Makawao Steak House
Café O'Lei Restaurant,3612 Baldwin Ave, Makawao, HI, 96768
Makawao Steak House Menu
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Address :
Café O'Lei Restaurant,3612 Baldwin Ave
Makawao, HI, 96768 - Phone (808) 572-8711
- Website https://cafeoleirestaurants.com/contact/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Chris L.
We had dinner here three nights ago. Overall, it was a pleasant experience. The food was great; but, the service was very slow. There were seven of us (my siblings, husband, & sister-in-law) & that is why we didn't really say anything about the service. The server (Mitch) informed us that the owners were there w/a party of 10, so he seemed more focused on serving them. Still, we tipped 25%; but, I think it was because we were in the "holiday spirit". Lol. We all ordered drinks & all the girls got the lychee drink. It was pretty good. For dinner, I had the New York steak. It was tasty; but, there was a lot of fat on my cut. The caesar salad from the salad bar was excellent. My husband ordered the short ribs & it was huge! Normally, he doesn't like caesar salad, but this is the first time he ordered it & liked it. After we finished our entrees & the busser took our plates, we waited over 1/2 hour before another server came to tell us what desserts were available. I ordered the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake & my hubby the tiramisu. It was okay. My SIL ordered their signature sweet & salty dessert & loved it. My brothers ordered the creme brulee & said it was watery. Our reservation was at 6:30 & we finally left at 9 (quite a while). We joked that since this was a "family date night" we were okay about it; but, that it would've been nice to get better service/attention.
(3)J. M.
This place was very nice. (What a boring way to start a review, huh?) Well, it was. Delicious prime rib and filet mignon. A very fresh and tidy salad bar with chilled plates. And before we were seated we enjoyed an appetizer in the bar/lounge area. Outside, the place is set in a backdrop of downtown Makawao--barely urban, misty, green, and lush. But the decor inside is kind of upscale cowboy: dark interiors, leather chairs in the lounge, wood fixtures, carpeting, etc. My favorite part of this place though: the tearoom in the back! Yep, they offer tea service most days of the week--so this gave us the perfect opportunity to visit the place twice in 10 days. And the tea service was tasty and affordable. Prim and proper, too--without being stuffy.
(5)Cynthia S.
The steak house is under new ownership and much improved. We live up the road from the restaurant and had been disappointed in the decline of the food and service over the past couple of years. We gave it another try and are happy to report we'll be regular customers once again. The steak I had was locally raised and the cheese polenta was fantastic! The prices are very fair for the quality and service and also in line with other restaurants on Maui. I spoke with someone yesterday who said the word's definitely out. She went there with her family the other night and people were waiting outside for a table. Haven't seen that much activity in years!
(5)Marcy U.
This restaurant needs a total revamp. Everything on the menu, from the appetizers to the desserts need to be updated. I live up the street and would love to not have to travel miles to have a great meal. They could at least have some exciting specials.
(2)Robert K.
Fair food except for the calamari and the giant sized prime rib which are very very good. Ive tried it too many times and had too many poor meals and lousy service to go back. The mud pie desert is very good though.
(3)Matt C.
We dined out here a few nights ago and were underimpressed. The service was fine, but the food was definitely sub-par. I had the BBQ Ribs and my wife had the Prime Rib. We both were disappointed with the taste and quality of the meat. For a steakhouse, your prime goal should be quality meat, and this definitely wasn't it. This place reminded me of a Steak and Ale formula restaurant, with fresh (or at least rewarmed) bread, small salad bar, and cuts of beef being a large percentage of the menu. A restaurant like this can do well, but that was not our experience here.
(2)Tom C.
My favorite steak house. Also a good place to stop in just for a drink. Love to have pre dinner drinks in front of the fire on a cool night. Great food and atmosphere.
(4)Denice L.
We had a small wedding reception here. They gave us the back room. Service was awesome, atmosphere was a bit English tea house style which was cool. Food was not bad, though the mud pie was divine. Seriously, and I don't like mud pies.
(3)Charles B.
The food was decent and the bar atmosphere with fireplace was quaint but the service was so bad that I will not be back. It was a busy night but that is no excuse for waiting 20 minutes for drinks and another 20 minutes to get our check after requesting it. During our visit we saw one party get up and leave and two other parties complain loudly about the service. Not once in the hour and a half stay did anyone stop by to ask how our food was or if we wanted more drinks.
(2)Honey K.
I have been a big fan of Makawao Steak House for many many years... but, I am very disappointed at the service that I received after my last visit. I love the food here... very good - I have NEVER had a bad experience with regard to the food... but, I just could not do a positive review this time on just the food. Our waitress was so overwhelmed... that she completely forgot about our table of 8 on several occasions. I don't remember her being there the other times we ate there... but it seemed like she was not new and knew what she was doing. However, it took over an hour since we arrived till she took our order... and asked us if we wanted our drinks... but when I asked her a question - she left to check on the answer and didn't come back for over 25 mins. Then - when were were to leave, she took a plate to box it up and it never made it back to the table. This by far was the absolute worst service I have experienced here... though - the food did make up for it. There was no reason for the service to be so poor, it was not that busy of a night. Also - they removed a lot of the items that really made a big difference on the menu. I understand that all companies are cutting costs due to the economy... but make sure when you get rid of something... that it is something worth getting rid of.
(3)April D.
One of the best places I have ever eaten at! The customer service was impeccable, ide get halfway done with my water and they would fill it up promptly, the food came out on time and in perfect unison. I also love the salad bar where you can make your own salad with your meal. The steak was so tender and moist. I ordered the ribeye and it was delectable. Also side note the parmesan polenta is exquisite! And with your fries and your steak, get the garlic aoli. The sliders were the best I've ever had. Each little patty was cooked with love. I only want to eat here now for every meal for the rest of my life. ;)
(5)Anna M.
Great place to dine with a big group of people, reasonable price for grade A steak and kid-friendly
(5)Taylor L.
3/11/2015: Referred by a local resident in Makawao, our dinner this evening of a filet and 12oz ribeye were perfectly cooked med rare as ordered. Waitress Karise was attentive yet not bothersome, great job! Calamari was fantastic with both sauces. Steak dinners are served with bread and the Makawao own style baked beans. The beans "are" different but very good. The bread needs a lot of improvement. The decor is rustic (ie not fancy), kinda more family friendly. I'd go here before going to any chain steak house.
