Food Review: The Feast At Mokapu Luau

Andaz Maui At Wailea Resort

The Feast at Mokapu is one of the most highly recommended Maui luaus. I recently went for the first time, and – wow! I understand the rave reviews.

I am a Maui-based writer, so I was already familiar with the Feast of Mokapu before attending. The Feast at Mokapu was one of Maui’s first “luxury luaus.” It’s known for offering table service, craft cocktails, plated dishes, and a more intimate setting.

Chef Isaac Bancaco

I was excited to finally try this luau, mainly for the food. The original menu was developed by renowned Maui chef Isaac Bancaco. Chef Bancaco is big on using local ingredients as much as possible, and the luau menu reflects that.

Although Chef Bancaco is no longer with Andaz, the luau menu still features many of his original dishes. And as I suspected, the food did not disappoint.

The First Course

The first course was a medley of (mostly) traditional Hawaiian dishes. Some dishes were familiar, like poi and ahi poke. Others were more adventurous, like the shrimp and pohole fern salad. Pohole fern is an under-utilized Hawaiian staple, so it was really cool to have it show up on the menu.

This course also featured a salad with Hamakua mushrooms and sugarcane dressing, plus grilled pineapple with li hing mui dressing. Li hing mui is a Chinese plum powder that is super popular in the islands.

The Main Course

The main course included chicken with chimichurri, kalua pork, braised beef short rib, and local fish – which changes depending on the catch. We were served mahi mahi.

It was all delicious, but the short rib was so tender and perfectly cooked. It was my favorite by far. Our plates also came with generous servings of Molokai sweet potatoes and jasmine rice with coconut, lemongrass, and ginger.

And For Dessert…

Our third and final course was everyone’s favorite: dessert. We were served a trio of Hawaiian-inspired sweets – a chocolate haupia cake, a POG tart, and a pineapple upside-down cake. Yum!

The Dining Experience

Out of all the luaus on Maui, the Andaz luau offers one of the best dining experiences. I really like how lesser-known traditional ingredients are incorporated into the menu, as well as locally sourced ingredients and contemporary island flavors. The menu does a good job of covering the breadth of Hawaii’s foodie landscape – and you don’t get that at every luau.

Plus, the plated courses encourage guests to try foods they might skip if they were at a buffet – and the personalized service gives the luau a white glove feel.

But the food isn’t the only thing to write home about. Every aspect of the Andaz luau is elevated. From the drinks to the entertainment to the venue, everything comes together to create a first-rate experience.

The Feast at Mokapu’s drink menu is just as curated as the food menu. If you’re sick of Mai Tais, never fear. You can opt for a craft cocktail, a local beer, or a selection of wine. Or, have the bartender whip you up something special. I went for the Hula Girl, a cocktail with gin and lavender lemonade.

Andaz Maui Luau Final Thoughts

Beyond the food and drinks, the venue is stunning. It’s all very aesthetically pleasing, with beautiful table settings and string lights strung up overhead.

The dancers and musicians perform just feet from the beach with their backs to the ocean. That means you don’t have to choose between watching the show or watching the sunset. And it creates a stunning ocean backdrop for the entertainment.

I would definitely recommend this luau for adventurous eaters, couples, or those looking for a more intimate, upscale experience. The Feast at Mokapu takes the luau experience to the next level, and it’s one-of-a-kind on Maui.

The Feast At Mokapu
Andaz Maui Wailea Resort
3550 Wailea Alanui Drive
Wailea, HI 96753

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