My all-time favorite restaurant!! I've lived in LA and have been to Japan a few times, so I've definitely been spoiled when it comes to sushi, but nothing compares to Oao. Every time I'm in Maui, this is a MUST. We did the omakase experience for my birthday dinner and it was incredible. 100% worth the price. Every piece of fish was so fresh and literally melted in your mouth. Even the cooked dishes like the miso black cod and A5 Wagyu were amazing. We sat at the sushi bar this time and loved it! The sushi chef was so sweet, the waiters hv the best personalities, and the food comes out surprisingly fast. If it's your first time, get a Mai Tai! All of the nigiri is incredible, but my favorites are the otoro, hamachi with chili oil, and salmon. SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT. The matcha panna cotta is sooo good and 'not too sweet' lol, which is probably the best compliment an Asian person can give a dessert The ube dessert is amazing too. I recommend Oao to everyone who visits Maui and it never disappoints! read more

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We come to Maui often, so we've had the chance to eat at a lot of the island's restaurants over the years. We have a pretty good feel for what's out there, and this place truly stands out. From the moment we walked in, Dwayne made us feel like family. His hospitality was genuine, attentive, and really elevated the entire experience. The food was incredible. Every dish was fresh, beautifully prepared, and packed with flavor. As crazy as it may sound, I honestly think the sushi here is better than Nobu. That's a bold statement, but this place earned it. And the chicken wings... wow. I don't know what they're do back there, but they are absolutely addictive. I could legitimately eat four dozen of them. Crispy, flavorful, and some of the best wings I've ever had--at a sushi restaurant, no less. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and exactly what you hope to find while on vacation. We only wish we had a restaurant like this back home in Las Vegas. This has officially become a must-visit every time we're in Maui. We can't wait to come back on our next vacation. read more

If you're in Maui, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit!! From the moment we walked in, the warm atmosphere and welcoming staff made us feel right at home. Every single thing we ordered was outstanding--from the sushi to the chicken wings (which were surprisingly some of the best we've ever had!). The service was exceptional, with everyone genuinely friendly and attentive without ever feeling overbearing. You can tell they take pride in both their food and the experience they create. We come to Maui all the time and this honestly has been the best sushi we've had- we canceled Nobu to come here, ha! Our only complaint is that we wish this place existed in Vegas! We'd be regulars without question. If you're looking for amazing food, incredible service, and a great atmosphere, do yourself a favor and give this place a try. We can't wait to come back the next time we're in Hawaii, Mahalo OAO! read more

The best sushi I've ever had! Living in LA, I'm a bit spoiled with great sushi - or so I thought - and nothing compares to the nigiri and sashimi I enjoyed here! The Tuna Kizami is a MUST. The service was also beyond; I left feeling like family. Really approachable vibe for how masterful the food is. Can't recommend enough read more

Oao - Sushi Bars Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

Definitely go during their 2-3pm hour where they have 40% off! At that price the food was almost a bargain for what you can find on the island (but still normal price for sushi). The service was excellent and our server was friendly and had great recommendations. At the time we went, there were few people so the vibe was chill! Overhead the sushi chef said the fish we were eating just arrived an hour ago from Japan! Super cool! read more

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Solid spot for sushi and drinks. Food: Fresh, flavorful, and nicely presented. The poke topped roll (wailea firecracker) was the best! Drinks: Tropical cocktail was smooth and well-balanced--not overly sweet. Service: Attentive and quick, especially at the bar. Ambiance: Modern, lively, and a bit upscale--good for both casual nights and dates. Overall: Great sushi, good vibes, and strong drinks. Would come back. It is expensive so recommend going during happy hour (12-5). read more

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Great sushi and wings. Our party ordered way too much food and everyone got full, so I ended up hammering down a lot of it and loved it all.