(4)Shelly B.
Vegan review of a steak house? You'd never expect a review of Makawao Steak House from a hard core vegan like me but I can't not review the place my life partner works. Besides I have always managed to find plenty to eat there. And even more...they have an amazing salad bar!!! They have a vegetarian dish on the menu that is easily veganized and are happy to make a few changes so that there are other choices as well. I love the sauteed mushrooms and they do them in olive oil for me. You can get baked potatoes, hummus flatbread, bread with balsamic and olive oil, rice with veggies or feast on the salad bar. They have amazing martinis too!!
(5)Frank B.
Makawao Steakhouse is a classic old style island ranch restaurant on Maui. OMG this gem is out of the way but worth the trip to Makawao... The steak house does not resemble any stuffy steak house you've ever been in Hawaii, it's kinda a homey ranch style joint. The food is fresh and only serves high quality local beef & seafood . I have the ribeye, it's the steak you've desired all your life.. Local Hawaiian beef is a pleasure to grind.... The Short ribs are quality with the meat falling off the bone. I can taste it in my mind already... Start off with a salad bar it's only $3 extra and local homemade salad dressings are delightful. I cannot say enough about this adventure in flesh. So just take the drive and make an evening of the flesh. Dine local and u will be rewarded.
(5)Fred P.
Makawoa Steak House was recommended to me by a friend I've never met (an eBuddy). So, on my first night in Maui, I decided to give it a try. A one hour drive halfway across the island led me to a quaint little town that looked more like something out of rustic Virginia than a Hawaiian village. Despite it being Sunday night, business was lively (and there were at least three different tables celebrating birthdays - the wait staff sings Happy Birthday to celebrants). I chose the 12 oz Hawaii Ranchers New York Steak (BTW, the prices on Yelp's menu are out of date) and added the salad bar. The bread was fresh and served with a Kalamata olive aoli, which was quite tasty. The steak is served with a side of beans, which were also yummy. I had Maui coffee and the dessert special, a peanut butter creme brulee. The dessert was the only dish that fell a little flat, in my opinion. But who goes to steak houses for the dessert, anyway? This is an historic restaurant, dating back to the 1930s. It's gone through a number of owners and managers, but the current "caretakers" are doing it an honor. My waitress was efficient, but somewhat diffident. Given the number of birthday parties in evidence, one might forgive a bit of weariness.
(4)Luckyginger K.
Nice evening in a cozy old restaurant. Only complaint? Bartender was new so the cocktails were meh. Waitress was the best. Steak was fine. Salad bar could use a little pizazz.
(3)Me S.
I'm not going to lie I was nervous about going back. The first time I went a couple of years ago, they were in the process if transitioning into cafe O lei and it was a mess (when we ordered a rum and coke they had to run to the store to go get more coke) BUT our second time was awesome! We didn't have reservations but were happy to sit in the lounge area. Our server who was also working the bar was friendly and attentive. Calamari and Cesar salad were both great. I ordered the Asian spare ribs for my entree and it was delish! It came out really fast and the portion was huge. The lychee cocktail was really yummy too. We will be back!!
(5)Natalie F.
Wanted to check out a steakhouse on Maui to try out some Hawaii grown steak. We split the New York steak and the Asian Short-ribs. Both were delicious! The short-ribs were sooo tender and had a delicious glaze. Came with rice and broccoli. The steak was perfectly cooked to medium rare, well seasoned and served with an awesome herbed butter. The baked beans, bread and baked potato rounded out the meal perfectly. We loved the vibe of the place and the cute town of Makawao. I only wish they had more options for Hawaii grown steaks (just one). Friendly waitstaff and super fast service.
(5)Kim L.
Great surprise after a long drive back from Hana! Super salad bar and delicious Hawaiian Strip! Friendly waitstaff and yummy desserts! Can't wait to go back next year!
(4)David B.
This dinner was to celebrate a birthday. We enjoyed our appetizers of fried oysters & shrimp cocktail. For the entrees we chose a ribeye steak & a flatbread special .. the steak was over salted, extremely fatty even for a ribeye & frankly not a quality piece of steak. The flatbread was very ordinary but greasy, our side dishes of mushrooms & asparagus were enjoyed but the polenta was not. Deserts & coffee were excellent as was the service. In conclusion it was an expensive underwhelming experience.
(2)Jerry N.
First came to Cafe O'Lei a year ago on a recommendation from a dive boat operator. It was one of the best meals we had in Maui. I had the braised short ribs that were incredible. My wife had the jumbo prawns that was also great. We returned this week and this was our first dinner stop. The short ribs were as good as I remembered. My wife has the Mahi and it was also excellent. The wait staff was friendly and helpful. Can't wait to go back again
(5)Colin W.
Excellent dinner. The French onion soup was incredible. Loved the pastry top. You have to try it. Great flat breads. Steak, fish and lamb were great too. And our sever, Jonathan, could not have been better.
(5)Kathy S.
I love that they use free range beef here! I ordered the hamburger and it was perfectly cooked! I didn't really love the slimy onions on it but that's just personal preference! I also didn't like their focaccia bread and dip they offer complimentary as it was super oily and fattening.. And their steak fries were kinda plain tasting. Hubby wanted the ribs but they were out at 9pm so he ordered a steak. We both enjoyed our meals but found it was lacking sophistication. For the price we expected a little more! Still satisfied but not wowed! Would be nice if they offered some veggies with their dishes!!!!
(3)Jessica B.
I love the cozy atmosphere in the bar area, very cowboy.. The service is excellent and the food is good I recommend the salad bar add on its local greens and fresh. The fresh catch is usually very good.. I only wish the gluten free menu would improve but they are very accommodating., price is reasonable considering its Maui and really great service with large portions.
(4)Silvio R.
This is a favorite place for me and my wife in Maui. It's cozy, casual, there's a fireplace going on some nights in the bar area, and it's very friendly. I have a few favorites there. I'll start with the prime rib french dip sandwich - it's the best french dip you will find just about anywhere. The jus is perfect, the horseradish sauce is delicious, and the meat is top notch. The french onion soup is next on the list - it always goes with my sandwich and comes with a delicious puff pastry on top. The shortribs are also amazing - tender and flavorful.
