Luxury oceanfront dining at Four Seasons Lānaʻi

For an Unforgettable Evening: The Height of Resort Luxury

World-renowned chefs, five-star service, and breathtaking oceanfront settings

Jade Kawanui, local culinary expert

Written by a Local Culinary Expert

Jade Kawanui

When you're ready for a truly special, once-in-a-lifetime meal, the restaurants at the Four Seasons Resort Lānaʻi at Manele Bay are in a class of their own. Imagine open-air dining rooms, the gentle sound of the waves, tiki torches flickering against a starry sky, and service that anticipates your every need. This is where you go to celebrate.

Nobu Lānaʻi

Perched on a cliff overlooking the stunning Hulopoʻe Bay, Nobu Lānaʻi is more than a meal; it's an event. World-renowned Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's signature Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine is executed flawlessly in this breathtaking open-air setting. For a truly unique experience, you can book the intimate teppanyaki dinner, where a personal chef prepares a multi-course tasting menu right before your eyes. The ambiance is sophisticated yet relaxed, a perfect match for the innovative and beautiful dishes.

The restaurant itself is architectural poetry. The design incorporates natural materials like lava rock and koa wood, creating spaces that feel both elegant and deeply connected to the island. Floor-to-ceiling windows can be opened completely, allowing the ocean breeze to flow through the dining room. When the sun sets, the sky explodes in colors that seem almost too vibrant to be real, painting the horizon in shades of orange, pink, and purple that reflect off the water below.

Must-Try Dishes

You simply cannot visit a Nobu without ordering the legendary Black Cod with Miso; it's rich, buttery, and melts in your mouth. The preparation involves marinating the cod for three days in sweet miso before cooking, resulting in a dish that's both complex and comforting.

Other classics that shine here are the vibrant Yellowtail Jalapeño and the addictive Rock Shrimp Tempura with Creamy Spicy Sauce. For a taste of the island, don't miss the Lānaʻi Venison Tataki, which showcases the local axis deer in a way that honors both Japanese technique and Hawaiian ingredients.

Price

$$$$

Jade's Tip

The sunset view from the lanai is one of the best on the island. Book your reservation for about 30 minutes before sunset and ask for a table along the railing.

ONE FORTY American Steak, Hawaiian Seafood

The name ONE FORTY is a clever nod to both Lānaʻi's 140-square-mile area and what many chefs consider the perfect internal temperature for a medium-rare steak. This elegant, open-air restaurant specializes in exactly what its name promises: the highest quality prime and wagyu steaks and incredibly fresh, locally sourced Hawaiian seafood, all served with an unbeatable ocean view. Serving both a lavish breakfast and a sophisticated dinner, it's a cornerstone of the resort's dining experience.

The restaurant's design pays homage to the island's ranching history while maintaining modern luxury. Leather banquettes, warm wood tones, and soft lighting create an atmosphere that's both masculine and welcoming. The exhibition kitchen allows you to watch the chefs at work, adding theater to your dining experience. The wine cellar, visible through glass walls, houses one of Hawaii's most impressive collections of vintages.

Must-Try Dishes

For the ultimate steakhouse experience, the Prime Rib Tomahawk is a showstopper. This massive cut, dry-aged for 28 days, arrives at your table with dramatic flair and delivers on every promise. The Pan-Seared Hawaiian Snapper is delicate and flavorful, a true taste of the Pacific.

If you're visiting for breakfast, the Lānaʻi Eggs Benedict is a decadent start to the day, and reviewers rave about the corned beef hash. The breakfast potatoes, roasted with herbs and sea salt, are simple perfection.

Price

$$$$

Jade's Tip

This is my top pick for a classic, celebratory steak and seafood dinner. At breakfast, kids aged 5 and under eat for free, making it a surprisingly great option for a high-end family meal.

Osteria Mozza Residency

A true treat for food lovers, this restaurant is a residency from the legendary Los Angeles Chef Nancy Silverton. Located in the same beautiful space that hosts breakfast, it transforms at night into a romantic Italian haven with stunning ocean views. The menu blends traditional, soulful Italian cuisine with the freshest seasonal ingredients from our islands, featuring beloved classics from her famed restaurants Osteria Mozza, Pizzeria Mozza, and chi SPACCA.

Chef Silverton's approach to Italian cooking is both reverent and innovative. She respects traditional techniques while incorporating the incredible local ingredients available on Lānaʻi. The pasta is made fresh daily, the mozzarella is crafted by hand, and the vegetables often come from the resort's own gardens. The wine list focuses heavily on Italian selections, with many bottles personally chosen by Chef Silverton during her travels through Italy.

