Looking for a unique date night experience in Maui? I highly recommend the Feast at Lele. This blog will tell you all the reasons why.
This post about the Ultimate Date Night at Feast at Lele was written by travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
I’ve been drooling over the menu at Maui‘s Feast at Lele for the past decade. My friend had her destination wedding reception there years ago, and it sounded beyond amazing! She said it was one of the best luaus in Maui.
We hadn’t had an opportunity to get away much on our past trips to Maui, except for our Babymoon Date Night at Roy’s.
So when my mother-in-law volunteered to watch our kids for date night, I knew exactly where I wanted to go.
The Cuisine
The cuisine at the Feast at Lele is not your typical Hawaiian Lele luau fare or a buffet dinner. It’s more like fine dining on the beach.
There is an appetizer, four small-plate entree courses, and a dessert course. The drinks keep coming all night long. The best part is that you don’t have to wait in a buffet line.
FIRST COURSE FROM HAWAII
SECOND COURSE FROM AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND
Miti Hangi:
5-hour island-scented braised beef in a kiwi fruit jus.
Harore Kumara:
Medley of stewed mushrooms over baked orange & purple sweet potato.
Fern shoots and pumpkin with dried koura rangi (shrimp) dressing.
THIRD COURSE FROM TAHITI
Grilled mango ginger chicken with a Tahitian lime aioli & mango relish.
Fresh island diced fish & vegetables marinated in coconut milk & lime juice.
Baked shrimp with cream, coconut butter, and ocean salad.
FOURTH COURSE FROM SAMOA
Braised coconut cream corned beef with baked ulu wrapped in young taro leaf.
Fresh island fish with mussels, clam & shrimp stew.
Baked soft taro roll in creamy coconut milk.
DESSERT
Vanilla coconut mousseline cake:
Cake with caramelized pineapple & salted caramel.
Whipped haupia cream:
Topped with island fruit sauce.
The Show
The entertainment was what I expected from a luau, only in bite-sized chunks. The house band played during the dining portions and for some performances.
I’m pretty familiar with Hawaiian music, so I was happy to hear many songs I recognized. They definitely set the stage for a relaxing evening.
At the Hawaiian luaus I’ve been to in the past, someone usually blows a conch shell on stage to signify the start of the event.
I thought it was super cool that they took advantage of the oceanfront location. A man blew a conch shell to welcome a canoe.
Overall Experience
My husband and I really enjoyed the Feast at Lele for our Maui date night. I can see why people say it’s the best Maui luau.
The different types of food gave us a lot to talk about during the breaks in the show. We love dates that encourage us to try something new. And the service at the Feast at Lele was impressive!
When our kids get a little bit older, we will probably bring them to this show.
If you want great food when visiting Maui, I highly recommend going to this Feast at Lele luau. You get to have a traditional Hawaiian experience and Polynesian culture in a beautiful setting.
7 Reasons Why the Feast at Lele is a Top Thing to Do in Maui:
1. FRESH FLOWER LEI
Many ladies love getting flowers on date night. Why not make that a fresh flower lei? It’s a lovely way to kick off a date night!
Plus, if you go early in your trip, you can keep the lei in your fridge and wear it later!
2. UNLIMITED DRINKS
Usually, at a luau, the choices are watered-down juice or a watered-down Mai Tai.
The Feast at Lele has a wide assortment of tropical cocktails, an extensive wine list, and many non-alcoholic options.
Plus, they can make virgin versions of most cocktails, so it’s perfect for people on their Maui Babymoon.
3. SUNSET PHOTOGRAPHER
Since the Feast at Lele is located on the beach in Lahaina on the West shore of Maui, it’s an ideal location to watch the sunset.
Even better, two photographers are ready to take photos of you and your date with the gorgeous sunset in the background.
It’s totally optional, and you can go back as many times as you like. We went twice.
4. BEACH STROLL OPPORTUNITY
After you check in and grab your drink, there’s a bit of time before dinner. This gives couples ample opportunity to stroll along the beach as the sun goes down.