(5)Ashley M.
We had a very nice dinner hear based on a recommendation from a local. We had the steak, mahi mahi fish and chips, salad bar, and mango-orange creme brulee. The steak was cooked perfectly. The mahi mahi had a good, crisp coating and was displayed nicely. The salad bar is a simple bar, but worth it. Overall, this was a nice experience.
(4)Colleen C.
When in Maui, be sure to make the drive upcountry to Makawao and have dinner here. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. It was the most delicious steak I've ever eaten, hands down! From the salad bar, which was delicious, such nice crisp fresh vegetables, to the olive butter, everything was "Ono" as they say in the islands....Broke da' Mouth!
(5)Alicia E.
Four stars. Food is five stars. Ambiance is 5 stars. Salad Bar is good and only $3 when you order an entree. I want to make this place my Friday go-to when looking to relax. This week, totally let down. Knocked them down a star for it. Ordered a hard lemonade only to find out when we got the bill none of them were hard. All minus the vodka. Who orders regular lemonades in the bar lounge? Our waiter, Jonathan, was just not listening to us. He offered us dessert, only to hand us the bill as we said no. Numerous times, we had to repeat ourselves to get our order in. When asked if any of the lemonades were hard, he said "hey, at least the lemonades are cheaper!" What he doesn't realize is its a 50cent difference. A difference I had hoped to pay on my Friday night out. Will go back, just not sitting in Jonathan's section
(4)Rae W.
This was one of the best experiences I've ever had in a steakhouse. First, my husband and I were too early, so we were seated near the bar and offered beverages while the staff finished setting up the dining room. There seemed to be some initial confusion about whether or not we were to clear our tab at the bar or have it added to our dinner bill. That was the first and last time the staff made an error. Once we were seated in the dining room, our waiter, Joe, provided outstanding service. I ordered the French Onion Soup and was amazed when it came: it surpassed the one at Kincaid's! The crust over the soup was delicate and flaky; the cheese was enough without being too much; and the flavor of the soup was so good that I stopped talking. (Trust me. That's a feat.) My husband ventured off to the salad bar and returned a happy man as he consumed his fresh finds. For the main course, my husband ordered his standard ribeye steak along with a side of mashed potatoes. I ordered the New York steak with a baked potato. Our steaks came out cooked to "medium" perfection--it was tender without any blood making our plates unseemly. The potatoes, both styles, were also perfect. We didn't order a house bean dish, but it was apparently complimentary. Well, do you know how free things are usually not that great? Not this dish! We couldn't stop taking occasional spoonfuls as we gorged on the rest of our meal. We finally decided to put it aside and ask to take it back to the bed and breakfast with us. (After all, we had a fridge in our room.) If you're in Makawao and this restaurant is open, do yourself a favor and walk in! Yes, it's not inexpensive. (The overall bill for the two of us was $73.00.) But it was definitely worth it!!!
(5)Mila J.
We ordered wine and two steaks and some side appetizers. It took the waitress over 15 min to bring the glass of wine after we reminded her about it. She was extremely rude and then we waited another 25 min and I finally asked her when she expected the food to come out and she snapped at me and told me it hadn't been long at all in arguing tone. We asked for bread or at least something to eat while waiting and she rolled her eyes. Our waitress finally brought the steaks and sides of veggies after 35-40 min. The food was cold, salty, fatty. They serve a extremely fatty piece of meat for a prime rib steak. Worst steakhouse/dining experience ever.
(1)Lanell D.
Tonight was our first night trying Makawao Steakhouse and was excited because we heard a lot of good reviews about it. When I made the reservation 24hrs in advance they ask me if I was celebrating any special occasion and I indicated that indeed we were celebrating my boyfriends birthday. They asked if I wanted them to sing happy birthday and I agreed that would be fun! Upon arrival the greeter was pleasant but we quickly realized that the restaurant has no air conditioning. Although the old rustic/ cabin feel is neat the sweating through dinner was a less than ideal setting for a high dollar dinner. They brought complimentary bread with dip to the table which is always nice but this bread tasted old and the dip was a weird concoction of vinegar Olive / mystery ingredients that was bad. We ordered fried oysters thinking they would be cooked and the oysters were still raw on the inside mixing with the dough was a pretty gross mix. The expensive steaks we ordered were nothing special and lacked any presentation. The one thing that we both enjoyed was the service. The waiter was very nice, and the manager stopped by a couple times to check on us. They kept our drinks full and were quick to clear anything finished. Although they never surprised my boyfriend with a birthday song the people were the best part of our dinner.
(2)Thom C.
Great place even after new ownership (cafe ole) . Steaks are excellent I has the local raised New York steak which was cooked perfect . Other members in my group had the lamb shank, top sirloin and the prime . Leave room for great selection of deserts we had the local island crunch w/ kona coffee ice cream (best desert on island) and the brownie sundae . Chad out server did excellent job through out our birthday celebration . Upcountry hospitality Won't let you down
(5)Brianna S.
I have the biggest soft spot for Makawao Steak House... And I don't even eat steak! I know, a pescaterian reviewing a steak house, but for real peeps, I have the down low on MSH. MSH is close to home, so we will often come out for dinner to get an onion soup and a Cesar salad. Their onion soup is the same delicious bowl and recipe used at Cafe O'Lei, and I was so glad to see it on their menu. Now there is no reason for me to ever make that hour trek from Haiku to Kihei! Their salad bar has all the good stuff, but my fave is their mixed Cesar salad. I don't know what they do to their dressing, but they do it well! I've had their calamari strips, po'boys, fish and chips and everything is downright tasty. I know about everything but their steaks, lol. One thing that did catch me off guard, they are closed on Mondays. Porque??
(4)T B.
Prices are reasonable! Food is great. We went on Valentines Day, glad they take reservations! They did run out of their specials by 730. Service was good.
(5)Hillary C.
