Arrival at Nobu Grand Wailea Maui begins at the top of the resort’s open-air lobby, followed by a descent down an imperial staircase and into a room of remarkable scale. With 35-foot ceilings and the Pacific just beyond, the restaurant opens outward, immediately establishing itself as much more than a hotel restaurant. Nobu Grand Wailea Maui is a destination.
Set along Wailea Beach, Grand Wailea has long been one of Maui’s most recognizable resorts, defined by its expansive grounds, dramatic architecture and art, and oceanfront presence. Following a sweeping renovation, the property has reemerged with renewed focus on design, dining, and experience. Nobu’s arrival fits perfectly into the evolution, giving the resort a restaurant that carries global recognition and real gravitational pull.
Occupying more than 13,000 square feet of oceanfront space, Nobu Grand Wailea Maui is the second largest Nobu restaurant in the world. (The largest is in Qatar.) The scale feels aligned with the hotel’s own sense of majestic proportion. This is a dining room built to meet the ambition of the property itself. Designed by Rockwell Group, the space features a coastal palette that draws from sand, palms, and water. Suspended above the main dining area, a dip-dyed indigo linen installation undulates gently overhead, mimicking the adjacent waves. Its tonal variations catch the changing light as the evening progresses.
Nobu’s signature materials—black cerused wood, white onyx, lacquered walnut burl—are present throughout, paired with teak furnishings and organic forms that feel suited to Maui’s landscape. In the clerestory windows, a custom-knotted rope installation by artist Windy Chien adds texture. It’s a hotel focal point, and it’s spectacular. The open-air dining room is naturally cooled by the ocean breeze, reinforcing the connection between the restaurant and its setting. The layout moves fluidly between indoor and alfresco seating, with a sushi bar anchoring the room and private dining spaces integrated discreetly into the design. Outside, Maui-native plants frame the lanai terraces and arrival courtyard, blending seamlessly with the resort’s broader grounds.
Executive Chef Kyle Marston brings more than a decade of experience working alongside Chef Nobu, following roles in Denver and London. Head Sushi Chef Bora Oh, previously of Nobu Malibu, oversees the sushi program. Execution across the menu reflects deep familiarity with the brand. The menu delivers Nobu’s globally recognized repertoire. Black Cod with Miso, Yellowtail Jalapeño, Rock Shrimp Tempura, and the brand’s signature sushi arrive with the precision that has defined Nobu for decades. Local line-caught fish prepared with black bean sauce brings a sense of place to the table, allowing Maui’s waters to take the lead. For those inclined to relinquish decision-making, the omakase offering presents a composed, multi-course progression shaped by the kitchen. Diners may also choose to let the waitstaff curate the meal according to personal preference. It’s a relaxed and deeply appealing way to dine. There’s an ease that comes from trusting the flow of the dishes, particularly in this setting which is designed for unhurried evenings.
Some of the wonderful desserts are exclusive to the Grand Wailea location, such as a tres leches cake infused with Kona coffee, and layered with coffee gel, vanilla whipped cream, and hazelnut praline crunch. A pavlova featuring Laie vanilla from O‘ahu is paired with blood orange sorbet. Cocktails are equally creative. Hawaiian-influenced selections appear alongside Nobu classics, including the iconic Nobu Sidecar.
The dining room draws a broad mix of diners, such as resort guests, Maui locals, and visitors making a point of coming here specifically for the restaurant. That reach is significant. The Nobu name carries a level of recognition that extends far beyond hotel walls, and its presence here positions Grand Wailea as a dining destination for the entire island. This is not simply a restaurant for those staying on property; it’s a place around which people plan an entire evening.
Nobu Grand Wailea Maui fits the resort’s scale and sense of occasion. It feels proportionate to the hotel’s grand design and the menu feels calibrated to its setting. The experience tracks. Come at sunset and watch the light shift across the water. Stay long enough to notice how the room changes as dusk settles. A meal here is not about checking another Nobu off your list; it’s about experiencing something familiar, but via a new lens. This is a restaurant that reshapes how the Grand Wailea is experienced.