Solid happy hour. Everything we got was delicious. Veggie tempura, spicy hamachi, assorted nigiri. Highly recommended for that. Regular prices are a bit hefty, even for the area. Grateful for the happy hour pricing, especially after seeing a $48 rainbow roll. read more

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We arrived close to the end of Happy Hour so our waiter took our order and made sure we received the Happy Hour prices, which were amazing! Our favorite roll was the Dynamite roll which consisted of a California roll with bay scallops on top covered in dynamite sauce. This roll was delicious and the rice was warm and unctuous. All of the fish was extremely flavorful, fresh and the portions were generous! The sushi chefs and waiter were excellent. Great local spot for sushi. read more

Very disappointing and uncomfortable experience. I asked the sushi chef if they had albacore, and all of the sushi chefs behind the counter immediately burst out laughing. The chef then asked if I was from California, and I said yes. I remembered the wrong name for the fish I was looking for, but having the entire sushi bar laugh at a customer for asking a simple question was unnecessarily rude. Not the kind of customer service I expected. I come to Maui multiple times a month for work, and definitely won't be coming back. read more

Pros: outstanding food, great service, excellent (and deadly) cocktails; convenient location to nearby hotels; reasonable price Cons: reservations recommended. What a great find in the area. Our concierge at the Andaz recommended reservations here and I'm so grateful that she did. We really had an outstanding experience that quite frankly surpasses KOMO at the Four Seasons, especially bc the price is so much more reasonable. The sushi was deliciously prepared with very generous portions and the rolls were creative and delicious. Cocktails were also terrific although I highly recommend you stick to Lyft/Uber or have a designated driver! There's not really viable dessert options but hey, you are at a sushi restaurant and you can always grab ice cream back at your hotel. For couples, would recommend reserving the bar as it was really fun to watch the chefs. Reservations are really a must, particularly for groups, as this is clearly a popular spot with the locals as well. Overall, highly recommended! read more

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Best sushi we have ever had hands down. We were visiting Maui and got recommended this place by the workers at our hotel. Everyone was explaining it as the best of the best. We check it out and got the nigiri omakase. Such an amazing experience and we were so happy that is what we got. So fresh and feels so lux. The service was friendly and helpful. 1000% will recommend to everyone going to Maui. We recommended it everyone else on our trip and everyone went and felt the same way we did. A must try read more

Oao - Inside - Sushi Bars Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

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Amazing sushi quality! This is place is the best in Maui! Their sushi rolls are very unique but I'll say it again, some of the best we have tried! read more

Great spot in Wailea! Really great service (Chef Brandon and Ronson). Amazing food. Provided really great recommendations (Crunchy Dragon Roll and Hamachi Carpaccio). Would definitely recommend. read more

We had a few hours to kill before a later dinner, so we came for happy hour, which is 3-5pm (they also have an early bird menu 2-3pm, which is even a bit cheaper). I started with their house Mai tai, which comes with a coconut foam. Food: - Hamachi carpaccio: nice with the jalapeño - Tuna kizami: great soy marinade on this, with pickled wasabi - I ended up ordering an extra of this one - Soft shell crab roll - Salmon skin roll: good crunchy texture The rolls used regular white rice as opposed to shari, but the kids didn't mind. Service was friendly, and I liked the chill vibe there. It's a solid happy hour in Wailea if you want sushi! read more

Dined here on a whim on our way back to our hotel after a looong day driving to Hana and back and I cannot say enough great things about this place! From the service to the quality of food, everything was outstanding. Only complaint was that the A/C was pumping and I was freezing LOL but that's a me problem. 10/10 would go back! read more

I enjoyed coming here. I was here three times over my week stay in Wailea. Really great sushi! The red dragon roll that they recommend was an absolute hit! The service was good too! All around a very good experience and I look forward to coming back when I'm back in Wailea. read more

Best. Sushi. Ever. My boyfriend and I came here right as they opened and literally drove around the island just for this restaurant! The sushi melts in your mouth, the happy hour pricing is quite fair, and the talent of the sushi chefs really shines through! I will recommend this place to EVERYONE going to Maui. read more

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This restaurant deserves a 10/10! I wish I could rate it higher than 5 stars. I have been to Maui hundreds of times and eaten at tons of restaurants and nothing has ever left me wishing I had room for more or dreaming about the next time I can come back! I am not a wing girl. But I am going to vote this best to least fav. (There is no least fav it was all phenomenal) 1. The Japanese wings! The best wings I've ever had in my entire life and it topped everything we tried. I don't know but the chicken was so tender it just melted in your mouth, and that flavor OMG! 2. Whatever roll we had off the happy hour menu 12-5 that had scallops! Soooo good 3. The dynamite dish on happy hour with scallops, zucchini, mushrooms, that sauce was ughhhhhhhh. Yummy 4. The rice cakes (I got the fish that starts with an H...... sorry lots of info) very good and voted one of their most popular menu items. 5. Edamame very flavorful 6. Softcrab roll....... It was all so unbelievably good read more