I have to say, it was worth getting a YELP account, just to review this restaurant. You can't beat the vibe and the food is down-home, out-of-this-world good! There's no fancy, pants chef stuff going on here. It's just consistently GREAT fare. On a cool Makawao evening, there is nothing better in my opinion than a nice table in the lounge and a giant, cheesy bowl of their signature "French Onion Soup". The salad bar is small but they always have new and interesting things on it and the waiters are fantastic here. I dare say, not only are they "attentive", they down right "dote" on you! Many people in my family swear by the prime rib here. I don't eat meat so I'm afraid I'll just have to take their word on it, but felt it worth mentioning. Hit this place on your next trip to Maui!
(5)Beth H.
Had a surprise birthday party with 12 attendees. The staff accommodated all of our requests with ease and great attitudes. The French Onion soup is to die for; salad bar couldn't be fresher. Most of us had one variety of steak or another. Although not huge portions, every steak was flavorful and cooked to perfection, The manager made us feel welcome and stopped by the table three times to be sure all was well. The evening was perfect in every way. Mahalo Makawao Steak House.
(5)Oscar V.
The kobe sliders are $12 for three small sliders made with great value walmart bread with mexican blend cheese from costco. The server Jonathan was a little disturbed by our presence. I ordered a prime rib with complimentary canned beans and bread which never came. I guess they ran out of bread. The prime rib was light purple in color seemed like it was boiled in water not grilled. Do not share your salad with your wife or anyone else there is a $5 fee for sharing your food that was attached to our bill which was ridiculous (BS). Overpriced food.
(1)Deserie D.
I know it's a steak house and supposed to be rustic but it smells and feels like grandmas attic. It needs a deep thorough cleaning, carpet steaming and updated over haul. I heard good things about this place but my steak was way over peppered and potato wasn't cooked enough. And the waitress seemed slightly annoyed or put out that we were even sitting in her dining room. Maybe it was a bad night?
(2)Judith K.
Great place for steaks, salads, soups. You can even have a conversation during dinner. Bar drinks are good as well as appetizers. I will return since I'm close by.
(4)Shauna L.
This is the best steakhouse I have been to in years. Actually I don't remember the last steakhouse that I went to that was worth going back to. The food was excellent. We didn't have one item that was just ok. The drinks were tasty and strong, the service was top notch and friendly and the ambiance was perfect and cozy. They also have a salad bar which I always love and the basil vinaigrette was great. We are already planning on going back this week.
(5)Cheri D.
Great people, food, and appetizers. Suggested specialty cocktail by bartender Chad AKA Toshi - Pomegranate Martini
(5)Sondra S.
Wow, what a find! My husband and I ate here after a long day of hiking. Everything tasted so good....that may have been partially because I was so hungry, but we couldn't have been more pleased. The menu is fairly straightforward and what they do, they do very well. I was pleased that they have ample options for pescetarians and vegetarians. Our waiter was friendly and accommodating, our food came quickly and tasted great. I had the salad bar, a couple of sides and the shrimp cocktail. My husband had a chicken dish that he said was fantastic. I highly recommend!
(5)Kevin K.
Had a great experience at the MSH, our server was Erika and she was the best, the steaks were cooked perfect and a cheap $3 salad bar! The French onion soup is legendary! Be sure to ask for Erika as your server, we have never had better!
(5)Sarah V.
Makawao Steak House knows their steak. My fiancé and I stopped in after a long day of driving and were not disappointed with our decision. We were both craving steak, and MSH delivered. That said, the sides were just so-so. Our veggies were overcooked, and the other items were greasy and could have benefited greatly from some seasoning. Overall, it was pleasant enough- we were starving and we got our steak fix- but the food was not memorable enough to go back for.
(3)Pikake K.
MSH does not disappoint. The food is phenomenal and the prices cannot be beat. Personal favorites? Calamari, Asian braised short ribs (a Cafe O'Lei staple that should not be missed) and the tenderloin. Just awesome...
(4)Chill G.
We were invited by my clients to the steak house. I didn't even know this restaurant was up country! So glad we were invited as this place is very good. Five stars for fabulously seasoned steak (NY) and wonderful preparation of fresh Mong Chong (fish). Adequate amount of appetizers to select from and are nicely portioned to share. Salad bar offers Caesar, spinach, mixed leafs and was fresh with adequate amounts of veggie toppings and variety. Service was upcountry friendly and manager and chef came out to check on our experience. Overall we had an excellent meal in a casual country setting with fantastic service. I'm definitely bringing friends, family and clients to this place again. Mahalo!
(5)Tom N.
Great place to eat if you like very good comfort food. The staff was very attentive and made you feel special. Good steaks and French onion soup. I would go back often if we live here.
(4)Jon W.
Excellent dinner in a nice and relaxed environment. I had the French Onion soup which was amazing and a baked potatoe. Another member of our party had the New York and said it was excellent. Salad bar looked good and will be going back to try that as finding a good salad bar these days is hard. The French Onion is a must try !!
(4)Barbara W.
Makawao Steak House is a winner! Great onion soup, wonderful salad bar and attentive service. Be aware an 18% gratuity is added on parties of six and above. We came on a Saturday night in February without a reservation and were seated right away. We'll be back!
(4)Mariah D.
Yum. Yum. and Yum. Hot Hubster and I needed a date night and we hadn't been to Makawao Steak House in YEARS - like since I was a teenager kine. Decor is exactly the same as I remember it. Service was OUTSTANDING. Our waiter was really awesome. We ended up ordering the French Onion Soup - so ono. The calamari was just a tad salty for my taste but Hubster loved it. Also had the salad bar which was simple, fresh, and perfect. I had the 12oz New York and Hubster had the Kobe style steak. My steak was cooked perfectly and the 12oz was pretty big for me. I ended up having it for breakfast the next day. The parmesan polenta was also fantastic and after not having much polenta before, I'm now a convert and want to make it all the time (leftovers had a fried egg on top - so good!). Dessert was also very good. Can't wait to come back. Perfect date night spot, although their kids menu looked pretty great for our kiddos!
(5)Krys L.
My husband & I had such a wonderful time here! Our server Chad was very helpful when trying to decide on what to eat. It was also great to meet the Chef, John, his house dishes were incredible. We loved the atmosphere, the service, and the food!
(5)Maui Mei C.
