

    view: 10 stars food: 4.5 stars staff: 5 stars prices: 4 stars I absolutely LOVED our table...you can't really get a bad table here though and the view is worth coming here alone. I started with the lobster avocado salad and it was amazing. I then had the mahi mahi and while it was good, I saw the ono and kind of wished I had that instead. The flavors of the mahi mahi were very asian inspired which I liked but I guess I should have read the menu better as I was more in the liking of the spicy broccoli Ono. Anyway, NO complaints overall...other than I wish the prices were a bit easier to swallow. I was here with a party of 12 (family vacation) so it added up quickly but we all were glad we went and will be excited to return when we can save up to come back to Maui! This would be the perfect place for a wedding...it's that incredible all around if you can afford it! Just incredible!

    (5)
  • Jeffrey K.

    Hi!! My name is Abbi K!! I am 13 years old!! We have come to Hawaii every spring break for the past six years, and have eaten at many restaurants, and this is the best restaurant by far!! We walked in, and at that very moment, I knew this meal was going to be great!! The offered us shawls, which was perfect because it was a cool evening!! We walked to our table, and it was just outstanding. It had absolutely the perfect view. Our server came to the table and he was probably the best waiter that has ever taken care of my family and I at a restaurant!! He gave us the best recommendation!! I started with a ceaser salad and that was fabulous!! The bread was fresh and warm and just tasted great!! Then I got the kids Filet Mignon and that was unbelievable and just awesome!! We are coming back Easter Sunday, just because we loved it so much!! This dining experience was just great!! I have to say there is nothing you can improve because everything was perfect about the experience we have had at Merriman's!! Thank you, Abbi K:)

    (5)
  • Cindy P.

    Had dinner here for our anniversary last night. Food was amazing, service was excellent. We had the 5:30 seething and the view of sunset was indescribable. Pricey but worth it.

    (5)
  • V L.

    We got Mauied here last week at Merriman's, and everything was perfect! We had our wedding ceremony and reception here with 50 of our guests celebrating with us, and we could not have been happier with how everything turned out, and everyone could not stop talking about how amazing our wedding was. Gorgeous views, attentive staff, delicious food, you can't go wrong! We had planned everything from long distance, by phone and e-mail, and was alittle apprehensive that our first look at the Merriman's was just a few days before the wedding, but everything worked out beautifully. Danielle and Ronit were amazing, and made our special day so memorable! We will definitely be back again and again!

    (5)
  • Stephanie B.

    Valentine's Day 2011 - this was our second visit (previously there in 2/09). Great views, nice ambience and fabulous food and service. Our favorite place in West Maui.

    (5)
  • K G.

    So. Freaking. Good. Got an amazing pasta appetizer with house made ricotta which was delicious. The kafir lime in the the lemongrass scented chicken was such a lovely touch, it was a definite win. And the chocolate pouch or pocket or whatever it was, was crazy good. And the atmosphere was so beautiful, three sides, open to the sunset, warm breezes... Lovely.

    (5)
  • Helen G.

    We just celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary at Merriman's. Since some of the recent reviews I read were dismal, we were a bit apprehensive about returning, but we had a wonderful experience last year, so we decided to go for it. So glad we did. We made an early reservation to score a table along the rail to ensure optimal sunset views. Great, attentive service. The food was very good-- not perfection, but very good. The Mai Tai, however, was a religious experience. It had lilikoi (passionfruit) foam on top, and it was the best Mai Tai I have ever had. (Anyone who knows me will tell you that's really saying something.) For dessert we had the chocolate purse, which was an intensely deep chocolate wrapped in phyllo and served with vanilla ice cream. A great meal in a beautiful spot. We hope to be back next year for our 46th.

    (4)
  • Patricia B.

    Fantastic food and service to match a spectacular sunset view over Kapalua Bay. The chef's flavor assortment is divine! I had the sushi-grade island fresh ahi and avocado on butter lettuce, with tomato and the best tasting mango I've ever had. My entree was a uniquely seasoned chicken that melts in your mouth, with Molokai's own purple sweet potato-filled ravioli. For dessert, I indulged in their house specialty, pineapple upside down cake with coconut ice cream. Now, I've never tried upside down pineapple cake before, but it was truly delicious! And the ice cream was remarkable too. The restaurant staff was equally great, everyone from our server, April, to the bus staff. They were diligent, attentive, friendly and professional. Accompanying our great meal and view was local entertainment coming from the adjacent wine bar - featuring a talented soft-playing acoustic guitarist/singer, a hula dancer and even a fire dancer. We will be back!

    (5)
  • Sarah C.

    This place is magical. The view at sunset is unbelievable - add the sound of the waves and the cool Hawaiian breeze and you've found paradise. We aren't good with making plans, so we couldn't get a table. But we did manage to snag a high top at the bar. The drinks were nothing special - the mai tai was pretty standard. We ordered the appetizer sampler, which was so interesting. First time I've had an app sampler that seemed to have an order to it. I promise! Eat them in order - ahi sashimi, lobster salad, pork quesadilla, finally goat cheese. Good stuff!

    (4)
  • Christy S.

    Amazing. The view. The food. The wine list. The service. All at perfection. I can honestly say I had one of my top 3 steaks ever here. This place is so beautiful and delicious that if you don't go here when you are on Maui you are seriously missing out!

    (5)
  • Kaity B.

    This place is fantastic for a special night out. This was definitely the best dinner we had on Maui. The food is excellent, local, and thoughtful. Peter Merriman is an excellent chef, he also has a hand in Hula Grill, which was also nice. The service was great, our server recommended wine within our budget without having to ask. We also realized at the end that we had no cash for tip, so we added it to our check and our server passed it along to the valet guys. We made same-day reservations and had a beautiful table right along the edge. It was dark, but still nice to hear the waves hitting the rocks. Worth the price, definitely make a reservation.

    (5)
  • Jeff J.

    Merriman's is fantastic. The sunset on the deck is beyond belief. The vodka & pineapple make it even better. The meal was outstanding. Davie, our waiter, knew everything about any item on the menu. Merriman's is definitely worth your time.

    (5)
  • Annette D.

    A delightful dinner on our last night in Hawaii. Although the presentation of the appetizers was a bit low-tech (4 nails driven into a piece of wood with radish sliced placed on them), the Taro hummus was a delightful surprise. Wonderful seared scallops and salad with strawberries and goat cheese. Merrimans is in a wonderful location with a gorgeous view. The service was spectacular with 2 attentive waiters and a visit from the sommelier, Jeff. The wines were paired expertly with each diner's choice. I disagree with other posts that the portions were too small- they were actually the right size, but prices are a bit high. The pineapple upside down cake it a must have- even if you think you don't like it. Merrimans version is like no other and the 2 ice creams that accompany it are outstanding as well. Reservations are needed and you have to give a credit card. Go before dark to enjoy the full experience.

    (4)
  • Daniel B.

    Should be 6 stars. Our favorite place on Maui. Have been back multiple times. The ambience is perfect, especially out on the patio. The live music was wonderful - complemented the environment rather than overwhelmed it. The service is first rate. Now for the food. Their ponzu mahi mahi is one of the best Hawaiian fish dishes I have ever had. Their macadamia Ono was also wonderful. My wife had the steak which was cooked to perfection with a sauce that complimented the meat perfectly. We have enjoyed eating at Merriman's places on the Big Island and on Kauai. The Maui location is superb!

    (5)
  • Leigha T.

    We had Mama's and Merrimans down as our pick for our one big dinner while in Maui, we couldn't do it all. So, we asked our concierge, if she could choose just 1 what would she pick between the two, and she said Merrimans. So, we went. And WOW, are we glad we did! We loved everything from the location, cozy and secluded to the divine food and service. Just a tip... medium done is more done that medium. Both our steaks were a bit too done. Still yummy. Try the watermelon basil salad, the minute I left I promised myself I would put that combo together for a salad of my own.

    (5)
  • Henry S.

    Coming out of the serene cocoon of the Ritz Carlton spa to head over to dinner, we were met with a torrential downpour. It made the 5 minute drive to Merriman's all the more dramatic, all the way to their driveway where valets were jostling to move the cars along, and guests were scurrying into the restaurant. Once inside, it was a bustling oasis. Staff darting back and forth, 2 musicians playing relaxing island-esque music, and then, all of a sudden, the magnificent sunset. We were seated on the 3rd row from the lanai seating, and even then, the sun (which came out gloriously at this point), was staring right in my eye. Gorgeous Kapalua Bay right below us. The room is done in a modern, relaxed plantation style. I especially love the vaulted ceilings tiled in capiz shells. To start, we decided on the pupu taster. This was a smart choice as it showcased the talents of the chef in 4 distinctly different dishes. I would even go so far as saying that i enjoyed the pupu more than the entrees. But more on that later. So the pupu platter consisted of: (1) Ono Sashimi with Miso Marinated Calamari Salad. Pristine fish in a pungent marinade of thinly sliced calamari, seaweed, sea beans, toasted rice, and hints of sesame oil. (2) Coconut & Macadamia Shrimp Fritters with Carrot and Coconut Salad. Crusty and nutty coconut and macadamia coating on the shrimp. What stood out more was the salad. Shaved strips of carrot and firm coconut, handfuls of cilantro, in a very refreshing lime dressing. It was absolutely brilliant. (3) Kalua Pork & Sweet Onion Quesadilla with House-made Kimchee. The pork was meltingly tender and very sweet. The kimchee gave all that sweetness a strong counterpoint. It is house-made, and is very mild compared to the store-bought variety. (4) Baked Surfing Goat Cheese in Phyllo with a Kula Strawberry and Sweet Onion Compote. Hints of citrus peel in the goat cheese pocket gave a brightness to the dish. With the strawberries and onions, this dish blurs the line between appetizer and dessert. Ok, phew. That was a great taste of exciting flavors. For entrees, we had the Butterfish Misoyaki with Shimeji Mushrooms, Baby Bok Choy, Braised Daikon, & Young Ginger Broth; and the evening's special of Seared Monchong with Root Vegetables, Wasabi Potato Puree, & Citrus Curry Sauce. Butterfish takes me back to my younger days, and is of course not available anywhere in the Midwest mainland. Expertly grilled with just a hint of teriyaki. The wafer thin flesh you can just put in your mouth and wait for it to melt. The monchong came in big bold thick fillets. A nice brown crust contrasting with firm white flesh. The citrus curry sauce cuts through the richness of the fish and the potato puree. Prices are high here, but they don't skimp on portions. Both fish entree came with 2 meaty fillets. We had a bottle of 2008 Pascal Jolivet Sancerre. Dry and elegant and perfect accompaniment for the mostly seafood dishes. For dessert, our waitress went to great lengths describing the Coconut filled Malasadas. They are essentially beignets, or according to Portuguese Hawaiian tradition, a doughy, sugary treat on Fat Tuesday (which apparently in Hawaii is known as Malasadas Day). The accompanying caramel sauce bordered a bit on the excessive given the coconut and sugar dusting on the pastry, and the sweet coconut cream filling. The sweet course was capped off brilliantly by the Bonny Doon Vineyards Framboise. A raspberry explosion to say the least. Why only 4 stars? Food wise, everything was superbly executed and tasted great. Kudos for being on the forefront of regionality and sustainability. The concepts and flavors behind the appetizers stood out to me more than the entrees. Service was good, but bordered on the cheery, family-restaurant style, which i believe does not fit an expensive, white table-clothed restaurant. The setting is magnificent, but seems like in Maui, every restaurant worth it's salt boasts amazing sunset and ocean views.

    (4)
  • Mr. A.

    Merriman's is the place to take your girlfriend and propose. Or take the wife on a special anniversary. The location is amazing, the service top-notch, and the food is a unique gourmet interpretation of the bounty Hawaii provides. This is a unique dining experience... but you will pay for it, so be prepared for the bill.

    (4)
  • Glenn S.

    Its a stunning point from which to enjoy the Maui coast from high up while surrounded by waves. The food and the service were both excellent. Weather permitting, I highly recommend having a drink outside before dinner inside. It's well worth it as a more dramatic site, I did not see during our entire time in Maui.

    (5)
  • Amado D.

    The location was very nice and romantic. The meal was very good .

    (4)
  • Jamie P.

    My husband and I had the most memorable dinner of our honeymoon at Merriman's, and haven't stopped talking about it to family and friends. The restaurant itself is stunning, even the indoor dining room, thanks to open-air, panoramic views of the ocean. We requested a table with a great view when we made the reservation and upon arrival we were led to a perfect, intimate table right on the corner of the outdoor deck. The sunset was spectacular, and our waiter was very gracious about taking pictures for us and other diners. The food was excellent; the only reason I rated it 4 rather than 5 is that the portions seemed a bit small for the price, but that is just part of dining in Hawaii! Overall a memorable, stunningly scenic dinner that was well worth the $$!

    (4)
  • Tamara A.

    On our last night on Maui (and of our honeymoon), my husband and I decided to splurge on dinner and go to Merriman's, especially since we slept through dinner the night before. We came around 8:30, so it was already dark, but I think the ocean views would be spectacular at sunset. We split an appetizer of kahlua pork quesadillas, and a dessert of coconut malasadas. I ordered a duo plate of mahi mahi with ponzu sauce and vegetables with a filet mignon and creamed corn with spinach, while he ordered the rib eye. I have to say that I enjoyed the kahlua pork quesadillas far more than I did my entree, although the mahi mahi was flavorful. The filet was nice and tender, but the combination of the creamed corn and spinach seemed like too basic of a combination. His ribeye was quite good however. For the price, I've had better, and Lahaina Grill definitely won us over.

    (3)
  • Benjamin R.

    Amazing food with an even more amazing view of the Maui sunset. Great service. One of the best meals I have ever had. Wish I had found it earlier this week so we could do it again.

    (5)
  • Ali B.

    Good food, but not blown away. Would return, though. Setting is great and was very busy -- which is a good sign. Jeff, the sommelier, was very engaging, friendly, and helpful. Great wine list!

    (4)
  • Lorimer A.

    Merriman's went above and beyond our expectations in making our wedding dinner reception a success. More specifically, Danielle Kuck, Banquet Coordinator, was very responsive to all our emails and requests. From planning our wedding an ocean away, it felt like we were working with them face to face. Anything you ask for, they will do their best to accommodate it. On the day of the event, Caleb and the rest of the staff impressed us with their professionalism and exceptional service. Our guests were satisfied with every request. Even though we didn't request it, they even provided each seat with a tabletop menu complete with our event name and menu. The private room and lanai are absolutely breathtaking at sunset and we highly recommend having any important event at this location.

    (5)
  • John S.

    Skip dinner and go for drinks during the sunset. Fabulous, but very slow seating.

    (4)
  • lynda g.

    The vine ripened strawberry cobler with the vanilla ice cream was so fabulous, I went back the next night to pick up two to go. Our meal was wonderful. Be prepared to pay some bucks however.

    (5)
  • Diana S.

    Delicious food and excellent service. I was in Maui for business and a colleague had raved about this place so a few others and i decided to try it out. Normally I am not so crazy about very pricey, very fancy, "American cuisine" - i typically prefer to try more authentic, ethnic cuisines and especially if i am traveling i prefer to find holes in the walls to local joints and i ABHOR tourist eateries. So Merriman's is on the water, which is breathtaking during sunset, but we had a late reservation, so we couldn't see the view. i started with the keahole lobster salad, which was a very good portion of lobster chunks on top of their sweet, ripe tomato slices with a small pile of wild arugula in the middle, paper thin slices of maui onion, and a creamy vinaigrette. then for entree i chose a make-your-own "duo" plate, where you can choose TWO entrees - this concept is PERFECT for me because 95% of the time i can't decide between two entrees when i'm at a restaurant, and honestly i usually just want a sampling of everything, so the more i can combine, the better. i hate being committed to one dish, hating it, and eyeing my neighbor's dish the entire time. so for my duo plate i chose the pan-sauteed taro cakes (akin to potato croquettes) with swiss chard, asparagus, and thin stalks of hearts of palm (which i usually only see served in cross-section slices) and the rack of lamb, which was FABULOUS. it was drizzled with a reduction that was ever so slightly sweet and really complemented the flavor of the lamb, and they cooked it just right to my medium-rare request. The lamb came with a mushroom risotto cake, and as soon as my fork dipped into a chunk, the aroma of black truffle wafted out.. yummmmm... the only thing that was not necessary on the entire ensemble was a small sauce cup full of what looked like salsa but was just tomatoes, which i didn't find went with anything. it didn't go with the taro cakes and surely did not go with the lamb. perhaps it was for people who thought the lamb was dry, but i definitely didn't need it. for dessert we got: malasadas (something like a beignet but SO tender inside it is the most delicate little donut hole that just melts in your mouth, filled with white chocolate on the inside, and comes with a kona coffee caramel dipping sauce. the presentation is cute because the little round chunks of donut come in a tiny paper bag on the plate to keep them warm), passion fruit ice cream, the molten chocolate purse (i expected this to be just a form of molten lava cake, but it was wrapped in filo dough which added such a delicate touch to it, and was delicious), and a very light, airy strawberry mousse which was served with fried apple banana slices. i also had a wine flight, which showcased an italian "pinot nero", an argentinean malbec, and a napa cabernet (the last being my favorite). for dessert we shared a glass of Hungarian "tokaji" which was wonderfully sweet and not syrupy at all. IMO better than ice wine, but i'm not a dessert wine conoisseur. the service was excellent, not only courteous and attentive, but our waitress was truly passionate about their food, which says a lot to me. i loathe when they memorize the menu like robots and can't give you an opinion on one dish versus another except to think in their minds which might be more expensive. this restaurant was genuine, and extraordinarily fresh. i highly recommend!

    (4)
  • Maui E.

    Heart stopping meals. Wine and Beer Deck Bar has the best view on Maui. David H, our favorite Bartender, will serve you a libation that will knock your socks off. All around, a great dinning experience.

    (5)
  • Rachel C.

    We had the pleasure of eating at Merriman's mid June 2013 while we were vacationing in Maui. We both enjoyed it but, thought the food was just ok for the prices. I guess when a restaurant has an amazing location and ok food, people still will flock there.

    (3)
  • Jonathan S.

    Wow...had a great dinner at merrimans! Not overrated. The service was friendly and fantastic. The Kailua pork quesadilla appetizer was flavorful and hearty. We had three if us at dinner and each entree was really good. The. prime rib eye steak was juicy and cooked med rare too perfection. The lamb was seasoned just right and also cooked perfectly to med rare and the fish special was tender and awesome. I would say that everything was just right including the wine that was selected by the Som. Merrimans isn't a value or inexpensive but if you are looking for good food with ambiance, then enjoy!

    (5)
  • Erik F.

    Simply stated just bad. Fish was over cooked. Server disappeared and drinks were horrible. 1 star is generous. Many other guests commented similarly. What a disappointment after spending $500 for 4.

    (1)
  • John H.

    Go to Merriman's Kapalua for the view and setting which is spectacular but not for the food or service. Five of us went to dinner at Merriman's a few days ago and brought along a bottle of Dom I had received as a gift. The corkage was $45.00 a little high and for such a high corkage one would expect a table side ice container and great service. The waiter opened the bottle poured a small portion for each of us and took the bottle away, we had to finally flag him down to get an additional pour of our champagne. We ordered our meal, one of our group is vegan and I have been enjoying ordering vegan dishes with her just to see what flavors one could enjoy been Vegan so I ordered the Taro cakes. After an almost tasteless Caesar salad the Taro cakes arrived, kind of a grey colored pucks that appeared under cooked and set on a bed of sauteed greens. The cakes lacked any real flavor and the greens were not very good either. Two others is our group ordered the seared Ahi, one small plate and one regular sized plate which meant on additional slice of Ahi on the regular serving. They found the Ahi not as good as they expected and their salads were tasteless as well. The last guest ordered the snapper and really liked it, so we did get one excellent meal out of the five diners in our group. The Sommelier was very knowledgeable, professional and make some great recommendations on our next bottle of wine. Served it with a wine bucket table side they way the Dom should have been treated. So one of the five meals was excellent and four of the meals was not memorable at all, all the salads lacked flavor and the service was not very good especially for this restaurants reputation. My advice is to go to Merriman's for a cocktail and the view, than go to the Lahaina Grill for the food and service

    (2)
  • Anthony E.

    Went here for happy hour as it's within walking distance of where I'm staying and loved it. Great drink prices, beautiful scenery (right on the ocean) and the service was wonderful. It's easy to lounge there with friends and have a few drinks. Also had a few appetizers which were really tasty (especially the kahlua pork quesadilla). Mai Tais are wonderful also.

    (5)
  • Angela T.

    Had my wedding here in February and everything was perfect! For a year I was in contact with Danielle, their events manager, only via email since I am in California and she would always quickly respond to answering all my questions and made sure all my vendors and wedding making decisions were completed on time. You can only choose vendors from their preferred vendor list and Danielle sets up the contract with the vendors so you get everything in one bill, which made things a lot easier for me! We had our ceremony on the beautiful white deck overlooking the ocean and reception in the private dining room. All the food we picked out was amazing! During cocktail hour we had the truffle mushroom risotto fritters, crab cakes, and lamb spring rolls. During dinner we had the kahlua pork quesadillas, ceaser salad, and the filet mignon and macadamia crusted monchong option for entrees. If you are looking for a great restaurant with amazing food, gorgeous view, and great coordinators and servers, this is it! Thanks Danielle and everyone at Merriman's!

    (5)
  • Mike h.

    Service was good. I had the Ribeye and it was cooked well, that's where it ends. I hightly doubt the ribeye i had was Prime as noted on the menu. It was thin and unimpressive. For $47 I was shocked to see what i got. Much like most stuff on Maui. You could get a better steak at a Chili's or something like that near the main airport. I think this place tries to be a Mastro's but it not even close.

    (2)
  • Gabriela P.

    Sit outside for drinks and apps if you don't have a reservation. Go during sunset and enjoy the breathtaking views. Unforgettable experience.

    (5)
  • Mark Y.

    Fantastic experience.. Loved the service, truly fine dining.. not wanna be fine dining like other places in Maui (just expensive but food isn't good). Here the food is prepared very well. Scallops perfectly seared, lobster cooked just right, even the salad was good. Romantic location, great sunset views..

    (5)
  • Rolando T.

    This was my first time to Merriman's in Maui. I have to say the location, ambiance and delicious food makes it a great restaurant for a romantic setting, even for a family reunion or to compliment a family vacation holiday. I do like the fact that Merriman's uses local ingredients to compliment it's special dishes which is a win/win for the local economy. Arrive early for Sunset on the outside deck is one experience to remember as the fire pit is blazing away while having a Sunset cocktail before your dinner reservation. Merriman's Signature Mai Tai is wonderful! Come hungry and take advantage of their Appetizer, Entrees', side dishes and especially Dessert. Valet Parking is Complimentary but remember to Tip.

    (5)
  • Larry F.

    One of the most romantic settings in Maui, particularly when sitting on the outdoor patio. The view is great! While the food is very good forget about adding the lobster to your meal.. $26 for a half of a 1 + lb(?) lobster..3 bites..was ridiculous! The service was very good and we enjoyed the background music.

    (4)
  • Gail M.

    This restaurant deserves a review. The view was number one, the waiter was excellent, and the food was great. It would be my first choice if and when I return to Maui!

    (5)
  • Maria P.

    Good: -Absolutely amazing! -The view is just Spectacular! -The food is amazing. Mahi Mahi entree is a must with the macadamia nut rice yum yummm -There a vegan entree that is delicious -Beautifully decorated Bad: Nothing!

    (5)
  • Joyce Z.

    Returned for my husband's birthday this year since we had such a memorable meal here for mine last year and we actually ordered the exact same dishes (mixed grill for hubby and misoyaki butterfish for myself) since it was that good. I did notice that some of the dish complements and sauces have changed which is understandable due to the economy. However, I was very surprised a restaurant of this calibur tried to pass off opah which is a white flaky Hawaiian moonfish as butterfish. At soon as I looked at in and confirmed by the first bite, I thought I got the wrong fish but after questioning it, was told the "butterfish" they used was opah. I have no problems if they ran out of butterfish and may have even gotten the opah if I saw it on the menu but trying to pass it off as such was disappointing. Their saving grace that evening was the service which is first class and their willingness to try to make it right by letting me choose another entree.

    (3)
  • Toni M.

    I am a HUGE fan of the Hawaiian Regional Cuisine movement and Peter Merriman in particular. I have been to all of his island restaurants and have loved each one. Really looking forward to the Monkeypod coming soon to Ko'Olina...woo hoo. This store is more upscale than his Kauai and Hawaii locations. And, the view can't be beat. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable. Two thumbs up for the sommelier...he read our desires well and produced a great bottle of syrah that truly complemented the meal. Now to the food...each and every course rocked!! We started with the house-made pasta which was the highlight of the meal. It was delicate but so flavorful. We followed it with the mixed greens, then scallops and opakapaka. So fresh and very well prepared. Dessert was a cheese course and it finished the meal quite well. Very happy. Very sated. Highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Tuscan T.

    Outstanding atmosphere. Best service and food we had the entire trip on Maui.

    (5)
  • Michelle S.

    The food is overpriced and only OK. My husband got the Ono, the portion was good, two nice sized pieces, but one was way underdone. I ordered the scallops, the creamed corn they came on was awesome, but the scallops themselves were way too salty. The view can't be beat though,

    (3)
  • Mike M.

    4.5 stars! We enjoyed their happy hour for pupus and drinks overlooking Kapalua Bay. The views are spectacular! Sitting out on the back area is a great spot to kick back and chow on some good food and drinks. Awesome sunsets and really good service. Next time we will give dinner a try.

    (4)
  • Pat W.

    What a great time we had at Merriman's last month. We went before sunset and sat outside for drinks - what a view and the server had a good recommendation for my drink order. She checked on our dinner reservations for us too. We ran into friends from Glendora sitting right next to us and that was an amazing surprise. When it was time for our reservations we got a table outside and had such a great dinner. Our server there was terrific too and made sure I got a little birthday surprise. This was our first time at this location after many trips to Maui and it will certainly not be our last. Looking forward to our next dinner there.

    (5)
  • Batman J.

    Beautiful view, good food. Great place to celebrate an occasion. We saw whales from our table during a visit in Feb. Mike the waiter was very nice.

    (4)
  • Ron D.

    Great views. Nice bartenders. Management problem: the staff stands around and talks incessantly with other I close proximity of guests to overhear their chatter. TMI, TMI. Manager needs to have them cut the chatter in the guest area and it would be a lot more enjoyable for a guest experience.

    (3)
  • Svitlana S.

    Food was good...although a bit on the salty side on one of the dishes. Drinks and the location are amazing. There is a beautiful beach...so after dinner...its the perfect place to walk down and enjoy the stars.

    (4)
  • Kassie B.

    The most amazing view for the sunset. Our waiter Levi was awesome. The host stand girls were a little unfriendly. But, they were young. We got engaged minutes before walking in for our reservation at the point across the bay from Merrimans. Needless to say, that set the mood. But, it's my favorite view ever... from a restaurant. There was a wedding that particular night which took up some of the amazing tables outside. When planning dinner, call and make sure they don't have a wedding that night. My hubby to be... loved the meal. He can't stop talking about how good it was. We also love wine and the selections were really good.

    (5)
  • Kyle S.

    Waaaaay overhyped. Wasted our anniversary dinner here. Small portions and very average fish. Our waiter could not have been more awkward with the affect he had in his voice. He had such a bizarre delivery it was actually distracting from whatever information he was trying to convey. Just my opinion of course but, when you dine in a fine restaurant, you expect more than just a room with a view. Big disappointment!

    (2)
  • Larry P.

    We had a wonderful dinner here. This is perhaps the best restaurant on the island. The one of a kind Mai Tais are awesome. Taro hummus and vegetables for a starter were tasty. We also enjoyed the pupu platter, which had sashimi, baked goat cheese, lobster, and pork quesadillas. For entrees, the fish of the day was excellent, as was the lobster and spicy chicken with ravioli. They have a beautiful view of the ocean. The dining room is open air, comfortable with live soft background music. For dessert the pineapple macadamia nut bread pudding is awesome

    (5)
  • LESLIE C.

    Everytime someone asks me my favorite restaurant we ate at while on our honeymoon I immediately say " MERRIMANS" without a doubt. A friend of mine went on her honeymoon to Maui back in January and she told me to make sure we went here...so, now it is my turn to tell you- MAKE SURE YOU EAT DINNER HERE!!!! Make a reservation around sunset, request a table along the "edge" of the restaurant, get dressed up and bring a lot of money and go here. This restaurant is beautiful, and so romantic. It is an open air restaurant with tons of seating. Really you get a great view anywhere you sit but we got one along the outside edge and had the best view of the ocean and sunset. I ordered the scallops and on my goodness...best scallops I have ever put in my mouth. It came with creamed corn and some greens and bacon pieces scattered among it all. It was DELICIOUS...I highly recommend it. Hubby got one of the fish dishes...he loved it too. For dessert we got the famous Chocolate Purse and the cheesecake. YUM! A girl walks around selling lei's so hubby bought me a really pretty one that matched what I was wearing ( see pics ) and she insisted on taking a ton of pictures of us :) I am so glad we were told to go here...we could not have been happier. This place is perfect for a special occasion...there was even a wedding reception going on while we were there. If you are in Maui- GO HERE!! :) You will not regret it!

    (5)
  • Monica B.

    Seriously delicious food, great service, and a fantastic view! Will definitely go back every time I visit Maui.

    (5)
  • Ben O.

    Best dinner we had in Maui by far in our one-week trip from California. Amazing atmosphere amazing food and more amazing view. The staff was great - I couldn't of been happier. I recommend anyone that comes to Maui should go to this restaurant in the first day or so because you may want to go back twice -don't leave it for the end, you'll wish that you came more than once.

    (5)
  • Kapule E.

    Love this place food is so fresh and amazing .drink specials are off the hook .the view will blow your mind .fire place on the point while you sip cocktails or mock tails its a must if you are in Maui or even in Kauai .try the duo plate with whatever two main courses you desire .i get the fish special and fillet minghon .my girlfreind gets the Ono with the scallops .

    (5)
  • Steve J.

    By far the best restaurant on Maui. Beats Lahaina Grill and Mama's Fish House, which are both outstanding. The view is as good as it gets, the menu is diverse, unique, and accommodates mixing and matching, and the food, wine, and cocktails are all perfect. The service is all you want in a fine dining experience; efficient and friendly. Did I mention it's perfect?

    (5)
  • Courtney C.

    Ahhhmazing! The hubs and I came to Merriman's during our 2nd Annual Honeymoon trip (i.e. our 1st anniversary) based on recommendations from a stranger at a prior happy hour. We made it just in time for sunset and were delighted with our experience. Our hotel concierge was able to make us reservations one day before and requested a table with a view - surprisingly, they were able to make it happen! We started with a couple cocktails on the outside patio and then moved inside once it started to cool off. We started off sharing the combo appetizer which was a sampler of their best 4 appetizers. Everything was SO delish and was such a great way to get a taste of the offerings. For our entree, we again shared and went for the 3-entree selection - fish, steak and shrimp (? maybe)... I'm drawing a blank but was again, beyond delicious! We also ordered the mushroom and cream corn sides and were not disappointed! I do believe the hubs actually licked the corn bowl it was so good. This is a fancy place - so know what you're getting into before you go here. We spent $150+ for the meal for two of us, so don't be cheapy cheap.. you're on vacation after all. They had live music playing the whole time which was a nice touch too. Great vibe - great food - amazing view and the service was spot on. We skipped dessert because we had a hankerin' for a hot fudge sundae from McD's which you'll pass on the drive, but unfortunately their ice cream machines were out of order... should have gotten it at Merriman's! Also - another GREAT feature is the menu had Gluten Free items identified. This is uber importante for us and is always appreciated. Maybe someday I will return...

    (5)
  • kerry l.

    First off - if you've written a review about this place being too pretentious, you really haven't eaten out much. We walked in to "Crazy Train" being played on a Hawaiian string instrument, and later heard an acoustic version of "Burning Down the House." Even when Muzak came on, we heard Angus and Julia Stone. As I perused the wine menu, I noticed quotes from "Clockwork Orange" and Alexandre Dumas. Even before I tasted the food, I realized this is a place I could love! As for the food, totally first rate. I'll let you read the other great reviews on the food, they're all spot on. We had the pupu platter and the mixed plate, finished with the upside down pineapple cake and masaladas. Yum! Excellent food, with wine pairings, and on par with what I'd expect at a place like Merrimans. Most of all, loved the finely chiseled (;-) and super awesome staff - hi Ben and Caleb! We had a great time and were treated supremely well. All in all, a fantastic night out! PSA- Folks, it is NOT okay to have your iPad out while dining at a nice restaurant! I understand if you take a moment to show some vacation pics or a map while recommending vacation activities to your fellow diners, but personal activities like online shopping really aren't acceptable. I mean really, this isn't Starbucks people!

    (5)
  • Jolanta A.

    Been at this restaurant in 2009, and still cannot forget the amazing experience we've had. Service was outstanding, food was tasty, and the view is to die for.

    (5)
  • Justin L.

    Let me start by saying this is an amazing property to dine at. I would say that this spot and Plantation House are the West Maui all-stars. We had JJ as our server and he provided absolute first-rate service from start to finish. I had the mixed plate entree which was a combo of ahi tuna, filet, and mahi mahi. My significant other ordered the butterfish. My mixed plate was good overall. The mahi mahi and ahi were really good but the filet was just slightly above average. I did however sneak a few bites of the butterfish and this was simply out of this world. We both unanimously felt this was the single best dish we had during our entire week in Maui...yes...that good! For dessert, we got the banana bread-pineapple upside-down cake. Served a la mode with haupia ice cream, this dish is extremely kind on the tastebuds. Merriman's makes our top-3 Maui restaurant hit list and we will definitely be back.

    (4)
  • Janelle A.

    I really think this place deserves 3 stars, but luckily our service that night from our WAITER was great. We stayed at Napili Kai which is within walking distance from Merriman's. It started down pouring before we left, so we ended up driving about 30 seconds up the road. Our reservation was at 6? 7? I don't remember this was in January. I know they had just opened though, and with the rain there were some delays which is totally understandable. Half of their restaurant is outdoors and they needed to move tables and stuff. The thing is that after they got everyone before us and AFTER us seated, we were just sitting there. This was probably already 20 min after our reservation. We finally went up there to ask, and they were like, oh yeah? 2 people right? Okay, no...we're a party of 4 with a reservation that was now 30 minutes ago! The hostess took us to our seats...which were on a wet floor, with a damp table, and damp seats from the rain. We asked to be moved to a table that was more on the inside since the restaurant was basically empty at the time. This is a nice place, I understand maybe if we were walk-ins but COME ON we had a reservation and patiently waited. Now that I've got that out, let's talk food. I don't remember what everyone else got but I know we were pleased. They let you do this thing where you get half one thing and half another. I highly recommend doing that if you can't choose (ME!). I got half the filet mignon and half seared ahi tuna. I loved both! And like I said before, our waiter was so great! He was telling us how he just moved to Hawaii and that he's from Europe and he was so nice and helpful. He also made great recommendations! He really saved our trip to Merriman's. Thank you sir! Would I come back? Probably, but I'd save myself the trouble and eat at the bar or something.

    (4)
  • John B.

    Happy hour is awesome.. dinner is awesome... this place is awesome. Jerry and all the bartenders are friendly. Our waiter JJ is amazing great recommendations and great server all around. I would recommend going here. All the food is locally grown and fresh. Cant go wrong. Check it out .

    (5)
  • John N.

    We just returned from a beautiful stay at the Napili Kai Resort, right next door to Merriman's. It's been a few years since we have been at the Napili Kai, and we looked forward to good dinners again there. We were very disappointed with the "one" dinner we had there with poor service and even poorer food quality. The next night, Merriman's. Wendy, the hostess that night took great care of us, seating us on the rail overlooking one of the best views on Maui. Wendy is such a nice, friendly person. The appetizers and food were almost a sexual experience. The service was outstanding. Yes, it is a little pricy, but the only deal on Maui is at Costco! I won't go into the food because so many others have, but we ate there five times in nine days and still salivate when thinking of the great appetizers and main courses. We are very picky about food quality and rarely give any restaurant five stars. We aren't wine snobs, so can't really comment on the wine except the wine list is very extensive. Merriman's is one of few restaurants we have ever eaten at that warrants five stars. I can't believe some of the reviews about the portions. You go to a great restaurant to get great food, and that's what Merriman's provide with a perfect portion. If you expect to get stuffed to the point of being uncomfortable go to Applebee's. Oh yea, it always seemed like we had room enough to have a chocolate purse for desert. If you like chocolate, go for that! Next trip to Maui, Merriman's will be our first and last dinner stop.

    (5)
  • William C.

    Great views, great atmoshpehere, and great food! The best farm to table fine dining in Hawaii, and perhaps the only one worthy of claiming to serve local ingreidents with first class service, style, and preperation. Peter Merriman was the best kept secret in Hawaii but word is getting out. Peter also owns Hula Grill in Lahaina which is why the menu, food, and service are far superior to the other Hula Grill, Duke's of this chain. The Kapalua, Maui location of Merriman's is perhaps the best location of any resteraunt in the Hawaiian Islands. Breataking sunets with Lanai's and Molokai' in the backround. Spectacular!!! The Big Island and Kauai locations also have good food but the Big Island location has no atnospwhere and the menu at the Maui location is just better. Allot owes to the farmers and ranchers in Hawaii growing the best ingredients and meats. Great service and good music for dinner which is usually a few string instruments. Being in the swanky Kapalua neighborood built around the Ritz Carlton, Merrimans entertains numerous guests who spend most of their time enjoying fine dining from Manhatten, Chicago, Texas, Boston, Aspen, Sante Fe, etc. and get away to Kapalua as a second, third, foruth home. The quality and tastes of the customers demand a level of quality and attention to detail that is rarely seen in Hawaii. Merrimans is the only place in Hawaii where dinner jackets are commonly seen but it's still Hawaii so no dress code is required. Food: Outstanding!!!!! I like the Seared Diver Scallops, Lamb, Filet Mignon and fresh fish. Service: Excellent! Atmospehere: Amazing!!!! Price: Expensive!

    (5)
  • Keith W.

    You can look your whole life (or mine, for that matter) and not come up with a more beautiful location to have a good meal. This place is simply awe inspiring. For our pre-dinner drinks we sat right at the edge of a cliff that overlooked the pacific ocean slurping up lava formations below us. A gas-fed fireplace circle kept us warm as the tropical breezes played with our hair. Romantic beyond comparison. But this place is far from perfect. Without the scenery it gets a 3. Food. Close to perfect. Deserts, including the bread pudding (please keep it Merriman's, I know it's new for you) were something I may be willing to sell my body for should the need arise. Service. Pretty shabby. Our waiter was serving a party of about 14 next to us. An accomplice came by to tell us about tonight's special after saying that he assumed that our waiter had already told us. We explained that we hadn't been told anything. Even after telling us about the specials and explaining that our waiter was quite busy with the large party he didn't take our order or even that of an appetizer. So it took us a long time to get our food. Then a long time to get the glass of New Zealand white that I ordered. And, here's the best part, after sitting there in hunger for quite a while our meals finally arrived to be followed (I'm not kidding here) 2 minutes later by the bread. I kind of assumed they just didn't serve bread at Merriman's despite the obvious plate and butter knifes to my left. "While you're waiting for the ocean breezes to steal the heat from your meals we wish for you to enjoy some of our less-than-whelming bread. And by the way, here's a single slice of butter over which the two of you can fight." With the prices and location here you expect brilliance. That's not the service we received. Now, I understand that our waiter was busy... we've all been there. But then the second gentleman who came by (perhaps the maitre'de?) should have helped us out after finding out that we hadn't even been told about the specials. OR, the young lady who came by to steal our extra cutlery and took 45 minutes to return with a basket of bread could have said hello and asked if we were ready to order something. On the plus side of service, Melissa, the hostess with whom we made the reservation, was very pleasant. Doesn't really add or remove a star from the rating however. Do yourself a favor, Merriman's, and get her on the tables asap. Location - 10 stars Service - 2 at best

    (4)
  • Joel F.

    What a great time! I went here for birthday party for a group of 9. We had dinner, wine, apps, and all were delicioius. The ahi sashimi was excellent, and at $17 was at the high range of the apps (all were $11-$17). I tried a few different entrees, including the sea scallops, charred ahi, and ono, and mahi mahi ponzu and all were very good choices. Entrees were in the $36-$39 range. They also serve Sea Smoke wine, which was one of the most unique Pinots I've tasted---but expensive. I'd definitely recommend dinner here...or lunch too (the view is amazing). Another 1/2 star for the live band!

    (4)
  • Justin B.

    I had a friend in town who is a very, very picky eater and Merriman's took care of her so much that we came back twice while she was here for only 4 nights. I had the Ribeye which is so 'dam' good with whipped potatoes and cream kula corn which i had to order a side of as it was so good. We enjoyed a bottle of wine at sunset on the deck which they gave us 20% off for drinking out there and then headed in for dinner at the bar. Perfect day and the bartender was on it and very helpful with her picky food needs.... Thank you.

    (5)
  • Barry R.

    After reading the diverse reviews, I was a bit skittish about keeping our 530 reservation, which is what you need for a perimeter table. Put me down on the "very enthusiastic" column. To watch the sunset, listen to live music, watch the stars come out and still have excellent food and service--hey, what more do you want? While one may quibble about whether Roy's (especially the chocolate souffle and the butterfish) or Lahaina Grill puts a better dish on the table, it's hard to beat the total experience...though Merriman's may be the priciest of the three. The service was perfect, the sommelier was particularly helpful and did not push the high end and we'd go back there in a heartbeat.

    (5)
  • Meara B.

    After a backup at the valet (apparently everybody arrives at the same time), we had a perfect dinner. There were a lot of people waiting around the door, but we walked up to the hostess station to check in for our 5:30 reservation. They seated us immediately (phew), right next to the edge of the balcony with an incredible, clear, uninterrupted view of the water and setting sun. The waitress (April) was very professional and friendly, and gave us the perfect amount of time to decide. A bus boy brought us delicious fresh veggies and hummus, then our drinks, followed by warm house made bread and creamy butter. Our first course (goat cheese/strawberry salad) arrived promptly and was the perfect combination of flavors. I scraped the plate. We requested a bottle of prosecco to accompany our (really my) dinner, which they were out of. The wine specialist/sommalier came to our table to regrettably inform us that a wedding party had finished off his stash of prosecco, but he brought a replacement sparkling from Argentina he had a personal attachment to for the same price. It was delicious, and an excellent replacement. It matched my mushroom/asparagus cavatatelli perfectly (side note: this is one of the best vegetarian dishes I have ever had. I could taste the truffle and butter. I couldn't finish it, but it was incredible). Hubby ordered the mixed plate, which included Ahi, filet mignon, and grilled white fish. It was beautifully presented, and perfectly cooked trio with each meat paired with a starch. His only complaint is he would have liked more lemon. Truffle fries were delicious and crispy. The entire meal, our glasses never went empty. A bus boy constantly filled our water glasses, our waitress made sure our flutes were never empty. The view was incredible, the food and service was impeccable. I wish I had a bigger stomach. I am looking forward to eating the remainder of my cavatelli tomorrow. I just wish it would never end. My only complaint: cocktail menu was lacking. But they have a full bar, so request whatever you want. I'm not a fan of rum/tequila/gin. Make a reservation well in advance, look forward to spectacular service. Best. Anniversary dinner. Ever.

    (5)
  • Mara K.

    You absolutely need to make a reservation here. They have a few bar tables in the back that you can eat at, but for the price, you are going to want a table with a view The view is AMAZING, especially at Sunset. However, our experience with the service wasn't THAT great. For the money, our waiter, and bar waitress at the "2nd bar" down on their patio area were both inattentive. Our cocktail waitress took our order, then checked in with us 15 minutes later, sans drinks. She said "oh I thought someone else was going to bring your drinks..." She should have check on that way before minute 15. Our dinner waiter doted on a couple at a table nearby the entire time, while our party of 6 waited on him to take our drink order, food order, dessert order.... he was consistently.... slow was it.... or didn't he care about us since we were one of his last tables? Food -- I got the dinner sampler. It came with Ahi, steak, and the crispy fish special (can't remember the fish type). I wanted to stick with fish since we were on an island, but the steak dish was by far my favorite! If I were to do it all over again, as a couple I would order 2 appetizers and 1 main dish. You have to see the place for the view BUT for the money, I wish I would have walked out with a better experience.

    (3)
  • Colby W.

    Merrimans is a very nice restaurant

    (4)
  • Kelly B.

    Funny enough we had only finished lunch about two hours before our dinner reservation at Merriman's at 5:30pm. We watched the beginning of a Laker game at our lunch spot and when we came to dinner at Merriman's the game was on in the front lobby. Despite us being full, we were eager to check out Merriman's because of the sunset view we had heard so much about. We didn't want to miss our opportunity at sitting right on edge of the restaurant so we had the best view of the sunset. The view and the sunset didn't disappoint. In fact, the view was very beautiful and romantic. And despite being full I was glad to have come so early to enjoy the amazing view of the ocean. After being seated, our server came over and announced the specials and then took our drink order. I ordered a Mohito and my husband wanted to try some wine. We are not big wine drinkers so our waiter helped him pick a wine that would go with his steak. The drinks came and I was pleasantly surprised to find a really well made Mohito. It hit the spot after being in the sun all day. My husband enjoyed his wine. Our starters came but not before a basket of piping hot bread was delivered. There is nothing better than having a slice of fresh bread that is still warm enough to melt the butter. My ceasar salad came and I was happy that it was made with local produce. It was very tasty. My husband ordered baked brie made with Surfing Goat Cheese. Having visited the Surfing Goat Ranch earlier in the week we found the use of local product quiet appealing during our dining experience. Everything seemed so fresh. Our main entrees came and my eyes opened large as I saw the huge plate of ahi tuna. One cool thing about Merriman's is that you can order the small plate or the large plate. But I didn't know this until after I ordered. My husband ordered steak and changed his order to the small portion. I didn't know the same was possible for my fish until looking at the menu some more. Even though we were full the food looked very appetizing and we couldn't help but eat everything on our plates. Live music started as we were almost finished with our meals. It added to the romance of the place. We weren't going to order dessert but the daily special sounded so good we couldn't help and be even more gluttoness and order it. The Peanut Butter Chocolate Eclair was so yummy and so worth the 5 pounds I surely gained in eating that day! The service was great, the food even better and the view was amazing! We wanted a special night out for our last night in Maui and Merriman's delivered.

    (4)
  • brandon m.

    Awesome service, farm to table dining, great food and one of the most beautiful views on the island. We had the kompachi special pupu, mac crusted ono, and the herb panko opakapaka (no suite if I'm spelling that correctly). It was all good. We also had our little baby with us. I wouldn't say it is a good spot for a baby but it worked out. Our baby was fine and nobody have us attitude about bringing a baby to a fine dining establishment.

    (5)
  • Stacy B.

    Congratulations for winning the Best of Maui award for the best ambiance! We enjoy the casual atmosphere out on "The Point" which has to be about the best place on Maui to sip a glass of wine and watch the sun go down. The pupu menu is small, but the Prime Filet and Applewood Bacon sliders, Parmesan Truffle Fries and Keahole Lobster Salad were all terrific. The restaurant is also first class but a little spendy so if you want a more casual experience, just enjoy sunset at the point!

    (5)
  • Cat H.

    Absolutely delightful and worth the long drive from our hotel. Ambiance: sunset views of the ocean on the beach, light music played live, gorgeous casual place Food: Amazing local fare prepared well. Small portions are available. I loved the kula pig quesadilla with sweet chilli sauce and the seared ahi tuna and basmati rice. My friend's lobster was also mouth waveringly good. The chocolate infused coffee was a perfect way to end my meal. Service: A+. we never wanted for anything and were informed of every ingredient and preparation style.

    (5)
  • Gina S.

    Here on a business dinner. We were sat outside in the cold. Service was horrible. Food was only okay. We were not offered dessert. We sat in the wind and eventually rain. What a disappointment.

    (1)
  • Natalie B.

    My husband & I dined here on our honeymoon. After dining at Mama's Fish House a few days prior, we didn't have high expectations for any other restaurant. We arrived around 5:30 for drinks and appetizers outside. They have an adorable patio area that has an incredible view of the sunset! Around 7 we moved inside for dinner. We didn't make reservations (I'd recommend doing so though), but luckily it worked out for us! The service was good, atmosphere was amazing & food was fantastic! We were really impressed! We'll be back!

    (5)
  • Michael K.

    Watched the sunset and had a few cocktails and a filet mignon slider appetizer before an amazing dinner. For the main course, we had Monchong and scallops. Both were really good. The soup which was a pork and tomato based dish was just OK. Bread and hummus were both fantastic. Service was great in the restaurant, but could have been better on the patio before dinner.

    (4)
  • Leah G.

    Go with the duo option. Great way to try different entrees! The food was delectably delicious and the view was spectacular. Fantastic service from Patrick.

    (5)
  • Steve M.

    Despite a minor spat over seating, our experience at Merriman's was top-notch! My wife had the diver scallops-I had the rack of lamb. Both preparations were delicious. The goat cheese and Kalua pig wedge appetizers are great starters. We finished with coconut ice cream and flour less cake deserts. No drinks given the drive back. The portion sizes were "mainland". We were glad to see real food without the usual Hawaiian small portions and high prices. The view is fantastic!

    (4)
  • Carroll W.

    We've heard about Merriman's for years and finally stopped by to see for ourselvles. The bay views are amazing. Renee was our server was very, very attentive. Try the Pinot Grisio with fresh Ahi, overlooking the blue pacific with whales frolicking in plain sight. Great food, wine, views and service. A perfect evening.

    (5)
  • M M.

    Had a great dinner here while vacationing in Maui, highly recommend the Monchong Entree. Also had the Scallops which were good, but if you are in Hawaii go for the Monchong, scallops you can have most anywhere.

    (4)
  • Pam B.

    I really really wanted to like this place - beautiful setting, great ambiance ,etc,,, Started well w very good soup. (A special of shrimp bisque w coconut ) &ia delightful extremely fresh salad w a types Yay! She's officially a California driver!!!of all local veggies . For main course we each had a combination plate w fish(scallops/mahjong) & a small portion filet mignon-fish good scallops very well presented/other fish on the dry side&filet smothered w sauce, dessert-- just pedestrian... All in all, huge disappointment!!

    (3)
  • Emily F.

    The views alone deserve 5 stars! The service and atmosphere is just incredible, it is definitely our favorite restaurant on the island. They have amazing food and they are also vegetarian friendly. They have a taro dish which is probably one of the best things I have ever eaten. Must eat at this restaurant if you are in Maui!

    (5)
  • Bmb W.

    Best Restaurant in Maui! Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a 10!

    (5)
  • Sun M.

    My husband and I came here the other night with our 10 month year old daughter with the uncertainty of bringing a baby to fine dining establishment- but all was fine. We made first available dinner service reservations at 5:30, which is what I would recommend if you bring small children/babies- if later, I might have felt it was inappropriate to bring a baby. The restaurant was bustling enough at that time that I don't think most would be bothered by a small child. We got an stunning ocean view table that overlooked Kapalua bay, but it looked as if all the tables would have had a nice view regardless. The food was delicious! Farm to table and fresh. We had the kampachi appetizer (evening special), macadamia nut crusted Ono, and herb crusted Opaka-paka (another evening special). Everything was cooked beautifully and so flavorful it left me completely satisfied and full. I also enjoyed the vodka and pineapple cocktail and I suspect the entire bar menu is just as good. In addition, the service was amazing. Our server got hit with several tables at once and we did not feel in the least bit that we were neglected or overlooked. Overall- Good food, beautiful view, and great service. I can't see how you could go wrong.

    (5)
  • David S.

    Came to Merriman's on Valentine's day and my wife got a nice rose (they really tried to one up me with that little move). We had a reservation so seating was no problem. We actually got seated a little early and at a nice table outside on the edge of the top floor. Unfortunately, it was dark so not much of a view but general restaurant ambience was nice enough. Service was awesome and the food was great. We shared the Pupu sampler. I got the Merriman's mix plate. My wife got the Mahi. We enjoyed our experience so much that we returned the next afternoon to have some drinks, enjoy the view, and watch the whales. The second time was just as nice as the first.

    (5)
  • Eric P.

    Great experience. My wife and I went here for our anniversary. They didn't have a window front table for us when we arrived, so we had a cocktail and watched sunset. Personally, that would usually irritate me, but this place is set up for cocktails and the view. Open seats for sunset and great service. Food and wine was perfect. Definitely expensive, but top it off with live music and dessert, we had a great time.

    (5)
  • Nicole L.

    We were staying at the Ritz for our honeymoon and decided to make dinner reservations for our special night out. The atmosphere is amazing. Two words about the service and the food....underwhelming. The waiter near us asked the couple if thy were celebrating something special. To our dismay our waiter did not. We both ordered the Caesar salad...not very good. I ordered the seared ahi over cabbage. It was ok. My husband ordered one type of steak and it was well done aka burnt to a crisp. Needless to say ... For a $250 meal.. You can prob do much better.

    (3)
  • Darci W.

    Outstanding view, excellent service staff, and the food is amazing, it is out of this world good. If you want a foodgasim, this is were you will find it. Donovan was our waiter and her was so so nice and just made the already amazing meal 10x betters. I would fly back just to eat here. The seafood fresh, melts in your mouth tasty. The steaks are so flavorful and the fresh salads and soups, yummy creamy you leave absolutely stuffed cause it's so good you just keep eating you don't ever wanna stop. Te have a great wine menu and bar list as well. Total package, with the view, service, drinks, and food. You can't go wrong. We loved every second of it.

    (5)
  • Larry E.

    The food is amazing beautiful view .staff is fantastic great people great service .a must visit

    (5)
  • Leanne K.

    Again, great dinning experience in Kapalua!

    (5)
  • Claire K.

    Dinner last night was clearly the best meal we have had in Maui! The scallops were amazing, service exceptional and atmosphere with beautiful sunset view made it spectacular! Highly recommend!

    (5)
  • Andrew A.

    Best restaurant in Kapalua-- the service is perfect.

    (5)
  • N M.

    Best dinner ever. Ocean front seating, fresh fish entre's, watching whales breach less than 1/4mi away. Lobster/Filet sliders are amazing. Only thing that could be better is the beer on tap, but the cocktails make up for it.

    (5)
  • Risa M.

    I really wanted to love this place, especially since we picked it for our anniversary. Sadly, we were unable to get a table early enough to see the ocean view sunset, so it kinda felt like just a regular place (with steep prices!) we ordered the poke to start, which was good, but way too salty in my opinion. My husband had the Ahi and I had the Mahi. While the Mahi had a nice beet vinaigrette and some fantastic squash ravioli, again, the fish was too salty for me. Had to ask for a lemon and it still wasn't great. My husband liked the Ahi a lot, though, so that was good (especially since he was paying!) and since it was our anniversary, they served us a complementary piece of flowerless chocolate cake with creme fraiche. With tax and tip, we paid $150. Overall, ok, but nothing to write home about. There are definitely better, more reasonably priced places on the island. Next time, we'll make a res father in advance and maybe just go for sunset drinks and apps in their deck.

    (3)
  • Geo O.

    Always outstanding for dinner, but brunch yesterday could be improved. Server was great, but not so others in the front of the house (e.g., young lady and the gentleman doing the seating) was so-so and out of character for Merriman's, particularly the young lady. You want your initial encounter to be friendly and upbeat. The brunch meal was disappointingly just good as the cooks were off their game. Dishes were served both acceptably warm and others a bit cool. Plates themselves were not heated either to help keep the food warm on a typically breezy day. Would we return? Of course, as we like Merriman's and write this so-so review as a wake-up call for the restaurant and to encourage other "yelpers" to report about improvements to the brunch. See website for the menu. Typical brunch fare with a few twists to make it interesting and inviting enough. Lastly, kudos to the single valet on duty as he was running himself ragged trying both park and fetch cars in a timely and welcoming manner.

    (3)
  • Annette S.

    This is 5-star dining on the island of Maui. We had dinner this evening and it was very busy! Be sure to make a reservation. Our waiter was Davy -service was spectacular. The food was delicious and the restaurant grounds are gorgeous. Definitely try it if you want a nice meal in Maui but be prepared to pay the prices.

    (5)
  • Adriana F.

    The Point Bar is a place I recommend to all visitors! It is beautiful and my opinion is the best place to watch sunset on Maui. You don't need a reservation for the Point Bar but you may want to call ahead to make sure its not closed for a private event. They have the best Mai Tai I have ever tasted, "Merriman's Mai Tai" the one with the Lilikoi foam. They also have a nice Hawaiian IPA on tap (forgot the name). At the Point Bar you don't have to deal with the expensive dinner menu. They have more than enough delicious pupus and desserts to satisfy you. The sliders are AWESOME. They are very small but rich. I think three sliders are around $12. The hummus is good. Everything is good. For dessert I recommend the Chocolate Purse. I thought it looked a little strange the first time I got it but once I tried a bite it immediately became one of my favorites. You can eat at the Point Bar, get first class surroundings and service, all for reasonable prices!

    (5)
  • Lauren L.

    We came here after my parents renewed their vows for their 25th wedding anniversary on Flemming's beach. Great food, great ambiance, great service. Merriman's menu was very eclectic with options for everyone. My dad has a severe and very sensitive allergy to shellfish and the kitchen managed to deliver our meals without my dad getting sick. This is rare for any restaurant with shellfish on the menu. Their wine list was very reasonably priced and their cocktails very tasty. Everyone enjoyed their meals. My only complaint is at night, the outdoor deck isn't very well lit. You can hear the ocean and see where you're going but there wasn't much more light than that. If you want a great meal, come here for lunch or around sunset. The surrounding environment may be more enjoyable.

    (4)
  • Julie H.

    Two times not a charm. Was here two years ago and wanted to give it a second chance given the number of good reviews. I now believe people think the quality is good because they pay a premium for the food. We tried a number of appetizers and both of us tried a split plate to get a broader cross section of the food. We had mahi, ahi, scallops, and beef. The mahi is a signature dish and I found it mushy and flavorless. I didn't even finish it. The filet was tender but overcooked, and the ahi had a gristle line through it and was impossible to eat. It was also slightly overcooked. The scallops while soft didn't hold a candle to other buttery delicious scallops I've had in other restaurants in the US. I don't mind paying a premium if the food is amazing... Will not be back. Too bad, the view is spectacular. 3 stars because of the view and the stellar service.

    (3)
  • COURTNEY K.

    I'm sad to say that this restaurant was towards the end of the week of our fine dining excursion and after all the other amazing restaurants this restaurant just seemed lost. Great service. Mediocre meal. Enjoyed our wine by the fire pit out at the point after our meal.

    (4)
  • Taylor A.

    What a Dream, I had one of the best nights Ive ever had at this restaurant. The location was an absolute dream we sat outside on the cliff's edge and watched the sunset while whales breached in the water. As we had been eating all day/we were in vacation mode enjoying everything we came in contact with food wise we wanted something light. We got a bottle of the 2010 Elivio Tintero Secco Grangia White Blend from Italy and although it wasn't the priciest bottle on the menu it was absolutely delicious, loved the bubbles and it smelled fresh with a hint of fresh cut grass. We also decided to split the Merriman's Pupu Taster which consist of Keahole Lobster, Avocado and Tomato Salad, Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla, Warm Crusted Surfing Goat Cheese(MY Favorite) with Kula Strawberries and Maui Onions, and Fresh Island Ahi Sashimi. It was amazing came out and the presentation was gorgeous and we were "MMMMMMMM-ing"with every bite. The servers were also extremely friendly, answered all of our questions regarding the menu items and the island and they took an interest in us and our trip as well. After the sunset they had live music inside that played outside on the patio covers of love songs in Hawaiian. Beautiful Night, if you ever have the chance to go to Maui you need to experience this place.

    (5)
  • Jenna R.

    Second time at Merriman's and it did not disappoint yet again! Delicious food and beyond gorgeous sunset views. Get there early so you are there in time to watch the sunset as the views are unparalleled. Romantic spot, but also many families dining there with little kids and it's fine for either purpose. Definitely get the incredibly delicious goat cheese appetizer, and the ahi tuna main course is yummy and healthy too! Had the chocolate purse for dessert and it is heavenly! Highly recommended spot near the Ritz Carlton Kapalua in Maui.

    (5)
  • Ren S.

    The best dinner we have had on maui. Don't miss this one. The food is fresh as can be, healthy and wonderfully prepared. The service is impeccable and friendly. The best part is the duo option where you can choose two dinners and they are two full smaller portions. Every restaurant should do this

    (5)
  • Kate E.

    Phenomenal! This is basically just a review of service and filet mignons but they were both unbelievable. My husband and I both agree it was the best steak we'd ever had (normally we diversify and share meals but thank God that we were both just in the mood for steak that night!), and a beautiful setting. I wish we could remember our waiters name but he was also a meal highlight-so professional and friendly. I wanted to go back the next night but we already had luau reservations which was a big mistake-I will never return to Maui without returning to Merrimans! Oh, I forgot the appetizer! We got the sampler and it was also delicious, particularly the quesadilla.

    (5)
  • Far D.

    We had our wedding and wedding reception here. First of all, we have nothing but rave reviews for this place that helped us have our PERFECT wedding day :). Danielle is the events manager and remained cool as a cucumber throughout the whole planning. We're from California and planned everything through Danielle who took care of the flowers, minister, ceremony, food, and practically everything! (See our review of Good Karma Photography for our photographer.) Danielle even drove to our hotel room to hand deliver flowers from the florist for our hair. Our wedding ceremony was intimate and private (the staff kept random people from walking through our ceremony). We had the perfect view of the sunset and the sky was beautiful with the sun and clouds (yes the clouds actually contributed very nicely!). It did sprinkle a little bit but it felt romantic. The reception food was amazing. Better or comparable to Mama's! We want to come back to try just dinner there. The servers came out altogether so that everyone was served their dishes at the same time (very impressive). The view was just breathtaking with the cliffs overlooking the bay. Wonderful place, wonderful view, wonderful ambiance, wonderful food, wonderful service.

    (5)
  • Terri S.

    Best sunset views in Maui. Reserve an early table to watch the sunset for dinner. Or enjoy Champagne Point for an outside view of the sunset. Best bar view ever overlooking Kapalua Bay. Dave is the best bartender.

    (5)
  • Yvette T.

    amazing. Enough said. Just go and don't second guess it.

    (5)
  • Christine A.

    Happy hour at Merriman's was fun and relaxing. I had the one of a kind mai tais at first. It was a little too sweet for my taste but still very yummy. Switched to the original mai tai later and it was fab. BF had the hapa brown ale and says it was pretty good local beer. We had a bunch of appetizers - The sliders were juicy and delicious. I loved the blue cheese aioli sauce. We loved the crusted goat cheese app too! I liked the sashimi but have had better back home. The lobster salad was very good too but not too die for. The prices seemed perfect for happy hour and actually very decent for maui. Beer $3. Mai Tai's $6. Apps bet 10-20. We had the taster which was $32 and well worth it.

    (4)
  • morgan b.

    Great ambiance, great food, a bit pricey. Their menu is made with organic ingredients. I had a grass fed fillet and it was awesome. Definitely worth getting their before sunset and watching from the wine bar.

    (4)
  • Rick H.

    Outstanding sunset views! I can not find anything wrong with this restaurant. The food was great and perfectly spaced to enjoy your drinks and sunset. The service was perfect. I highly recommend this restaurant.

    (5)
  • B W.

    We stopped here for a sunset drink and were blown away by the view from point in front of the restaurant. Fantastic location and the serving staff were very nice. Just cocktails, no food as the appetizers were pricey and frankly didn't sound that good to us. There is also a bar in the restaurant that has views of the neighboring beach but if you are able to sit outside on the point that's the best. They even had a few seats around an outdoor fire pit which looked really nice.

    (4)
  • Julie M.

    First of all, I have to say there is no betta view at any restaurant on Maui. SPECTACULAR view.That, however, is the good part. Went with my gf's for cocktails and pupus then into dinner. Bartender was the biggest dud I have had mix my drink in a longgg time. Why do folks go into bartending when they are socially retarded? We then caught his attention and ordered the pupu platter $38. We were quite amazed when they brought a large platter with 2 of the worlds smallest egg rolls, 2 tiny crab cakes, 2 small fried goat cheese balls and something else? tiny that doesn't even jog my memory. I wish someone would have got a shot of our faces when we saw this rip off platter :0 We paid the $90 bill for for 3 drinks and 8 bites and booked it outta there for the Pineapple Grill to get some real food. Finally...good food at a fair price. Mo betta yet, the bartender ( at The Pineapple Grill) wasn't studying to be a mime YEAH!

    (1)
  • Larry V.

    Overall, about 3.5 stars. Five stars for atmosphere during a sunset with a good table. Three stars for service, because it wasn't attentive enough, but better than many places on Maui. No food table prep items, unless they have something like that for dessert. Food was about 3.5 stars due mostly to high and low points and the very limited menu selection. Decent presentation. The wine selection on the other hand is extensive, if you want to spend well over $40 for a bottle. Not so much, if you want something below that price point. Wine by the glass ran from about $10 to $100. If the food prices were cut in half, I would give the restaurant four stars. $48 for an entree should be perfection. The ahi was average. The beef filet was excellent. The fish was a little over-cooked or sitting somewhere too long before it came to the table, but it wasn't bad. The large couscous, with barley I believe, was good. The kale salad was excellent and large enough to split. The Mai Tai was excellent. Good location for a special occasion. If you can't afford an entire dinner, certainly visit the bar during sunset, grab a few drinks and an appetizer or the kale salad.

    (3)
  • Tim W.

    Merriman's has become one of my favorite restaurants on Maui putting it up there with Sanseis, Roys and Mama's Fish House. The restaurant is indoor and open-aired. There is also seating outdoors which I believe extends further down toward the ocean. You must try the kalua pig and sweet onion quesadillas! One of the best dishes I had on maui! I also tried the grilled maui cattle fillet of beef which was pretty good as well. There was live music all night. The musician was playing all types of music ranging from Hiroshima to Coldplay on an instrument I didn't recognize. The music, food, and great view all make this a five star restaurant for me!

    (5)
  • Kl D.

    The food is fantastic and deserves 5 stars. Our waiter, despite being a bit odd, did a fine job. However, arriving on time for a 7:30 reservation and having to wait for 35 minutes for our table was bad. Not even getting an apology for it was UNACCEPTABLE! I have never seen more incompetent hostesses in my life.

    (2)
  • Steve C.

    This is fine dining Hawaii style. For setting and feel, best on the island in my opinion. Right on the ocean. Restaurant is very attractively designed outside and in. Interior decor subtle and beautiful. The food was VERY good. I had the mahi, and my wife had the scallops. Both were excellent, but the nod goes to the scallops. Highly recommend them! Service was right up there too. This would be my #1 choice for a return visit.

    (5)
  • Jenny V.

    During our week long gastronomical tour of Maui for my birthday in January, my hubby and I had dinner here. As we drove up, I realized that this was previously the Bay Club where I had been over 10 years earlier on a family trip. So I already knew that the view would be spectacular. We arrived just before sunset, and toasted each other with a glass of bubbly. Our server was so friendly and attentive, offering suggestions when asked. I enjoyed their specialty Mix Plate which is basically three entrees on one plate (smaller portions). So I got to enjoy the mahi mahi, the beef filet and the charred ahi. I am fairly certain the moaning noises were attracting some odd looks from neighboring tables but I really didn't care. It was my birthday week after all. I don't even care what the hubby had since mine was so fantastic. I know that he had the special which was ono and I know he was making yummy noises too. I just don't recall getting to have more than one taste of his. Dessert was the maui gold pineapple upside down cake which was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

    (3)
  • Matthew L.

    Went twice within 3 days while on Maui. First time for Easter dinner and then again for sunset drinks and appetizers on the patio. Both occasions were very special dining events. Service was completely different but impeccable both evenings. Would absolutely love to go back, but am now back on the mainland.

    (5)
  • Big E.

    I have to admit I was not expecting much fearing the view was the thing and the food was going to be somewhat less spectacular. I was wrong it was great! The table service by JJ was just right. The wine list is probably the most extensive on the island. The prices probably were the only drawback. The only strange thing was that if you were on the deck you could not be served spirits, only beer and wine. In order to get a Mai tai you had to get it yourself at the bar. I am guessing this had to do with the license. Any way this is a great spot and should not to be missed.

    (4)
  • DeVere D.

    We had an absolutely wonderful time at this restaurant. We drove all the way from Wailea because a friend told us about it and it was worth it. The ambiance was great, as was the service and the food. We had a nice large table and a good waiter. The pace at which the food came was just right. The price was also surprisingly reasonable. We'd definitely go here again!

    (4)
  • Leigh A.

    We had brunch at Merriman's to celebrate my partner's 30th birthday whilst in Maui. I can't recommend it enough! The setting was beyond beautiful, the service was just the right level of friendly, informative and attentive and the banana bread was to die for! The servings were generous, so make sure you go with an appetite! And bring a camera for the views. The only thing that did disappoint me was that they did nothing to acknowledge my partner's 30th birthday - the only place that day to do so. I did leave feeling slightly disappointed about that. But regardless, I couldn't recommend Merriman's enough. It's a must for anyone visiting the Lahaina area of Maui.

    (5)
  • Lee R.

    We have been coming to Merriman's in Maui and in Kaui since they opened. We love everything about it! Tonight, was the most wonderful experience we have enjoyed. Eric is the best server we have ever had on Maui! He took great care of my vegetarian daughter and was happy and cheerful the entire evening. His gave us tasty recommendations too. Yay, a heavenly night and a beautiful sunset too.

    (5)
  • Nicole C.

    WOW!! First off, this place is beautiful!!!!!!! The interior and exterior is what you would expect (and more) from a bayside fine dining experience in Maui. We were seated at a table right on the edge of the main dining room overlooking the ocean at sunset- what a beautiful experience that was! The food and drinks were amazing. We started off with two cocktails at the bar as we waited for our table to be ready. At dinner we had a bottle of wine, a pork quesadilla appetizer, the filet, lobster and then topped it off with two desserts. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING was delicious. My girlfriend and I were speechless half the meal, relishing every bite with a clear face of divine satisfaction. We sure did not leave here hungry! Our server was one of the best we encountered on the island- very sweet and attentive but not overly so. She happened to be from Brooklyn which was awesome because we are from NY as well! I wish I could remember her name to give her the recognition but I am terrible with names. The place was packed when we went so definitely make a reservation and if it is a special occasion like it was for us, they had no problem accommodating a table to fit our needs. It is pricey but totally worth every penny. You only live once and if you are on Maui you DEFINITELY need to check this place out!

    (5)
  • Eric T.

    Merriman's is the perfect place to fall in love. I would not go to maui without at least one visit to It is imperative that you schedule your time here around sunset - and get a seat on the patio or by the window. The bar seats facing the ocean fill up fast - but they are also a perfect way to spend a sunset. I have yet to have anything but a great food experience here (always fish driven) but honestly I do not recall any specifics... my overwhelming memories are the glow of golden sun and deep blue green of the waves sun in my beautiful wife's eyes. 4 KIDS: I prefer not to go here with kids, because kids have a way of making sure you do not have a romantic moment to yourself at the table.... But there are lots of families here and you will not feel at all out of place if you do bring them. ** 200th Review **

    (5)
  • T M.

    Towards the end of our staycation on Maui, we toured Kapalua. We took a turn into Merriman's Kapalua and discovered that they are now open for Sunday brunch. It's one of my wife's favorite restaurants but we never get to dine there since her private driver (me) usually resists driving beyond Kaanapali after a long weekend in Lahaina. Food: eggs Benedict on green fried tomatoes, fresh corn beef, potatoes and eggs. Drinks: green juice! All great. The view is spectacular. In the 1980's, Kapalua Beach was known to be the best beach in the world. It is safe and protected. If Merriman's had musubi and fried chicken, I would do take out! Btw: the view is spectacular.

    (5)
  • Jenn R.

    We came to Maui for our honeymoon, and this was our first stop to non-stop eating. Eating at Merriman's set a really high bar for the rest of our Maui trip. We didn't make a reservation, but we did call to see what the availability of walk-ins looked like the day we came. There wasn't an issue for them to take us on walk-in since it was a Tuesday evening. We came just in time to enjoy the beautiful Lahaina sunset! We decided to sit at the most awkward table in the house, which is right next to the entrance and hostess area. It was a section part of the bar where people wait before they get seated in their actual tables. We didn't mind because we just wanted to eat. The entire restaurant has open lighting and glass so you can pretty much see the sunset from almost anywhere in the restaurant. Jacob was an excellent server. He made all the right recommendations! We didn't hold back on our orders, and we ended up spending $114 total. The Kauai shrimp appetizer was amazing! I don't really like kim chee, but this dish was simply tasty. They were huge, too! We also ordered the Pupu taster so we can try a little bit of everything. That's really good for indecisive folks or people who need variety in their lives. We are big fans of anything mac nut crusted so we got the mac nut crusted Monchong fish, which was also delightful! It was cooked to perfection. For dessert we went with the lilikoi cheesecake. We wanted to order all of the flavors that we don't really have back at home in California. We were extremely happy with everything we ordered! We would definitely go back here and order the same things over again. There were some people who came to dine in at the bar who were there for the third time that week! That says a lot, considering that this place isn't cheap. The food and service are excellent. The ambiance, service, and food quality gives this place 5 stars in my book! They also have valet parking!

