The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua resort in Maui is, it goes without saying, an incredibly luxurious and high-end place to stay during a Hawaii vacation. Its premier restaurant, The Banyan Tree, fits in perfectly with the lush and upscale surroundings. It’s an utterly, unashamedly romantic restaurant in the relatively remote and private western end of Maui; it is also highly recommended.
This Ritz-Carlton is located in Kapalua on the western point of Maui, at a remove from the busier, more touristy 
towns on Maui like Lahaina, Kaanapali and Kihei. In that The Banyan Tree is the most classy, high-end of the Ritz’s property restaurants, it’s clear that The Banyan Tree is in turn the best restaurant in Kapalua. It was recently (2008) refurbished to reflect the beautiful scenery of Hawaii. Also in keeping with its tropical location, the menu is seasonal and incorporates as many native Hawaiian ingredients as feasible. Fresh seafood is the name of the game here; we started with ahi poke, and I tried the lobster, ono and mahi-mahi. They were superb. Really, the importance of just-caught fish in terms of quality, freshness and flavor cannot be overemphasized. The maui Onion and white bean soup was absolutely fantastic. In fact, after my daughter ordered a cup of this soup for her appetizer, she ordered a full bowl of it as her main course!
There is a special 3-course meal (appetizer, entree, and dessert) for $50 that makes a meal here very affordable for luxury dining on vacation. I noticed several other tables ordering from this prix fixe option, and I can’t blame them. The Ritz-Carlton and The Banyan Tree are both pricey options for Maui lodging/dining (though for those who can afford it, it’s absolutely worth the cost) and the $50 dinner helps keep that travel budget in line. Many tables have views of the Pacific Ocean and Molokai. These tables likely go first, so request a view when booking your reservation. A delicious, leisurely meal, a glass of wine, and views of the famous Hawaiian sunset — well, these are the details that make a vacation here the best in the world.
Thank you to the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua for hosting my family for this travel experience.