Wow this place just gets better and better. The service is incredible, the food spectacular and the portions are very satisfying. I am always impressed with how much you get for an entree and I usually have to ask for a to-go container. The restaurant has such a homey comforting atmosphere which is great for family outings but also a sweet spot for a date. The staff are and genuinely helpful and nice and it is some of the best service around. The onion soup is to die for and I've had the short ribs and lamb shank on two different occasions. Both were generous portions (more than I could eat) and so delicious. My boyfriend had the T-bone which he also thoroughly enjoyed. Love this Maui traditional restaurant!
(5)Cassandra S.
My husband and I ate here while visiting my family in Maui. In a nutshell, absolutely amazing. We sat in the lounge area near the fireplace which was very cozy and comfortable. We started with the Lilikoi Martinis which were very flavorful without being overly sweet at the bar before we were seated. My husband enjoyed several (and normally he won't drink 'girl' drinks) and I would have as well if I didn't have to drive back to Kihei! We both had the salad bar and the french onion soup, which as other reviewers have stated, are top notch. Our filets were perfectly cooked, and the staff was very attentive and friendly. When my in-laws visited Maui from Montana we recommended Makawao Steak House to them. My FIL is a farmer who raises cattle and he said that the prime rib was some of the best he's had! Bravo to Cafe O'Lei for doing such an excellent job improving this restaurant while still maintaining an old time charm. We will definitely be going back the next time we are in Maui!
(5)Felicity D.
Great atmosphere. The shortribs, the polenta, and the T-bone were all really good. Decent wine list and well-crafted cocktails. Also, great calamari.
(5)Lindsay M.
A great meal with loads of charm. This place has the surprising trick of feeling cozy, while being large enough for quick and easy seating. Something about the wood paneling, sturdy furniture, and extremely sweet, friendly staff. As others have mentioned, the salad bar and Maui onion soup with its delicious filo cap are both excellent. I also tried the braised lamb shank with polenta and parsnips. The meat just fell of the bone, the sauce was rich and sweet--outstanding! The local beef steaks were good too--from what I saw, when I could bring myself to look up from my own meal (actually, I did try a bite, and it was great). The only thing that wasn't good was desert. We look a risk and tried something described by our waitress as a "sweet and salty desert" which involved chocolate covered pretzels, potato chips, and popcorn over ice cream--not unlike Ben & Jerry's "Late Night Snack" (the one with Jimmy Fallon on the package). The trouble was the popcorn. Semi-frozen popcorn is, it turns out, not good; its sort of spongy-stale and weird. But, I mean, it was still ice cream. Not the worst thing in the world by any stretch. We went twice during our stay in Haiku, and loved it both times.
(4)Tatum P.
Great food , made with love you can tell I went there a few times in a row and I was happy each single time Great service , We tried almost everything on the menu and it's all tasty , their salad bar is really fresh and delicious it's only 12 $ , and 3 $ if you order an entrée . I love this place The ONLY thing I'm not a fan of is the LIGHTING , change it to a yellow tone and you will see us more often wink:) Keep up the good work !
(4)Aisha L.
Awesome food and excellent service, Paddy was really attentive and informative, lilikoi cheesecake was tops
(4)D L.
The dining room was VERY LOUD. I apologize for using CAPS, as this is generally considered SHOUTING online. However, it was SO LOUD in the dining room that SHOUTING was the only way we could hear our other party members. Apparently everyone had the same idea. My angus ribeye wasn't terrible, but not steak house quality, and certainly not worth the menu price. Instead, it was a thin piece I could've ordered from a chain restaurant at half the price. My mother-in-law's expensive Kobe steak was both underdone and tough. My wife's top sirloin was also underdone yet somehow dry. Staff was friendly but awfully busy. The creme brûlée was scrumptious. I won't recommend the restaurant and will suggest somewhere else if invited there, unless we're meeting for dessert after the dinner rush.
(1)Ben H.
Now owned by Cafe O Lei as of Aug 9. This is important since although it's still a steak house, you have the Cafe O Lei twist which adds a ton of flavor to the dishes. Take the french onion soup for example - it's the best I've ever had, seriously incredible. I would go back just for this. The calamari appetizer we had along with the soup was perfectly fried, not too much panko - the only problem was after the soup and the calamari I was stuffed. I got a heaping portion of braised short ribs which were both tangy and sweet at the same time, falling off the bone tender but was only able to eat a quarter of it. Summary - if you are upcountry and looking for an incredible, memorable meal then stop in. I just love the dark wood interior on a classic cold, misty Makawao night - my new favorite place for a romantic dinner.
(5)Lorey G.
We have visited Maui several times and every time we make a point to go to the Makawao Steak House.....this is always a wonderful experience starting from the extremely friendly staff and then with the excellent quality of the meal. Our favorite items on the menu would be the French Onion Soup and the fillet. Although located in Makawao it is a nice drive from Lahaina. We even had a family member that loves the appetizer bread and dip so much we brought some back home to them and our waiter provided us with two containers we could take home -- excellent service and we will continue to return to the Makawao Steak House in the future!
(5)Magical Maui O.
Not impressed at all. Terrible service, steak was overcooked, lots of flies at the salad bar.
(1)Linda B.
Can I say juicy yummy mouth watering steak and steak calamari! The service was great and even good entertainment :)
(4)Dale L.
Quick, friendly service combined with some amazing steaks and excellent bread. My mom and I found this place mostly by accident last year while coming back from Haleakala Crater. We made a mental note when we decided to come to Maui again to be sure to return. The experience did not disappoint. The salad bar isn't particularly diverse but has high quality ingredients. The entree portions are large and flavorful. It's a little out of the way but well worth the trip.
(5)Tammy S.
Very bad customer service since the minute we walked in. We stayed for dinner when we should have left. But we stayed to celebrate a local resident's birthday who was very fond of your restaurant. We left feeling like we inconvenienced your restaurant by being there. Thank you for the complimentary deserts after I voiced my concerns to the manager but a personal apology to the Birthday lady at the table would have made us come back and give you another chance.