    (5)
  • Joe Bob S.

    Oh my gosh, what can I say? I had my birthday dinner here and everything was incredible - The food, drinks, the service, and the view! Well everything was excellent, we had two of our favorite things of the whole trip here - The pineapple bread pudding, which tasted like Hawaii in a dish, and the world's most perfect Mai Tai. Definitely try this place out. And it looks like they have an excellent happy hour with more reasonable prices and they picture-perfect setting.

    (5)
  • Robert W.

    Just an amazing place. Excellent service, great drinks, stellar food. Local ingredients cooked with care. Great flavors, presentation and execution. The views aren't too bad either. Great place to have a drink, sit on the lanai and watch the sunset even if you aren't eating.

    (5)
  • Alex P.

    We wanted to do a nice dinner on Maui, so after consulting Yelp, we picked this place. We got seated indoors -- the atmosphere is nice and classy, but found myself wishing it was a little less traditional, a little more casual Hawaiian, and a little less noisy. Our server was good -- knowledgeable about the dishes, and checked in often. However, after bringing us our food, we realized there was no pepper on the table. We asked him for some pepper, and he said he'd be right back with some -- then he promptly forgot. A few minutes later, we had to bug one of the wait staff. Foodwise, I had the monchong fish at the recommendation of one of the waitstaff, and it was very good. My wife had the snapper, which was pretty forgettable. It wasn't bad, but for $48 you expect to have some damn good snapper and it wasn't. The sauce was far too mild, and the whole dish felt like someone had turned down the volume on it. The bread was apparently forgettable (since I can't remember whether we had any). Overall, out of the three nice dinners we had on our nine day trip, this was our least favorite AND the most expensive by quite a bit. It wasn't bad, per se, but the food+experience/cost ratio just didn't compare to the other places we ate (Tidepools on Kauai kills this place). We won't go back.

    (3)
  • Joey J.

    For my first time trying Merrimans, I came for brunch with a party of 8, consisting of my family and some friends. It was an outstanding meal. Great service with keeping our water glasses full and tending promptly to all of our requests for fresh banana bread, vegetable fruit juices, and orange juice. Everything was top notch and priced fairly. The atmosphere was casual with a view overlooking the ocean that you have to see to believe. I tried a little bit of my siblings meals and they were all very tasty in their own ways and well portioned. Everything was hot, fresh, and unique!

    (5)
  • Rachel M.

    Best sunset view dining! Amazing food and service. Pupu taster was perfect way to start, the mac nut monchong and the filet were both cooked to perfection. Can't beat the romantic ambiance or highly attentive staff. Thank you J.J. for a wonderful experience celebrating our Anniversary!

    (5)
  • Ben W.

    Merriman's hosted an event and dinner for me and while I can confirm the four dollar signs I can also confirm that it is worth every dollar. We had a party of 13 and we planned the event months in advance. At every step the staff of Merriman's were complete professionals and helped walk me through the process. The day of the event we had several people assigned to us and they took care of every detail. Without prompting every need was attended to by their staff. Our group was small enough that we could order a la carte so between all of us we sampled most of the menu. The food was fantastic and several of my friends commented it was some of the best food they have ever had, particularly the filet mignon. When next I am in Maui (fingers crossed that is soon) I will be sure to return.

    (5)
  • MRose L.

    So this is a must! Best Mai Tais on the island. The deck is great as you can go and sit and enjoy the sunset first- have a drink and then move into the restaurant for dinner. Additionally, you can go for just drinks, apps, and dessert and leave satisfied. Fun sitting attachments and fire areas. Honestly my favorite place to take in the beauty that is all around. The purse dessert was out of this world!

    (5)
  • Geoff G.

    My review of Merriman's is a composite of two meals during our vacation. Overall, it's an excellent choice for a great Maui brunch, great views, good food and service. Both times, we had a large party, so it seemed to take forever for the entrees to appear, and once they did, they were lukewarm both times unfortunately. The service was friendly and quick enough overall and the setting was really comfortable. Highlights: The pineapple banana bread was fantastic...it was dense, rich, and delicious. Mahi mahi 'bacon' eggs Benedict with avocado butter and homemade english muffins. Somehow, they managed to get the mahi to taste like bacon without drying it out. Mini-Malasadas w chocolate coffee sauce The Maui Oma coffee (try the Mokka...it was outstanding and a perfect match with the brunch) Chocolate 'purse' for dessert...phyllo dough filled with melted chocolate.

    (3)
  • Mike L.

    Best meal we had in Maui. Our waiter was very good and attentive and had great suggestions. We started off with a seafood platter of shrimp, mussels, and scallops in a yummy broth. Lout favorite entrees were the monchong, seared ahi and mahi mahi. Really fresh seafood, excellent Mai Tais and Molokai Mules and the view at sunset is amazing!!!

    (5)
  • Kurtis P.

    Everything about Merman's is amazing. We came in for a nice dinner on our trip to Maui and were blown away. The staff is very friendly, very welcoming and very helpful in picking the right meal and drinks. The view is out of this world. We were fortunate enough to beautiful sunset the night were there to top it off so that definitely added bonus points. The dining room is open to all sides to look out over the coast and really provides an open-air atmosphere. We started with the pupu platter appetizer which gave us a nice assortment of flavors. Since their seafood is all fresh caught day of, the menu is constantly changing. The best part though was that they offer a duo entree which enabled me to try two fish meals I would never have otherwise been able to get back east. My wife went with the Mahi which was melt-in-your-mouth good. For dessert we forced ourselves to eat the flourless chocolate cake and it was worth every bite. Overall there are no negatives at all and it's worth every penny.

    (5)
  • Cody S.

    Service great! Overcooked my steak and claimed that medium rare was only a slit of red. Also my gf had the fish and spent all night puking! Food poisoning and horribly cooked steaks. watch out Someone needs to educate their cooks. $400 for 4 people.

    (1)
  • Rick R.

    This is still the best place on Maui. Been coming here for years now, and the ambiance, service and food quality is always 5 stars. It's pricey yes, but unlike other places in the neighborhood, I always feel like I got my money's worth. We love Merriman's

    (5)
  • Rick G.

    I have been coming here for years somehow I forgot how much I love this restaurant. It is true The view the ambience outstanding. Very Very Romantic. My wife and I started with Merrimans Pupu Taster for two . Every item was perfect. The Pupu started with Keahole Lobster Avacado and Tomato Salad. Second item Was even Farms Kirobuta Pig and Sweet Onion. Third item was Tami Tomatoes and Kula Strawberry Salad. Our fourth and final item was Hawaiian Ahi Poke. Check the pictures in Yelp at this restaurant. As I write this Review I am getting starving this was just too good. My entrée was even better than my appetizer. I ordered Macadamia Nut Crusted Monchong added with spicy garlic broccoli and roasted mushroom sake reduction. We added a side order of sautéed Hamakua mushrooms Again Outstanding. I had eaten enough but my wife pushed us to order dessert. Once again my wife was right. It was bread pudding a lot with vanilla ice cream. I know the bread pudding was unusual but I ate so fast I don't remember whether was coconut or not. Again I loved it. Yes the restaurant was expensive but I am not complaining. Oh yeah one more final point. Both my wife and I were given two little bags with cookies a little gift.

    (5)
  • Priya G.

    We came here for our one year anniversary dinner during our trip to Maui. The experience could not have been more perfect. Everything from making the reservation, to seating us at the best table in the house, to our waiter, to the service was just flawless. I called in advance to make sure that we could get the best table in the house. The table we sat at overlooked the entire Bay and there were no barriers except for glass panes. There is a small staircase that takes you down to the grass area where a lot of patrons at the restaurant take photos. Make sure to bring a good camera! I am vegetarian and thoroughly enjoyed the food at this restaurant. I started with the housemade cavatelli pasta which was really tasty and creamy. I also had the upcountry organic kale and butter lettuce salad. It was delicious! The drinks at this restaurant were also superb (and strong)! What I especially loved about this restaurant, aside from the view of paradise, is the service. We sat down around 530 in order to view the sunset around 7, and we stayed well past 8 PM. The waiter did not rush us at all and we felt like we could've stayed longer if we wanted. The most surprising thing was we thought we had splurged as we both had a lot to eat & drink (we even had leftovers that we boxed up) but our bill was under $100!! We seriously thought that was a mistake but I guess that's a benefit of marrying a vegetarian. ;) Our experience at Merriman's was more than words can describe. I hope we can spend every anniversary here!

    (5)
  • Ipek S.

    House made cavatelli pasta (delicious, truffle smell mm...), kampachi fish tacos (not bad, good in idea tastes okay), kale salad (goat cheese and oranges are brilliant), taro cakes (absolutely delicious, a vegetarian delicacy, rare and amazing). From the cocktails, try the basil one, the 1944 ron mai tai (too strong for me but husband loved it). Our server brandy was really nice, service was amazing (Saturday night 9pm reservation).

    (4)
  • Kanoe I.

    Gorgeous Panoramic Views. Breathtaking. Amazing. 5 Stars for the view itself....The blue waters of Kapalua and the islands of Molokai and Lanai can be seen here! Heavenly! Enjoyed Sunday Lunch here. Their Bloody Mary (Bloody Merriman), came highly recommended. Added a prawn to it for $5. It was ok, nothing special but I'm glad I tried it. Their menu had "Jook" highlighted so I tried it. Described on Menu: "Chinese rice porridge, Jidori Chix, Hirabara Farms Kale, Bean Sprouts, Cilantro, Hot Chili Oil." Sounded delicious! And it was, although the portion was a little small. There are generous pieces of chicken (breast) but I wanted more soup. I did like the idea that they included Kale bc I love Kale! It was different and tasty. We also had the Hamakua Mushroom Omelet with Onions, Spinach & Baked Brie. It was ok....The eggs were a little too creamy but I loved the Brie. Service was friendly. Highly recommend this place if you're in search of somewhere to relax and enjoy a beautiful view over great food and drink. Oh and get your camera ready.....Lots of perfect photo opportunities!!

    (5)
  • Joa K.

    O. M. G. *GASP* I really liked Merriman's. During our 8-day stay in Maui, we dined here twice for dinner...mostly because of the delicious cheesecake (I'll get to that at the end) but also because the overall dining experience is on point! 2 main reasons for my 4 stars: food and location. Pretty typical reasons but I left feeling special and happy after dining here. And just to be clear that I wasn't just being vacation-happy, you should know I went in having high expectations of this place. And no, I did not have "vacation goggles" on to glorify my opinion of this place. None of that here! This place is truly great, met my expectations, and worth a visit if you have some expendable funds. Let's start with the location first. It's within the Kapalua resort area so if you're staying at the Ritz-Carlton or the Villas (and maybe even the Montage?), you can easily shuttle-van over to this restaurant. Just ask your valet or front desk person! Easy breezy! This Merriman's is practically right on the water. Great views of of the ocean facing West so you can watch the sunset! Great unobstructed views. Great big open doors that give the restaurant a very nice tropical, breezy, open feeling. The tables are arranged seamlessly. There are a couple of exclusive romantic tables for two right on the outdoor/indoor line - premium sunset viewing spots! Then, most of the tables for larger groups (4+) flow nicely around the inside of the restaurant near the windows and bar, leaving a great space for live music/comfortable walk-way for guests. There's also a nice little bar near the entrance. I loved the old school style: dark wood, interesting wood ceiling fans, white paint, attentive waiters in clean white shirts. We started off with drinks. I ordered the Da Pine which was delicious. Very refreshing and a very unique flavor. If you favor sweet cocktails, I don't think this drink would be for you - it's more on the bitter and citrus-y side. We moved to appetizers. I loved the tomato salad. I am freakin' amazed at how good their tomatoes were! Where do they get these?? It was a perfect salty-sweet-tart combination. Just add a tiny bit of pepper and it's perfect. Really loved the mix of yellow and red tomatoes. I'm craving this dish right now! The first night, I had the New York steak as my entree. I asked for medium-rare and the steak came out as such. Fantastic! I barely had to use my knife - perfectly warm red center. Juicy and flavorful. The potatoes that came out with this dish looked a bit messy - I feel like the presentation could have been better and cleaner. However, the taste and texture was great. Perfectly cooked potatoes with a light crisp on the outside. Well seasoned too. The second night, I ordered the lobster. And thank goodness for me, the lobster came out "pre-sliced" in the shell. I barely had to do any work to get that delicious lobster meat. It was butter-poached, ready to eat and enjoy. I would definitely order this again. Really great with a glass of wine! My favorite part of both meals was dessert. Ohhh LORD hot damn the CHEESECAKE with berry compote gave me a foodgasm. Get this. I have now found my favorite cheesecake. My favorite carrot cake lives in SoCal (R&D Kitchen in Newport: yelp.com/biz/r-d-kitchen… ) so I guess why not have my favorite cheesecake live far away from me too. I miss you cheesecake...! :'( Let's start with the base...The cheesecake's crust was a graham cracker crust with coconut shreds in it - gave it a very nice texture and bite. Balanced sweetness. The cheesecake filling was so light and fluffy - I couldn't believe it. I was like WTF where have you been all my life? In Maui?! OK ...it's not over yet. Then there's the tart and sweet berry compote. So perfectly sweet that I could happily bathe in this stuff! Yummmm. The syrup part of the compote is really well done. It's not too thick like a preserve or thin like juice - it's just perfect. Am I overusing the word "perfect?" That's what it is is though! Someone ship me a box of this stuff please! I would love to come back to Merriman's. Tomorrow good? :)

    (4)
  • Heather S.

    We went here for dinner to celebrate my fiancé and I's engagement while on vacation in Maui! The food was INCREDIBLE and the views were breathtaking! They brought out a complimentary dessert to celebrate our engagement! Very sweet!

    (5)
  • Chris T.

    This will be quite a short and easy review. Two words... FISH TACOS! Really.. They are incredible fish tacos. I loved how you can sit outside right next to the beach, drink a Mai tai, eat some fish tacos and take in all the beauty of the ocean. Really a great low key place to grab a bite to eat.

    (4)
  • Rachael S.

    Had a fantastic dinner starting with the mixed app & followed by the seared tuna and filet entrees. Everything was delectable, service was excellent & the restaurant is absolutely beautiful. What a romantic spot!

    (5)
  • PJ W.

    Excellent service by David who just started 3 months ago. He was very attentive! The fish taco appetizer was a delight! The ahi dinner was lovely with delectable sauces to enjoy on the plate. The view was just gorgeous. A tip is going on about 5:30 and you can be seated in the bar first come first serve but a full menu.

    (5)
  • Keith F.

    This place was great! We hired a wedding coordinator to book a place for our wedding, when we arrived to the place she booked we were stunned of how bad it was. So we started looking around and Found Merriman's the day of. They worked with us and made it happen for us to have a beautiful sunset wedding. I really would recommend them to anybody. Great staff!!!

    (5)
  • Tracey P.

    The view was beautiful and the service was excellent. The live music was wonderful. The chef's special fish of the evening was flavorful but very small portions for money spent.

    (4)
  • Joseph D.

    There is so much to love about this place I don't even know where to start. The service, the view and the food are all top notch. A true fine dining experience and quite reasonably priced given what you can spend at other far lower quality places. Had an early reservation at 5:30 to watch the sunset at 6:20 (this was early December so check the calendar and plan accordingly.) Got there around 5:00 for happy hour as local beers were $3 and mixed drinks were $3 off so quite a deal! We were seated with an amazing view at a table inside the restaurant but right by the railing. When making a reservation be sure to ask for this type of table or else you may find yourself "in" the restaurant. Which isn't bad as I'm sure you can still see the sunset but you won't experience the full beauty of it. Pro tip #1 - go early as you can enjoy a long dinner and no one is going to try and "turn the table" on you. Take it all in. The menu is a nice selection of meat and fish with a wonderful option to do 2 "half plates" if you can't decide for the same price as one entree! You can get a half fillet / half Mahi plate, and any other combo you can think of. Brilliant! It eliminates the perennial dilemma of having to choose between the steak or the fish. Pro tip #2 - order the split plate! Service is also top notch. Never once did we want for more water, bread, a new fork, etc. We had a team serving us which is a great help and our waiter was so kind, taking pictures of the sunset for us while we ate. He even went down to the water to capture it all. Dinner for the two of us with a shared appetizer, two entrees and a half bottle of wine set us back $140 plus tip. Given that you can spend that much at a much lower quality place, it is a true bargain. A definite must-go place if in Maui. Book it now.

    (5)
  • Joe S.

    Fantastic view. Great service. The food is great. The humus could use a little less garlic. The fish was delicious. I will go back.

    (5)
  • Alie Z.

    The food was a hit... The service and our personal experience was a miss. We made reservations and I specifically asked for an ocean/sunset view. Come to find out, tables of 2 or more are not seated directly on the ocean (patio was closed due to weather). On this particular night half the restaurant was also closed for a wedding. We were seated directly up against the giant temporary wall dividing the party from the restaurant...it was VERY loud and blocked any view. We felt boxed in and my parents stared at a wall all night. They actually re seated a table next to us because of this. When I mentioned our issue with the table to the hostess she gave me her best blonde valley girl "ohhhhh ya sorry". For the price we paid for dinner, this was not what I expected. Our waiter was not very friendly and definitely didn't help the situation. The food was good but not anything special. Also, valet only so make sure you bring money for a tip. I don't think we will return.

    (2)
  • Mark G.

    Obviously the ambiance is amazing, the food was pretty good, yeaaahh, it was a bit more pricey even for Hawaii, but what made me so disappointed was the service and poor attention they gave us! And yeah, it was way more pricey than the quality asked for. I'm all for spending top dollar for a great experience, unfortunately it was an expensive disappointment. Maybe this was an isolated experience--I hope it was--but I don't think I'll risk it again.

    (2)
  • J R.

    If I could give more stars I would!! We have eaten here 4 times since coming to Maui and we have been delighted each time. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!!!! Absolutely everything we have ordered has been 5 stars from presentation to taste and flavor. The ambience is the best on the island and the sunset here is a must see!!! Merriman's has the perfect spot on the beach for dinner, weddings, parties, and whatever other event you can imagine! We witnessed a wedding on their balcony while we are dinner one time as well. One of our favorites is the monchong and we've met quite a few people who live on the island that have stated the same. One guy actually got so excited and was fist pumping when we said we had the monchong! :) All over the island people love Merriman's! I cannot say enough wonderful things about it except just please go eat here!!!! I'll include pics we took but to see it for yourself is no comparison! :)

    (5)
  • Neale R.

    Excellent meal for all of us. Started with the Pupu platter - lobster avocado tomato salad, ahi poke, pork quesadilla and fried goat cheese. Lobster and ahi excellent. Main courses - lobster in a broth was pretty good - a little bland and could have used some drawn butter for dipping. Duo concept is very good - order two half portions of any main course. Crusted mahi mahi and seared ahi were both very good. Special fish of the day was very good - in a pineapple reduction Desserts were awesome. Chocolate purse was dark melting chocolate in a filo pastry shell. Flourless choc cake good. Best item was pineapple and mac nut crumble. Service very good. Brought us a nice dessert for our anniversary.

    (5)
  • Brandi N.

    It was good, but not overwhelmingly a 5-star experience. First - the view is awesome! This is a swanky place in Kapalua and it has the view going for it. Second - the hostess desk was a mess, 3 people standing behind the desk, but 4 couples in line to check in. It all seemed to move through one young lady and she was not overly friendly - the vibe was that I was bothering her to check in...seriously. Third - we made our way to the bar to grab a cocktail before our table was ready. Again, got the feeling we were bothering the bartender by placing orders. I didn't dare order an appetizer or things might have gotten feisty. Finally - our table by the window was ready. We enjoyed our server, Davy, who greeted us promptly and gave us lots of information to process while we enjoyed an appetizer and our drinks. The Kalua Pig Quesadilla was full of flavor and hearty. Next we had the special addition salad - Tomatoes and Burrata cheese. This was disappointing, the Burrata wasn't creamy and delicious - it was a firmer texture and more like a Mozzarella. Entrees of Mahi and small filet were shared between my husband and myself. Steak was slightly charred on one side, but I overlooked that as the temp was a perfect medium rare. Both entrees were delicious and the presentation was fabulous. Wine list is good; not many middle of the road options though; really inexpensive wines or really high priced wines. The experience was good and the food was delicious. I will return the next time I'm on Maui.

    (4)
  • Morey K.

    This dinner was our favorite dining experience on Maui. The food was excellent. We had the combo appetizer, mushrooms, tuna, lobster and lamb. Our drinks were also superb as was the service. The next time we're in Lahaina, Merriman's will certainly be On our list of places to dine.

    (5)
  • Reagan D.

    The view alone is worth the price. We came for a Sunday brunch, party of 6 and we did have a reservation. We were seated right away. Oh the view! I'll include a picture, though it still won't do it justice. We began by ordering sparkling wine, which was 1/2 off the bottle, so of course we ordered another with the meal. We all ordered our own meals prices between 13-15 dollars and the portions were appropriate. We began with a order of their donuts(white chocolate filled) that came with a chocolate coffee dipping sauce. The presentation of all our dishes was very nice. We enjoyed the mushroom omelet, mahi mahi benedict, daily special(sorry I forgot what it was), tomatillo benedict and a pasta dish. Everyone loved what they ordered and practical licked their plates. No room for desert, but we did walk around and take some pictures and enjoy the view for a bit before parting. Wonderful service, wonderful food, wonderful view. It was a win all the way around for us!

    (5)
  • Lisa F.

    We went for a wedding and holy cow..... every single thing we ate, the view and the service were all top both, tier one, excellent quality!! The views are why you go there I am sure but the food will keep you. The Risotto balls were unbelievable. At first I couldn't decide if I were just hungry or if they were really that good but everyone else was raving about them too! The sliders were excellent and the Ahi ahi on chips was delicious. The dinner was steak and Macadamia crusted white fish (can't remember name) but it was also delicious! You really must make this a stop. It is not cheap but worth everyone dime and moment of time.

    (5)
  • Kristin M.

    Amazing dinner with the most exceptional view on the island!! Very impressed with cocktails and the entire menu selection! We got the hot seared kona kampachi and it was mouthwatering delicious!! Perfect place to spend an evening and enjoy one of the most breathtaking sunsets on the island!!!

    (5)
  • Jordan I.

    Merriman's Kapalua Maui was a top-notch, high-quality venue that provided my wife and I with a wedding that you could only dream of. The setting was superb, the views were magical, the atmosphere was lively, the food was delicious, and the service was attentive and professional - from beginning to end, they provided us with a wedding that we'll never forget and we will be forever thankful. Ultimately with all the venues and reviews available, make sure you go with Merriman's Kapalua as your top choice - it's hands down the best wedding venue / restaurant in Maui!

    (5)
  • CJ P.

    Like many of you reading this post, we eat eat out often, and enjoy fine dining experiences. The setting was very nice, the service was 3 star at best, and the food was mediocre. The price is never the issue for us, we could go anywhere. The price point of the food for what we had was not at all worth it. Save your time and go somewhere else. Very little attention was paid to the food quality when it was served, and for the high price that this restaurant charges, you will not be happy. I think the high ratings below are from employees or people connected with the company.

    (1)
  • Michelle H.

    Wonderful open air feeling but beer was warm and our server never checked in with us after our first pot! (We were sitting at the bar! ). Not busy as it was 3:30 in the afternoon. Wouldn't go back for a $6 beer or crushed iced gun and tonic!

    (2)
  • Cass K.

    We attended the wedding of a friend on Merriman's property, overlooking the ocean, near sunset in October. It was a wonderful and memorable wedding. The location was beautiful, and the chairs that we sat in during the ceremony were very comfortable. My dinner consisted of three courses: Garden Salad Kula Vine Ripe Tomato, Hirabara Farms Lettuce, Maui Onions, Cucumber, Fennel, Toasted Farro, Fresh Local Lime and Extra Virgin Olive Oil This salad was fresh and crisp with a good mix of flavors. Macadamia Nut Crusted Monchong Spicy Garlic Broccoli, Roasted Mushroom Sake Reduction The fish was very fresh and mild tasting. The vegetable accompaniments were subtle in their flavor and did not overwhelm the fish. Maui Gold Pineapple & Toasted Macadamia Nut Brioche Pain Perdu Butter Old Lahaina Rum Sauce, Haupia Ice Cream Tasty, bread-pudding with Hawaiian twist. A second visit to Merriman's was just for dessert. Although the restaurant and bar were full when we arrived at 7:30 pm, we found seats immediately on the deck out back overlooking the ocean. The service was sporadic but that was ok with us as we were there to relax. We enjoyed dessert of White Chocolate Filled Malasadas with Maui Oma Coffee Caramel Dipping Sauce. Malasadas are round bites of cake with a sauce in the middle. They were served in a small brown paper bag . The filling was very hot, and we needed to be careful not to burn our mouths on the white chocolate filling. The dipping sauce was fun, and the coffee/caramel blended with the white chocolate sauce and cake was delicious when not burning your mouth. One point to note, the only bathrooms that I knew about were down a set of stairs. I was not aware of any elevator. If you have a handicapped person in your midst, you might want to call first to see if they have a handicapped accessible restroom.

    (4)
  • J S.

    Merriman's seems to have a decent reputation but there are better places to eat on Maui especially at this price range. When going somewhere like Merriman's you expect top notch service, food, value, and ambiance. Unfortunately the only thing that they really delivered on was the ambiance. The portion sizes were too small and the food just wasn't up to snuff. The lobster we ordered was just OK and didn't taste very fresh. There wasn't anything very special about it at all. The service was pretty slow and could use some work. I don't fault the waiter on this because it seemed like they were trying to cover too many tables. It felt wrong paying as much as we did considering what we got. I'm not afraid of paying for good quality but the it just wasn't there. The location of the restaurant was amazing and the sunset was beautiful to watch while we ate. I can't recommend going here. It just wasn't worth the money considering how it went. There are other places on Maui with better food and better service.

    (2)
  • Miriam G.

    I would highly recommend Merriman's for dinner (early dinner to see the sunset). We arrived 20 minutes before our reservation to enjoy the views with our Maui Tai!. We ordered the ahi tuna (to share) and the Filet Mignon. The service was amazing, specially our waitress called Patrick, he recommended us very well with the wine and the food.! Top place in Maui!.

    (5)
  • Two Wise R.

    We came here a few weeks ago while on our honeymoon. We stayed at the Montage Kapalua and walked right over. It was perfect. Our dinner was at 8:45 so unfortunately when we got there it was very dark and we didn't get to experience the sunset or the views. But this was our fault since we made a reservation earlier that day and this was the only time available. The food was delicious. We got some appetizers to share which were flavorful and exactly what we wanted. The entrees were amazing - I had the butter poached lobster dish and my husband got half lobster/half steak (can't remember exactly which one). The lobster meat was really easy to take out. We didn't need to do any extra work. We both really enjoyed our entrees and finished every last bit. The desserts were also great. My bread pudding was amazing! The service was good. When we first sat down, no one came by for a while. Not sure what the hold up was but we really weren't in a rush so we didn't mind. All in all, I would say this is a must if you are in the area.

    (5)
  • Ali H.

    Beautiful restaurant. The service, ambiance and food are all worth the spendy price you pay to enjoy an evening here. I couldn't decide between two fish options, so our server suggested that I try their "duo plate", which was perfect...smaller portions of their delicious ahi and mahi mahi. The hubs had their filet and said it was the best he's ever had. Not my favorite restaurant in Maui, but certainly a very close second. We will be back for sure.

    (5)
  • Hilary M.

    Excellent food w excellent service. I was surprised to know the alcohol was being paired down so the drink I normally have was not offered! ( who doesn't have Malibu rum!!?) however the bartender did make me a similar drink that worked! The fish of the day was amazing!!! The kale salad was so yummy! The dessert which was a FILO dough chocolate w vanilla bean ice team was to die for!!! The price is definitely up there and although it says casual dress most of us were wearing nice dresses etc. The ambiance definitely warrants it! Enjoyed tremendously!

    (4)
  • Brent P.

    This is a high class establishment with wonderful atmosphere and pretty good food. The reason I say pretty good is that we ordered the 30+ dollar appetizer to share only to get a dab of cheese, 2 quarters of a quesadilla and some ahi. We ordered the mahi mahi, which was good but not great. I would highly recommend their bread pudding. It is the best I have ever had. We also ordered a piña colada that was a bit icee and not smooth and milky.

    (3)
  • Kit K.

    My wife and I had one of the best dinners that we ever had on Maui at Merriman's. First the valet parking was extremely helpful especially since it was raining. Then the hostess was very attentive and we were seated immediately. The view of course is incredible especially the sunset. The waiter was very helpful and on top of things. I had the grilled Onaga fish and shrimp with Jalapeno mashed potatos and Kale with a pineapple chutney sauce, delicious. My wife had the center cut prime rib, amazing. The desserts were also great. We will certainly be back soon.

    (5)
  • Mike S.

    Honestly, we had high hopes for this place and we were let down. We came in as a group of 3 families, made our reservations long before we came to Maui. 1) When being seated, walk with us to the table, don't point 20 yards away and say "It's over there, enjoy your dinner". That's HORRIBLE! First impressions are everything, that really set the tone for the rest of the dinner. 2) When you seat a big group that's not the wedding party group...don't seat them at the wedding parties table and then announce that the center piece candle thing is 'for the other table' then reach across and grab all the center piece candles off while we sit there and then walk them to the really crappy view table where you ended up seating the wedding party. You should probably ask if we'd mind being reseated so that the wedding party can take seats where they're supposed to sit. We'd have been more than happy to move for them. 3) Get a new chef. I make a better steak using Costco beef on my gas grill. Maybe bring in the guys at Jak's Grill in Seattle for a how-to session on choosing beef, aging it and how to prepare it. 4) When you ask if the wine suggested by the waiter is what we'd like to drink once we've tasted it, don't act offended when we say no. You might also want to take a note that we're not from California and maybe you should provide a list of wines from the Columbia Valley. 5) Expand your beer selection. There are over 200 breweries in Washington State, we have a lot for you to pick from (I suggest Reuben's and Black Raven) and you have a lot of local Hawaiian breweries. Expand the selection. What you had was okay, but limited. 6) I've been to many country club restaurants over the years, if that's the core market you serve, you nailed it, keep on trucking. If you'd like to step it up a notch, you might want to ask for outside guidance. The food was okay, but far from spectacular. Service was pretty pathetic. Valet service is understaffed, nobody wants a sweating valet.

    (2)
  • Shannon B.

    The most beautiful place I ate while in Maui. It was also one of the tastiest. It is a high end place but people were not dressed up (i'm not disappointed by that) and there were definitely families about. Since we went with our kids we were really happy.

    (4)
  • Greg C.

    An amazing experience from start to finish. We had a late reservation and started in the bar with a great choice of wines by the glass. When our table was ready we were seated at what was close to the best view on the island. I can't say it was the best as I've not been everywhere. Our waiter was very attentive and amazingly timely and never did we feel he was hovering. He was from the island and had some great stories. We both enjoyed different fish items and every bite was prepared perfectly with equally amazing presentation. Great culinary experience! As is Maui this was pricey evening but worth it. Just don't go to often if you're on a budget.

    (5)
  • R M.

    Nice views at this restaurant. Service was very slow, also it gets pretty loud. Don't go here if you're expecting to have a nice quiet dinner. Parking is valet only. Overall the food was OK. The Kalua pig quesadilla was pretty good. Jidori chicken was nothing special. The fish and lobster duo was just alright. Save your money.

    (3)
  • Sarah V.

    Merriman's is my #1 pick for fine-dining in Maui to date. My husband and I chose Merriman's for our final dinner of our wedding trip to Maui this spring and we were thoroughly impressed! The location on Kapalua Bay is absolutely stunning, the decor is simple and classy, our service was very good, and the quality of our meals was excellent. The live jazz in the background was a nice touch as well. We started with cocktails- I got a Moscow Mule and he got a Mai Tai- and they were among the best we've had on the island. From there we had a grilled prawn appetizer accompanied by some fresh bread and tomato-basil infused olive oil. The prawns were cooked perfectly and the bread and oil were amazing; I don't always enjoy bread and oil, but the flavors of the oil were fabulous. For dinner, I had a grilled seafood plate that featured 1/2 lobster, locally-sourced fish, and prawns; and my husband had the catch of the day. His fish was expertly prepared and the sauce and sides were exquisite. My fish and prawns were delicious as well, although the lobster was not the best I have had... I was a little disappointed with that part of the meal, but everything else was on point. Both my husband and I had wine with our entrees, and our server was very helpful in helping us settle on options that we both enjoyed. In summary, Merriman's was amazing; it truly set the bar high for my fine-dining expectations in Maui. My husband and I have very fond memories from our experience, and we are very much looking forward to our next trip there.

    (4)
  • Tim W.

    Came here for dinner after renewing our wedding vows on beach below. Used Urban Spoon for reservation about a week in advance and they called to confirm so that all went well. Heard raves about this restaurant so we choose this one over Mama's that we went to last night. Trust me if you come to Maui go to Mama's!!!! Sorry back to Merrimans now. Great location and ambiance however it was extremely stuffy once inside as very little breeze. It was crowded when we were seated at 7:30 however nothing like a Mama's and the wait time for food was incredibly long. Service was about a 3 when I expected a 5 based on reviews and pricing. The food was good once it did arrive so nothing to say but great things about that part. We had a party of 6 and ordered only two different items so it wasn't like we ordered 6 different entrees. We stuck to Mahi Mahi and the dinner special which was another fish. So great food and for overall pricing it was worth it including the bottle of wine we got but the service was very slow IMO. The long wait and the heat made for a bad combo tonight but overall I am glad we made it here. Make sure you request a seat out near the long bifold doors that lead to the patio for larger groups and if you are a couple ask for outside on end if the balcony as the seating there is totally outside and overlooks the large patio and of course the ocean.

    (3)
  • Reza J.

    Heavenly food (best lamb chops that I have had in long time) with awesome view and awesome service by great server. It can't get any better than this. The view is just amazing and the suggested appetizer (coconut shrimp) was awesome.

    (5)
  • Joe T.

    We were so looking forward to this. We had made our reservations over a month ago. This is normally our "it" restaurant for a great meal experience. This time, not so much. We were seated quickly for our reservation. Our waiter came by and took a drink order.... this guy had a zero on the personality chart, all night long. Very robotic in reciting the specials, nothing more than his script was ever said. This was odd compared to our many other experiences at any Merriman's. To start, my wife ordered the lobster bisque which was pretty good, poured out of a pitcher over croutons at your table. Pretty cool. I had the ceasar salad that arrived warm and wilted (not supposed to be that way). I know it was a hot day and there is no A/C in this place but it tasted and looked like it had been sitting out before being served. We each had the macadamia nut crusted monchong, when it arrived I asked the server where was the mac nut brown rice that is supposed to come with it. He said that it did not. I thought, oh well, but I was 100% sure that when I checked the menu online that it said it came with broccoli and the rice (and it does say that, online). Later I asked the waiter and he said "it used to, it doesn't come with that anymore". Hmmmm. Most other menu items have two small sides with it and this doesn't? Just a piece of fish and a couple of broccoli stems? To their credit, the menu at the restaurant does not list the rice, I guess I should read better. But still.... it bothered me for the entire meal. :-( And this is not their fault, but just keep in mind. If it is hot and there is no breezes blowing, it can be very hot in there. We sat at the window and were sweating all evening. A few fans in the ceiling would be helpful for these hot days. Hit and miss service should not happen at this type of restaurant, for this price. Had this been our first experience, we would not have been back.

    (2)
  • Hazarath D.

    Shrimp was Awesome, I did not have such Shrimp any other place. It tastes like Fresh Coconut :-)

    (5)
  • Bill A.

    This is one of the two or three best meals I've ever had in my life. The fish was incredible, as was the coconut cream pie dessert. The restaurant is perched above the beach looking out at the channel. You have an unobstructed line of sight between Lanai and Molokai to watch the sun go down while you eat. There are no walls in Merriman's - just a short plate-glass railing around the edge of the restaurant. Our waiter, Donovan, was great. We were lucky enough to get a seat right against the edge, with no tables between us and the sunset. If you want to see the sunset, call for a reservation and ask for a sunset dinner. They'll give you a timeslot so that the sun will set towards the end of your meal.

    (5)
  • Angie F.

    Just had an excellent dinner here tonight! Spectacular view, excellent filet mignon, goat cheese salad, garlic whipped potatoes, macadamia nut broccoli and chocolate malsadas for dessert! If I could afford it I would eat here every night!

    (5)
  • Ruthie C.

    We used Wonderable for our wedding registry, and a family friend got us dinner at this restaurant. The view: amazing amazing view. We got a table by the ocean so we literally dined by sunset. The service: our waiter was great, and our water was never empty. But I took off a star for the valet service. I felt that if you go to any restaurant, hotel, the valet is the first impression for the guests as they walk in. We stayed at the Andaz for our honeymoon soooooo we are ultra spoiled by the friendly and amazing valet. The valet at Merriman was a bit snooty and not as friendly. I definitely think they can learn from andaz. Our waiter on the other hand made us feel very comfortable. He explained the dish well, and I will never forgot that he was the only one that ever noticed that the ice in my tea melted and asked if I wanted more ice. Who does that? I was pretty impressed. The food: the house bread was a wow. It was so so soft but had a sourdough consistency. It comes with delicious vinaigrette. Please get the seared scallops. It was by far one of the most amazing dish j have tasted. The scallops sit on a bed of creammmmy corn chowder, with bacon and grilled asparagus. Every bite was heaven in my mouth. We also got the butter lobster and the fish special. The butter lobster comes again with creamy corn chowder and fettuccine pasta with purée tomato sauce. It was SOOO tasty!!!!!!!!!! The lobster was extremely fresh. The fish special had the most amazing butternut squash purée with garlic sauté zucchini and spinach. The fish was yellowfin black seared. Everything was just heavenly tasty. I have to say that while ingredients are fresh, the flavors are on the heavy side (saltier than I normally eat, tons of garlic). All in all, terrific romantic honeymoon sunset dinner :) Make your reservation early ;) and enjoy !

    (4)
  • Larissa M.

    Beautiful views, but ok food. I did a lot of research of places to eat and chose this place based on the great reviews. The views are fabulous! We were seated by the glass balcony. It was so beautiful to look out at the ocean and watch the sunset. We enjoyed taking pictures out there and sitting by the fire pit after dinner. This alone is 5 stars! The hostesses were very friendly and seated us promptly, as we had reservations. Valet is mandatory, but expected in a place like this. We had the Ahi poke for appetizers and really enjoyed this. Excellent! However, our entree was less than average. We got the special, Sea Bass with broth and prawns. I added the half lobster tail. The Sea Bass was so hard, that you really had to cut it with a knife and it was quite chewy. There was not much taste, but that is too be expected if you overcook it. Normally, we would have returned it, but we had gone on a long hike and run right before and were too hungry to send it back. Absolutely horrible! The lobster was good. I've had better lobster elsewhere. Again, I thought it a little overcooked. Dessert was good. Not mind blowing, but good. We got the cheesecake and beignets with chocolate. My husband joked that Cafe Lux had better beignets and they gave you more for 1/3 of the price. Cheesecake was interesting that they had a coconut crust. I liked it. Would I have paid $200 for this meal? Absolutely not. My husband still gets upset about it when I bring up the food. We had to stop at a grocery store afterwards to buy him more food to eat. The service was good. Our waiter was attentive. Would we go back? Unfortunately, no.

    (2)
  • Melissa G.

    So good! :) We ate here twice on our vacation for their happy hour special out on the deck so you can enjoy the amazing views from all sides and both times, it was excellent. The first time, we had the house mai tais -- WOW! They do not skimp on the alcohol AT ALL. One drink was plenty for me. Also great: Blue cheese bacon sliders, truffle fries, homemade kimchi (yay!), chocolate pastry purse with fudge inside, coffee ice cream...it was a feast. Service was exceptionally good both nights.

    (5)
  • Nayoung L.

    Great ambiance. You are sitting by the ocean with an open concept dining area. I was most impressed with how they cook their vegetables. For someone who would prefer meat over leafy stuff any day, I actually enjoyed their vegetable sides more than ribeye and munchong fish. App platter- yummy taro chips with well seasoned poke. I didn't get people's hype about the lobster avocado salad. Didn't care for crab quesadilla or a dish I can't remember. Ribeye with delicious green beans and munchong fish with broccoli - both were solid and I really I liked how the green beans and broccolis were cooked and seasoned. We finished the meal with the chocolate purse dessert everyone raves about. It was good but not the best thing I've eaten. Service was impeccable. The place reminds me of capital grille chain in terms of service, pricing and dishes. I would recommend this place for a nice meal while you are in maui.

    (4)
  • John E.

    Oh My God this place is good! Definitely go here while youre in Maui, or if you live on the island. Go for some drinks at 5:00 and get a table around 6:00 for a kick ass sunset. Managers Bartenders, Chefs and Servers are outstanding. Hotesses not so much, they put our reservation on the wrong day; however, the manager sat us right away and at an amazing table right by the edge with a view. Cocktails - bourbon mule - 7/10 way too much ginger White - Gruner Veltliner - perfect Cheese Plate - A lot of cheese for two, but we still ate it all. Scallops - 10/10 -fantastic balance and flavor. Red - Au Bon pinot n - decent Ny Strip - 8/10 overwhelming herb butter, but good Lamb - 10/10 every bite was pefection, but i didnt like the zucchini "thing" on the side. A little zucchini boat with chese and panko??? The lamb was SO good. Best Lamb Ive ever had, hands down. The kale had that perfect smokey flavor from the fond when sauteed. The cpuree was on point. Dessert was a nice surprise for our wedding weekend congratulations. And our Server, Brooke or Becky, was on point as well.

    (5)
  • Michael S.

    Breath-taking view!!! Service is top notch and food is AMAZIIIIING. the accomedate you if you are with kids and thats kinda nice and very friendly staff.

    (5)
  • Debora L.

    Went for happy hour. Best part is the view. We had the app sampler which was quite forgettable. Poke was equivalent to supermarket around here and portions were small for the price.

    (3)
  • Whoopie G.

    We were disappointed. Would not return.

    (3)
  • Susan C.

    Possibly one of the best meals and best ambiances of any dining experience of my life. It wins in pure awesomeness!!!! About $100-$150 a person if you go all out with drinks, apps, and dessert. And let me tell you, from the bottom of my Yelpiest of souls, you will not regret it. Back home from Maui, I have dreams of re-eating my meal. The menu changes seasonally so I'm not sure regaling you with tales of the mouth-gasmic food I experienced will be that helpful (pictures are included if you are very curious). However, I will simply tell you that this is one of the most delicious and romantic restaurants I have been to in my life.

    (5)
  • Kenneth F.

    The food was good not great (3 star) but our waitress Sasha was fab (5 star)! Decor was terribly bland kinda Hawaiian modern - but kinda bland... but we had a corner view at the edge of the restaurant and views were super! For $35 had the "rack of lamb" which was basically 2 chops of different sizes and hence came out at different temperatures... one perfect med rare and the other medium :( Grey snapper was pretty good but not remarkable. Was really loud too... I remember the Merriman's on the Big Island 20 years ago was way better and much more pacific fusion...

    (4)
  • Alex W.

    Great atmosphere, great location, fantastic service, decent food. Not sure if the food is worth the price however. I've eaten much better meals for the same price this was but choices are limited in Maui. The complimentary dessert for our birthdays was a nice treat however!

    (3)
  • Ken H.

    What a gem of a restaurant. Great views, great servers and the food was to die for. We did the happy hour with 25% off all drinks just to get a feel of the place and stayed until the dinner hour. We did this no less than three times. Don't pass up the dally fish special and they had a pasta that was the best I've had. The pasta is an appetizer and they call it "Cavatelle Pasta"but can be a main course. My wife had the pasta no less than three times. I would place this as one of the best on Maui if not one of the best I have been to in a long time.

    (5)
  • Matthew K.

    Okay, the view-- 5/5. Right on Kapalua beach-- outstanding. The interior is nice as well. The food... sigh. I don't know why there's so little fresh seafood served in Hawaii. Most stuff here is imported, so... I'm not impressed. The waiter was rude to my father-in-law, too.

    (2)
  • Ardy F.

    This place is one word. Fantastic. Great food, service and a place to enjoy each others company. Our server, will was great. His service was exceptional. Highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Jennifer G.

    Favorite Restaurant Ever! We had 5:30 reservation for dinner with sun setting at 6:41. Our waiter was world class his name was JJ. He was, by far, the best waiter we have ever had! He was helpful, honest and made our evening more enjoyable. I had filet and Caesar salad and it was perfection. My husband had homemade soup from their garden and lobster again better that he could have imagined. JJ suggested wine that we loved, he took pictures of us at sunset, the entire experience was magical

    (5)
  • Ingrid Y.

    This is my favorite location in Maui, so beautiful and the food is great!

    (5)
  • Ben T.

    My wife and I just ate at this place last night and I gotta say that out of every restaurant I've ever eaten at this is the best. I've been to several Michelin star restaurants and this beats them. Be prepared our dinner was around 100/pp (2 drinks each, an app each and dessert, so you definitely could do it cheaper of you want). The key here is to go to dinner at 530 so you can get a table right in the railing. You are overlooking a pristine selection of water with perfect sunset views. I had to call to make my reservation 3 months in advance and it was worth every penny. The food was also amazing I recommend both the ahi poke (tuna sashimi Hawaiian style) and the scallops. The lamb entree was incredible and most of the time I don't like lamb. Steph loved the moscato. This was the best place I've eaten at in my life, the food was very good, the atmosphere was beyond belief Given the prices, service, atmosphere however I gave only 4 stars due to then having a lady walk around selling leis. I mean common really? At a white table cloth restaurant you are going to have a vendor hawking souvenirs?? She wasn't pushy or anything, she didn't even ask us if we wanted to but anything but when you're spending over 200 on a dinner I don't need it to feel cheapened like I was on some touristy boardwalk pizza shop. Regardless I know this is a relatively small thing and the restaurant is now my new most memorable restaurant of all time

    (4)
  • RJ N.

    Had our wedding here on 06.22.14 This place exceeded our expectations and looks 10x better than the pictures. Service was amazing, this was our best meal in Maui and we ate at some great places (star noodle and mama's fish house to name a few) and merriman's was the best. We can't wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Alaina N.

    My MIL and FIL visited their patio for sunset and happy one afternoon and received horrible service from a snarky waitress there. She refused to take their picture, and let them know before taking their order that she was really busy. So my FIL contacted the manager, Brandi, to report his experience, and she made sure our return for dinner a few nights later was the complete opposite. This place is located in one of the most beautiful spots on Maui, by far! The breeze that runs through is so wonderful, and the view of the sunset was absolutely breathtaking! Our waiter, Marc, was hands-down one of the best waiters I've ever had. He was patient and accommodating and really made our dinner, and evening, enjoyable. From the moment we sat until the moment we left we had just the most lovely time. Brandi even came by to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. A lot of restaurants wouldn't go out of their way as much to remedy a bad experience as Merriman's did. They could have simply apologized, or maybe provided a complimentary drink. However, she really wanted us to know they care about their patrons and the experience they have there, and it really made a difference. They just had one bad apple working for them, or maybe she had a bad morning, but everyone else we encountered there the night we went for dinner was incredibly friendly and professional. I'll add that though the food was definitely delicious, I have had better tasting on the island. However, that being said, it wasn't outrageously over-priced, and really was good...just not mind-blowing, if you know what I mean. Being this place was so close to our hotel, it moved itself into the #1 favorite dinner spot on our list and will for sure be visited again when we're back in Maui.

    (5)
  • Shannon R.

    We ate here after my wedding on the beach and it was absolutely fabulous! The cabana overlooking the ocean was perfect. It sprinkled a little so it was nice to have the covered table. It was decorated with chandeliers and lights and we were able to place our bouquets on the table. Made for a perfect, quaint little dinner with our wedding guests. Our servers, Patrick and Liz, were amazing. Very attentive and friendly and handled our group of 16 very well! I coordinated the plans with Danielle and she was also very easy to work with, flexible and friendly. They made the "wedding planning" a joy and a breeze! I was able to just relax and enjoy my dinner and drinks! Now that I've mentioned the location, atmosphere, and service, I should probably mention the food. :) Also spectacular! We did a pre-fix with 2 choices, coursed meal and everything was amazing! The kahlua pork quesadilla was incredible!! and the ahi poke salad was delicious too! I had the scallops for my main course and they were perfectly cooked. My husband had the filet and he said it was fantastic too! It might be difficult to do, but save room for dessert! The chocolate lava cake is to die for!

    (5)
  • Robin P.

    Not a good experience...my standards are high since my husband has cooked at Pebble Beach Food and Wine for the last three years but disappointing would be an understatement. My husband booked our reservation in advance noting it was our first anniversary and requesting a romantic lanai table arrived on time 630 the unprofessionally attired hostess tried to seat us in the middle of the room next to the bar. We said we would wait for the table requested. Forty-five minutes later seated at our nice table. Attitudes with hostess and waiter. Expensive menu, salad was wilted and nothing special, bland salty dressing had to request add goat cheese. My husband ordered macadamia nut mongchong, terrible, overcooked, soggy, uneatable tasted like frozen fish sticks, side of rice hard, no flavor. My fish was cooked perfectly but the side of green vegetables was nothing but stems, inedible left on my plate. Everything was oversalted. We told our waiter and he rolled his eyes acted insulted and sent the manager over. She agreed with our comments and said they were working through some kitchen staff challenges currently. They comped my husbands meal and sent us dessert. Tried to make it right but my advice, don't waste your time or money. What a shame, upgrade your hostess staff, first impressions are important, someone with class and get your food together worst we have had and loved it a year ago.

    (2)
  • Jessica L.

    I've only been here for the Happy Hour, and it's awesome!!! Gorgeous view, strong Mai-Tais, and awesome apps (amazing sliders, great quesadillas). Perfect for an afternoon enjoying a view of the ocean. The breeze tempers the heat. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Jon M.

    My wife and I had dinner there a few nights ago. Absolutely the best seafood dinner we ever ate! Service is exceptional and the price was competitive to other upscale restaurants in Maui. Go here!

    (5)
  • Shelly H.

    Blech! The food is overly salty, buttery and tastes like slightly better airline food. Way overrated. Way overpriced. The service is friendly and attentive and the setting is nice, but that doesn't make up for the food. Best go for cocktails and skip the food.

    (1)
  • Ronald S.

    I love the Rib Eye, but don't expect a huge ass Texas style Rib Eye..This is a classy size rib eye..but you pay for more like the setting...this is where special occasions happen..right overlooking the Kapalua Bay Beach..great wine list.. it can be casual, formal, romantic..heck you want to drop the bomb on your spouse like asking for a divorce? hey do it there what the hell...it's too beautiful to get pissed off!

    (4)
  • Tom S.

    One of my favorites on the island. Go an hour before sunset. The best seats are gone fast. Ask for seating towards the north side the south side will not be as good for seeing the sunset ... :-). The food can't be better anywhere

    (5)
  • Heidi P.

    OK I have to admit - recently on a trip to Maui I was spoiled! I went to Merriman's one night and Roy's the next. Tough life I know! This restaurant has three locations. I have been to the original up in Kamuela and now to the one on Maui - which has a very up scale beach feel. As soon as you walk in you see nothing but ocean. The entire restaurant looks out into the ocean with tables beach side. You can't it beat it for location and view. The waves to your right and the sun on the horizon with a fire pit (yes I said it - fire pit!) right in the center of the open deck. It is breathtaking! I tried a wonderful lobster and avocado salad - which actually had chucks of Lobster in it! I followed with pan seared Scallops and 1/2 a Lobster - see a theme here. I practically licked my plate clean - everything was wonderful. The food was flavorful but not over tacked by a sauces - you could taste the flavor of the different parts of your meal. It was amazing!! I finished it off with a strawberry vanilla mouse with deep fried bananas - I thought I would need to be rolled out of my chair at the end of your meal. I honestly can say I had the perfect meal - so far. I know easy to say at the prices you pay for the meal - but it is true. This is a great place for a romantic dinner or celebration - it is costly - perhaps even more than Roys - but you leave with the amazing food experience in a setting that is worth a million bucks! There is live music and plenty of waitstaff to make sure all your needs are met. I wish I had a complaint just because as I write this I feel like it should have a down side. OK if there was one - the place was packed and a little noisy, but there are worst things! Try this place once you won't regret it!

    (5)
  • Matt S.

    Honestly one of the best overall dining experiences I have had in years...fantastic food, great atmosphere and really top notch service! Was there with a group of 6 on a work-related rewards trip and we wanted an "epic" dinner for our last evening there...Merriman's did not disappoint. All of the food was fantastic, but I have to say the service provided to us by our waiter (wish I had remembered his name) was what really set our experience over the top...clearly a professional who had an intimate knowledge of the menu and the ingredients. Really a fantastic experience and I would go back in an instant...a can't miss for those who are in Maui!

    (5)
  • Denise H.

    Oh my gosh the sunset view is worth it's weight in gold. Service was spot in and food was good. Would like to see more vegetarian options though. Pasta appetizer super yummy. Boyfriend has chimichurrie ribeye. Chocolate purse dessert-get it. Live music nice touch

    (5)
  • Katherine L.

    It is was a wonderful experience being there. The view of the sun setting over the ocean was stunning. And the food was delicious!! Great cocktails to go with our meal. We will definitely be back next time we travel to Maui.

    (5)
  • Michael A.

    If you're looking for a great quality meal and even better service, look no further. Or service from Sean was top notch and a refreshing change of pace from some of our other experiences. Our fish and chips appetizer was amazing with their home made corn tartar sauce. Caesar salad was prepared very well, and the knowledge of the menu from Shaun was wonderful. Our entrees were the lamb chop and lobster tail and they were cooked to perfection! Then to end with a bang we had the coconut brûlée and it was one of the best I've ever had... And my wife is the brûlée person not me and it was great. Our drinks were well put together and just all around a great experience. Thanks again to all the staff for the great service and for the AMAZING sunset view. We will definitely return very soon. P.S. Check in to your reservation early and try to request a patio seat... Also valet parking is right out front for the only parking option, which is great, but make sure you have cash to tip as I did not and felt terrible about it. I'm just not a cash carrier.

    (5)
  • Anne C.

    We love Merriman's on Maui. We started with Peter Merriman on the Big island many years ago. So glad they came to Maui. We love our server J.J. and request him every time. Can't say enough about the view. One of the best on Maui. Everyone at our table was more than satisfied with what they ordered. We were never rushed to turn over the table. Very refreshing.

    (5)
  • Jade P.

    One extra star for the view. In so many words don't go. It's a chain that should be called mcmerriman's, masquerading as a five star restaurant. If you do go, take in the view and don't expect culinary excellence. Ordered the garden salad. It was soggy and the dressing was nothing special. Then the scallops came. They were burnt and plated like the food was literally thrown onto the plate. It was SO salty. Whoever decided to cook the bacon decided to burn them and then add salt to cover it up. Also the entire dish was lukewarm and the cream on the corn and hard asparagus was starting to congeal. It had definitely been sitting out for too long. Inedible. I waited around to tell the waiter but he seemed to have disappeared. When the busboy came around to ask if I wanted a box I said no I would not like to take that home. Even at that point I was just going to call it a bad meal and order a dessert. When the waiter finally reappeared for a moment he saw our table was not cleared. I'll take of that he said. Then disappeared again for a long time. In the end in my frustration at the gross food and terrible service I said we'd just take the check and I was outta there.

    (2)
  • Kimberly S.

    Hands down the best meal we had in Maui. I called earlier in the day and asked if my husband and I could get a seat on the patio. The hostess said she would try, but it would be hard. When we arrived we were so delighted to be sitting in the front corner with an amazing view of the ocean. The food was amazing and we tried to savor the flavors, but ended up devouring and inhaling everything. We ended our evening with the famous chocolate purses and it was the perfect finale. I cannot recommend this place enough and if you are in Maui this is a must for a nice meal.

    (5)
  • Jake R.

    Back to Merriman's after two years! We were looking forward to our second visit and we were not disappointed. We love everything about this restaurant: the service, the ambience, the menu, and of course the preparation, presentation, and taste of the food. This time we started with the crudite of taro hummus, house-made sweet potato chips, and fresh local vegetables. SO GOOD. I'd never had taro before, and I loved it in the hummus. Next we shared the kale and butter lettuce salad with roasted beets, goat cheese, and crispy fried Maui onions. Holy cow. Delicious. For our entree we had macadamia-crusted Monchong over garlic broccoli with mushrooms and a miso-sake reduction. If I were a ninja I would have snuck into the kitchen and stolen all the sauce for my own nefarious purposes. Instead I had to settle for eating it and licking the plate. It was amazing. Finally, we had the pineapple upside-down cake. We had it last time, and normally I like to try something new, but I loved it SO MUCH that I couldn't resist. One surprise was the gin and cucumber cocktail we both had. It had gin and cucumber, obviously, but it also had apple liqueur, spicy peperoncini, and a dark cherry at the bottom. What a weird and delicious combination. Many thanks to Marc, our server, and everyone at Merriman's for another great experience. We'll be back!

    (5)
  • Maria G.

    Came here on 3/9/13 for dinner with husband. After reading so many good reviews here, we decided this is the place we'd splurge on getting something good to eat. Unlike some of the good reviews here, I didn't make it to the restaurant before sunset -- not that it is going to matter because today is one of those rare Maui rainy day. Complimentary valet parking -- a plus in the rainy weather. Service is definitely 5-star. Our waiter is very attentive. We ordered a vodka and passionfruit cocktail -- the drink is a bit watered down for $14 but it is just typical Hawaiian tourist price so we are not complaining too much about it. On with the food: Soup of the Day -- Asaphargus soup. We love how the waiter come with an empty bowl and he pour the soup onto the bowl with a silver pot. Pupu taster -- we can't decide on what appetizer to get so we settle on the mixer. Everything tasted good. Mix Plate entree -- again this is a good mix of food. You get fish, steak, and seared ahi. Crisp Taro Fritters -- this one is interesting. We were expecting some sort of taro fries (think sweet potato fries). Instead when the food is brought out, they were 4 balls (think jalapeno poppers) of taro in ketchup. Didn't quite expect that but they taste ok. Live music playing the background. I would have rate it 5-stars, but have to knock one off for them taking too long to deal with the rain. It wasn't until the patrons sitting close to the edge of the open window (they would have been the best spots on a sunny day, but worst tonight) complained about the rain coming in and the strong wind that force them to close off the place with the sliding panels.

    (4)
  • Kit B.

    What a amazing dinner. Went here for our 30th anniversary and it was wonderful. Ordered the fresh fish special, very flavorful and light. They brought us a special dessert with a message spelled out in Hawaiian, nice touch. Went at sunset. Don't miss this place for a nice dinner if you are in maui.

    (5)
  • linda F.

    what can you say about Merriman's that has not been said, the view , the service awesome-the food was amazing, we tried the app sampler, the entree combo, the Kale salad, and 2 orders of the pasta with the house made ricotta.Everything was outstanding, especially the wok chared ahi and the Housemade Cavatelli Pasta. We cant wait to return

    (5)
  • Katie K.

    I give Merrimans a five star for atmosphere! Absolutely beautiful!!! I recommend the quesadillas for appetizer very good! I ordered the small filet which is 4 oz. They burnt it at first but they apologized and recooked it to perfection! If you are looking for a delicious, romantic meal Visit here!

    (5)
  • Brian I.

    I literally cannot assign enough stars to Merriman's for everything they provided my (new) wife, family, my friends and I last week. We got married, at Merriman's, on Saturday May 1st of last week. The restaurant was reserved solely for us and our (small-ish) party of about 25 from 10 am through 2 pm. Our 3 menu choices (chosen from my wife and I, from a wide variety of options) were tofu, Mahi Mahi and chicken. I'd bother to pull out a sample of our guests's menus but I'm on such a high from our trip to Maui (our first) and kind of on a downer from being back home in Beaverton, OR (booo) that, well, I don't wanna. Suffice to say that everyone absolutely raved about their 3 course meals. The service was impeccable. They managed to be seemingly imperceptible during the ceremony and lunch yet were immediately available and accommodating to all of our guest's needs. Drinks were expertly crafted and speedily served. Yeah, so my opinion's biased. Sue me. I don't have a picture of the food or table setup (for now) so I'll upload a picture of my new wife and I sharing a moment just off the deck behind Merriman's. Thank you, thank you, thank you Merriman's for helping to make our wedding an idyllic experience that we will never forget. I can't wait to come back when I'm not overflowing with emotion and trying to take in and absorb my own wedding!

    (5)
  • Pete's Za Z.

    Merriman's is totally overrated. Notice that everyone raves about the view but when you look at the reviews, there are not that many raves about the food. Even the photos posted show more shots of the view than of the food compared to other Yelp restaurants. Food: ordinary, nothing special at best. My wife and I had the signature Macadamia Nut Crusted Monchong which was overcooked and the portion was small. The rice that came with it was dry and hard. The kale salad that preceded the Monchong I could have had at a diner. My kids had the filet mignon which was decent but nothing special. The pineapple upside down pain perdu was quite tasty but they could have knocked it out of the park if they served it warm. Service: ok, nothing special once again. Waiter was capable but had zero personality and a but brusque. Ambience: nice view cheated by aged furniture, ugly green rug, old work lighting fixtures and worst of all lounge lizard live music.

    (2)
  • Andres G.

    Overpriced. Great wine selection and views. Solid spot to watch the sunset, also a solid spot to pay $50 for a mediocre fish entree. Find somewhere else if you don't sweat money and are looking for quality.

    (1)
  • Dave R.

    A two star meal in a 4 star location. Merriman's has been my favorite for years ... until now. Both service and quality have lost their spark. Last night we waited and waited and waited for a meal that was over priced ... even if the hot dishes had been hot and the cold ones cold when they finally arrived. I am sad to take Merriman's off my A list for a while.

    (2)
  • Debby D.

    This was our second time and again with a 5 pm reservation we got ocean front (not that there is a bad seat here). The view at sunset is to die for. My scallops were served in an awesome pottery bowl that added to the excellence of the sauce. One of them was a little chewy, but still good. My husband's monchang (white fish) was awesome, flaky and tasty. The cocktails were excellent-try the hibiscus and bourbon! The sommelier played down her experience, but the wine she suggested, a French white, was perfect. I was disappointed with the asparagus soup, should have stayed with something fishy. Still overall, we will always go here when in Maui.

    (4)
  • swimmer h.

    Doing great. We had the same server a year later and he wAs able to give options for no garlic and substitutions. Food is exec side but good value for Maui and the view. 5:30 is the best time for dinner in January to be settled before sunset at 6. Love the mix plate trio. All were delicious.

    (5)
  • Jessica H.

    Formal bridesmaids dinner on our first night in Kapalua! So delicious and beautiful!! What we got: pupu taster appetizer - Quesadilla was AWESOME snapper fish special - SO AMAZING!! Wish I got a full-size portion lobster - not that great scallops filet mignon - pretty good! upside-down pineapple cake - AMAZING!! made with a banana bread cake mixture!! malasadas - OMG!! SO GOOD!!! Service: great service. live music. BEAUTIFUL view. Great place to watch the sun set.

    (5)
  • Jen P.

    5 stars all the way. This place is amazing. My husband took me here for a special occasion and I was blown away by the service and the fantastic food. Of course not to mention the stunning view. One of the best meals I've ever had. The presentation and quality was all top notch. We had a beautiful outside table overlooking the ocean and it was perfect. Our waiter was very informative about all the local ingredients and preparation that went into each dish. The ahi poke with avocado was some of the best I'd ever tasted. Other favorites: The Pan Roasted Sea Scallops and the Charred Ahi. Definitely recommend.

    (5)
  • Scott P.

    Best restaurant on Maui, setting is amazing and food and service are the best. Fantastic food, extensive wine list, incredible service.

    (5)
  • Ron S.

    Dinner last night at Merriman's... Reservations for 6PM and we were promptly seated. This was our second visit to this restaurant. Our last experience was 5 star all around. Our waiter Patrick was quick to the table to take drink orders and explain the evening's specials. My date ordered the special and I ordered the scallops. Apps were the lobster tomato salad and poki which we shared and were both excellent. My entree was pretty good, not as excellent as Lahaina Grill, but still pretty good. The special fish entree was pretty bad. Steamed diced red peppers and asparagus with no seasoning or sauce under the piece of fish was a zero. Bland with no flavor. The side order of garlic rice never arrived which our waiter obviously forgot to order for us but after the bill arrived and we checked it was not on the bill... We reminded Patrick and he claimed the kitchen must have missed it?? A little white lie? Overall the service lacked as we waited long periods of time between drinks, apps, and entrees. Water glasses remained empty until asked to refill. Next trip we'll probably just do Lahaina Grill twice and enjoy the consistent food and service we experience there. Ambiance 10 Food 5 Service 3

    (3)
  • John C.

    Absolutely Outstanding views from the patio. We were staying at the Ritz and The free shuttle takes you right there. It's a must! Happy hour has amazing deals too. Get the sliders!

    (5)
  • jac n.

    I would probably consider myself to be a foodie, I plan vacations around/look forward to the food the most. So this review comes from that perspective... Merriman's is overrated. The view and ambiance is perfect, but the food and the service lack for a restaurant that charges as much as it does. Having been to other 5 star restaurants on Maui like Lahaina Grill and Gerard's, you kind of expect that same level of bend over backwards service when you go to a restaurant that is more expensive than those. Merriman's service does not even remotely match the price. The waiters aren't particularly quick or attentive and don't seem happy to be there. It just needs to be better. The food sounds good, but I found myself not finishing most of it because it just didn' taste that good. The mahi mahi fish and chips was so bland and unimpressive. I think Long John Silver's fish and chips is better. The scallops are alright (obviously sting ray though), but forgettable and the filet was just not cooked very well. Uneven. The food is dissappointing. The drinks are pretty good, but I didn't like their pinot noir. I also didn't like that he didn't let me try it before pouring it. I mean, at a fancy restaurant, isn't that customary? This place skates by on the view. People are tricked into thinking they're getting something they aren't. If you like FOOD, do not waste your money here. If you like a view, by all means, come here and then go get fast food after.

    (3)
  • Tim L.

    As good as it gets on Maui. Top-tier, fresh food paired with top notch service. Plus you can't beat the location right on Kapalua Bay.

    (5)
  • Bennett R.

    Came in for drinks and dessert. Service was not good. Server seemed put out and hassled to have to wait on us. Dessert was amazing though.

    (3)
  • Brooke B.

    I've been lucky enough in life to go to Maui pretty frequently since I was a kid and given that my Dad is a big restaurant guy, we've tried just about every spot locally. Merriman's took over the old Kapalua Bay Club which we loved for the location--pretty much my happy place in life--but food was always so-so. In my adult life, I've come to appreciate menus that are locally sourced and anytime you have a James Beard finalist cooking for you/training the folks cooking for you its pretty hard to go wrong, right? Right. For those who have complained about this restaurant, I don't get it. We got there early and sat on the patio and watched a West Maui sunset over Kapalua Bay with deliciously mixed cocktails and friendly conversation with other guests-- I highly recommend this, adds so much to the experience. We then went in for dinner where we had a great table overlooking the lights of the bay and listening to the waves crash. It was Saturday night, and they had a great guy performing live music that wasn't tacky-touristy Hawaiian, but island-ly twists on favorite, modern classics-- sounded a bit like Ben Taylor (James' son). As mentioned, wine list is amazing. They will do a corkage fee ($35? $45?-- I can't recall, for any wines not on their list) which is steep, but corkage is new to Maui and there's a lingering debate on it in the restaurant industry. Given the breadth of the list, I wouldn't bring your own. We were excited to see a favorite-- La Sirena-- and knew it was a perfect mid-priced option to pair with the meal. We split a salad--caesar with fried green tomato "croutons" (all croutons should be these, yum!) based on the recommendation of our outstanding server, Garrett. (Garrett is born and raised in Maui--I asked if he was a unicorn, much to his enjoyment. Loved that Merriman's is hiring and taking care of local folks, as much as local food.) Splitting was perfect, and then had the special snapper of the evening--the Hawaiian name I will never remember... we did the smaller portion which wasn't a huge cost savings over the full order, but it was plenty of food especially given the side of mashed potatoes that came with the dish and side of creamed corn we added. The fish was sauteed with a delicious light, citrus flavor, and loads of crisp, fresh veggies. I had to pass on another sauce that came with the fish b/c of a food allergy, but I didn't miss it. Closed the meal with some local sorbet flavors and a coconut creme brulee, and the best coffee in Hawaii-- not Kona-- something wonderfully dark and rich from the Big Island that came in a french press. Wish I had a bigger stomach and could've tried some of the apps, but overall it was a perfect last dinner in Maui-- our favorite over Gerrard's and Lahaina Grill (also good, but better overall at Merriman's). Looking forward to returning!

    (5)
  • Steve T.

    We really tried to like this place as I heard so many good things about Merriman's. I ordered the soup of the day, squash and mushroom, and it was not good. The waiter took it off our bill and he was really nice about it. The fried goat cheese appetizer was next and it was delicious. Not too creative, fried cheese and a strawberry side, but enjoyable. Sue had the Ahi and it was good but not fancy. Slices of slightly charred ahi and a dipping sauce. I had the snapper with some interesting sauces that was good but not memorable. I liked the white chocolate malasadas with the caramel sauce and that with the Ridge 2006 Zin was the highlight of my meal. I'm about value and I just spent $1000 at Picasso's in the Bellagio two weeks ago and thought it was worth every penny but I didn't feel good spending $230 for this meal at Merriman's.

    (3)
  • D W.

    We went back to Merriman's hoping to replicate the very lovely experience we had here last time. Unfortunately this time, even though we requested an outdoor or window table in our advance reservation, they were unable to accommodate us. As far as the food went, it was very good, but I felt really ripped off by receiving exactly 3 scallops (yes they were divine) I believe I got a whopping 3 scallops for $39.00 in their full portion menu. That was not dinner, that was smaller than pupu's . At 3 nibbles per scallop that measured out to $4.33 per nibble. Sorry folks, as much as I loved the scallops it was just not worth it, and I left hungry. Next time we'll go to The Laihaina Grill.

    (3)
  • Herbert H.

    Kauai gets an unfair reputation for bad food. Merrimans isn't the only restaurant where we have eaten well but it is one of them. Pleasant, easy going setting, attentive but unpretentious service and most important everything we ate was fresh and skillfully prepared. We stayed away from the phenomenally expensive and (from the sound of it) excessively adorned entrees and ate well prepared, satisfying food. Would be glad to eat here if it were in LA.

    (4)
  • Stephanie J.

    I held a business dinner event at Merrimans with 28 people. The overall food and setting was good. Planning the event with Merrimans Event Manager was not a great experience...she lacked cusomer service and it would take several tries to get an email or phone call back from her. When I called the GM to express my frustration on just wanting simple questions answered regarding the menu and finalizing details, even she was rude. They convinced me to chose a starter because of the large group so that people wouldn't be waiting for food, but even that took an hour to come out. I will never plan another event wtih them.

    (2)
  • Lisa M.

    We went to Merriman's for dinner immediately following our beach wedding ceremony on 8/25/14. It was pure perfection. I got the filet, which came with mashed potatoes and asparagus (my fave). My husband got the rib eye. Both were top notch. I also got a lemon drop martini from the bar while waiting for our reservation, which was strong - just the way I like it :) The staff was very attentive & even brought us a complimentary piece of cake to celebrate. We were surprised that there was live music playing anywhere on a Monday night. This just made our dinner even more perfect. If we ever make it back to Maui, we would love to return to Merriman's for an anniversary dinner someday.

    (5)
  • Bob W.

    This was the most perfect restaurant of our vacation . The service was superb. The food was fantastic and the ambience without compare. This was the most expensive of all the restaurants we tried in Maui but you should definitely try it for an unforgettable experience .

    (5)
  • D E.

    Best food I've ever had in Maui. The service was impeccable and very friendly & even got to meet a chef. Vegetarian and fish options were excellent and tasted delicious. Vanessa was super helpful with selecting a unique and interesting wine which paired excellent with the food. Finally the view was amazing. Highly recommended to all.

    (5)
  • Jordan R.

