Exquisite fresh produce meets island-inspired cocktails at The Hideaway. True to its name, the restaurant is nestled in the Montage Hotel at Kapalua Bay and offers a flavorful experience for hotel guests and diners alike. The restaurant offers a long, mouth-watering list of comfort foods thanks to Chef de Cuisine Robert Barrera and his culinary team. The luxurious libations are courtesy of Resort Beverage Manager Zoe Benrexi. Whatever you’re craving, this hidden gem has you covered. The gooey lobster mac ‘n’ cheese is an unsurprising crowd favorite, while the Vietnamese sticky wings will have you eschewing rules of etiquette and licking your fingers. But it's hard to look past all the freshly caught produce on the menu, from the Hamachi poke to the shrimp cocktail martini to Jason's Ōra King salmon, which is served with a French red butter sauce. If seafood isn’t your thing, you can snack on a sumptuous charcuterie and cheese platter. The dessert menu isn’t short of options either, but you can't visit The Hideaway and not satisfy your sweet tooth with the upside-down cake, topped with caramelized Maui Gold pineapples and ube ice cream.
With over 15 years of experience in the industry, working at notable restaurants like Pineapple Grill, Plantation House, and Merriman’s Kapalua, Barrera’s passion flows over into his tasty creations. For him, Maui is the star of every dish.
Whatever you’re eating, you can be sure it’s locally sourced, thanks to Barrera’s farm-to-table approach. Local honey, fresh seafood, and locally farmed produce grace each plate.
“As Chefs, everything we do yields from our location and the ingredients available,” Barrera recently told Maui Time. “Every Chef puts their own spin on their creation based on their heritage, upbringing, where they are from, and ethnicity, which results in an amazing and unique melting pot of worldly cuisine.”
If your Maui craving isn’t satisfied with just food, the drinks menu continues this theme with local spirits, flavors, and ingredients lovingly mixed into all the drinks. The highlight is the two mai tais to choose from: the Montage, which offers a Californian spin on the rum cocktail, and the Maui-kine, which is a nod to Trader Vic's (the Californian tiki bar chain) tropical take on the drink.
Despite these culinary delights, the ambiance and service leave something to be desired. The Montage’s reputation precedes itself, thanks to its renowned offerings and status as an upscale resort, but in contrast, The Hideaway doesn’t hit the mark. The casual setting is family-friendly meets sports bar and not quite the sexy, sleek hotel experience one might hope for. But not everyone is looking for something upscale. If you want a quick and convenient bite that’s sure to thrill every sense, make sure you head over from 6–9 PM, when a diverse lineup of musicians fill the restaurant with exuberant live music. If you like to stick to a schedule, pad your time out a little when visiting The Hideaway thanks to the surprisingly slow service. But if you’re in Maui looking for a relaxed night that you won’t forget, add Chef Barrera’s creations to your bucket list.