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An Absolute Masterpiece of a Dining Experience!!!! If you are looking for the pinnacle of culinary excellence, Oao is unmatched. From the moment you walk through the doors, every detail is crafted to perfection. The food is nothing short of exceptional. Each piece of sushi is a work of art, featuring fish of the highest grade that literally melts in your mouth. We also had several of signature entree's that were prepared with meticulous care and authenticity in every single bite. While the food alone is enough to earn five stars, what truly sets Oao apart is the high level of service. The team is attentive, incredibly knowledgeable, and anticipates your every need with a warm, "aloha" professionalism that elevates the entire evening. An extraordinary meal from start to finish. If you appreciate world-class cuisine and impeccable hospitality, Oao is a must-visit. We cannot wait to return! read more

We were taken care of by Dwayne at the bar. He was quick and attentive while making drinks. Our food came out super quickly and delicious. He recommended carpaccio, def my favorite. The Japanese wings were crispy and full of flavor. One of the more memorable sushi spot. read more

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My friend surprised me with a trip to Maui, so I wanted to return the gesture and treated her to dinner here! I already knew I'd be spending a bit since it's in Wailea, but honestly, the prices weren't as steep as I expected--and everything was really solid. They serve more than just sushi, which is a plus. I started with an uni shooter (a must for me--since not every sushi spot offers it), and it was actually pretty good! We followed up with some carpaccio, which was decent. We also tried a couple rolls and an entrée--don't remember exactly what it was, but it was delectable. And dessert? An absolute killer. Overall, this place has a laid-back, family-style vibe. It's not a super high-end sushi spot, but it's cozy, welcoming, and definitely worth checking out. read more

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Best sushi of our sushi snob lives! Over the years, we've turned into Sushi snobs. Not only that, but we nearly always have to get the Omakase ("Leave it to the chef") wherever we go. Until we came to Oao, our favorite had been Nobu, down the road in Wailea. Well, I am here to tell you that, hands-down, there is a new gold medalist in town! The quality, presentation and taste--every single course--knocked it out of the ballpark! And, much to our surprise, the last Main course of Wagyu beef was a veritable grand slam! We came for the Sushi, but never in my life have i tasted such heavenly steak! The exceptionally aloha-friendly staff, such as Ronson and Iggy, were above and beyond helpful. Add to my snobbery my pallet for a good sake. Well, Iggy was able to steer me to an exceptionally perfect Daiginzo brew to complement our Omakase feast of the evening. Be sure to include an order of mussels, and you can't go wrong with anything Hamachi, such as the carpaccio. The atmosphere is somewhat traditional sushi bar, with an aloha flair. It is not very spacious, and will fill up in both guests and noise. Tune those out and you'll be fine. By the way, be sure to make reservations! A Word of warning, this is a sushi bar in the heart of Maui, and is it priced accordingly. That said, it is well, well worth the splurge! read more

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We made reservations for a Monday night since it is recommended if you want to sit at the sushi counter. The place is an upscale sushi rest with high end sushi, including a few cuts coming all the way from Japan. You can order a la carte but they also offer omakase which has to be reserved 24 hours in advanced. Prices are as expected with high end sushi. We ordered Miso Soup, Creamy Scallop Roll, Soft Shell Crab Roll, Specialty Firecracker Roll and a few nigiri (we were 2 persons). Everything was exceptional and each piece melted in your mouth. Great ambiance, a complete bar service besides sake. Since we were at the sushi counter we were able to interact with the chefs which completes nicely a sushi experience. Everyone from chefs to waiters and hostess made this experience extraordinary. read more

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Great place for fresh fish! The unagi was great! We had 5 servings! The Seafood Dynamite was amazing, the Brussels sprouts were yummy and the lobster was tender. My son loved the hamachi carpaccio. The unagi avocado roll (without the rice) was really good! Very small portions. We went for happy hour and dropped over $300! read more

