Vana

Paia packs about 20 restaurants into three city blocks - and while you could set up a color-coded spreadsheet to map out where to eat in this small beachside town, save that energy for shopping in the area’s boutiques and just head to Vana. The Hawaiian-Japanese restaurant is located in a small, secret-garden-like space on the ground floor of the Paia Inn, so while it’s not great for large groups, come here with one or two people and pick a few dishes to share alongside cocktails. Just make sure you each get your own Vana Spoon, their signature dish that’s a combination of sea urchin and caviar in a thickened dashi sauce with yuzu, wasabi, and lime because it’s one of the best single bites you’ll ever eat. Vana also has steaks and pastas, and serves brunch daily with a pork belly benedict that will have you voluntarily waking up early on vacation.