Welcome to The Empanada Lady Restaurant and Lounge
At The Empanada Lady Restaurant and Lounge, located in the heart of Wailuku, HI, we celebrate the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean. Our story begins with a passion for authentic, handmade empanadas, offering a delightful selection of fillings, including beef, chicken, and vegan options. The warm ambiance, enhanced by live music and an inviting outdoor setting, creates a welcoming atmosphere for friends and families alike. Owner Sarah infuses her heart and soul into every dish, crafting memorable meals that resonate with joy and flavor. From our famous pernil roast pork to refreshing guava juice, every bite transports you to a Caribbean paradise.
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2119 W Vineyard St, Wailuku, HI 96793, United States Hotline: +1 808-868-4544
Welcome to The Empanada Lady Restaurant and Lounge, a hidden gem located in the heart of Wailuku, Hawaii, at 2119 W Vineyard St. This vibrant eatery brings the warmth of the Caribbean to Maui, offering not just a meal, but a delightful cultural experience that truly feels like a home away from home.
The restaurant's charming ambiance is enhanced by its thoughtful design, where every corner radiates joy and welcomes patrons, as beautifully noted by frequent guests. From the delightful melodies that often accompany your dining experience to the inviting decor, The Empanada Lady creates a unique atmosphere perfect for gatherings, celebrations, or simply relishing the moment with loved ones.
At the heart of the menu are the delectable empanadas, hand-crafted and filled with a variety of choices. Whether you choose beef, chicken, pork, vegan, or the sweet banana with powdered sugar, every bite bursts with flavor. The Empanada Trio, where you can mix and match three flavors, is a must-try for those looking to sample the best the restaurant has to offer.
- Jamaican Coconut Curry Mild: This hearty dish features an array of vegetables—including carrots, broccoli, and red bell peppers—stewed in a rich coconut curry sauce that captivates the senses. A perfect balance of taste and nutrition at just $19.50.
- Pernil Roast Pork: A house favorite, the slow-roasted pork is celebrated for its moist texture and superb seasoning, complemented by homemade chimichurri sauce. A truly satisfying dish at $21.00.
- Mama's Fried Chicken: Crispy and succulent, this dish comes with fried plantains and a choice of sauces, delivering an authentic Caribbean flavor profile for $19.50.
- Jamaican Jerk Chicken: Oven-baked and expertly marinated, this dish offers a delightful spicy kick, promising to transport your taste buds straight to the tropics for $20.00.
Complement your meal with refreshing drinks like the Guava Juice or Mint Lemonade, both capturing the essence of the Caribbean for $8.00. For coffee lovers, the Caribbean Coffee is a delightful sip at just $6.00.
Customer reviews highlight not only the quality of the food but also the friendly service and the promised joy that permeates the restaurant. One guest remarked on the captivating live music that adds to the dining experience, while another praised the clean and comfortable atmosphere. This creates a setting that feels incredibly special, whether you're dining casually or celebrating a momentous occasion.
In every dish, you can taste the love and dedication of the owner and chef, Sarah, who ensures that each experience is memorable. The combination of exceptional culinary offerings and a vibrant atmosphere makes The Empanada Lady Restaurant and Lounge a must-visit destination on your Maui adventure. So, grab your friends and family, and immerse yourself in this delightful Caribbean haven where every meal is a celebration!
The Empanada Lady restaurant is well designed and the owner did an amazing job renovating the space, and creating a one-of-a-kind experience on Maui for everyone who wants to feel joy and welcome in a real Caribbean family atmosphere! I love the ambience here. Sarah (the owner / chef) puts her heart and soul into the place to make everyone happy. She also has a full bar, and sometimes - on the right occasion - a full dance floor :) The cocktails are great - I love the banana mama and lilikoi margarita and the empanadas are delicious. For locals, Sarah often has exciting events, parties, shows and catchy music that carries you away! I have so much respect for her in creating this haven and special sanctuary for friends, joyous occasions, and bubbly good times.
Very nice spot. We got the beef empanadas and they came out nice and fresh. They tasted pretty good. They only have outdoor seating and there’s parking right in front of the shop. The place is very clean and the person taking our orders was wiping down the paying pot after we touched it so we were comfortable using our hands to eat. The empanadas are about 5 each. Nice spot, would go back again. Would recommend to anyone looking for a quick snack.
After my trip to Hana, me & hubby were hungry and since we love Dominican food, we decided to check this out... It was amazing! We were totally underdressed but we definitely enjoyed empanadas with some live music. Super cute spot, the food was delicious (and they also have vegan options ), definitely happy that we stopped by before leaving the island!
This little gem serves such phenomenal meals from the Caribbean and other parts of world. Enjoyed Empanada and Banana Fritos
Food was good, but kitchen was a bit slow even with relatively few customers. Luckily the atmosphere was good even without the live band so it was not a terrible wait. Just maybe plan on enjoying the courtyard for a bit and don't get stressed if food takes a while. It's worth it. Our server was Colombian and really great. We agreed there should be a Colombian meal as a special. Maybe on Mondays? He described a great meal that's his favorite that should fit right in on the menu! :)
Wonderful place to have lunch or dinner. The restaurant name and humble front entry don't do it justice. If you want the real Caribbean dining experience this is the place. The warm tropical dinning room is open air, food is on point, and great music all blend together with the friendly staff to make this a must visit on your trip to Maui. Mahalo
The food was flavorful and delicious, and the service was friendly. We ordered the empanada sampler platter and loved the chimichurri and chimi mayo we're a hit with all of us. We loved sitting in the outdoor space for our meal. The art, music, and plants all around were great. We LOVED the vibe.
Delicious and beautiful food! The Jamaican Curried Veggie empanadas were such a delight and also filling. We fought over them! And the salad was fresh and a nice big portion to share. I would go out of my way to eat here!