Restaurant Review:

Havens Harborside Fish & Chophouse

Ma’alaea Harbor needed this. Havens Harborside Fish & Chophouse brings serious culinary credentials and proper evening dining to this central Maui location, combining fresh catch, prime cuts, and harbor views. And though it took over the location at Beach Bums, this completely renovated restaurant fills a long-empty niche between casual harbor spots and resort dining.

Havens Harborside Fish & Chophouse
300 Ma’alaea Road
Wailuku, HI 96793
(808) 214-6503
Havens Harborside

Location and Views

Positioned on Ma’alaea Harbor, Havens occupies prime real estate with sightlines across the harbor to South Maui and Molokini. The elevated deck provides great views of Ma’alaea for whale watching during season (December through April). Even without the marine life show, the harbor itself provides constant movement – fishing boats returning with fresh catch, sunset sails departing, and snorkel boats cutting through morning calm.

The central location makes Havens accessible from anywhere on island – 5 minutes from Kīhei, 20 from Lahaina, and 10-15 from Kahului. The restaurant sits steps from Maui Ocean Center, making it a natural lunch or dinner stop after visiting the aquarium or returning from Molokini snorkel trips.

The Food

Chef Zach Sato’s menu bridges sophisticated technique with local ingredients and traditional preparations. The kitchen receives fresh catch directly from Ma’alaea Harbor boats, preparing fish both in contemporary styles and with Hawaiian/local touches like inamona and chili pepper water. The Ohi Moana exemplifies this approach – local fish, Kona prawns, scallops, and Manila clams come together in a fennel-tomato broth.

The chophouse side of the menu gets serious treatment with a 1600-degree broiler putting proper char on prime cuts. House-rubbed steaks range from filet to a 20-oz Prime Cowboy Ribeye, each arriving with a choice of classic sauces including bearnaise and a punchy finadene.

Small plates show similar attention to detail. Kimchee crab rangoons with hot mustard butter sell out nightly during happy hour. The poi falafel with ginger raita demonstrates how local ingredients can transform familiar dishes without losing their soul.

Sides stay local when possible – Upcountry green beans get tossed with tiny opae (shrimp) and chili pepper, while Lapa’au Farms provides broccolini finished with aged balsamic. The kitchen’s relationships with local providers show in the freshness and quality of produce.

The Drinks

The bar program matches the kitchen’s standards. Custom cocktails incorporate local fruits and Hawaiian spirits like Ocean Vodka. The wine list, while not encyclopedic, offers solid choices by the glass and bottle with enough variety to complement both seafood and red meat. Beer selections include local craft options and imports on tap.

Happy hour brings value with special pricing on oyster shooters, poke, and signature cocktails. The bar area provides a casual option for walk-ins, especially during peak dinner hours.

Service

Evening valet service eliminates the usual Ma’alaea parking challenges. The staff demonstrates solid menu knowledge, with the confidence to make specific recommendations based on daily catch and individual preferences. Timing for taking our order was a little slow on our last visit, but they just opened, and I believe their servers are still getting a handle on things.

The Team

Chef Zach Sato leads the kitchen, bringing local roots and refined technique to the menu. His connections with Maui farmers and fishermen ensure quality ingredients, while his understanding of both traditional local preparations and contemporary methods shows in every dish. 

Havens Harborside fills multiple roles successfully – special occasion destination, post-snorkel lunch/dinner spot, sunset cocktail perch, and serious food destination. The combination of location, technique, and ingredients creates a restaurant that Ma’alaea Harbor has long needed. While dinner prices reflect the quality of ingredients and preparation, lunch and happy hour provide more casual options.

The restaurant also operates a food truck in Kahului at the Plate Lunch Market Place (591 Haleakala Highway), offering similar flavors in a casual format. But the harbor location, with its views and full menu, provides the complete Havens experience. Reservations recommended, especially for sunset hours and whale season. Window and deck tables offer the best views – request them when booking.

Note for Groups: The dining room accommodates larger parties, making it suitable for celebrations. The combination of easy central location, substantial menu, and harbor views works well for gathering friends and family without fighting resort traffic and parking.

Best Times to Visit:

• Sunset hours for optimal harbor views
• December through April for whale watching from the deck
• Happy hour for value and lighter meals
• Upon drop-off after your morning snorkel trip to Molokini.
• Special occasions when you want serious food without resort prices

For their full menu, visit Havens Maalaea Menu.

Lunch: 11 AM – 3 PM
Happy Hour: 3 PM – 5 PM
Dinner: 5 PM – 9 PM
Free valet parking nightly from 5 PM