5. PRIVATE TABLE
One of my favorite perks of the Feast at Lele is that we didn’t have to sit at a big table and make small talk with random guests. Each table was set up for individual groups.
Since it was just my husband and me, we had an intimate table for two.
Additionally, it wasn’t overcrowded, as the space maxed out at 300 guests.
6. FIVE COURSE MEAL
Hate waiting in those long buffet lines at other luaus? The Feast at Lele has you covered! The servers bring 4 courses, each consisting of 3 family-style plates and individual dessert plates.
The food is elevated versions of dishes from Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand and Samoa.
7. BREAKS IN ENTERTAINMENT
My husband noted that the breaks in between the entertainment were perfect for date night because we had an opportunity to talk to one another.
Other Amazing Hawaiian Luaus:
Toa Luau is Oahu’s Newest Family-Friendly Luau
Kauai’s Only Luau with a Train Ride
How To Choose The Best Oahu Luau
How to Choose the Best Luau in Maui
Fun Things to Do on Maui:
Maui Nei Native Expeditions Tour of Old Hawaii
A Week in Maui: Tips & Itinerary for Families
Maui Ocean Center Tips & Review
Honua Kai Maui Resort Review
Four Winds Maui Snorkel Trip
25 Thing to do in Maui with Kids
10 Tips for Traveling Solo to Maui with a Toddler
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You must have had an extremely beautiful evening. This is much a luxury that you can hardly get anywhere else. From the meals to the live band, so lovely. I like that it is culture influenced, I’m sure I’d be wowed if I am honored to a date such as this. I can’t get my eyes off the dishes ?
The food was really tasty and different flavors than we’d had before.
Hawaii is one of my top travel destinations, so I read this with some melancholy and delight at the same time! All the dishes look yummy, with some things I’ve never heard of. Cocktails while watching a sunset sounds heavenly, and I’d like to take in a few of those performances too.
Hawaii at sunset is hard to beat! Hopefully, it will give you something fun to daydream about!
Hawaii has a rich culture. I’m not surprised that an event such as this exists. And the variety of dishes is recommendable. I’d like someone special treat me to an Hawaiian Maui date especially when the feast at Least will be on.
Yes! Go find someone to take on this date!
How fun! I’d love to see shows like this. It’s entertaining but it also gives you a bit of a peak at what the traditional culture is like in an area.
Yes! We appreciated that they gave us peeks into a few different cultures!
This would definitely be a romantic date night, and fun too. I like how they include Tahitian and Samoan food as well. I think a professional photograph taken at sunset would make the event memorable too!
I’d never tasted Tahitian or Samoan food before, so it was a real treat!
WOW! That looks like the perfect date! The menu and the dance remind me of my time in Fiji and Samoa. What was your favourite dish?
Dessert was my favorite because I LOVE dessert š I’m so jealous you got to visit Samoa. I learned Samoan dancing when I was in college and have been wanting to visit ever since!
What a place to be to have a date. The 5 course meal looks absolutely delicious and mouthwatering. Even though I haven’t tried these cuisines , your pictures make me wanna gobble them all up. Unlimited drinks to go with the food and enjoy the lovely setup is just the cherry on top.
The first time I heard of Maui was from the movie Moana! So nice of your MIL to take care of your little ones, so you could go on a nice, romantic date!!! Bamboo and Caramalized Pinapple rice??? That sounds so appetizing. I’d love to try that! Baked oranges with sweet potato? It keeps getting better. All those performances are just stunning…
I haven’t been to Hawaii, but the luaus always sounded fun, but a little cheesy (I’d still go to one though). I didn’t know there was a fine dining luau like this. It looks like it was an amazing experience.
Yes, some are cheesier than others. But, I think it’s one of those things you have to experience for yourself!
Now that is what I call a feast. I wouldn’t mind going there and eating at all.
The food was mighty tasty!