Best Seafood Restaurant in Wailea-Makena
Nick’s Fishmarket at Fairmont Kea Lani Maui

If you are searching for the best seafood restaurant in Wailea-Makena, Nick’s Fishmarket at the Fairmont Kea Lani is the answer. Open since 1998, Nick’s has earned its place as Wailea-Makena’s most celebrated fine dining destination through fresh island sourcing, a 2,000-bottle wine collection, and a level of service consistency that few restaurants on Maui can match.

From line-caught yellowfin ahi and Kona lobster to tableside flambeed desserts and award-winning cocktails, Nick’s Fishmarket is the best seafood restaurant in Wailea-Makena for special occasions, romantic dinners, and any evening that deserves an unforgettable meal.

Best Seafood Restaurant in Wailea-Makena — Why Nick’s Stands Apart

Chef Maka’s Daily Sourcing from Local Fishermen

What makes Nick’s the best seafood restaurant in Wailea-Makena starts before the kitchen opens. Chef Maka heads to the docks before sunrise every morning, hand-selecting the catch directly from local fishermen he has worked with for years. That sourcing relationship is what puts opakapaka (Hawaiian pink snapper), Pacific abalone, and line-caught ahi on the menu regularly — fish that simply does not appear at most Wailea-Makena restaurants.

The same philosophy extends to produce. Molokaʼi sweet potatoes, Hamakua mushrooms, and local island greens appear throughout the menu, supporting Hawaii farmers alongside local fishermen.

Prime Location Inside the Fairmont Kea Lani

Situated at 4100 Wailea-Makena Alanui Drive within the Fairmont Kea Lani, Nick’s Fishmarket is one of the most accessible and refined dining destinations in South Maui. The open-air terrace seats guests under warm overhead lights surrounded by tropical gardens and koi ponds, steps from Wailea-Makena Beach. Valet parking is available through the resort. View directions and contact information for Nick’s Fishmarket

Sunset Atmosphere and the Conch Shell Ceremony

Arrive at 4:30 PM for happy hour and you witness one of Wailea-Makena’s most distinctive nightly rituals: the traditional conch shell blowing ceremony at sunset. As the light drops, tiki torches illuminate the gardens and the terrace becomes one of the most romantic dinner settings in South Maui. Inside, the 2,000-bottle glass wine display casts a warm glow across the room. Private booths offer intimacy for couples; the granite bar suits a casual pupu and cocktail stop.

Awards That Confirm the Reputation

The recognition Nick’s has earned over 25 years is what separates the best seafood restaurant in Wailea-Makena from the rest of the field:

• Honolulu Star Advertiser Ilima Award — Best Neighbor Island Restaurant
• Wine Spectator Award of Excellence — multiple consecutive years
• Maui No Ka ʿOi Magazine — Best Seafood, Best Wine List, Best Service
• OpenTable Diners’ Choice Awards
• TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

Menu Highlights at the Best Seafood Restaurant in Wailea-Makena

View the full menu at Nick’s Fishmarket Maui.

Signature Appetizers

B&B Ahi

Blackened yellowfin tuna served rare with sake mustard beurre blanc and mango papaya avocado relish. The most reordered starter at the best seafood restaurant in Wailea-Makena.

Seafood Tower

Live Kona lobster, oysters with lilikoi mignonette and white truffle oil, jumbo shrimp, ahi poke, and house sauces. The centerpiece dish for celebrations and one of the most photographed plates in Wailea-Makena.

Charred Octopus

Mediterranean-style with gnocchi, roasted olives, and feta — a reliable measure of the kitchen’s classical technique.

Lump Crab Cake

Mango Pico de Gallo, Parmesan-Yuzu Aioli

Signature Entrées

Fresh Island Catch Piccata

Chef Maka’s daily selection from local fishermen, prepared with lemon, butter, capers, farrotto, broccolini, and tomato purée. The best single-dish expression of what makes Nick’s the best seafood restaurant in Wailea-Makena.

Ginger Soy Marinated Ahi

Baby bok choy, wasabi whipped potatoes, and lemongrass au jus. Consistently praised in OpenTable reviews for balancing island flavor with refined technique.

Grilled Spiny Lobster Tail

Asparagus, mushroom risotto, and gremolata butter. The premium centerpiece for milestone dinners at the best seafood restaurant in Wailea-Makena.

Moroccan Spiced Salmon

Forbidden rice, spinach, mushrooms, mango chutney, and avocado papaya relish.

Pacific Coast Abalone

Tiger shrimp, mushrooms, asparagus, mashed potatoes, and dill beurre blanc. Rarely available across Wailea-Makena’s dining scene — order it when it appears.

Desserts

Indulge in Bananas Foster with rum and vanilla ice cream, or Strawberries Panzini, flambéed with Grand Marnier and chocolate.

For a more delicate finish, the Coconut Panna Cotta and Tahitian Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée stand out as quietly exceptional choices.

The 2,000-Bottle Wine Collection

The glass-enclosed wine display is a centrepiece of the dining room and one of the reasons Nick’s holds the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for multiple consecutive years. The list spans Italy, France, Germany, and California, covering every price point from by-the-glass casual to serious collector vintages.  Explore the full wine list at Nick’s Fishmarket Maui.

Bar Bites

Happy hour guests at the best seafood restaurant in Wailea-Makena can order from a dedicated bar menu: ahi poke, Kalua pig pot stickers, Wagyu sliders, mahi mahi tacos, Parmesan frites, and Brussels sprouts — a lower-commitment way to experience Nick’s without a full dinner reservation.  View the bar and lounge menu at Nick’s Fishmarket Maui.

Plan Your Visit to the Best Seafood Restaurant in Wailea-Makena

Frequently Asked Questions

Reserve Your Table at the Best Seafood Restaurant in Wailea-Makena

Nick’s Fishmarket delivers everything that earns the title of best seafood restaurant in Wailea-Makena: fresh Pacific seafood sourced each morning by Chef Maka, a 2,000-bottle wine collection, tableside desserts, and a resort setting inside the Fairmont Kea Lani that has defined fine dining in South Maui for over 25 years.

For the best seafood restaurant in Wailea-Makena, reserve your table on OpenTable and experience an evening worth remembering.

 www.nicksfishmarketmaui.com | 808.879.7224