(1)Rosemary R.
well, i'm not a big steak eater. in fact, it's probably been 15 yrs since i had a steak. i went here with a group of friends and just had to have STEAK. it was so good. you don't get much with it - beans, like you're at a cowboy cookout or something, no bread, no tators, no salad. everything is extra so it's not cheap, but it's good. i think they'd do well to throw some greens on the plate or some bread - at least they'd get more local business. yummy but minus 1 star for lack of veggies accompanying steak. service was great!
(4)Debbie F.
Ok, if you're on Maui this is a must come and eat stop. Fantastic food and service. We had the New York steak, tender, juicy, and done just right, and the Jidori chicken which was full of flavor. The staff was very attentive and wanted to be sure everything was done to our satisfaction. We topped off the meal with a cream brulee and coffees. Since we roast our own coffee we tend to be hard to please, but their coffee was terrific. The entrees are a la carte so if you want vegetables or a starch it will be an additional charge, but well worth a stop here to eat.
(5)C N.
We walked in here, were seated, took 1 look at the menu and walked out. All I could see was the old style Bonanza with super high prices and it was a little scary in there really. I don't mind if the place is dated but it was not clean and the lady at the salad bar using her hands to get the salad did nothing to encourage me staying either.
(1)George T.
I love the Hawaii Rancher Steak & the Salad ba
(5)John R.
The Makawao Steak House has become a bit of a guilty pleasure over the years. Sort of a throwback to the 70s, with reliable and generous portions--if a bit uninspired. It was with a bit of trepidation that we headed to the re-invented Makawao Steak House tonight to cap off a wonderful week in Maui. Now that the restaurant is operating under new owners I knew the experience would change, and I was surprised to find it had dramatically changed for the better. The wood paneling and comfort remain, but the food and service have gone through an amazing reinvention under the new ownership, and this turned out to not only be the best meal we had in Maui, but the best dinner I've had in recent memory (and I'm a food snob from the Bay Area). The salad bar remains, but the ingredients are now fresh and delicious, from the spicy Cesar to the tangy home made ranch dressing, with micro greens, black olives, tomatoes, cucumber, parmesan, roquefort, etc. We both had the Hawaiian-grown NY strip steak, and tried multiple sides. The grilled asparagus was so tiny and sweet--I've only had asparagus that good from my local farmers market in Los Gatos. And the polenta was so buttery and rich I couldn't stop eating it. The best part of all was the service. I've become almost numb to the usual poor service in Maui, such as lunch today at the overrated and stupidly expensive Mamas Fish House, where the servers are obsequious but then roll their eyes as they walk away from your table. Our server at the Makawao Steak House (I believe his name was Mitchell) was charming, attentive and funny, answered all my questions with a smile, and magically appeared at my elbow any time I needed him as if by telepathy. The fact that the wait staff were all drop dead gorgeous, like dining in West Hollywood, didn't hurt either. ;) I left a rather large tip and Mitchell deserved it. Thanks to everyone at the Makawao Steak House for an amazing dinner and a fabulous end to my week in Maui. Look forward to seeing you next time!
(5)AsianRunningDiva S.
Came here for a drink and a pupu before heading to our vacation rental in haiku. After spending the day driving to Hana and around the south shore, we wanted a mai tai...and did they deliver! So good! I think their happy hour was $2 off drinks, so the mai tais came out to $7, I believe. Also tried their calamari...lemon, butter, caper sauce! YUM!!! Very tasty!! The decor in the lounge area was very "manly": leather couches and a fireplace....the restaurant had a lot more wood furniture. I felt like I was in the wild wild west! :)
(4)Ercole S.
Excellent service and food. During my week in Maui I went there twice. Highly recommend.
(5)Cristin L.
Are you a carnivore that likes the taste of heaven in your mouth? Look no further. Eat here. Stop browsing Yelp. You're finished looking. I only wish we came here for our anniversary!
(5)Jaime K.
I've been to Makawao Steak House twice since Cafe O' Lei took over management and both times were GREAT!! The food, the service, everything was wonderful. Seriously gotta check it out, you won't be disappointed.
(5)Katie G.
Highly recommended. You have to try the Maui Onion Soup! Best filet I've EVER had too!!!
(5)Maui R.
Great night! Food was great and the prices were good! Much better with cafe olei running it. Will be back!!!
(4)JOE A.
When my family and I went to Maui for the Holidays, we had the opportunity to eat at Makawao Steak House. I highly recommend this restaurant, because they have great customer service and delicious food.
(5)Lanie M.
Our favorite place to dine w/ my boyfriend every time we both wanted to eat steak. I love the place, the ambiance , the service is great, menu selections are simple and well created. The salad buffet is superb specially the caesars salad. This place is recommendable if you have friends coming from the mainland who wanted to have a cozy place to dine.
(5)L U.
Fresh Salad bar! Amazing streak fries!
(4)April S.
I love this place Makawao so need this !! Great Prices and food !! love the salad bar and the Flat-bread is great ,different specials every night Cant wait for them to light the fireplace my new Favorite Restaurant thanks
(5)Jay P.
My friend and I walked in Saturday evening around 6 and elected to dine in the lounge instead of the dinning room. The decor is a bit retro and we had a blast with the salad bar simply because you so seldom see that option commonly available these days. The prime rib was particularly good and a porterhouse was pretty good. We both elected to stick with the garlic potatoes. There was no room for desert! The staff was pleasant and helpful throughout.
(4)Kris S.
Quite nice especially for a local steak house. Celeste the hostess was incredibly nice and the meat was tender. Get your steak cooked medium, don't ruin the flavor! Randall a music player was playing in the corner. Yes the place is a little antiquated, but this is Makawao, Hawaii. Cowboy country of Maui. Don't expect new decor. I came for the steak and left pleased.
(5)Joleen L.
Great place, great service, great food. We ate there twice this week. My husband loved the steak and short ribs, I liked the non steak options like the prawn cocktail, the polenta side, and the eggplant dish. Drinks were also great. We sat in the fireside room which was cozy, quiet and comfortable.
(4)Lila S.
Long-time steak house in Maui's charming "cowboy town" Recently changed owners. Read in a magazine that one of their steaks was better than Ruth Chris's. Price was fair. My one disappointment was that I couldn't get a baked potato. They only had beans.
(4)Ravena F.