    My wife and I went here for our anniversary on a visit to Maui. Let me start by saying it seems like it would be the local dependable place to go for fine dining. The decor is sort of early-90's and could use a bit of an update, but the setting and experience are definitely 5-star worthy. The Good: - Food is very solid, worthy of fine dining, even if it isn't quite imaginative (definitely thinking there is a bit of gap between price and inventiveness in cuisine) - Service was top notch. Thoughts they were on point and we were never left wanting. - Wine list was extensive with great representation from various regions and countries. Options at literally any price level ($35-$3000...pick your price point) The Less Good: - I feel like i can find more avant garde and thoughtful fusion or new american cuisine in a lot of places at lower price points. Maybe I'm spoiled by the Pacific NW, but I think they execute fine dining at Merriman's but aren't really expected to push the envelope. It's OK to do this, as you sometimes just want to know they'l stick the landing even if their degree of difficulty isn't super high. This is primarily why I gave it 4 and not 5 stars. - I think the setting is a touch stiff. They could do more with the space and make it feel a bit less early-90s. We started with the Pupu sampler. Some excellent dishes. The tuna sashimi on this was fantastic. Highlight of the night. Amazingly fresh, with just the right flavors added so as not to distract. Though one of the other Pupu samplers on the dish, the Lobster, Avocado, Tomato salad was just really so-so. I think Lobster is easy to "lose" in any dish, and is really generally added to up the price, but this dish just didnt do anything with any of the flavors. Big miss. The other samplers on the plate were solid, but nothing crazy. Second, a really solid salad of tuna/avocado/butter lettuce (the "Poke cut" Tuna salad). This was good, well portioned, and tasty. My wife had the fish of the day coupled with the scallops, which was really nice and well prepared. Flavors were on point, and the server even knew down to the spices on the fish when asked to identify a flavor. We appreciated that knowledge. Scallops had the perfect crust and were served properly at mid-rare. I had the Merriman's Mix Plate, a sampler of three entrees. Solid. Beef was perfectly cooked and tasty, fish was excellent. Overall, good experience. Pricey, but very nice. We had an excellent Oregon Pinot to go with it. I'd recommend the place generally for nice occasions, but I think you can get more inventive cuisine at a lower price point. The experience here is solid, and I would definitely go back on my next visit to Maui.

    (4)
  • Brian B.

    I went to this restaurant with a lousy attitude... I was tired, hungry, hungover and just miserable... all I wanted to do was go to sleep and live to see another day. All that being said, the kale salad was out of control, and the entree my wife got was stunning in taste and appearance. Wish I hadn't been in such a crappy mood, this review would have been better... but honestly, I just remember being cold and tired. The end...

    (4)
  • Leanna D.

    Order the Filet mignon! The creamed corn and mashed potatoes are AMAAAAZING!

    (5)
  • Natan T.

    Amazing views... Waiter named David was incredible!!! The food was amazing but pricey. I will come here again when I come to kapalua!!!

    (5)
  • Daniel M.

    Absolutely amazing. We sat at the bar and had just about every appetizer on the menu. There's no more beautiful location for a restaurant than the Kapalua Bay; especially at sunset. I will make it a point from now on, to visit Merriman's every time I'm in Maui! We especially loved the Cavatelli, Kalua pork quesadillas and the truffle fries. But there was no evidence that ANYTHING they serve is less than amazing!

    (5)
  • Gina B.

    The view is probably one of the best in Maui, especially at sunset. I enjoyed my meal although it took so long to come out that they brought us out a complimentary bowl of soup. That was very nice of them. However, my husband's prime rib was cooked to black, even through the middle, and although the waiter acknowledged that it was not cooked right, he didn't really offer to make it better. He was friendly... just... clueless about how to handle that sort of situation? I would really expect a place like this not to send out a piece of steak looking like that, ever, to be honest. I wouldn't personally come here again for dinner, but maybe for cocktails and the view.

    (3)
  • Nicole O.

    I'll add to the chorus of other Yelpers raving about Merriman's - what a wonderful restaurant. My husband and I booked a table for sunset as the special dinner on our honeymoon, and we definitely weren't disappointed. The restaurant is located right on Kapalua Bay, with fantastic views, and service to match. Our server was professional, funny and personable, and we were attended to very well during the whole meal. We shared the pork quesadilla's for an appetizer, and each got a different fish special of the day for our main. I ordered the smaller portion available on their menu for mine, and I wish had ordered the full - it was so delicious. All the food was top quality, and probably one of the best meals I have ever eaten. The fish my husband ordered was a full steamed fish (two pounds) and after a long meal he managed to finish the whole fish. He joked to our server that it's too bad they didn't have a t-shirt for finishing the fish (like those places where you get a shirt if you finish the giant burger or steak). While we were waiting on dessert the assistant manager actually came to our table to give my husband a Merriman's shirt - what a nice touch! The prices are high, especially when you order drinks, but this is a restaurant for going for the experience of eating excellent food in a great location. Five enthusiastic stars!

    (5)
  • Louise P.

    We had a really special dinner here during our honeymoon. We changed our reservation dates at the last minute without any trouble. We said it was our honeymoon and that didn't get us any special treatment - but you don't really need it here. We started with really delicious rose champagne at the Point bar for sunset, then moved inside to a table right by the live music, which was a highlight of the night for us. They played Eastern instruments and coincidentally played our wedding song :) The food was really good. Probably the prettiest presentation of any restaurant we went to in Hawaii (and we ate a lot of good meals)! My husband's tuna was incredible. The amuse bouche that came out in the beginning had the most amazing local version of hummus and a tiny cup of tomato soup - and we both don't like tomato soup, but happily slurped it up anyway - alllll so good! For some reason when I think of my favorite meals in Maui, I place this 2nd after Mama's Fish House... maybe because Mama's gave us a nice table with a better view, because the food was absolutely impeccable at both places.

    (5)
  • Jason P.

    Forget Mama's Fish House. If there's one place you have to go to, it's Merriman's. Yes, we did have our wedding here, but putting all biased feelings aside, Merriman's was beyond exceptional. The first thing when you walk in is the openness of the restaurant, with all the doors around the whole restaurant opening to the outside balcony and cool breeze. And then for a second you will be speechless, just beyond the balcony is the lanai and an amazing view of the beach, ocean, and Molokai in the distance. It's the most gorgeous view I've experienced at any restaurant and once you see it for yourself, I'm more than sure you'll agree. After you take in the view, take note of the cozy ambiance, semi-tiki yet semi-upscale modern. It's not tacky, it's not pretentious, somehow it all works together to make a very enjoyable experience. Check out the photos to see what I'm talking about. The food served during the reception was extraordinary. Our first course was the Handcrafted Cavatelli Pasta which consisted of Anuhea Asparagus, Hamakua Mushrooms, and a dollop of Homemade Ricotta. Woah, this raised more than just an eyebrow, it really had my palate intrigued as well as quite a few of the guests. I was interested of what was to come. The second course was the Kalua Pig and Swet Onion Quesadilla with House-Made Kim Chee, Mango Chili Sauce. OMG, the juicy kalua pig was so tender and flavorful and complimented with sweet onions. The quesdilla was crisp to give the pork and onions a nice crunchy texture. The mango chili sauce and kim chee really took it over the top balancing the flavors out with a hint of sweet and spiciness. The third course was a choice between: - Macadamia Nut Crusted Ono with Spicy Garlic Broccoli, Roasted Mushroom Sake Reduction. The fresh ono was perfectly cooked and succulent. It was complimented with a a macadamia nut crust, or shall I say, topped off with a generous sprinkle of macadamia nuts to add a nice crunchy texture. - Grilled Maui Cattle Grass-Fed Filet of Beef with Creamed Kula Corn, Chili-Peppered Green Beans, House Whipped Potato, Hamakua Mushroom Sauce. The beef was so tender that it almost melted in your mouth. Is that even possible? You have got to try this dish for yourself, and experience the joy that I have in one of the most tender and flavorful cuts of beef ever. I wouldn't expect beef to taste so delicious on an island when seafood is the primary attraction, but this is definitely a dish to try. - Lemongrass Scented Natural Chicken with Coconut and Potato Purée, Shaved Aina Lani Farms Carrot and Young Coconut, Cilantro, Kaffir Lime, Green Curry. The chicken was tender and moist. It was not a dish that disappointed. Although I can't remember much about the flavor profile of this dish, there was nothing to dislike. Yes, it was my wedding, but I truly have to say it was one of only a handful of weddings where I enjoyed every single dish, the ambiance, and all around had a great time. Of course the guests made the party, and I have to say whether you're planning a wedding or looking for a romantic place to eat, Merriman's is my top recommendation on Maui. (Okay so maybe I am a little biased.) To Danielle, the events manager, and Merriman's staff: Thank you for a fantastic wedding that did not, for one second, cease to amaze myself and all our guests. We had no regrets and would do it all over again. For all our future visits to Maui, Merriman's will always stay close to our hearts for both sentimental reasons and one of the most extraordinary all-around dining experiences ever.

    (5)
  • Kian N.

    Was amazing!!! From the ambiance to the staff, the food....it was perfect. Can't wait to go back again.

    (5)
  • Brandon K.

    We really wanted to enjoy Merrimans, honestly. We were given a $150 gift card, and whats better than a free dinner? Well, in this case, pretty much anything... We started with the amuse bouche, which they called tomatoes on the fence. It was more like vegetable crudités on nails... The humus was okay, but other than that it was just, well.. vegetables. Nothing spectacular. Being tuna lovers and having eaten pretty much only ahi since we landed on the island, we ordered the Fresh Island Ahi Sashimi first. The only difference between this and the $8 block of ahi we ordered earlier was that it was cut, it came with soy sauce, and it was twice the price. Not hugely disappointing, but this was also probably the highlight of the meal. Next. We decided to order the Crispy Day Boat Mahi Mahi Ponzu and Merrimans Original Wok Charred Ahi, and a side of cream corn. We added the half lobster to the ahi. Big mistake. What you and I call a half lobster, they call a half lobster tail and partial lobster claw. For $27. I literally started laughing out loud when I saw it. The icing on the cake was that the lobster was hugely overcooked. It was so tough and chewy that my wife couldn't cut through it with a fork and knife. She suspects it was just a large crawfish (not really...). For reference, the lobster tail would easily fit on a playing card. The entrees were decent though. The fish may have been a little overcooked for my taste. The ahi lacked any kind of seasoning. It was cooked enough to destroy any kind of sashimi flavor, but without any seasoning to make up for it.. They serve a weird lump of white and dark rice on the side that is hard and flavorless. We ordered the chocolate purse dessert. The dessert was good. It was pretty much filo dough wrapped around molten chocolate on top an earl grey cream, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Nothing worth writing home about, but better than the rest of the meal. I went to this dinner with high hopes. Not only was it recommended by friends, but we received a $150 gift card. This was essentially a free meal and I still feel utterly ripped off. The service was great, the sunset was great but the food? Absolutely not.

    (2)
  • Mindi D.

    So a friend of mine could not stop raving about how fantastic this place was and highly recommended the hibiscus bourbon. We finally get to Maui and squeezed a visit to Merrimans in our crowded schedule. Here's my review. Upon arriving during happy hour, we were greeted by an unenthusiastic waitstaff and we were herded out of the dining room and onto the outside deck that had a beautiful view of the beach. But they no longer had the hibiscus bourbon so we settled for muddled somethings and ordered a spendy pupu appetizer from a waitress that didn't want to be there and seemed to condescend to us. The drinks were ok and the food was pricey for the amount. And after being served by a wet noodle waitress, we left $80 poorer with the feeling of not wanting to ever go back there. The place just kinda fell flat. We went down the road later and had some great service and yummy food at Maui Brewing Company.

    (3)
  • Amanda A.

    I had the Peppercorn Garlic Ribeye & it was fantastic... Our server Gary was helpful and friendly, also very knowledgable about the menu. My Dad had the Red Snapper & said it was great also. No complaints here.

    (5)
  • Alissa M.

    Amazing view!!!! Especially at sunset! The restaurant itself too was nice too. However, the prices were really high for food that was good, but not amazingly good. Service was great. We had waited a little bit for our food so our waiter said one of our rounds of drinks would be taken care of. For a special occasion, this place would be great.

    (3)
  • Edna C.

    There were 11 people in our party. We were warmly met at the valet and reception. The ambiance and view was spectacular. However, 2 menus presented were dirty with food on them. Food was mediocre at best. The Monchong fish was extremely dry, the lamp chops was requested pink but they were well done, scallops were nothing special and salty, the taro dish was awful. All desserts were simply disappointing and the special cake was described in great detail and simply did not meet the standards of a high quality restaurant. Our waiters were David and Sean. At the end of the meal, we asked David to take our picture and he twice refused so we asked the bus boy who nicely accommodated us. Merrimans bills itself as fine dining and we have homes in Newport Beach and San Francisco and we usually vacation at the Mauna Kea. Your restaurant was disappointing.

    (2)
  • Yuna C.

    We came here on Thanksgiving knowing they served Thanksgiving dinner...turkey and all. However, when we got there we opted for the prefixed dinner menu with a wine pairing. It was pretty pricey but it was a rated with 4 dollar signs so we knew from the beginning it was going to be a costly dinner. Our server was very nice and knew everything about the food and wine. The wy e pairing they offered were Peju wine and he was knowledgable about it. He was also from California so we had something in common. As far as food goes: Appetizer special Garlic prawns with palenta and a tomato based sauce- delicious Pork buns- very good Filet mignon- eh.. The bergnaise sauce was salty but the creamed corn was so good!! Diver scallops and added the lobster tail Ran out of lobster tail and the Scallops were salty Dessert- White chocolate raspberry cheesecake Food was okay.. Not worth the money I will say. But service was awesome and they are lucky to have a guy who was so nice to his tables. We saw the table next to us were quite difficult and he was so patient and understanding.

    (3)
  • Cookie M.

    Merriman's is a MUST for when you are in Maui. The atmosphere, service and food are all impeccable. Ask to be seated on the Lanai for wonderful views of the ocean and if possible, ask to be seated in JJ's section as he will take wonderful care of you. The food is always top notch and prepared to perfection. Of all the meals we have in Maui, this one is the absolute best.

    (5)
  • Ben G.

    One of the best meals I've ever had. Amazing sunset views. Highly recommended.

    (5)
  • Jarrett H.

    I would like to thank my cousin Steph again for choosing this restaurant for her dinner rehearsal. The food here was amazing. I'm not much for fine dining but this place was excellent. Every plate was beautifully presented and I didn't leave with a craving for McDonald's after. :p My uncle and I went on an adventure just to find this place. We were staying at the Royal Lahaina Resort and was told that we could only get there by taxi which was $30. Fortunately, with some research we found out that we could get they by bus for $1. I am hoping this is helpful for anyone who is staying at Ka'anapali. Its a long bus ride but worth it. When I arrived, it was pouring rain and the hostess quickly grabbed a towel for my Uncle and I, which I thought was very thoughtful. I hadn't seen my cousin in a while so I didn't want to look too bad on my arrival. The party was in a small private corner with a nice view of the sunset. They started me off with a red wine from South Africa. I'm not much of a wine drinker but this one was good enough for me to have 5 glasses and the waiter kept pouring. My Aunt and cousin had order a set menu which was great because now I get to try everything. First course was a Kalua Pig Quesadilla. Most Kalua Pig Quesadillas are very dry because they are basically cooked twice. This one was a little different. Very moist on the inside and lightly crispy on the outside. This was very good. Next was the salad. Merriman's prides themselves on using the freshest ingredients and it comes out in the salad. It was very fresh and simple. Nothing out of the ordinary but very good. The next dishes kicked the dinner up a notch. The fish was perfectly cooked with a delicious macadamia, mushroom and cream sauce. What was also perfectly cooked was the broccoli. I know it sound weird that I rave about the side vegetables but this broccoli was soft and tender and tasted even better with a little of the sauce from the fish on it. An excellent dish. OK, I know fillet Mignon is the epitome of the fine dining word which makes it a bit stereotypically in some reviews and if you think about it, they better not mess it up for the price you are paying. The fillet here did not let me down. Perfectly cooked to a medium and soft, tender and melts in your mouth. How soft was it? My cousins were able to cut it while holding their children in one arm! Of course it was a really hard task so I did end up helping them but still, you try cut a steak with one hand and a child in the other! The final dish was a splendid end to my fine dining experience. Haupia ice cream and a pineapple upside down cake. The ice cream reminded me of smooth gelatto I had in Italy. Pineapple cake is my favorite so I might be a little biased when I say I loved it. Then again my aunty couldn't eat anymore so she gave me hers. So I had two of these dishes! How much did I like this place? Well, I actually was full when I was done with this meal. A very big plus for me at a fine dining restaurant. I know there are elitist that wouldn't care but I seriously don't like it when i feel like I have to go to McD after a fine dining experience. Everything was excellent here and the service was also top notch. They were helpful in getting a cab for my Uncle and I to get back to our hotel. Overall a great experience and I highly recommend this place.

    (5)
  • Sheila K.

    Shout out to JaKim for this meal. My friends got married in Maui and we had their rehearsal dinner here. I got the Macadamia nut crusted Ono with spicy garlic broccoli, and a roasted mushroom sake reduction. It was just okay. I wasn't super impressed by the Ono. Perhaps, I should have ordered another kinds of fish. I just really like things that are macadamia nut crusted. Also had the Merriman's Pupu Taster. It included these: Keahole Lobster, Avocado and Tomato Salad - yummy Eden Farms Kurobuta Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla -mucho yummy! Warm Crusted Surfing Goat Cheese, Kula Strawberries and Maui Onions -okay Fresh Island Ahi Sashimi - good Good to share. For dessert we had the White Chocolate Filled Malasadas with Maui Oma Coffee Caramel Dipping Sauce. It was nothing special. Great view and ambiance, which is what you are paying for here.

    (3)
  • Brett B.

    Everything from the spectacular sunset from Mother Nature to the impeccable service to the incredibly creative and delicious food Merriman's is 5+stars. We went here for our 21st wedding anniversary dinner and it couldn't have been better. We will be back the next time we visit Maui.

    (5)
  • Michelle L.

    This is hands down the best place in the napili bay/Kapalua area. The deck outside on the point watching the sunset with excellent cocktails is the best. And the food for dinner is really great too. I highly recommend coming here if you're in the area. Go for sunset and stay for dinner. And they make their own ginger brew which is so delicious and they make a cocktail out of it with vodka that is out of this world. Enjoy!

    (5)
  • Lee M.

    Came for a company dinner function. Wow!! Great service and absolutely delicious. Had family style apps of ahi poke on crispy taro chips, pulled pork quesadillas with kimchi, and fried mushroom balls. All were absolutely fabulous! Main choices were mahi mahi or steak. Fish cooked perfectly and steak was good although the taro tots that came with the steak are an acquired taste I think. Molten chocolate cake with vanilla bean icecream was a lava flow of warm chocolate decadence. Give me more!! Service very attentive with regular refills of water and wine throughout the meal. Would definitely come backs!

    (5)
  • Amber W.

    This might have been the best seafood my husband and I have had. We decided to go big on our last night in Maui and this restaurant blew us away. The service and view was amazing. Our glasses were never more than half empty before someone was there to refill it. I got the lobster and my husband got the scallops. Both were sublime. We will definitely be coming here again.

    (5)
  • Mo O.

    loved it! merriman's has the most beautiful sunset views in maui! awesome wine list and great food. enjoyed the food and entire experience at merriman's and have sent many friends there while they were visiting maui!

    (5)
  • Roy C.

    If you are looking for a view and atmosphere, this is THE place. A perfect place to have drinks on the deck to watch the sunset. The food here was just okay. Two things that really sort of ruined it for me were the WAY over seasoning of just about everything and the fact that much of the food is soaked in butter. We started with the sliders and you could still crunch into the sea salt that was put on top. When ordering the entree's I should have asked for less salt, but have never done that and didn't know if it was even possible. Both my wife and I found the food to be way over seasoned. The wine list though impressive is not very friendly. It is definitely geared exclusively towards someone looking to drop a bundle on a bottle. We had heard that Hawaii doesn't allow corkage fees, which would have been a nice option at a place like this. I couldn't find a decent bottle under $100. As a matter of fact there were not very many bad bottles under $100. They should also let the waiters lose their ties here. This is an outdoor restaurant and it is hot. Half of the guys wearing ties had them loosened, which ruins the clean look. They should just figure out a more functional uniform that doesn't require a tie.

    (3)
  • john f.

    With a recommendation to have dinner here we gave it a try, the view is great and that's it. The service was slow to get a cocktail. Never came and we had reservations for 8:15 pm. Service was slow, the waiter took his sweet time to greet us and get the ball rolling. We started off with sample plate, it was ok, nothing to write home about. Next came the entree which was the Fresh Fish. It was not presentable, it was over cooked shrimp, grilled to death and blackened unrecognizable, the fish was not tasty. My experience was not good and for $135.00 it was not good, check this one off, I would go only to see the view and that's it. Start all over and serve decent good food, I have eaten at a lot of great restaurants around the world and this one sucks!j

    (5)
  • Steven B.

    Sea scallops, truffle fries and malasadas. This place is very amazing, like other reviewer's have stated the view from the restaurant is beautiful to say the least... Even when it's dark, listening to the ocean and the little spots of lights of boats passing by. We had the Sea Scallops, Truffle Fries, and Malasadas; for drinks we both had two, I had two Mai Thais (very strong, and flavorful) and my wife had a Bourbon / Diet Pepsi, and a Cognac, Big Island & Tamarind. Everything was good, the drinks and food was steep... but it was some of the better food we'd had on the island. Our sea scallops were seared to perfection, combined with the creamed corn, asparagus and spicy chilly sauce the plate was amazing. Our truffle fries did not disappoint either, they were seasoned very well and good. The malasadas, how on earth did I never know that these existed? They're basically cake doughnut holes with white chocolate in the middle, and a coffee caramel dipping sauce. Our service was splendid and they were attentive to our needs. The wait was sort of long, so you should get reservations beforehand. I would definitely go back.

    (5)
  • Rachel N.

    Came here with very high expectations, it was recommended by a friend and they said you HAVE TO COME HERE IT IS THE BEST!!! We were staying at the Ritz and the have a shuttle that takes you here and that was very convenient. We ordered fish and chips and a pasta thing for appetizers. The fish and chips were over cooked but good. The pasta was good. For enterees we ordered the Fillet mignon, catch of the day, rack of lamb, Ono, macadamian nut rice, and the cream corn. Fillet was nothing special, not bad but not amazing. All fish dishes were over cooked. Rack of lamb was good. Dessert we had the chocolate purse and the pineapple upside down cake. I am a huge dessert person and was really looking forward to eating this. Chocolate purse was good, it was different, but the pineapple cake was dry. I will not becoming back here it.

    (3)
  • Eric G.

    - Botox, Boob jobs, and Kenny G. - You get a lot of those three things here. Food is acceptable, but really you're paying for the view. Keep that in mind when making your reservation. They really pack a lot of people in here and there are some dead zones

    (2)
  • Scott A.

    My Wife , daughter and I went to Merriman's for dinner. Started the evening out at the Patio to have some Appetizers see the Sunset and make some awesome memories! Loved it! Afterwards we fulfilled our reservations and sat in the Dining area and had dinner. Our daughter had secretly spoke to our waiter and informed him of the occasion, Mom's birthday and Mom and Dads Anniversary. Also told him that she would be picking up the Tab. I ordered a bottle of White Wine to compliment our meal. Our waiter dropped the Ball!! He rarely visited our table, he offered no Wine Bucket, he failed to pour our wine or attend to our table. Naturally, he charged dad for the Tab and totally insulted our daughters attempts! He never made our evening feel special! Our daughter went out of her way to have this guy hook us up and at the very least bring out a desert to celebrate the occasion, he dropped the ball and did nothing! On my way out I personally talked with the Mgr who was very understanding and apologetic and said, this is NOT what were about here and comped me $50 for a future visit. My advice, visit Merriman's for the ambiance and the Sunsets. Save your $400 dinner tab for a place that's going to treat you special and lastly if you do go there stay away from our waiter!

    (2)
  • Kassie T.

    Best food, best atmosphere, live music, diverse wine list, but pricey. The chefs special wagyu beef was the best thing I've ever eaten in my life. My favorite dining on the island

    (5)
  • Kishori D.

    Great views at sunset from the water front patio, food is just fine - have tasted better in this price range. Music was good though. The eclectic Mama's fish house has better food, service, drinks and is a better package. Tip - go enjoy beautiful sunset and happy hours from 3-5pm. Only drinks & appetizers are served in the open patio though.

    (3)
  • Nancy C.

    All I can say is awesome food! Beautiful view! Yummy drinks! We had the steak and lobster and it was delicious! Their service is great too.

    (4)
  • Ying F.

    OMFG! Oh yes! It's that good that it deserved an extra letter! This is a very beautiful and romantic restaurant. The view of the ocean is really breath taking and the service and ambiance was impeccable. What I ordered for dinner and recommend: - Salad: Poke Cut Ahi and Avocado Salad ( Butter lettuce, fresh sweet mango, Sweet Beets, tomato and soy ginger vinaigrette dressing) Divine!! -Course: Crispy Day Boat Mahi Mahi Ponzu (Sesame grilled shiitake mushrooms, hana hearts of palm and citrus Ponzu) If you go to Hawaii you have to have fish. Fresh and juicy white fish. I ate the entire plate! Dessert: Uh yes please! Maui Gold Pineapple Upside down Cake(Banana break with macadamia nuts, caramelized pineapple and haupia ice cream) YUM!!! This is a must! I think this the best dessert I had there. Warm cake with coconut ice cream! Can't beat that! I also ordered the Crunchy Waialua Molten Chocolate Purse - came with Caramel and Vanilla bean ice cream. It was OK. IT was a unique way to make a molten cake. If you're craving chocolate, this would be great to order. In Hawaii, I'm craving more fruit than chocolate. So that Pineapple cake really did it for me! Great place for happy hour and whale watching! Definitely will miss this view.

    (5)
  • Adrian B.

    Wow, this is a fantastic place. The outdoor setting is perfectly balanced by the elegant atmosphere, the service is wonderful, and the ahi tuna is fresh and complemented with amazing and light flavors with the duo starter. The pan seared ribeye was incredible, garnished with a wonderful tomato chimichurri. We'll definitely come back.

    (5)
  • Jay S.

    Sometimes a great meal is about the food, sometimes, the company, and others the ambiance. Occasionally they all culminate together for an amazing meal. This was the case last week :) As for the food...pasta with goat cheese, truffle oil, and asparagus....amazing, really delectable. Prawn appetizer was perfectly seasoned, hint of spice over a really well prepared polenta. Entree was a a duo of lamb (perfectly cooked and seasoned) and an absolutely delicious mac nut crusted mahl with an off the hook beure blanc. Seriously this meal was near perfection. I'm a guy that likes to put salt on nearly everything. Didn't use a drop of salt. Seriously, truly an amazing meal, Service was great, food was perfect. Truly a meal to remember...can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Brett L.

    On our last night on Maui, which also happened to be our anniversary we went to Merriman's for a nice "fancy" dinner. It didn't disappoint. I made reservations the night before and we had a great table over looking Kapalua Bay. The service was great, the waiter was attentive and knowledgable, and the food was AMAZING. My wife had the half order of lobster and I had the rib eye. Everything was fantastic, without a doubt the best meal i ate in Hawaii. My wife and I hope to go back soon.

    (5)
  • Louis R.

    Very good service. Very good food. Fantastic views! Be sure to make your dinner reservation so that it coincides with the sunset.

    (4)
  • Mattthe M.

    Have to get there for sunset. Once the sun goes down, not much atmosphere. Bar and afterthought. Food very good. Pricey but service has been spot on.

    (4)
  • Michaela L.

    We had pretty high expectations for this place but there were unfortunately a couple of misfires. Pluses: I love the ability to do a duo of any two entrees that catch your eye (anything on the menu except the chicken and the ribeye). You get all the sides that come with each entree if you do this, and you better believe I wanted some of the creamed corn. Price for a duo is $49. We also started with an appetizer special of shrimp with cucumber, radish, watercress, and asparagus, with a ponzu/lime vinaigrette, and the shrimp were good but the asparagus in that were amazing. Misfire: I got a duo of steak and mahimahi, and the steak was painfully oversalted, like pretty much inedibly oversalted. Perhaps the chef hit the smaller piece of meat with the amount of salt that should've gone on a larger one! They offered to make me another one but I was getting full so I declined, and they ended up comping us a dessert instead. Mahimahi was good but not $49 amazing. I should've realized that the ponzu sauce on the fish was going to be very similar to the ponzu shrimp. Boyfriend ordered the lamb and said it was good but not as good as the Lahaina Grill lamb we had on Monday. He also ordered an opakapaka special, at which point we realized we've both had enough fish for awhile. It was better than my mahimahi but we're pretty much fished out. Dessert: My boyfriend liked the chocolate purse but the dusty phyllo texture around a pocket of raw chocolate goo just didn't strike me right. Anyway, some good points, some inconsistencies. YMMV, but we had better food at the Lahaina Grill. BTW, your GPS will not find this place -- go to their website and make note of their instructions instead.

    (3)
  • Christine P.

    5 stars for the setting, 4 stars for the food. It's hard to imagine a more beautiful location for your dining experience. This was our second time here on date night while in Maui. Doesn't get more romantic than Merriman's at sunset. Keep that in mind when you get the bill LOL. You are paying for the view. That said, the food is good. Not mind blowing, but there are definitely standouts on the menu. For one, the Kalua Pork and sweet onion quesadilla with kimchee. The perfect combination of sweet, savory and spicy all in one. They also brought out some locally grown veggies with hummus as an appetizer. We've never had such delicious cherry tomatoes in our lives! So sweet. A delicious burst of flavor with every bite sized tomato! My husband doesn't even like tomatoes and he asked our server for more. My husband got the Merriman's Mixed Plate, which is great if you can't decide. You get the Cripsy Mahi Mahi Ponzu, Filet with caramelized onions and roasted mushrooms, and wok-seared Ahi. I got the special, which was a sweet potato crusted fish, though I can't recall what kind. All the entrees were tasty. We finished with the chocolate purse. I love chocolate so no complaints. Enjoy the sunset, and after dinner, walk off your meal on the secluded beach and enjoy watching the stars come out.

    (4)
  • Irene M.

    The food was excellent and the decor was beautiful. Unfortunately the service was really slow. We had to wait too long for everything we ordered. Hopefully the server we had was just having a bad day.

    (3)
  • Jennifer Q.

    Wow! We just had an amazing dinner at Merriman's. Inventive dishes wonderfully executed. Pineapple banana upside down cake w coconut ice cream and caramelized macadamia nuts was outrageous! French pressed local coffee. Great service.

    (5)
  • Molly F.

    We went to Merriman's last night for dinner. We were celebrating our anniversary and had a babysitter for the little one. Overall, our experience was great. However, the hostess was rude, unfriendly, and we considered leaving because of it. I'm very glad we stayed, but it was definitely not a good first impression. My husband and I had our resort make the reservation for us and we requested an ocean view for the sunset. When we arrived, we were barely greeted by the two hostesses, and one answered the phone as she was speaking to us. When we were taken to our table, we were seated in one of the worst tables in the restaurant - with the doors blocking our view to the ocean and the sunset. I asked that we be moved to a different table (as most of the restaurant was empty, including the tables for two people to the right and left of us, not blocked by the doors). The rude, inappropriately dressed hostess (Margo) told us that the other tables were for larger parties. I told her we were there for the sunset but she walked off. She did not offer to move us to any other table. When the waitress came over to us, we asked to move to a different table and ultimately we were switched to one of the tables next to us. It was very disappointing and not the way we wanted to start off our anniversary dinner. After that incident, everything was terrific. Our servers were Manu & JD. Manu was fantastic and really turned our experience around. He recommended a great wine (less than $100) and it paired really well with our food. We had a shrimp and polenta appetizer, which was amazing. My husband had the mixed grill (ahi, mahi mahi, and a ribeye) and I had a combo plate (mahi mahi and scallops). The veggies were delicious and the fish was unbelievably good. I really liked that they had the option to do a combo of 2 entrees for $48. My husband does not generally like seafood and he LOVED his food. For dessert I had a chocolate purse and ice cream and my husband had a strawberry mousse, which were both delicious. Overall, this was a great restaurant. I would give it 5 stars, but the experience with the hostess knocked it down a star. I saw that others have had a similar experience, which is unfortunate.

    (4)
  • Jordan L.

    Ate dinner here as a party of five. View is absolutely incredible at sunset. Great wine list - i was very surprised at selection of California wines from excellent small wineries that you rarely can find on a retail level. Lots of fun cocktails. Very diverse selection of starters and main courses. Food was prepared very well. We all had various fish dishes for our main courses. The food at Mama's Fish House out by Pai'a may be little better, but the atmosphere at Merriman's is exceptional. Go here for any special occasion you are celebrating.

    (5)
  • Mark R.

    We had a great time at Merriman's and can recommend it without reservation. We are from the SF Bay Area and eat out a lot so that is our baseline We ate out five times on Maui (Ritz and Sansai) and three of them were are Merriman's. The view is superb. The food was uniformly excellent and they have a great wine list (better than the Ritz!). We had very good service. It is certainly on the pricey end of the spectrum, but within the context of Maui it is quite reasonable. We preferred it to the Banyan Tree and Sansai. If you can get Luke as your server, you will be particularly fortunate. We strongly recommend dining as sunset when it shows the best.

    (5)
  • Dan S.

    Our best meal in a week on Maui. Delicious food for each course. Fresh, often local ingredients. Great service and beautiful ambiance.

    (5)
  • JJ M.

    Merriman's is in a beautiful spot, no doubt about it. Overlooking the turquoise ocean to Molokai during sunset makes this one of the prettiest spots on Maui. Food is fresh and flavorful. BUT, service is only so-so. It's hard to find really good, professional servers on the islands. Let's face it, they are very remote geographically and the staff are mostly college types trying to earn enough to move onto their next adventure. We had to ask for more bread, the water glasses went empty and we had to pour our own wine when we needed it. Empty plates sat forever. At this level of price, we expected at least good service...

    (3)
  • T S.

    We had an excellent dinner here. All of the dishes we tried were excellent-great sauces and fresh ingredients! The only down side was the service. We were introduced to 3 of the wait staff. They didn't communicate with each other so there was a lot of assuming going on (one assuming our drink order was taken, then drinks are put up on the bar and sit there for 10 mins). Also, 1/2 full martinis were a disappointment! Beautiful view! I booked through Open Table-no problem with the reservation!

    (5)
  • Gary D.

    Great food, even better setting. Get there before sunset and enjoy a spectacular experience.

    (5)
  • Robert L.

    big disappointment. Very overpriced for what you get. I thought after going to the big island restaurant this would be good but it was terrible

    (1)
  • Jeff K.

    I made my reservation on Open Table. I mentioned it was my girlfriend's birthday in the comments section. The two young hostesses asked us "whose birthday is it" when we checked in, Believe me, there is no confusion as to who is female and who is male in our relationship. After that awkward moment, we were shown to a table near a wall that stored the wine buckets. We were enjoying the great views thru the many tables (we were seated as far as you can get - there were other empty tables) and reviewing the menu for a good 20 minutes before anyone approached us to ask for our drink order. We ordered a bottle of wine, and waited another 10 minutes before the sommelier came to our table and said, "you look like you need to talk to someone". My girlfriend replied, 'We need our wine that we ordered a while ago", He said he'd take care of it and returned promptly with our bottle of Neal Vinyard Cabernet (500 ml bottle of great wine). After another 10 minutes, our waiter came back and asked if we were ready to order. Once again, my girlfriend spoke up and asked "are there any specials?", we were after all interested in fresh fish. He stumbled around and told us about a couple appetizers. He then reached into his pocket and fumbled with some papers while muttering about yet another special. We told him not to worry about it. He seemed nervous, so we let it go. We decided to share the appetizer sampler as well as the entree sampler with the addition of asparagus and wild rice. The food and presentation were great, but the size of the servings was disappointing. Better values with fine dining can be found at many local restaurants throughout the island. Overall, we rate this a 2 star experience.

    (2)
  • Kenny L.

    Wow, absolutely blown away! I guess we caught a great night, because the service by our waiter was excellent as some other yelpers have complained. Amazing view we had and the ambience was very nice. Most importantly the food was excellent! My wife and I love variety and the fact that you could pick two or three entrees was genius. I had the filet, ahi, and mahi trio while my wife had the opaka and scallops duo. Every bite was amazing and unique, including the sides like the creamed corn, green beans, bacon, etc. We've been to many of Maui's best and both agreed merrimans tops it all!

    (5)
  • Linda R.

    OK, someone needs to go talk to Mr. Merriman. We've been to the Merriman's on the Big Island and had a truly special meal. Maui, not so much. Our server was very nice, but mostly absent, and spent a great deal of time talking to the other servers. This seems to be a common theme in the reviews. And we were seated next to a big party, with expensive taste in wine - they were noisy, snobby and completely absorbed the server and the sommelier. The restaurant was very noisy, to the point where it was almost impossible to talk to the person next to you. The food was up and down - my fish special was really good, the mixed plate was mixed. And the view is truly incredible, but I can get that view from the beach for a lot less. AAHHH!

    (2)
  • Michael B.

    We just left the restaurant very disappointed . The lamb was mediocre and my fish was not fresh. I would never go back. Do not waist your money. Very expensive.

    (1)
  • Mike B.

    Merriman's offers refined and responsible dining at one of the most scenic locations that you can imagine. The location: Merriman's is on a bluff above Kapalua Bay Beach with a head on view of Molokai. The food: We had appetizers with drinks at the hotel before coming over to Merrimans so we went straight to the entrees. My dad and I both had the filet. Perfectly cooked with a smoky flavor. It came with whipped potatoes, creamed corn and green beans. I would normally need a gun to my head to eat green beans, but these were very well done. Responsible food: Merriman's gets their produce from a farm up the hill from the Kapalua resort. The goal is to get the food to the table in 5 hours. The only drawback was the waiter oversold the food, just a personal peeve of mine. Overall though, the service was very good. One tip: if you're staying in the Kapalua resort, you can take the resort shuttle to and from Merriman's.

    (5)
  • Emeline C.

    Food, views....amazing. Service.... not so much. This place is not cheap so one would expect the best service. Unfortunately the disappointment began (and continued) with the greeting hostess.... Sadly, not a place I will be returning to

    (1)
  • I Love Good Foo D.

    We had very high expectations after reading numerous reviews and recommendations. We arrived 15 minutes early for our reservation. As soon as we stepped into the "upscale" restaurant , we felt as if we were stepping into a fish market - it was noisy as hell. We couldn't even hear the music or the singing above all that noise. Ladies, make sure you dress up even if the person taking your reservation tells you its ok to dress down in your flip flops, because all the ladies are way dressed up. We were given a choice to sit outside or inside and we chose inside since it was windy and rainy that day. As we were directed to take a seat, I noticed that there was water on my chair which I tried to wipe off- the lady seating us told its just cos of the leather and there was no water,anyhow I wiped off the water and sat down. So far, not so great. Next the server arrived and explained the menu in detail and also gave us suggestions for appetizer - dungeon crab cakes- which we ordered. They were good, but I have had better- it could use some more flavoring. Next the server suggested the fish of the day and steak of the day. Since I wanted to have scallops, I ordered that and my husband ordered the steak. Scallops were perfectly cooked- most succulent I have ever had, but make sure you order lesser portion sizes so that you don't get bored by the time you have the third scallop. The steak was okay(could use a little more flavor), but my husband loved it. We were full by the time were done. The best part of our whole experience was the amazing service - the table was not cluttered with cutlery, they changed it as we went through the various courses of our dinner, the server was so polite and attentive- he even laid down the napkin for me. He also packed us the dessert so that we could take home and have. We ordered the lilikoi mousse with banana - the best dessert I have ever tasted my whole life. Overall a little too pricey for the food , ambience and noise level.

    (3)
  • Riaz H.

    Merriman's food was horrible!!! I vote for Mama's Fish House!!!

    (1)
  • CW R.

    Went there to celebrate the hubby's big birthday with friends and it was spectacular. Food was amazing. JJ the waiter was the BEST! Cant say enough about this place and went back there on our last night to sit outside and watch the sunset. There was one waitress on the deck (not Renee) that had a little bit of an "attitude" but we didn't let it ruin our evening. we moved inside at dark and had yet again a spectacular dinner. I highly recommend this place! Cant wait to return!

    (5)
  • Mark D.

    This restaurant features the best sunset on the island of Maui! We were in Maui for our honeymoon, and being the first time to Hawaii for both my wife and I, we relied heavily on the recommendations of friends and family. Every restaurant suggested we tried (and even added some gems found through yelp as well) and each place was delicious, but in addition to having the great flavors, and in addition to having the great service, Merriman's had the most romantic feel. Our waiter was energetic, had great drink and meal suggestions, and started our experience off right. He helped us at every point, our drinks, our appetizers, our main dishes, and our desserts. Another great feature for us was that we were staying at the beautiful place next door (Napili Kai), so we were able to let loose, enjoy our drinks, and just walk back to our room along the beach!

    (5)
  • Heather F.

    Such a great dining experience! If you are able to dine at sunset, the view is unbelievable! There was also a great band covering lots of popular songs playing softly in the backgroud, which really enhanced the perfection of it all. The food was absolutely spectacular, so fresh and thoughtfully prepared. We had amazing appetizer, my favorite being the special spotted prawns. For my entree i had the scallops and they were perfectly cooked atop this delicious corn puree. For the dessert we tried the pineapple upside cake, coconut creme brulee and the chocolate purse. The chocolate purse was unlike anything i had tried before, so rich and the quality of the chocolate was amazing. Other than Mama's Fish House, this is my favorite restaurant in Maui.

    (5)
  • Matthew A.

    Yea it was OK. They gave us a crappy table. Food was acceptable. Great view if you're able to score a decent table to appreciate it. I'll give it three stars but could have been two versus four. Nothing special about the evening. Will we go back? Maybe. There's a lot of good restaurants in Maui these days to choose from.

    (3)
  • Emily N.

    1 star is generous. The atmosphere is beautiful: open air restaurant with a beautiful setting. The service is horrible. I have been here a few times for happy hour 3-5 and dinner. The issues never change. I'm surprised the place is still open based on the service. The bar area is packed yet the bartender can't figure out which end is up. Never once did he come to take out order. (When's the last time you sat a bar just to sit?) As much as I love this place i would suggest not coming for drinks only. The table service is much better, however still slow on service. Bottom Line: Bring your patience and your camera. The views are stunning

    (1)
  • stephanie c.

    I'm giving five stars for the happy hour mai tais ($6 and the best we'd had on Maui) and the gorgeous sunset views and views of Molokai.

    (5)
  • Patrick H.

    My favorite restaurant in Maui by far. Make sure to book a reservation early enough to watch the sunset. We witnessed an awe-inspiring sunset while enjoying an amazing meal as hump back whales were breaching one after another. The service we received was world-class and our server was highly knowledgeable which made for some great wine pairings. This was an unforgettable dining experience and I can't wait to return.

    (5)
  • Kathleen B.

    Very disappointing. The view is excellent, food is good (but not spectacular) and the service is truly terrible. I was here for a special occasion (and informed the hostess of that at the time of the reservation as well as when we arrived) and wish we'd gone elsewhere. When we arrived we were told that we may want to order our own drinks at the bar to take outside instead of trying to get service from the waitstaff in the cocktail area outside as the staff was already busy. I purchased a bottle of champagne at the bar to bring outside with us thinking that would provide enough time to get a waitress to bring us a round of drinks. Our waitress outside took over 40 minutes to bring drinks and when I asked her if it would be possible to expedite our drinks, i was provided with a short lecture on how it takes time to get drinks from the bar... Our waitress was both slow and rude - not a winning combination. When I spoke with the manager, she assured me she would take care of our party but our service for the rest of the evening was average at best. There are many other locations on the island that provide breathtaking views - my advice is to pick one of those!

    (1)
  • Linda C.

    Had the scallops and they were cooked to perfection! This is high praise since I'm know to return food to the kitchen when fish and seafood is over cooked. The fish and chips and the kaula quesadilla was awesome. Kids meal wasn't over priced either. Can't wait to return.

    (5)
  • Cav M.

    TOO LOUD. The food was really quite delicious, but the ambiance was destroyed by the LOUD music competing with everyone shouting at each other to overcome the LOUD music. We arrived just as the sun had set, so we didn't have the view to awe us. Our server was nice, and was attentive and efficient. Two-thirds of the way through dinner, my husband asked him how he deals with the noise. The server agreed with us that it was extremely LOUD and that the musicians have a decibel monitor on their speakers which maintains that their music is always 2 decibels above what the noise level in the room is. Plus, if some of the sliding glass panels are shut on the sides of the restaurant (as they were tonight, due to gusty trade winds), that just adds to the cacaphonious din! It comes down to this: People talking + live music = people talking LOUDER to be heard over the music Decibel monitor cranks up to top the people's talking LOUDER. LOUDER music continues getting LOUDER to top the LOUDER people. And the cycle continues. This place really puts the "din" in "dinner". The poor server said, many times, he goes home with ear aches due to extended periods of all that noise. The energy in this restaurant is nothing short of frenetic! Although the server and water guy were super efficient, I would have preferred to not be reached across twenty times during the course if the evening. Maybe it's because they are used to having the sides of the restaurant open, and perhaps they usually reach around, but it is a bit of a pet peeve of mine to have arms constantly reaching across in my face. Again, the food was fabulous... great quality ingredients and delicious pairings. We had the Mac-nut encrusted Monchong and the filet mignon and a side of creamed corn, after the Merriman's garden salad. If you are looking for a romantic spot to pop the question, however, this ain't it! It's really a bummer to have such great food, a great location and attentive service ruined by the noise. You should leave a restaurant thinking about the great food, not about how before you finished your fine meal, you got a headache from the noise. How about we turn off the decibel meter and leave the music at a low level? Then if anyone wants to hear it, they will all get quieter to enjoy it. And PS... did I mention it was LOUD?

    (3)
  • Beagle P.

    Had a great experience, the food was tasty and well prepared but modest in portion size. Sunset views. We had great service staff and they were working a full house! Very enjoyable, we'll be back. Make a reservation, they get busy!

    (5)
  • Haleigh B.

    This place was delicious! Came here to celebrate getting engaged on the beach just down the way. Great atmosphere, such a beautiful restaurant. Open walls so you can see the beach and ocean, it's amazing. Ordered the peppercorn steak and it was so awesome. Came with a chimichurri to die for, roasted tomatoes, chili peppered green beans, and a tarot tot. Best steak ever! We ordered a side of the asparagus and bacon which was great and some delicious lava flows and kula mojitos! For dessert we got the molten chocolate purse and vanilla bean ice cream, I was in love. The service was a little slack but super friendly so it was all good. Would definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Ms K.

    This is the one of the best restaurants in Maui, if not THE best IMHO. FOOD: We wanted to try as many different plates as possible, so we opted to order 2 appetizers (pupus), a salad, the mixed plate entree and a dessert to share. 1. Housemade Cavatelli Pasta ($17): if I had to compose my last meal on earth, this pasta would definitely be the 1st course. It's decadent but still light enough. 2. Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Sashimi ($17): probably the freshest tuna I've ever had, served with a variety of pickled vegetable accompaniments. This is a pretty straightforward dish. The quality of the tuna is the star here. 3. Keahole Lobster, Avocado, Tomato Salad ($24): 3 slices of the most flavorful tomatoes topped with chunks of sweet Keahole lobster, arugula, shaved fennel and sweet Maui onions, lightly dressed in a lime-garlic chili vinaigrette. This is the perfect representation of what the best fresh ingredients can do for a simple dish. 4. Merriman's "Mix" Plate ($48): surf & turf that includes a sampling of the Crispy "Day Boat" Mahi Mahi Ponzu, Filet Mignon, and Wok Charred Ahi. This is a good option for those who want to try everything or just can't make up their mind. 5. White Chocolate Filled Malasadas ($12): a more gourmet take on the standard malasada. The dough is yeasty, soft and chewy at the same time. The white chocolate is gooey in the center. The slight bitterness in the coffee caramel dipping sauce gives a nice contrast to the sweetness. To make this dessert more multi-dimensional, they should offer an additional dipping sauce that has a little tartness to it like lilikoi, for example. SERVICE: If I had to knit pick something, it would be the hostess. Not as friendly and welcoming, considering theirs is the first face you see walking into the restaurant. The server and the busboy were delightful though. Even the valet guy was cool. VALUE: Expensive but worth it. Most of the ingredients are sourced locally, so they're not only fresh but sustainable, as well. TIP: If you do it "pupu" style like we did and share all the plates, it's not as hard on the wallet. LOCATION: WOW, WOW,WOW. Unbeatable view. Especially nice if you can catch the sunset. PARKING: Free valet. Just remember to tip. RESERVATION: Recommended. Available on OpenTable. Bon appetit!

    (5)
  • N. R. Y.

    We dined at Merriman's during our trip to Maui last December. It was one of the best meals we had ever had with some yummy cocktails! My husband had the filet mignon which was cooked perfectly and I had the Mahi Mahi which tasted very fresh. Make sure to request a table on the patio as the views are breathtaking especially during sunset. Reservations are highly recommended!

    (5)
  • Michelle L.

    The view is nice but food is just ok. The sampler taster was pretty good but the entrees are somewhat disappointing.

    (3)
  • Eliz S.

    Best views and happy hour with a touch of class. I think this is the most delicious place to dine and greatest views on the island!

    (4)
  • Russell C.

    If you read other reviews about how great this place is, its because its pretty darn good. But, don't let those reviews give you a false belief that the great food here is the cure all for everything wrong in the world, because people have different tastes and not everybody will be completely satisfied and this goes for any place you dine at. I've literally tried everything on this menu, and there are very little weaknesses in it. Ascetically one of the most beautiful settings for a restaurant you'll find anywhere. Very strong appetizer menu, everything on there is very tasty, it has the freshest and juiciest mahi fish and chips you'll find and with the eggplant gives it a new and delicious twist. The Kalua pig Quesadilla goes beautifully with the homemade kim chee as well and the mango chili dipping sauce. Ribeye and Filet are done well and very tasty, but you aren't here in hawaii to eat meat, especially ya'll from Texas who will never like beef from anywhere but from home, so stick to the seafood. On the seafood side of the menu, being a local hawaii boy, my favorite fish to eat is Monchong, if someone has it on the menu, I will order it. I see that recently they changed from Ono to Monchong in the Mac nut crusted preparation, so I order it. And i could not believe it when my taste buds went crazy, that this may be the greatest preparation of my favorite fish i've ever had! (Happy Russell) Also, it doesn't get much better with the locally grown keahole lobster. Juicy with a rich buttery flavor, comes with all the best (brains and such) parts. Dessert here, for me, isn't their strength. I've had the Chocolate purse, its good, but now wow good. Upside down cake isnt bad, but doesn't come close to the Upside down cake served at the Restaurant across the street (Pineapple Grill) So if there are any Cons of this restaurant, this would be it. But seriously how many people eat dessert here once you fill up on their fantastic menu.

    (5)
  • Virginia H.

    Service was underwhelming for such a reputable and expensive restaurant. Our waitress was nice but we had to flag her down several times. She never came to check back on us. She was chatting with another table she seemed forget she had other patrons. Will not go back!

    (1)
  • Betsy C.

    Love this place! Never had a bad meal, appetizer or dessert here. Their service is outstanding! It's upscale, but very comfortable. I hate dressing up, but will make a little effort for this place, and I have never had a bad table. This last visit I had their pork belly in mushroom sauce appetizer, that I can still taste, it was so incredibly good. It's one of my favorite places to have a nice dinner at.

    (5)
  • sarah R.

    Great food, great service, great music, great location. Pricy but it's one of the nicer places in the area.

    (4)
  • David O.

    We just had a repeat dinner here tonight and I've got to bump Merriman's up to 4 stars. They're hella pricey, so I can't quite grant them 5 stars, but the service tonight was impeccable, as was the food. We showed up promptly at 5:25 PM for a 5:30 reservation since we had our kid in tow. He was actually pretty good throughout the meal, but it's always challenging to bring your toddler to a romantic dinner. Not only do you not want him to ruin your meal, you most certainly don't want him to ruin other people's meal. Thankfully, our child did neither tonight and was relatively subdued, probably due to the fact that he didn't get to take a nap on a fun-filled day. We skipped appetizers and went straight to the main course. I had a duo of wok seared Ahi and Colorado Lamb. That was just amazing and while I couldn't finish my plate, the food was truly remarkable. My wife ordered a duo of fish though I couldn't tell you exactly what fish she ate. She loved it, that's all I can tell you. We shared some Truffle Parmesan Fries and Beets as side orders. The Sommelier suggested we get a Hirsch Pinot Noir and we went with his recommendation. The wine was fabulous. All in all, a great dining experience and I'm very glad we went back to Merriman's!

    (4)
  • Lo L.

    We went here for brunch and really enjoyed ourselves. They get super busy so be sure to make a reservation. The food was fantastic! And the views are stunning! The service is great! It's worth going to! The bay to the restaurants right is amazing for snorkeling as well.

    (5)
  • Jamie E.

    It is upsetting to give Merriman's one star but the service we experienced was truly subpar. I came here with my husband with a Wanderable gift certificate. I emailed the assistant general manager several weeks before to make a reservation and to inform her of our gift certificate. She confirmed that the gift certificate was good to go and confirmed my reservation. While the food was great, the service was really lacking. At the end of the evening a different manager came over to tell me that my gift certificate wasn't accepted. I told him that I had confirmed with Danielle and showed him her email and the gift certificate. We then say around for 30 minutes with no response from him. Finally, 40 minutes later the waiter came by and said that we were good to go. He thought that the manager had come by to tell us this, but he had not communicated with is except to say that he didn't accept the gift certificate. To note- Our waiter was very friendly. He was totally overbooked though, so we saw very little of him. None if this review should be a reflection on him because he was a perfectly friendly guy. A woman walks around selling leis in the restaurant. I think this is very tacky for such an expensive restaurant. We started the evening with happy hour on the deck. That is a must do! Our waitress was very friendly and helpful during happy hour. I would have brushed this all under the rug with a simple apology from the manager. I would love to come back to Merriman's, but I don't think that will happen due to the negative experience. Mama's Fish House was a far better experience as a customer. I would say to skip Merriman's except for the happy hour and save your money for Mama's.

    (1)
  • Lisa L.

    Came after happy hour to avoid the crowds and sat outside on the point for a crazy amazing whale show and sunset. Our waitress was incredibly friendly server Cori was amazing. Great drink and food service from her. The server who brought the food was rude, didn't being utensils with the meal and seemed put out when we asked for some. When he brought the sliders I asked him to take our empty drink glass since the table outside as super small and he refused, said he would send someone over for that and never did. What is clearing a glass below the servers job description? We had the Pupu taster with poke and taro Chips, surfing goat cheese and kula strawberries and Maui onion salad, Kalua pork quesadilla and the local lobster and avocado salad. All were great. We finished with the prime rib and bacon blue. Cheese mini sliders with truffle fries. Total indulgence. Go for the view and good food. Try to not let some of the poor service spoil it for you

    (4)
  • Hal S.

    This has to be the best restaurant in Waimea. I ate there yesterday and was really surprised how nice the restaurant was. The physical space is very nicely arranged with the tables set far enough from each other that one feels privacy. The bank of windows over looking the garden gave the restaurant a nice garden like setting. The food was so delicious. Heidi, the server, could not have been more attentive or informative about the menu. And finally, I have always felt the bathroom of a restaurant is a true refleciton of the kitchen ---and their bathroom was immaculate.

    (5)
  • Scott W.

    This place is fantastic. Very romantic, And not at all staid. You can enjoy the restaurant itself or eat out by the fire pits. Both are amazing. Don't miss the Poopoo taster. And the mai tais are great. Brandi is A terrific server, if you eat by the fire pits.

    (5)
  • Taryn L.

    My husband and I love to visit Maui but we had never been to Merrimans before. We decided to check it out on our most recent trip and it was amazing! The service, food, and view are not to be missed. I would definitely suggest stopping here if you are in Maui.

    (5)
  • Ron G.

    Excellent food. By far the best dining views on the island. They have a spacious patio that is ocean front while enjoying happy hour. We always try to dine here at least twice while on vacation. The food,view and atmosphere are worth every dollar.

    (5)
  • Len S.

    Wow .What a setting. Food mostly good, but the place is OMG. Go for a drink if not for dinner. Just gorgeous.

    (4)
  • Regina S.

    We loved this place so much, we visited twice in one week. Great ambiance, nice entertainment, courteous staff, and lovely food too. It was also much more elegant and classy than many of the popular places on the island. It is also romantic too--which helps!

    (5)
  • C. B.

    Great drink selection and view is incredible. The place is like a zoo....so busy, but there is good reason got this. The live music is a spe old treat. Even the valet drivers provided quality and professional service.

    (5)
  • Holly G.

    I have been coming here for years and the place has been taken over by children.and loud obnoxious people. The bar was filled with people hooting and whistling at the entertainment, that was so loud we couldn't har each other talk. Half the restaurant was filled with kids and adults who were bare footed. Children were dancing all around the restaurant. Mind you this is supposed to be an elegant restaurant. The staff proclaimed they are not allowed to say anything to anyone. As we left, there was a whole group of very young children sitting on the floor blocking the door with a rude adult in charge, right in front of the staff. Half of them were barefooted. I have been to a Chucky Cheese that was more elegant. What a shame the wait staff is very good, the food was excellent but atmosphere was terrible...

    (1)
  • Laura B.

    Merriman's fell completely flat in both the service and food departments. The restaurant itself is beautiful. We had an 8:30 reservation so did not get to take advantage of the view, but you could tell it would be amazing at sunset. Our server was not very friendly and kind of snooty. The server for the table next to ours was much more approachable, helpful and funny! We wished we had gotten him. I thought the ahi and avocado salad appetizer was pretty good but my boyfriend thought it was bland. I ordered a duo plate with a petite filet and scallops. Both were pretty gross. The scallops didn't even look fully cooked! They were mushy and almost transluscent, I thought they were raw! I've eaten a lot of steaks in my life and this one may have been one of the worst, it tasted old and didn't even seem like usual filet quality. I'm pretty sure they just cut off a piece of a regular cut of steak. After we ate the ladies at the table next to us were also going to order the filet but their KIND server informed them that there was a beef shortage on the island and they were having a really hard time getting their usual beef! SERIOUSLY?! I felt so cheated that our server would fail to mention this! Both of the sides that came with the filet and scallops had some sort of creamed corn in them. Gross! It was like mashed potatoes with creamed corn for the filet and something else (greens maybe? I don't remember) with creamed corn for the scallops. How unoriginal. I don't want creamed corn flavored everything, especially not on a $50 plate. We tried to save the meal by ordering the chocolate purse that everyone raves about. The phyllo shell is pretty impressive, but the dessert is esentially just a ton of chocolate sauce. Needless to say we did not enjoy our meal here. I was hoping this would be the highlight of our dining experiences on our trip (it was the only higher end place we booked for dinner) and it was not at all. I would not come back.

    (2)
  • Timothy M.

    Great first class restaurant with an excellent view. Went last night Michael our waiter was outstanding he was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and the island. It was raining so we didn't get to fully utilize the deck but it looked awesome. Both of us did the duo entree option with the filet. Each of our filets was cooked to order my wife had the fish of the day as part two of her duo. It was wonderful, I had the big island lobster which was also excellent. Pricey sure but you know that going in.

    (5)
  • Darina H.

    I had an outstanding experience at Merriman's. My college girlfriend recommended that my family and I (including my in-laws) dine here for our rehearsal dinner. I heard great things about the food and the view at Merriman's. My father-in-law contacted their Event Coordinator, Danielle Kuck, to reserve the party of 15-16 people that we had. We got our reservations in and requested a table outside under a canopy. When we arrived, we did valet parking and were seated right away. The view outside was SPECTACULAR, almost mind blowing. The server (Chris, I believe) helped seat us and had two other assistants (twins, Lawrence and Luke?) to help with drinks. They paid wonderful attention to detail and made sure we were all very happy. We ordered appetizers and entrees. All very good. I had the amazing Caesar salad which was AMAZING! Chris recommended it instead of any of the other salads and I'm so glad he did. Let me tell you a little something about Peter's Original Caesar Salad. It had romaine lettuce, fried green tomato croutons and a whopping dash of AWESOMENESS! The best salad I've had in a long time. My mother-in-law had the Kula Tomato, Kapalua Beet and Papaya salad which was also very good! Tasted very healthy and fresh! For my main entrée, I had the pan roasted diver sea scallops (small portion). It had applewood smoked bacon, creamed local corn, anuhea asparagus and sweet pepper jam. I am very glad I got the small portion, not sure if I could have handled the full. Some of my family members ordered the half order of lobster, others ordered the filet mignon. I really and truly believe that anything you order from Merriman's will be a winner. I sure felt like one! I was very impressed with their wine list and selections. I think we must have ordered 6-7 types of wine for the entire party. Excellent choices and the staff were able to pour our drinks throughout the night. I enjoyed all the wine choices and variety. For dessert, we all ordered something! I had the white chocolate filled malasadas (Maui Oma Coffee Caramel dipping sauce, rhum clement and cuvee homere). Very good and delightfully surprised. My husband ordered the pineapple upside down cake which was also a thumbs up in my book. Overall, I honestly want to applaud the staff, servers and employees that work here that made our rehearsal dinner that much more fabulous. I cannot wait to come here many more years and celebrate our anniversary here. You guys are incredible. Thank you!

    (5)
  • Cindi W.

    Good food good service but nothing extraordinary. Very expensive...273 for three people (one app one salad three dinners, five drinks and two desserts). I'd like to have something a bit more original and exciting for that price :-)

    (4)
  • Stevie W.

    unbelievable panoramic view of the ocean feel like you own the island. Drinks are stiff and the ambiance is wonderful. Definitely going back.

    (5)
  • Candy B.

    Excellent food and ambiance. Our server, Ben, was very knowledgeable and friendly. The pupu platter was a great way to start our wonderful meal. We will be back. Can't wait to go to their restaurant on Kauai.

    (5)
  • RC S.

    A decade ago, my wife and I had the pleasure of eating at Merriman's original flagship restaurant on the Big Island. It is known for obsessively local and seasonal cuisine, served in an intimate white tablecloth restaurant set in the upcountry. We were thrilled to find a few years later that Merriman's had opened a restaurant on Maui (where we visit more frequently). The food lives up to Merriman's astonishingly high standards. The menu features fish, meat, and produce from Maui and the surrounding islands. The preparations are stunningly unique. And I haven't even gotten to the setting, which actually tops Merriman's Big Island location. They are right on the water with a breathtaking view of the waves. The restaurant is designed so that it is open-air, both in the "indoor"/covered portion and the outdoor portion. Make a reservation (and you will need it!) for sunset time and you will have an unforgettable experience for the senses. A NOTE TO PARENTS: True to the Hawaiian Ohana spirit, this is an ultra-fancy restaurant where kids are welcome. We've been here with toddlers and with an older (foodie) kid. And if sitting down for an hour and a half is too much for your little one, there is a lawn overlooking the water where you can take a stroll for a break.

    (5)
  • Nina T.

    Amazing meal : kale salad was like no other salad, beef filet was incredibly tender, amber jack fish special on cauliflower puree, Monchong fish entree . They let you choose two entrees and get half portion size. Great when you can't decide. Didn't have room to try any deserts. Love this place. Highly recommend !

    (5)
  • Karlene D.

    Had cocktails & appetizers once & brunch another time. All our cocktails were delicious! The sampler appetizer plate was small not that great, especially for the price. Brunch, on the other hand, was delicious & reasonably priced. I had the Fried Green Tomato Eggs Benedict which was really good & plenty of food. The French bread was too rich for me. If they are serving the mango banana bread, get it! There isn't a bad seat in the place, the views are gorgeous & the wait staff friendly & helpful.

    (4)
  • Jill M.

    Great atmosphere. Incredible views. Near perfect service. Great salads. Nice asparagus soup. Scallop dish was lovely.

    (4)
  • Darlene R.

    We had a great time at Merriman's. The food was great and the sunset was awesome! We just had a good feel about the entire place. Relaxing and enjoyable.

    (5)
  • G B.

    Amazing view, great service and great food. We didn't have reservations so we sat at a high-bar table. Had the poke, the garden salad and combined two dishes; the mahi mahi and the filet. Comparing to the filet a Lahaina Grill...just different, not better. Amazing sunset view. There is not a single bad seat in the place. Highly recommend it.

    (5)
  • Deb Z.

    Food was tasty. Portions were great, just enough without waste. The prices, however are disproportionate to the portions. Overpriced. Bottom line, we're paying for the view. We split a salad and each had an entree. That along with 2 glasses of house Chardonnay was a bit over a hundred and thirty dollars. Live music that night added to the ambiance. Overall a good experience and we'd go back.

    (4)
  • Eve K.

    Small Roys-esque chain I never knew about but really enjoyed. 4.3 stars Food: 4.3, Atmosphere: 4, Service: 3.5 Cost to worth it rating: 4 (some spendier items but so much more worth it than the sub-par tourist spots) Return worthiness: yes Highlights: - Kalua pork quesadilla: so perfectly cooked with the crispy exterior and packed with pork interior. No meat skimping here. - Pork belly shrimp special starter: large shrimp, huge tender cube of pork, and side of mixed vegetables was large enough to be an entree. Even though it was a lot on one plate, it was a clean presentation, delicious, and maintained its separate flavors while still complimenting the others. - Duos: liking variety, I took advantage of this option to mix up entrees with 2 different fishes - Ahi: billed as wok-seared, it was some of the best I had. Thick cuts, seared perfectly, and very tender. Loved the huge stalk of broccoli it came with in the mahi duo. - Mai tais: great renditions especially with the flavored foam Lowlights: - Corkage fee: $45 is the most outrageous fee I've seen. We brought an overflow bottle my friend wasn't going to be able to use, but wouldn't have bothered if we knew. I enjoyed our dinner here and would come back at sunset time for the food and cocktails.

    (4)
  • Tiffany F.

    Wow!! This place rocks. The views are absolutely breathtaking and we even got to watch whales playing from our table. Our server was so helpful, sweet, and fun. And the food was out of this world amazing!! An experience that touches all your senses!

    (5)
  • Ryan C.

    Wonderful food! Extremely difficult to get reservation for party of 5 or more as they only accept those parties very early and late in the night. But well worth it great food and ambiance.

    (5)
  • Kathy F.

    Had dinner here last night for 20th Anniversary. Perfect choice! View is indescribable from outside deck for drinks. The dining room gorgeous and very comfortable. Service outstanding. Attentive, but never intrusive. Food phenomenal. I loved the Mac nut crusted mongchong and my husband loved his filet. Chose to add mushrooms and asparagus with bacon!!! Wow. Considering going back tonight. Favorite dinner to date. Thanks Merrimans for providing such a wonderful memory for us.

    (5)
  • Helen L.

    Outstanding!!!! The setting, the service, and, most importantly, the FOOD will blow your socks off. Not used to finding 5-star quality food in Hawaii (outside of Oahu), so we were delighted!! Best restaurant in Hawaii.

    (5)
  • Michael T.

    My wife and I had an amazing dinner here the other night! We were treated to dinner by my Aunt and her husband. I can see why they love this place so much! The view, the food, the service, the drinks...all first class. Our server Donovan made it a night to remember! Will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Miranda C.

    Had a wonderful sunset dinner here during our stay in Maui. Our server Davy was very nice and the food was good. The menu and portions are small and pricey but the quality wasn't bad. We had a wonderful view of the bay and overall enjoyed our experience.

    (5)
  • Christina P.

    I didn't come prepared with many recommendations before my vacation in Maui (that's what Yelp's for, right?), but there was one very emphatic one by my favorite foodie Brittany B. She said I absolutely MUST go to Merriman's for our 'nice' meal of the trip, so of course I obliged. So let me pay it forward and tell everyone else planning a trip to Maui soon - GO TO MERRIMAN'S! From the gorgeous decor to the friendly service to the view to the food, there is not one complaint about this place. Be sure to call for a reservation around sunset time and request a table on the balcony/patio. You can get there a little earlier and have cocktails on the deck, which stretches out over the water to give you one of the most incredible ocean views on the island (and that's saying a lot!). As for the food, it's all incredible as well. We loved the farm fresh amouse bouche they gave us with the sweetest, most delicious tomatoes I've ever tasted. For my entree, I can never resist a delicious sounding scallop, so I had the diver scallops with smoked bacon, pepper jam, and the most amazing sweet creamed corn ever. My husband ordered the mac nut crusted ono, and the standout of the dish was definitely the sake reduction sauce. Though we were stuffed after our meal, we just couldn't resist the white chocolate filled malasadas, which were fluffy and perfect. Now imagine this whole meal being enjoyed while observing the most dramatic, gorgeous Hawaiian sunset. If this doesn't convince you to book a ticket to Maui immediately, I don't know what will. GO!

    (5)
  • Terry C.

    Good craft beer on tap...only $4 during happy hour. We ordered a sampler. Which was good, but overall reminds me of Skate's in the Bay Area

    (3)
  • Tim K.

    Great food and the only place that showed extra effort for my honeymoon. The monchong was delicious

    (5)
  • Georgie S.

    One of the best meals on the island! Amazing fresh food! We all had the duo which was a great way to taste different main meals on the menu. This is more on the high end of restaurants so we dressed up more than usual on the island. If we could change anything, it would be that we have an early reservation and have cocktails near the bonfire and watch the sunset. We heard the views by the water are amazing during sunlight.

    (5)
  • Katie I.

    My favorite restaurant in Maui! This was the best dining experience we had all around. The view of the restaurant is amazing, you can't beat its location. But the food and service was just as equally amazing. I ordered the monchong and my husband had a split of the filet minon and mahi. both our meals were prepared in a timely manner, the presentation was nice and the taste you can't beat. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Mike T.

    Just ask to sit in JJ's section and let him guide you through your dinner. Don't hold back!

    (5)
  • Terry B.

    Spectacular view. We went for appetizers and drinks on the deck at sunset. Awesome service and the appetizers we ordered were great. Sliders are a must have along with the lobster salad. Unfortunately for us, it was so popular we could not get a reservation for dinner while we were in Maui. Next time we will book long in advance.

    (5)
  • Ronald A.

    Two nights ago, we had a very boring meal at The Plantation House. Last night we had a wonderful meal at the Sea House; i rated it at 5 stars, when it should have been 4.5 stars. However, i was reacting to the dinner the night before and my joy at the meal we had enjoyed. Tonight we had a full 5 star meal. We stared with the green salad; it was just right. it was dressed lightly. They use locally sourced greens and vegetables they either grow themselves or grow from farmers the work with continuously. As i compare the tomato I had tonight with the one two nights ago, locally sourced food is far superior. Rebecca had the diver scallops with a soy citrus Ponzu. It was fabulous. It came with a slaw of carrots, fennel and zucchini that matched perfectly. I had the mahi mahi that was cooked in sesame and came with a combination of creamed corn, asparagus bacon and sliced tomato. Both were wonderful. in fact, a bit better than wonderful. Dessert was a pineapple upside down cake that was unlike anything i have every had. it was a perfect way to end the meal, particularly couple with an Armagnac. The wine list at the Sea House is a bit more approachable and a bit less expensive. However, this list gave us at least three choices for Sancerre. Our server knew her wine list well enough to give us a good recommendation. It was good and It turned out to be a very good accompaniment to the dinner. Although a bit more expensive that the Sea House, both met our expectations and we will go back to both on our next visit. Merriman's is just a half step better. We had a wonderful evening. Please give this place a try and enjoy yourself.

    (5)
  • Andrew T.

    My fiancé and I were on Maui for a week and dined all over the island. This place was by far the best! We fell in to the tourist traps in Lahaina and went all the way down to Wailea and even Mama's fish house. Every place we ate except for Merrimans was overpriced and under delivered. Merriman's staff was very professional, attentive, knowledgeable and personal. I work in the F&B industry and admit that this place is among the best! The food's taste, presentation and quality was all incredible. The value was the best on the island for fine dining. This place, even though it is a high priced fine dining establishment, was one of the least expensive meals we had on the island. My number one pick for dinner when I return to Maui. Oh yeah.... If you like sweet tropical drinks, try the pineapple coconut martini. I was able to talk our bartender into leaking the recipe and I still haven't been able to duplicate it. Have never had a drink like it and would go back just to have one more...

    (5)
  • DeLacey A.

    Absolutely amazing beautiful unforgettable view if you go at sunset!! Drinks are perfect! Good wine selection and better prices if you go for happy hour. Food was good but not the best compared to the price! Definitely paying for location. A woman came around selling leis and this was our favorite part! Dessert was yummy, we got the purse cake and the ice cream. The soup and salad were our favorite part of the dinner!!