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I don't say this lightly because my husband lived in Japan and we've visited for sushi. This is hands down the best I've had in my life. Brilliant chefs who are knowledgeable and will help with a choice, delicious incredibly fresh fish, and an awesome vibe. A small touch, but we love ama ebi (sweet shrimp) and they clean the heads absolutely perfectly. I wish I could tag the photos better but we order several options from the specials and they don't disappoint. read more

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I literally have nothing but high praise for this restaurant!!! Oh my god. If you're visiting and thinking about going to Nobu, for the love of god do not. Go here instead!!!! This place blew Nobu out of the water and it wasn't even close. The food, service and vibe here was literally so perfect. I can't get over how amazing EVERY DISH was and how fresh the fish here is in Hawaii. Seriously can't wait to visit here again! read more

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Consistently high quality fish and entrees! Our favorite sushi place on Maui! Always make this place a priority.

Ooo "wow" is a great sushi restaurant close to the Wailea area. It is located in a busy parking lot and seems to get quite busy. We arrived at opening for lunch and were seated immediately. Happy is from 12-5pm dine in only and we ordered the Japanese Wings, Hamachi Carpaccio, and the Big Eye Tuna. The wings were sticky and sweet and the hamachi carpaccio was so good that we ordered another dish. I also really enjoyed the big eye tuna with the tangy ponzu sauce. We also got the Tsurai Serrano Roll that was packed with fish and flavor without being overstuffed/falling apart and too overwhelming. We also got the King Salmon, Big Eye Tuna, and Masago Nigiri. The pieces had an excellent fish to rice ratio and each piece of fish was fatty and melt in your mouth. My husband even said that this was the best sushi he has ever had! We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch here. The fish is fresh and the staff is attentive and friendly. It is a no frills, tasty sushi restaurant. We will come back during our next trip to Maui! read more

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Our family, 2 adults and 2 children, visited this location and had a wonderful meal. The sushi was excellent, albeit a bit expensive (compared to California). We ordered what we wanted and ended up with an over $500 bill. My wife and I drank a large bottle of Sho Chiku unfiltered Sake which was too much, and a Sapporo (good as always). I started with the miso soup - which was good, standard. My kids ordered cucumber rolls (vegan) and California rolls, and they were happy. We also had the big eye tuna with Kizami - which was delicate and delicious; the calamari appetizer - which was kind of boring. We ordered the Hamachi Jalapeno Roll and the Salmon Sashimi, which were both great. The salmon was delicious and tender but a bit thick. We also ordered the Japanese Grade A5 Wagyu - I believe the minimum size was 6 ounces? It was seared, tender, but not something I would order again. I have had Wagyu a few times now, and I am not been that impressed. I wouldn't but again for the money. We shared the Brownie and Ice Cream dessert, which was plenty for us and tasty. Someone ordered the sizzling steak bites next to us, and it smelled amazing! I would go back, and I would order the Steak Bites. My son had a blast watching the sushi chefs preparing food behind the bar. The atmosphere was excellent, staff was really friendly and lots of Aloha! read more

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The food very overpriced for what you get. Service was less than acceptable, one of our orders was completely forgotten! There is also a "kitchen fee" on top of what you would tip the waiter. Crazy! What? Chairs are very hard wood with no pads. Wouldn't go if you have back issues! Very disappointing. read more

This is probably one of the best sushi I've ever had. All of the rolls were unique and absolutely delicious. This is a place you definitely need a reservation for and a must on your visit to Maui. The service is amazing, servers are super nice and tentative with a great lively atmosphere. read more

Oao - Sushi Bars Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

Love this place. We go every time we are in Maui. Absolutely delicious food prepared perfectly, and fast. Service is always very friendly. The ambiance is welcoming, open, and clean. Highly recommend for sushi and sashimi on Maui. read more