This place started out weird and time-warpy, a la Twilight Zone, with everything in it's place (as it appears to have been for decades), friendly but restrained staff exchanging glances when we walked in. After a few minutes, we became one with Zone, and suddenly everything felt incredibly normal, comfortable and nostalgic even (dinner with grandparents circa 70's & 80's). They open at 5pm, for cocktail hour in the lounge (leather chairs, fireplace and all). At precisely 5:30, we were offered the choice of moving to "the main dining room" or remaining in the lounge for dinner. We elected to hang out with Rod Sterling and the apparent regulars in the lounge, and we did not regret that decision. Very friendly and straightforward service had us helping ourselves to the decent salad bar. Husband had the pork ribs. I had the petite fillet (4 oz version of the fillet mignon). Both were really quite perfect, though I wouldn't have minded a side veggie being included, along with the rice - (they no longer offer mashed potato side). Wine was fairly priced, with a pretty basic selection. For a trip back in time several decades, this is a low-key dining option when traipsing about the hills of Maui. Or if you like: "It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition."
(4)Leilani A.
We travel to Makawao every summer and always have enjoyed this restaurant very much but had a very poor experience this time with the slow service. After waiting for 15 minutes past our scheduled reservation, our group of 12 was ready to order right away. All tables were taken as well as another group of 10 right beside us. Various wait help kept saying that the food was coming and no definitive reason for delay. Forty minutes later, food finally arrived and then the reason was: "We had a group of 20 in the back...". She DID comp us five desserts which should have sweetened the experience but somehow, I still left feeling very, very disserviced as I found it hard to believe that the waitress could not kept us advised. As two of us only had the onion soup with the salad bar, why not bring those out at the very least?! No complaints about the food - delish, as usual. BTW, they DO have baked potato and it is on the menu.
(2)Jennifer B.
While on vacation in Maui we were referred here by a local as a place for our "date night". It was an excellent choice! The onion soup was delicious. My prime rib and hubby's filet were flavorful and cooked to perfection. Service was friendly and attentive. Prices were very reasonable.
(5)Steven M.
Makawao Steak House is definitely old school in its looks, service, and food. The good news is that you can get some LOCAL beef (top sirloin) for $24 and be full. Comes with mediocre salad bar and potato of the night. They also have some $60 for 2 meals that include appetizer (shared), your choice of just about anything on the menu, dessert, coffee. Not a bad deal. Makawao Steak House is nothing fancy, but provides a nice solid meal.
(4)william p.
I had a nice rib prime here. Nicely cooked. The salad was rather ordinary. The price wasn't bad, the all you can eat prime rib was $24. The inside is definitely different in the sense that it does not feel hawaiian as we know it. More of a paniolo feel. I would go there again. Wine list is a bit common but that's not new to the islands.
(4)Carol B.
It had been several years since I had been to the Makawao Steak House, sparing ourselves the drive from central Maui. But our gracious hosts gave us a choice and we chose this old time restaurant that we had enjoyed over the years. The new owners, the very successful Cafe O Lei folks have done everything to retain the casual ambiance of the Makawao Steak House that we knew and loved, including the excellent salad bar of farm fresh vegetables. My choice of the lamb shanks was absolutely the correct one. Falling off the bone, succulently simmered in its own enhanced juices served over my personal favorite, polenta so creamy and delicious I could have made a meal out of it alone. The braised parsnips were a treat and perfect for cold weather comfort. The worst thing about the dish was that I couldn't finish it but of course could take it home for another meal. My husband had the steak (uh, steak house) his usual choice, filet, which he declared the best steak he ever had. The service was typically excellent and friendly a la' Cafe O Lei. Lucky for the Upcountry folks to have their own Cafe O Lei with a country touch but the same kind of comfort food we have been enjoying through the island in their other locations. I may be wrong but I think that the original tiny restaurant was right around back. I am so happy every time I visit one of the Pastulas places. They have never relinquished the one of a kind feel despite their replication of the fine food and service, over and over again. Five Stars without a doubt.
(5)Matthew B.
A blast from the past. It's clear that not a lot has changed at the Makawao Steakhouse in the last 30 years, e.g. steamed bread. Who steams bread? If you can go with the vibe, it's a great upcountry Maui meal; if you can't, don't bother. Get the top sirloin, it's the only steak on the menu that's sourced from local Maui cattle. It's wonderful. So is the mud pie dessert. Relative to other meals on Maui, it's reasonably priced (though it's a bit of a drive from most hotels)
(4)ToLga O.
Restaurant has the atmosphere of a old mans cigar lounge, I kinda like the old rustic look with leather couches at one side and wooden dinner tables on the other side. We just stumbled on this place while driving around the neighbour hood. It seems that you have to wear a hawaiian shirt our you look out of place. Litterally all man (which were mostly elderly) were wearing hawaiian shirts. Menu seemed very very limited and they had a deal $60 couples dinner which included an appetizer (escargot), two entrees (filet Mignon), one trip to salad bar, sherbet to share and coffee. Given the fact that filet Mignon were $34 each sounded like a good deal. Salad bar was fresh but limited one trip was more than enough for the size of the plate. Filet mignons were a very nice cut and quality; they were very well cooked too. My medium rare was closer to rare which I really like. My only complain was the fact that entrees were lacking any other thing than the protein. A small scoop of garlic mash was all we got, couple sauteed vegies would have brought my review to 4 stars easly. Then again who can be too picky in Hawaii.. Aloha!
(3)Kim H.
We felt like locals on our vacation to Maui. Great cocktails, even better meal. The Asian Shortribs were the best we have ever eaten. We went back a second time to have them because they were so good. The Chef came out to meet us, and the second time we were in he remembered us... what else can you hope for in a vacation meal. Oh yeah.. you can hope for great service - Julie we just loved you. How fun is it to have someone deliver great service and friendly conversation.
(5)Reid O.
Ambience awesome, food awesome, service awesome...that's why we celebrate every special occasion there.
(5)Tiana G.
I love Makawao Steak House. I've loved it since I was a kid and I still do! I always get their teriyaki chicken and rice. It is sooo delicious! Their salad bar is great too along with the complimentary bread. I love the cute little fireplace and the cozy setting. The waitresses and the host are really sweet, just an awesome place!
(5)Toni M.