    (4)
  • OL G.

    We came a little bit early for our reservation which wasn't a problem as we could enjoy the sunset on their beautiful patio. We had a coctail and a little appetizer before the dinner. They seemed to be a little understaffed on the patio but the service inside the restaurant was great. The food was excellent and we had great last night in Maui.

    (4)
  • Peter R.

    I truly don't understand the experience some folks have at restaurants. "We waited an hour for our drinks then the waiter Il ne parlent que le français à utiliser!" I know these folks aren't imagining this treatment. Do some places have a stray dementor on staff? Our experience was 5 star. Arrived 10 minutes early - quickly got a drink at the bar. Seated at 705 and served a progression of truly superb food. We had the Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla & Hawaiian Ahi Poke appys. Super. And to my wife's chagrin we had the same entree - Mahi Mahi, Beet Ponzu - Filet of Beef - Hawaiian Wok Charred Ahi. (I tricked her and did a feint to to the lobster.) Again - superb. Service - shout out to J.J. - was Goldilocks grade - professional, attentive and not overbearing or neglectful. Merriman's was fantastic. So it's a chain - who cares - it is great. Note - Top Chef finale 2014 is being filmed here .

    (5)
  • Faria C.

    One of the highlights of my Maui vacation! The view and the sunset is absolutely gorgeous. The service is impeccable. The wait staff knows each detail of every ingredient in the dishes and when they talk to you about their chef specials they actually speak about them like they are works of art. It is an amazing skill that they have and the best part is that the food is totally delicious.

    (5)
  • Aly R.

    Incredible everything! Food, view, ambiance, food and service, all 5 stars! My husband and I went without the kids for a date night and it was worth every penny. We shared a few things so we could try more, we started with the seared scallop appetizer, then shared the kale/butter lettuce salad with goat cheese, crispy Maui onions and little pieces of pineapple. Then we had the server recommended monchong, everything was absolutely fresh and delicious! After dinner, we walked down to the point overlooking the ocean to have a drink. It was a great experience and probably made my top ten restaurants. I would definitely come back on our next visit.

    (5)
  • Sharon L.

    Went to Merrimans with our family and while restaurant is in a beautiful spot and the food is decent we had several major issues. Our server LEVI was such a pretentious snob and terrible server, sneering and rolling his eyes at every request and we were envious of some of the other tables who had servers who were pleasant and engaging. After spending over a hundred dollars per person for tasty but slightly dry, I.e., overlooked fish, our evening and celebration was greatly impacted by this terrible server! We always tip 20% minimum but wish that we had stated on the Bill, "LEVI, YOUR TIP is to get out of the restaurant business." He must know someone in management or he wouldn't still be there. IF we return we will ask to NOT HAVE LEVI!

    (2)
  • Nathan T.

    Phenomenal service, conception of food, execution of food, and ambiance. If you are on Maui and do not visit, you will regret it. Merriman's is truly worth the price.

    (5)
  • Fernando E.

    we had brunch there and it outstanding..went back for wedding anniversary dinner and again..food..service was outstanding..... it made our 'A' list....

    (5)
  • Phuong H.

    Not sure what the big hype is all about. The restaurant has a gorgeous view and we were lucky to grab a seat outside and got to admire the beautiful sunset but the food was mediocre for the price tag! There was nothing memorable about the expensive dishes and their ahi poke appetizer made us laugh. When the waiter set the appetizer on our table, we were excited as it looked like the fish was piled on high...only a few bites into it, we realized that the dish was deceiving because there was a big lump in the middle of the dish and there was only a layer of poke...for $20. The only thing I could rave about is their chocolate purse dessert. There are so many other places you can go for delicious food on Maui for half the price of Merriman's.

    (2)
  • Mk T.

    I live in NYC and consider myself to have high standards when it comes to restaurants. When we got to Maui, we ate at several highly rated restaurants, but Merriman's was by far the best. It was actually one of my favorite restaurants I've ever been to. My family and I ended up coming here two nights in a row and ordering different dishes. Everything we ordered was delicious, and the Kalua Pork Quesadillas are worth going to the restaurant alone. You must try them. The view, ambiance and live music are also spectacular.

    (5)
  • Mark C.

    I have to give merrimans Kapalua a 4 star because of the location and view. The food is very good, although a little inconsistent. My fish was perfect; my wife's somewhat overcooked. The views are great. Kapalua tends to be breezy to windy, so be prepared. If the ladies are wearing dresses, bring a wrap.

    (4)
  • Douglas M.

    If a person was to have a dream..... and in it was the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine. Warm sun, a gentle breeze...Sailboats off in the distance, a school of dolphins close to shore, giving you the show of their lives....jumping out of the water and doing their triple axles. Maybe a few (but not too many) beautiful people sitting in the tables nearby.... you are dreaming of Merriman's a little after 3pm when they open. That was EXACTLY our experience! Except that I had the Mai Tai instead of the wine (but in a dream who would be drinking a Mai Tai?) Add to it a wonderful wife and a close friend. A tasty appitizer and a very pleasant server and it was a wonderful experience. I am scared to go there for dinner though, I understand it can be crowded...not that it is a bad thing, and totally understandable considering the perfect location. Maybe the food wouldn't be the best I ever had... and my perfect place would be tarnished, maybe not a five star but a four star... I would hate that. But life is about risks and I should have faith that such a wonderul place will accept the challenge and impress me with a dinner experience as wonderful as the afternoon cocktail experience that I enjoyed last week... I am sure that they wouldn't dare disappoint.

    (5)
  • Hal W.

    Menus are for Peasants JJ said... Can't say much more than that. If you can get JJ as your waiter by all means do... He has guests come back year after year. He's a gentleman and a foodie and will make sure you have a meal to remember... Menus optional. We celebrated our 3rd anniversary here and were fortunate enough to have JJ take care of us... We'll be back! Maui grown Taro chips, Big Island beef- scallops as large as your wrist... Enjoy it all. Everything about Merrimans is first class. Enjoy it!

    (5)
  • L E.

    Great food but very expensive. Very uncomfortable chairs. If I am gonna pay those prices again I want a comfortable chair to sit in.

    (3)
  • Jason B.

    My wife and I came here for dinner on our recent trip to maui. The service was amazing. Our waiter was kind, helpful, and attentive. The Mai-tai was skillfully and originally crafted with a delicious foam on top. I tried a combination of the small plates and mixed the scallops with the filet mignon. Both proteins were cooked incredibly well and the filet basically melted in my mouth. My wife tried the gnocchi, which was not your typical gnocchi, but was cut a bit thinner and came with some nice browning on eat piece. Both our plates were presented beautifully and I would order either again without a second thought. You might want to show up before it's dark to enjoy the view. We'll be back on our next visit!

    (5)
  • Becky T.

    All I have to say is the chocolate purse is life changing!!! Best meal and service on the island by far. Went with my husband and his family and we all thoroughly enjoyed our food. If you can't decide between two entrees, no worries! They will give you half of two entrees of your choosing! I highly suggest the scallops and fish. Both were amazing. My husbands filet was cooked to perfection. Even though we were all stuffed we ordered a few desserts to share. Boy and I glad we did. As stated previously, chocolate purse is phenomenal!!!!

    (5)
  • Michael G.

    Merrrimans is always top on my list when in Maui. Been coming here for 14 yrs and make it a point to eat at Merrrimans. Expensive but the view is amazing they usually have entertainment and a nice children's menu for families. Don't miss it.

    (5)
  • Staycie K.

    Some of the best service in Maui. Superb ingredients and a thoughtful menu to satisfy any palate. Great place if youre celebrating an event. The views are breathtaking, especially when the sun is setting. If you cant get there early enough for sunset, dont worry, the moon on the ocean is just as beautiful.

    (5)
  • Lauren B.

    I am probably slightly biased because I've been going to Kapalua since 1987 and got married on the beach and had my reception at merrimans. However, it's really the best dining on maui. The food is inventive and the quality can't be beat. Their food and service is top notch. And although kapalua beach has changed a lot in the past 27 years; it's still the best point in maui for ambiance, views, and sunsets. I do miss the pool that used to be on the point which is now a bar and sitting area. My life and memories will always be a part of kapalua and merrimans is a welcome addition to fine dining and the Hawaiian lifestyle. I highly recommend their kahlua tacos, burgers, lamb for dinner, any fish entrees and their Sunday brunch. And definitely the best Mai tais!

    (5)
  • Lily B.

    **DISCLAIMER** This review is for TAKE OUT!!! Please read my review on Pineapple Grill... if you did, you'd know that I didn't eat my entree and I was kinda hungry. So after Yelping, I decided to make a take out order from Merriman's and bring it back to the condo so we could just chill and drink. Why Merriman's and not somewhere else?... well, I'm on vacation and I wanted to try this fancy place which had great reviews on Yelp! (and other websites) I called in my order and the hostess was sooooooo patient and friendly!!! When we arrived my friends dropped the BF and I off. It was already past 8PM and pretty dark, but the restaurant sits right next to the ocean and it has big open windows and the restaurant is just beautiful!!! I wished we had time to actually dine in on another day but we were out of days on Maui. :( There's always next time... So I ended up ordering ahi sashimi for the BF. $17. He said it was okay. yelp.com/user_local_phot… I ordered a side of garlic macadamia nut rice for my fish. $8. It had NO hint of garlic WHATSOEVER. It was BLAND and HORRIBLE. I took one bite and threw it away. Even my BF and friends were like WTH is this?!?! yelp.com/user_local_phot… I ordered the macadamia nut crusted monchong with garlic broccoli. I think it was $42. It was DELICIOUS. The fish was cooked perfectly. The garlic broccoli was *amazing* and the best broccoli I've ever had. The half white/half black rice triangle that it came with actually worked with the dish. yelp.com/user_local_phot… When we arrived we checked in with the hostess and informed them that we we placed a take out order. She was very friendly and instructed us to go to the bar. We waited at the bar for well over 10 minutes before we were even acknowledged. FINALLY a female bartender acknowledged us (the male continued to ignore us) and asked us if we wanted to start with a drink to which I informed her that I had placed a take out order. She asked for my name and went to check on it. At the same time, we saw a gentleman from the kitchen come out carrying 3 take out boxes which he brought to the bar. Some sort of miscommunication happened because she didn't realize that it was our order. She took her time and in the end we finally got our food and were on our way. In all honesty, after getting such awesome friendly service from the hostess (both on the phone and in person), it was a big disappointment to receive a complete LACK of service from the bartenders, who were, I'll say it, borderline RUDE. This is not to say other servers are this way, but I'm just speaking for my experience at the bar. Just because I'm making a take out order doesn't mean I don't tip, because I do leave at least a 20% tip. I was pretty annoyed with service, or lack thereof, and was glad to get our food and be on our way back to the condo. Luckily the fish and broccoli were amazing (and the hostesses were great)... but sorry Merriman's, you need to have your bartenders attend another training session on customer service and etiquette 101! FOOD = AMAZING BARTENDERS = (NOT) amazing

    (3)
  • Sarah D.

    Food was delicious, service was great, ambiance was lovely. The only detractor was that prices were very steep. The Fish and Chips appetizer was too salty and a bit disappointing, but our entrees, especially the Monchong, was out of this world.

    (4)
  • Christina M.

    This place is simply breathtaking! The service was amazing, food was delish and the sunset.. Best location in Maui! I had the lamb chops and scallops. Both were cooked to perfection!! The Mai Tai was the best on my trip so far.. Not too sweet and clearly made with fine ingredients. This place is a must do!!

    (5)
  • M B.

    What a great place for happy hour (3-4:59 p.m. daily)! They have a bar indoors and outdoors. My husband and I sat indoors and it has a beautiful view of the ocean and beach. We ordered (see pics): - merriman's pupu taster ($32 but it gives you the opportunity to taste a good portion of their appetizer menu) - mini prime filet and applewood bacon sliders - $13 - mango colada - $12 - mai tai - $6 HH price - white wine - 25% off regular price during HH It's pricey for happy hour but it's totally worth it. The food is top notch and fresh! And the cocktails are well crafted. Our bartender, Cori, was friendly and attentive. Be sure to check this place out (if you're not on a budget) when you're on the island.

    (5)
  • Eric W.

    The best meal I have had in Hawaii. The setting is fantastic (better than the original) and every dish we had was excellent. Really recommend the appetizer sampler plate as a good way to go; then we all did the split main course option each of us choosing two fish courses. Delicious. Service was excellent and the wine list was outstanding. The singer was the icing on the cake. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Julie Marcellina V.

    The view is fantastic and so is everything else. Hands down to the best restaurant and dinner I've ever had. My waiter was amazing, unfortunately I don't remember his name. He had recommended everything from my wine to my dinner. The white wine from France is so great, with any entree. Yumm! Make your reservation about an hour later than you plan. Once you get to the restaurant head outside and order an appetizer and a drink. Enjoy the view, take a couple of pics. Sit around the fire pit. It's a amazing! Maybe even watch the sunset. Then once you're ready for dinner head inside. Get seated and enjoy your dinner(the view is lovely). Make sure you order the chocolate purse. It melts in your mouth and you won't regret it ( make sure you tell your spouse to order their own). Hehe. It's too good to share. Then after dinner go to the couch and watch as the band plays some wonderful music, request a song. :-) Enjoy!!

    (5)
  • Julie D.

    We really enjoyed eating here. Best views of the whales kept us entertained all evening. We sat in the bar because we couldn't get reservations. It was worth it. Fun crowd. The food was delicious. The ahi poke was fabulous. Then ate some fish that neither of us had previous heard of macadamia crusted mon Chong and the fish of the day. Both were really tasty. Dessert was icing on the cake.

    (5)
  • Tini N.

    Had the best meal of my vacation. I started with seared scallops with asparagus, stole some of my Fiancée's lobster bisque, then had a beautiful mongchong fish with macnut rice! I also had a beef filet that was cooked to perfection. It's a great idea that you can choose two entrees and have smaller portions! The meal ended with a simple lemon shortbread and strawberry dessert. Yum!!! Can't wait to go back next year.

    (5)
  • Ryan G.

    Fantastic dinner for our final night in Maui! Cant wait to go back

    (5)
  • Cath M.

    Since it was our last night in the Island... the sis opted to go "fancy" and have our last dinner here ... of course recommended by yours truly (came here in 2010 for happy hour + early lunch and I was instantly in love with the venue... and others reasons of course!) Came in here 15 mins late (its quite a drive from downtown Lahaina) but was promptly greeted and was seated right away... given our menus and water. Our server (Natalie) was just superb ... friendly and helpful and catered to all our needs (particularly my sister...) Sis mentioned that she loved their extensive wine list... she was very happy and impressed. She ended up getting a bottle of her favorite: Caymus Vineyards, Special Select, Napa Valley, 2009 (it was delicious!!!) I forgot what they ordered since I was catering to my sunburned body due to overdoing it on the stand up paddle so I was so out of it... I did remember what I had and they were the following: - warm bread (free) = it was actually really good... it was warm and the butter was just melting right onto it. I tried to stop so that I wouldn't be that filled right away but it was hard! - Soup of the Day (which was asparagus) = it was creamy but not filling ... it was just right. - Pan Roasted Diver Sea Scallops (GF) Applewood Smoked Bacon, Creamed Local Corn, Anuhea Asparagus, Sweet Pepper Jam (smaller portion ~ 2 scallops) = this was actually just the perfect portion for me. I wasn't quite hungry and so I managed to finish this without any problems. It was good... the scallops wasn't hard and it was cooked just right... the creamed corn was delicious... it balanced the saltiness of the bacon and the scallops. - Maui Gold Pineapple Upside Down Cake (Mama Anderson's Banana Bread Candied Macadamia Nuts, Caramelized Pineapple, Haupia Ice Cream) = I had to get this so I could compare it to Pineapple Grill and uhm... Merriman's version definitely is the winner. It's not uber sweet and it was just the perfect portion. Plus it wasn't heavy and believe it or not, tasted somewhat "healthy" if there is such a thing with regards to desserts! I highly recommend it. - Lilikoi and Kula Strawberry Caramel Mousse Fried Crispy Banana = the sis ordered this... it was a lot! We ended up just picking through the fried banana and leaving a chunk of the mousse. Overall... perfect dinner with perfect company as well as perfect service! I highly recommend making a reservation... and check them out for happy hour (they are pricey...) but during HH... the view plus the drinks plus whoever you're with... trust me, you'll love it... I sure did! Definitely looking forward to the next time!

    (5)
  • Jim M.

    Superb experience!!! We had reservations for 5:30 and were seated along the front row with an absolutely beautiful view of the sun setting over the ocean. We had excellent service throughout our meal. Our server, David G., explained very thoroughly our choices including the evenings specials. We shared a Merriman's garden salad. It was prepared with all local Maui grown vegetables and was delicious. I chose a split seafood plate of Monchong and Scallops, My wife chose a Fillet Mignon. All items were prepared to perfection and were delicious. Having saved room for dessert, I chose the Decadent Chocolate Purse and my wife chose the Lilikoi Tart. Both were great choices. The total bill came to $130.00 and was worth every penny of it. We have eaten at Merriman's original restaurant on the big island and the one in Poipu previously. We have loved them all. Jim M. Denver Colorado

    (5)
  • Christina K.

    Great flavor profiles and I love that they use local ingredients. Too bad the food came out luke warm. We were assigned 2 waiters for "double the attention" but it turned into multiple fumbles during service. Sprite was refilled with waiter offered to refill my beer about 15 minutes after the glass was dry and long after my beer bottle was empty. Merriman's Kauai and big island (10+ meals there) offer much better quality food and way more on point with service. Only the view was great.

    (2)
  • Kaylee H.

    Hubby and I chose Merriman's for my 50th birthday dinner last month because of the great reviews, and because of the fact that it is right on (and I do mean right on) the water. I did my due diligence in selecting the location of my special dinner by reading reviews etc., and was initially torn between Merriman's and Pineapple Grill. Since the latter is a Cohn Restaurant, I wanted to add it to the list of Cohn eateries we have tried. While Pineapple Grill does have a view of the water, it is not on the water, so I decided on Merriman's. So happy I did because the food was very very good. I had hoped that I could peruse the on-line menu to refresh my memory regarding what we had, but since it is a "farm to table" kind of restaurant (love that), the menu changes too frequently for them to post it on their web site. I do remember my husband had lamb and said it was the best he's ever had, practically the best dinner he's ever had. He was quite excited about it. I don't remember what I had, I'm sure it was some kind of fish and I'm sure it was fabulous. The waiter brought us some passion fruit ice cream with Happy Birthday written on the plate in Hawaiian (see picture). It was refreshing and tasty. The setting is so gorgeous that there were no less than 6 weddings (or wedding photo sessions) happening on or around the Merriman's grounds. This restaurant is in the middle of pricey Kapalua Resort, so if you don't like fancy places, steer clear and go to Lulu's Lahaina Surf Club and Grill at the Lahaina Cannery Mall, it's fun and casual. All in all, service was good, food was very good. The room is a bit loud (because it's so large), but they have a lovely outdoor patio that we could see from our table. Valet parking. A great experience. We will add Merriman's to our short list of favorite Hawaiian fine dining eateries (along with Orchids at the Halekulani in Honolulu).

    (5)
  • Natalie J.

    Hands down the best place I've ever eaten. Awesome food, service, and ambiance. I would definitely recommend!!

    (5)
  • G B.

    Simply amazing. My husband and I were married at Merriman's on a Friday and dined at Merriman's on Saturday. Both experiences were amazing. I could not have asked for a more beautiful setting for our wedding. As far as the meal the following evening, everything about it was excellent. Our server was extremely attentive, the food was wonderful, and the views were beautiful as always. They treated us like royals and we received many congratulations from our recent wedding. We will definitely go back when we visit Maui again.

    (5)
  • Mike K.

    Just had Thanksgiving dinner there last night. A beautiful setting with spectacular food and great service. We went long (nearly 3 hours-having too much fun!), so they even bought us a round of drinks by the fire pit outside at the end. The lobster main, the scallops, the pineapple bread pudding-but a few of the wonderful dishes at this terrific restaurant.

    (5)
  • Rachel C.

    We had the pleasure of eating at Merriman's mid June 2013 while we were vacationing in Maui. We both enjoyed it but, thought the food was just ok for the prices. I guess when a restaurant has an amazing location and ok food, people still will flock there.

    (3)
  • Jonathan S.

    Wow...had a great dinner at merrimans! Not overrated. The service was friendly and fantastic. The Kailua pork quesadilla appetizer was flavorful and hearty. We had three if us at dinner and each entree was really good. The. prime rib eye steak was juicy and cooked med rare too perfection. The lamb was seasoned just right and also cooked perfectly to med rare and the fish special was tender and awesome. I would say that everything was just right including the wine that was selected by the Som. Merrimans isn't a value or inexpensive but if you are looking for good food with ambiance, then enjoy!

    (5)
  • Erik F.

    Simply stated just bad. Fish was over cooked. Server disappeared and drinks were horrible. 1 star is generous. Many other guests commented similarly. What a disappointment after spending $500 for 4.

    (1)
  • John H.

    Go to Merriman's Kapalua for the view and setting which is spectacular but not for the food or service. Five of us went to dinner at Merriman's a few days ago and brought along a bottle of Dom I had received as a gift. The corkage was $45.00 a little high and for such a high corkage one would expect a table side ice container and great service. The waiter opened the bottle poured a small portion for each of us and took the bottle away, we had to finally flag him down to get an additional pour of our champagne. We ordered our meal, one of our group is vegan and I have been enjoying ordering vegan dishes with her just to see what flavors one could enjoy been Vegan so I ordered the Taro cakes. After an almost tasteless Caesar salad the Taro cakes arrived, kind of a grey colored pucks that appeared under cooked and set on a bed of sauteed greens. The cakes lacked any real flavor and the greens were not very good either. Two others is our group ordered the seared Ahi, one small plate and one regular sized plate which meant on additional slice of Ahi on the regular serving. They found the Ahi not as good as they expected and their salads were tasteless as well. The last guest ordered the snapper and really liked it, so we did get one excellent meal out of the five diners in our group. The Sommelier was very knowledgeable, professional and make some great recommendations on our next bottle of wine. Served it with a wine bucket table side they way the Dom should have been treated. So one of the five meals was excellent and four of the meals was not memorable at all, all the salads lacked flavor and the service was not very good especially for this restaurants reputation. My advice is to go to Merriman's for a cocktail and the view, than go to the Lahaina Grill for the food and service

    (2)
  • Anthony E.

    Went here for happy hour as it's within walking distance of where I'm staying and loved it. Great drink prices, beautiful scenery (right on the ocean) and the service was wonderful. It's easy to lounge there with friends and have a few drinks. Also had a few appetizers which were really tasty (especially the kahlua pork quesadilla). Mai Tais are wonderful also.

    (5)
  • Angela T.

    Had my wedding here in February and everything was perfect! For a year I was in contact with Danielle, their events manager, only via email since I am in California and she would always quickly respond to answering all my questions and made sure all my vendors and wedding making decisions were completed on time. You can only choose vendors from their preferred vendor list and Danielle sets up the contract with the vendors so you get everything in one bill, which made things a lot easier for me! We had our ceremony on the beautiful white deck overlooking the ocean and reception in the private dining room. All the food we picked out was amazing! During cocktail hour we had the truffle mushroom risotto fritters, crab cakes, and lamb spring rolls. During dinner we had the kahlua pork quesadillas, ceaser salad, and the filet mignon and macadamia crusted monchong option for entrees. If you are looking for a great restaurant with amazing food, gorgeous view, and great coordinators and servers, this is it! Thanks Danielle and everyone at Merriman's!

    (5)
  • Mike h.

    Service was good. I had the Ribeye and it was cooked well, that's where it ends. I hightly doubt the ribeye i had was Prime as noted on the menu. It was thin and unimpressive. For $47 I was shocked to see what i got. Much like most stuff on Maui. You could get a better steak at a Chili's or something like that near the main airport. I think this place tries to be a Mastro's but it not even close.

    (2)
  • Gabriela P.

    Sit outside for drinks and apps if you don't have a reservation. Go during sunset and enjoy the breathtaking views. Unforgettable experience.

    (5)
  • Mark Y.

    Fantastic experience.. Loved the service, truly fine dining.. not wanna be fine dining like other places in Maui (just expensive but food isn't good). Here the food is prepared very well. Scallops perfectly seared, lobster cooked just right, even the salad was good. Romantic location, great sunset views..

    (5)
  • Rolando T.

    This was my first time to Merriman's in Maui. I have to say the location, ambiance and delicious food makes it a great restaurant for a romantic setting, even for a family reunion or to compliment a family vacation holiday. I do like the fact that Merriman's uses local ingredients to compliment it's special dishes which is a win/win for the local economy. Arrive early for Sunset on the outside deck is one experience to remember as the fire pit is blazing away while having a Sunset cocktail before your dinner reservation. Merriman's Signature Mai Tai is wonderful! Come hungry and take advantage of their Appetizer, Entrees', side dishes and especially Dessert. Valet Parking is Complimentary but remember to Tip.

    (5)
  • Larry F.

    One of the most romantic settings in Maui, particularly when sitting on the outdoor patio. The view is great! While the food is very good forget about adding the lobster to your meal.. $26 for a half of a 1 + lb(?) lobster..3 bites..was ridiculous! The service was very good and we enjoyed the background music.

    (4)
  • Gail M.

    This restaurant deserves a review. The view was number one, the waiter was excellent, and the food was great. It would be my first choice if and when I return to Maui!

    (5)
  • Maria P.

    Good: -Absolutely amazing! -The view is just Spectacular! -The food is amazing. Mahi Mahi entree is a must with the macadamia nut rice yum yummm -There a vegan entree that is delicious -Beautifully decorated Bad: Nothing!

    (5)
  • Joyce Z.

    Returned for my husband's birthday this year since we had such a memorable meal here for mine last year and we actually ordered the exact same dishes (mixed grill for hubby and misoyaki butterfish for myself) since it was that good. I did notice that some of the dish complements and sauces have changed which is understandable due to the economy. However, I was very surprised a restaurant of this calibur tried to pass off opah which is a white flaky Hawaiian moonfish as butterfish. At soon as I looked at in and confirmed by the first bite, I thought I got the wrong fish but after questioning it, was told the "butterfish" they used was opah. I have no problems if they ran out of butterfish and may have even gotten the opah if I saw it on the menu but trying to pass it off as such was disappointing. Their saving grace that evening was the service which is first class and their willingness to try to make it right by letting me choose another entree.

    (3)
  • Toni M.

    I am a HUGE fan of the Hawaiian Regional Cuisine movement and Peter Merriman in particular. I have been to all of his island restaurants and have loved each one. Really looking forward to the Monkeypod coming soon to Ko'Olina...woo hoo. This store is more upscale than his Kauai and Hawaii locations. And, the view can't be beat. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable. Two thumbs up for the sommelier...he read our desires well and produced a great bottle of syrah that truly complemented the meal. Now to the food...each and every course rocked!! We started with the house-made pasta which was the highlight of the meal. It was delicate but so flavorful. We followed it with the mixed greens, then scallops and opakapaka. So fresh and very well prepared. Dessert was a cheese course and it finished the meal quite well. Very happy. Very sated. Highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Tuscan T.

    Outstanding atmosphere. Best service and food we had the entire trip on Maui.

    (5)
  • Michelle S.

    The food is overpriced and only OK. My husband got the Ono, the portion was good, two nice sized pieces, but one was way underdone. I ordered the scallops, the creamed corn they came on was awesome, but the scallops themselves were way too salty. The view can't be beat though,

    (3)
  • Mike M.

    4.5 stars! We enjoyed their happy hour for pupus and drinks overlooking Kapalua Bay. The views are spectacular! Sitting out on the back area is a great spot to kick back and chow on some good food and drinks. Awesome sunsets and really good service. Next time we will give dinner a try.

    (4)
  • Pat W.

    What a great time we had at Merriman's last month. We went before sunset and sat outside for drinks - what a view and the server had a good recommendation for my drink order. She checked on our dinner reservations for us too. We ran into friends from Glendora sitting right next to us and that was an amazing surprise. When it was time for our reservations we got a table outside and had such a great dinner. Our server there was terrific too and made sure I got a little birthday surprise. This was our first time at this location after many trips to Maui and it will certainly not be our last. Looking forward to our next dinner there.

    (5)
  • Batman J.

    Beautiful view, good food. Great place to celebrate an occasion. We saw whales from our table during a visit in Feb. Mike the waiter was very nice.

    (4)
  • Ron D.

    Great views. Nice bartenders. Management problem: the staff stands around and talks incessantly with other I close proximity of guests to overhear their chatter. TMI, TMI. Manager needs to have them cut the chatter in the guest area and it would be a lot more enjoyable for a guest experience.

    (3)
  • Svitlana S.

    Food was good...although a bit on the salty side on one of the dishes. Drinks and the location are amazing. There is a beautiful beach...so after dinner...its the perfect place to walk down and enjoy the stars.

    (4)
  • Kassie B.

    The most amazing view for the sunset. Our waiter Levi was awesome. The host stand girls were a little unfriendly. But, they were young. We got engaged minutes before walking in for our reservation at the point across the bay from Merrimans. Needless to say, that set the mood. But, it's my favorite view ever... from a restaurant. There was a wedding that particular night which took up some of the amazing tables outside. When planning dinner, call and make sure they don't have a wedding that night. My hubby to be... loved the meal. He can't stop talking about how good it was. We also love wine and the selections were really good.

    (5)
  • Kyle S.

    Waaaaay overhyped. Wasted our anniversary dinner here. Small portions and very average fish. Our waiter could not have been more awkward with the affect he had in his voice. He had such a bizarre delivery it was actually distracting from whatever information he was trying to convey. Just my opinion of course but, when you dine in a fine restaurant, you expect more than just a room with a view. Big disappointment!

    (2)
  • Cat H.

    Absolutely delightful and worth the long drive from our hotel. Ambiance: sunset views of the ocean on the beach, light music played live, gorgeous casual place Food: Amazing local fare prepared well. Small portions are available. I loved the kula pig quesadilla with sweet chilli sauce and the seared ahi tuna and basmati rice. My friend's lobster was also mouth waveringly good. The chocolate infused coffee was a perfect way to end my meal. Service: A+. we never wanted for anything and were informed of every ingredient and preparation style.

    (5)
  • LESLIE C.

    Everytime someone asks me my favorite restaurant we ate at while on our honeymoon I immediately say " MERRIMANS" without a doubt. A friend of mine went on her honeymoon to Maui back in January and she told me to make sure we went here...so, now it is my turn to tell you- MAKE SURE YOU EAT DINNER HERE!!!! Make a reservation around sunset, request a table along the "edge" of the restaurant, get dressed up and bring a lot of money and go here. This restaurant is beautiful, and so romantic. It is an open air restaurant with tons of seating. Really you get a great view anywhere you sit but we got one along the outside edge and had the best view of the ocean and sunset. I ordered the scallops and on my goodness...best scallops I have ever put in my mouth. It came with creamed corn and some greens and bacon pieces scattered among it all. It was DELICIOUS...I highly recommend it. Hubby got one of the fish dishes...he loved it too. For dessert we got the famous Chocolate Purse and the cheesecake. YUM! A girl walks around selling lei's so hubby bought me a really pretty one that matched what I was wearing ( see pics ) and she insisted on taking a ton of pictures of us :) I am so glad we were told to go here...we could not have been happier. This place is perfect for a special occasion...there was even a wedding reception going on while we were there. If you are in Maui- GO HERE!! :) You will not regret it!

    (5)
  • Monica B.

    Seriously delicious food, great service, and a fantastic view! Will definitely go back every time I visit Maui.

    (5)
  • Ben O.

    Best dinner we had in Maui by far in our one-week trip from California. Amazing atmosphere amazing food and more amazing view. The staff was great - I couldn't of been happier. I recommend anyone that comes to Maui should go to this restaurant in the first day or so because you may want to go back twice -don't leave it for the end, you'll wish that you came more than once.

    (5)
  • Larry P.

    We had a wonderful dinner here. This is perhaps the best restaurant on the island. The one of a kind Mai Tais are awesome. Taro hummus and vegetables for a starter were tasty. We also enjoyed the pupu platter, which had sashimi, baked goat cheese, lobster, and pork quesadillas. For entrees, the fish of the day was excellent, as was the lobster and spicy chicken with ravioli. They have a beautiful view of the ocean. The dining room is open air, comfortable with live soft background music. For dessert the pineapple macadamia nut bread pudding is awesome

    (5)
  • Kapule E.

    Love this place food is so fresh and amazing .drink specials are off the hook .the view will blow your mind .fire place on the point while you sip cocktails or mock tails its a must if you are in Maui or even in Kauai .try the duo plate with whatever two main courses you desire .i get the fish special and fillet minghon .my girlfreind gets the Ono with the scallops .

    (5)
  • Steve J.

    By far the best restaurant on Maui. Beats Lahaina Grill and Mama's Fish House, which are both outstanding. The view is as good as it gets, the menu is diverse, unique, and accommodates mixing and matching, and the food, wine, and cocktails are all perfect. The service is all you want in a fine dining experience; efficient and friendly. Did I mention it's perfect?

    (5)
  • Courtney C.

    Ahhhmazing! The hubs and I came to Merriman's during our 2nd Annual Honeymoon trip (i.e. our 1st anniversary) based on recommendations from a stranger at a prior happy hour. We made it just in time for sunset and were delighted with our experience. Our hotel concierge was able to make us reservations one day before and requested a table with a view - surprisingly, they were able to make it happen! We started with a couple cocktails on the outside patio and then moved inside once it started to cool off. We started off sharing the combo appetizer which was a sampler of their best 4 appetizers. Everything was SO delish and was such a great way to get a taste of the offerings. For our entree, we again shared and went for the 3-entree selection - fish, steak and shrimp (? maybe)... I'm drawing a blank but was again, beyond delicious! We also ordered the mushroom and cream corn sides and were not disappointed! I do believe the hubs actually licked the corn bowl it was so good. This is a fancy place - so know what you're getting into before you go here. We spent $150+ for the meal for two of us, so don't be cheapy cheap.. you're on vacation after all. They had live music playing the whole time which was a nice touch too. Great vibe - great food - amazing view and the service was spot on. We skipped dessert because we had a hankerin' for a hot fudge sundae from McD's which you'll pass on the drive, but unfortunately their ice cream machines were out of order... should have gotten it at Merriman's! Also - another GREAT feature is the menu had Gluten Free items identified. This is uber importante for us and is always appreciated. Maybe someday I will return...

    (5)
  • kerry l.

    First off - if you've written a review about this place being too pretentious, you really haven't eaten out much. We walked in to "Crazy Train" being played on a Hawaiian string instrument, and later heard an acoustic version of "Burning Down the House." Even when Muzak came on, we heard Angus and Julia Stone. As I perused the wine menu, I noticed quotes from "Clockwork Orange" and Alexandre Dumas. Even before I tasted the food, I realized this is a place I could love! As for the food, totally first rate. I'll let you read the other great reviews on the food, they're all spot on. We had the pupu platter and the mixed plate, finished with the upside down pineapple cake and masaladas. Yum! Excellent food, with wine pairings, and on par with what I'd expect at a place like Merrimans. Most of all, loved the finely chiseled (;-) and super awesome staff - hi Ben and Caleb! We had a great time and were treated supremely well. All in all, a fantastic night out! PSA- Folks, it is NOT okay to have your iPad out while dining at a nice restaurant! I understand if you take a moment to show some vacation pics or a map while recommending vacation activities to your fellow diners, but personal activities like online shopping really aren't acceptable. I mean really, this isn't Starbucks people!

    (5)
  • Jolanta A.

    Been at this restaurant in 2009, and still cannot forget the amazing experience we've had. Service was outstanding, food was tasty, and the view is to die for.

    (5)
  • Justin L.

    Let me start by saying this is an amazing property to dine at. I would say that this spot and Plantation House are the West Maui all-stars. We had JJ as our server and he provided absolute first-rate service from start to finish. I had the mixed plate entree which was a combo of ahi tuna, filet, and mahi mahi. My significant other ordered the butterfish. My mixed plate was good overall. The mahi mahi and ahi were really good but the filet was just slightly above average. I did however sneak a few bites of the butterfish and this was simply out of this world. We both unanimously felt this was the single best dish we had during our entire week in Maui...yes...that good! For dessert, we got the banana bread-pineapple upside-down cake. Served a la mode with haupia ice cream, this dish is extremely kind on the tastebuds. Merriman's makes our top-3 Maui restaurant hit list and we will definitely be back.

    (4)
  • Janelle A.

    I really think this place deserves 3 stars, but luckily our service that night from our WAITER was great. We stayed at Napili Kai which is within walking distance from Merriman's. It started down pouring before we left, so we ended up driving about 30 seconds up the road. Our reservation was at 6? 7? I don't remember this was in January. I know they had just opened though, and with the rain there were some delays which is totally understandable. Half of their restaurant is outdoors and they needed to move tables and stuff. The thing is that after they got everyone before us and AFTER us seated, we were just sitting there. This was probably already 20 min after our reservation. We finally went up there to ask, and they were like, oh yeah? 2 people right? Okay, no...we're a party of 4 with a reservation that was now 30 minutes ago! The hostess took us to our seats...which were on a wet floor, with a damp table, and damp seats from the rain. We asked to be moved to a table that was more on the inside since the restaurant was basically empty at the time. This is a nice place, I understand maybe if we were walk-ins but COME ON we had a reservation and patiently waited. Now that I've got that out, let's talk food. I don't remember what everyone else got but I know we were pleased. They let you do this thing where you get half one thing and half another. I highly recommend doing that if you can't choose (ME!). I got half the filet mignon and half seared ahi tuna. I loved both! And like I said before, our waiter was so great! He was telling us how he just moved to Hawaii and that he's from Europe and he was so nice and helpful. He also made great recommendations! He really saved our trip to Merriman's. Thank you sir! Would I come back? Probably, but I'd save myself the trouble and eat at the bar or something.

    (4)
  • John B.

    Happy hour is awesome.. dinner is awesome... this place is awesome. Jerry and all the bartenders are friendly. Our waiter JJ is amazing great recommendations and great server all around. I would recommend going here. All the food is locally grown and fresh. Cant go wrong. Check it out .

    (5)
  • John N.

    We just returned from a beautiful stay at the Napili Kai Resort, right next door to Merriman's. It's been a few years since we have been at the Napili Kai, and we looked forward to good dinners again there. We were very disappointed with the "one" dinner we had there with poor service and even poorer food quality. The next night, Merriman's. Wendy, the hostess that night took great care of us, seating us on the rail overlooking one of the best views on Maui. Wendy is such a nice, friendly person. The appetizers and food were almost a sexual experience. The service was outstanding. Yes, it is a little pricy, but the only deal on Maui is at Costco! I won't go into the food because so many others have, but we ate there five times in nine days and still salivate when thinking of the great appetizers and main courses. We are very picky about food quality and rarely give any restaurant five stars. We aren't wine snobs, so can't really comment on the wine except the wine list is very extensive. Merriman's is one of few restaurants we have ever eaten at that warrants five stars. I can't believe some of the reviews about the portions. You go to a great restaurant to get great food, and that's what Merriman's provide with a perfect portion. If you expect to get stuffed to the point of being uncomfortable go to Applebee's. Oh yea, it always seemed like we had room enough to have a chocolate purse for desert. If you like chocolate, go for that! Next trip to Maui, Merriman's will be our first and last dinner stop.

    (5)
  • William C.

    Great views, great atmoshpehere, and great food! The best farm to table fine dining in Hawaii, and perhaps the only one worthy of claiming to serve local ingreidents with first class service, style, and preperation. Peter Merriman was the best kept secret in Hawaii but word is getting out. Peter also owns Hula Grill in Lahaina which is why the menu, food, and service are far superior to the other Hula Grill, Duke's of this chain. The Kapalua, Maui location of Merriman's is perhaps the best location of any resteraunt in the Hawaiian Islands. Breataking sunets with Lanai's and Molokai' in the backround. Spectacular!!! The Big Island and Kauai locations also have good food but the Big Island location has no atnospwhere and the menu at the Maui location is just better. Allot owes to the farmers and ranchers in Hawaii growing the best ingredients and meats. Great service and good music for dinner which is usually a few string instruments. Being in the swanky Kapalua neighborood built around the Ritz Carlton, Merrimans entertains numerous guests who spend most of their time enjoying fine dining from Manhatten, Chicago, Texas, Boston, Aspen, Sante Fe, etc. and get away to Kapalua as a second, third, foruth home. The quality and tastes of the customers demand a level of quality and attention to detail that is rarely seen in Hawaii. Merrimans is the only place in Hawaii where dinner jackets are commonly seen but it's still Hawaii so no dress code is required. Food: Outstanding!!!!! I like the Seared Diver Scallops, Lamb, Filet Mignon and fresh fish. Service: Excellent! Atmospehere: Amazing!!!! Price: Expensive!

    (5)
  • Meara B.

    After a backup at the valet (apparently everybody arrives at the same time), we had a perfect dinner. There were a lot of people waiting around the door, but we walked up to the hostess station to check in for our 5:30 reservation. They seated us immediately (phew), right next to the edge of the balcony with an incredible, clear, uninterrupted view of the water and setting sun. The waitress (April) was very professional and friendly, and gave us the perfect amount of time to decide. A bus boy brought us delicious fresh veggies and hummus, then our drinks, followed by warm house made bread and creamy butter. Our first course (goat cheese/strawberry salad) arrived promptly and was the perfect combination of flavors. I scraped the plate. We requested a bottle of prosecco to accompany our (really my) dinner, which they were out of. The wine specialist/sommalier came to our table to regrettably inform us that a wedding party had finished off his stash of prosecco, but he brought a replacement sparkling from Argentina he had a personal attachment to for the same price. It was delicious, and an excellent replacement. It matched my mushroom/asparagus cavatatelli perfectly (side note: this is one of the best vegetarian dishes I have ever had. I could taste the truffle and butter. I couldn't finish it, but it was incredible). Hubby ordered the mixed plate, which included Ahi, filet mignon, and grilled white fish. It was beautifully presented, and perfectly cooked trio with each meat paired with a starch. His only complaint is he would have liked more lemon. Truffle fries were delicious and crispy. The entire meal, our glasses never went empty. A bus boy constantly filled our water glasses, our waitress made sure our flutes were never empty. The view was incredible, the food and service was impeccable. I wish I had a bigger stomach. I am looking forward to eating the remainder of my cavatelli tomorrow. I just wish it would never end. My only complaint: cocktail menu was lacking. But they have a full bar, so request whatever you want. I'm not a fan of rum/tequila/gin. Make a reservation well in advance, look forward to spectacular service. Best. Anniversary dinner. Ever.

    (5)
  • Mara K.

    You absolutely need to make a reservation here. They have a few bar tables in the back that you can eat at, but for the price, you are going to want a table with a view The view is AMAZING, especially at Sunset. However, our experience with the service wasn't THAT great. For the money, our waiter, and bar waitress at the "2nd bar" down on their patio area were both inattentive. Our cocktail waitress took our order, then checked in with us 15 minutes later, sans drinks. She said "oh I thought someone else was going to bring your drinks..." She should have check on that way before minute 15. Our dinner waiter doted on a couple at a table nearby the entire time, while our party of 6 waited on him to take our drink order, food order, dessert order.... he was consistently.... slow was it.... or didn't he care about us since we were one of his last tables? Food -- I got the dinner sampler. It came with Ahi, steak, and the crispy fish special (can't remember the fish type). I wanted to stick with fish since we were on an island, but the steak dish was by far my favorite! If I were to do it all over again, as a couple I would order 2 appetizers and 1 main dish. You have to see the place for the view BUT for the money, I wish I would have walked out with a better experience.

    (3)
  • Colby W.

    Merrimans is a very nice restaurant

    (4)
  • Kelly B.

    Funny enough we had only finished lunch about two hours before our dinner reservation at Merriman's at 5:30pm. We watched the beginning of a Laker game at our lunch spot and when we came to dinner at Merriman's the game was on in the front lobby. Despite us being full, we were eager to check out Merriman's because of the sunset view we had heard so much about. We didn't want to miss our opportunity at sitting right on edge of the restaurant so we had the best view of the sunset. The view and the sunset didn't disappoint. In fact, the view was very beautiful and romantic. And despite being full I was glad to have come so early to enjoy the amazing view of the ocean. After being seated, our server came over and announced the specials and then took our drink order. I ordered a Mohito and my husband wanted to try some wine. We are not big wine drinkers so our waiter helped him pick a wine that would go with his steak. The drinks came and I was pleasantly surprised to find a really well made Mohito. It hit the spot after being in the sun all day. My husband enjoyed his wine. Our starters came but not before a basket of piping hot bread was delivered. There is nothing better than having a slice of fresh bread that is still warm enough to melt the butter. My ceasar salad came and I was happy that it was made with local produce. It was very tasty. My husband ordered baked brie made with Surfing Goat Cheese. Having visited the Surfing Goat Ranch earlier in the week we found the use of local product quiet appealing during our dining experience. Everything seemed so fresh. Our main entrees came and my eyes opened large as I saw the huge plate of ahi tuna. One cool thing about Merriman's is that you can order the small plate or the large plate. But I didn't know this until after I ordered. My husband ordered steak and changed his order to the small portion. I didn't know the same was possible for my fish until looking at the menu some more. Even though we were full the food looked very appetizing and we couldn't help but eat everything on our plates. Live music started as we were almost finished with our meals. It added to the romance of the place. We weren't going to order dessert but the daily special sounded so good we couldn't help and be even more gluttoness and order it. The Peanut Butter Chocolate Eclair was so yummy and so worth the 5 pounds I surely gained in eating that day! The service was great, the food even better and the view was amazing! We wanted a special night out for our last night in Maui and Merriman's delivered.

    (4)
  • brandon m.

    Awesome service, farm to table dining, great food and one of the most beautiful views on the island. We had the kompachi special pupu, mac crusted ono, and the herb panko opakapaka (no suite if I'm spelling that correctly). It was all good. We also had our little baby with us. I wouldn't say it is a good spot for a baby but it worked out. Our baby was fine and nobody have us attitude about bringing a baby to a fine dining establishment.

    (5)
  • Stacy B.

    Congratulations for winning the Best of Maui award for the best ambiance! We enjoy the casual atmosphere out on "The Point" which has to be about the best place on Maui to sip a glass of wine and watch the sun go down. The pupu menu is small, but the Prime Filet and Applewood Bacon sliders, Parmesan Truffle Fries and Keahole Lobster Salad were all terrific. The restaurant is also first class but a little spendy so if you want a more casual experience, just enjoy sunset at the point!

    (5)
  • Gina S.

    Here on a business dinner. We were sat outside in the cold. Service was horrible. Food was only okay. We were not offered dessert. We sat in the wind and eventually rain. What a disappointment.

    (1)
  • Natalie B.

    My husband & I dined here on our honeymoon. After dining at Mama's Fish House a few days prior, we didn't have high expectations for any other restaurant. We arrived around 5:30 for drinks and appetizers outside. They have an adorable patio area that has an incredible view of the sunset! Around 7 we moved inside for dinner. We didn't make reservations (I'd recommend doing so though), but luckily it worked out for us! The service was good, atmosphere was amazing & food was fantastic! We were really impressed! We'll be back!

    (5)
  • Michael K.

    Watched the sunset and had a few cocktails and a filet mignon slider appetizer before an amazing dinner. For the main course, we had Monchong and scallops. Both were really good. The soup which was a pork and tomato based dish was just OK. Bread and hummus were both fantastic. Service was great in the restaurant, but could have been better on the patio before dinner.

    (4)
  • Leah G.

    Go with the duo option. Great way to try different entrees! The food was delectably delicious and the view was spectacular. Fantastic service from Patrick.

    (5)
  • Steve M.

    Despite a minor spat over seating, our experience at Merriman's was top-notch! My wife had the diver scallops-I had the rack of lamb. Both preparations were delicious. The goat cheese and Kalua pig wedge appetizers are great starters. We finished with coconut ice cream and flour less cake deserts. No drinks given the drive back. The portion sizes were "mainland". We were glad to see real food without the usual Hawaiian small portions and high prices. The view is fantastic!

    (4)
  • Carroll W.

    We've heard about Merriman's for years and finally stopped by to see for ourselvles. The bay views are amazing. Renee was our server was very, very attentive. Try the Pinot Grisio with fresh Ahi, overlooking the blue pacific with whales frolicking in plain sight. Great food, wine, views and service. A perfect evening.

    (5)
  • M M.

    Had a great dinner here while vacationing in Maui, highly recommend the Monchong Entree. Also had the Scallops which were good, but if you are in Hawaii go for the Monchong, scallops you can have most anywhere.

    (4)
  • Pam B.

    I really really wanted to like this place - beautiful setting, great ambiance ,etc,,, Started well w very good soup. (A special of shrimp bisque w coconut ) &ia delightful extremely fresh salad w a types Yay! She's officially a California driver!!!of all local veggies . For main course we each had a combination plate w fish(scallops/mahjong) & a small portion filet mignon-fish good scallops very well presented/other fish on the dry side&filet smothered w sauce, dessert-- just pedestrian... All in all, huge disappointment!!

    (3)
  • Emily F.

    The views alone deserve 5 stars! The service and atmosphere is just incredible, it is definitely our favorite restaurant on the island. They have amazing food and they are also vegetarian friendly. They have a taro dish which is probably one of the best things I have ever eaten. Must eat at this restaurant if you are in Maui!

    (5)
  • Bmb W.

    Best Restaurant in Maui! Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a 10!

    (5)
  • Sun M.

    My husband and I came here the other night with our 10 month year old daughter with the uncertainty of bringing a baby to fine dining establishment- but all was fine. We made first available dinner service reservations at 5:30, which is what I would recommend if you bring small children/babies- if later, I might have felt it was inappropriate to bring a baby. The restaurant was bustling enough at that time that I don't think most would be bothered by a small child. We got an stunning ocean view table that overlooked Kapalua bay, but it looked as if all the tables would have had a nice view regardless. The food was delicious! Farm to table and fresh. We had the kampachi appetizer (evening special), macadamia nut crusted Ono, and herb crusted Opaka-paka (another evening special). Everything was cooked beautifully and so flavorful it left me completely satisfied and full. I also enjoyed the vodka and pineapple cocktail and I suspect the entire bar menu is just as good. In addition, the service was amazing. Our server got hit with several tables at once and we did not feel in the least bit that we were neglected or overlooked. Overall- Good food, beautiful view, and great service. I can't see how you could go wrong.

    (5)
  • David S.

    Came to Merriman's on Valentine's day and my wife got a nice rose (they really tried to one up me with that little move). We had a reservation so seating was no problem. We actually got seated a little early and at a nice table outside on the edge of the top floor. Unfortunately, it was dark so not much of a view but general restaurant ambience was nice enough. Service was awesome and the food was great. We shared the Pupu sampler. I got the Merriman's mix plate. My wife got the Mahi. We enjoyed our experience so much that we returned the next afternoon to have some drinks, enjoy the view, and watch the whales. The second time was just as nice as the first.

    (5)
  • Eric P.

    Great experience. My wife and I went here for our anniversary. They didn't have a window front table for us when we arrived, so we had a cocktail and watched sunset. Personally, that would usually irritate me, but this place is set up for cocktails and the view. Open seats for sunset and great service. Food and wine was perfect. Definitely expensive, but top it off with live music and dessert, we had a great time.

    (5)
  • Nicole L.

    We were staying at the Ritz for our honeymoon and decided to make dinner reservations for our special night out. The atmosphere is amazing. Two words about the service and the food....underwhelming. The waiter near us asked the couple if thy were celebrating something special. To our dismay our waiter did not. We both ordered the Caesar salad...not very good. I ordered the seared ahi over cabbage. It was ok. My husband ordered one type of steak and it was well done aka burnt to a crisp. Needless to say ... For a $250 meal.. You can prob do much better.

    (3)
  • Darci W.

    Outstanding view, excellent service staff, and the food is amazing, it is out of this world good. If you want a foodgasim, this is were you will find it. Donovan was our waiter and her was so so nice and just made the already amazing meal 10x betters. I would fly back just to eat here. The seafood fresh, melts in your mouth tasty. The steaks are so flavorful and the fresh salads and soups, yummy creamy you leave absolutely stuffed cause it's so good you just keep eating you don't ever wanna stop. Te have a great wine menu and bar list as well. Total package, with the view, service, drinks, and food. You can't go wrong. We loved every second of it.

    (5)
  • Larry E.

    The food is amazing beautiful view .staff is fantastic great people great service .a must visit

    (5)
  • Leanne K.

    Again, great dinning experience in Kapalua!

    (5)
  • Claire K.

    Dinner last night was clearly the best meal we have had in Maui! The scallops were amazing, service exceptional and atmosphere with beautiful sunset view made it spectacular! Highly recommend!

    (5)
  • Andrew A.

    Best restaurant in Kapalua-- the service is perfect.

    (5)
  • N M.

    Best dinner ever. Ocean front seating, fresh fish entre's, watching whales breach less than 1/4mi away. Lobster/Filet sliders are amazing. Only thing that could be better is the beer on tap, but the cocktails make up for it.

    (5)
  • Risa M.

    I really wanted to love this place, especially since we picked it for our anniversary. Sadly, we were unable to get a table early enough to see the ocean view sunset, so it kinda felt like just a regular place (with steep prices!) we ordered the poke to start, which was good, but way too salty in my opinion. My husband had the Ahi and I had the Mahi. While the Mahi had a nice beet vinaigrette and some fantastic squash ravioli, again, the fish was too salty for me. Had to ask for a lemon and it still wasn't great. My husband liked the Ahi a lot, though, so that was good (especially since he was paying!) and since it was our anniversary, they served us a complementary piece of flowerless chocolate cake with creme fraiche. With tax and tip, we paid $150. Overall, ok, but nothing to write home about. There are definitely better, more reasonably priced places on the island. Next time, we'll make a res father in advance and maybe just go for sunset drinks and apps in their deck.

    (3)
  • Kate E.

    Phenomenal! This is basically just a review of service and filet mignons but they were both unbelievable. My husband and I both agree it was the best steak we'd ever had (normally we diversify and share meals but thank God that we were both just in the mood for steak that night!), and a beautiful setting. I wish we could remember our waiters name but he was also a meal highlight-so professional and friendly. I wanted to go back the next night but we already had luau reservations which was a big mistake-I will never return to Maui without returning to Merrimans! Oh, I forgot the appetizer! We got the sampler and it was also delicious, particularly the quesadilla.

    (5)
  • Geo O.

    Always outstanding for dinner, but brunch yesterday could be improved. Server was great, but not so others in the front of the house (e.g., young lady and the gentleman doing the seating) was so-so and out of character for Merriman's, particularly the young lady. You want your initial encounter to be friendly and upbeat. The brunch meal was disappointingly just good as the cooks were off their game. Dishes were served both acceptably warm and others a bit cool. Plates themselves were not heated either to help keep the food warm on a typically breezy day. Would we return? Of course, as we like Merriman's and write this so-so review as a wake-up call for the restaurant and to encourage other "yelpers" to report about improvements to the brunch. See website for the menu. Typical brunch fare with a few twists to make it interesting and inviting enough. Lastly, kudos to the single valet on duty as he was running himself ragged trying both park and fetch cars in a timely and welcoming manner.

    (3)
  • Annette S.

    This is 5-star dining on the island of Maui. We had dinner this evening and it was very busy! Be sure to make a reservation. Our waiter was Davy -service was spectacular. The food was delicious and the restaurant grounds are gorgeous. Definitely try it if you want a nice meal in Maui but be prepared to pay the prices.

    (5)
  • Adriana F.

    The Point Bar is a place I recommend to all visitors! It is beautiful and my opinion is the best place to watch sunset on Maui. You don't need a reservation for the Point Bar but you may want to call ahead to make sure its not closed for a private event. They have the best Mai Tai I have ever tasted, "Merriman's Mai Tai" the one with the Lilikoi foam. They also have a nice Hawaiian IPA on tap (forgot the name). At the Point Bar you don't have to deal with the expensive dinner menu. They have more than enough delicious pupus and desserts to satisfy you. The sliders are AWESOME. They are very small but rich. I think three sliders are around $12. The hummus is good. Everything is good. For dessert I recommend the Chocolate Purse. I thought it looked a little strange the first time I got it but once I tried a bite it immediately became one of my favorites. You can eat at the Point Bar, get first class surroundings and service, all for reasonable prices!

    (5)
  • Lauren L.

    We came here after my parents renewed their vows for their 25th wedding anniversary on Flemming's beach. Great food, great ambiance, great service. Merriman's menu was very eclectic with options for everyone. My dad has a severe and very sensitive allergy to shellfish and the kitchen managed to deliver our meals without my dad getting sick. This is rare for any restaurant with shellfish on the menu. Their wine list was very reasonably priced and their cocktails very tasty. Everyone enjoyed their meals. My only complaint is at night, the outdoor deck isn't very well lit. You can hear the ocean and see where you're going but there wasn't much more light than that. If you want a great meal, come here for lunch or around sunset. The surrounding environment may be more enjoyable.

    (4)
  • Julie H.

    Two times not a charm. Was here two years ago and wanted to give it a second chance given the number of good reviews. I now believe people think the quality is good because they pay a premium for the food. We tried a number of appetizers and both of us tried a split plate to get a broader cross section of the food. We had mahi, ahi, scallops, and beef. The mahi is a signature dish and I found it mushy and flavorless. I didn't even finish it. The filet was tender but overcooked, and the ahi had a gristle line through it and was impossible to eat. It was also slightly overcooked. The scallops while soft didn't hold a candle to other buttery delicious scallops I've had in other restaurants in the US. I don't mind paying a premium if the food is amazing... Will not be back. Too bad, the view is spectacular. 3 stars because of the view and the stellar service.

    (3)
  • COURTNEY K.

    I'm sad to say that this restaurant was towards the end of the week of our fine dining excursion and after all the other amazing restaurants this restaurant just seemed lost. Great service. Mediocre meal. Enjoyed our wine by the fire pit out at the point after our meal.

    (4)
  • Taylor A.

    What a Dream, I had one of the best nights Ive ever had at this restaurant. The location was an absolute dream we sat outside on the cliff's edge and watched the sunset while whales breached in the water. As we had been eating all day/we were in vacation mode enjoying everything we came in contact with food wise we wanted something light. We got a bottle of the 2010 Elivio Tintero Secco Grangia White Blend from Italy and although it wasn't the priciest bottle on the menu it was absolutely delicious, loved the bubbles and it smelled fresh with a hint of fresh cut grass. We also decided to split the Merriman's Pupu Taster which consist of Keahole Lobster, Avocado and Tomato Salad, Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla, Warm Crusted Surfing Goat Cheese(MY Favorite) with Kula Strawberries and Maui Onions, and Fresh Island Ahi Sashimi. It was amazing came out and the presentation was gorgeous and we were "MMMMMMMM-ing"with every bite. The servers were also extremely friendly, answered all of our questions regarding the menu items and the island and they took an interest in us and our trip as well. After the sunset they had live music inside that played outside on the patio covers of love songs in Hawaiian. Beautiful Night, if you ever have the chance to go to Maui you need to experience this place.

    (5)
  • Jenna R.

    Second time at Merriman's and it did not disappoint yet again! Delicious food and beyond gorgeous sunset views. Get there early so you are there in time to watch the sunset as the views are unparalleled. Romantic spot, but also many families dining there with little kids and it's fine for either purpose. Definitely get the incredibly delicious goat cheese appetizer, and the ahi tuna main course is yummy and healthy too! Had the chocolate purse for dessert and it is heavenly! Highly recommended spot near the Ritz Carlton Kapalua in Maui.

    (5)
  • Ren S.

    The best dinner we have had on maui. Don't miss this one. The food is fresh as can be, healthy and wonderfully prepared. The service is impeccable and friendly. The best part is the duo option where you can choose two dinners and they are two full smaller portions. Every restaurant should do this

    (5)
  • Far D.

    We had our wedding and wedding reception here. First of all, we have nothing but rave reviews for this place that helped us have our PERFECT wedding day :). Danielle is the events manager and remained cool as a cucumber throughout the whole planning. We're from California and planned everything through Danielle who took care of the flowers, minister, ceremony, food, and practically everything! (See our review of Good Karma Photography for our photographer.) Danielle even drove to our hotel room to hand deliver flowers from the florist for our hair. Our wedding ceremony was intimate and private (the staff kept random people from walking through our ceremony). We had the perfect view of the sunset and the sky was beautiful with the sun and clouds (yes the clouds actually contributed very nicely!). It did sprinkle a little bit but it felt romantic. The reception food was amazing. Better or comparable to Mama's! We want to come back to try just dinner there. The servers came out altogether so that everyone was served their dishes at the same time (very impressive). The view was just breathtaking with the cliffs overlooking the bay. Wonderful place, wonderful view, wonderful ambiance, wonderful food, wonderful service.

    (5)
  • Terri S.

    Best sunset views in Maui. Reserve an early table to watch the sunset for dinner. Or enjoy Champagne Point for an outside view of the sunset. Best bar view ever overlooking Kapalua Bay. Dave is the best bartender.

    (5)
  • Yvette T.

    amazing. Enough said. Just go and don't second guess it.

    (5)
  • Christine A.

    Happy hour at Merriman's was fun and relaxing. I had the one of a kind mai tais at first. It was a little too sweet for my taste but still very yummy. Switched to the original mai tai later and it was fab. BF had the hapa brown ale and says it was pretty good local beer. We had a bunch of appetizers - The sliders were juicy and delicious. I loved the blue cheese aioli sauce. We loved the crusted goat cheese app too! I liked the sashimi but have had better back home. The lobster salad was very good too but not too die for. The prices seemed perfect for happy hour and actually very decent for maui. Beer $3. Mai Tai's $6. Apps bet 10-20. We had the taster which was $32 and well worth it.

    (4)
  • Kenny L.

    Wow, absolutely blown away! I guess we caught a great night, because the service by our waiter was excellent as some other yelpers have complained. Amazing view we had and the ambience was very nice. Most importantly the food was excellent! My wife and I love variety and the fact that you could pick two or three entrees was genius. I had the filet, ahi, and mahi trio while my wife had the opaka and scallops duo. Every bite was amazing and unique, including the sides like the creamed corn, green beans, bacon, etc. We've been to many of Maui's best and both agreed merrimans tops it all!

    (5)
  • Linda R.

    OK, someone needs to go talk to Mr. Merriman. We've been to the Merriman's on the Big Island and had a truly special meal. Maui, not so much. Our server was very nice, but mostly absent, and spent a great deal of time talking to the other servers. This seems to be a common theme in the reviews. And we were seated next to a big party, with expensive taste in wine - they were noisy, snobby and completely absorbed the server and the sommelier. The restaurant was very noisy, to the point where it was almost impossible to talk to the person next to you. The food was up and down - my fish special was really good, the mixed plate was mixed. And the view is truly incredible, but I can get that view from the beach for a lot less. AAHHH!

    (2)
  • Michael B.

    We just left the restaurant very disappointed . The lamb was mediocre and my fish was not fresh. I would never go back. Do not waist your money. Very expensive.

    (1)
  • Mike B.

    Merriman's offers refined and responsible dining at one of the most scenic locations that you can imagine. The location: Merriman's is on a bluff above Kapalua Bay Beach with a head on view of Molokai. The food: We had appetizers with drinks at the hotel before coming over to Merrimans so we went straight to the entrees. My dad and I both had the filet. Perfectly cooked with a smoky flavor. It came with whipped potatoes, creamed corn and green beans. I would normally need a gun to my head to eat green beans, but these were very well done. Responsible food: Merriman's gets their produce from a farm up the hill from the Kapalua resort. The goal is to get the food to the table in 5 hours. The only drawback was the waiter oversold the food, just a personal peeve of mine. Overall though, the service was very good. One tip: if you're staying in the Kapalua resort, you can take the resort shuttle to and from Merriman's.

    (5)
  • Emeline C.

    Food, views....amazing. Service.... not so much. This place is not cheap so one would expect the best service. Unfortunately the disappointment began (and continued) with the greeting hostess.... Sadly, not a place I will be returning to

    (1)
  • Richard B.

    Went here for the Werewolf, a full moon party that celebrates mixology and wines. Had four takes on rum punch, plus an appetizer, for $40 a person. All four drinks were superbly made, sourcing rare rums and unusual recipes, one dating from 1790. The outdoor patio was perfect: nice sweeping views of the ocean and Kapalua cove.

    (4)
  • Ahmad N.

    Excellent food!

    (5)
  • Kevin S.

    Merrimans is awesome. Incredible food, incredible view. Excellent service, great wine list. We will visit every time we are on Maui!! Our waiter JD was awesome too! Most romantic place to watch the sunset......even from the bar.

    (5)
  • I Love Good Foo D.

    We had very high expectations after reading numerous reviews and recommendations. We arrived 15 minutes early for our reservation. As soon as we stepped into the "upscale" restaurant , we felt as if we were stepping into a fish market - it was noisy as hell. We couldn't even hear the music or the singing above all that noise. Ladies, make sure you dress up even if the person taking your reservation tells you its ok to dress down in your flip flops, because all the ladies are way dressed up. We were given a choice to sit outside or inside and we chose inside since it was windy and rainy that day. As we were directed to take a seat, I noticed that there was water on my chair which I tried to wipe off- the lady seating us told its just cos of the leather and there was no water,anyhow I wiped off the water and sat down. So far, not so great. Next the server arrived and explained the menu in detail and also gave us suggestions for appetizer - dungeon crab cakes- which we ordered. They were good, but I have had better- it could use some more flavoring. Next the server suggested the fish of the day and steak of the day. Since I wanted to have scallops, I ordered that and my husband ordered the steak. Scallops were perfectly cooked- most succulent I have ever had, but make sure you order lesser portion sizes so that you don't get bored by the time you have the third scallop. The steak was okay(could use a little more flavor), but my husband loved it. We were full by the time were done. The best part of our whole experience was the amazing service - the table was not cluttered with cutlery, they changed it as we went through the various courses of our dinner, the server was so polite and attentive- he even laid down the napkin for me. He also packed us the dessert so that we could take home and have. We ordered the lilikoi mousse with banana - the best dessert I have ever tasted my whole life. Overall a little too pricey for the food , ambience and noise level.

    (3)
  • Riaz H.

    Merriman's food was horrible!!! I vote for Mama's Fish House!!!

    (1)
  • CW R.

    Went there to celebrate the hubby's big birthday with friends and it was spectacular. Food was amazing. JJ the waiter was the BEST! Cant say enough about this place and went back there on our last night to sit outside and watch the sunset. There was one waitress on the deck (not Renee) that had a little bit of an "attitude" but we didn't let it ruin our evening. we moved inside at dark and had yet again a spectacular dinner. I highly recommend this place! Cant wait to return!

    (5)
  • Mark D.

    This restaurant features the best sunset on the island of Maui! We were in Maui for our honeymoon, and being the first time to Hawaii for both my wife and I, we relied heavily on the recommendations of friends and family. Every restaurant suggested we tried (and even added some gems found through yelp as well) and each place was delicious, but in addition to having the great flavors, and in addition to having the great service, Merriman's had the most romantic feel. Our waiter was energetic, had great drink and meal suggestions, and started our experience off right. He helped us at every point, our drinks, our appetizers, our main dishes, and our desserts. Another great feature for us was that we were staying at the beautiful place next door (Napili Kai), so we were able to let loose, enjoy our drinks, and just walk back to our room along the beach!

    (5)
  • Heather F.

    Such a great dining experience! If you are able to dine at sunset, the view is unbelievable! There was also a great band covering lots of popular songs playing softly in the backgroud, which really enhanced the perfection of it all. The food was absolutely spectacular, so fresh and thoughtfully prepared. We had amazing appetizer, my favorite being the special spotted prawns. For my entree i had the scallops and they were perfectly cooked atop this delicious corn puree. For the dessert we tried the pineapple upside cake, coconut creme brulee and the chocolate purse. The chocolate purse was unlike anything i had tried before, so rich and the quality of the chocolate was amazing. Other than Mama's Fish House, this is my favorite restaurant in Maui.

    (5)
  • Matthew A.

    Yea it was OK. They gave us a crappy table. Food was acceptable. Great view if you're able to score a decent table to appreciate it. I'll give it three stars but could have been two versus four. Nothing special about the evening. Will we go back? Maybe. There's a lot of good restaurants in Maui these days to choose from.

    (3)
  • Emily N.

    1 star is generous. The atmosphere is beautiful: open air restaurant with a beautiful setting. The service is horrible. I have been here a few times for happy hour 3-5 and dinner. The issues never change. I'm surprised the place is still open based on the service. The bar area is packed yet the bartender can't figure out which end is up. Never once did he come to take out order. (When's the last time you sat a bar just to sit?) As much as I love this place i would suggest not coming for drinks only. The table service is much better, however still slow on service. Bottom Line: Bring your patience and your camera. The views are stunning

    (1)
  • stephanie c.

    I'm giving five stars for the happy hour mai tais ($6 and the best we'd had on Maui) and the gorgeous sunset views and views of Molokai.

    (5)
  • Nicole W.

    I was first introduced to Merriman's while on Kona and was blown away by the fantastic meal we had so when I heard there was now one on Maui I had to go. This is an expensive restaurant but if you have a reservation at 6pm like we did at sunset the views are amazing and worth the hefty price tag. The food was very good but I do think Kona was better. Our group had the pupu taster, beet salad, Ahi, Filet, Ribeye and Lamb. The portions are huge if you get the full option. If I went again I would get the small because I couldn't finish and that is rare! For dessert we had the pineapple upside down cake with coconut ice cream which was a sweet finish. My favorite part of the night was the 2 person live band that played throughout the evening. Imagine a older lady and gentleman with acoustic instruments playing War's "low rider" and Outkast's "Hey Ya" (it made me chuckle). Tip: bring a jacket -- the restaurant is open so it's as though you are sitting outside and can get chilly.

    (4)
  • Maxine M.

    Merriman's dining room is thoughtfully designed. We noted the tables were staggered in such a manner that each table would have a nice view. Tables of two are seated so the guests are closer to each other rather than across from each other for a more intimate dining experience. Overall, the experience was good, but mostly because our server was very nice. The food was good, not spectacular. The Keahole Lobster Salad is a set of three sliced tomatoes topped with pedestrian guacamole and Keahole Lobster served with pickled fennel and old arugula. I would have to say it is just ok. No real outstanding flavors, nothing terribly wrong, just plain. The ribeye was ... hmmm... plain. I don't think it was salted enough or early enough, so the salt was not able to flavor the meat. It was tender, but not flavorful enough for me. I almost feel like the prime steaks I get at Costco tasted better. No, wait. My prime steak from Costco is better. Husband enjoyed his sashimi appetizer and his filet was very tender and flavorful. However, when I asked him if it was Mastro's Ocean Club good, he said no. We had the Chocolate Purse for dessert which is a piece of phyllo dough with chocolate death inside of it served with Earl Grey Caramel and a vanilla bean ice cream. The caramel is outstanding. I make caramel a lot and this stuff was complex, not overly sweet, nor was it outright buttery. It was excellent. The vanilla bean ice cream was equally spectacular. Not super creamy, not super sweet, but flavorful and complex. the first bite was amazing. Overall I would say the view is nice (but I think Mama's Fish House wins on this one) and the food is good. As for going back, I'm on the fence. Maybe?

    (3)
  • Martin S.

    Celebrated wife's birthday at Merriman's tonight. While the food was excellent as described in the many reviews here on Yelp, I've deducted a point for the front staff that failed to make us feel welcome on a special occasion. They didn't honor our request for a table on the railing, instead seating us on the inside table that was farthest from there. All I can think is why did I bother making a reservation request weeks in advance? Luckily our waiter was great which made up for the poor start. He was knowledgeable on every dish, patient with our many menu questions, and attentive without being obtrusive. Kudos also to the kitchen which was flexible enough to change one item on the appetizer sampler. Scallops were the best dish of the evening. Amazing flavor.

    (4)
  • Audra R.

    Best seafood dish I have ever had: Butter Poached Keahole Lobster- black pepper gnocchi, swiss chard, pumpkin, citrus brown butter, AH-MAZING!!!!! Decor was Hamptons meets Maui, pretty chic actually. Seemed very exclusive and upscale without being pretentious. It was such a wonderful experience. Asked for the best table in house via reservation for my bday and def got it. The view and sunset was impeccable. Service was also up to par for 5 star dining, no problems there. Asparagus soup, great, homemade ginger beer was AWESOME! All these gastro pubs are doing their own moscow mules these days and this ginger beer blew all the other crap Ive had out of the water. The Hawaiian organic vodka was delish. The chocolate purse was hands down the best flourless choc cake ive had. The only thing lackluster was the salad. Dont know why? Also liked that the menu had tons of local and organic ingredients. Had a very Hawaiian twist without shoving it down your throat that it was fusion. Very refined menu. Honestly less expensive than an upscale bday dinner in OC/LA. Value was pretty good here!!!

