Best Luau on Maui? Depends on Who You Ask

I’m on several Maui Facebook groups and at least once a week someone asks what is the best luau on Maui. The comments that follow usually go back and forth between two options and looks something like this:

Old Lahaina Luau

Feast at Lele

Old Lahaina Luau is the best luau on Maui!

Feast at Lele. Such good food!

Old Lahaina Luau

Feast at Lele is my favorite.

…you get the picture. The problem with these responses is that people are more than willing to answer the question, but few take the time to explain why it’s the best luau on Maui or how they chose their favorite. Have they done both (or several) and preferred one over the other? Or was it their first and only luau (so of course it was the best)?

SECRET: You can’t go wrong with either option but depending on your travel personality and who you are attending with, one will be better for you. Regardless of which one you pick, secure your reservations before you get to the island to ensure your spot and better seat assignment.

Let me tell you about each of them so you can decide because they are different in several ways.

Old Lahaina Luau

The pig reveal!

The Old Lahaina Luau takes great pride in presenting an authentic Hawaiian luau full of traditional Hawaiian cuisine, music, cultural dances and demonstrations. The Hawaiian values of aloha, hookipa (hospitality), and pookela (excellence) are important ingredients of the old Lahaina Luau and it shows.

SECRET: Note that this a “Hawaiian” event, not Polynesian like most others. Good if you want to stay true to these islands, but not if you want to see the fire dancers! It’s more of a “hula” show. Some leave disappointed if they go in not knowing this.

A large buffet of regional cuisine provides enough variety to satisfy almost anyone’s palate including vegetarians and kids. They have a pretty organized system of “releasing” tables to go the buffet so lines aren’t too ridiculous. The luau also includes a premium open bar throughout the evening. Some complain about the food (pork too salty, meat dry, etc.) while others rave about it. I say go for the experience, not the food and you won’t be disappointed.

The Old Lahaina Luau enjoys an oceanfront sunset nightly at the north end of Lahaina Town (1251 Front Street). All 500 of the seats are reserved and prioritized by the date a reservation is confirmed (and they almost always sell out) so book early! With taxes, a regular ticket is $120 (2018 prices) and children are $78 (under 2 free).

SECRET: If Old Lahaina Luau is the one you MUST see and it’s sold out, call and ask to be added to the last minute wait list. If you are lucky to secure a seat, you may get placed at the “wait list” table at the back. Ask your host/hostess at check-in if you can be moved if there are any no shows to score better seats!

Traditional mat seating up front

When booking, you may choose from traditional Hawaiian mat seating (sitting on the ground), or at conventional tables and chairs. The mat seating is in the front, so choose these if you want a front row view of the dancing. (Kids enjoy the uniqueness of the floor seating but remember you can’t tell them to “stay in your chair!”) However, most will be more comfortable in a regular chair, especially after stuffing themselves at the buffet. Note that if your party doesn’t fill the table, others will be sat at your table.

If you decide that the Old Lahaina Luau is the best luau on Maui for you, arrive earlier than recommended to find parking. There are two lines — one to get your tickets and the other to get in. Upon arrival, you’ll be presented with a flower lei and Mai Tai (or fruit punch) and have some time to enjoy the activities before the buffet opens. A highlight for many is the “pig ceremony” where the star of the buffet is unearthed from the pit.

The Feast at Lele

Always great lighting for a sunset picture

Feast at Lele enjoys a spectacular setting on the sands of historic Lahaina Town (505 Front Street) with a panoramic sunset view behind the stage.

SECRET: Lele is the ancient name for Lahaina, and the Luau takes place on the beach where the royal family of Maui would feast and entertain.

There is one seating a night, 7 days a week. The evening also begins with a flower lei greeting and Mai Tai at sunset. An open bar is included throughout the night and drinks are served to you at your table.

SECRET: Be sure to take pictures on the sand when the sun drops behind Lana’i and the lighting is still bright. You have just a few minutes of this perfect lighting before the show begins.

Unlike the large shared seating setups at most luaus, every table here is reserved for a private party. Romantic tables for two have a front row view but no seat is bad in this small and intimate venue of 300 (doesn’t feel that big).