The Makawao Steak House has been here forever. Makawao is paniolo country. Paniolos being Hawaiian cowboys. I was first here in 1974 and Alan and I have been here a few times over the years. It used to have a sister restaurant on Kauai, the Kalaheo Steak House, but they are no longer affiliated. The name remains because they sold it and when we were last there it was disappointing. I suspect we won't be checking it out when we're in Kauai in a few days. This wasn't where we intended to eat dinner last night. We drove down into Pai'a to the Pai'a Fish Market. We parked, walked in, stood in line, looked around at the crowd, listened to the din, decided we didn't have patience for it and walked back to the car. Too bad, because their seafood pasta sounded really good. We'd both noticed the Makawao Steak House as we passed it and were pleased to see it open because we'd somehow gotten the impression that it had closed. We walked in and were promptly seated. It's a place where you can go dressed up or casual. In our case, t-shirts and jeans or shorts. I ordered the top sirloin medium rare and Alan ordered the teriyaki top sirloin, also medium rare. It comes w/ a salad bar, bread and butter and a choice of mashed potatoes or rice. The salad bar is excellent. The dressings are homemade. The three bean salad is homemade. The lettuce is crisp and fresh. They have sliced beets which I'm sure are fresh, sweet grated carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, croutons, sunflower seeds. It makes for a good salad. The bread was warm and soft. Not substantial, but good. Prices for wine by the glass are very reasonable. The house wines were $3.50 and $4 a glass. The Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel I ordered was $5. Alan ordered a Newcastle Nut Brown Ale. The steaks, locally raised Maui beef, arrived accompanied by a scoop of mashed potatoes. I cut into mine and it was pretty well done. I told the waitress, who apologized for putting it in as medium rather than medium rare. She asked if I wanted them to cut and cook another one. I said yes, that as far as I was concerned if wasn't worth eating overcooked meat. Alan's was cook perfectly. In addition to the waitress, the owner came over to check in and apologize. They offered us free dessert, etc, but we declined. Alan doesn't eat dessert and I'd had the brownie on the plane. That's enough for one day. It took a while, but when mine arrived it was perfect. Even on the rare side, which I like. The potatoes were creamier than the original ones and tasted too rich, so I didn't eat most of them. But between the salad bar, the steak and the bread, I was happy. Alan liked his steak and the salad bar but wished more vegetables had come on the plate w/ the steak. It was good and I expect we will be back next time we're on Maui.
(4)Jake B.
I love this place.... The wood and leather interior decor compliments Makawao's towns cowboy history perfectly. The food, service & drinks are all great. Highly recommended!
(5)Stephanie S.
We loved the calamari, the steaks and salad bar (!) were divine and the service from Kimmy and Nick was excellent. Loved it. Go for the two complete meals for $60.00 if you love a bargain. Can't be beat.
(5)Nory B.
Great family steakhouse in Makawao, off the beaten track but worth the drive from Sprecklesville. Karissa did an excellent job as our server, especially since MSH was crowded with several tables seated at the same time so the kitchen was a little backed up. She kept our drinks filled and got our onion soup out first even though we added it to our order several minutes after our initial order. The onion soup comes out with a flaky pastry crust on top and has a rich salty flavor. The fish special was tasty, seared and encrusted with cardamom on top of a big salad. The grilled vegetable entree was a good size portion of various veggies over quinoa. The filet was tender and cooked perfectly medium rare. Sides of mashed potatoes and parmesan polenta were good, Good value for good size portions.
(5)Rich H.
I was in Maui back in February and I was looking for a good steak place on the island. Of course I went to my trusty Yelp app...I saw the positive Yelp reviews for this restaurant and decided to try it. Also, of the numerous times I've been to Maui I had never ventured to this part of the island. After taking a little drive (climbing the hills of the Maui countryside...), what seem like forever, I finally reached the restaurant. It's located on the main street of a quaint little town...it had the feel of an "old time"country ranch type restaurant. I had the Ribeye steak and it was good! My wife had the NY steak and she thought it tasted good as well. It wasn't necessarily the best steaks we've had...but never the less delicious. Service was acceptable (but not overly friendly as I usually come to expect for Hawaii). Parking can be a challenge especially if it gets busy. Overall we enjoyed our dining experience. If you want to try something different from the typical restaurants located in the Lahaina or Kaanapali areas (& you don't mind a little drive) give this place a try.
(4)Courtney F.
I was very pleasantly surprised by Makawao Steak House. I had walked by several times but never eaten here until recently. As a vegetarian, I usually end up with a salad or some sides but they had a REALLY NICE grilled veggie plate. Usually grilled veggie plates are literally just that, a plate of grilled vegetables. However, Makawao Steak House serves a nice selection of vegetables on a bed of quinoa with some nice goat cheese. I highly recommend it! My husband got a steak and thought it was just OK. Speaking of salads - they do have a nice salad bar (rare on Maui). The best item our group ordered was the parmesan polenta. Delicious!
(4)Phuong T.
Definitely a fun experience. Steaks were good, it's not a Mastro's so don't get snooty people! The salad bar is tiny but for 3$ it's so worth it because it's AYCE Cesar Salad which is made with their homemade dressing! The dressing was delicious, on the salty side so add more greens and ask for lemon to balance out to the salty anchovy taste. I ordered the French Onion soup because it looked cool, however, it was pretty salty so I wouldn't recommend this. Ribeye steak was the special of the night and it was cooked to perfection. Mushrooms and asparagus as sides were a treat. Servers were all very hospitable & attentive. **Make reservations if you can because it does get busy around the dinner rush time.
(4)Mickey L.
Loved it! I definitely want to come back when I visit Maui again.
(4)Eric O.
I am a self-described connoisseur of French onion soup. Almost without exception, I order this dish if it's on the menu of any place at which I'm dining. In my opinion, Makawao Steakhouse serves the best French onion soup west of France. I have to advise, however, to pass on the steak (all of them) and go for the Asian Style Braised Shortribs. Unbelievable. Unfortunately, I had these for leftovers the next day and not while dining at the restaurant, but even a day later, heated up in the microwave, this dish was incredible. I will definitely return for French onion soup / braised shortfib combo the next time I'm on Maui.
(4)