    (5)
  • Sean D.

    5 stars We were a little hesitant after reading that some fellow Yelpers had had hit-or-miss experiences at Merriman's, but let me tell you that this was one of the most memorable dining experiences we ever had. After reserving on OpenTable a few weeks prior just to secure a reservation on Valentine's Day, we joined Merriman's on the 14th and couldn't have been happier. Parking was valet only, which I did not know, but no worries there. Upon approaching the hostess, I gave our last name and she immediately knew my first name, a nice touch of familiarity. We were seated outside on the balcony overlooking sweeping waves and a dimly-lit cove, and with a pleasant breeze to boot it was a truly gorgeous setting. The hostess also gave my wife a rose as we sat down - "Hey, I was about to do that!" I said...and I would have if I actually had one. The wife forgave this silly man. On to the food: We started with cocktails - she got the house version of the mojito - "Muddled Mint from Our Garden, Kimo Farms Limes, Bacardi Rum. Finished with Sparkling Wine." and I had a pina colada-esque concoction, "Kapalua Farms Pineapples, Kimo Farms Limes, Coconut, Bacardi Rum and Disarrono Ameretto, blended, garnished with a wedge," both for $12 and both extremely refreshing. For an appetizer, we split the Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla ($11) which was light and savory. And the entree item both ou eyes settled on - which we can't recommend highly enough - was the sampler, the "Mix plate". This is 3 smaller entree portions on one plate ($48) as follows: Crispy Day Boat Mahi Mahi with Local Citrus Ponzu Maui Cattle Beef Filet with Papaya Mustard Original Wok Charred Ahi with Wasabi Soy These were accompanied by a moderate side of white rice/black Chinese rice which was very good. The ahi came as three generous slices and with a distinct chared scent and perfect texture it was the best ahi we had on the island. The local filet was "to die" and the mahi mahi, cooked to flaky perfection, had an unexpected peanutty element to the citrus glaze that really amazed. We had a few glasses of the Adelsheim pinot noir ($17) to accompany and it wasn't bad at all - we like pinot, but maybe would have picked something a little fuller bodied. Dessert? I'd be in serious trouble if not on V Day, so we split the Crunchy Waialua Molten Chocolate Purse (a chocolate phyllo dough casing) drizzled with Earl Grey Caramel and served with a generous scoop of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream ($12). I loved that - unlike Mama's and Spago, which we had recently visited - you could order a small french press coffee ($5), which I did, which was still enough for a cup and a half. Some have had bad experiences with the service, but Michael really earned 5 stars - the perfect balance between familiarity and (un)obtrusiveness, and very helpful and knowledgable about the offerings. He was fantastic. So we channeled the pickiest of our friends and tried to find SOMEthing they might have complained about and couldn't think of anything - this was truly a 5 star experience and we would go back in a heartbeat. Just need to fly back to Maui first....

    (5)
  • Rob C.

    Best in West Maui -- great food, service, view, great even for kids --

    (5)
  • Kristen S.

    Merriman's in Kapalua is one of the best restaurants in Maui. Tied with Mama's Fish House for the number one spot. The food is amazing. It's Peter Merriman. It's local and organic. It's prepared to perfection. But we'll get to that later... dining is a holistic experience. First of all, the VIEW. Cannot be beat in a million years. Secondly, the service. Our server, Davey, was the best. He was gracious with recommendations, attentive, awesome about providing me with a safe, gluten free meal. He spent a good 10 minutes with us chatting up coffee. Coffee is our thing. My husband doesn't drink alcohol, and I am a wine snob. But coffee... we are both coffee snobs. Davey walked us through the different coffee offerings on the menu, talking about the spirit of each brew and where it was grown, and even told us that there were coffee fields in Maui we could visit! We've been coming to Maui for YEARS and did not know this. We are forever grateful to Davey for introducing us to MauiGrown Coffee and being the best server in this history of dining. And last but CERTAINLY not least - the food. I had my first filet, ever, here at Merriman's. Maui Cattle Co. has awesome, grass-fed beef that is completely local. After 28 years on this planet, I decided that if I was going to lose my steak virginity, Maui is the place to do it and Merriman's is the place to trust it with. And I LOVED it. Best meal of my life. With fresh Kapalua corn, Hana greens, and Ka'u coffee... the flavors still dance in my tastebuds. It's just *that* good. We cannot wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Greg J.

    Update on October 1, 2012 Downgraded to one star, meaning at this price, it's not worth it. First, I used to like their custom cocktails. Now their Mai tai has a whipped cream topping that is more frappacino than cocktail, awful and way too sweet. Bourbon and hibiscus much better. Then dinner. Waiter didn't tell us about the special until asked. Ordered a bottle of wine. First, they bring chardonnay instead of cabernet, then they bring the wrong vintage. I tell them it's the wrong year. They scurry away again, come back with the same bottle and a different bottle from another vineyard that is the correct year, but more expensive. Substituting a different vintage is really unethical, and possibly illegal. Not explaining the error and offering at least a wine list back is obnoxious. I asked for the wine list back and they acted like they were doing me a favor, big attitude. Then the food and service. My sustainable seafood special was breaded and oily on the outside and dry on the inside. Like a high end fish stick. The accompanying shrimp and clams were nice. My partners wok seared ahi was WAY to smoky, and the taste just accumulates. After a couple pieces, hard to eat. Since our wine came about the same time as our food, we had wine after eating and thought we'd have dessert. Asked waiter what was on the cheese plate. He didn't know. Ran away and came back in about 5 min and rattled off the list, but didn't know if any were local or what kind of milk they were made from (sheep, cow, goat...). Ordered the cheese plate and it was uninspired at best. Like you sent someone who didn't know anything about cheese to Costco to get a variety of cheeses. The macadamia honey was good though. All in all, about $280, with our bar tab, before tip and I can't think if one reason I'd want to go back there again. Lackluster in all fronts, except the view. I don't mind spending a lot for a meal if the food, drinks and service are worth it. This clearly is not We ate at Merrimans on Tuesday, January 25, 2011. We've eaten here before an probably will again in the future. The bar area is great. Very knowledgeable bartenders who actually know how to make drinks (it seems rare today that anyone behind a bar can make anything beyond something and something, eg, gin and tonic, or what is on their specialty drink menu). They also have a very extensive and wide ranging wine list. The mark-ups are a bit high, but they are everywhere on Maui. I had their original, Trader Vics, Mai Tai, which was great. The bar also has a great view of the sunset over the ocean, although you might need your sunglasses inside right at sunset as the sun can be really bright. My partner had a first course special, half a quail and seared blue shrimp which was extraordinary. Hands down, the best dish of the evening. For entree, he had a beef fillet with polenta that was well prepared. I had a lobster and avocado salad as my first course. It was a bit too much dressing and creamy avocado for my taste, but not bad by any stretch, but not what I was hoping for. Probably should have made a better selection. My entree was lamb chops, which were a bit more done than the medium rare I requested. The accompanyments were fine, with the exception of the caponata, which was a bit too strong for the dish, but was easily pushed aside. As I mentioned before, the wine list is extensive and it took a bit of time to work through to find a good match for our entrees. But I could think of worse things than too many choices. The service was a little odd. I'm not sure if they are going for old-school stuffy or what, but it just comes across a bit detached and less than knowledgeable. When I ordered the wine, I actually had to open the menu and point to my selection on the wine list for the server to take the order. We also asked a few questions about the menu items and specials which the server wasn't really able to answer (or, answered like a politician given a question they don't want to answer, she just answered a different question than the one we asked). The food also came out really quickly, litterally picking up the first course plates and putting down our entrees. I do like a little space between courses The views are great and we had a table right on the balcony, hard to find anything wrong with that. There is also a lower patio with a bar and what looks to be a fire pit. It looks like a great place to have a drink and snacks at sunset. Overall, it is a good place, but, you do have to expect more from a restaurant at that price point and I think they do fall just a bit short,

    (1)
  • Michael K.

    This is a very elegant restaurant, the waiters even wear ties. Do not show up in a tattered T-shirt and sneakers. Dress like you are about to drop some serious coin on dinner, because you are. The wine list is extensive, with some bottles costing thousands of dollars. I made a joke about the Screaming Eagle, which was $2,900 a bottle, but the server bragged that he actually sold one. Me, I ordered beer, and was shocked that they only had four choices--Bud Light, two other equally dismal domestics, and one awful Belgian white ale, which tasted like piss. Why they don't carry any of the delicious beers made by the local Maui or Kona Brewing Companies, I don't know. For apps, I had loco moco, and my wife had an avocado, ahi, and Kula greens salad. The loco moco was good, even if it was 1/4 the size of the same dish as Da Kitchen Express, at twice the price. They threw a couple shrimp on top to dress it up. The salad was lackluster, and the avocado chunks had brown spots. Next, my wife had an herb-crusted opakapaka over sesame spaetzle which was very good. i should have ordered that. Instead, I had their signature wok-charred ahi, which was tasty, but a tiny portion, more like an appetizer priced as an entrée. I was still hungry after two courses. Dessert was a trio of ice creams--Tahitian vanilla, mac nut, and Kona coffee, which looked hurriedly scooped out and plopped in a small, white bowl without any garnish or flair. I asked if they were made in-house, and was told that they were "outsourced" from the Big Island. From a supermarket there, no doubt. They were too soft, and not good. I make my own ice creams at home, and, unlike the amazing ice creams and sorbets at Star Noodle, these did not impress. If you are looking for an upscale dining experience with a scenic view, this place is an option, but the food is hit-or-miss.

    (3)
  • Stephen B.

    I've been visiting Maui for over 40 years and, when this restaurant, was part of the Kapalua "Rock Resort" had several of the best dining experiences of my life. With this as background I returned to this restaurant with its perfect setting overlooking Kapalua Bay and had one of the greatest disappointments of my life. In brief, the service was incredibly pretentious, the food poor to mediocre while managing to retain very high prices - all in all terrible experience.

    (2)
  • Justin S.

    Best meal on Maui! We had JD as our waiter and he was very knowledgeable about every item on the food as well as the wine menu. I had the ribeye which was fantastic and my wife had mix plate that she thought was excellent. The view was one that can't be described you have to see it for yourself. The waiter even took time to take a picture of us down by the water with the sun setting behind us. It's pricey but worth every penny.

    (5)
  • J B.

    We just got married at Merriman's. It was perfect. The deck is perfectly located with an unbeatable view. The ceremony was on the deck followed by a perfect, gourmet dinner in the dining room and again open bar on the deck with torches and the fire pit. The food is amazing (second to the view it is the reason we picked this location for our ceremony). The staff is also excellent, I can't say enough positive things about this restaurant. Aside from our wedding, the regular dinner menu is excellent, drinks are awesome, and the atmosphere can't be beat. Additionally, their wine menu can't be beat. Thanks for the perfect wedding Merriman's.

    (5)
  • Samantha J.

    Absolutely Beautiful place to catch the Sunset while sipping on cocktails! HH food was wonderful too!

    (5)
  • Basil M.

    Food was good, location even better. Try to sit outside - the view is spectacular. You can't beat the ambiance and setting here... It's amazing.

    (3)
  • Cristy S.

    Service was excellent and that is why I give the full five stars. The waiter we had was always there for us, we never felt like we were waiting around. Food was DELICIOUSLY SUPERB. I had the Ono Fish and it was amazing!!!!! Very fresh and cooked perfectly. I love it how they brought out hummus and fresh garden grown vegetables for us to eat before our meal. Along with that they brought bread that was freshly baked and so good as well! We asked to take our bread home as we didn't finish it all and the waiter replaced our leftover bread with NEW fresh, warm bread and said it could be our snack for later! So sweet of him. I loved the atmosphere - beautiful views of the ocean every where you looked. There was also a live saxaphone performer - very romantic. Valet parking. Expect to pay around 40 - 50 for an entree. It's worth it if you want to treat yourself.

    (5)
  • Missy F.

    Wow! What a romantic, amazing place for dinner. We went while on our honeymoon and it didn't disappoint. The service was very fantastic. So knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We started with the appetizer sampler which allowed us to taste everything. Portions aren't huge so it was perfect for 2. My hubby had the mixed plate and loved everything. I had the fish special. Out of this world. The food is great but the view is what really gives this place 5 stars. It's right on the water with the most amazing views! We were there in early April and watched whales breech while dining! It doesn't get any better!

    (5)
  • Roz D.

    My most fabulous Maui experience. It was probably even better because it salvaged a HORRIBLE night that was ruined by I'O, but I feel fortunate to have found this place. Totally tops if you are looking for farm-to-table. When you want to go somewhere and enjoy every single moment and every tiny morsel, this is the place to choose. Best view we found on Maui, fabulous service (fine dining but not too stuffy), AMAZING outdoor lanai, food that truly melts in your mouth. They have tasting menus for both appetizers and entrees, and the combinations are fantasitc and give you a taste of everything you might crave. My husband and I got different tasting combinations to share, and I don't think there was anything on the menu that we didn't get to try. Do yourself a huge favor and order one of their specialty cocktails. There is a lower level outdoor bar and fire pit that is great for happy hour or lingering after dinner, but otherwise I recommend dining on the lanai before/during sunset. If you are there with someone you love it will be magical.

    (5)
  • Russ W.

    Some of the best food I've had but expensive and slow service at the start. Food gets five stars. The customer Ferrari out front gets five stars as well. I had an Ono with macadamia garnish, Japanese forbidden rice and garlic chili pepper broccoli. The macadamia garnish was perfect, without the bitter edge you get when the fish is cooked with it. Fish was nicely prepared with a sauce I can not remember but enjoyed. My brother had an Ahi dish which he was very happy with. Dessert was amazing- a pineapple upside down cake made from banana bread with a side of house made coconut gelato. I know, banana bread sounds odd but trust me it was amazing and the perfect ending of an incredible meal.

    (4)
  • Rob J.

    My wife and I are die-hard Merriman's fans. We've frequented the place on the Big Island many times. If you're familiar with that one, it's more of a relaxed feel. This Merriman's is top notch elegance, and the food, view and service matches. This place is now our standard by which we judge all other restaurants.

    (5)
  • John D.

    How it took so long for someone to take advantage of the old Kapalua Bay Club house and make it into an amazing restaurant is beyond me, but the location and restauranteur are truly a match made in heaven! My wife and I watched as the building was being transformed and eagerly anticipated the opening of Merriman's. It is always one of the highlights of our visits here and we go there several times during our stays. The food, location and service make us come back time and time again and we are always impressed and can't wait for our next visit!

    (5)
  • Mari S.

    This was our 2nd visit and it was much better this time. Location is amazing, food is good, though not great. Service was excellent this time, but our friends knew her and the runner, so that could be why we were taken such good care of. Overall, we enjoyed it and will go back

    (4)
  • Mark C.

    This place is faux fancy. Best thing about it is that it exists in a place that is not cold, a place where you don't have to go to work, and a place where people are theoretically always happy. A baby was screaming in the background, and the food was merely satisfactory. It lacked complexity and subtlety, just about everything was swimming in butter/dressing without the restraint and nuances that makes doing that OK. Service was bad. We ordered a bottle of wine. Our starter was served and still no wine. Told server we would like to enjoy our wine with dinner and it came about 5 minutes later. Main plate was timed better. We decided not to venture into dessert but asked for coffee. Not kidding, the refill I agreed to was ice cold. We seemed to be a little rushed at the end (check presented before coffee) evidenced by our server escaping on his skateboard as we waited for the hotel shuttle out in front of the restaurant. If you don't usually do this sort of thing or they happen to be spot on for you, you may think this is worthy of five stars. If dining well in restaurants or at home is your style, buyer beware. I would have enjoyed a good bowl of ramen much better. The view is outstanding if there's still daylight, but a walk on the beach at sunset followed by a good bowl of ramen could do the trick if this place is considered, "the best".

    (2)
  • Sharon D.

    Rarely do I pass out 5 stars but Peter Merriman, your crew here does it right. From the exceptional greeting as we pulled up to valet park, to the warm smile from the hostess who sat us to our amazing waitress to wandering around to enjoy the fire pit and the stars after our meal. Five stars all the way. My lilikoi vodka cocktail was impressive. Merriman's has quite the mixologist, not your average sunset cocktails. The shrimp appetizer was perfectly cooked and seasoned well as the ahi sashimi and poke combo could have been my entire meal. Thankfully I did order the macadamia crusted Monchong. Not sure what was in the mushroom sauce drizzled on top but I almost licked my plate. Hubby had the citrus kampachi special and was equally impressed. Incredible food combined with a beautiful sunset, amazing views and impeccable service. Living on Oahu has its perks considering I cannot wait to return to Maui and another meal at Merriman's!

    (5)
  • Kimberly T.

    This place is SPECTACULAR. We had our wedding reception here last summer. Merriman's is by far the most beautiful restaurant I have ever been to. The decor - the VIEW - amazing. My mom worked with the manager to create a preset menu to make it not only easy on the staff, but easy on everyone at our table (none of us wanted to search through a menu - we wanted to celebrate!). They were incredible to work with; food, wine & everything else was handled ahead of time - so all we had to do was relax once we arrived. The food was amazing. I think everyone's plate was licked clean. Our food & service was impeccable. I can't imagine a better place for our reception!

    (5)
  • Terry B.

    We had a friend get married here, which is a stunningly beautiful location. The view is absolutely wonderful, the sunsets ridiculous, the whales breaching were well, whales breaching. (but cool!) The staff was very helpful and the food insane. As a wine-o, they've got a ridiculous wine list as well with everything from bargain but good wines to drop a fortune for a Penfold's Grange wines. We had a number of apps that weren't included in the menu, but the crab cakes and the poke over sweet potato chips were fabulous if they ever appear on the menu. The warm goat cheese with Maui Onions, strawberries, and vinagrette was a remarkable pupu. The Mrs. loved her seared diver scallops while I considered the grass-fed filets some of the best beef I've had. For desert, I'll admit I made the wrong choice opting for the sorbet with fresh fruit instead of the molten chocolate purse. It's not that the sorbet and fruit were bad...can they be in Hawaii? But that chocolate purse? Wow! Dress is slacks/khakis with a polo or button up shirt if I recall the other patrons correctly, which is kinda fancy for Hawaii.

    (5)
  • Andrew S.

    This is a tale of two dinners. This was going to be our big dinner out. We lined up child care, put on our nice clothes, and headed up for our 8:30 reservation. We had read a bit about HRC (hawaiian regional cuisine) and the locavore movement and Merriman's seemed to be at the epicenter. What made eating out interesting was that I don't eat meat, and my wife is vegetarian. Neither preference should have been an issue; one was. We started with the fried gnocchi appetizer which was very tasty and had a surprisingly spicy bite. The mains were where the story diverged. I ordered a duo of fish with the Mahi Mahi and the Ono (highly recommend). My wife wanted a veg option, of which there was one. Not feeling up to trying the taro dish, she asked for a solution comprised of three of the local veggie sides. This engendered a surprising level of confusion from our waiter. He attempted a second go at pushing the taro plate before lamely asking if she wanted the sides separately or cooked together as an entree. Not knowing how beets, spinach, and broccoli would come out together, we asked to keep them separate. The food came out in a reasonable amount of time. Mine was beautifully plated; the wife was given three bowls of food and had to ask for a plate. Overall thoughts: Appetizer - 4 Bread - 5 (honey wheat with a lovely crust) Fish - 4 (Ono 5, Mahi 3) Veggie dishes - 4 ( broccoli 5, beets 3, spinach 4) Dessert - 4 ( pineapple upside-down cake with coconut gelato) Service: -1 ( being made to feel a freak for being vegetarian and not wanting the only option on the entree menu + being avoided and ignored when there were only two other tables)

    (2)
  • Stephanie M.

    This restaurant was really disappointing, especially since it was recommended. We did get there an hour early and were able to sit at the outside bar which was amazing - right on the water. At the bar we ordered the hummus/taro appetizer which was really good, of course we did not realize that it is actually given to each diner when they order dinner, so we had it again when we sat down for dinner. That was the only good part of dinner. I had chicken which looked as unappealing as it tasted. My boyfriend had the combination plate of fish and lamb which was minuscule in comparison to the price. The waiter was strange and although I would not go back for dinner I would recommend the outside bar for drinks - the view is unforgettable.

    (3)
  • Anne F.

    My husband and I just got back from a week on Maui's west side. We concluded our restaurant adventures with a Friday night dinner at Merriman's overlooking Kapalua Bay. The steak I had was incredible, AT LEAST on par with Hanna's in RSM or Ruths Chris. Add to that some great side dishes and an amazing view and you get one of the best places in the world to have a meal. Thank you Peter Merriman!!

    (5)
  • Ian M.

    Everything we had was just ok. The service wass impeccable. The only place you can probably buy a $7500 bottle of wine in Maui. Don't know if that's good or bad but interesting.

    (3)
  • Travis K.

    This was our first time here. Friggin good restaurant. The service from valet parking in all the way to our check on the way out was spot on! Patrick, our server was amazing. I ate the opakapaka special with couscous and veggies and it was awesome! The black pepper gnocchi with tomato coulis side dish was mouthwatering. Every bite melded perfectly. The seared ahi I didn't care for too much because it was too warm for me. Everything is still more than top notch here. The toasted coconut creme brulee was a nice treat to round out the meal. I also got to try a sample of the upside down pineapple cake and that was a nice way to end the night. More than stuffed. Beautiful ocean panoramic views. The setting is perfect. We will definitely return.

    (5)
  • V P.

    4 1/2. Stunning views. Wonderful staff and service. The food was delicious, just a tad pricey but it's what you'd expect for fine dining in Maui. Started off with the pupu platter, quesadilla was awesome with the mango chili sauce and homemade kimchi. The lobster salad was good with the tangy vinaigrette as was the ahi sashimi. The thing I didn't like was the fried goat cheese, too cloying even with the strawberries and onions. I like their choose two option. I got the scallops and the lamb prepped 2 ways. All the sides that came with each were great. One side was the savory and spicy lamb, the other was the sweet and creamy scallops and corn. All of it delicious,. Husband got the steak which he shared with our daughter, she didn't touch her plate of food instead she ate his. He said it was good. For dessert we got the pineapple upside down cake, while it wasn't stellar it was still pretty darn good with a nice twist. It seemed very homey not fancy. Will have to try making that one at home. Dinner was a pretty penny but it was worth it. Free cookies at the end. 2 1/2 hour dinner with a 3 year old went pretty smoothly.

    (4)
  • Rich D.

    Unbelievable venue, good food.

    (4)
  • Andy S.

    It was very close to a perfect dinner. The filet mignon I ordered was outstanding, as were the creamed corn and mashed potato sides. They also offer small entree portions, which is really nice. My mojito was good, but not as good as the ones I make at home. Chalk that up to me being fussy. My girlfriend had a mai tai and the scallops, which she really enjoyed. For desert we had a bag of Portuguese donuts with white chocolate filling and dark chocolate dipping sauce, which were excellent. Yum! Nice ambiance and service too. Expensive, but worth it.

    (5)
  • E L.

    had a decadent specialty cocktail, a yummy appetizer (truffle fries), a decent entree (the fish of the day), and an ok dessert (the flourless chocolate number). service was almost too hands off. we started at the bar, and they forgot my appetizer twice. they took it off the bill, so that was a plus. had front row seats for the sunset; i only wish they'd raise those maskings and have sunglasses handy for those that need them. it's too beautiful a view to hide it until the last seconds!! live music. great ambiance. good times :)

    (3)
  • Rosanne K.

    Awesome sunset! Amazing service and beautiful food..great experience overall...

    (5)
  • Ray U.

    Food & service was ok not outstanding. Portions are small and pricy. 2 appetizers, fish entrees, and 2 drinks cost $200. You are paying mostly for the views and ambiance.

    (3)
  • Charlene L.

    This was our last dinner in Maui before heading back to San Francisco...Gosh this place is hard to find in the dark! At any rate, we had a lovely dinner there. We were there with our 2 year old and it was lovely. The service was great, and the host was kind to bring out toys for our LO to play with while waiting for food. Free valet! A little on the loud side, but it's all good. The food was good, and I wish I had more time to savor it. The two half portions of fish I had (hard to explain, but basically smaller versions of two entree dishes) was wonderful. We are going to start here next time we're on the Island.

    (4)
  • nisha c.

    The View 5* The Location 5* The Wine Selection 5* The front Staff 2*, no I think 0*, if I include the attitude. The Service Staff and Manager Brandi 10* The Food 4* When we were seated the restaurant was about half empty. We were seated at the worst table in the restaurant. Near the noisy bar and fruit fly infested. After I spend 20 mins, fighting my battle with them, I asked to be moved. The seater with a total attitude, said you WANT to be moved. I said yes, somewhere where we dont have have fruit flies to fight... SHE had the odasity to say, I heard you that's why I am here to move you. I was at that moment ready to walk out. If it wasnt for Brandi, who we later found out was the manager.. she changed a bad experience to a wonderful experience. NOTE To MANAGEMENT: cute young girls, scantly dressed, can sometimes BACK fire. They have to have customer service skills. Yours don't. food, wine, atmosphere, view all exceptional. Would definetly go again and agian.

    (3)
  • Elle P.

    Loved, loved, loved Merriman's. Fantastic service, great location, beautiful view.... Delicious, beautifully presented entrees.... Pricey, of course, but worth the visit.... Perfect dining experience!

    (5)
  • Mallards R.

    Amazing food and incredible view! The mixed plate allows you to sample several overwhelmingly delicious entrees. Two of us split a mixed plate and a pick two dinner. OMG, everything was fresh, flavorful, and so so delicious! Don't forget the chocolate purse for dessert... to die for!

    (5)
  • Meg M.

    Dinner is good here. Service is very good. One waitress on the deck remembered my wife and i the next day and she even remembered what I had ordered. She asked on the second day we were there "Nice seeing you guys again!, Do you want a beer? You had the longboard yesterday right?"..... wow, that was impressive considering she was the only waitress on the deck because the other one called in sick, so she was running around with her head cut off. Now, I gotta talk about the deck. It opens up at 3:30 or so every day, the resturant opens at 5pm or so, so you can get a great seating if you come early..... then they have the best view of the ocean and sunsets.... just amazing. HK's parting shot: -- go there every day for happy hour and enjoy the sunsets!!! Happy hour drafts are $3.... wtf? . . . yah I said $3.

    (5)
  • xotelle C.

    Merriman's was our last din din in Maui from our pre-honeymoon trip and it was definitely one perfect dinner! How does it deserve 5 stars? Location: we had an oceanfront table and were able to enjoy the incredible sunset in Maui - breathtaking! Because we stayed at the Ritz (5 min away from Merriman's), we had a complimentary shuttle that took us there so that was a big plus! Food: The hubby ordered the scallops and I got the special of the night which was snapper and both of us added half of a lobster to our meal. The food was AMAZING! Their side dishes were sooo good and complimented their main dish so well! As for dessert, we ordered the pineapple upside down cake and that was pretty good. The ambiance/service was just outstanding! Can't think of any other ways for making our dinner any more perfect! Merriman's is THE top restaurant and we'll definitely return on our next trip to Hawaii!

    (5)
  • Anne D.

    My husband and I went here for our one year anniversary. We went for sunset and the views were incredible. It's right near the Ritz Carlton so the sun sets right between Lanai and Molokai. We were greeted warmly and promptly sat at our table. The host was extremely friendly. They had a live band playing Hawaiian music which added to the ambiance. The food: The wine list was extensive. The service was excellent...top notch. The ahi appetizer with mango and tomato was delicious. I ordered the combo scallops and filet. Both were very good. I ordered this because I couldn't make a decision, but if I were to be lucky enough to go back I would order the scallops because they were so tasty. My husband ordered the filet and loved it. Dessert: Originally we were not going to get dessert because we were so full, but then decided we were celebrating and what's a fancy meal without dessert at the end. We ordered the chocolate purse and were not let down. AND, at the end, the restaurant gave us the dessert on the house! We really enjoyed our meal here. It's definitely on the pricey side so it was good to go for a special occasion. Oh, and they have a wine bar down on the patio with a fire pit that overlooks the ocean so it's a nice romantic way to sit and relax after eating a great meal (they let us bring our unfinished wine glasses down from the restaurant so we could enjoy them while digesting).

    (4)
  • Sheryl S.

    Wow. Ok to live here and know the best of Maui is one thing. Then to take family from the mainland here and be disappointed is another. We had reservations at 5:30 for a week... to be there at sunset for the awesome view and terrific food. What a joke. The food was more than an hour and a half late to our table, no manager came over to our table and the server appeared to know nothing she was like a deer in the headlights! Finally our food arrived and it was not only cold, but not good. The manager even brought me another fresh hot meal without me asking but the fiood was cold and the fish was bad. We wanted to leave, the manager comped our main course but still gave us a check for over $150.00 for wine, one salad and one appetizer. She assumed that was fine. I have no problem paying for great food and excellent service, but when you receive neither........that's what you should pay for...nothing! Beware of the hype, there are far better restaurants on Maui .

    (1)
  • Corey M.

    Really excellent, and unique. It is a different style of restaurant, farm to market. They source all the ingredients themselves, it is about the freshest and best ingredients. The seared Ahi and Mahi Mahi combo plate was spectacular. The chocolate purse desert is truly something special. The Opakapaka was great. The sampling of vegetables really lets you understand how good fresh vegetables can be. The farm to market approach does come with costs, as in $$. This isn't a restaurant to just get something to eat. The waitstaff we had were very knowledgeable at leading us to the best choices, listen to them. The dishes here are unique because of the farm to market concept, the descriptions don't do them justice. I was surprised by all the negative reviews. First, this restaurant is expensive. I have a sense that some people expected something in particular, and didn't get what they thought they were getting. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I am not saying they are wrong, but I would say this is the kind of restaurant that you need to be willing to be led a bit by the waitstaff, they food just won't conform to other restaurants, it isn't that kind of restaurant. I highly recommend the specialties of the house, Mahi Mahi with Ponzu sauce, seared Ahi, vegetable sampler, and chocolate purse for dessert. In addition, a spectacular view. Get a reservation for sunset.

    (5)
  • Michael A.

    Gorgeous setting, one of the best, great cocktail menu, very inventive, enjoyed the Mai Tai with the homemade Mac nut syrup, the salad and the mongchoi were delicious

    (5)
  • J. W.

    Ok this place is quite expensive but it's not because of the food, it's only because of the view. It is a great place to watch the sunset. Great service and all but seriously over priced and the portions are quite small.

    (3)
  • Vern G.

    This restaurant is wonderful. Natural ingredients. Beautiful flavors. Incredible atmosphere. If you are in west Maui, you need to dine here. The bar at happy hour is unparalleled in beauty.

    (5)
  • E T.

    Can't say perfect because I don't believe there is a perfect place to eat but this is pretty close. Everything from service to view and location is amazing. Our server Donavon was outstanding. He made our dinner memorable.

    (4)
  • maureen k.

    If i were to Go to the electric chair and I had one last meal (4 courses last meal that is) the scallops dish from Merriman's would be my entree! The concept of this joint is from farm to table (however Maui location did not emphasize this). The meals are delicious. In fact, we loved Merrimans so much in Kauai...we made it a point to hit it up in Maui on the last night of our honeymoon. The service is superb (thanks Sean!) and they even called over to the Kauai location to see how to make their "OMG" cocktail that I fell in love with (you almost got it right practice makes perfect). The location in Maui is amazing. Make reservations for 615, but arrive at 530 for sunset cocktails...breath taking. I had the goat cheese app..scallops entree..and pineapple upside down cake for dessert The old man had the pork quasidilla, special salad, and Maui raised beef tenderloin for dessert. Skip all the bad places to eat on Maui and spend a little more for an orgasmic meal.

    (5)
  • Chris T.

    I'll keep this short and sweet because words cannot explain how great this experience was. Our table had 180 degree views of the water, and the food was to die for. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable and answered all of our questions about the menu, the wine list, and even surrounding islands. We had the first seating with a 5:45 reservation and had a great view of the Hawaiian Sunset. This was our favorite meal of the entire trip!

    (5)
  • Elizabeth R.

    My husband and I went here on a romantic night out on our recent vacation and were both pretty disappointed with our experience at Merriman's. There were not one, but two weddings going on, therefore completely shutting down any gorgeous views that Merriman's is known for. The wait staff seemed incredibly overwhelmed with the evening's events, and wasn't able to give us (and the other restaurant patrons) as much attention as we were paying for. The best thing we had was the Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla, but all the rest of the food was just okay. I'd only return to Merriman's just to walk outside to see the view we missed out on, but not to eat.

    (2)
  • Simon M.

    Our first big dinner in Maui and what a wonderful experience. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and even held off on firing our entrees while we look at the sunset. I had their signature dishes of sashimi two ways and the grilled Ahi, and the flavors of the fresh fish were so abundant. Simple sauces accentuated the food and great wine list made this a great experience.

    (4)
  • Jim E.

    We have been to Merriman's twice now. Our first experience just over a month ago was fabulous. The food was great, the service was wonderful and the atmosphere was outstanding. Based on our first experience we returned this week anticipating a similar experience and we were terribly disappointed. Our server and service overall was very poor. The food was just okay and we left feeling like we had paid a premium price for a less than average experience.

    (2)
  • Ryan J.

    Amazing view and a very friendly staff. My girlfriend and I were seated in a beautiful seat overlooking the beach and palm trees. If you can get a reservation around sunset you will not be disappointed. The ambiance of this place is stunning, the decor and live music coupled with the view make this an unforgettable location. The service was impeccable and the wine selection astonishing. I was pleasantly surprised to see some selections from local vineyards located in the Santa Cruz mountains. The food was delicious, especially the Ahi salad. The sweetness of the mango and the saltiness of the Ahi and dressing was a perfect combination. I ordered some more Ahi as the main dish and it was seared perfectly with an amazing seasoning. My girlfriend ordered the scallops which were also prepared exquisitely. The only reason this establishment does not get 5 stars is it is a little on the pricey side. Still a very nice place to take someone special.

    (4)
  • Sylvia F.

    For Maui, I think this is a solid 4 stars. Comparable to some of the better restaurants in San Francisco, good friendly competent service. Docking one star bc you are paying for the amazing location and view and because I've had better food elsewhere but def the highlight of my dining experience in Maui.

    (4)
  • Gary F.

    Great food ! Great view! We come to Maui two to six weeks every year and this is one of best . Had to comment after reading a review from someone comparing it to Long john Silvers? They should take there food stamp money and head on back to there trailer.

    (4)
  • Ann m.

    Great meal! Five of us ate here for our last night on Maui. We had a wonderful time in a beautiful room with live music and a wonderful ocean breeze. The food was all outstanding, the pasta cavatelli dish sublime and the snapper special a five star. The service was friendly and professional, just the right amount of attention without hovering too much. This is not an inexpensive place but the quality of the food showed and the experience was worth the cost. Can't wait to return!

    (5)
  • Jen S.

    wow. WOW! this place is well worth the money, all around. See my review on Lahaina Grill, if you have to choose, pick this place for 'special night out' (or Pacific' Os) over LG. This is THE place to come for sunset cocktails, no lie. Great venue, even has a firepit. If you don't feel like spending big bucks to dine there, go for cocktails and feed of the appetizers/pupu menu - the pork quesadillas are crazy good. We loved this place, the food was amazing, and pricey but the quality, service AND venue made the extra $$ more palatable. Ask for a view table when you book on Opentable, they will accomodate. I like that our server knew our name from checking our reservation & was very informative, even giving details about the area & local specialties AFTER we had already paid our bill & tipped him. I also liked that they offer most entrees in 2 different sizes. Seriously, if you have an appy with sunset cocktails & split a salad, you don't need an 8 oz filet vs a 4 oz. But thats me. The wine list is impressive. I have a pretty atypical knowledge of Napa/Sonoma 'odd' wines...and many were there, which surprised me. Overall, we spend probably $300 on sunset cocktails, an appy, shared salad & soup & 2 entrees, with a $100 bottle of vino. Not something I do 5 nights a week, but very glad I did it here. Cheers.

    (5)
  • Stuart M.

    Great view, but things have gone down hill, special fish opakapaka $45 was salty, overcooked really bad, complained to manager, who gave me the " we try our best", but no satisfaction. So be careful, view is great but food quality and management attitude leaves a lot to be desired.. BTW, least expensive bottle of wine was $65!!! Ouch!

    (2)
  • Jack W.

    In the heart of the very upscale Kapalua area on Maui, Merriman's is not for the faint of wallet. They're particularly proud of their wine list! On Monday night two of us shared a starter salad, two entrees, a shared dessert and a modest bottle of New Zealand Pinot Noir (no pre-dinner drinks or after dinner coffees) with the tab coming to $230 including tip. However, that said, they definitely deliver on the quality, freshness, innovation and overall execution of the dining experience. And you just can't beat the setting on the magnificent point that separates Napili bay from Kapalua bay. This is what luxury dining on Maui is all about. They extensively support local producers and really do the direct from farm to table thing well, and menu's are creative, putting a distinctive Hawaiian touch onto traditional recipes. Service was great, we never waited too long for anything. And there's obvious attention to detail in everything they do. We've dined at Merriman's several times over the past few years and they've maintained their quality. I'd give them 5 stars, but I think their wine is a bit overpriced. Still, you can't beat the location and the food really is well done. They're consistently busy any night of the week so best to book ahead.

    (4)
  • cynthia w.

    Crowded and lively! Make sure to make reservations. My food was great! My husband only thought what he ordered was so-so. All in all we had a fun time and would do it again.

    (4)
  • John S.

    Pricey, but amazing location/ view, service, and food. Outstanding overall and worth every penny!

    (5)
  • andrew f.

    For hawaii this place is stellar. For the prices compared to other places i've dined it's so-so. The food is a bit dated but prepared well. The patrons are annoying with their fake blonde hair and fake laughs. I found the whole experience on balance good perhaps bc of the good drinks at the bar. My only piece of advice is avoid the taro fritters there is nothing crispy or good about them. The Ono was good as was the special, though I expected LARGE prawns when they were described as head on. It's definitely a must do for Maui though.

    (3)
  • Kelsey F.

    Had an amazing experience here. Marc was our waiter, and he was great. Patient, kind, and mellow. Warm crusted goat cheese appetizer: Lots of flavors, and very good. Hubby liked the sashimi. (I don't eat fish). Ordered a salad, and Marc kindly understood we were sharing it, and had it made on two plates. The rest of our meal was great too. Awesome environment, and great service. Only glitch: The greeter wasn't as friendly as the rest of the staff. Maybe it's just us: but we didn't feel she fit in with the rest of the service quality. I give five stars, will definitely return, and recommend to anyone. Best service I've encountered on Maui, hands down.

    (5)
  • Steve C.

    My wife and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary here last night. It was a real treat. It began with an amazing table for two at the edge of the dining room with an amazing view of the ocean and sunset. I really appreciated the hookup on that. The service here was terrific all night long. Our host, April took great care of us and even gave us a special unexpected anniversary treat. Thanks again April! Based on the review of another Yelper, we ordered the pupu appetizer and the Merriman's mixer, sharing both of them instead of ordering separate entrees. While this is a great way to sample many of the items offered and the food included is fantastic, I call this the teaser combo because there isn't enough of any of the items to truly satisfy you. You simply end up wanting more of everything! For dessert we had the highly recommended chocolate purse and it was delicious as well. I am not a huge chocolate guy and still, I loved it! My wife was making sensuous sounds as she ate it so I'm pretty sure she agrees! After dinner, we spent a few minutes by the fire pit by the ocean. It was a nice way to wrap up the occasion before heading out for the rest of our night together. Overall, we were very pleased with the food, the atmosphere and the service. I probably would have rated it with 5 stars had it not been for the value aspect. I dont mind paying good money for incomparable food but there simply needs to be more of it. The portion sizes, at least with what we ordered, were very small for what you pay. Other than that, Merriman's is a winner and should be added to your list of places to eat on Maui, especially for those once a year occasions.

    (4)
  • Jill H.

    Went here for my birthday while in Hawaii. We wanted to go to Mama's Fish House but over and over again people from Maui said go to Merriman's instead since Mama's is over-rated and over-priced. WE LOVED MERRIMAN'S. The service was outstanding. Truly personable and knowledgable. Our waiter Michael was so friendly and helpful. The sommelier (do not recall his name) came to our table quickly and was not a wine-snob. He didn't push a $300 or $1200 bottle of wine, but raved about our own suggestion. (The L'Ecole Cabernet 2006 was delicious.) The food: if it is in season, get the Opakapaka. Of the four dishes we ordered, it was the best. We tried the beef filet, it was good, not great. Same with the mahi mahi. I found it tasteless. Otherwise, everything else we had was very good: salad, lobster, ahi, wahoo, and the lobster app. All very good. The location: beautiful view of the water. Truly outstanding. Go there about 45 minutes or more before sunset. We got there a bit after sunset and only had a few moments of sun before it went to black. But what we got to see was amazing. The best part is the service. Top notch.

    (4)
  • D J.

    We went back and made a good discovery: go into the restaurant, order drinks from the bar, and then go sit out on the terrace. You can't order mixed drinks out there, but you can take anything the bar can make you out and camp for as long as you like. And while you are there you can eat from a menu based on the stuff being served inside. We ordered about $100 worth of food and dessert and had a great meal; kind of like Hawaiian tapas. It was a far better experience than sitting in the restaurant. Our views were spectacular and we saved $200... As nice as the restaurant is, it's much nicer to be sitting outside, on the point, looking off into the sunset. Not to mention you can wear flip-flops and look like you came off the beach. Our kids insisted on going back again.

    (4)
  • Kristin K.

    I thunk if an establishment has a good happy hour, everything else will be solid. We ordered the sliders and they tasted like someone was attempting to grill for the first time. Also ordered the Parmesan white truffle fries and they were really just fries. Absolutely no Parmesan on them. Trust me: I looked. Drinks were nice and strong but for a $40 happy hour, I expect more. The thing is, there were many regulars there which makes me think that people like this place, so maybe you'll have better luck. Also, the service was good so no problem there.

    (2)
  • Mickie F.

    My husband and I celebrated our ten year anniversary dinner at Merriman's. The concierge at our hotel (Westin Kaanapali) highly recommended the place and set up our reservation for us. When we arrived we were a bit disappointed to find that they didn't have any oceanfront seating for us. The hostess said, "I know that you guys are celebrating an anniversary, but unfortunately we don't have any oceanfront seating. It will be about an hour if you'd like to wait." That was a little bit of a downer. Why go to a beautiful restaurant on the beach and not sit by the water, right? So we decided to wait. We headed down to the bar area to check things out and have a drink, but once we actually walked through the restaurant we saw that because the restaurant was open-air and it was already dark, any of the tables inside would be just fine. So we ended up being seated right away after all. Our waiter was very nice, very soft-spoken and professional although he was a little scary in the way with which he'd just appear out of nowhere. I had a Caesar salad to start and it came with "fried green tomato croutons." I am not a fan of tomatoes but those croutons were the bomb! They were like little tiny fried okras. So good! For entrees my husband had the misoyaki salmon which was very tasty and I ordered the fresh fish special. It was opakapaka served over a bed of kale and corn with some fresh gnocchi. They also surprised us with a special anniversary dessert - the chocolate purse with vanilla bean ice cream. All in all it was a memorable meal - definitely the best on we had while on Maui this time around.

    (4)
  • Freddie N.

    Went here for anniversary in early May and requested seat with direct view of water for 6:45 and they said that it would be ready at 7, waited 30 minutes and when I asked about it they said they thought reservation was 7. And thus I believe that others got our table and we didn't get to see sun set while having dinner. Front of the house definitely needs a lot of work in seating people timely and without discrimination. For all hooplah about food I think it was only ok and not worth the $80 per person. So when you add bad service and average food my recommendation is DO NOT GO HERE.

    (2)
  • Joseph B.

    Love this place...stunning sunset...great food and service...we will be back.

    (5)
  • Debbie M.

    We were at Merriman's the last week of August and it was lovely. The large deck is at the ocean's edge. So, a perfect setting for watching the sun set. Food is excellent! Regional cuisine - very tasty. We went back later in the week just to have a glass of wine and enjoy the setting.

    (5)
  • Chad A.

    This place is simply top notch. It's expensive, but not unreasonable compared to the surrounding restaurants. ($50/plate) We got there an hour early to sit on the patio and watch sunset with a cocktail and appetizer. Can't imagine a better spot to watch sunset. We tried the pu pu taster which featured 4 different appetizers, all very good. After sunset we were seated at a front table looking over the patio and ocean. Since we already had a large app, we split the mixed plate that had 3 small entrees (ahi, mahi and filet). Again, all very good and great presentation. We finished with the chocolate purse, it's a molten style chocolate wrapped in filo paper with a side of vanilla nice cream. Perfectly decadent. The only downside we had was we were seated by a large party of around 20 people, so it was very loud. I'm not sure how often this occurs though. You definitely need reservations, and probably a couple days in advance for a preferred time. Must try in Kapalua though.

    (5)
  • Denise H.

    Party of 10 so we had a chance to sample many of the dishes on the menu. All were good but some stood above the rest. The appetizer pasta is a sleeper, but order it! Homemade goodness with a sauce that has a nice kick to it! Paired with the caesar salad? Perfect! The chocolate purse for dessert was also a surprise. Filo dough with a rich chocolate filling was both light and dense all at the same time! Entrees: lamb chops, scallops and steak were all good. The location can't be beat right on the ocean! The musicians were perfect too ~ sort of like Hiroshima with the asian instrument!

    (4)
  • Cory P.

    Spectacular view, great menu and then there's JJ, he's great, simple as that. Oh and try the "screw the french" champagne. Yes you will be spending $60 on two glasses however it is to die for.

    (5)
  • Sam T.

    My brother had his wedding here last weekend and we had an awesome experience. It was pouring rain as the other groomsmen and I waited for the others to arrive and everything to begin. The skies cleared just in time and we had a beautiful ceremony on the bluff overlooking the sea. When it came time to eat we were well cared for. We had a party of 23 and they were very attentive to our needs and the food was served to our entire table at the same time. Dinner was elegant and flavorful. They are very well staffed and experienced at providing a great wedding experience. Great location for dinner and also highly recommended for a destination wedding.

    (4)
  • Marian M.

    Dined there last night and couldn't be happier. Everything -- warm goat cheese appetizer with strawberries; special salad with shaved fennel, beets, cucumber and a duck spring roll; Ono with spicy broccoli; scallops with creamed corn and asparagus; chocolate "purse" with vanilla ice cream; drinks and wine -- were fresh, tasty and beautiful. We called midday and they said they'd just gotten a cancellation, so we were seated at the rail: fantastic Maui sunset accompanied end of entree. Service was very pleasant and paced perfectly. Would happily return despite priciness!

    (5)
  • Julian K.

    My wife and I along with some friends celebrated our anniversary at Merrimans. We were more than happy with the meals we all had and the service was excellent, bordering on too efficient. My wife had the Opaka paka fish and loved it and she isn't a seafood lover, but wanted to expand her horizons. Overall the ambiance and experience was superior in all facets. We will definitely return. Thanks for making out anniversary memorable.

    (5)
  • Kerrie R.

    Just ate there...go early, have a cocktail out back watching the sunset next to the fire rings - heavenly. Dinner was great, great steak, had several appetizers, all well prepared. Old school friendly waiter...worth the splurge! We'll be back!

    (4)
  • Lauren E.

    The view at Merrimans was by far one of the most beautiful views ever. If you get there just before the sunset you can sit by the fire pit and have cocktails. Although the view is spectacular the menu is overpriced for very small portions of food. Overall food is good but don't go there expecting to leave full, your basically paying for the view. I recommend only going once to have the experience of the view

    (4)
  • Patrick L.

    We first went to Merrimans to have drinks at Happy Hour and watch the sunset. It was fabulous, except it was roasting hot waiting for the sun to go down and drinking martinis. We went back for dinner a couple nights later and had our most memorable of evenings. The service was good and the food was fantastic. I have to agree with some other yelpers here about the hostesses. They are good looking but lack brains to perform their job. I still give them five stars due us having the most fantastic evening.

    (5)
  • Tom D.

    Amazing sunset views. The food was first-rate, fresh and delicious. The best meal of our week-long trip to Maui.

    (5)
  • Kendra C.

    This is a clear cut winner. Service, ambiance and food were all top notch. Ask for Marc as your waiter - he is knowledgeable and friendly. Food was locally grown and raised making for a true Maui experience. Nothing processed or frozen here... And even if you are a meat eater, don't shy away from the taro mignon. This dish was so unique and flavorful, you'd never know it was vegan..... We returned two days later to experience their happy hour - amazing patio and view. Definitely worth the trip.

    (5)
  • James H.

    This restaurant has a beautiful ocean view in Kapalua and has a nice open decor. And yes, it is pricey and probably has to be to support this property. But I expect world class food and it didn't even come close. My wife ordered Ono. The waiter said she MUST have it very rare. Rather than just suggesting this due to the type of fish, he more or less said this is the way you must have it. This attitude was prevalent. She said it was OK. But I ordered a peppercorn rubbed Rib Eye steak with spinach side. The steak was tough, stringy, lacking in flavor and overpowered by the rub. I've truley had better steak from Safeway. The side dish was plain boiled spinach. The service was average, but the food was a terrible disappointment.

    (1)
  • Su-Lynn T.

    We had a wonderful dinner at Merriman's while in Maui. It's located past the Ritz Carlton in the Kapalua resort area. When we went, it was pretty dark, so we didn't get to partake of the amazing views but from the looks of it, it must be specatacular during sunset hours. The whole restaurant is decorated in very elegant yet modern plantation style decor. There is an outside patio/seating area and when it is dark they have nice tiki torches. Nothing kitchy or luau-like here though, it's definitely a fine-dining establishment. We started by sharing the Merriman's "Pupu" Taster which consisted of tasting portions of the Crudo of Fresh Island Fish and Kula Avocado, Eden Farms Kurobuta Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla, Baked Surfing Goat Cheese with Red Wine and Beet Chutney & Herbed Tartines, and Kona Kampachi Sashimi with Miso Marinated Calamari Salad. They were really nice to accomodate my request of substituting the goat cheese with something else, as I don't eat goat cheese. So they gave me a bowl of the lobster bisque instead. Everything was really good, with the best being the fish dishes. Our server was funny and nice, and very attentive. For an entree, my husband got the Merriman's "Mix" Plate - A Taste of Signature Dishes: Crispy Day Boat Mahi Mahi with Local Citrus Ponzu, Maui Cattle Beef Filet with Sautéed Ali'i Mushrooms, Original Wok Charred Ahi with Braised Kula Romaine, and Macadamia Nut Brown Rice. I got the Big Island Butterfish Misoyaki served with Shimeji Mushrooms, Baby Bok Choy, Braised Daikon, and Young Ginger Broth. Now everything was excellent, I loved my butterfish with the pure asian flavors meshing extremely well with with flakiness of the fish. The only the exception being my husbands steak was a bit overcooked. But they took it away immediately and served us a new piece of perfectly cooked steak. For dessert we shared the pineapple upside down cake, which was delicious. Yum. Now here's the surprising part, when we got our bill, our server mentioned that he thought that since the steak was overcooked, they took the entire entree price off the bill. Now that was really nice, but in addition, they felt like we waited too long for the entrees in general, and comped BOTH our entrees. This level of service is to me, unheard off. There were many times we've waited for entrees at other fine restaurants which have taken a while and we've never expected to not pay for them. This just goes to show they really go out of their way to establish themselves as not only a excellent restaurant, but also a star in customer service. We loved everything about Merrimans. Would I have given them 5 stars even if I had to pay for our entrees? Absolutely! It's definitely a pricey restaurant, but in my opinion much more worth it than Spago or Lahaina Grill. You get amazing ambiance, delectiable cuisine, and wonderful views. Can you ask for anything more in Maui? Anyways, we were so surprised and grateful, we left a very large tip for our server, who was the one who suggested the entrees be comped. We're heading to Kauai in January and are definitely checking out the Merrimans there!

    (5)
  • Jonathan L.

    I just returned from a 9 day vacation in Maui with my wife. We spent a lot of time traveling the island and eating at different restaurants, and after being largely disappointed with the food on Maui, I was pleasantly surprised with Merriman's in Kapalua. We arrived around 6:15 for dinner, just in time to see the sun setting from the beautiful vantage point that Merriman's provides. If you get there after sunset, you've missed a huge opportunity. The view is easily one of the best you'll find at any restaurant in the world. Its not to be missed! The atmosphere overall is excellent, although I could have done without the live saxophone music. The service was excellent. Our server's name was JJ, and he was knowledgeable, helpful, and attentive. He offered excellent recommendations from the start of the meal when we ordered cocktails, all the way through dessert. Its also important to mention that our cocktails were fantastic -strong, properly mixed, and well portioned. As for the food, it was some of the best I had on Maui. I've had better meals, to be sure, but the food was very very solid all around, and I definitely enjoyed their emphasis on local, sustainable food. We started with the Pu Pu selections, which was excellent. I had a duo of filet mignon and seared ahi, which was good, but nothing to write home about. My wife ordered a red pepper bisque, which was delightful, and a duo of scallops and filet. The scallops were wonderful -well seasoned, and seared to perfection, and easily my favorite part of the meal. The dessert was also excellent. We enjoyed the pineapple upside down cake made with banana bread, and the portuguese beignets with a coffee caramel sauce. Compared to my experience the prior day at Joe's Grill in Wailea (terrible), it was a five-star experience, but compared to the fantastic restaurants here in Atlanta, it was just really solid. The biggest issue I have is value for money, and the lack of seasoning on my steak and ahi. That said, I was very pleased overall, and had a delightful time at Merriman's. I will definitely return on my next trip to Maui!

    (4)
  • Nerdy G.

    FIVE STARS: The location is right on the point between Napili and Kapalua bays; a perfect location to watch the sun set between Lanai and Molokai. The foodwas delicious and also available as small plates, which allows for indulgence in appetizers and dessert. The ingredients are fresh, well presented and complement each other well - this is a proficient chef. I really enjoyed the malasadas for dessert, which are served hot and steaming in a paper bag. Just shake them in the powdered sugar and enjoy; perfect with coffee. The service was outstanding - our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable, and made excellent recommendations for wine. Finally, an unusual cocktail with cucumber and chili peppers scored for novelty; unexpectedly refreshing. THREE STARS: The live music is problematic if you want to chat. We did, but we would have waited for thirty minutes for another table. The music was delightful smooth jazz, but he did feel like he was right over your shoulder (because he was). SUMMARY: Fabulous food and excellent service in a perfect sunset location; well worth the money. If you want to chat then ask for a table away from the stage when you make your reservation.

    (4)
  • Laura C.

    We actually had a fantastic time at this restaurant from start to finish! Our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, and offered the most amazing suggestions for each course! We listened to each of his suggestions and it paid off! I had the Ahi over pureed sweet potato and it was fantastic. The venison that J ordered was absolutely TO DIE FOR! That is honestly one of the best meals he's ever ordered in a restaurant! We had the chocolate purse for dessert and a small pressed coffee (also recommended by the waiter). All that food and our bill was only about $200, which shocked me! That's incredibly reasonable for how excellent the food was. The portion sizes were perfect! I get so tired of going to restaurants and not being able to see my plate under all the food! These were just right! Everything from the music, to the breeze, to the drinks and all the way out to the valet guys was excellent! We will definitely be back!

    (4)
  • David F.

    Great dining, great staff and great food.

    (5)
  • Keoni P.

    really rolling the dice on this one, my choice and I had read other reviews on poor service. last night five of us dined at Merrimans's and all five dice from all five players came out five five five five five, YAHTZEE !!! three of us waited at the table with a glass of different wines and a complimentary smoked humus dip with taro chips for a good 20 minutes for our other party to arrive listening to this duo of musicians, through the night they played classical versions of Crazy Train, Kashmir, Red Hot Chili Peppers and other popular classics that stumped us but we new the beats. It was loud and lively here and perfect for us. able to just laugh and enjoy a good dinner with good company. when the table was full we settled into two modest bottles of red wine, the wine on the right in the pic (Eponymous) is a solid good choice for a decent low end priced wine. appetizers were eventful as three of us ordered the Caesar Salad and it was boring, don't do it. lots of nicer looking salads on the menu, however I always order Caesar when I see it. asked by the waiter J.D. how was the first tastes and we told him. my complaint was not fishy enough and J.D. came back with a small plate of anchovies that I added to my salad. sorry it still didn't cut it and everyone else agreed. now getting over that bump the lobster bisque made me forget all about my salad. this is a nice rich flavored starter with a few chops of lobster. dinner was bliss, I'll start with my entree the mac nut crusted ono. I like my mac nut on mahi mahi and thought this dish would fail and I made a wrong choice. it was not a wrong choice and it was not really crusted, seemed the mac nuts were cooked separately and added. it didn't matter it was as the fishes name ono (taste good) and I cant tell you enough about the broccoli and sauce it was served with. no kidding no lying this was the best broccoli I ever had. going to the left of me was served the lamb special. tasting every dish on the table this came in second, my fish was the first place winner. next was a split entree plate of herb crusted opakapaka and the fillet minion. this fish was also done really well and lighter then my ono. going around the table came up with a fillet minion with the same broccoli that was also served on my plate. very tender and very nicely done and next to that plate was another split entree with the peppercorn rubbed rib eye and added half lobster. actually that lobster evaded me and I wasn't offered a bite. got some of that rib eye and there was the third place winner. we were all full and fully satisfied but we could not leave without trying deserts here. we figured we would split two between the five of us. it worked and we were able to conquer them. first the white chocolate filled malasadas with a coffee sauce which come in a paper bag. dropping them on the plate produced 5 of them and an easy one each worked. this is a nice desert and I love white chocolate. still the next culprit the chocolate purse was a perfect caper to an astonishing meal. served with a vanilla ice cream this rivals Roy's chocolate souffle. along with these nice sugary treats we got three orders of a nice port and another mixed drink (Dark and Stormy). here comes the total and I don't think it was bad at all with the good service, food and ambiance without tip a total of $647. all items listed above minus two glasses of wine the bread and a second order of complimentary humus. this was not shocking at all and would do it again. I really had my doubts on Merriman's and I hope to ease any worries for you future diners. its just one of those perfect places. the few negatives were (not for us) its really loud here and some romantic diners may not care for this or wish a table in a quieter section, the Caesar Salad (please work on the dressing) and tables are a bit close together but again not a problem for us. the menu we found small but I can tell you we all had a good look at it and choices were hard to make, everything looks so good. great staff, we never got nobody snooty just great service. late note for Kamaaina, they offer 25% off on Tuesdays and 25% off everyday dining at the bar.

    (5)
  • Butch P.

    I have been back on the mainland for almost a week but needed to give a positive review on this place. I am only judging Merriman's at Kapalua Bay on their happy hour in the bar area. We did not eat dinner so I would check with other reviewers on that.. Mai Tai's are good and $6 is a great price-$13 during sad hours. The draft beers are $3 -I think $6 is the regular price. Hoogarten Belgian wit beer, longboard lager and Hapa brown ale are a few of the choices. Their well drinks are $4 and they pour Jack Daniels for their well bourbon-great deal! The bartenders and bar manager were very nice and professional. The views of Kapalua bay out one set of windows and the blue Pacific and Molokai channel out the patio window-SPECTACULAR! I would have given 5 stars but was hoping to see a few moderately priced pupus (appetizers) on the happy hour menu.

    (4)
  • Mary Beth B.

    We went for happy hour outside on the patio. The views are gorgeous but windy, but we were used to it at that point. The happy hour wine list wasn't the best, but the food was excellent. The pork quesadillas were our favorite.

    (4)
  • Ginny P.

    We had a reservation but arrived at the restaraunt over an hour early and politely explained to the hostess that we would like the first available table. She wrote our name down and said she would get us at the bar. We waited for over an hour watching this hotess seat several parties in front of us that didnt have reservations and never gave us the time of day. When we talked to her about it she was so snooty. She was really smooth at talking to the locals and making sure everyone noticed her but a real unprofessional about dealing with a seating order. Can't comment on the food because we never got that far, we were so angry at the pretentious attitudes of the hostesses that we left. Also, overheard a waiter bossing around the bartender. Just an unprofessional picking order of the staff that didn't suit us right

    (1)
  • Dan B.

    Excellent place! Sat out at point bar ( no reservation). Although had limited menu, the food was excellent! Try the sliders, kahlua pork quesadilla, fish and chips, and truffle fries! Sunset was incredible! Finally, try the malasados and pineapple upside down cake for dessert.....incredible!

    (5)
  • Ty S.

    I ate here with my girlfriend for her birthday. I made reservations with open table and noted on the reservation that it was a birthday. Merriman's location arguably cannot be beaten. It is an incredible view, and surely the best one I have seen from a restaurant on this island. 5 stars for the view. The food, however, is another matter. I was disappointed with every dish that came. The Kalua pork quesadilla was decent, but nothing I couldn't have gotten from any other decent restaurant on the island. The fish and chips appetizer was fine, but many restaurants here have better. I had the Filet for dinner, and I can honestly say it is the blandest steak I have had in a long, long time... it had no flavor. The beets-tomato-onion chutney was also a bit weird and did nothing to enhance what was already poor tasting meat. The drinks were, again, decent... but nothing special. The service was fine. Our waiter was courteous and we had everything we needed at the right time. He wished my girlfriend a happy birthday as we sat down, but that was the last we had heard of it. I was surprised that we weren't offered a complimentary dessert or any other acknowledgment of it being special occasion. Bottom line: This is a great place to come and enjoy drinks with an amazing view before you head to dinner. There are many restaurants in the area that blow Merriman's out of the water food wise... Pineapple Grill, for starters, which is right across the street.

    (3)
  • Elisha C.

    We had dinner here twice while on vacation. I suggest sitting at the bar where service is top notch and the view is spectacular. You can ordered from the main dinner menu or the bar menu. On our first visit my husband ordered the small portion of the Grilled Maui Cattle Grass Fed Filet of Beef and liked it so much that he ordered the full size on our 2nd visit. I first ordered the "Poke Cut" Ahi and Avocado as my entree instead of an appetizer. On the 2nd visit I ordered the not as popular (as the wait staff informed me) Lemongrass Scented Natural Chicken, it was fantastic! We of course had dessert, the Toasted Coconut Crème Brulée and like everything else it exceeded our expectations. The bartenders were amazing especially with the amount of mojitos that they were making and each tasted just as great as the first. I would highly recommend Merriman's for dinner and/or happy hour while you are in Maui.

    (5)
  • Brian B.

    My wife and I had an amazing dinner here with many business associates. I can tll you the setting was amazing right on the ocean with open seating with views from every seat. The food was amazing as well could not have picked a better location to have an unforgettable dinner with friends. Highly recommended located by the Ritz Carlton Maui

    (5)
  • Dan G.

    To me Merriman's is what Hawaiian cuisine is all about. Fresh seafood, light and creative dishes that take advantage of local suppliers. Wow, what a treat. We've dined at the original quaint location on the big island four times. This new location set on a scenic cliff overlooking Kapalua Bay brings Maui fine dining to a new level. The open dining room with picturesque views of Molokai and the bay from any table was stunning. Get there early for breathtaking sunsets. Our waiter Will was superb and helpful with suggestions. Timing was precise and he was even candid enough to rave about Pineapple Grill's signature pineapple dessert with us. We had looked forward to this meal our entire trip and it delivered and then some. Starting with the kalua pork and Maui onion quesidilla with spicy Kimchee and beet salad with greens and goat cheese. Gotta go local and these apps were a solid start. The pork reminded me of good southern BBQ. The local surfing goat cheese was buttery goodness. On to the mains. So tough to choose from this outstanding menu. Much love to Peter Merriman for not making us. Many entrees can be paired and are still huge portions, don't know what that earlier review was thinking. As I said we couldn't decide so we basically enjoyed four incredible dishes. My wife had the sauteed Alaskan halibut special served on a wasabi potato mash and the seared ahi on sweet potato mashed. I did a surf and turf combo of line caught grilled Ono with a local cherry tomato compote served with pesto asparagus and braised Haleakala lamb shank on green beans with kalamata olives. Both were so good. The lamb was very flavorful and the Ono was perfectly grilled with cross hatch marks and well complemented by it's sauce. Dessert was a nice pineapple upside down cake and candied Maui gold pineapple pieces. Will hooked us up with a few scoops of sorbet and ice cream, so I can't tell which comes with. But, we enjoyed all of them pineapple sorbet, coconut, and vanilla bean ice cream. A nice hookup and a props again to Will for joining us in our love of the previous evening's killer dessert. Service, location and great food. As good as it gets. Do yourself a favor and make sure you dine here on your visit as it will likely be the best meal you'll have.

    (5)
  • Nicole K.

    We had great expectations coming here for dinner but were very disappointed. The waiter forgot our drinks TWICE and brought us an appetizer which was missing an ingredient. We had the Poke Avocado starter which was tasty but had few pieces of poke and a lot of beets, mango & avocado. Then the main courses: beef filet was tender but tasteless. The scallops were no more than good and the macadamia nut crusted Ono was great. In all, food was mediocre, service was terrible. It seems like the place to go if you want to "be seen" but has nothing special for your tastebuds. Better go to the Sea House down the street which has better food, service and views.

    (3)
  • Amy D.

    Everyone said we had to go here and they were right the view was great but so is the view from many restaurants on the island. The bar service was terrible. I literally waited at a fairly empty bar for a drink for 20 minutes and I had to ask if I could order. The food was absolutely under par for the price. The restaurant is very pretty. Our server was very nice. Wine was great. Lobster bisque wonderful. Main course I did the pick two option and chose fillet and scallops. Both were fine but certainly not the best I have had and that is what I expected for the price. We spent about $100 per person and had wine and three courses. Desserts were good.

    (3)
  • Julie K.

    This restaurant is at the top of my list in Maui. My husband and I were in Maui for a week this past September, and visited Merriman's based on a friend's recommendation and ended up going twice (it was that good). Both times, the service and food were impeccable. Our first experience was later on a Sunday night, and the restaurant was fairly quiet, but with nice live music in the background. They sat us on the Lanai and due to it being so late (8:30ish), there was no view, but yet the ambiance was still perfect. The service and food were outstanding. I had the Macadamia nut crusted ono and it was phenomenal (not your typical macadamia nut crusted something or another at most restaurants). Just light enough and the flavors with the mushroom sake reduction and the spicy broccoli were spot on. My husband enjoyed the wok charred ahi and repeatedly comment on how excellent the char was, to the point of asking the server what spices they used for the crust. We finished off the meal with dessert, lilikoi and kula strawberry mousse. Typically, I am a chocolate person, but this was a perfect way to end the meal. Not overly heavy or too sweet. We enjoyed the meal so much that we made reservations for later that week, and planned to bring friends with us. Our second visit did not disappoint. We brought a group of friends, so we hoped that we didn't romanticize this in our heads, but Merriman's delivered yet again. This time, we went on a Friday evening, starting off with cocktails and appetizers outside so we could watch the sunset. The view was stunning, and not only did we have an incredible sunset, but there was a small rain storm that brought us a beautiful rainbow. We then went in for dinner where our group enjoyed another fantastic meal. At the beginning of the meal, our server told us they were out of the dish I was planning to order and I couldn't hide my disappointment. As I looked to order something else (I should mention that I am pregnant, so just ordering tuna wasn't an option), the server comes running (yes, literally running) from the kitchen to let me know he secured the last dish for me. Such service and he continued to be just as wonderful throughout our meal. All in all, if you're looking for a great meal with top-notch service and a spectacular view (in a fairly low-key atmosphere), then please visit Merriman's!

    (5)
  • Lucy E.

    My two star rating is entirely related to the service (or lack of) that we received during happy hour at Merriman's while sitting on the patio. Everything else was lovely, although we only had drinks (no food). The service was bad enough that I felt compelled to write this review. Our friends sat for 20-minutes before a wait person came by, and only then she came after we got up TWICE to request service. When she finally came she was rude, she clearly thought we were out of line for getting up and asking them to serve us... but it had been 20 minutes! When she brought our order it was wrong and it took another 20 minutes before we had the right drinks in front of us. Long story short, the service was bad. I was especially disappointed because I'd heard such great things about this restaurant. The food may be wonderful (we didn't have any) and the view was certainly spectacular. We actually enjoyed our hour there because the view was so gorgeous, despite the service. I'd go again to try the restaurant section... the menu looked delicious (although definitely pricey).

    (2)
  • Wa H.

    Great food, service and location, although the latter is lost after sunset. I would give 3.5 stars if possible but they benefit from the systems constraints. Merriman's was recommended by a 'local expert' and we were happy to follow their lead. The service was beyond helpful and very accommodating. We shared the Chef's Pupu (appetizer) - four items all outstanding, especially the ahi. I wanted a farm-fresh salad but needed some protein. Our waiter was happy to add any protein I wanted. I ended up with 3 fat scallops - perfect! Except, he failed to inform me they were $10 a piece so my $15 salad was now a $45 entree. Not that I was disappointed but I probably would have ordered a regular entree. While the food was farm-fresh, flavorful and beautifully presented, it was outshined by the service, which was impeccable. I'm glad we were able to snag a reservation while on vacation!

    (4)
  • S. M.

    Amazing place to watch the sunset. The food was good, the service was outstanding and the restaurant is very romantic.

    (5)
  • Rob M.

    Merrimen's is an exquisite dining experience. My ribeye was scrumptious and my wife love the vegetarian sides and asked them to include the vegetarian ravioli that came with one of the entrees. Alas, it was stormy so we missed the legendary view. My daughter was proposed just outside when it was the Bay Club. That's how special it is.

    (5)
  • D V.

    Having been to the Waimea Merriman's on the Big Island earlier this year, our expectations were to expect a similar experience. My rating of that night in March merited 3 stars and summed up as OK at best. Unfortunately, this Maui branch was a further disappointment food-wise. As others have stated, the view cannot be beat. If you do go, make your reservation no later than 6:15 to catch the sunset. Every component of dinner was uninspired and lacking care (with the exception of the bread which was nice and crunchy/chewy). The Maui chips that came with my Ahi Poke were stale; The Truffled Fries accompanying the Rib Eye were cold; The Gnocchi served with the Pork Chop were gummy and flavorless. The Pork Chop itself was tough and not served at the "chef's recommended medium preparation". The whole table shook as I tried to carve out a bite. Had the food been better, I would say that the prices were reasonable given the tourist clientele and location. Go for drinks....but spend your dinner dollars elsewhere.

    (2)
  • Rosa C.

    My husband and I came here for dinner last night and had an amazing experience. The view was beautiful, food was absolutely delicious, and the service was equally wonderful (warm & attentive upon checking in and all the way until we left the restaurant). We ordered the filet mignon and mix plate (smaller portions of mahi, filet of beef, and ahi) as entrees, with a side of parmesan truffle fries (sooo good!)... all of which were cooked perfectly and delicious! For dessert, we had the flourless chocolate cake (which was gluten free) and the molten chocolate purse. Both were very rich and tasty, but my husband would've liked more "substance" to the chocolate molten purse, which is just seemed like a crispy wonton shell filled with chocolate. I have to add we came in for pupus earlier in the week and enjoyed the same great service & food. You can't go wrong with this place! We used to always make it a point to go to Mama's Fish House every time we are in Maui, but this will be our new "go-to" place for a nice dinner out.

    (5)
  • Ani A.

    We enjoyed drinks and a light dinner from the patio. We watched the sun set across the ocean and then watched the tide roll in and over the rocks in front of the patio. The location alone would warrant a visit. Lucky for us, the food was also fabulous. We had a light dinner from the bar menu and were well satisfied. Every bite was delicious. Reservations for dinner are HIGHLY recommended. Try and get a table at sunset.

    (5)
  • Stephen M.

    Absolutely amazing. The views are incredible so get there early and have a drink to watch the sunset. The service is impeccable and the food is phenomenal. The Malasadas (donut-ish) with caramel dipping sauce for dessert were the best part.

    (5)
  • Kayla M.

    This was my favorite restaurant we went to on our recent trip to Maui. The view is incredible and we were there to see a great sunset. The food was also amazing. Everything we had we enjoyed. We had the macadamia crusted Ono, the filet and the passionfruit vodka cocktails. Our waiter Nicholas, was also great. He was super attentive and made the experience just that much better.

    (5)
  • Amy V.

    Beautiful view, awful service. After waiting on the outer deck for 20 minutes to be greeted by a server, I decided to go to the waiter's area to try to put in a drink order. I had to wait behind a guy that was trying to get anyone to accept his payment so he could leave. When I did get to speak to a waitress she told me, in a very rude manner, "to have a seat and someone would be over when they had time". Needless to say, we did not wait around. As a local that lives up the street, I was very disappointed to be treated so rudely. Now when asked where to go, this place does not make the cut. The Valets were nice at least!

    (1)
  • Susan S.