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Something happened to American sushi scene in the last decade. Not only has it transformed into a myriad of Nobu imitation dishes at nearly every establishment, but more noticeably, every city is now filled with omakase experiences. Smart sushi restaurant owners realized that you can score a beautiful margin by making an expensive meal that is elegantly exclusive, using the same exact fish as a more casual restaurant. The result: people went crazy for it. Many of these omakase experiences are not radically different in quality, but certainly have the level of attention that goes along with the price point. Oao is in the most beautiful way, the opposite of these trends and shows that there is still a place for modestly priced, quality fish. It is fairly casual, but still nice enough for a date night. The prices are reasonable and most importantly, this is some of the best tasting fish that one can find. As a matter of fact, few omakase experiences on the mainland will be able to rival the fish quality of Oao. It is simply phenomenal. Where the restaurant exceeds expectations further is with very kind people, who really went above and beyond. Cheerful, pleasant and knowledgeable. While the restaurant has only been in business for a few years, Chef Oao has done a remarkable job sourcing, crafting and hiring. This is absolutely worth a detour to stop by. read more

I can definitely see why they have such high ratings and recommendations. We were starving and came here on a whim. Although, next time, I would make a reservation in advance so you won't have to wait long for a table. Our waiter was on point, attentive and kind. The food was delicious but my wallet is sore haha. I would come here again for a treat or a nice celebration dinner though. I highly recommend the Shiso spicy drink. I got 2 of them and then inquired if I could just get Hawaiian chili pepper water on the side to go with the rest of our meals. Sizzling steak is a must! Sashimi was good as well. read more

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Fantastic Sushi & an Unforgettable Server - A Must-Visit in Wailea! We had an amazing dinner at Oao Sushi Wailea, and while the food was delicious, our server, Ronson, truly stole the show. He was straight out of a Hawaiian novel or movie--larger than life, with a contagious laugh and the kind of warm, welcoming energy that makes you feel like an old friend. For sushi, we ordered two California rolls, two spicy shrimp rolls, and the Hamachi Carpaccio ($23 for six pieces). The hamachi was fresh and beautifully presented, topped with garlic, micro cilantro, thinly sliced serrano pepper, and a citrus soy sauce that added the perfect balance of brightness and heat. We brought our own wine and happily paid the $35 corkage fee, which was well worth it to enjoy our own bottle with such a great meal. A word of advice--make a reservation! The restaurant is small, and they kindly ask you to wait outside until your reservation time to avoid disturbing guests inside, which I really appreciated. All in all, Oao Sushi Wailea is a gem--great sushi, an intimate setting, and the kind of service that turns a meal into an experience. Ask for Ronson, and thank me later! read more

Oao - 2 spicy Tuna, 2 Cali and 1 avocado roll - Sushi Bars Near Me - Kihei, Hawaii

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My boyfriend and I went to Oao for date night. We've been here in Maui for about a week now and have eaten at several different restaurants and none were good. We decided to try out Oao after reading another review and this cute restaurant blew it outta the water! Hands down best meal we've had here!!! Our server was super helpful and friendly. I ordered the Firecrackers Roll and my boyfriend got the Chili King Salmon Roll, we also got the oysters on half shell, the spicy tuna rice cakes, spicy hamachi rice cakes and the Japanese edamame. It was absolutely delicious! The fish was the freshest we've ever tasted! We also got Sapporo and hot sake for drinks. We spent 300$ with tip, it was a bit on the pricey side but well worth it! We may go back tonight for dinner with the kids read more

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This place was wonderful. Maybe the best sushi I've ever had... everything we got tasted great! My group was 8 people and we all loved everything we had! The staff was so lovely as well... they seemed to be having a photo shoot of menu items when we walked in. After the shoot they invited us to try anything on the table. Ultimately we got to try so much of the menu because of this! It was all so good. The owner popped over to our table as well and talked with us. Couldn't be more pleased! read more

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Some of the best sushi on the island! Expensive but worth every penny. Located in an unassuming strip center. Oao is pronounced "wow" - aptly named! Sushi rolls are the best. Don't forget the small plates: Brussels sprouts, vegetable tempura, raw oysters, steak bites, hamachi carpaccio. Go for Early Bird 2-3pm and save a lot of money on selected menu. read more

The food here is always amazing! Whether it's sit down or takeout, the quality is always good. The restaurant is nice inside and the service is also great. Parking can be difficult, especially during peak dining hours. They have delicious sushi for vegetarians too! Don't miss out on this place when in Maui! read more