Seascape Restaurant Review: Maui Ocean Center at Ma'alaea Harbor

One of Hawaii's best attractions, the Maui Ocean Center aquarium, sits just adjacent to Ma'alaea Harbor along the Central Maui coast. Within the Maui Ocean Center lies Seascape Maui, a Ma'alaea restaurant worth checking out whether or not you are visiting the aquarium. If you are visiting the Maui Ocean Center complex, Seascape restaurant is a nice way to cap off the day before heading off to your next adventure.

Maui Restaurants: Seascape Ma'alaea Restaurant Review

Seascape Ma'alaea offers fresh, inspired cuisine, served with a flourish of artistry on your plate, but don't expect it fast. Service at Seascape can be slow, or at least it was for us, and the place was half empty. Our hostess was very accomodating, seating us wherever we preferred. The views of Ma'alaea Harbor are fantastic from most tables at the Seascape Maui restaurant, and the design is such that diners are protected from the sometimes extreme winds.

However, without those whipping winds, eating outdoors became slightly uncomfortable because of the heat. A cool drink should have cured that, but after tasting two different cocktails and opting to drink neither, we can't recommend the mixed drinks. Stick with beer, juices or soft drinks. We were only charged for one of the drinks because we ordered the second only after the first arrived tasting heavily of dark rum in a Lava Flow, a drink that should always be made with light rum. The second arrived, a Peach Bellini, which also fell well short of expectations. However, the drinks did cost only half of what they would on a resort. (There may be a reason for that, in this case.)

Seascape Maui Restaurant: Ma'alaea Harbor Views, Fresh Seafood and Ono Onion Rings!

In Hawaiian, 'ono' means delicious. At Seascape Ma'alaea, their Ono Onion Rings ($5.95) don't disappoint. Maui onions are battered and fried to perfection, piled high on a plate and served up to your table piping hot. Two can share. The french fries, which come as a side with some meals, are also excellent.

The Island Style Fish Tacos ($12.95) were delicious, if soggy. The combination of grilled, moist Mahimahi fish and the salsa created a bit too much moisture for our taste, but the flavors were there. Try requesting the friend mahimahi in place of grilled. Take heart: Seascape uses only trans-fat free oils. The tacos are served with a side of guacamole and sour cream, use of which should be required. Ono!

Hawaii Travel Guide: Seascape MauiRestaurant Review

Fish and Chips at Seascape restaurant in Maui are Mahimahi as well, panko-crusted and fried. For $13.95, you receive a generous portion of fish and a cabbage salad and slaw. You also get a pile of Seascape's yummy french fries. The kids menu version is $7.95, and probably enough for an adult. All items on the kid's menu are $7.95, with drink and crackers included.

In the mood for lighter fare? Seascape Ma'alaea offers several heart smart options, as well as more artistic dishes that don't involve a deep fryer. Try the Seascape Salad ($15.95), which boasts Pacific Yellow-fin Tuna, a crab claw, and tomatoes on a bed of greens grown in Upcountry Maui. The plate presentation is colorful, vibrant and generous.

Overall, Seascape is an affordable, casual spot to grab a sit-down lunch after a busy day at the Maui Ocean Center. Nearby Reef Cafe fast-service counter is your only other on-property food option, and it mainly consists of sandwiches and quesadillas.

Find a full Seascape Ma'alaea menu here on the Maui Ocean Center web site.

Source:

Personal Experience - unpaid, independent review by author

Maui Ocean Center site for menu