    Beautiful setting, in a cove in Kapulua, especially to watch the sunset. Very pricey but service great and food stellar. Goat cheese salad delicious with a generous amount of goat cheese, scallops wonderful, fish of the day great. Allowance to order small OR full-size portion is nice, as is the option to combine two dishes in order to get to taste more.

    (5)
  • Emily G.

    So I may be a little biased because my boyfriend popped the question here, but... It was a great experience. The view is spectacular and we had the perfect corner table with an ocean view. We had the fish and chips appetizer which was fish and eggplant (which my BF never eats, but he loved). The entrees were amazing too. The service was also excellent, April our server planned the whole thing with my boyfriend to make the special occasion perfect.

    (5)
  • Rick H.

    We decided to have our wedding here instead of some other venues nearby that we were considering, and this turned out to be an excellent decision! The grounds were terrific and provided an excellent background for our special day. The staff was excellent to work with and went beyond their call of duty to work out our special requests. The food was great and we had absolutely no "glitches" to overcome. Thank you Merriman's for a great wedding location.

    (5)
  • Andrew M.

    Mahalo Merriman's. This place was unbelievable! Walking in, I immediately noticed a strange version of a Led Zeppelin song playing. It was only after taking a seat at the bar with my lovely lady and a couple friends that I noticed it was being played by a chica on a lap harp and a dude on an electric guitar. There were several delicious local brews on tap and, oh I don't know, about 700 wines to choose from (not even joking). We were seated quickly (we had reservations, I don't think you'd get in with out them) and a very kind young man began rambling off specials and pairing them with wines at every price point. He was fabulous. We started with some appetizers, as the musicians started in on a flamenco piece; fresh pasta with a light truffle sauce (probably the best thing we had all night), a yummy tomato soup and gnocchi in a red sauce. Then on to salads; Cesar and a delicious mixed bit of greens with a a light citrus vinaigrette drizzling-the waiter coming back to check on us several times-the duo on stage began playing a version of Metallica's "One" (I was pretty tipsy at this point and thought it appropriate, a tad strange, and, well, ridiculously awesome because my buddy and I had been in a drunken argument about the band a few nights earlier!). For the main course my buddy had a rare fillet, draped over a bed of mashed/whipped corn, it melted like butter and I had the catch of the day, a lightly crusted snapper, perfectly cooked, in an amazing red pepper sauce, brussel sprouts, and quinoa. The ladies proceeded to grub on a couple more appetizers, one was handful of goat cheese croquettes over greens that was silly good, and a lovely malbec... we all sorta of nibbled off everyone's plate and sipped off each others glasses at our table, because that's sort of how we do. It happened to be my ladies birthday vacation so the gals were comped their wine and an amazing coconut creme brulee was brought out as well-it too didn't show up on the check... This was my first trip to the islands and I was very fortunate to have eaten here. Though pricey (between the four of us, we dropped about three bills, when it was all said and done), the atmosphere was perfect and the food was up there with any top rated place I have ever eaten at. Go, it's worth it!

    (5)
  • Alicia K.

    After snooping around Yelp, my fiance and I decided to go to Merriman's last August on my birthday while vacationing in nearby Ka'anapali Beach, and we loved it! Great food, wonderful service, and a beautiful view of the sunset. We made an early reservation, which was a wise choice, because we were able to have a drink outside on the patio during their infamous happy hour, and they still had a great selection of tables available. Noting that it was a birthday dinner, we were given an awesome table right on the edge of the dining room with a low glass wall so that you can still enjoy the views to the fullest. The food is mostly (if not all) farm-to-table, and we loved trying the local fruits and veggies. Our server was great and very knowledgeable, as was the sommelier. Loved the live music, and we were lucky enough to witness two weddings throughout our meal! All in all, it was a wonderful experience and we would definitely go back. Mahalo!

    (5)
  • Bamboo G.

    fresh and high quality. taste very good. great service. great location. a good overall experience. all come with the price.

    (4)
  • Kelly B.

    We had dinner here while on vacation. We sat down to an absolute great view on what was actually a rainy day. There were 6 of us and we were really excited to have a nice dinner together. The appetizer platter was ordered by two in our party. It was very good. I ordered the Lobster salad with Tomato and avocado. I love all of the components of this dish, but felt the avocado really over powered the other ingredients. There seemed to be A LOT of time in between courses. We finished our drinks and our server was nowhere to be found. other servers brought out our food and had trouble getting it to the correct people. Then we all had to sit there and look at our food. We had no utensils. It took several minutes while our food chilled for the two people that brought out our food to finally get us silverware. I had the scallops, they were VERY Good. No one else really cared for their food. Just really nothing special. I was told the mixed plate seemed like something that would have been put together for a wedding banquet. Ironically enough, we just then noticed our server was waiting on a party of 16 for a wedding party down on the beach. Mystery solved, there was our server. He had a wedding party of 16 plus our table of 6 and at least 2 more tables of 2 each. Maybe it wasn't his fault. We asked for dessert menus but honestly didn't feel like waiting any longer so by the time he asked us if we wanted dessert, we just asked for our checks. I spoke to the manager to tell her we thought maybe our server was spread to thin. Explained the situation and she said he should have been able to cover it. At this point I could have cared less if they wanted to know what I had to say, but felt it needed to be said. After I explained everything to the manager she walked away from me saying she had better go check on the wedding party to make sure they weren't getting the same service!!! Beware, Merriman's seems to rest on their reputation and doesn't care. Buh Bye!

    (1)
  • Raymond A.

    We had a 6PM reservation and was seated right away. Nice view of the sunset except for a little cloudy. Our waiter was very friendly and knew the menu very well. We split a salad and then I had the 3 item sampler and my wife had the fish special. Both were excellent. We shared the pineapple upside down cake. It was very good too.

    (5)
  • Cheryl c.

    The food is extraordinary, the service is spectacular, the view is UNBELIEVABLE! My favorite restaurant on Maui, by far!

    (5)
  • Mel B.

    Ocean-front view - check 5-star service - check Amazing food - check We came here for dinner while on a family vacation and were not disappointed. Everything tasted great, the wine list was impressive, and the service was amazing. Will definitely come back again in the future!

    (5)
  • Kathleen R.

    I have been to Hawaii many times and until now have considered it a restaurant wasteland (although I understand Honolulu now has better restaurants). I have finally had not only a good dinner but a great one. I live in LA and am rather picky but how hard is it to make fresh flavorful food? The organic local vegetables are amazing. The lobster was cooked to the second of perfection and not any more. Lovely animated environment open to the outside. Really beautiful. Roy's should hide their head in shame. I'll be returning for dinner again this week.

    (5)
  • ginger t.

    slightly too pretentious for me.

    (3)
  • Jeff A.

    We are currently staying at Kapalua Ridge Villas and ate at Merriman's last night (Tu 3/20/12). This is our first time in Maui, and based on conversations with Kapalua resort staff, residents, and visitors, we decided that this would be our one dinner out for the week. He had happy hour at Merriman's at 3:30 after spending most of the afternoon at Kapalua bay snorkeling, and I have to say that the setting is superb! Drinks were very good and happy hour prices were about 25% off normal dinner drink / pupu prices, which was obviously not the primary enticement factor. We had dinner at 7:45, and the house was super busy. We started with a special arugula salad (very good) and a tomato / beet salad (also very good). The restaurant's touted commitment to sustainable and local agriculture is laudable and was certainly evident in these dishes. The main courses were another matter. The (regular) mahi was a small portion and slightly overcooked. The (special) seared ono with shrimp was good, mainly because the sear resulting in a suitable cooking level for this fish. The (regular) macadamia nut encrusted ono was also overcooked. I opted for the 'duo' (split plate) option, between the special ono and the mahi, and the menu advertises this as a way to sample more than one option. What it does NOT tell you is that there is a substantial split plate charge for this! A reasonable approach (absent notice of a split plate charge) would be to charge half for each dish and add these together ($44/2 + $36/2 = $40); however, the total cost for the plate was $51. Absolutely ridiculous. I feel that Merriman's is overpriced and overhyped for the quality of fish preparation. A restaurant charging these prices should be 'beyond reproach' for quality of fish preparation. Any 80th percentile fish restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area offers better fish preparation at much lower cost.

    (2)
  • Jeff W.

    We made the 5:30 reservation so we would be on the first seating. We had one of the best tables to watch the sunset. Everything was great from the appetizers, an asparagus based soup that they split for us. We had 2 seafood items and a small filet mignon as I had the duo dinner. A good creme brûlée finished the dinner. They have an excellent wine list, many by the glass. The service was prompt, professional and friendly. The priced are not for the faint of heart, but it is well worth the money spent! The only concern I would have wold be the wind. The point is very exposed and he on a relatively calm day we could feel the wind.

    (5)
  • R D.

    Great restaurant. My husband had the Ono dish and it was excellent. Expensive but I feel you get wonderful ambiance, great views, fresh seafood and the right level of service.

    (5)
  • Marline P.

    Our dinner was wonderful. Every dish was delicious and fresh from the kale salad to the fish, lamb and pasta. Desserts were amazing - try the chocolate purse! Great service and lovely atmosphere. This is a perfect place for a special meal!

    (5)
  • Jodie P.

    We went to Merriman's to celebrate my parents' vow-renewal/35th wedding anniversary. It was just 4 of us... my husband, myself and my parents at dinner. Merriman's location is beautiful on Kapalua Bay and the menu selection is great, but it is extremely expensive and they give small portions. The food was ok, but in my opinion.. not worth the price. I would rather go to Mama's Fishhouse.

    (3)
  • Douglas J.

    Fantastic location but pretty poor food, especially given the stunningly high prices. Everyone is 'encouraged' by the hostess to have a drink at the bar before dinner - but the reception from the bartender is less than warm and friendly - bad start. The annoying big screen TV in the reception area can be seen from most of the restaurant and is distracting and rather 'down market.' We had a great table overlooking the ocean front lounge. Could not fault the setting at all. Our reservation was on a Saturday night at 7pm. The PuPu starter was aptly named....an odd mix of local tasters, none of which were unique or exceptional - panko encrusted goat cheese and mini quesadillas etc - for $32. Even the presentation was average at best. For the main I ordered macadamia nut 'encrusted' Ono, which wasn't actually 'encrusted', but rather had a pile of extremely salty macadamia nuts, etc piled on top. This pile of fish and nuts were placed over top of some wildly overcooked broccoli. Truly awful, mushy, cruise ship buffet broccoli. Served with rice, which according to the waiter, was from Bhutan, where the rice is grown on terraced hillsides fed by glacier water. Really? It tasted of nothing whatsoever. Expensive, salty , dull and mushy. Drinks were also priced well into the stratosphere. FYI, we commented how noisy the room was a few times and had trouble hearing the waiter tell us the specials etc. Great location/setting for a restaurant but definitely not worth the money - with very underwhelming food and service.

    (2)
  • Lidiya B.

    Merriman's felt like paradise to me. We came here to watch the sunset and and enjoy a few drinks. The outdoor patio is composed of tables and chairs as well as a few lounge chairs - all very comfortable and luxurious. I do wish they had a few more umbrellas, because the sun can be really strong! I hate places where you have to put your butt in somebody's face to get into your chair and you will not find that here! The waitress serves wine outside, but drinks are available from the bar at the restaurant. They serve limited menu in the outdoor seating, which includes primarily appetizers. The food is really incredible! Pupu taster, Kalua Pig Quesadilla, and hummus were all top notch! We also had their desert, which should not be missed!!! We loved the place so much that we came back the next day for dinner and had no regrets! The restaurant is completely open-door to take full advantage of the great climate and spectacular view.

    (5)
  • Michael D.

    While the food was good, they had the live music speakers turned up so high it was impossible to have a conversation at the table. Everyone around us was yelling to make themselves heard which made it even worse. A request to turn the amps down was ignored by the waiter. If you want great food and be able to have a quiet meal without the music dominating the scene, there are plenty of equally good restaurants on Maui.

    (3)
  • Nicole Z.

    We went here on our Honeymoon and we had a wonderful time. Staff was very helpful and kind. The menu was a fantastic mix of local fresh treats that everyone who visits the island should indulge in. The ocean air runs through the open restaurant just as the sun sets with live music filling the room... an amazing experience everyone should have.

    (5)
  • Peter C.

    Great Place for dinner and drinks. We arrived at 5:30 PM for drinks on the lanai overlooking the bay and the island of Molokai. As the sunset about six PM, , with a really nice fire pit keeping us warm we watched the whales spouting off in the distance. Once seated for dinner, my wife had Ahi Tuna over creamed sweet potatoes with a tangerine pepper sauce, really excellent. My entre was Sea Scallops over a cream corn sauce with asparagus, also excellent. We had a glass of Australian Shiraz, very good. Desert was also great: a toasted almond cake with buttermilk gelato and fresh strawberries. The service was first rate from our initial cocktail's to desert, everyone made you feel welcome. Great food, excellent service with a fantastic setting made for a great dining experience.

    (5)
  • Abby L.

    Great special occasion dining in Maui! We went here after getting engaged and days on end of lackluster resort and chain restaurant eating, and this place was fantastic. Seafood was cooked and seasoned perfectly (I had the scallops with creamed corn), and the sides we selected (macadamia nut rice and spicy green beans) paired well. The sommelier did a fantastic job making wine selections for us, and all the staff and ambiance made the night extra special. We would return here in a heartbeat!

    (5)
  • Miranda S.

    This was one of the few restaurants we ate at on Maui that was actually worth the hefty price tag (Mama's Fish House being the other). The setting is breathtakingly beautiful (right on the nw coast of the island at Kapalua) - eat around 7pm and you'll be treated to a spectacular sunset. The service was also excellent. Our server, Colin, was a great host the whole evening through. But the food is the real deal here. It is innovative, fresh, creatively and well-prepared, and very, very tasty. We tried the Ahi Poke (I highly recommend this - super fresh and presented beautifully) to start, as well as the Vanilla bean Shrimp (sous vide with vanilla beans and served over avocado and citrus) - this latter dish was very creative but perhaps too strongly vanilla-flavored (kind of overwhelmed the other flavors). Our entrees and desserts were just as fabulous. If you eat out only once or twice while on Maui, make the drive up to Merrimans and you will be a very happy camper. Final bill was around $200 (with a bottle of wine and tip - the wine list is surprisingly reasonable). Oh, and were SO impressed: the valet guy had our car *waiting* for us when we walked out of the restaurant!

    (5)
  • J. R.

    Very good! View: Beautiful at sunset! Arrive early so that you can have a drink outside and take in the view. Service: For a party of 8, we had 2 servers. They were very attentive and polite. They also have someone specifically to help with your wine selection. Food: Delicious! The BLT salad has an avocado ranch dressing and was very tasty. If you can't decide between 2 entrees, you can get a duo plate. I had the scallops and filet and it was wonderful. The creamed corn and mashed potatoes had a lot of flavor as well. And the creme brulee! It had a macadamia nut crust or something and it was delicious! Everyone enjoyed their food very much. Those foods included lamb, ahi, and ribeye, to name a few. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone visiting Maui. I have not heard of a Merriman's in Lahaina. I'm not sure if the location is a mistake or not, but I went to the one in Kapalua.

    (5)
  • Susan S.

    We celebrated my husband 60th birthday at Merriman's and I can't say how pleased I am. I arranged, long distance, for a bottle of champagne, a lei and a special cake with the events coordinator, Danielle, and everything went fantastic. When we arrived we were seated at a beautiful table over looking the ocean. We were served our champagne and my husband presented with his lei. The food was fantastic starting with the pupu special of prawns in chili sauce over polenta. The best part is that we were never rushed, or hurried in any way. We lingered for almost three hours just enjoying the food, the atmosphere, pleasant conversation with staff and, of course, the incredible view. We have a new favorite on Maui.

    (5)
  • John B.

    Probably the best location site available. Amazing setting, live music, great food & outstanding service. I had the cesare salad & lobster. My wife had the quesades pork & butterfish. The lobster was a little small for the price but did not lack in flavor. All appetizers, entrees and desserts were outstanding. I had the pineapple upside down cake & my wife had the special strawberry special. Just like everything else, it was great. I cancelled my Friday reservation at Sonz on Swan Court so we could return on Friday. Our waiter was Mark and he was great!

    (5)
  • Steve M.

    Great rib eye, terrific view and a heck of a bar.

    (5)
  • Dick C.

    We went for drinks at Happy Hour. The B.W. and I each had a Mai Tai for $6 each. Fabulous. Our dinner reservations were for 5:30, so they seated us at a table with an unobstructed view of the sunset. During the late afternoon, they had a screen that kept the hot sun off the diners, but it still gave a great view of the surf and sunset. The screens went up when the sun's intensity decreased. Water and hot bread arrived quickly. We ordered wine, Molly Dooker 2 Left Feet Shiraz at $72. It turns out they were out, and proposed a Molly Dooker Cab instead. Good choice , because it was as hearty and fruity. Very, very good to us. Sharon ordered the goat cheese appetizer, but with no tomatoes and no strawberry dressing. They substituted mango fruit and another dressing. We were pleased they were able to change it, Sharon thought it was outstanding. I had the soup of the day, a mushroom soup with bits of goat cheese in it. The soup was lighter than I expected, and better than I had hoped. I had a beet salad, S. had a Caesar salad. Both were very good. We both had the small filet of beef, 4 oz portions at $39 each. S. asked them to hold the mushrooms and the sauce on the entree. I had it all. We both thought the filets were done as requested. The entrees pleased each of us. Desert was a shared pineapple upside cake which was outstanding. S. had a mocha coffee and a Frangelico while I finished the wine and downed as much water as I could. All of the vegetables, fruit and meat are locally sourced. The food is outstanding, and is as good as we get at the big restaurants on the strip in our home town, Las Vegas. Our dinner bill, including the wine was $235.50. I consider our evening fairly priced, as a meal of this quality at Las Vegas high quality restaurants catering to tourists looking for a great meal to cost from roughly $200 to $300+ I recommend this restaurant highly for a memorable evening.

    (5)
  • D D.

    We came here while we were visiting Maui on our honeymoon. The restaurant had been recommended by a friend so we were excited to try it out. The views are amazing and i would recommend going here for a cocktail at sunset and skipping dinner. We came early, took pictures and had some drinks. That was the highlight of our visit. The sun went down and we were seated at our table. We ordered an appetizer, 2 more cocktails and our entrees but told the waiter to space them out since we were on our honeymoon and were just looking for a leisurely dinner. It was just before 8 pm on a wednesday when we were seated. our appetizer came out immediately. we weren't done with it and our entrees arrived. The entire dinner was 17 minutes! It was so depressing. We felt so rushed and unwelcome.

    (2)
  • Shez P.

    The restaurant has a great view and our entrees were excellent. The wine list is quite extensive as well. The soup was fantastic, but the salad was a little mediocre. Service was average for a restaurant of this caliber. A little better svc and this would have been a 5 star experience. After Lahaina Grill, this was the second best meal we had on the island.

    (4)
  • Megan L.

    Great place to eat! We made reservations here for after our beach wedding and it was the perfect stop for a romantic evening and good food! Our waiter, David, was very attentive and friendly. We got the pork quesadillas as an appetizers and we really liked them. They were definitely on the sweeter side, but an excellent starter. The warm bread and butter they bring out is soooo good, but make sure not to fill up on it because the entrees are even better! I ordered the ribeye steak medium-well and it was AMAZING! It came with a chopped salsa on top and a side of green beans. My husband ordered the ahi and it was delicious as well! They treated us to a nice dessert of flourless chocolate cake, strawberries, and whipped cream since it was our wedding night and it was really good as well. The food and service are really great, just beware that you will pay for it. For two of us it was over $100 without tip...

    (5)
  • Jessica S.

    We came to Merriman's recommended by NYT and when we pulled up, I had a pang of regret, "what was it about this place that made me reserve two months ago?" I said to my husband, he asked if I wanted to cancel and I said no - and how glad I am that we kept it! Don't be fooled when you pull up - the open restaurant onto the sea is gorgeous and I was glad we had our reservation for sunset. The best part about this place is the local food - if you're interested in food and some ambiance, ignore the polynesian spectacle and sit back and enjoy the local fish, beets, and cheese. I started with taro fritters and the beet/tomato/Surfing Goat Dairy chevre salad and had the brown butter poached half-lobster. Yum all around. My husband had the fish and chips (yes! the pickle!!!), lobster salad and prime rib. We closed out with malasadas and the pineapple upside down cake (I just wanted haupia [sp?] ice cream) and some coffee. Unlike Mama's, a $10 french press is actually a 4 cup press, not a 2 cup press, so in retrospect, I wish we'd both gotten a $5 press and shared two kinds rather than 4 cups of one. Overall, a fantastic (and expensive, but worth it) dinner with great service!

    (4)
  • Cheryl M.

    We've eaten at Merriman's in Waimea on the Big Island several times although it has been a few years. We were really looking forward to dinner here. The food was good but not of the same caliber as the original. The service left much to be desired. Waiter just not that attentive...long lag times between taking orders and beverages and then food arriving.....Had to ask for certain items more than once....Was supposed to bring out my granddaughter's food right away but didn't.... I will say that the setting is really beautiful - sunset in that location absolutely gorgeous. I believe you should always give a place at least two chances....would try it again when we go back. Hopefully next time their food and service will be on a par with the view.

    (2)
  • Tara C.

    My husband and I went here on our recent trip to Maui. It was the best dinner we may have ever had! The setting was amazing. The restaurant sits right by the water. We were able to watch the sun set from dinner. Their service was awesome and the food was perfect. They also had a very good wine list. We plan to go back the next time we visit Maui.

    (5)
  • Melinda W.

    This is our favorite restaurant on Maui! The views, the food & the service can't be beat. Plus they make the best mai tai on the islands. Go to sit on their lanai for sunset with a cocktail or glass of wine, simply the best!

    (5)
  • Christy L.

    The service was good. The food was great! The view is spectacular! And the Cosmo was the perfect way to start the meal. I had the daily fish special and couldn't have been happier. And for dessert, a friend and I split the Pineapple Upside Down Cake (made from banana bread with coconut ice cream) and the Chocolate Purse (with vanilla bean ice cream) - both of which where simply tremendous! I would definitely go back.

    (5)
  • J.M. B.

    view: 10 stars food: 4.5 stars staff: 5 stars prices: 4 stars I absolutely LOVED our table...you can't really get a bad table here though and the view is worth coming here alone. I started with the lobster avocado salad and it was amazing. I then had the mahi mahi and while it was good, I saw the ono and kind of wished I had that instead. The flavors of the mahi mahi were very asian inspired which I liked but I guess I should have read the menu better as I was more in the liking of the spicy broccoli Ono. Anyway, NO complaints overall...other than I wish the prices were a bit easier to swallow. I was here with a party of 12 (family vacation) so it added up quickly but we all were glad we went and will be excited to return when we can save up to come back to Maui! This would be the perfect place for a wedding...it's that incredible all around if you can afford it! Just incredible!

    (5)
  • Jeffrey K.

    Hi!! My name is Abbi K!! I am 13 years old!! We have come to Hawaii every spring break for the past six years, and have eaten at many restaurants, and this is the best restaurant by far!! We walked in, and at that very moment, I knew this meal was going to be great!! The offered us shawls, which was perfect because it was a cool evening!! We walked to our table, and it was just outstanding. It had absolutely the perfect view. Our server came to the table and he was probably the best waiter that has ever taken care of my family and I at a restaurant!! He gave us the best recommendation!! I started with a ceaser salad and that was fabulous!! The bread was fresh and warm and just tasted great!! Then I got the kids Filet Mignon and that was unbelievable and just awesome!! We are coming back Easter Sunday, just because we loved it so much!! This dining experience was just great!! I have to say there is nothing you can improve because everything was perfect about the experience we have had at Merriman's!! Thank you, Abbi K:)

    (5)
  • Cindy P.

    Had dinner here for our anniversary last night. Food was amazing, service was excellent. We had the 5:30 seething and the view of sunset was indescribable. Pricey but worth it.

    (5)
  • V L.

    We got Mauied here last week at Merriman's, and everything was perfect! We had our wedding ceremony and reception here with 50 of our guests celebrating with us, and we could not have been happier with how everything turned out, and everyone could not stop talking about how amazing our wedding was. Gorgeous views, attentive staff, delicious food, you can't go wrong! We had planned everything from long distance, by phone and e-mail, and was alittle apprehensive that our first look at the Merriman's was just a few days before the wedding, but everything worked out beautifully. Danielle and Ronit were amazing, and made our special day so memorable! We will definitely be back again and again!

    (5)
  • Stephanie B.

    Valentine's Day 2011 - this was our second visit (previously there in 2/09). Great views, nice ambience and fabulous food and service. Our favorite place in West Maui.

    (5)
  • K G.

    So. Freaking. Good. Got an amazing pasta appetizer with house made ricotta which was delicious. The kafir lime in the the lemongrass scented chicken was such a lovely touch, it was a definite win. And the chocolate pouch or pocket or whatever it was, was crazy good. And the atmosphere was so beautiful, three sides, open to the sunset, warm breezes... Lovely.

    (5)
  • Helen G.

    We just celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary at Merriman's. Since some of the recent reviews I read were dismal, we were a bit apprehensive about returning, but we had a wonderful experience last year, so we decided to go for it. So glad we did. We made an early reservation to score a table along the rail to ensure optimal sunset views. Great, attentive service. The food was very good-- not perfection, but very good. The Mai Tai, however, was a religious experience. It had lilikoi (passionfruit) foam on top, and it was the best Mai Tai I have ever had. (Anyone who knows me will tell you that's really saying something.) For dessert we had the chocolate purse, which was an intensely deep chocolate wrapped in phyllo and served with vanilla ice cream. A great meal in a beautiful spot. We hope to be back next year for our 46th.

    (4)
  • Patricia B.

    Fantastic food and service to match a spectacular sunset view over Kapalua Bay. The chef's flavor assortment is divine! I had the sushi-grade island fresh ahi and avocado on butter lettuce, with tomato and the best tasting mango I've ever had. My entree was a uniquely seasoned chicken that melts in your mouth, with Molokai's own purple sweet potato-filled ravioli. For dessert, I indulged in their house specialty, pineapple upside down cake with coconut ice cream. Now, I've never tried upside down pineapple cake before, but it was truly delicious! And the ice cream was remarkable too. The restaurant staff was equally great, everyone from our server, April, to the bus staff. They were diligent, attentive, friendly and professional. Accompanying our great meal and view was local entertainment coming from the adjacent wine bar - featuring a talented soft-playing acoustic guitarist/singer, a hula dancer and even a fire dancer. We will be back!

    (5)
  • Sarah C.

    This place is magical. The view at sunset is unbelievable - add the sound of the waves and the cool Hawaiian breeze and you've found paradise. We aren't good with making plans, so we couldn't get a table. But we did manage to snag a high top at the bar. The drinks were nothing special - the mai tai was pretty standard. We ordered the appetizer sampler, which was so interesting. First time I've had an app sampler that seemed to have an order to it. I promise! Eat them in order - ahi sashimi, lobster salad, pork quesadilla, finally goat cheese. Good stuff!

    (4)
  • Christy S.

    Amazing. The view. The food. The wine list. The service. All at perfection. I can honestly say I had one of my top 3 steaks ever here. This place is so beautiful and delicious that if you don't go here when you are on Maui you are seriously missing out!

    (5)
  • Kaity B.

    This place is fantastic for a special night out. This was definitely the best dinner we had on Maui. The food is excellent, local, and thoughtful. Peter Merriman is an excellent chef, he also has a hand in Hula Grill, which was also nice. The service was great, our server recommended wine within our budget without having to ask. We also realized at the end that we had no cash for tip, so we added it to our check and our server passed it along to the valet guys. We made same-day reservations and had a beautiful table right along the edge. It was dark, but still nice to hear the waves hitting the rocks. Worth the price, definitely make a reservation.

    (5)
  • Jeff J.

    Merriman's is fantastic. The sunset on the deck is beyond belief. The vodka & pineapple make it even better. The meal was outstanding. Davie, our waiter, knew everything about any item on the menu. Merriman's is definitely worth your time.

    (5)
  • Annette D.

    A delightful dinner on our last night in Hawaii. Although the presentation of the appetizers was a bit low-tech (4 nails driven into a piece of wood with radish sliced placed on them), the Taro hummus was a delightful surprise. Wonderful seared scallops and salad with strawberries and goat cheese. Merrimans is in a wonderful location with a gorgeous view. The service was spectacular with 2 attentive waiters and a visit from the sommelier, Jeff. The wines were paired expertly with each diner's choice. I disagree with other posts that the portions were too small- they were actually the right size, but prices are a bit high. The pineapple upside down cake it a must have- even if you think you don't like it. Merrimans version is like no other and the 2 ice creams that accompany it are outstanding as well. Reservations are needed and you have to give a credit card. Go before dark to enjoy the full experience.

    (4)
  • Daniel B.

    Should be 6 stars. Our favorite place on Maui. Have been back multiple times. The ambience is perfect, especially out on the patio. The live music was wonderful - complemented the environment rather than overwhelmed it. The service is first rate. Now for the food. Their ponzu mahi mahi is one of the best Hawaiian fish dishes I have ever had. Their macadamia Ono was also wonderful. My wife had the steak which was cooked to perfection with a sauce that complimented the meat perfectly. We have enjoyed eating at Merriman's places on the Big Island and on Kauai. The Maui location is superb!

    (5)
  • Leigha T.

    We had Mama's and Merrimans down as our pick for our one big dinner while in Maui, we couldn't do it all. So, we asked our concierge, if she could choose just 1 what would she pick between the two, and she said Merrimans. So, we went. And WOW, are we glad we did! We loved everything from the location, cozy and secluded to the divine food and service. Just a tip... medium done is more done that medium. Both our steaks were a bit too done. Still yummy. Try the watermelon basil salad, the minute I left I promised myself I would put that combo together for a salad of my own.

    (5)
  • Henry S.

    Coming out of the serene cocoon of the Ritz Carlton spa to head over to dinner, we were met with a torrential downpour. It made the 5 minute drive to Merriman's all the more dramatic, all the way to their driveway where valets were jostling to move the cars along, and guests were scurrying into the restaurant. Once inside, it was a bustling oasis. Staff darting back and forth, 2 musicians playing relaxing island-esque music, and then, all of a sudden, the magnificent sunset. We were seated on the 3rd row from the lanai seating, and even then, the sun (which came out gloriously at this point), was staring right in my eye. Gorgeous Kapalua Bay right below us. The room is done in a modern, relaxed plantation style. I especially love the vaulted ceilings tiled in capiz shells. To start, we decided on the pupu taster. This was a smart choice as it showcased the talents of the chef in 4 distinctly different dishes. I would even go so far as saying that i enjoyed the pupu more than the entrees. But more on that later. So the pupu platter consisted of: (1) Ono Sashimi with Miso Marinated Calamari Salad. Pristine fish in a pungent marinade of thinly sliced calamari, seaweed, sea beans, toasted rice, and hints of sesame oil. (2) Coconut & Macadamia Shrimp Fritters with Carrot and Coconut Salad. Crusty and nutty coconut and macadamia coating on the shrimp. What stood out more was the salad. Shaved strips of carrot and firm coconut, handfuls of cilantro, in a very refreshing lime dressing. It was absolutely brilliant. (3) Kalua Pork & Sweet Onion Quesadilla with House-made Kimchee. The pork was meltingly tender and very sweet. The kimchee gave all that sweetness a strong counterpoint. It is house-made, and is very mild compared to the store-bought variety. (4) Baked Surfing Goat Cheese in Phyllo with a Kula Strawberry and Sweet Onion Compote. Hints of citrus peel in the goat cheese pocket gave a brightness to the dish. With the strawberries and onions, this dish blurs the line between appetizer and dessert. Ok, phew. That was a great taste of exciting flavors. For entrees, we had the Butterfish Misoyaki with Shimeji Mushrooms, Baby Bok Choy, Braised Daikon, & Young Ginger Broth; and the evening's special of Seared Monchong with Root Vegetables, Wasabi Potato Puree, & Citrus Curry Sauce. Butterfish takes me back to my younger days, and is of course not available anywhere in the Midwest mainland. Expertly grilled with just a hint of teriyaki. The wafer thin flesh you can just put in your mouth and wait for it to melt. The monchong came in big bold thick fillets. A nice brown crust contrasting with firm white flesh. The citrus curry sauce cuts through the richness of the fish and the potato puree. Prices are high here, but they don't skimp on portions. Both fish entree came with 2 meaty fillets. We had a bottle of 2008 Pascal Jolivet Sancerre. Dry and elegant and perfect accompaniment for the mostly seafood dishes. For dessert, our waitress went to great lengths describing the Coconut filled Malasadas. They are essentially beignets, or according to Portuguese Hawaiian tradition, a doughy, sugary treat on Fat Tuesday (which apparently in Hawaii is known as Malasadas Day). The accompanying caramel sauce bordered a bit on the excessive given the coconut and sugar dusting on the pastry, and the sweet coconut cream filling. The sweet course was capped off brilliantly by the Bonny Doon Vineyards Framboise. A raspberry explosion to say the least. Why only 4 stars? Food wise, everything was superbly executed and tasted great. Kudos for being on the forefront of regionality and sustainability. The concepts and flavors behind the appetizers stood out to me more than the entrees. Service was good, but bordered on the cheery, family-restaurant style, which i believe does not fit an expensive, white table-clothed restaurant. The setting is magnificent, but seems like in Maui, every restaurant worth it's salt boasts amazing sunset and ocean views.

    (4)
  • Mr. A.

    Merriman's is the place to take your girlfriend and propose. Or take the wife on a special anniversary. The location is amazing, the service top-notch, and the food is a unique gourmet interpretation of the bounty Hawaii provides. This is a unique dining experience... but you will pay for it, so be prepared for the bill.

    (4)
  • Glenn S.

    Its a stunning point from which to enjoy the Maui coast from high up while surrounded by waves. The food and the service were both excellent. Weather permitting, I highly recommend having a drink outside before dinner inside. It's well worth it as a more dramatic site, I did not see during our entire time in Maui.

    (5)
  • Amado D.

    The location was very nice and romantic. The meal was very good .

    (4)
  • Jamie P.

    My husband and I had the most memorable dinner of our honeymoon at Merriman's, and haven't stopped talking about it to family and friends. The restaurant itself is stunning, even the indoor dining room, thanks to open-air, panoramic views of the ocean. We requested a table with a great view when we made the reservation and upon arrival we were led to a perfect, intimate table right on the corner of the outdoor deck. The sunset was spectacular, and our waiter was very gracious about taking pictures for us and other diners. The food was excellent; the only reason I rated it 4 rather than 5 is that the portions seemed a bit small for the price, but that is just part of dining in Hawaii! Overall a memorable, stunningly scenic dinner that was well worth the $$!

    (4)
  • Tamara A.

    On our last night on Maui (and of our honeymoon), my husband and I decided to splurge on dinner and go to Merriman's, especially since we slept through dinner the night before. We came around 8:30, so it was already dark, but I think the ocean views would be spectacular at sunset. We split an appetizer of kahlua pork quesadillas, and a dessert of coconut malasadas. I ordered a duo plate of mahi mahi with ponzu sauce and vegetables with a filet mignon and creamed corn with spinach, while he ordered the rib eye. I have to say that I enjoyed the kahlua pork quesadillas far more than I did my entree, although the mahi mahi was flavorful. The filet was nice and tender, but the combination of the creamed corn and spinach seemed like too basic of a combination. His ribeye was quite good however. For the price, I've had better, and Lahaina Grill definitely won us over.

    (3)
  • Benjamin R.

    Amazing food with an even more amazing view of the Maui sunset. Great service. One of the best meals I have ever had. Wish I had found it earlier this week so we could do it again.

    (5)
  • Ali B.

    Good food, but not blown away. Would return, though. Setting is great and was very busy -- which is a good sign. Jeff, the sommelier, was very engaging, friendly, and helpful. Great wine list!

    (4)
  • Lorimer A.

    Merriman's went above and beyond our expectations in making our wedding dinner reception a success. More specifically, Danielle Kuck, Banquet Coordinator, was very responsive to all our emails and requests. From planning our wedding an ocean away, it felt like we were working with them face to face. Anything you ask for, they will do their best to accommodate it. On the day of the event, Caleb and the rest of the staff impressed us with their professionalism and exceptional service. Our guests were satisfied with every request. Even though we didn't request it, they even provided each seat with a tabletop menu complete with our event name and menu. The private room and lanai are absolutely breathtaking at sunset and we highly recommend having any important event at this location.

    (5)
  • John S.

    Skip dinner and go for drinks during the sunset. Fabulous, but very slow seating.

    (4)
  • lynda g.

    The vine ripened strawberry cobler with the vanilla ice cream was so fabulous, I went back the next night to pick up two to go. Our meal was wonderful. Be prepared to pay some bucks however.

    (5)
  • Diana S.

    Delicious food and excellent service. I was in Maui for business and a colleague had raved about this place so a few others and i decided to try it out. Normally I am not so crazy about very pricey, very fancy, "American cuisine" - i typically prefer to try more authentic, ethnic cuisines and especially if i am traveling i prefer to find holes in the walls to local joints and i ABHOR tourist eateries. So Merriman's is on the water, which is breathtaking during sunset, but we had a late reservation, so we couldn't see the view. i started with the keahole lobster salad, which was a very good portion of lobster chunks on top of their sweet, ripe tomato slices with a small pile of wild arugula in the middle, paper thin slices of maui onion, and a creamy vinaigrette. then for entree i chose a make-your-own "duo" plate, where you can choose TWO entrees - this concept is PERFECT for me because 95% of the time i can't decide between two entrees when i'm at a restaurant, and honestly i usually just want a sampling of everything, so the more i can combine, the better. i hate being committed to one dish, hating it, and eyeing my neighbor's dish the entire time. so for my duo plate i chose the pan-sauteed taro cakes (akin to potato croquettes) with swiss chard, asparagus, and thin stalks of hearts of palm (which i usually only see served in cross-section slices) and the rack of lamb, which was FABULOUS. it was drizzled with a reduction that was ever so slightly sweet and really complemented the flavor of the lamb, and they cooked it just right to my medium-rare request. The lamb came with a mushroom risotto cake, and as soon as my fork dipped into a chunk, the aroma of black truffle wafted out.. yummmmm... the only thing that was not necessary on the entire ensemble was a small sauce cup full of what looked like salsa but was just tomatoes, which i didn't find went with anything. it didn't go with the taro cakes and surely did not go with the lamb. perhaps it was for people who thought the lamb was dry, but i definitely didn't need it. for dessert we got: malasadas (something like a beignet but SO tender inside it is the most delicate little donut hole that just melts in your mouth, filled with white chocolate on the inside, and comes with a kona coffee caramel dipping sauce. the presentation is cute because the little round chunks of donut come in a tiny paper bag on the plate to keep them warm), passion fruit ice cream, the molten chocolate purse (i expected this to be just a form of molten lava cake, but it was wrapped in filo dough which added such a delicate touch to it, and was delicious), and a very light, airy strawberry mousse which was served with fried apple banana slices. i also had a wine flight, which showcased an italian "pinot nero", an argentinean malbec, and a napa cabernet (the last being my favorite). for dessert we shared a glass of Hungarian "tokaji" which was wonderfully sweet and not syrupy at all. IMO better than ice wine, but i'm not a dessert wine conoisseur. the service was excellent, not only courteous and attentive, but our waitress was truly passionate about their food, which says a lot to me. i loathe when they memorize the menu like robots and can't give you an opinion on one dish versus another except to think in their minds which might be more expensive. this restaurant was genuine, and extraordinarily fresh. i highly recommend!

    (4)
  • Maui E.

    Heart stopping meals. Wine and Beer Deck Bar has the best view on Maui. David H, our favorite Bartender, will serve you a libation that will knock your socks off. All around, a great dinning experience.

    (5)
  • Keith W.

    You can look your whole life (or mine, for that matter) and not come up with a more beautiful location to have a good meal. This place is simply awe inspiring. For our pre-dinner drinks we sat right at the edge of a cliff that overlooked the pacific ocean slurping up lava formations below us. A gas-fed fireplace circle kept us warm as the tropical breezes played with our hair. Romantic beyond comparison. But this place is far from perfect. Without the scenery it gets a 3. Food. Close to perfect. Deserts, including the bread pudding (please keep it Merriman's, I know it's new for you) were something I may be willing to sell my body for should the need arise. Service. Pretty shabby. Our waiter was serving a party of about 14 next to us. An accomplice came by to tell us about tonight's special after saying that he assumed that our waiter had already told us. We explained that we hadn't been told anything. Even after telling us about the specials and explaining that our waiter was quite busy with the large party he didn't take our order or even that of an appetizer. So it took us a long time to get our food. Then a long time to get the glass of New Zealand white that I ordered. And, here's the best part, after sitting there in hunger for quite a while our meals finally arrived to be followed (I'm not kidding here) 2 minutes later by the bread. I kind of assumed they just didn't serve bread at Merriman's despite the obvious plate and butter knifes to my left. "While you're waiting for the ocean breezes to steal the heat from your meals we wish for you to enjoy some of our less-than-whelming bread. And by the way, here's a single slice of butter over which the two of you can fight." With the prices and location here you expect brilliance. That's not the service we received. Now, I understand that our waiter was busy... we've all been there. But then the second gentleman who came by (perhaps the maitre'de?) should have helped us out after finding out that we hadn't even been told about the specials. OR, the young lady who came by to steal our extra cutlery and took 45 minutes to return with a basket of bread could have said hello and asked if we were ready to order something. On the plus side of service, Melissa, the hostess with whom we made the reservation, was very pleasant. Doesn't really add or remove a star from the rating however. Do yourself a favor, Merriman's, and get her on the tables asap. Location - 10 stars Service - 2 at best

    (4)
  • Joel F.

    What a great time! I went here for birthday party for a group of 9. We had dinner, wine, apps, and all were delicioius. The ahi sashimi was excellent, and at $17 was at the high range of the apps (all were $11-$17). I tried a few different entrees, including the sea scallops, charred ahi, and ono, and mahi mahi ponzu and all were very good choices. Entrees were in the $36-$39 range. They also serve Sea Smoke wine, which was one of the most unique Pinots I've tasted---but expensive. I'd definitely recommend dinner here...or lunch too (the view is amazing). Another 1/2 star for the live band!

    (4)
  • Justin B.

    I had a friend in town who is a very, very picky eater and Merriman's took care of her so much that we came back twice while she was here for only 4 nights. I had the Ribeye which is so 'dam' good with whipped potatoes and cream kula corn which i had to order a side of as it was so good. We enjoyed a bottle of wine at sunset on the deck which they gave us 20% off for drinking out there and then headed in for dinner at the bar. Perfect day and the bartender was on it and very helpful with her picky food needs.... Thank you.

    (5)
  • Barry R.

    After reading the diverse reviews, I was a bit skittish about keeping our 530 reservation, which is what you need for a perimeter table. Put me down on the "very enthusiastic" column. To watch the sunset, listen to live music, watch the stars come out and still have excellent food and service--hey, what more do you want? While one may quibble about whether Roy's (especially the chocolate souffle and the butterfish) or Lahaina Grill puts a better dish on the table, it's hard to beat the total experience...though Merriman's may be the priciest of the three. The service was perfect, the sommelier was particularly helpful and did not push the high end and we'd go back there in a heartbeat.

    (5)
  • morgan b.

    Great ambiance, great food, a bit pricey. Their menu is made with organic ingredients. I had a grass fed fillet and it was awesome. Definitely worth getting their before sunset and watching from the wine bar.

    (4)
  • Rick H.

    Outstanding sunset views! I can not find anything wrong with this restaurant. The food was great and perfectly spaced to enjoy your drinks and sunset. The service was perfect. I highly recommend this restaurant.

    (5)
  • B W.

    We stopped here for a sunset drink and were blown away by the view from point in front of the restaurant. Fantastic location and the serving staff were very nice. Just cocktails, no food as the appetizers were pricey and frankly didn't sound that good to us. There is also a bar in the restaurant that has views of the neighboring beach but if you are able to sit outside on the point that's the best. They even had a few seats around an outdoor fire pit which looked really nice.

    (4)
  • Julie M.

    First of all, I have to say there is no betta view at any restaurant on Maui. SPECTACULAR view.That, however, is the good part. Went with my gf's for cocktails and pupus then into dinner. Bartender was the biggest dud I have had mix my drink in a longgg time. Why do folks go into bartending when they are socially retarded? We then caught his attention and ordered the pupu platter $38. We were quite amazed when they brought a large platter with 2 of the worlds smallest egg rolls, 2 tiny crab cakes, 2 small fried goat cheese balls and something else? tiny that doesn't even jog my memory. I wish someone would have got a shot of our faces when we saw this rip off platter :0 We paid the $90 bill for for 3 drinks and 8 bites and booked it outta there for the Pineapple Grill to get some real food. Finally...good food at a fair price. Mo betta yet, the bartender ( at The Pineapple Grill) wasn't studying to be a mime YEAH!

    (1)
  • Larry V.

    Overall, about 3.5 stars. Five stars for atmosphere during a sunset with a good table. Three stars for service, because it wasn't attentive enough, but better than many places on Maui. No food table prep items, unless they have something like that for dessert. Food was about 3.5 stars due mostly to high and low points and the very limited menu selection. Decent presentation. The wine selection on the other hand is extensive, if you want to spend well over $40 for a bottle. Not so much, if you want something below that price point. Wine by the glass ran from about $10 to $100. If the food prices were cut in half, I would give the restaurant four stars. $48 for an entree should be perfection. The ahi was average. The beef filet was excellent. The fish was a little over-cooked or sitting somewhere too long before it came to the table, but it wasn't bad. The large couscous, with barley I believe, was good. The kale salad was excellent and large enough to split. The Mai Tai was excellent. Good location for a special occasion. If you can't afford an entire dinner, certainly visit the bar during sunset, grab a few drinks and an appetizer or the kale salad.

    (3)
  • Tim W.

    Merriman's has become one of my favorite restaurants on Maui putting it up there with Sanseis, Roys and Mama's Fish House. The restaurant is indoor and open-aired. There is also seating outdoors which I believe extends further down toward the ocean. You must try the kalua pig and sweet onion quesadillas! One of the best dishes I had on maui! I also tried the grilled maui cattle fillet of beef which was pretty good as well. There was live music all night. The musician was playing all types of music ranging from Hiroshima to Coldplay on an instrument I didn't recognize. The music, food, and great view all make this a five star restaurant for me!

    (5)
  • Kl D.

    The food is fantastic and deserves 5 stars. Our waiter, despite being a bit odd, did a fine job. However, arriving on time for a 7:30 reservation and having to wait for 35 minutes for our table was bad. Not even getting an apology for it was UNACCEPTABLE! I have never seen more incompetent hostesses in my life.

    (2)
  • Steve C.

    This is fine dining Hawaii style. For setting and feel, best on the island in my opinion. Right on the ocean. Restaurant is very attractively designed outside and in. Interior decor subtle and beautiful. The food was VERY good. I had the mahi, and my wife had the scallops. Both were excellent, but the nod goes to the scallops. Highly recommend them! Service was right up there too. This would be my #1 choice for a return visit.

    (5)
  • Jenny V.

    During our week long gastronomical tour of Maui for my birthday in January, my hubby and I had dinner here. As we drove up, I realized that this was previously the Bay Club where I had been over 10 years earlier on a family trip. So I already knew that the view would be spectacular. We arrived just before sunset, and toasted each other with a glass of bubbly. Our server was so friendly and attentive, offering suggestions when asked. I enjoyed their specialty Mix Plate which is basically three entrees on one plate (smaller portions). So I got to enjoy the mahi mahi, the beef filet and the charred ahi. I am fairly certain the moaning noises were attracting some odd looks from neighboring tables but I really didn't care. It was my birthday week after all. I don't even care what the hubby had since mine was so fantastic. I know that he had the special which was ono and I know he was making yummy noises too. I just don't recall getting to have more than one taste of his. Dessert was the maui gold pineapple upside down cake which was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

    (3)
  • Matthew L.

    Went twice within 3 days while on Maui. First time for Easter dinner and then again for sunset drinks and appetizers on the patio. Both occasions were very special dining events. Service was completely different but impeccable both evenings. Would absolutely love to go back, but am now back on the mainland.

    (5)
  • Big E.

    I have to admit I was not expecting much fearing the view was the thing and the food was going to be somewhat less spectacular. I was wrong it was great! The table service by JJ was just right. The wine list is probably the most extensive on the island. The prices probably were the only drawback. The only strange thing was that if you were on the deck you could not be served spirits, only beer and wine. In order to get a Mai tai you had to get it yourself at the bar. I am guessing this had to do with the license. Any way this is a great spot and should not to be missed.

    (4)
  • DeVere D.

    We had an absolutely wonderful time at this restaurant. We drove all the way from Wailea because a friend told us about it and it was worth it. The ambiance was great, as was the service and the food. We had a nice large table and a good waiter. The pace at which the food came was just right. The price was also surprisingly reasonable. We'd definitely go here again!

    (4)
  • Mary C.

    Hubby and I came here at 5:30p without reservations and was lucky to secure a high top table. Ahi poke appetizer was good, salads were standard. He had the monchong dish which he loved. I had the mahi mahi entree- waitress told me it wasn't spicy but it was, so didn't enjoy it. We had the cheesecake since some yelpers said it was amazing. It was good but wouldn't reorder. For both of us, we spent $150 here. View was nice but similar to our hotels.

    (4)
  • Darren A.

    Love it here! Can't wait to return! Excellent service, incredible food and breathtaking views!! The Mai Tai is prepared in a unique way with a frothy topper - you need to try one!! The food is some of the best flavors I have had in a long time!! Definitely a must if you're in Maui!!

    (5)
  • Mary M.

    Gorgeous views, friendly staff and the best Mai Tai on Maui!!

    (5)
  • Kei D.

    Loved dining overlooking the ocean. We were staying at the Montage Hotel and they recommended to make a reservation a week in advance. The walk from the Montage Hotel over to Merriman's along the beach was beautiful.... the seafood was delicious.... still remembered the memorable meal from a year ago...Thanks Merriman's.

    (5)
  • Trudy M.

    Ben was our server this delicious evening. We were a party of 5 and a few bottles of wine were ordered. Dishes consisted of Mac Nut crusted Monchong (spicy garlic broccoli, roasted mushroom sake reduction on top of mac nut brown rice)= DELICIOUS! I ordered the fresh fish of the day....I wish I remembered what the type was...white & flaky....sooooo yummy!!!! Butter poached keahole lobster (crispy pumpkin polenta, braised Evanuk Farms collards, Tamimi farms fresh tomato & olive vinaigrette) , a fellow diner had the steak.....which he said was THE best steak ever. Desserts were the creme brûlée with cookies, ice cream scoops, flourless choc cake with fresh whipped cream for the Birthday girl, a couple of french press coffees and port. The whole experience was superb! And now that I think of it....it was raining pretty hard outside and we sat at the edge of the restaurant with no walls...(ehh!!) didn't even notice that we were getting sprinkled on! (LOL!!). THAT'S how great this place is. They called our hotel for us to pick us up so that we did not have to deal with the rain. As I am writing this review---it's storming pretty fierce outside. But, we had a delicious night. Thank You Merriman's! Bravo!

    (5)
  • Chris C.

    One of our favorites because of the combo of view, food and service. Even though it was a holiday, our server did not rush us. Come early for the best seating, knowing that many people plan to see the setting sun here. It is beautifully situated so there are many water view tables. Bring a light wrap for the winter or if you're on the lower level, they will set up a heater if a wind kicks up. We started with the wonderful two kinds of mai tais. The oil they brought with the bread was not to our taste, so we asked for butter and received hand-churned butter, which was lovely especially with a sprinkle of their pink Hawaiian salt. Had the daily appetizer of pork belly and prawns. Very tender pork belly. Spouse had the poke and avocado w/ taro chips -- he loved this. The moi was offered and was excellent. Cheesecake dessert light and a perfect ending to this meal. A recent reviewer was disappointed with the lobster. Note that lobster is not something that Hawaii is known for as it's a cold-water shellfish. I would not order it in Hawaii.

    (5)
  • Simon S.

    This was our venue for our 44-person wedding reception. This is not an inexpensive restaurant. If you want a cheap meal, look elsewhere. However, if you are prepared to spend, the location, the view, the staff, the food, everything was phenomenal.

    (5)
  • Anna K.

    Great food great view and great service. The only thing that's not super excellent is the selection of draft beer. The black pepper corn rubbed prime grade rib eye is one of the kind, truly juice and tender to the cut, one that even the finest hotel chef will give a full hands down. Living in Texas, we haven't had this good rib eye for a very long time, especially all natural grass fed cattle. You can taste the difference. Prime grade is the highest grade beef on top of angus and usda which sold in Walmart and local grocery stores. It's defiantly a must try. In addition, the view from our table to the open ocean is breathless. The food is defiantly professionally prepared. Well done merriman!

    (5)
  • Rob E.

    This place is very preppy but there was a good mix of people dressed casual also. We came in for a late dinner so missed the sunset but this is definitely the place to be for a romantic dinner especially if you come early for sunset. Be prepared to spend some money though. Apps were average $20, drinks $15, and entrees $50. We started with the Hawaiian Ahi Poke for an appetizer and it was excellent. They also bring you fresh made bread which was great. I like how they had a duo option which is a set price for two half size portions of multiple entree options. My wife ordered the fish special which was Ono and huge shrimp! Plus with the duo option she also had the divers scallops which is one of their recommended selections. Both were amazing! I ordered the merrimans trio which had three small serving of their favorites. Mahi mahi, filet, and seared ahi. All were great but the steak was hands down the best! Pro Tip: I know your in Hawaii but go with the beef! Filet just melts in your mouth. Finished with the Hawaiian molten chocolate purse. Chocolate and fhilo pastry with the ice cream really went well together. I highly recommend that one!

    (5)
  • Edward B.

    We had dinner tonight at Merrimans and enough salt for the next few years. I couldn't believe how the chef over salted all of our dishes...the mushroom soup...was so salty I drank 2 glasses of water during the appetizer, my filet was over salted even worse. I tried to wash it down with the Cabernet, but I think it was someone else's pinot. Not exactly what we expected or paid for. Lahaina Grill was much better. Very disappointed in the dining experience tonight.

    (2)
  • Diane M.

    This place has the worst, slowest service. This is my fourth time in Maui and we thought we'd try something new. After waiting what seemed to be an eternity for our food, we started to get up to leave. At that exact moment our food came- cold! We were so hungry at that point we at some of it and then got the (expensive) check and left. I definitely wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

    (1)
  • Christy S.

    Our favorite overall restaurant experience in Maui! Great service, and the sunset view was incredible. Also a great breeze that keeps you cool during dinner and keep the mosquitoes away. We would definitely go back here next time. A five-star experience at a five-star restaurant.

    (5)
  • Melissa C.

    This was our pinnacle dining experience while visiting Hawaii. Even my mother-in-law, who is not usually impressed or excited by food, was raving (and still is) about her meal. Everything about this place is magical. The duo that sang and played guitar/flute made for a great ambiance in addition to the amazing outdoor air and view. The service was attentive, yet respectful of space. The food was magnificent. We collectively had scallops with creamed corn, ahi tuna, ribeye, filet minon, and mahi mahi. Every piece of meat was cooked perfectly with perfect seasoning and all accompaniments were spot on. The drinks (especially the mai tai and house made pineapple run) were top notch. I get a warm fuzzy feeling when I think about our night here.

    (5)
  • Steve T.

    Absolutely my favorite "upscale" restaurant in west Maui. Although I was not overly impressed with the interior layout, the food and service completely makes up for it. We arrived after dark, so had we arrived to see the sunset, my opinion of the interior would likely be influenced by the beauty of the Maui sunset. We tried the appetizer sampler, and all the choices were great. I had probably the best duck entree that I have ever had...in my life, period. My wife had the Onaga entree, and that was amazing as well. Both were cooked perfectly.

    (5)
  • Seals N.

    Celebrated our 20th here... Mike was the best throughout; wonderful sunset, delectable meal, and a sweet surprise to move this to the top of our list of special fav's. Thanks Mike!

    (5)
  • Leanne R.

    Must visit if in Maui! Gorgeous ocean views on 3 sides, perfect for watching the sunset. The atmosphere was elegant yet beachy, relaxed yet trendy. We sat at the bar and enjoyed chatting with the local bartenders. The menu can be expensive if you order entrees but we ordered appetizers for dinner instead. They were perfect portion sizes along with sharing a salad and bread. My husband had the filet sliders, and I had the homemade pasta with veggies - to die for! I hope we have time to visit again before we leave the island...it's that perfect!!!

    (5)
  • A C.

    We came here on our first night on Maui and it was the perfect way to start the vacation! We made a reservation for 6pm and were able to catch the amazing sunset views. There's live music playing which adds to the nice ambiance. I got the lamb which was cooked to perfection, tender and flavourful. My husband got the duo of Ahi and beef filet (he preferred the Ahi as the beef was more well done than he wanted). We got the chocolate purse for dessert which was decent as well. Total for two entrees and one dessert was around $120 before tip, which was very reasonable for a restaurant of this caliber. There is also complimentary valet parking. This was hands down the best meal on our whole trip.

    (5)
  • Susan S.

    We ate here last night. The food and service were terrific. Get there early and enjoy cocktails overlooking the ocean. It feels like you are at the edge of the world. Bring a light jacket regardless of the temps. I recommend the Mahi-mahi for dinner and bread pudding for dessert. A younger, but sophisticated crowd in the bar area, but not too hip for adults.

    (5)
  • Glen E.

    Merriman's has a beautiful view of Kapalua bay and the ocean, but the food especially the appetizers were not edible! The presentation was terrible as well as the food! The selections were not very many either! We have been here a couple of times and it seems to get worse!

    (1)
  • Ken V.

    We were introduced to Merriman's in 1996 on the Big Island and have now also been to his restaurants on Kaua`i as well as Maui. Every one has been superlative, and this one was no exception. I started off with an ahi poke. It was amazing. Served over a bit of guacamole with just the right amount of spicy and savory. The serving dish was over a bed of ice to keep things cold -- a well appreciated detail here in Maui. For my main, I had a fish special of local snapper, served over some pureed pumpkin and a sauce that was out of this world. The snapper was tender and moist, and some of the freshest fish I've ever had. We washed down our meal with a half bottle of Ken Wright pinot noir, Shea Vineyard, from Oregon's Willamette valley. Oh, and for dessert we shared a lilikoi (passion fruit) tart and a carafe of pressed Maui coffee. I truly can't find anything to gripe about. Well, the bartender was a bit cheesy, but in a pleasant way. Oh, and I asked for some additional Sugar in the Raw with our coffee, and that never came. So they're not perfect, but I'll sure go back here at any and every opportunity I get.

    (5)
  • Jennifer B.

    Dinner at Merrimans was amazing! First there is no better place to see the sunset on the Island with cocktail in hand and amazing dinner to come. We started with the cavatelli which was homemade and cooked to perfection. The sauce was rich and the spicy baby meatballs, with the mushrooms and greens were off the charts. Another appetizer of house made corned beef with killer vine ripened tomatoes is not to be missed. They were great with children. Our son loved his filet mignon and pasta. The kampachi fish special was wonderful and the white chocolate filled Malassadas (amazing donuts) were worth coming back for. This place is a winner....

    (5)
  • Michael S.

    This Resturant was everything and then some. The food was awesome and the service was top notch. The view was outstanding. A definite stop when you are on Maui!!

    (4)
  • Bob N.

    Unbelievable view, good food, and terrible service. Too bad they can't seem to pull it all together as the service would be so simple to improve. A little common sense and consideration for the customer would make the service equal to the quality of the food. Try treating your customers like you appreciate them and see your scores go up.

    (2)
  • Robert B.

    Great location and view. Reception and seating staff are a little snobby. Table service was outstanding. Food is very so so. Tastes like they are riding thier reputation. I has fish for dinner 8 out I0 days on island. This was 8th. Dry, fishy poorly prepared. Definitely paying for the view and ambiance.

    (3)
  • Zack H.

    Blown away is how I would describe our visit to this restaurant! Food was outstanding and the ocean-front views were incredible, not shockingly. Service was a tad slow for the price point but the positives far outweigh that one disadvantage. Definitely would recommend Merriman's to anyone visiting especially to experience real, fresh, Hawaiian-inspired cuisine! Would definitely return!

    (4)
  • Ling K.

    This review is only for the food and service. I went for dinner, it was dark and wasn't able to appreciate the view. We selected this place for our "nice dinner" while in Maui. I had the Pupu appetizer as my main meal and a salad Pupu Taster: **Keahole Lobster, Avocado and Tomato Salad-Lobster was overcooked;rubbery **Eden Farms Kurobuta Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla-Tasted like carnitas **Tamimi Tomatoes and Kula Strawberries Salad-Had waaay too much oregano. Message to the chef - "Did you taste it before you sent it out?!?!?!" **Hawaiian Ahi Poke - Again, message to the chef - "Did you taste it before you sent it out?!?!?!". Waaay too salty. Had the Upcountry Organic Kale and Butter Lettuce Salad - Nothing to write home about. I would rather go somewhere else and pay less. My friend had to wait, wait, wait, AND wait for the food. Had to remind the waiter. We asked a question to the sommelier. Not happy with his answer... I have a question to the Peter Merriman, "If you are mentioning that you are a 3 time James Beard Finalist", why in the world do you charge exorbitant prices for your wine and have a unexperienced person for a sommelier?!??!?!? Spent tooooo much money for a the quality of food and service. Bill came over $500 for a dinner for two. Not interested in ever returning.

    (1)
  • JL P.

    Two of the restaurants you must go to in Maui are Merriman's and Mama's Fish House. At Merriman's you will get top notch food and excellent service. In short: strong drinks, great waiters, excellent food, attention to the details, and an amazing full unobstructed view of the sunset. Come early enough to enjoy the view of the shoreline, and if you come before 5 they have happy hour. And to top off an amazing dining experience we saw whales throughout dinner.

    (5)
  • J B.

    Spectacular! Amazing food! Service was superior! A totally amazing experience. The food was fresh and amazing. Flavors complimented and were outstanding! Presentation was beautiful. Service was wonderful. The best meal we have had in sometime. Well worth the $

    (5)
  • elisa b.

    This was our fav dining experience in maui the service was incredible. The server was very passionate about his menu and about being a hawaiian from lanai I believe. We had signature mojitos which were amazing and I had lobster and a fish I don't remember while my boyfriend had the steak. They also had live music which added a nice touch. I highly recommend it

    (5)
  • Debbie S.

    The setting is beautiful. The service is top notch and the food is amazing. Our favorite dinner of our vacation.

    (5)
  • Christine W.

    One word, AMAZING! Had the pupu app taster as my meal and special mushroom chowder of the day, my husband had filet and Mahi (the duo) and he licked the plate clean! this was my favorite place in Maui and I hit all the top ones! Great ambiance and service! A Maui must!

    (5)
  • Nike M.

    Alexis? Was so wonderful to squeeze me in on a full day. The food and service was also 5 star! Oh and the view? breathtaking.

    (5)
  • Monique R.

    Monkeypod Kitchen is our favorite on the Wailea side so we had to try Merriman's and it did not disappoint. We started with several sides in lieu of appetizers which were out of this world good. The macadamia nut crusted broccolini was AMAZING. Our salads were sooo good too, I had the strawberry and chèvre salad and my husband had the kale salad which he loved. My husband had the Filet which he thought was delicious but my entree was truly inedible (it was their vegetarian dish which was some sort of Taro balls ... but they were a total miss in my opinion ... they looked like raw meatballs (the irony was not lost on that) and they had the consistency of mochi meets play doh) BUT our very nice server Brandi, immediately took care of it and took them away and we moved on to dessert which was very good. We came with our two children and they were nice enough to accommodate my son's request for grilled cheese even though they didn't have bread (they did them on mini sliders' buns) which he LOVED and my daughters' pasta looked so good I almost wanted to eat it myself :) We will be back!

    (5)
  • Nicole W.

    My favorite fine dining in Maui! The view and food are top notch.

    (5)
  • Ange M.

    Just okay. The service was great and I know the sunset is phenomenal but when you remove those two times the food is really just mediocre and overpriced as such. We had 4 different appetizers- Kauai shrimp, tagliatelle, lobster salad and fish and chips. The house pasta was good and tasty- very rich. The shrimp was also good with my favorite component being the cukes. The lobster salad could have done without the lobster and it would have still tasted the same- somewhat bland with tomatoes that could have used a bit more ripening. The fish and chips nothing to write home about. I had the rib eye which I ordered medium hoping it would be still pink but not mooing. The inside was Cooked perfectly but the steak itself was so charred that every bite tasted of bitter. I then ordered the coconut creme brûlée. Again the top was overdone and tasted bitter. All in all, just okay. I don't have much else to say.

    (3)
  • Kirk S.

    View was great. Food was alright. Service staff was average. The hostess seemed to not care at all and was very impersonal. Had the ny strip. Definitely NOT worth the price. Giving it 3 stars just because of the location.

    (3)
  • Evan F.

    Spectacular food, great service, and amazing view overlooking Kapalua Bay. Of course, remember that Merriman's is a high end restaurant, so prices are higher. Complimentary valet ... but remember to tip. They are now serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Brunch is awesome!

    (5)
  • Carrie S.

    Best restaurant I've visited on the island so far. Service was prompt and friendly. Food was wonderful. Had the Monchong, very moist and delicious. Excellent wine selection, sky was the limit on quality and rare bottles. Well worth the cost. Word to the wise; valet parking only, so be sure to have a little cash on hand.

    (5)
  • J F.

    Fabulous food, service and views!! If you want to see the sunset this place is fantastic. Nothing looking over Kapalua Bay and watching the sunset. They don't rush the service so you can enjoy the view! Excellent selection of wines!!

    (5)
  • Jon S.

    This open aired restaurant is one of Maui true treasures. It's known for it awe inspiring sunsets. Reservations were just a simple call away and we were easily accommodated with a last minute placement. The maître d' asked if there were any celebration being honored with our reservations and we were placed at a special table to enjoy the endless sunset that Maui is known for. The waitstaff was very attentive to our every need. Our waiter was named Gary and he was delightful. Specials were on point and the table was well dressed. After dinner we were welcomed to walk outside and sit on the terrace to enjoy the final glimpses of the setting sun. On the terrace area a grill menu is offered with a full accoutrements of the full bar. As the evening progressed the restaurant opens up and breeze bring warm tropical air throughout the establishment. Upon leaving we were thanked and the valet was quick to retrieve our car.

    (5)
  • Chelsi B.

    We just hosted our wedding at Merriman's and couldn't have been happier with the food. All of our guests raved about how delicious everything was from the passed appetizers to the main course. It was all top notch! Which was very important to us and one of the main reasons we chose Merrimans as our venue. We offered the Ribeye and Chicken as our main course options. 95% of our guests ordered the Ribeye. I have to say I'm one of those foodies who thinks steakhouses are overrated and I can always do a better job of a steak at home versus paying for it in a restaurant. BUT Merriman's gave me a run for my money- the ribeye is quite possibly the best steak I've ever had outside of my own kitchen. Even though they aren't a steakhouse- they nailed it. For the guests who ordered the Chicken, they also complimented the dish but I can't speak to it myself. We were hooked, so much so we went back for dinner on our last night in Maui and ordered the Ribeye again! And while my waistline may not benefit- it was still just as amazing as our wedding night. Like other's said, be prepared to pay a little more at an establishment such as Merrimans- but I promise you won't be let down. And besides which- lets be honest, just about anything and everything in Maui is expensive so why not venture to a place you know will be good!?

    (4)
  • Charles F.

    Such a pleasant surprise. Having dined at their location in Wimea we couldn't pass up the opportunity to sample brunch while in the Kapalua area. Will the restaurant was virtually empty on the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend - we had our own private dining room. The views & trade winds were to die for. Brunch consisted of banana /pineapple bread, followed by one burger and one order of brioche French toast. Service was fantastic as was the presentation & quality of the food. Five stars to the lemon tart. Bar service excellent and wait staff top notch. Would highly recommend. Has to be one of the best kept secrets in Kapalua.

    (4)
  • Darien R.

    After dinner last night at Merriman's, driving out of the parking lot, my wife says, "Don't ever listen to Yelp again." She said that because we decided to go to Merriman's based on the awesome Yelp reviews. Yelp usually doesn't steer us in the wrong direction but occasionally it does happen, and Merriman's was one such occasion--a total bomb. Started with the service. The waiter was standoffish and impersonal. Every time we asked for a personal opinion, he gave us "yeah, you can do whatever you want". Had a bit of attitude too. His one recommendation, the cocktail, was one of the worst I've ever had. Not a good start. Here's a rundown of what we ordered: LOBSTER SALAD W/AVOCADO: Little bits of lobster placed on slimy avocado, and a very mediocre slice of tomato as the base. The dressing or sauce tasted like bottled Wishbone Italian dressing. A disaster of an appetizer. Ate the bits of lobster and left it. GARLIC TRUFFLE FRIES: Again, quite comical. These fries are served at any Red Robin, or for that matter, any Denny's across the United States. Completely UNdistinctive--a couple microscopic bits of parsley, but other than that, no reason to call this any thing other than "fries". MONCHONG FISH PLATE: The only good dish served. My wife ordered it, but she didn't care for it, but I liked it. Maybe because I was hungry (I wasn't eating anything else on the table.) SCALLOPS: My dish, and it was served cold. I should have sent it back, but I was completely unmotivated. I picked at the scallops and left it. CAVIATELLI PASTA: My daughter liked this. I thought it was just OK. For the caliber of this restaurant you'd expect much more. I think we ordered one more thing, but it escapes me now. We drove a long way to get to this restaurant, and we had high hopes. We made the mistake of saving this restaurant for our last meal in Hawaii. But the food and service were dreadful. I hope I can save you the time and the money. Here are a few other options for you if you're looking for good food on Maui: MORIMOTO'S (Andaz Hotel), MAMA'S FISH HOUSE, LAHAINA GRILL, ALOHA MIXED PLATE, ESKIMO CANDY, MONKEYPOD, and of course, ULULANI'S for shaved ice. DESPITE our experience at Merriman's, our time on Maui was heavenly!

    (2)
  • Gene G.

    I would rather bring food and enjoy the view . Yes Kapalua is a beautiful place but I do not need to eat at a very expensive place with not great food to enjoy the view. I really like Kapalua but my girl friend had a fish taco she did not like vs a place in Kihei coconut fish where she thought the fish taco was great . I had shrimp at merriman I did not really like. It was happy hour my girl friend had a glass of wine I just had water $50 with a tip. Expensive not great food wonderful setting but one does not need to eat there to enjoy the setting.

    (3)
  • Brandy R.

    Go for the happy hour and stay for dinner! Drinks are great and inexpensive at happy hour. The Pupu sampler was amazing, lick your plate delicious. The daily soup was corn chowder with bacon croutons, yum! And finally the macadamia nut crusted monchong was amazing!! Oh and then the malasadas and french pressed coffee...so so good!! Would eat here again and again! Forgot about the view- beautiful sunset table at 5pm was exactly what we were looking for on our first night in Maui! Did not miss here at all...perfection!

    (5)
  • Alizabeth L.

    Paul the bartender was on his cocktail game! He whipped up a very nice cocktail for me without much fuss or me knowing really what I was looking for. Unfortunately, he turned out to be the highlight of the meal. Our server didn't pay much attention to us, we felt more like we were at Applebee's than a higher priced restaurant. The food was okay - the menu sounded more creative than the food tasted, but didn't compare to similarly priced restaurants in other cities. It tasted like chain dining food... just normal. The atmosphere was nice enough (but loud and busy) with a good open view, but there was a youngster up past her bedtime screaming nearby that brought down the classiness of the restaurant. Overall, a so-so experience. We wouldn't go back.

    (2)
  • Juliet B.

    If you go to Maui and won't go to Merriman's you seriously missing out! Great view, great music (Live!), amazing food!!!! 5 stars!!!!

    (5)
  • Melanie H.

    Fabulous location, amazing meal, great service! 7 of us had dinner just before Christmas at this great restaurant. We will be back.

    (5)
  • Jay D.

    Great food in a great setting. I ordered the Merrimans mix plate trio. Excellent. My wife ordered the monchong (sp) fish. Both were very good dishes. The Cesar salad was pedestrian. The malasadas were very good ;) Our waiter was lame, rushed and somewhat rude. I asked to hv Grey goose vodka substituted instead of ketel 1. He did it but seemed put off by the request. In addition while trying to order a side of sautéed mushrooms he quickly grabbed my menu out of my hands. My wife noticed this, but I was busy talking with a friend. Overall good food.

    (3)
  • Alfy B.

    Great food and service. The restaurant is beautiful and food was fantastic. Go during sunset and get ready for a magical time.

    (5)
  • Steve R.