Must-Try Dishes

Start with Nancy's Chopped Salad, a perfectly balanced mix of salami, provolone, and a tangy oregano vinaigrette. The pastas are the heart of the menu; the Ricotta & Egg Raviolo is an iconic dish, a single large ravioli filled with ricotta and a soft egg yolk, served in browned butter. When you cut into it, the golden yolk flows out like liquid sunshine.

The Orecchiette with fennel sausage and Swiss chard is another comforting and deeply flavorful choice, showcasing the Italian mastery of simple ingredients prepared perfectly.

Price

$$$$

Jade's Tip

Do not skip the Mozzarella Bar section of the menu—it's what made Chef Silverton a culinary icon! The Burratina Pugliese with cruschi peppers and garlic toast is simple, creamy perfection.

Malibu Farm Restaurant & Bar

For a taste of California cool with a Hawaiian soul, Malibu Farm is the spot. Perched right above the sparkling waters of Hulopoʻe Bay, this poolside restaurant has a glamorous yet laid-back vibe, focusing on fresh, local, and organic farm-to-table cuisine. It's the perfect place for a sun-drenched lunch or a breezy dinner, often accompanied by the sound of live music in the evenings.

The restaurant's philosophy centers around sustainability and health without sacrificing flavor. Many ingredients are grown on-site or sourced from local farmers. The menu changes seasonally to reflect what's available and at its peak freshness. The setting is stunning—you're literally dining above the bay, with views of the water and the dramatic coastline stretching in both directions.

Must-Try Dishes

The salads are vibrant and delicious, especially the Vegan Chop Salad and the Burrata & Papaya with candied macadamia nuts. The combination of creamy burrata with sweet, tropical papaya and crunchy macadamias is pure Hawaii on a plate.

The Grass-Fed Beef Burger is fantastic, but the absolute can't-miss item is dessert: the Grilled Chocolate Cake. It's rich, slightly smoky from the grill, and utterly divine. The grilling adds a complexity you won't find in traditional chocolate desserts.

Price

$$-$$$

Jade's Tip

While it's part of the resort, Malibu Farm feels more relaxed and beach-chic. During peak season, priority is given to hotel guests, so call ahead to check their current policy.

Resort Restaurants

  • Nobu Lānaʻi $$$$
  • ONE FORTY $$$$
  • Osteria Mozza $$$$
  • Malibu Farm $$-$$$
  • VIEWS $$-$$$

💡 Booking Tips

  • Book weeks or months in advance
  • Request sunset tables 30 min before sunset
  • Dress code: Resort casual/island elegant
  • Non-guests welcome (call to confirm)

A Meal with a World-Class Vista

Sometimes, the view is just as important as the food. For a meal that will dazzle your eyes as much as your palate, there's one place that stands above the rest.

VIEWS at Mānele Golf

The name says it all. Located at the clubhouse of the spectacular Jack Nicklaus-designed Mānele Golf Course, VIEWS offers what is arguably the most breathtaking dining vista on the island. The open-air restaurant provides a stunning 180-degree panorama of the Pacific, the dramatic lava rock coastline, and the iconic sea stack Puʻu Pehe, also known as Sweetheart Rock. Best of all, it's open to non-Four Seasons guests, making this million-dollar view accessible to all.

The golf course itself is a masterpiece of design, carved into the dramatic cliffs and rolling hills of southern Lānaʻi. From the restaurant, you can watch golfers navigate the challenging coastal holes while you enjoy your meal. The view changes throughout the day as the light shifts, painting the landscape in different colors and moods.

Must-Try Dishes

The menu is perfect for a leisurely lunch, featuring creative salads, appetizers, and sandwiches. The Hulopoʻe Bay Prawn B.L.T. is a perennial favorite, elevating the classic sandwich with sweet, local prawns.

The Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice is a fantastic starter to share, combining fresh ahi with perfectly seasoned sushi rice. You have to save room for one of their famous homemade ice cream sandwiches—the perfect sweet ending to a perfect meal.

Price

$$-$$$

Jade's Tip

You absolutely do not have to be a golfer to eat here. This is my all-time favorite spot on Lānaʻi for a long lunch or afternoon cocktails. During whale season (December-April), you can often see humpback whales breaching right from your table.

A Special Note on Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort: There are two Four Seasons resorts on the island. Sensei Lānaʻi is an exclusive, adults-only wellness retreat located upcountry. Dining here (Sensei by Nobu and Koele Garden Bar) is generally reserved for guests of the Sensei resort.