Relax as your waiters serve your food and drinks

The Polynesian inspired Feast at Lele breaks from the traditional Luau buffet with a five course sit-down dinner from the Pacific island nations of Aotearoa, Tahiti, Samoa, and Hawaiʻi. Family style dishes are served to the table with multiple items per course. The menu includes multiple meat options including Kalua pork, fish, chicken, beef and other seafood options.

SECRET: Did you know that the Old Lahaina Luau and Feast at Lele were both created by the owners of Pacific ‘O Restaurant? Guess that explains the consistently good food at both!

I’m not sure you’d get your money’s worth if you are a vegetarian, but they will try and accommodate dietary requests (call at least 24 hours in advance; I’d also ask about modifications before booking). Don’t be shy on portions. You can always ask for more of any item. View current menu here.

Fire dancers at the Feast at Lele

The amazing food shares the spotlight with music and dance from four exotic Pacific islands. (Unlike Old Lahaina Luau, the show does include fire dancers and the food continues while you watch the show.) The course you are eating pairs up with the island featured on stage. There is time for talking before the show starts and between courses, but unless you use the restroom or get up to take pictures you won’t be leaving your seat. Keep this in mind if you have a lively, chatty group or antsy kids.

With taxes, the current 2018 rate is about $130 for adults and $100 for children (under 2 free). My oldest son came with us when he was about 9 months old. He stayed in the high chair most of the time and did well. I would not consider bringing a toddler or active young child. You know your kids the best, but I’d say skip this one once your child is walking until they can sit still and appreciate different flavors. I won’t be taking my now 5 year old again for several more years!

South Maui Luau Options

Don’t drink and drive!

If you are staying in South Maui and REALLY don’t want to deal with driving to Lahaina (or don’t have a designated driver), I’d recommend Te Au Moana at the Wailea Marriott (the one at the Grand Wailea has terrible reviews). You can actually check it out and watch part of the show if you do the Ulua Beach sunset walk I recommend. (That’s about as much of a luau we are going to do with my kids for the next few years!)

There is also a special luau called Migrations that is only held on the last Wednesday of the month through April 2018. The luau takes place in North Kihei at Sugar Beach. It is pretty darn expensive, but it is limited to only 50 people and looks amazing. I’d probably try it if I was on the island when it was running. Let me know if you go!

Also debuting in April at the Andaz in Wailea is Feast at Makapu, a luxury luau (some may call it a dinner show) that sounds very similar to Feast at Lele. I will be trying it in May and will report back. At $200 an adult ($250 for front row seating), it will be the most expensive ongoing luau on the island so it better be good!

Best Luau on Maui? Conclusion

The Feast of Lele is currently my favorite luau on Maui because I hate crowds and lines, appreciate the intimacy and privacy of the seating arrangements, and prefer my meal served to me so I can eat and enjoy the show at the same time without having to get out of my chair. However, with the current age of my children, it’s not the right fit at the moment for me. If you have a large, multigenerational (or loud) group, the Old Lahaina Luau might be the way to go.

A Note for Parents

Kids under two are free but they won’t remember anything!

As you can see, luaus are expensive. If you think a luau will be a waste of money for your kids (either they can’t sit still or are super picky eaters), you might want to skip a luau on this trip or leave them behind with a babysitter. No sense paying all that money for one or both parents missing the show while trying to distract a cranky toddler.

I’ve had amazing experiences with Happy Kids babysitting if you think you would be comfortable with a babysitter/nanny. We usually use them once or twice (sometimes more if we are there longer) and have requested the same nanny for the week, which is usually honored if their schedule permits. My kids love the break from us and we can enjoy fine dining at a more relaxed pace. They are more than happy to have a night to chill in their pjs and eat pizza! If you had a sitter and this is a date night, I’d recommend Feast at Lele.

Adults and kids both enjoy the free hula show

Not comfortable leaving your little ones but want to see some local dancing? On Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 pm to 8 pm, there are free hula shows at Whaler’s Village in Kaanapali conveniently right next to the new children’s play area.

Which do you think is the best luau on Maui and why?