    My tastebuds are on strike after having learned what I've deprived them for the past 33 years. Literally, everything is tasting bland in comparison! I enjoyed every part o my meal: the pupu taster, two entree combo of lamb and catch of the day-yellowtail, pineapple and macadamia nut bread pudding with haupia ice cream!!! I know, right! Never disappointed at Merrimans.

    (5)
  • Susanna M.

    My husband and I went here for Christmas Eve. First and foremost, the view is amazing at sunset. Secondly, the waitstaff is very friendly. So based on that I would say 5 stars. We've came here before and were very disappointed to find out the trio plate and upside down pineapple dessert have since been removed from the menu. The food is not the best meal on the island and I would say overpriced as well. We started with the quesadilla appetizer, which was yummy. My husband got the Ahi (which that was great, very tasty) and I got the Mahi Mahi and was not impressed at all. My suggestion would be to come here for drinks and appetizers for a great view to watch the sunset.

    (3)
  • Nicole C.

    If I had to pick a favorite restaurant out of all my experiences, Merriman's would have to be my all time favorite. Reasons: 1.) Location, Location, Location: You cannot beat the gorgeous views of Molokai and adjacent Napili Beach. Sunsets are gorgeous in general in Maui, but the sunsets here, out on the point, with a cocktail in hand is where my happy place is. The beauty and ambience is humbling. 2.) Cocktails: Couldn't get too far without mentioning these: Favorites in order from most favoite to a teeny bit less favorite but all equally awesome: 1.) Vodka & Passionfruit (AMAZING as lilikoi is my favorite but glass rimmed with Li Hing Mui....YES PLEASE!) 2.) Tequila & Mango, 3.) Nakano Farm Cucumber & Gin 4.) Merriman's Mai Tai. 3.) Food: Poke Cut & Keahole Lobster Salad...OMG both are fantastic! Fresh and tasty! For dinner I highly recommend their Merriman's Mix Plate. It is all sorts of amazing and a perfect dish if you're unsure if you'd rather surf it or turf it. Highlight: We had Thanksgiving Dinner here last Thanksgiving and they had a special menu for Thanksgiving that was AMAZING! Traditional Turkey Dinner but the sides were all from fresh produce and hands down the best Thanksgiving meal that I have ever had in my 29 years. They had a white chocolate cranberry cheesecake that I ordered for dessert that I actually was dumb enough to leave and go to the restroom for and by the time I got back my parents and husband had polished it off...unreal meal. If I had to chose my last meal on earth this would have had to be it...but the best personal touch was that for each of us who had ordered their thanksgiving special, we were given a turkey sandwich in a special merrimans reuseable bag to take home for an "post thanksgiving turkey sandwich" and it was awesome as well! If you are going to splurge on any high end restaurant in Maui, put this one at the top of your lists because I have tried them all and Merrimans is my absolute favorite place!

    (5)
  • Danny O.

    This place has a nice view but is really lacking in the food department. Everything we ordered was one note and fell quite flat in taste. It was our last meal in Maui and quite honestly the worst. We did have the good fortune of dining at some really excellent places. Taste is 3 stars, along the lines of a high end diner, but knock it down to a two star because my stomach feels terrible after eating there.

    (2)
  • Ryan A.

    This is my favorite restaurant in Maui, hands down! Location, food, service, wine list and the ambience are a perfect 10! I really cant say enough great things about Merriman's. The staff, especially JJ our waiter, and Jeff the sommelier, really help make the dining experience perfect! We came here the night after I proposed to my girlfriend and loved every aspect of the experience. Then a few days later we decided to elope and came back to Merriman's for dinner the night of our wedding, that is how great this restaurant is! Go to Merriman's at sunset for dinner, you will love it!

    (5)
  • Deborah N.

    Beautiful views and wonderful monchong fish dish. The server was fine but we were celebrating our honeymoon and the only disappointment was he didn't even congratulate or acknowledge our special occasion. Watched a nearby table get over the top birthday treatment and felt a little envious that we didn't have their amazing server. Either way..great location and the restaurant deserves 4 stars! Wouldn't go back tho...

    (4)
  • David S.

    The food here is incredible. The atmosphere is great. We even liked this experience better than The Beach House restaurant in Kauai, and that says a lot. We will be going back later this week to check out happy hour. I recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a place to have a great dining experience overlooking the ocean.

    (5)
  • Matthew L.

    I tried Merriman's based on the recommendation of a coworker. It was billed as a farm to table restaurant (locally sourced). What she didn't mention was the spectacular view. How could you not be enchanted by the view. We tried the pupu platter, a rib eye and monchong. It was my first time trying monchong and it was delicious. What I appreciated most was the seasoning. The staff spent great time in perfectly seasoning the food. We finished with the chocolate purse. The space sets up the meal, and the food delivers. Make sure to make a reservation or you won't get a table.

    (4)
  • Melissa B.

    This was our fancy dinner on our honeymoon (even though every dinner seemed like a fancy dinner since Maui is so expensive) We came a bit early for our 5:30 reservation to have happy hour at the bar. The Mai Tais? The best. We were then seated at our table along the glass wall. The view? WOW. It was so amazing to watch the sunset while we were eating dinner. We started with the fish and chips appetizer. So good. The eggplant chips were just as good as the fish (and that's saying a lot since I am NOT a fish eater). Then we had the Upcountry Kale and Butter Lettuce Salad. I wasn't a huge fan, but my husband wanted to try it so we had that. He loved it. I had the ribeye for dinner which was amazing and my husband had the fish special which I believe was albacore that night. Both were so delicious. We had the macadamia nut bread pudding for dessert and it was one of the best dessert we had on the island. They added a "Congratulations" in Hawaiian which was sweet. Our server (I wish I remembered his name!) was awesome. So insightful on recommendations on wine and food. He was very attentive, always asking how things were and if we needed anything. This was definitely one of our best meals on the island. We will be back when we return to Maui (right now our checking account is recovering)

    (5)
  • Morgan S.

    Merrimans is a wonderful restaurant! It was chilly so I would recommend a sweater. It was easy to get to we took the shuttle from the Ritz. We ordered steak, wine, a side of vegetables, and malasadas for dessert. The malasadas are to die for. The white chocolate middle melts in your mouth. The view is also beautiful. You can see all of kapalua bay. The menu is on the pricier side, but it is totally worth it!

    (5)
  • Diana F.

    The restaurant was beautiful, The staff was on point and the food was amazing. There were four in our group and all the food served was perfect. prepared well and the fish was amazing. Service couldn't be better and it was so pretty to look out over the water while sharing with friends.

    (5)
  • Kirsten D.

    We came here on or honeymoon and it was one of the best meals of our trip (I would say even better than that other "best place to eat on Maui" that you hear so much about) The view was spectacular & the service was great! We definitely wined and dined ourselves- started with cocktails at the bar. The Mai tai had a more fine dining twist to it but it was very good. We then had a cheese plate and wine to share- the port salute was so yummy! My husband had the scallops which he said were absolutely perfect, while I had a Cesar salad with fried green tomato croutons- something I've never had but was very good. For entrees I had the NY strip which had a wonderful char grilled flavor, and the hubby had the rack of lamb- which he said was so delicious! Finished our dinner up with a complimentary chocolate dessert & we pretty much had to be rolled out of there :) I would highly recommend coming here- the food was amazing with a sunset view that can't be beat!

    (5)
  • Peiran S.

    This place is in an unbeatable position, reaching out into the ocean. The view is supposed to be fantastic but we almost never had dinner before sunset in Hawaii so it's a what-so-ever good view to us, what so ever. While we were waiting outside, a valet dude bumped a customer's car into another customer's car. Lose lose lose situation for all three parties... I cannot remember what I had which probably means there's nothing impressive. I do remember what I had in Kauai's Merriman tho. That place is better than this Maui one. Service was ok but slow. Plus our waitress put tips in the check automatically, spontaneously and voluntarily. We were party of 3. Don't know why but it did obligate me not to tip her anything more than what she asked for. Fair game. All being said, it's not going to be anywhere close to the top of our Maui dinning list. Pineapple grill is still our #1 in Kapalua area.

    (3)
  • Michelle T.

    We had a 5:00 reservation for the last night of our vacation. We were seated right away. The service and food were excellent! Best meal we had all week. The view was spectacular especially at sunset and we even had a show put on by a few whales.

    (5)
  • Sara R.

    Amazing environment!! View, motif, live music.. Portions are tiny but taste is out of this world..

    (4)
  • Craig F.

    We went there for happy hour and the scenery is beautiful sitting outside on the deck having cocktails and pupus! Can't wait till the next trip back!

    (5)
  • K K.

    We had an exceptional meal at Merriman's; beautifully crafted modern Hawaiian fare, elegantly presented. Restaurant is sleek & modern. Just fell short of a 5-star for us due to a mishandling of our reservation that left us waiting 45 minutes or more for our table, which ended up being near the open nanowall, and was rather windy & chilly. Host seemed a bit harried--granted, it was one of the busiest weeks of the season--but she could've done a better job of making us feel she was sympathetic to our situation, & assuring us we hadn't been forgotten when we were waiting for so long...especially at a restaurant of this calibre where we plunked down over $400 for our meal. Just started off the evening on a less than stellar note. Our server was knowledgeable & efficient, and other support service was very good.

    (4)
  • Lee G.

    We were tired and hungry, having just walked the coastal trail, which begins/ends at Kampala Beach. Walked over to Merriman's, sat on the deck with the absolutely exquisite view, and ordered fish and chips, and shared an order of parmesan truffle fries. The "chips" were fried eggplant: superb! And the fries were superior and delicious. My only reason for the 4-star rating was the prices. Portions were small, prices were a bit high.

    (4)
  • Bill M.

    We only had drinks at Merimann's b/c we were trying to avoid pricey resort dinners (and it is indeed pricey). We did enjoy our time, there, however. A couple drinks on their incredible patio is a great way to spend an hour or two. They have great sunsets / views and a little fire pit. Drink selection is nice. Vibe is upscale / romantic. They have a happy hour 3-5 I believe. They force you to park valet but its free and the valet staff was very friendly and professional. Check out Merimann's, if anything for drinks / apps.

    (4)
  • Robert F.

    Sunday Brunch was to die for!! Excellent will be back, Keep up the Good work!! Mahalo

    (5)
  • Anthony W.

    We dined here yesterday and had a good meal. I did wish they served a tasting menu though. The place is valet only so don't bother looking for a parking space. We had the scallops and prime rib. The scallops were cooked perfectly and very enjoyable. My prime rib was also cooked perfectly but seemed to have a lot of fat on it. It seemed like 1/4 of it was fat. You can expect to have a good meal here but be ready to pay well for it.

    (4)
  • Jules H.

    Wonderful honeymoon dinner. Spectacular views, impeccable service, delicious food. Fish and chips appetizer was perfection. Salads were well thought out and flavored great. Main courses were devoured with gusto. We brought our own wine and they charge a 35.00 corkage fee. Worth it to us since they really up charge their wines on Maui.

    (5)
  • Manuel G.

    Came here for my bf's bday and and boy were we glad we did! the view we had of the ocean (table 51) was excellent. The ambiance was romantic with soft light and the sooth jams of r&b being played by a two piece band, they played sade, need I say more. The waiter was a real cool dude. Customer service A+ Now onto the food, my inner fat girl was very pleased. We both had the rib eye steak that had a dry run and some type of pesto ( I think) sauce on top that was BOMB DIGGITY!! and the mash potatoes were yummy and the parmesan French fries were hella good and the green beans were coo( I was hungry) Now onto what's dear and close to my heart, the booze. Good drinks, not to strong, but good. Das all!

    (5)
  • Glenn W.

    Our favorite high-end restaurant on Maui. While this version of Merriman's strays a bit from the local farm-to-table theme of the original spot on the big island -- and certainly more upscale -- its menu is still built on the freshest, high-quality ingredients around. Any fish dish is superb, but my favorite choice is one of their lamb preparations (even if the lamb typically comes from Colorado). Arrive in time to enjoy a glass of wine at sunset out on their patio.

    (5)
  • Mark H.

    This is a fabulous restaurant. We had the steak (perfect), fish and chips appetizer (creatively served in a paper bag) and the evening's fish special with prawns. Everything was delicious. The service was snappy, the first we've experienced on Maui; how refreshing! We were there on a rainy evening, so we missed the opportunity to sit outside. Tip; if the weather is nice, ask for an outdoor seat.

    (5)
  • Tamra P.

    JJ best waiter ever! Smoked taro hummus with radishes, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and taro chips. Kale salad with goat cheese and beets. Mix plate- seared ahi, mahi, fillet Anniversary dessert of chocolate, Hawaiian salted whipped cream, vanilla bean ice cream. House made cookies to go. Heavenly.

    (5)
  • Brian S.

    Nothing short of incredible. We decided to go to Mama's Fish House for the Coup de grâce on our last night of our Maui trip. It was a decent meal but unfortunately we decided to hit up Merriman's for happy hour before catching the red eye back home. It wasn't until then that we realized the error of our ways. The food and ambiance at Merriman's was far, far nicer than Mama's, at least for us. They're different beasts, so I won't compare/contrast but I will say that the service, drinks and view of the bay at Merriman's was wonderful. Great Mai Tai's, not a huge beer selection but they had some interesting stuff I hadn't tried before. The food was superb, perfect portion sizes and a great variety of options. The view was breathtaking as well, an amazing overlook of the bay and the water. The outdoor seating was full when we arrived but it looked incredible out there. The indoor seating had an equally good view but with some relief from the sun (much needed at that point in the trip). The inside has huge folding doors that completely open the dining room up to outside. There was a lovely breeze and couldn't have been more relaxing. I wish we had eaten here earlier in the trip, we would have gone back a couple more times. Good show, Merriman's.

    (5)
  • Marcus L.

    Ate here for a large work hosted dinner. Food was very good. Unfortunately we arrived after dark and missed the sunset, so not sure about the views. We did not see a lot of kids there. High end, contemporary atmosphere.

    (4)
  • Leona S.

    Oh Merriman's. Wow, wow, wow. Came here because my boss and his wife recommended it, saying it was a must. We actually only had appetizers and dessert because we wanted to sit at the patio overlooking the ocean. It was phenomenal. The view was just out of this world spectacular. The edge of the ocean was right there, the patio was serene and peaceful, just a gorgeous setting. We watched the sunset as we ate. It was picture perfect. The food. We had the Kalua pork quesadilla, Lobster tomato avocado salad, Filet Mignon sliders, truffle fries and the pineapple upside down cake. The quesadilla was not really a tortilla, but more like a flaky phyllo dough. It was delicious!! So good with the sauce they bring out. Four pieces of quesadilla, I wanted more! Lobster is always good. No matter what you pair it with, in my books, lobster is my last dying meal. Soft, not too chewy, tender and went very well with the tomato and avocado. The sliders were slightly disappointing, they were a bit dry. I wish it was cooked medium rare with a bit more cheese. Didn't really notice the filet mignon flavors. The truffle fries were to die for. So good, crispy and flavorful. Not oily at all. Lastly, dessert was yummy too. Very sweet. It came with a scoop of ice cream, which paired well with the sweet cake. Without drinks our apps and dessert came out to about $90 so it is a pretty pricey place. Definitely paying for the view and location (right in Kapalua Bay).

    (4)
  • Kevin V.

    My wife and I were in Maui for the past ten days and we went to Merriman's twice while we were there. The first time we were there, the patio area was closed for a private event. We were able to sit outside at one of the tables that forms the perimeter of the restaurant, however there was no bar service at these tables so the hostess explained to us that we would need to order our drinks from at the bar and take them to our table. We each had one of their signature Mai Tai's with their Honey lillikoi foam. The drinks were amazing, as was the incredible Maui sunset. From a customer service perspective, it was a little disappointing they were not offering bar service at the outside tables, but not a huge detraction from the time we spent at Merriman's. We enjoyed our sunset Mai Tai's at Merriman's so much that we decided to go back the night before we left Maui. We met some friends at the bar who were also vacationing in Maui. We ordered four Mai Tai's and left the credit card tab at the bar open. We walked down to the patio area and sat down at a table where we would have a nice view of the sunset. This was the area that was closed to the public on our previous visit. As soon as we sat down at the table, a female server name Corey approached us at the table. Seeing we had cocktails, she was quick to tell us that she was providing table service on the patio and she asked that we close out our tab at the bar and order all other food/drinks from her. There was no offer from her to transfer our tab from the bar to her. It was clear to me that this was all about Corey making sure she didn't miss out on her gratuity. What she didn't realize is that she just did miss out on her gratuity by the manner in which she chose to approach us at the table. We finished our first round of Mai Tai's, but Corey wasn't visible anywhere on the patio, so we walked up to the bar and ordered another round of four Mai Tai's and an appetizer. The bartender assisted by carrying two of the drinks to the patio, as well as the appetizer. He helped get the food and drinks situated at our table. Corey watched as this was occurring, but didn't say anything to us. We finished our food and drinks and were sitting at the table chatting when another female server (long blonde hair, thin, 40's) approached the table and began clearing our glasses, plates and silverware from the table. As she was clearing the table, she was banging the glasses around, as well as the plates and silverware making somewhat of a scene while not saying anything. It was clear that she was upset at us for something and it felt as though we were being ejected from the restaurant. She never offered anything to us. After she cleared the table, she walked to the nearby wait station where she deposited the items she had just cleared from our table. As she was doing this, our party began to talk about how she made us feel by her unfriendly demeanor as she was clearing our table. She overheard the conversation, walked back to the table and began to challenge us about the reason we didn't order our food and our second round of Mai Tai's from the table instead of walking back to the bar. Unbelievable!!! She was unprofessional, rude and completely out of line with the manner in which she treated us. The way we were treated by this server made me decide that I will never return to Merriman's. Our friends were considering having dinner at Merriman's that night, but changed their minds after the tantrum the server threw on the patio. My wife and I had reservations at another restaurant, so we were not planning on eating at Merriman's. When we left the restaurant, one of our friends who was with us (who was previously in the restaurant business) asked the bartender to speak to the general manager. We were quickly greeted by someone who we believed to be the general manager. It wasn't until we were leaving that we asked for his card, which he presented to us. His name was Jeremiah Allen and his card identified himself as a Sommelier, not the general manager. We explained our experience at Merriman's to him. He listened to us and said he would talk to the server, but beyond that he didn't do anything to remedy the manner in which we were treated by a member of his staff. My friend shared with him that she and her husband were planning to have dinner at Merriman's that night, however the negative experience on the patio had caused them to change their mind. Mr. Allen was quick to tell us that he would "take care of us" if we decided to stay for dinner, however considering the manner in which we had been treated, we declined his offer. This was an extraordinarily disappointing experience from a very nice restaurant with one of the best reputations on Maui and it highlights the importance of customer service for a business that caters primarily to the travel industry. I am certain that Peter Merriman would be appalled if he knew how we were treated.

    (1)
  • Joan A.

    We visit Maui twice a year and we finally made it to Merriman's! The views are oustanding...ocean and Molikai! We saw a spectacular sunset! My husband and I ordered fresh fish and and it was very good. I did ask for mine to be simply grilled (which I do at other fine restaurants, like Mama's Fish House and Kimo's) and there is never a problem. Our waiter, David G., seemed put out by this request and as he walked away from our table, he shook his head in disgust. He was very attentive at the beginning of the meal then his service petered out. Also, the noise level was quite high. We were disappointed in that. If we were with others, it would have been difficult to carry on a conversation. I am not sure if we will return to Merriman's. It does not even begin to hold a candle to Mama's Fish House...THE best restaurant on the island for service, food and views.

    (3)
  • Carla L.

    Went for Sunday brunch. Was disappointed. Had seen the pictures posted of the lobster eggs Benedict which had a large lobster claw on top- got a lobster cake topped with a perfectly poached egg with wonderful sauce and avocado. My daughter had a lovely mushroom omelet. The service was great as usual. Problem was the items came with nothing- need something for the price charged which is high- toast or potato or even a slice of pineapple at least... Also the waiter kept trying to upsell us on the baked goods which was bad. Really didn't get much lobster at all and they charge 26 dollars for it. Everything tasted good though.

    (3)
  • Danel R.

    Amazing food! Incredible view! I recommend sunset dinner. You will not be disappointed.

    (5)
  • Ronnie S.

    This place is all about the gorgeous view and location on the beach. Great for a romantic sunset or for a nice dinner with friends and family. Great Hawaiian atmosphere with a touch of elegance. The food was only decent--tasty but nothing to write home about. Given the price, it could've been more delicious. Ordered the ahi tuna and filet combo. Ahi tuna was delicious, but filet was lacking.,

    (3)
  • E F.

    This is going to be a boring review because everything was fantastic. We held our wedding rehearsal dinner at the oceanside cabana at Merriman's and it was an incredible, memorable, and flawless event. We selected a four-course fixed menu for our guests and the food was absolutely impeccable. The service, led by Patrick, was all that you could hope for at an event -- timely, warm, unobtrusive, but with just the right amount of personal attention. Our guests commented several times on how great the service was, which was pretty interesting, because our party of 19 was honestly a pretty tough crowd. We also thought that the wine selection was fantastic and infinitely better than a few other high-end restaurants on Maui. They also had a sommelier help us with the pairing for each course and you can be sure that our guests enjoyed that. I would highly recommend Merriman's for a special occasion and urge you to go with the oceanside cabana if you have a group of 20 or fewer! It rained HARD while we were there, so much so that the deck cleared out in a matter of a minute or so, but we were nice and dry in the cabana. They have these non-tacky plastic shields that block the rain and wind, so you will be fine. I can't wait to have another special occasion so we can rent it out again!

    (5)
  • Kiyomi H.

    The first time we went was year 2011, we had great food and service, we were very happy with the experience so we dined twice while our vacation. We were looking forward to the same experience in the following year, unfortunately it was the worst one... Worst service and awful servers. Bartenders were not as great as they should have been, Young servers were just chatting and I was not sure they had a manager on duty on the busy Friday evening either. I sent the comment about that horrible experience to the Management, I didn't receive any response for close to a week. That was how horrible management and training could be at this place. Also guess what, once you have that kind of experience, you don't want to waste your time and money. They are pretty pricy for the crappy service. We were very disappointed by the whole thing and we have never gone back this place again!

    (1)
  • Lee H.

    We had a great experience, Merriman's staff was super helpful and very accommodating. My wife and I had steak, cooked exactly as we asked, and our waiter was very classy and knew what he was doing. Just when I thought it couldn't get better they bring out a happy birthday desert, and the waiter said "we can't have you leave on your birthday without desert, it's on the house" wow! I can't recommend Merriman's enough! We will be back!

    (5)
  • jazzysanz s.

    For our honeymoon, this was the perfect last romantic dinner in the island. The sunset and drinks were 100% amazing!!! This spot is must go to. The selection of their specialty drinks are delicious. The service was definitely 5 star. We will come back here when we visit again! Thanks for a pleasant evening!!!!

    (5)
  • Jeanie S.

    Pretty much a perfect dining experience. Service was excellent from the moment we dropped the car with valet until the moment we got back in and drove away. We walked in right before 5:30pm without reservations and were seated at a table for 2 on the edge of the upper patio with an unobstructed panorama of the ocean. We'd called earlier and they were fully booked until 9pm, but we decided to walk in and take a chance, and I'm glad we did. Our server was fabulous. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and had perfect timing with our dishes. We never felt hurried. Support staff was a well-oiled machine. The busboy even pointed out whales that were spouting just offshore. Nice personal touch, especially on a fully booked out evening. Food was delicious and artfully presented. The special salad (kale, beet infused goat cheese, beets, quinoa, mac nuts) was truly special. Each bite presented a different facet of flavor and texture, all perfectly balanced with the light acidity and slight sweetness of the dressing. Basket of warm bread with softened butter was enticing. It was difficult to only eat one loaf. Nice crust, soft crumb, and mmmmm warm. My main dish was a duo plate (you can choose two smaller sized entrees) of the pan roasted diver sea scallops and macadamia nut crusted monchong with spicy garlic broccoli in a roasted mushroom, sake, butter reduction. Although I love scallops and these were perfectly cooked, the monchong blew me away. The texture of the mac nut crust and the incredibly moist fish was just sumptuous. Dessert of white chocolate filled malasadas with coffee caramel dipping sauce and coffee as the sun set, whales played, and the ocean shimmered. Awesome dining experience.

    (5)
  • Veronica D.

    Enjoyed Merriman's as our last dinner on Maui. It's an upscale restaurant where you do want to show up dressed in your finer Hawaiian attire. We enjoyed delicious Mai Tai's (best one on our trip) and A Day at the Spa. Both drinks had their kick and not weak. What I love about their menu is the duo option - pick any two of their entrées and they'll give you half portions so you can try more than one. I had the lobster and ahi which was the best ever. The lobster just came right out from the shell and tasted so fresh. The garnishings for each one was unique and delicious. My husband got the fish of the day and filet mignon. He ordered medium and the filet was practically raw and cold on the inside. We asked for them to cook it longer and the waitress brought us another filet within minutes that was slightly cooked longer. At least it wasn't cold. If you order the filet, clarify the level of pink you want because something for us just didn't go right. Nonetheless, it was good, but not great. We finished with their pineapple bread pudding topped with coconut ice cream. A perfect portion to enjoy the richness of this well crafted dessert. Overall, we loved Merriman's and would go here over Mama's.

    (5)
  • Susan C.

    Terrible service! Highlight of the service was the valet got my car quick. Will never come here again. Scallops were undercooked. Mahi mahi was overcooked. Chocolate purse was pretty good expect for the burnt part on top. Server didn't explain dessert special or bread plate and was inattentive to our table. This was so disappointing because the Merriman's on Kauai was excellent, service & food.

    (2)
  • Mike W.

    We chose to spend our last evening in Maui with our family at Merriman's and we are glad we did. The restaurant arranged for our table of 5 to be near the windows with the fabulous view. The appetizers were outstanding - we had the sampler platter and fish and chips. The pork quesadillas were fabulous. We each had different entrees - filet, rib eye, monchong, and mahi mahi. All of the entrees were prepared well and served hot at the same time. We were celebrating birthdays and an anniversary as well. We had the flourless chocolate cake with whipped cream and strawberries for dessert and it was perfect. Overall an excellent choice and will be on our agenda every time we return to Maui.

    (5)
  • Terry M.

    My wife and I got married at Merriman's Kapalua in February 2013. The wedding site was on a grassy area outside overlooking Kapalua Bay. Perfect spot for a small wedding! Absolutely gorgeous views that made for perfect sunset photography afterwards. I can't recommend Merriman's enough if you're looking to have your wedding in Maui! For our cocktail reception we had the following passed appetizers: 1. Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Tartare with Molokai Sweet Potato Chips 2. Miniature Kalua Pig Slider with Spicy Cabbage 3. Truffled Mushroom Risotto Fritters (see uploaded photos) I tried the Ahi Tuna Tartare and Truffled Mushroom Risotto before we got whisked away for photos. The Kalua Pig Slider was the biggest hit with our guests followed by the Ahi Tuna Tartare. Dinner Menu (Four Course): 1. Starter: Handcrafted Cavatelli Pasta 2. Salad: Kula Tomato, Kapalua Beet, and Papaya Salad 3. Wok Charred Hawaiian Ahi OR Peppercorn-Garlic Rubbed Pan Seared USDA Ribeye 4. Dessert: Maui's Best Tropical Fruit Plate Everything was excellent and our guests were raving about both the food and service! I had the Wok Charred Hawaiian Ahi and it was melting in my mouth. We moved to the back deck to finish off our evening with our first dance and a fire show. Thanks to Danielle our wedding coordinator and the whole Merriman's crew for making our wedding day absolutely perfect!

    (5)
  • Jimmy N.

    I just so happened to get paired up with two Maui ER doctors at my kaanapali golf outing and they insisted that I take my family there for dinner. This was our third trip to Maui and we had never heard of or read about this place. Moving forward this will be a staple in our itinerary. The view sets the stage for one of the best sunset photo opportunities in Maui. The food is delicious. We were guilty of bring our children with us to dinner, as like most patrons we were on vacation and didn't have many other options. That being said our entire family enjoyed our experience. Unfortunately if you don't have reservations, you will likely have to wait a very long time or may not even get seated. Book your reservation 1-2 days in advance to alleviate any uncertainty. The steaks were amazing and the Mahi Mahi melted in my mouth. My children enjoyed the powdered doughnuts with the chocolate dipping sauce.

    (4)
  • Jay S.

    Amazing doesn't even come close to adequately describing our experience last night. We arrived 30 minutes early for our reservation and were seated immediately. We had time to place our order then head outside for stunning pictures at sunset. Both of us did a combo meal so experienced fish, lobster, and a fillet. The food was absolutely perfect. Dessert, well how can you go wrong with a bread pudding. The service, the atmosphere, the food, a perfect way to end a special birthday.

    (5)
  • teddy z.

    Merriman's ruined it for us. After eating dinner here, everything else pales in comparison. I had eaten at Merriman's on the Big Island many years ago but this bears faint resemblance to me. First off, the place is beautiful. And the views are awesome. We went at 5:30 PM so we could enjoy watching the sunset from our table. We would have loved to be seated on the patio but were told that it was for drinks and appetizers, but not dinner. As has been the case for many of the establishments in Hawaii, service was top notch. Our server was friendly and gracious. We started out with cocktails and bread and ordered our courses. They delivered complimentary local vegetables with purple chips and hummus. The chips were amazing and very beautiful. Next, came the Lobster, Avocado and Tomato salad. We loved it. The tomatoes were as tasty as the lobster, not to mention the sweet Maui onions. The Housemade Cavatelli Pasta was serious foodie food. The texture of the pasta was chewy (in a good way) but the hamakua mushrooms and house made ricotta really stood out. For our entree, we order the Merriman's Mix Plate featuring sautéed mahi maui, prime filet of beef and wok charred ahi. The portion was small, but we loved the choices and variety. The macadamia nut garlic rice was certainly memorable. I cannot stress enough what a first class experience this was. In retrospect, I would have chosen to eat every dinner here. It was that great.

    (5)
  • Chris O.

    While in some ways I preferred the big island Merriman's because it felt more homey and unique, this location was quite impressive. The food was still top notch with much of it being sourced locally (the main reason I favor them vs other HQ restaurants around). The service was very good as well. It's not cheap but it's worth going here at least once on any Maui visit. Also the setting is incredible here, it's right on the bay and the restaurant is open air on the back and side so even if you don't sit outside you can still see the ocean and feel the breeze. Excellent!

    (5)
  • Jen H.

    Above average flavor. Had lobster,while the fiance had mahi mahi.Always a fan of lobster. :)Do love their strawberry mojito. They also threw in a flourless cake slice for our anniversary/engagement celebration which I found to be my second fav during the dinner. View at sunset with the open doors is great. Bummed that our reservation didn't provide for seating against the glass wall which is super close to the beautiful lounge and no view obstruction. It still had a sunset view nonetheless,but just closer to the bar.

    (3)
  • Nicholas H.

    Excellent food! Very good. Filthy bathroom...Absolutely horrible and mean hostess and manager would do nothing about it!

    (2)
  • Cindy G.

    We debated whether to spend our last night in Maui at a traditional luau. We are so glad we chose to eat here instead. The food was amazing, and the service was outstanding. Our server Davy was great, took the time to really explain the menu, was very attentive, and took a personal interest in us. I would highly recommend coming here if you are near Lahaina. We will definitely come back the next time we're in Maui. This was by far our best rating experience here.

    (5)
  • Carol L.

    A perfect last evening in Maui. Let's start with the location. In Kapalua on a bluff. A nice, upscale but comfortable interior. We arrived a little early for our reservation in order to be able to enjoy the view. They directed us outside to their large patio where everyone sat facing the vast expanse of ocean. The sunset was just beginning and couldn't have been more perfect. We were seated inside and no sooner did we sit than we heard everyone oohing around us. We looked toward the ocean and were treated to several whales breaching for several minutes. Wow. A perfect sunset and whale entertainment? Our server was attentive and efficient (and not that it matters -- except to any female reviewers -- but they were also the best looking boy servers I'd seen on the island). The kids menu was nice because it not only highlighted the typical kid fare, but they even had a petite filet (kid sized) on it. Nice. One had the slider burgers and one had the filet. They were both done nicely. They allow you to mix and match smaller portions of entrees, so I mixed their seared ahi and their scallops. The scallops were insane atop a sweet creamed corn and asparagus with a savory bacon chutney. The seared ahi was done perfectly with a ponzu sauce that worked perfect with it. We all shared their molten chocolate "purse" (and I was sad we did once it arrived). It was a kind of melted cake/brownie baked inside a chocolate filo purse and it came with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. It was delish. The whole evening, while pricey, was a perfect final meal for us. I'd recommend anyone go.

    (5)
  • Leigh A.

    We had brunch at Merriman's to celebrate my partner's 30th birthday whilst in Maui. I can't recommend it enough! The setting was beyond beautiful, the service was just the right level of friendly, informative and attentive and the banana bread was to die for! The servings were generous, so make sure you go with an appetite! And bring a camera for the views. The only thing that did disappoint me was that they did nothing to acknowledge my partner's 30th birthday - the only place that day to do so. I did leave feeling slightly disappointed about that. But regardless, I couldn't recommend Merriman's enough. It's a must for anyone visiting the Lahaina area of Maui.

    (5)
  • Lee R.

    We have been coming to Merriman's in Maui and in Kaui since they opened. We love everything about it! Tonight, was the most wonderful experience we have enjoyed. Eric is the best server we have ever had on Maui! He took great care of my vegetarian daughter and was happy and cheerful the entire evening. His gave us tasty recommendations too. Yay, a heavenly night and a beautiful sunset too.

    (5)
  • Nicole C.

    WOW!! First off, this place is beautiful!!!!!!! The interior and exterior is what you would expect (and more) from a bayside fine dining experience in Maui. We were seated at a table right on the edge of the main dining room overlooking the ocean at sunset- what a beautiful experience that was! The food and drinks were amazing. We started off with two cocktails at the bar as we waited for our table to be ready. At dinner we had a bottle of wine, a pork quesadilla appetizer, the filet, lobster and then topped it off with two desserts. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING was delicious. My girlfriend and I were speechless half the meal, relishing every bite with a clear face of divine satisfaction. We sure did not leave here hungry! Our server was one of the best we encountered on the island- very sweet and attentive but not overly so. She happened to be from Brooklyn which was awesome because we are from NY as well! I wish I could remember her name to give her the recognition but I am terrible with names. The place was packed when we went so definitely make a reservation and if it is a special occasion like it was for us, they had no problem accommodating a table to fit our needs. It is pricey but totally worth every penny. You only live once and if you are on Maui you DEFINITELY need to check this place out!

    (5)
  • Eric T.

    Merriman's is the perfect place to fall in love. I would not go to maui without at least one visit to It is imperative that you schedule your time here around sunset - and get a seat on the patio or by the window. The bar seats facing the ocean fill up fast - but they are also a perfect way to spend a sunset. I have yet to have anything but a great food experience here (always fish driven) but honestly I do not recall any specifics... my overwhelming memories are the glow of golden sun and deep blue green of the waves sun in my beautiful wife's eyes. 4 KIDS: I prefer not to go here with kids, because kids have a way of making sure you do not have a romantic moment to yourself at the table.... But there are lots of families here and you will not feel at all out of place if you do bring them. ** 200th Review **

    (5)
  • T M.

    Towards the end of our staycation on Maui, we toured Kapalua. We took a turn into Merriman's Kapalua and discovered that they are now open for Sunday brunch. It's one of my wife's favorite restaurants but we never get to dine there since her private driver (me) usually resists driving beyond Kaanapali after a long weekend in Lahaina. Food: eggs Benedict on green fried tomatoes, fresh corn beef, potatoes and eggs. Drinks: green juice! All great. The view is spectacular. In the 1980's, Kapalua Beach was known to be the best beach in the world. It is safe and protected. If Merriman's had musubi and fried chicken, I would do take out! Btw: the view is spectacular.

    (5)
  • Jenn R.

    We came to Maui for our honeymoon, and this was our first stop to non-stop eating. Eating at Merriman's set a really high bar for the rest of our Maui trip. We didn't make a reservation, but we did call to see what the availability of walk-ins looked like the day we came. There wasn't an issue for them to take us on walk-in since it was a Tuesday evening. We came just in time to enjoy the beautiful Lahaina sunset! We decided to sit at the most awkward table in the house, which is right next to the entrance and hostess area. It was a section part of the bar where people wait before they get seated in their actual tables. We didn't mind because we just wanted to eat. The entire restaurant has open lighting and glass so you can pretty much see the sunset from almost anywhere in the restaurant. Jacob was an excellent server. He made all the right recommendations! We didn't hold back on our orders, and we ended up spending $114 total. The Kauai shrimp appetizer was amazing! I don't really like kim chee, but this dish was simply tasty. They were huge, too! We also ordered the Pupu taster so we can try a little bit of everything. That's really good for indecisive folks or people who need variety in their lives. We are big fans of anything mac nut crusted so we got the mac nut crusted Monchong fish, which was also delightful! It was cooked to perfection. For dessert we went with the lilikoi cheesecake. We wanted to order all of the flavors that we don't really have back at home in California. We were extremely happy with everything we ordered! We would definitely go back here and order the same things over again. There were some people who came to dine in at the bar who were there for the third time that week! That says a lot, considering that this place isn't cheap. The food and service are excellent. The ambiance, service, and food quality gives this place 5 stars in my book! They also have valet parking!

    (5)
  • Alex P.

    We wanted to do a nice dinner on Maui, so after consulting Yelp, we picked this place. We got seated indoors -- the atmosphere is nice and classy, but found myself wishing it was a little less traditional, a little more casual Hawaiian, and a little less noisy. Our server was good -- knowledgeable about the dishes, and checked in often. However, after bringing us our food, we realized there was no pepper on the table. We asked him for some pepper, and he said he'd be right back with some -- then he promptly forgot. A few minutes later, we had to bug one of the wait staff. Foodwise, I had the monchong fish at the recommendation of one of the waitstaff, and it was very good. My wife had the snapper, which was pretty forgettable. It wasn't bad, but for $48 you expect to have some damn good snapper and it wasn't. The sauce was far too mild, and the whole dish felt like someone had turned down the volume on it. The bread was apparently forgettable (since I can't remember whether we had any). Overall, out of the three nice dinners we had on our nine day trip, this was our least favorite AND the most expensive by quite a bit. It wasn't bad, per se, but the food+experience/cost ratio just didn't compare to the other places we ate (Tidepools on Kauai kills this place). We won't go back.

    (3)
  • Joey J.

    For my first time trying Merrimans, I came for brunch with a party of 8, consisting of my family and some friends. It was an outstanding meal. Great service with keeping our water glasses full and tending promptly to all of our requests for fresh banana bread, vegetable fruit juices, and orange juice. Everything was top notch and priced fairly. The atmosphere was casual with a view overlooking the ocean that you have to see to believe. I tried a little bit of my siblings meals and they were all very tasty in their own ways and well portioned. Everything was hot, fresh, and unique!

    (5)
  • Rachel M.

    Best sunset view dining! Amazing food and service. Pupu taster was perfect way to start, the mac nut monchong and the filet were both cooked to perfection. Can't beat the romantic ambiance or highly attentive staff. Thank you J.J. for a wonderful experience celebrating our Anniversary!

    (5)
  • Ben W.

    Merriman's hosted an event and dinner for me and while I can confirm the four dollar signs I can also confirm that it is worth every dollar. We had a party of 13 and we planned the event months in advance. At every step the staff of Merriman's were complete professionals and helped walk me through the process. The day of the event we had several people assigned to us and they took care of every detail. Without prompting every need was attended to by their staff. Our group was small enough that we could order a la carte so between all of us we sampled most of the menu. The food was fantastic and several of my friends commented it was some of the best food they have ever had, particularly the filet mignon. When next I am in Maui (fingers crossed that is soon) I will be sure to return.

    (5)
  • MRose L.

    So this is a must! Best Mai Tais on the island. The deck is great as you can go and sit and enjoy the sunset first- have a drink and then move into the restaurant for dinner. Additionally, you can go for just drinks, apps, and dessert and leave satisfied. Fun sitting attachments and fire areas. Honestly my favorite place to take in the beauty that is all around. The purse dessert was out of this world!

    (5)
  • Geoff G.

    My review of Merriman's is a composite of two meals during our vacation. Overall, it's an excellent choice for a great Maui brunch, great views, good food and service. Both times, we had a large party, so it seemed to take forever for the entrees to appear, and once they did, they were lukewarm both times unfortunately. The service was friendly and quick enough overall and the setting was really comfortable. Highlights: The pineapple banana bread was fantastic...it was dense, rich, and delicious. Mahi mahi 'bacon' eggs Benedict with avocado butter and homemade english muffins. Somehow, they managed to get the mahi to taste like bacon without drying it out. Mini-Malasadas w chocolate coffee sauce The Maui Oma coffee (try the Mokka...it was outstanding and a perfect match with the brunch) Chocolate 'purse' for dessert...phyllo dough filled with melted chocolate.

    (3)
  • Mike L.

    Best meal we had in Maui. Our waiter was very good and attentive and had great suggestions. We started off with a seafood platter of shrimp, mussels, and scallops in a yummy broth. Lout favorite entrees were the monchong, seared ahi and mahi mahi. Really fresh seafood, excellent Mai Tais and Molokai Mules and the view at sunset is amazing!!!

    (5)
  • Kurtis P.

    Everything about Merman's is amazing. We came in for a nice dinner on our trip to Maui and were blown away. The staff is very friendly, very welcoming and very helpful in picking the right meal and drinks. The view is out of this world. We were fortunate enough to beautiful sunset the night were there to top it off so that definitely added bonus points. The dining room is open to all sides to look out over the coast and really provides an open-air atmosphere. We started with the pupu platter appetizer which gave us a nice assortment of flavors. Since their seafood is all fresh caught day of, the menu is constantly changing. The best part though was that they offer a duo entree which enabled me to try two fish meals I would never have otherwise been able to get back east. My wife went with the Mahi which was melt-in-your-mouth good. For dessert we forced ourselves to eat the flourless chocolate cake and it was worth every bite. Overall there are no negatives at all and it's worth every penny.

    (5)
  • Cody S.

    Service great! Overcooked my steak and claimed that medium rare was only a slit of red. Also my gf had the fish and spent all night puking! Food poisoning and horribly cooked steaks. watch out Someone needs to educate their cooks. $400 for 4 people.

    (1)
  • Rick R.

    This is still the best place on Maui. Been coming here for years now, and the ambiance, service and food quality is always 5 stars. It's pricey yes, but unlike other places in the neighborhood, I always feel like I got my money's worth. We love Merriman's

    (5)
  • Rick G.

    I have been coming here for years somehow I forgot how much I love this restaurant. It is true The view the ambience outstanding. Very Very Romantic. My wife and I started with Merrimans Pupu Taster for two . Every item was perfect. The Pupu started with Keahole Lobster Avacado and Tomato Salad. Second item Was even Farms Kirobuta Pig and Sweet Onion. Third item was Tami Tomatoes and Kula Strawberry Salad. Our fourth and final item was Hawaiian Ahi Poke. Check the pictures in Yelp at this restaurant. As I write this Review I am getting starving this was just too good. My entrée was even better than my appetizer. I ordered Macadamia Nut Crusted Monchong added with spicy garlic broccoli and roasted mushroom sake reduction. We added a side order of sautéed Hamakua mushrooms Again Outstanding. I had eaten enough but my wife pushed us to order dessert. Once again my wife was right. It was bread pudding a lot with vanilla ice cream. I know the bread pudding was unusual but I ate so fast I don't remember whether was coconut or not. Again I loved it. Yes the restaurant was expensive but I am not complaining. Oh yeah one more final point. Both my wife and I were given two little bags with cookies a little gift.

    (5)
  • Joe Bob S.

    Oh my gosh, what can I say? I had my birthday dinner here and everything was incredible - The food, drinks, the service, and the view! Well everything was excellent, we had two of our favorite things of the whole trip here - The pineapple bread pudding, which tasted like Hawaii in a dish, and the world's most perfect Mai Tai. Definitely try this place out. And it looks like they have an excellent happy hour with more reasonable prices and they picture-perfect setting.

    (5)
  • Priya G.

    We came here for our one year anniversary dinner during our trip to Maui. The experience could not have been more perfect. Everything from making the reservation, to seating us at the best table in the house, to our waiter, to the service was just flawless. I called in advance to make sure that we could get the best table in the house. The table we sat at overlooked the entire Bay and there were no barriers except for glass panes. There is a small staircase that takes you down to the grass area where a lot of patrons at the restaurant take photos. Make sure to bring a good camera! I am vegetarian and thoroughly enjoyed the food at this restaurant. I started with the housemade cavatelli pasta which was really tasty and creamy. I also had the upcountry organic kale and butter lettuce salad. It was delicious! The drinks at this restaurant were also superb (and strong)! What I especially loved about this restaurant, aside from the view of paradise, is the service. We sat down around 530 in order to view the sunset around 7, and we stayed well past 8 PM. The waiter did not rush us at all and we felt like we could've stayed longer if we wanted. The most surprising thing was we thought we had splurged as we both had a lot to eat & drink (we even had leftovers that we boxed up) but our bill was under $100!! We seriously thought that was a mistake but I guess that's a benefit of marrying a vegetarian. ;) Our experience at Merriman's was more than words can describe. I hope we can spend every anniversary here!

    (5)
  • Kanoe I.

    Gorgeous Panoramic Views. Breathtaking. Amazing. 5 Stars for the view itself....The blue waters of Kapalua and the islands of Molokai and Lanai can be seen here! Heavenly! Enjoyed Sunday Lunch here. Their Bloody Mary (Bloody Merriman), came highly recommended. Added a prawn to it for $5. It was ok, nothing special but I'm glad I tried it. Their menu had "Jook" highlighted so I tried it. Described on Menu: "Chinese rice porridge, Jidori Chix, Hirabara Farms Kale, Bean Sprouts, Cilantro, Hot Chili Oil." Sounded delicious! And it was, although the portion was a little small. There are generous pieces of chicken (breast) but I wanted more soup. I did like the idea that they included Kale bc I love Kale! It was different and tasty. We also had the Hamakua Mushroom Omelet with Onions, Spinach & Baked Brie. It was ok....The eggs were a little too creamy but I loved the Brie. Service was friendly. Highly recommend this place if you're in search of somewhere to relax and enjoy a beautiful view over great food and drink. Oh and get your camera ready.....Lots of perfect photo opportunities!!

    (5)
  • Joa K.

    O. M. G. *GASP* I really liked Merriman's. During our 8-day stay in Maui, we dined here twice for dinner...mostly because of the delicious cheesecake (I'll get to that at the end) but also because the overall dining experience is on point! 2 main reasons for my 4 stars: food and location. Pretty typical reasons but I left feeling special and happy after dining here. And just to be clear that I wasn't just being vacation-happy, you should know I went in having high expectations of this place. And no, I did not have "vacation goggles" on to glorify my opinion of this place. None of that here! This place is truly great, met my expectations, and worth a visit if you have some expendable funds. Let's start with the location first. It's within the Kapalua resort area so if you're staying at the Ritz-Carlton or the Villas (and maybe even the Montage?), you can easily shuttle-van over to this restaurant. Just ask your valet or front desk person! Easy breezy! This Merriman's is practically right on the water. Great views of of the ocean facing West so you can watch the sunset! Great unobstructed views. Great big open doors that give the restaurant a very nice tropical, breezy, open feeling. The tables are arranged seamlessly. There are a couple of exclusive romantic tables for two right on the outdoor/indoor line - premium sunset viewing spots! Then, most of the tables for larger groups (4+) flow nicely around the inside of the restaurant near the windows and bar, leaving a great space for live music/comfortable walk-way for guests. There's also a nice little bar near the entrance. I loved the old school style: dark wood, interesting wood ceiling fans, white paint, attentive waiters in clean white shirts. We started off with drinks. I ordered the Da Pine which was delicious. Very refreshing and a very unique flavor. If you favor sweet cocktails, I don't think this drink would be for you - it's more on the bitter and citrus-y side. We moved to appetizers. I loved the tomato salad. I am freakin' amazed at how good their tomatoes were! Where do they get these?? It was a perfect salty-sweet-tart combination. Just add a tiny bit of pepper and it's perfect. Really loved the mix of yellow and red tomatoes. I'm craving this dish right now! The first night, I had the New York steak as my entree. I asked for medium-rare and the steak came out as such. Fantastic! I barely had to use my knife - perfectly warm red center. Juicy and flavorful. The potatoes that came out with this dish looked a bit messy - I feel like the presentation could have been better and cleaner. However, the taste and texture was great. Perfectly cooked potatoes with a light crisp on the outside. Well seasoned too. The second night, I ordered the lobster. And thank goodness for me, the lobster came out "pre-sliced" in the shell. I barely had to do any work to get that delicious lobster meat. It was butter-poached, ready to eat and enjoy. I would definitely order this again. Really great with a glass of wine! My favorite part of both meals was dessert. Ohhh LORD hot damn the CHEESECAKE with berry compote gave me a foodgasm. Get this. I have now found my favorite cheesecake. My favorite carrot cake lives in SoCal (R&D Kitchen in Newport: yelp.com/biz/r-d-kitchen… ) so I guess why not have my favorite cheesecake live far away from me too. I miss you cheesecake...! :'( Let's start with the base...The cheesecake's crust was a graham cracker crust with coconut shreds in it - gave it a very nice texture and bite. Balanced sweetness. The cheesecake filling was so light and fluffy - I couldn't believe it. I was like WTF where have you been all my life? In Maui?! OK ...it's not over yet. Then there's the tart and sweet berry compote. So perfectly sweet that I could happily bathe in this stuff! Yummmm. The syrup part of the compote is really well done. It's not too thick like a preserve or thin like juice - it's just perfect. Am I overusing the word "perfect?" That's what it is is though! Someone ship me a box of this stuff please! I would love to come back to Merriman's. Tomorrow good? :)

    (4)
  • Heather S.

    We went here for dinner to celebrate my fiancé and I's engagement while on vacation in Maui! The food was INCREDIBLE and the views were breathtaking! They brought out a complimentary dessert to celebrate our engagement! Very sweet!

    (5)
  • Chris T.

    This will be quite a short and easy review. Two words... FISH TACOS! Really.. They are incredible fish tacos. I loved how you can sit outside right next to the beach, drink a Mai tai, eat some fish tacos and take in all the beauty of the ocean. Really a great low key place to grab a bite to eat.

    (4)
  • Joseph D.

    There is so much to love about this place I don't even know where to start. The service, the view and the food are all top notch. A true fine dining experience and quite reasonably priced given what you can spend at other far lower quality places. Had an early reservation at 5:30 to watch the sunset at 6:20 (this was early December so check the calendar and plan accordingly.) Got there around 5:00 for happy hour as local beers were $3 and mixed drinks were $3 off so quite a deal! We were seated with an amazing view at a table inside the restaurant but right by the railing. When making a reservation be sure to ask for this type of table or else you may find yourself "in" the restaurant. Which isn't bad as I'm sure you can still see the sunset but you won't experience the full beauty of it. Pro tip #1 - go early as you can enjoy a long dinner and no one is going to try and "turn the table" on you. Take it all in. The menu is a nice selection of meat and fish with a wonderful option to do 2 "half plates" if you can't decide for the same price as one entree! You can get a half fillet / half Mahi plate, and any other combo you can think of. Brilliant! It eliminates the perennial dilemma of having to choose between the steak or the fish. Pro tip #2 - order the split plate! Service is also top notch. Never once did we want for more water, bread, a new fork, etc. We had a team serving us which is a great help and our waiter was so kind, taking pictures of the sunset for us while we ate. He even went down to the water to capture it all. Dinner for the two of us with a shared appetizer, two entrees and a half bottle of wine set us back $140 plus tip. Given that you can spend that much at a much lower quality place, it is a true bargain. A definite must-go place if in Maui. Book it now.

    (5)
  • Joe S.

    Fantastic view. Great service. The food is great. The humus could use a little less garlic. The fish was delicious. I will go back.

    (5)
  • Alie Z.

    The food was a hit... The service and our personal experience was a miss. We made reservations and I specifically asked for an ocean/sunset view. Come to find out, tables of 2 or more are not seated directly on the ocean (patio was closed due to weather). On this particular night half the restaurant was also closed for a wedding. We were seated directly up against the giant temporary wall dividing the party from the restaurant...it was VERY loud and blocked any view. We felt boxed in and my parents stared at a wall all night. They actually re seated a table next to us because of this. When I mentioned our issue with the table to the hostess she gave me her best blonde valley girl "ohhhhh ya sorry". For the price we paid for dinner, this was not what I expected. Our waiter was not very friendly and definitely didn't help the situation. The food was good but not anything special. Also, valet only so make sure you bring money for a tip. I don't think we will return.

    (2)
  • Mark G.

    Obviously the ambiance is amazing, the food was pretty good, yeaaahh, it was a bit more pricey even for Hawaii, but what made me so disappointed was the service and poor attention they gave us! And yeah, it was way more pricey than the quality asked for. I'm all for spending top dollar for a great experience, unfortunately it was an expensive disappointment. Maybe this was an isolated experience--I hope it was--but I don't think I'll risk it again.

    (2)
  • J R.

    If I could give more stars I would!! We have eaten here 4 times since coming to Maui and we have been delighted each time. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place!!!! Absolutely everything we have ordered has been 5 stars from presentation to taste and flavor. The ambience is the best on the island and the sunset here is a must see!!! Merriman's has the perfect spot on the beach for dinner, weddings, parties, and whatever other event you can imagine! We witnessed a wedding on their balcony while we are dinner one time as well. One of our favorites is the monchong and we've met quite a few people who live on the island that have stated the same. One guy actually got so excited and was fist pumping when we said we had the monchong! :) All over the island people love Merriman's! I cannot say enough wonderful things about it except just please go eat here!!!! I'll include pics we took but to see it for yourself is no comparison! :)

    (5)
  • Neale R.

    Excellent meal for all of us. Started with the Pupu platter - lobster avocado tomato salad, ahi poke, pork quesadilla and fried goat cheese. Lobster and ahi excellent. Main courses - lobster in a broth was pretty good - a little bland and could have used some drawn butter for dipping. Duo concept is very good - order two half portions of any main course. Crusted mahi mahi and seared ahi were both very good. Special fish of the day was very good - in a pineapple reduction Desserts were awesome. Chocolate purse was dark melting chocolate in a filo pastry shell. Flourless choc cake good. Best item was pineapple and mac nut crumble. Service very good. Brought us a nice dessert for our anniversary.

    (5)
  • Brandi N.

    It was good, but not overwhelmingly a 5-star experience. First - the view is awesome! This is a swanky place in Kapalua and it has the view going for it. Second - the hostess desk was a mess, 3 people standing behind the desk, but 4 couples in line to check in. It all seemed to move through one young lady and she was not overly friendly - the vibe was that I was bothering her to check in...seriously. Third - we made our way to the bar to grab a cocktail before our table was ready. Again, got the feeling we were bothering the bartender by placing orders. I didn't dare order an appetizer or things might have gotten feisty. Finally - our table by the window was ready. We enjoyed our server, Davy, who greeted us promptly and gave us lots of information to process while we enjoyed an appetizer and our drinks. The Kalua Pig Quesadilla was full of flavor and hearty. Next we had the special addition salad - Tomatoes and Burrata cheese. This was disappointing, the Burrata wasn't creamy and delicious - it was a firmer texture and more like a Mozzarella. Entrees of Mahi and small filet were shared between my husband and myself. Steak was slightly charred on one side, but I overlooked that as the temp was a perfect medium rare. Both entrees were delicious and the presentation was fabulous. Wine list is good; not many middle of the road options though; really inexpensive wines or really high priced wines. The experience was good and the food was delicious. I will return the next time I'm on Maui.

    (4)
  • Morey K.

    This dinner was our favorite dining experience on Maui. The food was excellent. We had the combo appetizer, mushrooms, tuna, lobster and lamb. Our drinks were also superb as was the service. The next time we're in Lahaina, Merriman's will certainly be On our list of places to dine.

    (5)
  • Reagan D.

    The view alone is worth the price. We came for a Sunday brunch, party of 6 and we did have a reservation. We were seated right away. Oh the view! I'll include a picture, though it still won't do it justice. We began by ordering sparkling wine, which was 1/2 off the bottle, so of course we ordered another with the meal. We all ordered our own meals prices between 13-15 dollars and the portions were appropriate. We began with a order of their donuts(white chocolate filled) that came with a chocolate coffee dipping sauce. The presentation of all our dishes was very nice. We enjoyed the mushroom omelet, mahi mahi benedict, daily special(sorry I forgot what it was), tomatillo benedict and a pasta dish. Everyone loved what they ordered and practical licked their plates. No room for desert, but we did walk around and take some pictures and enjoy the view for a bit before parting. Wonderful service, wonderful food, wonderful view. It was a win all the way around for us!

    (5)
  • Lisa F.

    We went for a wedding and holy cow..... every single thing we ate, the view and the service were all top both, tier one, excellent quality!! The views are why you go there I am sure but the food will keep you. The Risotto balls were unbelievable. At first I couldn't decide if I were just hungry or if they were really that good but everyone else was raving about them too! The sliders were excellent and the Ahi ahi on chips was delicious. The dinner was steak and Macadamia crusted white fish (can't remember name) but it was also delicious! You really must make this a stop. It is not cheap but worth everyone dime and moment of time.

    (5)
  • Kristin M.

    Amazing dinner with the most exceptional view on the island!! Very impressed with cocktails and the entire menu selection! We got the hot seared kona kampachi and it was mouthwatering delicious!! Perfect place to spend an evening and enjoy one of the most breathtaking sunsets on the island!!!

    (5)
  • Robert W.

    Just an amazing place. Excellent service, great drinks, stellar food. Local ingredients cooked with care. Great flavors, presentation and execution. The views aren't too bad either. Great place to have a drink, sit on the lanai and watch the sunset even if you aren't eating.

    (5)
  • Jordan I.

    Merriman's Kapalua Maui was a top-notch, high-quality venue that provided my wife and I with a wedding that you could only dream of. The setting was superb, the views were magical, the atmosphere was lively, the food was delicious, and the service was attentive and professional - from beginning to end, they provided us with a wedding that we'll never forget and we will be forever thankful. Ultimately with all the venues and reviews available, make sure you go with Merriman's Kapalua as your top choice - it's hands down the best wedding venue / restaurant in Maui!

    (5)
  • Cass K.

    We attended the wedding of a friend on Merriman's property, overlooking the ocean, near sunset in October. It was a wonderful and memorable wedding. The location was beautiful, and the chairs that we sat in during the ceremony were very comfortable. My dinner consisted of three courses: Garden Salad Kula Vine Ripe Tomato, Hirabara Farms Lettuce, Maui Onions, Cucumber, Fennel, Toasted Farro, Fresh Local Lime and Extra Virgin Olive Oil This salad was fresh and crisp with a good mix of flavors. Macadamia Nut Crusted Monchong Spicy Garlic Broccoli, Roasted Mushroom Sake Reduction The fish was very fresh and mild tasting. The vegetable accompaniments were subtle in their flavor and did not overwhelm the fish. Maui Gold Pineapple & Toasted Macadamia Nut Brioche Pain Perdu Butter Old Lahaina Rum Sauce, Haupia Ice Cream Tasty, bread-pudding with Hawaiian twist. A second visit to Merriman's was just for dessert. Although the restaurant and bar were full when we arrived at 7:30 pm, we found seats immediately on the deck out back overlooking the ocean. The service was sporadic but that was ok with us as we were there to relax. We enjoyed dessert of White Chocolate Filled Malasadas with Maui Oma Coffee Caramel Dipping Sauce. Malasadas are round bites of cake with a sauce in the middle. They were served in a small brown paper bag . The filling was very hot, and we needed to be careful not to burn our mouths on the white chocolate filling. The dipping sauce was fun, and the coffee/caramel blended with the white chocolate sauce and cake was delicious when not burning your mouth. One point to note, the only bathrooms that I knew about were down a set of stairs. I was not aware of any elevator. If you have a handicapped person in your midst, you might want to call first to see if they have a handicapped accessible restroom.

    (4)
  • J S.

    Merriman's seems to have a decent reputation but there are better places to eat on Maui especially at this price range. When going somewhere like Merriman's you expect top notch service, food, value, and ambiance. Unfortunately the only thing that they really delivered on was the ambiance. The portion sizes were too small and the food just wasn't up to snuff. The lobster we ordered was just OK and didn't taste very fresh. There wasn't anything very special about it at all. The service was pretty slow and could use some work. I don't fault the waiter on this because it seemed like they were trying to cover too many tables. It felt wrong paying as much as we did considering what we got. I'm not afraid of paying for good quality but the it just wasn't there. The location of the restaurant was amazing and the sunset was beautiful to watch while we ate. I can't recommend going here. It just wasn't worth the money considering how it went. There are other places on Maui with better food and better service.

    (2)
  • Miriam G.

    I would highly recommend Merriman's for dinner (early dinner to see the sunset). We arrived 20 minutes before our reservation to enjoy the views with our Maui Tai!. We ordered the ahi tuna (to share) and the Filet Mignon. The service was amazing, specially our waitress called Patrick, he recommended us very well with the wine and the food.! Top place in Maui!.

    (5)
  • Two Wise R.

    We came here a few weeks ago while on our honeymoon. We stayed at the Montage Kapalua and walked right over. It was perfect. Our dinner was at 8:45 so unfortunately when we got there it was very dark and we didn't get to experience the sunset or the views. But this was our fault since we made a reservation earlier that day and this was the only time available. The food was delicious. We got some appetizers to share which were flavorful and exactly what we wanted. The entrees were amazing - I had the butter poached lobster dish and my husband got half lobster/half steak (can't remember exactly which one). The lobster meat was really easy to take out. We didn't need to do any extra work. We both really enjoyed our entrees and finished every last bit. The desserts were also great. My bread pudding was amazing! The service was good. When we first sat down, no one came by for a while. Not sure what the hold up was but we really weren't in a rush so we didn't mind. All in all, I would say this is a must if you are in the area.

    (5)
  • Ali H.

    Beautiful restaurant. The service, ambiance and food are all worth the spendy price you pay to enjoy an evening here. I couldn't decide between two fish options, so our server suggested that I try their "duo plate", which was perfect...smaller portions of their delicious ahi and mahi mahi. The hubs had their filet and said it was the best he's ever had. Not my favorite restaurant in Maui, but certainly a very close second. We will be back for sure.

    (5)
  • Hilary M.

    Excellent food w excellent service. I was surprised to know the alcohol was being paired down so the drink I normally have was not offered! ( who doesn't have Malibu rum!!?) however the bartender did make me a similar drink that worked! The fish of the day was amazing!!! The kale salad was so yummy! The dessert which was a FILO dough chocolate w vanilla bean ice team was to die for!!! The price is definitely up there and although it says casual dress most of us were wearing nice dresses etc. The ambiance definitely warrants it! Enjoyed tremendously!

    (4)
  • Brent P.

    This is a high class establishment with wonderful atmosphere and pretty good food. The reason I say pretty good is that we ordered the 30+ dollar appetizer to share only to get a dab of cheese, 2 quarters of a quesadilla and some ahi. We ordered the mahi mahi, which was good but not great. I would highly recommend their bread pudding. It is the best I have ever had. We also ordered a piña colada that was a bit icee and not smooth and milky.

    (3)
  • Kit K.

    My wife and I had one of the best dinners that we ever had on Maui at Merriman's. First the valet parking was extremely helpful especially since it was raining. Then the hostess was very attentive and we were seated immediately. The view of course is incredible especially the sunset. The waiter was very helpful and on top of things. I had the grilled Onaga fish and shrimp with Jalapeno mashed potatos and Kale with a pineapple chutney sauce, delicious. My wife had the center cut prime rib, amazing. The desserts were also great. We will certainly be back soon.

    (5)
  • Mike S.

    Honestly, we had high hopes for this place and we were let down. We came in as a group of 3 families, made our reservations long before we came to Maui. 1) When being seated, walk with us to the table, don't point 20 yards away and say "It's over there, enjoy your dinner". That's HORRIBLE! First impressions are everything, that really set the tone for the rest of the dinner. 2) When you seat a big group that's not the wedding party group...don't seat them at the wedding parties table and then announce that the center piece candle thing is 'for the other table' then reach across and grab all the center piece candles off while we sit there and then walk them to the really crappy view table where you ended up seating the wedding party. You should probably ask if we'd mind being reseated so that the wedding party can take seats where they're supposed to sit. We'd have been more than happy to move for them. 3) Get a new chef. I make a better steak using Costco beef on my gas grill. Maybe bring in the guys at Jak's Grill in Seattle for a how-to session on choosing beef, aging it and how to prepare it. 4) When you ask if the wine suggested by the waiter is what we'd like to drink once we've tasted it, don't act offended when we say no. You might also want to take a note that we're not from California and maybe you should provide a list of wines from the Columbia Valley. 5) Expand your beer selection. There are over 200 breweries in Washington State, we have a lot for you to pick from (I suggest Reuben's and Black Raven) and you have a lot of local Hawaiian breweries. Expand the selection. What you had was okay, but limited. 6) I've been to many country club restaurants over the years, if that's the core market you serve, you nailed it, keep on trucking. If you'd like to step it up a notch, you might want to ask for outside guidance. The food was okay, but far from spectacular. Service was pretty pathetic. Valet service is understaffed, nobody wants a sweating valet.

    (2)
  • Shannon B.

    The most beautiful place I ate while in Maui. It was also one of the tastiest. It is a high end place but people were not dressed up (i'm not disappointed by that) and there were definitely families about. Since we went with our kids we were really happy.

    (4)
  • Greg C.

    An amazing experience from start to finish. We had a late reservation and started in the bar with a great choice of wines by the glass. When our table was ready we were seated at what was close to the best view on the island. I can't say it was the best as I've not been everywhere. Our waiter was very attentive and amazingly timely and never did we feel he was hovering. He was from the island and had some great stories. We both enjoyed different fish items and every bite was prepared perfectly with equally amazing presentation. Great culinary experience! As is Maui this was pricey evening but worth it. Just don't go to often if you're on a budget.

    (5)
  • R M.

    Nice views at this restaurant. Service was very slow, also it gets pretty loud. Don't go here if you're expecting to have a nice quiet dinner. Parking is valet only. Overall the food was OK. The Kalua pig quesadilla was pretty good. Jidori chicken was nothing special. The fish and lobster duo was just alright. Save your money.

    (3)
  • Sarah V.

    Merriman's is my #1 pick for fine-dining in Maui to date. My husband and I chose Merriman's for our final dinner of our wedding trip to Maui this spring and we were thoroughly impressed! The location on Kapalua Bay is absolutely stunning, the decor is simple and classy, our service was very good, and the quality of our meals was excellent. The live jazz in the background was a nice touch as well. We started with cocktails- I got a Moscow Mule and he got a Mai Tai- and they were among the best we've had on the island. From there we had a grilled prawn appetizer accompanied by some fresh bread and tomato-basil infused olive oil. The prawns were cooked perfectly and the bread and oil were amazing; I don't always enjoy bread and oil, but the flavors of the oil were fabulous. For dinner, I had a grilled seafood plate that featured 1/2 lobster, locally-sourced fish, and prawns; and my husband had the catch of the day. His fish was expertly prepared and the sauce and sides were exquisite. My fish and prawns were delicious as well, although the lobster was not the best I have had... I was a little disappointed with that part of the meal, but everything else was on point. Both my husband and I had wine with our entrees, and our server was very helpful in helping us settle on options that we both enjoyed. In summary, Merriman's was amazing; it truly set the bar high for my fine-dining expectations in Maui. My husband and I have very fond memories from our experience, and we are very much looking forward to our next trip there.

    (4)
  • Tim W.

    Came here for dinner after renewing our wedding vows on beach below. Used Urban Spoon for reservation about a week in advance and they called to confirm so that all went well. Heard raves about this restaurant so we choose this one over Mama's that we went to last night. Trust me if you come to Maui go to Mama's!!!! Sorry back to Merrimans now. Great location and ambiance however it was extremely stuffy once inside as very little breeze. It was crowded when we were seated at 7:30 however nothing like a Mama's and the wait time for food was incredibly long. Service was about a 3 when I expected a 5 based on reviews and pricing. The food was good once it did arrive so nothing to say but great things about that part. We had a party of 6 and ordered only two different items so it wasn't like we ordered 6 different entrees. We stuck to Mahi Mahi and the dinner special which was another fish. So great food and for overall pricing it was worth it including the bottle of wine we got but the service was very slow IMO. The long wait and the heat made for a bad combo tonight but overall I am glad we made it here. Make sure you request a seat out near the long bifold doors that lead to the patio for larger groups and if you are a couple ask for outside on end if the balcony as the seating there is totally outside and overlooks the large patio and of course the ocean.

    (3)
  • Reza J.

    Heavenly food (best lamb chops that I have had in long time) with awesome view and awesome service by great server. It can't get any better than this. The view is just amazing and the suggested appetizer (coconut shrimp) was awesome.

    (5)
  • Joe T.

    We were so looking forward to this. We had made our reservations over a month ago. This is normally our "it" restaurant for a great meal experience. This time, not so much. We were seated quickly for our reservation. Our waiter came by and took a drink order.... this guy had a zero on the personality chart, all night long. Very robotic in reciting the specials, nothing more than his script was ever said. This was odd compared to our many other experiences at any Merriman's. To start, my wife ordered the lobster bisque which was pretty good, poured out of a pitcher over croutons at your table. Pretty cool. I had the ceasar salad that arrived warm and wilted (not supposed to be that way). I know it was a hot day and there is no A/C in this place but it tasted and looked like it had been sitting out before being served. We each had the macadamia nut crusted monchong, when it arrived I asked the server where was the mac nut brown rice that is supposed to come with it. He said that it did not. I thought, oh well, but I was 100% sure that when I checked the menu online that it said it came with broccoli and the rice (and it does say that, online). Later I asked the waiter and he said "it used to, it doesn't come with that anymore". Hmmmm. Most other menu items have two small sides with it and this doesn't? Just a piece of fish and a couple of broccoli stems? To their credit, the menu at the restaurant does not list the rice, I guess I should read better. But still.... it bothered me for the entire meal. :-( And this is not their fault, but just keep in mind. If it is hot and there is no breezes blowing, it can be very hot in there. We sat at the window and were sweating all evening. A few fans in the ceiling would be helpful for these hot days. Hit and miss service should not happen at this type of restaurant, for this price. Had this been our first experience, we would not have been back.

    (2)
  • Hazarath D.

    Shrimp was Awesome, I did not have such Shrimp any other place. It tastes like Fresh Coconut :-)

    (5)
  • Bill A.

    This is one of the two or three best meals I've ever had in my life. The fish was incredible, as was the coconut cream pie dessert. The restaurant is perched above the beach looking out at the channel. You have an unobstructed line of sight between Lanai and Molokai to watch the sun go down while you eat. There are no walls in Merriman's - just a short plate-glass railing around the edge of the restaurant. Our waiter, Donovan, was great. We were lucky enough to get a seat right against the edge, with no tables between us and the sunset. If you want to see the sunset, call for a reservation and ask for a sunset dinner. They'll give you a timeslot so that the sun will set towards the end of your meal.

    (5)
  • Ipek S.

    House made cavatelli pasta (delicious, truffle smell mm...), kampachi fish tacos (not bad, good in idea tastes okay), kale salad (goat cheese and oranges are brilliant), taro cakes (absolutely delicious, a vegetarian delicacy, rare and amazing). From the cocktails, try the basil one, the 1944 ron mai tai (too strong for me but husband loved it). Our server brandy was really nice, service was amazing (Saturday night 9pm reservation).

    (4)
  • Ruthie C.

    We used Wonderable for our wedding registry, and a family friend got us dinner at this restaurant. The view: amazing amazing view. We got a table by the ocean so we literally dined by sunset. The service: our waiter was great, and our water was never empty. But I took off a star for the valet service. I felt that if you go to any restaurant, hotel, the valet is the first impression for the guests as they walk in. We stayed at the Andaz for our honeymoon soooooo we are ultra spoiled by the friendly and amazing valet. The valet at Merriman was a bit snooty and not as friendly. I definitely think they can learn from andaz. Our waiter on the other hand made us feel very comfortable. He explained the dish well, and I will never forgot that he was the only one that ever noticed that the ice in my tea melted and asked if I wanted more ice. Who does that? I was pretty impressed. The food: the house bread was a wow. It was so so soft but had a sourdough consistency. It comes with delicious vinaigrette. Please get the seared scallops. It was by far one of the most amazing dish j have tasted. The scallops sit on a bed of creammmmy corn chowder, with bacon and grilled asparagus. Every bite was heaven in my mouth. We also got the butter lobster and the fish special. The butter lobster comes again with creamy corn chowder and fettuccine pasta with purée tomato sauce. It was SOOO tasty!!!!!!!!!! The lobster was extremely fresh. The fish special had the most amazing butternut squash purée with garlic sauté zucchini and spinach. The fish was yellowfin black seared. Everything was just heavenly tasty. I have to say that while ingredients are fresh, the flavors are on the heavy side (saltier than I normally eat, tons of garlic). All in all, terrific romantic honeymoon sunset dinner :) Make your reservation early ;) and enjoy !

    (4)
  • Larissa M.

    Beautiful views, but ok food. I did a lot of research of places to eat and chose this place based on the great reviews. The views are fabulous! We were seated by the glass balcony. It was so beautiful to look out at the ocean and watch the sunset. We enjoyed taking pictures out there and sitting by the fire pit after dinner. This alone is 5 stars! The hostesses were very friendly and seated us promptly, as we had reservations. Valet is mandatory, but expected in a place like this. We had the Ahi poke for appetizers and really enjoyed this. Excellent! However, our entree was less than average. We got the special, Sea Bass with broth and prawns. I added the half lobster tail. The Sea Bass was so hard, that you really had to cut it with a knife and it was quite chewy. There was not much taste, but that is too be expected if you overcook it. Normally, we would have returned it, but we had gone on a long hike and run right before and were too hungry to send it back. Absolutely horrible! The lobster was good. I've had better lobster elsewhere. Again, I thought it a little overcooked. Dessert was good. Not mind blowing, but good. We got the cheesecake and beignets with chocolate. My husband joked that Cafe Lux had better beignets and they gave you more for 1/3 of the price. Cheesecake was interesting that they had a coconut crust. I liked it. Would I have paid $200 for this meal? Absolutely not. My husband still gets upset about it when I bring up the food. We had to stop at a grocery store afterwards to buy him more food to eat. The service was good. Our waiter was attentive. Would we go back? Unfortunately, no.

    (2)
  • CJ P.

    Like many of you reading this post, we eat eat out often, and enjoy fine dining experiences. The setting was very nice, the service was 3 star at best, and the food was mediocre. The price is never the issue for us, we could go anywhere. The price point of the food for what we had was not at all worth it. Save your time and go somewhere else. Very little attention was paid to the food quality when it was served, and for the high price that this restaurant charges, you will not be happy. I think the high ratings below are from employees or people connected with the company.

    (1)
  • Michelle H.

    Wonderful open air feeling but beer was warm and our server never checked in with us after our first pot! (We were sitting at the bar! ). Not busy as it was 3:30 in the afternoon. Wouldn't go back for a $6 beer or crushed iced gun and tonic!

    (2)
  • Rachael S.

    Had a fantastic dinner starting with the mixed app & followed by the seared tuna and filet entrees. Everything was delectable, service was excellent & the restaurant is absolutely beautiful. What a romantic spot!

    (5)
  • PJ W.

    Excellent service by David who just started 3 months ago. He was very attentive! The fish taco appetizer was a delight! The ahi dinner was lovely with delectable sauces to enjoy on the plate. The view was just gorgeous. A tip is going on about 5:30 and you can be seated in the bar first come first serve but a full menu.

    (5)
  • Keith F.

    This place was great! We hired a wedding coordinator to book a place for our wedding, when we arrived to the place she booked we were stunned of how bad it was. So we started looking around and Found Merriman's the day of. They worked with us and made it happen for us to have a beautiful sunset wedding. I really would recommend them to anybody. Great staff!!!

    (5)
  • Tracey P.

    The view was beautiful and the service was excellent. The live music was wonderful. The chef's special fish of the evening was flavorful but very small portions for money spent.

    (4)
  • Angie F.

    Just had an excellent dinner here tonight! Spectacular view, excellent filet mignon, goat cheese salad, garlic whipped potatoes, macadamia nut broccoli and chocolate malsadas for dessert! If I could afford it I would eat here every night!

    (5)
  • Melissa G.

    So good! :) We ate here twice on our vacation for their happy hour special out on the deck so you can enjoy the amazing views from all sides and both times, it was excellent. The first time, we had the house mai tais -- WOW! They do not skimp on the alcohol AT ALL. One drink was plenty for me. Also great: Blue cheese bacon sliders, truffle fries, homemade kimchi (yay!), chocolate pastry purse with fudge inside, coffee ice cream...it was a feast. Service was exceptionally good both nights.

    (5)
  • Ingrid Y.

    This is my favorite location in Maui, so beautiful and the food is great!

    (5)
  • Nayoung L.

    Great ambiance. You are sitting by the ocean with an open concept dining area. I was most impressed with how they cook their vegetables. For someone who would prefer meat over leafy stuff any day, I actually enjoyed their vegetable sides more than ribeye and munchong fish. App platter- yummy taro chips with well seasoned poke. I didn't get people's hype about the lobster avocado salad. Didn't care for crab quesadilla or a dish I can't remember. Ribeye with delicious green beans and munchong fish with broccoli - both were solid and I really I liked how the green beans and broccolis were cooked and seasoned. We finished the meal with the chocolate purse dessert everyone raves about. It was good but not the best thing I've eaten. Service was impeccable. The place reminds me of capital grille chain in terms of service, pricing and dishes. I would recommend this place for a nice meal while you are in maui.

    (4)
  • John E.

    Oh My God this place is good! Definitely go here while youre in Maui, or if you live on the island. Go for some drinks at 5:00 and get a table around 6:00 for a kick ass sunset. Managers Bartenders, Chefs and Servers are outstanding. Hotesses not so much, they put our reservation on the wrong day; however, the manager sat us right away and at an amazing table right by the edge with a view. Cocktails - bourbon mule - 7/10 way too much ginger White - Gruner Veltliner - perfect Cheese Plate - A lot of cheese for two, but we still ate it all. Scallops - 10/10 -fantastic balance and flavor. Red - Au Bon pinot n - decent Ny Strip - 8/10 overwhelming herb butter, but good Lamb - 10/10 every bite was pefection, but i didnt like the zucchini "thing" on the side. A little zucchini boat with chese and panko??? The lamb was SO good. Best Lamb Ive ever had, hands down. The kale had that perfect smokey flavor from the fond when sauteed. The cpuree was on point. Dessert was a nice surprise for our wedding weekend congratulations. And our Server, Brooke or Becky, was on point as well.

    (5)
  • Michael S.

    Breath-taking view!!! Service is top notch and food is AMAZIIIIING. the accomedate you if you are with kids and thats kinda nice and very friendly staff.

    (5)
  • Debora L.

    Went for happy hour. Best part is the view. We had the app sampler which was quite forgettable. Poke was equivalent to supermarket around here and portions were small for the price.

    (3)
  • Whoopie G.

    We were disappointed. Would not return.

    (3)
  • Susan C.

    Possibly one of the best meals and best ambiances of any dining experience of my life. It wins in pure awesomeness!!!! About $100-$150 a person if you go all out with drinks, apps, and dessert. And let me tell you, from the bottom of my Yelpiest of souls, you will not regret it. Back home from Maui, I have dreams of re-eating my meal. The menu changes seasonally so I'm not sure regaling you with tales of the mouth-gasmic food I experienced will be that helpful (pictures are included if you are very curious). However, I will simply tell you that this is one of the most delicious and romantic restaurants I have been to in my life.

    (5)
  • Kenneth F.

    The food was good not great (3 star) but our waitress Sasha was fab (5 star)! Decor was terribly bland kinda Hawaiian modern - but kinda bland... but we had a corner view at the edge of the restaurant and views were super! For $35 had the "rack of lamb" which was basically 2 chops of different sizes and hence came out at different temperatures... one perfect med rare and the other medium :( Grey snapper was pretty good but not remarkable. Was really loud too... I remember the Merriman's on the Big Island 20 years ago was way better and much more pacific fusion...

    (4)
  • Alex W.

    Great atmosphere, great location, fantastic service, decent food. Not sure if the food is worth the price however. I've eaten much better meals for the same price this was but choices are limited in Maui. The complimentary dessert for our birthdays was a nice treat however!

    (3)
  • Ken H.

    What a gem of a restaurant. Great views, great servers and the food was to die for. We did the happy hour with 25% off all drinks just to get a feel of the place and stayed until the dinner hour. We did this no less than three times. Don't pass up the dally fish special and they had a pasta that was the best I've had. The pasta is an appetizer and they call it "Cavatelle Pasta"but can be a main course. My wife had the pasta no less than three times. I would place this as one of the best on Maui if not one of the best I have been to in a long time.

    (5)
  • Matthew K.

    Okay, the view-- 5/5. Right on Kapalua beach-- outstanding. The interior is nice as well. The food... sigh. I don't know why there's so little fresh seafood served in Hawaii. Most stuff here is imported, so... I'm not impressed. The waiter was rude to my father-in-law, too.

    (2)
  • Ben T.

    My wife and I just ate at this place last night and I gotta say that out of every restaurant I've ever eaten at this is the best. I've been to several Michelin star restaurants and this beats them. Be prepared our dinner was around 100/pp (2 drinks each, an app each and dessert, so you definitely could do it cheaper of you want). The key here is to go to dinner at 530 so you can get a table right in the railing. You are overlooking a pristine selection of water with perfect sunset views. I had to call to make my reservation 3 months in advance and it was worth every penny. The food was also amazing I recommend both the ahi poke (tuna sashimi Hawaiian style) and the scallops. The lamb entree was incredible and most of the time I don't like lamb. Steph loved the moscato. This was the best place I've eaten at in my life, the food was very good, the atmosphere was beyond belief Given the prices, service, atmosphere however I gave only 4 stars due to then having a lady walk around selling leis. I mean common really? At a white table cloth restaurant you are going to have a vendor hawking souvenirs?? She wasn't pushy or anything, she didn't even ask us if we wanted to but anything but when you're spending over 200 on a dinner I don't need it to feel cheapened like I was on some touristy boardwalk pizza shop. Regardless I know this is a relatively small thing and the restaurant is now my new most memorable restaurant of all time

    (4)
  • RJ N.

    Had our wedding here on 06.22.14 This place exceeded our expectations and looks 10x better than the pictures. Service was amazing, this was our best meal in Maui and we ate at some great places (star noodle and mama's fish house to name a few) and merriman's was the best. We can't wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Alaina N.

    My MIL and FIL visited their patio for sunset and happy one afternoon and received horrible service from a snarky waitress there. She refused to take their picture, and let them know before taking their order that she was really busy. So my FIL contacted the manager, Brandi, to report his experience, and she made sure our return for dinner a few nights later was the complete opposite. This place is located in one of the most beautiful spots on Maui, by far! The breeze that runs through is so wonderful, and the view of the sunset was absolutely breathtaking! Our waiter, Marc, was hands-down one of the best waiters I've ever had. He was patient and accommodating and really made our dinner, and evening, enjoyable. From the moment we sat until the moment we left we had just the most lovely time. Brandi even came by to make sure we were enjoying ourselves. A lot of restaurants wouldn't go out of their way as much to remedy a bad experience as Merriman's did. They could have simply apologized, or maybe provided a complimentary drink. However, she really wanted us to know they care about their patrons and the experience they have there, and it really made a difference. They just had one bad apple working for them, or maybe she had a bad morning, but everyone else we encountered there the night we went for dinner was incredibly friendly and professional. I'll add that though the food was definitely delicious, I have had better tasting on the island. However, that being said, it wasn't outrageously over-priced, and really was good...just not mind-blowing, if you know what I mean. Being this place was so close to our hotel, it moved itself into the #1 favorite dinner spot on our list and will for sure be visited again when we're back in Maui.

    (5)
  • Ardy F.

    This place is one word. Fantastic. Great food, service and a place to enjoy each others company. Our server, will was great. His service was exceptional. Highly recommended.

    (4)
  • Jennifer G.

    Favorite Restaurant Ever! We had 5:30 reservation for dinner with sun setting at 6:41. Our waiter was world class his name was JJ. He was, by far, the best waiter we have ever had! He was helpful, honest and made our evening more enjoyable. I had filet and Caesar salad and it was perfection. My husband had homemade soup from their garden and lobster again better that he could have imagined. JJ suggested wine that we loved, he took pictures of us at sunset, the entire experience was magical

    (5)
  • Ronald S.

    I love the Rib Eye, but don't expect a huge ass Texas style Rib Eye..This is a classy size rib eye..but you pay for more like the setting...this is where special occasions happen..right overlooking the Kapalua Bay Beach..great wine list.. it can be casual, formal, romantic..heck you want to drop the bomb on your spouse like asking for a divorce? hey do it there what the hell...it's too beautiful to get pissed off!

    (4)
  • Shannon R.

    We ate here after my wedding on the beach and it was absolutely fabulous! The cabana overlooking the ocean was perfect. It sprinkled a little so it was nice to have the covered table. It was decorated with chandeliers and lights and we were able to place our bouquets on the table. Made for a perfect, quaint little dinner with our wedding guests. Our servers, Patrick and Liz, were amazing. Very attentive and friendly and handled our group of 16 very well! I coordinated the plans with Danielle and she was also very easy to work with, flexible and friendly. They made the "wedding planning" a joy and a breeze! I was able to just relax and enjoy my dinner and drinks! Now that I've mentioned the location, atmosphere, and service, I should probably mention the food. :) Also spectacular! We did a pre-fix with 2 choices, coursed meal and everything was amazing! The kahlua pork quesadilla was incredible!! and the ahi poke salad was delicious too! I had the scallops for my main course and they were perfectly cooked. My husband had the filet and he said it was fantastic too! It might be difficult to do, but save room for dessert! The chocolate lava cake is to die for!

    (5)
  • Robin P.

    Not a good experience...my standards are high since my husband has cooked at Pebble Beach Food and Wine for the last three years but disappointing would be an understatement. My husband booked our reservation in advance noting it was our first anniversary and requesting a romantic lanai table arrived on time 630 the unprofessionally attired hostess tried to seat us in the middle of the room next to the bar. We said we would wait for the table requested. Forty-five minutes later seated at our nice table. Attitudes with hostess and waiter. Expensive menu, salad was wilted and nothing special, bland salty dressing had to request add goat cheese. My husband ordered macadamia nut mongchong, terrible, overcooked, soggy, uneatable tasted like frozen fish sticks, side of rice hard, no flavor. My fish was cooked perfectly but the side of green vegetables was nothing but stems, inedible left on my plate. Everything was oversalted. We told our waiter and he rolled his eyes acted insulted and sent the manager over. She agreed with our comments and said they were working through some kitchen staff challenges currently. They comped my husbands meal and sent us dessert. Tried to make it right but my advice, don't waste your time or money. What a shame, upgrade your hostess staff, first impressions are important, someone with class and get your food together worst we have had and loved it a year ago.

    (2)
  • Jessica L.

    I've only been here for the Happy Hour, and it's awesome!!! Gorgeous view, strong Mai-Tais, and awesome apps (amazing sliders, great quesadillas). Perfect for an afternoon enjoying a view of the ocean. The breeze tempers the heat. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Jon M.

    My wife and I had dinner there a few nights ago. Absolutely the best seafood dinner we ever ate! Service is exceptional and the price was competitive to other upscale restaurants in Maui. Go here!

    (5)
  • Shelly H.

    Blech! The food is overly salty, buttery and tastes like slightly better airline food. Way overrated. Way overpriced. The service is friendly and attentive and the setting is nice, but that doesn't make up for the food. Best go for cocktails and skip the food.

    (1)
  • Tom S.

    One of my favorites on the island. Go an hour before sunset. The best seats are gone fast. Ask for seating towards the north side the south side will not be as good for seeing the sunset ... :-). The food can't be better anywhere

    (5)
  • Heidi P.

    OK I have to admit - recently on a trip to Maui I was spoiled! I went to Merriman's one night and Roy's the next. Tough life I know! This restaurant has three locations. I have been to the original up in Kamuela and now to the one on Maui - which has a very up scale beach feel. As soon as you walk in you see nothing but ocean. The entire restaurant looks out into the ocean with tables beach side. You can't it beat it for location and view. The waves to your right and the sun on the horizon with a fire pit (yes I said it - fire pit!) right in the center of the open deck. It is breathtaking! I tried a wonderful lobster and avocado salad - which actually had chucks of Lobster in it! I followed with pan seared Scallops and 1/2 a Lobster - see a theme here. I practically licked my plate clean - everything was wonderful. The food was flavorful but not over tacked by a sauces - you could taste the flavor of the different parts of your meal. It was amazing!! I finished it off with a strawberry vanilla mouse with deep fried bananas - I thought I would need to be rolled out of my chair at the end of your meal. I honestly can say I had the perfect meal - so far. I know easy to say at the prices you pay for the meal - but it is true. This is a great place for a romantic dinner or celebration - it is costly - perhaps even more than Roys - but you leave with the amazing food experience in a setting that is worth a million bucks! There is live music and plenty of waitstaff to make sure all your needs are met. I wish I had a complaint just because as I write this I feel like it should have a down side. OK if there was one - the place was packed and a little noisy, but there are worst things! Try this place once you won't regret it!

    (5)
  • Matt S.

    Honestly one of the best overall dining experiences I have had in years...fantastic food, great atmosphere and really top notch service! Was there with a group of 6 on a work-related rewards trip and we wanted an "epic" dinner for our last evening there...Merriman's did not disappoint. All of the food was fantastic, but I have to say the service provided to us by our waiter (wish I had remembered his name) was what really set our experience over the top...clearly a professional who had an intimate knowledge of the menu and the ingredients. Really a fantastic experience and I would go back in an instant...a can't miss for those who are in Maui!

    (5)
  • Denise H.

    Oh my gosh the sunset view is worth it's weight in gold. Service was spot in and food was good. Would like to see more vegetarian options though. Pasta appetizer super yummy. Boyfriend has chimichurrie ribeye. Chocolate purse dessert-get it. Live music nice touch

    (5)
  • Katherine L.

    It is was a wonderful experience being there. The view of the sun setting over the ocean was stunning. And the food was delicious!! Great cocktails to go with our meal. We will definitely be back next time we travel to Maui.

    (5)
  • Michael A.

    If you're looking for a great quality meal and even better service, look no further. Or service from Sean was top notch and a refreshing change of pace from some of our other experiences. Our fish and chips appetizer was amazing with their home made corn tartar sauce. Caesar salad was prepared very well, and the knowledge of the menu from Shaun was wonderful. Our entrees were the lamb chop and lobster tail and they were cooked to perfection! Then to end with a bang we had the coconut brûlée and it was one of the best I've ever had... And my wife is the brûlée person not me and it was great. Our drinks were well put together and just all around a great experience. Thanks again to all the staff for the great service and for the AMAZING sunset view. We will definitely return very soon. P.S. Check in to your reservation early and try to request a patio seat... Also valet parking is right out front for the only parking option, which is great, but make sure you have cash to tip as I did not and felt terrible about it. I'm just not a cash carrier.

    (5)
  • Anne C.

    We love Merriman's on Maui. We started with Peter Merriman on the Big island many years ago. So glad they came to Maui. We love our server J.J. and request him every time. Can't say enough about the view. One of the best on Maui. Everyone at our table was more than satisfied with what they ordered. We were never rushed to turn over the table. Very refreshing.

    (5)
  • Jade P.

    One extra star for the view. In so many words don't go. It's a chain that should be called mcmerriman's, masquerading as a five star restaurant. If you do go, take in the view and don't expect culinary excellence. Ordered the garden salad. It was soggy and the dressing was nothing special. Then the scallops came. They were burnt and plated like the food was literally thrown onto the plate. It was SO salty. Whoever decided to cook the bacon decided to burn them and then add salt to cover it up. Also the entire dish was lukewarm and the cream on the corn and hard asparagus was starting to congeal. It had definitely been sitting out for too long. Inedible. I waited around to tell the waiter but he seemed to have disappeared. When the busboy came around to ask if I wanted a box I said no I would not like to take that home. Even at that point I was just going to call it a bad meal and order a dessert. When the waiter finally reappeared for a moment he saw our table was not cleared. I'll take of that he said. Then disappeared again for a long time. In the end in my frustration at the gross food and terrible service I said we'd just take the check and I was outta there.

    (2)
  • Kimberly S.

    Hands down the best meal we had in Maui. I called earlier in the day and asked if my husband and I could get a seat on the patio. The hostess said she would try, but it would be hard. When we arrived we were so delighted to be sitting in the front corner with an amazing view of the ocean. The food was amazing and we tried to savor the flavors, but ended up devouring and inhaling everything. We ended our evening with the famous chocolate purses and it was the perfect finale. I cannot recommend this place enough and if you are in Maui this is a must for a nice meal.

    (5)
  • Jake R.

    Back to Merriman's after two years! We were looking forward to our second visit and we were not disappointed. We love everything about this restaurant: the service, the ambience, the menu, and of course the preparation, presentation, and taste of the food. This time we started with the crudite of taro hummus, house-made sweet potato chips, and fresh local vegetables. SO GOOD. I'd never had taro before, and I loved it in the hummus. Next we shared the kale and butter lettuce salad with roasted beets, goat cheese, and crispy fried Maui onions. Holy cow. Delicious. For our entree we had macadamia-crusted Monchong over garlic broccoli with mushrooms and a miso-sake reduction. If I were a ninja I would have snuck into the kitchen and stolen all the sauce for my own nefarious purposes. Instead I had to settle for eating it and licking the plate. It was amazing. Finally, we had the pineapple upside-down cake. We had it last time, and normally I like to try something new, but I loved it SO MUCH that I couldn't resist. One surprise was the gin and cucumber cocktail we both had. It had gin and cucumber, obviously, but it also had apple liqueur, spicy peperoncini, and a dark cherry at the bottom. What a weird and delicious combination. Many thanks to Marc, our server, and everyone at Merriman's for another great experience. We'll be back!

    (5)
  • Maria G.

    Came here on 3/9/13 for dinner with husband. After reading so many good reviews here, we decided this is the place we'd splurge on getting something good to eat. Unlike some of the good reviews here, I didn't make it to the restaurant before sunset -- not that it is going to matter because today is one of those rare Maui rainy day. Complimentary valet parking -- a plus in the rainy weather. Service is definitely 5-star. Our waiter is very attentive. We ordered a vodka and passionfruit cocktail -- the drink is a bit watered down for $14 but it is just typical Hawaiian tourist price so we are not complaining too much about it. On with the food: Soup of the Day -- Asaphargus soup. We love how the waiter come with an empty bowl and he pour the soup onto the bowl with a silver pot. Pupu taster -- we can't decide on what appetizer to get so we settle on the mixer. Everything tasted good. Mix Plate entree -- again this is a good mix of food. You get fish, steak, and seared ahi. Crisp Taro Fritters -- this one is interesting. We were expecting some sort of taro fries (think sweet potato fries). Instead when the food is brought out, they were 4 balls (think jalapeno poppers) of taro in ketchup. Didn't quite expect that but they taste ok. Live music playing the background. I would have rate it 5-stars, but have to knock one off for them taking too long to deal with the rain. It wasn't until the patrons sitting close to the edge of the open window (they would have been the best spots on a sunny day, but worst tonight) complained about the rain coming in and the strong wind that force them to close off the place with the sliding panels.

    (4)
  • Kit B.

    What a amazing dinner. Went here for our 30th anniversary and it was wonderful. Ordered the fresh fish special, very flavorful and light. They brought us a special dessert with a message spelled out in Hawaiian, nice touch. Went at sunset. Don't miss this place for a nice dinner if you are in maui.

    (5)
  • linda F.

    what can you say about Merriman's that has not been said, the view , the service awesome-the food was amazing, we tried the app sampler, the entree combo, the Kale salad, and 2 orders of the pasta with the house made ricotta.Everything was outstanding, especially the wok chared ahi and the Housemade Cavatelli Pasta. We cant wait to return

    (5)
  • Katie K.

    I give Merrimans a five star for atmosphere! Absolutely beautiful!!! I recommend the quesadillas for appetizer very good! I ordered the small filet which is 4 oz. They burnt it at first but they apologized and recooked it to perfection! If you are looking for a delicious, romantic meal Visit here!

    (5)
  • Brian I.

    I literally cannot assign enough stars to Merriman's for everything they provided my (new) wife, family, my friends and I last week. We got married, at Merriman's, on Saturday May 1st of last week. The restaurant was reserved solely for us and our (small-ish) party of about 25 from 10 am through 2 pm. Our 3 menu choices (chosen from my wife and I, from a wide variety of options) were tofu, Mahi Mahi and chicken. I'd bother to pull out a sample of our guests's menus but I'm on such a high from our trip to Maui (our first) and kind of on a downer from being back home in Beaverton, OR (booo) that, well, I don't wanna. Suffice to say that everyone absolutely raved about their 3 course meals. The service was impeccable. They managed to be seemingly imperceptible during the ceremony and lunch yet were immediately available and accommodating to all of our guest's needs. Drinks were expertly crafted and speedily served. Yeah, so my opinion's biased. Sue me. I don't have a picture of the food or table setup (for now) so I'll upload a picture of my new wife and I sharing a moment just off the deck behind Merriman's. Thank you, thank you, thank you Merriman's for helping to make our wedding an idyllic experience that we will never forget. I can't wait to come back when I'm not overflowing with emotion and trying to take in and absorb my own wedding!

    (5)
  • Pete's Za Z.

    Merriman's is totally overrated. Notice that everyone raves about the view but when you look at the reviews, there are not that many raves about the food. Even the photos posted show more shots of the view than of the food compared to other Yelp restaurants. Food: ordinary, nothing special at best. My wife and I had the signature Macadamia Nut Crusted Monchong which was overcooked and the portion was small. The rice that came with it was dry and hard. The kale salad that preceded the Monchong I could have had at a diner. My kids had the filet mignon which was decent but nothing special. The pineapple upside down pain perdu was quite tasty but they could have knocked it out of the park if they served it warm. Service: ok, nothing special once again. Waiter was capable but had zero personality and a but brusque. Ambience: nice view cheated by aged furniture, ugly green rug, old work lighting fixtures and worst of all lounge lizard live music.

    (2)
  • Andres G.

    Overpriced. Great wine selection and views. Solid spot to watch the sunset, also a solid spot to pay $50 for a mediocre fish entree. Find somewhere else if you don't sweat money and are looking for quality.

    (1)
  • Dave R.

    A two star meal in a 4 star location. Merriman's has been my favorite for years ... until now. Both service and quality have lost their spark. Last night we waited and waited and waited for a meal that was over priced ... even if the hot dishes had been hot and the cold ones cold when they finally arrived. I am sad to take Merriman's off my A list for a while.

    (2)
  • Debby D.

    This was our second time and again with a 5 pm reservation we got ocean front (not that there is a bad seat here). The view at sunset is to die for. My scallops were served in an awesome pottery bowl that added to the excellence of the sauce. One of them was a little chewy, but still good. My husband's monchang (white fish) was awesome, flaky and tasty. The cocktails were excellent-try the hibiscus and bourbon! The sommelier played down her experience, but the wine she suggested, a French white, was perfect. I was disappointed with the asparagus soup, should have stayed with something fishy. Still overall, we will always go here when in Maui.

    (4)
  • swimmer h.

    Doing great. We had the same server a year later and he wAs able to give options for no garlic and substitutions. Food is exec side but good value for Maui and the view. 5:30 is the best time for dinner in January to be settled before sunset at 6. Love the mix plate trio. All were delicious.

    (5)
  • Jessica H.

    Formal bridesmaids dinner on our first night in Kapalua! So delicious and beautiful!! What we got: pupu taster appetizer - Quesadilla was AWESOME snapper fish special - SO AMAZING!! Wish I got a full-size portion lobster - not that great scallops filet mignon - pretty good! upside-down pineapple cake - AMAZING!! made with a banana bread cake mixture!! malasadas - OMG!! SO GOOD!!! Service: great service. live music. BEAUTIFUL view. Great place to watch the sun set.

    (5)
  • Jen P.

    5 stars all the way. This place is amazing. My husband took me here for a special occasion and I was blown away by the service and the fantastic food. Of course not to mention the stunning view. One of the best meals I've ever had. The presentation and quality was all top notch. We had a beautiful outside table overlooking the ocean and it was perfect. Our waiter was very informative about all the local ingredients and preparation that went into each dish. The ahi poke with avocado was some of the best I'd ever tasted. Other favorites: The Pan Roasted Sea Scallops and the Charred Ahi. Definitely recommend.

    (5)
  • Scott P.

    Best restaurant on Maui, setting is amazing and food and service are the best. Fantastic food, extensive wine list, incredible service.

    (5)
  • Ron S.

    Dinner last night at Merriman's... Reservations for 6PM and we were promptly seated. This was our second visit to this restaurant. Our last experience was 5 star all around. Our waiter Patrick was quick to the table to take drink orders and explain the evening's specials. My date ordered the special and I ordered the scallops. Apps were the lobster tomato salad and poki which we shared and were both excellent. My entree was pretty good, not as excellent as Lahaina Grill, but still pretty good. The special fish entree was pretty bad. Steamed diced red peppers and asparagus with no seasoning or sauce under the piece of fish was a zero. Bland with no flavor. The side order of garlic rice never arrived which our waiter obviously forgot to order for us but after the bill arrived and we checked it was not on the bill... We reminded Patrick and he claimed the kitchen must have missed it?? A little white lie? Overall the service lacked as we waited long periods of time between drinks, apps, and entrees. Water glasses remained empty until asked to refill. Next trip we'll probably just do Lahaina Grill twice and enjoy the consistent food and service we experience there. Ambiance 10 Food 5 Service 3

    (3)
  • John C.

    Absolutely Outstanding views from the patio. We were staying at the Ritz and The free shuttle takes you right there. It's a must! Happy hour has amazing deals too. Get the sliders!

    (5)
  • jac n.

    I would probably consider myself to be a foodie, I plan vacations around/look forward to the food the most. So this review comes from that perspective... Merriman's is overrated. The view and ambiance is perfect, but the food and the service lack for a restaurant that charges as much as it does. Having been to other 5 star restaurants on Maui like Lahaina Grill and Gerard's, you kind of expect that same level of bend over backwards service when you go to a restaurant that is more expensive than those. Merriman's service does not even remotely match the price. The waiters aren't particularly quick or attentive and don't seem happy to be there. It just needs to be better. The food sounds good, but I found myself not finishing most of it because it just didn' taste that good. The mahi mahi fish and chips was so bland and unimpressive. I think Long John Silver's fish and chips is better. The scallops are alright (obviously sting ray though), but forgettable and the filet was just not cooked very well. Uneven. The food is dissappointing. The drinks are pretty good, but I didn't like their pinot noir. I also didn't like that he didn't let me try it before pouring it. I mean, at a fancy restaurant, isn't that customary? This place skates by on the view. People are tricked into thinking they're getting something they aren't. If you like FOOD, do not waste your money here. If you like a view, by all means, come here and then go get fast food after.

    (3)
  • Tim L.

    As good as it gets on Maui. Top-tier, fresh food paired with top notch service. Plus you can't beat the location right on Kapalua Bay.

    (5)
  • Bennett R.

    Came in for drinks and dessert. Service was not good. Server seemed put out and hassled to have to wait on us. Dessert was amazing though.

    (3)
  • Brooke B.

    I've been lucky enough in life to go to Maui pretty frequently since I was a kid and given that my Dad is a big restaurant guy, we've tried just about every spot locally. Merriman's took over the old Kapalua Bay Club which we loved for the location--pretty much my happy place in life--but food was always so-so. In my adult life, I've come to appreciate menus that are locally sourced and anytime you have a James Beard finalist cooking for you/training the folks cooking for you its pretty hard to go wrong, right? Right. For those who have complained about this restaurant, I don't get it. We got there early and sat on the patio and watched a West Maui sunset over Kapalua Bay with deliciously mixed cocktails and friendly conversation with other guests-- I highly recommend this, adds so much to the experience. We then went in for dinner where we had a great table overlooking the lights of the bay and listening to the waves crash. It was Saturday night, and they had a great guy performing live music that wasn't tacky-touristy Hawaiian, but island-ly twists on favorite, modern classics-- sounded a bit like Ben Taylor (James' son). As mentioned, wine list is amazing. They will do a corkage fee ($35? $45?-- I can't recall, for any wines not on their list) which is steep, but corkage is new to Maui and there's a lingering debate on it in the restaurant industry. Given the breadth of the list, I wouldn't bring your own. We were excited to see a favorite-- La Sirena-- and knew it was a perfect mid-priced option to pair with the meal. We split a salad--caesar with fried green tomato "croutons" (all croutons should be these, yum!) based on the recommendation of our outstanding server, Garrett. (Garrett is born and raised in Maui--I asked if he was a unicorn, much to his enjoyment. Loved that Merriman's is hiring and taking care of local folks, as much as local food.) Splitting was perfect, and then had the special snapper of the evening--the Hawaiian name I will never remember... we did the smaller portion which wasn't a huge cost savings over the full order, but it was plenty of food especially given the side of mashed potatoes that came with the dish and side of creamed corn we added. The fish was sauteed with a delicious light, citrus flavor, and loads of crisp, fresh veggies. I had to pass on another sauce that came with the fish b/c of a food allergy, but I didn't miss it. Closed the meal with some local sorbet flavors and a coconut creme brulee, and the best coffee in Hawaii-- not Kona-- something wonderfully dark and rich from the Big Island that came in a french press. Wish I had a bigger stomach and could've tried some of the apps, but overall it was a perfect last dinner in Maui-- our favorite over Gerrard's and Lahaina Grill (also good, but better overall at Merriman's). Looking forward to returning!

    (5)
  • Steve T.

    We really tried to like this place as I heard so many good things about Merriman's. I ordered the soup of the day, squash and mushroom, and it was not good. The waiter took it off our bill and he was really nice about it. The fried goat cheese appetizer was next and it was delicious. Not too creative, fried cheese and a strawberry side, but enjoyable. Sue had the Ahi and it was good but not fancy. Slices of slightly charred ahi and a dipping sauce. I had the snapper with some interesting sauces that was good but not memorable. I liked the white chocolate malasadas with the caramel sauce and that with the Ridge 2006 Zin was the highlight of my meal. I'm about value and I just spent $1000 at Picasso's in the Bellagio two weeks ago and thought it was worth every penny but I didn't feel good spending $230 for this meal at Merriman's.

    (3)
  • D W.

    We went back to Merriman's hoping to replicate the very lovely experience we had here last time. Unfortunately this time, even though we requested an outdoor or window table in our advance reservation, they were unable to accommodate us. As far as the food went, it was very good, but I felt really ripped off by receiving exactly 3 scallops (yes they were divine) I believe I got a whopping 3 scallops for $39.00 in their full portion menu. That was not dinner, that was smaller than pupu's . At 3 nibbles per scallop that measured out to $4.33 per nibble. Sorry folks, as much as I loved the scallops it was just not worth it, and I left hungry. Next time we'll go to The Laihaina Grill.

    (3)
  • Herbert H.

    Kauai gets an unfair reputation for bad food. Merrimans isn't the only restaurant where we have eaten well but it is one of them. Pleasant, easy going setting, attentive but unpretentious service and most important everything we ate was fresh and skillfully prepared. We stayed away from the phenomenally expensive and (from the sound of it) excessively adorned entrees and ate well prepared, satisfying food. Would be glad to eat here if it were in LA.

    (4)
  • Stephanie J.

    I held a business dinner event at Merrimans with 28 people. The overall food and setting was good. Planning the event with Merrimans Event Manager was not a great experience...she lacked cusomer service and it would take several tries to get an email or phone call back from her. When I called the GM to express my frustration on just wanting simple questions answered regarding the menu and finalizing details, even she was rude. They convinced me to chose a starter because of the large group so that people wouldn't be waiting for food, but even that took an hour to come out. I will never plan another event wtih them.

    (2)
  • Lisa M.

    We went to Merriman's for dinner immediately following our beach wedding ceremony on 8/25/14. It was pure perfection. I got the filet, which came with mashed potatoes and asparagus (my fave). My husband got the rib eye. Both were top notch. I also got a lemon drop martini from the bar while waiting for our reservation, which was strong - just the way I like it :) The staff was very attentive & even brought us a complimentary piece of cake to celebrate. We were surprised that there was live music playing anywhere on a Monday night. This just made our dinner even more perfect. If we ever make it back to Maui, we would love to return to Merriman's for an anniversary dinner someday.

    (5)
  • Bob W.

    This was the most perfect restaurant of our vacation . The service was superb. The food was fantastic and the ambience without compare. This was the most expensive of all the restaurants we tried in Maui but you should definitely try it for an unforgettable experience .

    (5)
  • D E.

    Best food I've ever had in Maui. The service was impeccable and very friendly & even got to meet a chef. Vegetarian and fish options were excellent and tasted delicious. Vanessa was super helpful with selecting a unique and interesting wine which paired excellent with the food. Finally the view was amazing. Highly recommended to all.

    (5)
  • Jordan R.

    My wife and I went here for our anniversary on a visit to Maui. Let me start by saying it seems like it would be the local dependable place to go for fine dining. The decor is sort of early-90's and could use a bit of an update, but the setting and experience are definitely 5-star worthy. The Good: - Food is very solid, worthy of fine dining, even if it isn't quite imaginative (definitely thinking there is a bit of gap between price and inventiveness in cuisine) - Service was top notch. Thoughts they were on point and we were never left wanting. - Wine list was extensive with great representation from various regions and countries. Options at literally any price level ($35-$3000...pick your price point) The Less Good: - I feel like i can find more avant garde and thoughtful fusion or new american cuisine in a lot of places at lower price points. Maybe I'm spoiled by the Pacific NW, but I think they execute fine dining at Merriman's but aren't really expected to push the envelope. It's OK to do this, as you sometimes just want to know they'l stick the landing even if their degree of difficulty isn't super high. This is primarily why I gave it 4 and not 5 stars. - I think the setting is a touch stiff. They could do more with the space and make it feel a bit less early-90s. We started with the Pupu sampler. Some excellent dishes. The tuna sashimi on this was fantastic. Highlight of the night. Amazingly fresh, with just the right flavors added so as not to distract. Though one of the other Pupu samplers on the dish, the Lobster, Avocado, Tomato salad was just really so-so. I think Lobster is easy to "lose" in any dish, and is really generally added to up the price, but this dish just didnt do anything with any of the flavors. Big miss. The other samplers on the plate were solid, but nothing crazy. Second, a really solid salad of tuna/avocado/butter lettuce (the "Poke cut" Tuna salad). This was good, well portioned, and tasty. My wife had the fish of the day coupled with the scallops, which was really nice and well prepared. Flavors were on point, and the server even knew down to the spices on the fish when asked to identify a flavor. We appreciated that knowledge. Scallops had the perfect crust and were served properly at mid-rare. I had the Merriman's Mix Plate, a sampler of three entrees. Solid. Beef was perfectly cooked and tasty, fish was excellent. Overall, good experience. Pricey, but very nice. We had an excellent Oregon Pinot to go with it. I'd recommend the place generally for nice occasions, but I think you can get more inventive cuisine at a lower price point. The experience here is solid, and I would definitely go back on my next visit to Maui.

    (4)
  • Brian B.

    I went to this restaurant with a lousy attitude... I was tired, hungry, hungover and just miserable... all I wanted to do was go to sleep and live to see another day. All that being said, the kale salad was out of control, and the entree my wife got was stunning in taste and appearance. Wish I hadn't been in such a crappy mood, this review would have been better... but honestly, I just remember being cold and tired. The end...

    (4)
  • Leanna D.

    Order the Filet mignon! The creamed corn and mashed potatoes are AMAAAAZING!

    (5)
  • Natan T.

    Amazing views... Waiter named David was incredible!!! The food was amazing but pricey. I will come here again when I come to kapalua!!!

    (5)
  • Daniel M.

    Absolutely amazing. We sat at the bar and had just about every appetizer on the menu. There's no more beautiful location for a restaurant than the Kapalua Bay; especially at sunset. I will make it a point from now on, to visit Merriman's every time I'm in Maui! We especially loved the Cavatelli, Kalua pork quesadillas and the truffle fries. But there was no evidence that ANYTHING they serve is less than amazing!

    (5)
  • Gina B.

    The view is probably one of the best in Maui, especially at sunset. I enjoyed my meal although it took so long to come out that they brought us out a complimentary bowl of soup. That was very nice of them. However, my husband's prime rib was cooked to black, even through the middle, and although the waiter acknowledged that it was not cooked right, he didn't really offer to make it better. He was friendly... just... clueless about how to handle that sort of situation? I would really expect a place like this not to send out a piece of steak looking like that, ever, to be honest. I wouldn't personally come here again for dinner, but maybe for cocktails and the view.

    (3)
  • Nicole O.

    I'll add to the chorus of other Yelpers raving about Merriman's - what a wonderful restaurant. My husband and I booked a table for sunset as the special dinner on our honeymoon, and we definitely weren't disappointed. The restaurant is located right on Kapalua Bay, with fantastic views, and service to match. Our server was professional, funny and personable, and we were attended to very well during the whole meal. We shared the pork quesadilla's for an appetizer, and each got a different fish special of the day for our main. I ordered the smaller portion available on their menu for mine, and I wish had ordered the full - it was so delicious. All the food was top quality, and probably one of the best meals I have ever eaten. The fish my husband ordered was a full steamed fish (two pounds) and after a long meal he managed to finish the whole fish. He joked to our server that it's too bad they didn't have a t-shirt for finishing the fish (like those places where you get a shirt if you finish the giant burger or steak). While we were waiting on dessert the assistant manager actually came to our table to give my husband a Merriman's shirt - what a nice touch! The prices are high, especially when you order drinks, but this is a restaurant for going for the experience of eating excellent food in a great location. Five enthusiastic stars!

    (5)
  • Louise P.

    We had a really special dinner here during our honeymoon. We changed our reservation dates at the last minute without any trouble. We said it was our honeymoon and that didn't get us any special treatment - but you don't really need it here. We started with really delicious rose champagne at the Point bar for sunset, then moved inside to a table right by the live music, which was a highlight of the night for us. They played Eastern instruments and coincidentally played our wedding song :) The food was really good. Probably the prettiest presentation of any restaurant we went to in Hawaii (and we ate a lot of good meals)! My husband's tuna was incredible. The amuse bouche that came out in the beginning had the most amazing local version of hummus and a tiny cup of tomato soup - and we both don't like tomato soup, but happily slurped it up anyway - alllll so good! For some reason when I think of my favorite meals in Maui, I place this 2nd after Mama's Fish House... maybe because Mama's gave us a nice table with a better view, because the food was absolutely impeccable at both places.

    (5)
  • Jason P.

    Forget Mama's Fish House. If there's one place you have to go to, it's Merriman's. Yes, we did have our wedding here, but putting all biased feelings aside, Merriman's was beyond exceptional. The first thing when you walk in is the openness of the restaurant, with all the doors around the whole restaurant opening to the outside balcony and cool breeze. And then for a second you will be speechless, just beyond the balcony is the lanai and an amazing view of the beach, ocean, and Molokai in the distance. It's the most gorgeous view I've experienced at any restaurant and once you see it for yourself, I'm more than sure you'll agree. After you take in the view, take note of the cozy ambiance, semi-tiki yet semi-upscale modern. It's not tacky, it's not pretentious, somehow it all works together to make a very enjoyable experience. Check out the photos to see what I'm talking about. The food served during the reception was extraordinary. Our first course was the Handcrafted Cavatelli Pasta which consisted of Anuhea Asparagus, Hamakua Mushrooms, and a dollop of Homemade Ricotta. Woah, this raised more than just an eyebrow, it really had my palate intrigued as well as quite a few of the guests. I was interested of what was to come. The second course was the Kalua Pig and Swet Onion Quesadilla with House-Made Kim Chee, Mango Chili Sauce. OMG, the juicy kalua pig was so tender and flavorful and complimented with sweet onions. The quesdilla was crisp to give the pork and onions a nice crunchy texture. The mango chili sauce and kim chee really took it over the top balancing the flavors out with a hint of sweet and spiciness. The third course was a choice between: - Macadamia Nut Crusted Ono with Spicy Garlic Broccoli, Roasted Mushroom Sake Reduction. The fresh ono was perfectly cooked and succulent. It was complimented with a a macadamia nut crust, or shall I say, topped off with a generous sprinkle of macadamia nuts to add a nice crunchy texture. - Grilled Maui Cattle Grass-Fed Filet of Beef with Creamed Kula Corn, Chili-Peppered Green Beans, House Whipped Potato, Hamakua Mushroom Sauce. The beef was so tender that it almost melted in your mouth. Is that even possible? You have got to try this dish for yourself, and experience the joy that I have in one of the most tender and flavorful cuts of beef ever. I wouldn't expect beef to taste so delicious on an island when seafood is the primary attraction, but this is definitely a dish to try. - Lemongrass Scented Natural Chicken with Coconut and Potato Purée, Shaved Aina Lani Farms Carrot and Young Coconut, Cilantro, Kaffir Lime, Green Curry. The chicken was tender and moist. It was not a dish that disappointed. Although I can't remember much about the flavor profile of this dish, there was nothing to dislike. Yes, it was my wedding, but I truly have to say it was one of only a handful of weddings where I enjoyed every single dish, the ambiance, and all around had a great time. Of course the guests made the party, and I have to say whether you're planning a wedding or looking for a romantic place to eat, Merriman's is my top recommendation on Maui. (Okay so maybe I am a little biased.) To Danielle, the events manager, and Merriman's staff: Thank you for a fantastic wedding that did not, for one second, cease to amaze myself and all our guests. We had no regrets and would do it all over again. For all our future visits to Maui, Merriman's will always stay close to our hearts for both sentimental reasons and one of the most extraordinary all-around dining experiences ever.

    (5)
  • Kian N.

    Was amazing!!! From the ambiance to the staff, the food....it was perfect. Can't wait to go back again.

    (5)
  • Brandon K.

    We really wanted to enjoy Merrimans, honestly. We were given a $150 gift card, and whats better than a free dinner? Well, in this case, pretty much anything... We started with the amuse bouche, which they called tomatoes on the fence. It was more like vegetable crudités on nails... The humus was okay, but other than that it was just, well.. vegetables. Nothing spectacular. Being tuna lovers and having eaten pretty much only ahi since we landed on the island, we ordered the Fresh Island Ahi Sashimi first. The only difference between this and the $8 block of ahi we ordered earlier was that it was cut, it came with soy sauce, and it was twice the price. Not hugely disappointing, but this was also probably the highlight of the meal. Next. We decided to order the Crispy Day Boat Mahi Mahi Ponzu and Merrimans Original Wok Charred Ahi, and a side of cream corn. We added the half lobster to the ahi. Big mistake. What you and I call a half lobster, they call a half lobster tail and partial lobster claw. For $27. I literally started laughing out loud when I saw it. The icing on the cake was that the lobster was hugely overcooked. It was so tough and chewy that my wife couldn't cut through it with a fork and knife. She suspects it was just a large crawfish (not really...). For reference, the lobster tail would easily fit on a playing card. The entrees were decent though. The fish may have been a little overcooked for my taste. The ahi lacked any kind of seasoning. It was cooked enough to destroy any kind of sashimi flavor, but without any seasoning to make up for it.. They serve a weird lump of white and dark rice on the side that is hard and flavorless. We ordered the chocolate purse dessert. The dessert was good. It was pretty much filo dough wrapped around molten chocolate on top an earl grey cream, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Nothing worth writing home about, but better than the rest of the meal. I went to this dinner with high hopes. Not only was it recommended by friends, but we received a $150 gift card. This was essentially a free meal and I still feel utterly ripped off. The service was great, the sunset was great but the food? Absolutely not.

    (2)
  • Mindi D.

    So a friend of mine could not stop raving about how fantastic this place was and highly recommended the hibiscus bourbon. We finally get to Maui and squeezed a visit to Merrimans in our crowded schedule. Here's my review. Upon arriving during happy hour, we were greeted by an unenthusiastic waitstaff and we were herded out of the dining room and onto the outside deck that had a beautiful view of the beach. But they no longer had the hibiscus bourbon so we settled for muddled somethings and ordered a spendy pupu appetizer from a waitress that didn't want to be there and seemed to condescend to us. The drinks were ok and the food was pricey for the amount. And after being served by a wet noodle waitress, we left $80 poorer with the feeling of not wanting to ever go back there. The place just kinda fell flat. We went down the road later and had some great service and yummy food at Maui Brewing Company.

    (3)
  • Amanda A.

    I had the Peppercorn Garlic Ribeye & it was fantastic... Our server Gary was helpful and friendly, also very knowledgable about the menu. My Dad had the Red Snapper & said it was great also. No complaints here.

    (5)
  • Alissa M.

    Amazing view!!!! Especially at sunset! The restaurant itself too was nice too. However, the prices were really high for food that was good, but not amazingly good. Service was great. We had waited a little bit for our food so our waiter said one of our rounds of drinks would be taken care of. For a special occasion, this place would be great.

    (3)
  • Edna C.

    There were 11 people in our party. We were warmly met at the valet and reception. The ambiance and view was spectacular. However, 2 menus presented were dirty with food on them. Food was mediocre at best. The Monchong fish was extremely dry, the lamp chops was requested pink but they were well done, scallops were nothing special and salty, the taro dish was awful. All desserts were simply disappointing and the special cake was described in great detail and simply did not meet the standards of a high quality restaurant. Our waiters were David and Sean. At the end of the meal, we asked David to take our picture and he twice refused so we asked the bus boy who nicely accommodated us. Merrimans bills itself as fine dining and we have homes in Newport Beach and San Francisco and we usually vacation at the Mauna Kea. Your restaurant was disappointing.

    (2)
  • Yuna C.

    We came here on Thanksgiving knowing they served Thanksgiving dinner...turkey and all. However, when we got there we opted for the prefixed dinner menu with a wine pairing. It was pretty pricey but it was a rated with 4 dollar signs so we knew from the beginning it was going to be a costly dinner. Our server was very nice and knew everything about the food and wine. The wy e pairing they offered were Peju wine and he was knowledgable about it. He was also from California so we had something in common. As far as food goes: Appetizer special Garlic prawns with palenta and a tomato based sauce- delicious Pork buns- very good Filet mignon- eh.. The bergnaise sauce was salty but the creamed corn was so good!! Diver scallops and added the lobster tail Ran out of lobster tail and the Scallops were salty Dessert- White chocolate raspberry cheesecake Food was okay.. Not worth the money I will say. But service was awesome and they are lucky to have a guy who was so nice to his tables. We saw the table next to us were quite difficult and he was so patient and understanding.

    (3)
  • Cookie M.

    Merriman's is a MUST for when you are in Maui. The atmosphere, service and food are all impeccable. Ask to be seated on the Lanai for wonderful views of the ocean and if possible, ask to be seated in JJ's section as he will take wonderful care of you. The food is always top notch and prepared to perfection. Of all the meals we have in Maui, this one is the absolute best.

    (5)
  • Dan S.

    Our best meal in a week on Maui. Delicious food for each course. Fresh, often local ingredients. Great service and beautiful ambiance.

    (5)
  • Jarrett H.

    I would like to thank my cousin Steph again for choosing this restaurant for her dinner rehearsal. The food here was amazing. I'm not much for fine dining but this place was excellent. Every plate was beautifully presented and I didn't leave with a craving for McDonald's after. :p My uncle and I went on an adventure just to find this place. We were staying at the Royal Lahaina Resort and was told that we could only get there by taxi which was $30. Fortunately, with some research we found out that we could get they by bus for $1. I am hoping this is helpful for anyone who is staying at Ka'anapali. Its a long bus ride but worth it. When I arrived, it was pouring rain and the hostess quickly grabbed a towel for my Uncle and I, which I thought was very thoughtful. I hadn't seen my cousin in a while so I didn't want to look too bad on my arrival. The party was in a small private corner with a nice view of the sunset. They started me off with a red wine from South Africa. I'm not much of a wine drinker but this one was good enough for me to have 5 glasses and the waiter kept pouring. My Aunt and cousin had order a set menu which was great because now I get to try everything. First course was a Kalua Pig Quesadilla. Most Kalua Pig Quesadillas are very dry because they are basically cooked twice. This one was a little different. Very moist on the inside and lightly crispy on the outside. This was very good. Next was the salad. Merriman's prides themselves on using the freshest ingredients and it comes out in the salad. It was very fresh and simple. Nothing out of the ordinary but very good. The next dishes kicked the dinner up a notch. The fish was perfectly cooked with a delicious macadamia, mushroom and cream sauce. What was also perfectly cooked was the broccoli. I know it sound weird that I rave about the side vegetables but this broccoli was soft and tender and tasted even better with a little of the sauce from the fish on it. An excellent dish. OK, I know fillet Mignon is the epitome of the fine dining word which makes it a bit stereotypically in some reviews and if you think about it, they better not mess it up for the price you are paying. The fillet here did not let me down. Perfectly cooked to a medium and soft, tender and melts in your mouth. How soft was it? My cousins were able to cut it while holding their children in one arm! Of course it was a really hard task so I did end up helping them but still, you try cut a steak with one hand and a child in the other! The final dish was a splendid end to my fine dining experience. Haupia ice cream and a pineapple upside down cake. The ice cream reminded me of smooth gelatto I had in Italy. Pineapple cake is my favorite so I might be a little biased when I say I loved it. Then again my aunty couldn't eat anymore so she gave me hers. So I had two of these dishes! How much did I like this place? Well, I actually was full when I was done with this meal. A very big plus for me at a fine dining restaurant. I know there are elitist that wouldn't care but I seriously don't like it when i feel like I have to go to McD after a fine dining experience. Everything was excellent here and the service was also top notch. They were helpful in getting a cab for my Uncle and I to get back to our hotel. Overall a great experience and I highly recommend this place.

    (5)
  • Sheila K.

    Shout out to JaKim for this meal. My friends got married in Maui and we had their rehearsal dinner here. I got the Macadamia nut crusted Ono with spicy garlic broccoli, and a roasted mushroom sake reduction. It was just okay. I wasn't super impressed by the Ono. Perhaps, I should have ordered another kinds of fish. I just really like things that are macadamia nut crusted. Also had the Merriman's Pupu Taster. It included these: Keahole Lobster, Avocado and Tomato Salad - yummy Eden Farms Kurobuta Kalua Pig and Sweet Onion Quesadilla -mucho yummy! Warm Crusted Surfing Goat Cheese, Kula Strawberries and Maui Onions -okay Fresh Island Ahi Sashimi - good Good to share. For dessert we had the White Chocolate Filled Malasadas with Maui Oma Coffee Caramel Dipping Sauce. It was nothing special. Great view and ambiance, which is what you are paying for here.

    (3)
  • Brett B.

    Everything from the spectacular sunset from Mother Nature to the impeccable service to the incredibly creative and delicious food Merriman's is 5+stars. We went here for our 21st wedding anniversary dinner and it couldn't have been better. We will be back the next time we visit Maui.

    (5)
  • Michelle L.

    This is hands down the best place in the napili bay/Kapalua area. The deck outside on the point watching the sunset with excellent cocktails is the best. And the food for dinner is really great too. I highly recommend coming here if you're in the area. Go for sunset and stay for dinner. And they make their own ginger brew which is so delicious and they make a cocktail out of it with vodka that is out of this world. Enjoy!

    (5)
  • Lee M.

    Came for a company dinner function. Wow!! Great service and absolutely delicious. Had family style apps of ahi poke on crispy taro chips, pulled pork quesadillas with kimchi, and fried mushroom balls. All were absolutely fabulous! Main choices were mahi mahi or steak. Fish cooked perfectly and steak was good although the taro tots that came with the steak are an acquired taste I think. Molten chocolate cake with vanilla bean icecream was a lava flow of warm chocolate decadence. Give me more!! Service very attentive with regular refills of water and wine throughout the meal. Would definitely come backs!

    (5)
  • Amber W.

    This might have been the best seafood my husband and I have had. We decided to go big on our last night in Maui and this restaurant blew us away. The service and view was amazing. Our glasses were never more than half empty before someone was there to refill it. I got the lobster and my husband got the scallops. Both were sublime. We will definitely be coming here again.

    (5)
  • Mattthe M.

    Have to get there for sunset. Once the sun goes down, not much atmosphere. Bar and afterthought. Food very good. Pricey but service has been spot on.

    (4)
  • Ben G.

    One of the best meals I've ever had. Amazing sunset views. Highly recommended.

    (5)
  • Roy C.

    If you are looking for a view and atmosphere, this is THE place. A perfect place to have drinks on the deck to watch the sunset. The food here was just okay. Two things that really sort of ruined it for me were the WAY over seasoning of just about everything and the fact that much of the food is soaked in butter. We started with the sliders and you could still crunch into the sea salt that was put on top. When ordering the entree's I should have asked for less salt, but have never done that and didn't know if it was even possible. Both my wife and I found the food to be way over seasoned. The wine list though impressive is not very friendly. It is definitely geared exclusively towards someone looking to drop a bundle on a bottle. We had heard that Hawaii doesn't allow corkage fees, which would have been a nice option at a place like this. I couldn't find a decent bottle under $100. As a matter of fact there were not very many bad bottles under $100. They should also let the waiters lose their ties here. This is an outdoor restaurant and it is hot. Half of the guys wearing ties had them loosened, which ruins the clean look. They should just figure out a more functional uniform that doesn't require a tie.

    (3)
  • john f.

    With a recommendation to have dinner here we gave it a try, the view is great and that's it. The service was slow to get a cocktail. Never came and we had reservations for 8:15 pm. Service was slow, the waiter took his sweet time to greet us and get the ball rolling. We started off with sample plate, it was ok, nothing to write home about. Next came the entree which was the Fresh Fish. It was not presentable, it was over cooked shrimp, grilled to death and blackened unrecognizable, the fish was not tasty. My experience was not good and for $135.00 it was not good, check this one off, I would go only to see the view and that's it. Start all over and serve decent good food, I have eaten at a lot of great restaurants around the world and this one sucks!j

    (5)
  • Steven B.

    Sea scallops, truffle fries and malasadas. This place is very amazing, like other reviewer's have stated the view from the restaurant is beautiful to say the least... Even when it's dark, listening to the ocean and the little spots of lights of boats passing by. We had the Sea Scallops, Truffle Fries, and Malasadas; for drinks we both had two, I had two Mai Thais (very strong, and flavorful) and my wife had a Bourbon / Diet Pepsi, and a Cognac, Big Island & Tamarind. Everything was good, the drinks and food was steep... but it was some of the better food we'd had on the island. Our sea scallops were seared to perfection, combined with the creamed corn, asparagus and spicy chilly sauce the plate was amazing. Our truffle fries did not disappoint either, they were seasoned very well and good. The malasadas, how on earth did I never know that these existed? They're basically cake doughnut holes with white chocolate in the middle, and a coffee caramel dipping sauce. Our service was splendid and they were attentive to our needs. The wait was sort of long, so you should get reservations beforehand. I would definitely go back.

    (5)
  • Rachel N.

    Came here with very high expectations, it was recommended by a friend and they said you HAVE TO COME HERE IT IS THE BEST!!! We were staying at the Ritz and the have a shuttle that takes you here and that was very convenient. We ordered fish and chips and a pasta thing for appetizers. The fish and chips were over cooked but good. The pasta was good. For enterees we ordered the Fillet mignon, catch of the day, rack of lamb, Ono, macadamian nut rice, and the cream corn. Fillet was nothing special, not bad but not amazing. All fish dishes were over cooked. Rack of lamb was good. Dessert we had the chocolate purse and the pineapple upside down cake. I am a huge dessert person and was really looking forward to eating this. Chocolate purse was good, it was different, but the pineapple cake was dry. I will not becoming back here it.

    (3)
  • Eric G.

    - Botox, Boob jobs, and Kenny G. - You get a lot of those three things here. Food is acceptable, but really you're paying for the view. Keep that in mind when making your reservation. They really pack a lot of people in here and there are some dead zones

    (2)
  • Scott A.

    My Wife , daughter and I went to Merriman's for dinner. Started the evening out at the Patio to have some Appetizers see the Sunset and make some awesome memories! Loved it! Afterwards we fulfilled our reservations and sat in the Dining area and had dinner. Our daughter had secretly spoke to our waiter and informed him of the occasion, Mom's birthday and Mom and Dads Anniversary. Also told him that she would be picking up the Tab. I ordered a bottle of White Wine to compliment our meal. Our waiter dropped the Ball!! He rarely visited our table, he offered no Wine Bucket, he failed to pour our wine or attend to our table. Naturally, he charged dad for the Tab and totally insulted our daughters attempts! He never made our evening feel special! Our daughter went out of her way to have this guy hook us up and at the very least bring out a desert to celebrate the occasion, he dropped the ball and did nothing! On my way out I personally talked with the Mgr who was very understanding and apologetic and said, this is NOT what were about here and comped me $50 for a future visit. My advice, visit Merriman's for the ambiance and the Sunsets. Save your $400 dinner tab for a place that's going to treat you special and lastly if you do go there stay away from our waiter!

    (2)
  • Kassie T.

    Best food, best atmosphere, live music, diverse wine list, but pricey. The chefs special wagyu beef was the best thing I've ever eaten in my life. My favorite dining on the island

    (5)
  • Kishori D.

    Great views at sunset from the water front patio, food is just fine - have tasted better in this price range. Music was good though. The eclectic Mama's fish house has better food, service, drinks and is a better package. Tip - go enjoy beautiful sunset and happy hours from 3-5pm. Only drinks & appetizers are served in the open patio though.

    (3)
  • Nancy C.

    All I can say is awesome food! Beautiful view! Yummy drinks! We had the steak and lobster and it was delicious! Their service is great too.

    (4)
  • Ying F.

    OMFG! Oh yes! It's that good that it deserved an extra letter! This is a very beautiful and romantic restaurant. The view of the ocean is really breath taking and the service and ambiance was impeccable. What I ordered for dinner and recommend: - Salad: Poke Cut Ahi and Avocado Salad ( Butter lettuce, fresh sweet mango, Sweet Beets, tomato and soy ginger vinaigrette dressing) Divine!! -Course: Crispy Day Boat Mahi Mahi Ponzu (Sesame grilled shiitake mushrooms, hana hearts of palm and citrus Ponzu) If you go to Hawaii you have to have fish. Fresh and juicy white fish. I ate the entire plate! Dessert: Uh yes please! Maui Gold Pineapple Upside down Cake(Banana break with macadamia nuts, caramelized pineapple and haupia ice cream) YUM!!! This is a must! I think this the best dessert I had there. Warm cake with coconut ice cream! Can't beat that! I also ordered the Crunchy Waialua Molten Chocolate Purse - came with Caramel and Vanilla bean ice cream. It was OK. IT was a unique way to make a molten cake. If you're craving chocolate, this would be great to order. In Hawaii, I'm craving more fruit than chocolate. So that Pineapple cake really did it for me! Great place for happy hour and whale watching! Definitely will miss this view.

    (5)
  • Adrian B.

    Wow, this is a fantastic place. The outdoor setting is perfectly balanced by the elegant atmosphere, the service is wonderful, and the ahi tuna is fresh and complemented with amazing and light flavors with the duo starter. The pan seared ribeye was incredible, garnished with a wonderful tomato chimichurri. We'll definitely come back.

    (5)
  • Jay S.

    Sometimes a great meal is about the food, sometimes, the company, and others the ambiance. Occasionally they all culminate together for an amazing meal. This was the case last week :) As for the food...pasta with goat cheese, truffle oil, and asparagus....amazing, really delectable. Prawn appetizer was perfectly seasoned, hint of spice over a really well prepared polenta. Entree was a a duo of lamb (perfectly cooked and seasoned) and an absolutely delicious mac nut crusted mahl with an off the hook beure blanc. Seriously this meal was near perfection. I'm a guy that likes to put salt on nearly everything. Didn't use a drop of salt. Seriously, truly an amazing meal, Service was great, food was perfect. Truly a meal to remember...can't wait to go back!

    (5)
  • Mo O.

    loved it! merriman's has the most beautiful sunset views in maui! awesome wine list and great food. enjoyed the food and entire experience at merriman's and have sent many friends there while they were visiting maui!

    (5)
  • Brett L.

    On our last night on Maui, which also happened to be our anniversary we went to Merriman's for a nice "fancy" dinner. It didn't disappoint. I made reservations the night before and we had a great table over looking Kapalua Bay. The service was great, the waiter was attentive and knowledgable, and the food was AMAZING. My wife had the half order of lobster and I had the rib eye. Everything was fantastic, without a doubt the best meal i ate in Hawaii. My wife and I hope to go back soon.

    (5)
  • Louis R.

    Very good service. Very good food. Fantastic views! Be sure to make your dinner reservation so that it coincides with the sunset.

    (4)
  • Michaela L.

    We had pretty high expectations for this place but there were unfortunately a couple of misfires. Pluses: I love the ability to do a duo of any two entrees that catch your eye (anything on the menu except the chicken and the ribeye). You get all the sides that come with each entree if you do this, and you better believe I wanted some of the creamed corn. Price for a duo is $49. We also started with an appetizer special of shrimp with cucumber, radish, watercress, and asparagus, with a ponzu/lime vinaigrette, and the shrimp were good but the asparagus in that were amazing. Misfire: I got a duo of steak and mahimahi, and the steak was painfully oversalted, like pretty much inedibly oversalted. Perhaps the chef hit the smaller piece of meat with the amount of salt that should've gone on a larger one! They offered to make me another one but I was getting full so I declined, and they ended up comping us a dessert instead. Mahimahi was good but not $49 amazing. I should've realized that the ponzu sauce on the fish was going to be very similar to the ponzu shrimp. Boyfriend ordered the lamb and said it was good but not as good as the Lahaina Grill lamb we had on Monday. He also ordered an opakapaka special, at which point we realized we've both had enough fish for awhile. It was better than my mahimahi but we're pretty much fished out. Dessert: My boyfriend liked the chocolate purse but the dusty phyllo texture around a pocket of raw chocolate goo just didn't strike me right. Anyway, some good points, some inconsistencies. YMMV, but we had better food at the Lahaina Grill. BTW, your GPS will not find this place -- go to their website and make note of their instructions instead.

    (3)
  • Christine P.

    5 stars for the setting, 4 stars for the food. It's hard to imagine a more beautiful location for your dining experience. This was our second time here on date night while in Maui. Doesn't get more romantic than Merriman's at sunset. Keep that in mind when you get the bill LOL. You are paying for the view. That said, the food is good. Not mind blowing, but there are definitely standouts on the menu. For one, the Kalua Pork and sweet onion quesadilla with kimchee. The perfect combination of sweet, savory and spicy all in one. They also brought out some locally grown veggies with hummus as an appetizer. We've never had such delicious cherry tomatoes in our lives! So sweet. A delicious burst of flavor with every bite sized tomato! My husband doesn't even like tomatoes and he asked our server for more. My husband got the Merriman's Mixed Plate, which is great if you can't decide. You get the Cripsy Mahi Mahi Ponzu, Filet with caramelized onions and roasted mushrooms, and wok-seared Ahi. I got the special, which was a sweet potato crusted fish, though I can't recall what kind. All the entrees were tasty. We finished with the chocolate purse. I love chocolate so no complaints. Enjoy the sunset, and after dinner, walk off your meal on the secluded beach and enjoy watching the stars come out.

    (4)
  • Irene M.

    The food was excellent and the decor was beautiful. Unfortunately the service was really slow. We had to wait too long for everything we ordered. Hopefully the server we had was just having a bad day.

    (3)
  • Jennifer Q.

    Wow! We just had an amazing dinner at Merriman's. Inventive dishes wonderfully executed. Pineapple banana upside down cake w coconut ice cream and caramelized macadamia nuts was outrageous! French pressed local coffee. Great service.

    (5)
  • Molly F.

    We went to Merriman's last night for dinner. We were celebrating our anniversary and had a babysitter for the little one. Overall, our experience was great. However, the hostess was rude, unfriendly, and we considered leaving because of it. I'm very glad we stayed, but it was definitely not a good first impression. My husband and I had our resort make the reservation for us and we requested an ocean view for the sunset. When we arrived, we were barely greeted by the two hostesses, and one answered the phone as she was speaking to us. When we were taken to our table, we were seated in one of the worst tables in the restaurant - with the doors blocking our view to the ocean and the sunset. I asked that we be moved to a different table (as most of the restaurant was empty, including the tables for two people to the right and left of us, not blocked by the doors). The rude, inappropriately dressed hostess (Margo) told us that the other tables were for larger parties. I told her we were there for the sunset but she walked off. She did not offer to move us to any other table. When the waitress came over to us, we asked to move to a different table and ultimately we were switched to one of the tables next to us. It was very disappointing and not the way we wanted to start off our anniversary dinner. After that incident, everything was terrific. Our servers were Manu & JD. Manu was fantastic and really turned our experience around. He recommended a great wine (less than $100) and it paired really well with our food. We had a shrimp and polenta appetizer, which was amazing. My husband had the mixed grill (ahi, mahi mahi, and a ribeye) and I had a combo plate (mahi mahi and scallops). The veggies were delicious and the fish was unbelievably good. I really liked that they had the option to do a combo of 2 entrees for $48. My husband does not generally like seafood and he LOVED his food. For dessert I had a chocolate purse and ice cream and my husband had a strawberry mousse, which were both delicious. Overall, this was a great restaurant. I would give it 5 stars, but the experience with the hostess knocked it down a star. I saw that others have had a similar experience, which is unfortunate.

    (4)
  • Jordan L.

    Ate dinner here as a party of five. View is absolutely incredible at sunset. Great wine list - i was very surprised at selection of California wines from excellent small wineries that you rarely can find on a retail level. Lots of fun cocktails. Very diverse selection of starters and main courses. Food was prepared very well. We all had various fish dishes for our main courses. The food at Mama's Fish House out by Pai'a may be little better, but the atmosphere at Merriman's is exceptional. Go here for any special occasion you are celebrating.

    (5)
  • Mark R.

    We had a great time at Merriman's and can recommend it without reservation. We are from the SF Bay Area and eat out a lot so that is our baseline We ate out five times on Maui (Ritz and Sansai) and three of them were are Merriman's. The view is superb. The food was uniformly excellent and they have a great wine list (better than the Ritz!). We had very good service. It is certainly on the pricey end of the spectrum, but within the context of Maui it is quite reasonable. We preferred it to the Banyan Tree and Sansai. If you can get Luke as your server, you will be particularly fortunate. We strongly recommend dining as sunset when it shows the best.

    (5)
  • JJ M.

    Merriman's is in a beautiful spot, no doubt about it. Overlooking the turquoise ocean to Molokai during sunset makes this one of the prettiest spots on Maui. Food is fresh and flavorful. BUT, service is only so-so. It's hard to find really good, professional servers on the islands. Let's face it, they are very remote geographically and the staff are mostly college types trying to earn enough to move onto their next adventure. We had to ask for more bread, the water glasses went empty and we had to pour our own wine when we needed it. Empty plates sat forever. At this level of price, we expected at least good service...

    (3)
  • T S.

    We had an excellent dinner here. All of the dishes we tried were excellent-great sauces and fresh ingredients! The only down side was the service. We were introduced to 3 of the wait staff. They didn't communicate with each other so there was a lot of assuming going on (one assuming our drink order was taken, then drinks are put up on the bar and sit there for 10 mins). Also, 1/2 full martinis were a disappointment! Beautiful view! I booked through Open Table-no problem with the reservation!

    (5)
  • Gary D.

    Great food, even better setting. Get there before sunset and enjoy a spectacular experience.

    (5)
  • Robert L.

    big disappointment. Very overpriced for what you get. I thought after going to the big island restaurant this would be good but it was terrible

    (1)
  • Jeff K.

    I made my reservation on Open Table. I mentioned it was my girlfriend's birthday in the comments section. The two young hostesses asked us "whose birthday is it" when we checked in, Believe me, there is no confusion as to who is female and who is male in our relationship. After that awkward moment, we were shown to a table near a wall that stored the wine buckets. We were enjoying the great views thru the many tables (we were seated as far as you can get - there were other empty tables) and reviewing the menu for a good 20 minutes before anyone approached us to ask for our drink order. We ordered a bottle of wine, and waited another 10 minutes before the sommelier came to our table and said, "you look like you need to talk to someone". My girlfriend replied, 'We need our wine that we ordered a while ago", He said he'd take care of it and returned promptly with our bottle of Neal Vinyard Cabernet (500 ml bottle of great wine). After another 10 minutes, our waiter came back and asked if we were ready to order. Once again, my girlfriend spoke up and asked "are there any specials?", we were after all interested in fresh fish. He stumbled around and told us about a couple appetizers. He then reached into his pocket and fumbled with some papers while muttering about yet another special. We told him not to worry about it. He seemed nervous, so we let it go. We decided to share the appetizer sampler as well as the entree sampler with the addition of asparagus and wild rice. The food and presentation were great, but the size of the servings was disappointing. Better values with fine dining can be found at many local restaurants throughout the island. Overall, we rate this a 2 star experience.

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :5:30 pm - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Valet
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Dressy
    Ambience : Romantic
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Merriman’s

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