The Makana Terrace Legacy: A Fresh Look At Kauai's Most Legendary Sunset Dining View
The St. Regis Makana Terrace holds a legendary place in the history of luxury dining on Kauai’s North Shore, but its story is one of beautiful evolution. As of late 2025, the iconic resort that housed this spectacular restaurant has undergone a dramatic, multi-year transformation, changing its name and culinary concepts to usher in a new era of hyper-local, sustainable fine dining. This is the definitive, up-to-date guide to the Makana Terrace legacy, revealing where you can now experience those jaw-dropping, panoramic views of Hanalei Bay and Mount Makana.
For visitors searching for the unparalleled atmosphere of the former Makana Terrace, the experience has not disappeared—it has been elevated and split into two distinct, world-class venues at the new luxury destination. The famous terrace, where countless visitors enjoyed the daily ritual of sunset, is now home to a pair of stunning restaurants: the signature all-day venue, 1 Kitchen, and the modern Japanese sunset lounge, Welina Terrace.
The Evolution of a Legend: From St. Regis to 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
The Makana Terrace was the heart of the former St. Regis Princeville Resort, a luxurious landmark renowned for its breathtaking position overlooking the crescent of Hanalei Bay. The restaurant was famous for its expansive breakfast buffet and elegant dinner service, always secondary to the star attraction: the view of the Hanalei Mountains, including the iconic peak known as Mount Makana (often called "Bali Hai").
The entire property closed for a massive renovation and re-emerged as the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, a flagship wellness sanctuary focused on sustainability, nature, and holistic well-being. This transformation brought a complete overhaul of the dining concepts, replacing the traditional resort restaurants with venues that emphasize plant-forward, hyper-local, and sustainably sourced ingredients, a profound shift that honors the island’s natural bounty.
The New Culinary Landscape: 1 Kitchen and Welina Terrace
The former Makana Terrace space, which commanded the resort’s most magnificent vista, is now the location for two distinct yet equally spectacular dining venues. Both spaces continue the tradition of offering Kauai's most coveted sunset views, ensuring the Makana legacy lives on through fresh, modern culinary experiences.
- 1 Kitchen: The All-Day Successor: This is the main, signature restaurant that effectively takes over the all-day dining role of the Makana Terrace. 1 Kitchen is founded on a plant-forward philosophy, highlighting seasonal, nutrient-dense ingredients sourced directly from Kauaʻi's farmers, ranchers, and fishers. It serves a luxurious breakfast (including a highly-praised buffet), lunch, and dinner. The open-air design and terrace seating ensure that the panoramic view of the bay remains the centerpiece of your meal.
- Welina Terrace: The Sunset Lounge Experience: For those seeking the magical sunset dinner Makana Terrace was famous for, the Welina Terrace is the premier destination. This modern Japanese-inspired lounge and restaurant offers a menu of shared, family-style plates, perfect for a romantic or celebratory evening. Perched above the glistening Hanalei Bay, it is widely considered the best spot on the North Shore to watch the sun dip below the Pacific horizon, casting a warm, orange glow over Mount Makana.
The shift from a classic fine-dining experience to a focus on sustainability and wellness reflects a broader trend in luxury travel, positioning the resort and its restaurants as a world-class destination for conscious travelers.
5 Essential Entities That Define the Makana Terrace Vibe Today
To truly understand the dining experience that has replaced the St. Regis Makana Terrace, it is crucial to focus on the elements that make the new venues unique. These five entities are key to the modern, elevated experience on Kauai's North Shore:
1. Mount Makana (The View)
The view is, and always will be, the main event. Mount Makana, the majestic peak that frames the bay, is the namesake and eternal backdrop. Dining on the terrace at either 1 Kitchen or Welina Terrace is a multi-sensory experience, with the changing light on the mountain and the bay providing a natural, living spectacle. Timing your reservation with the sunset is non-negotiable for the full, legendary experience.
2. Hyper-Local, Plant-Forward Cuisine
The culinary philosophy is a major departure from the past. The focus on "hyper-local" means the menus are deeply connected to the island, utilizing ingredients from nearby purveyors. 1 Kitchen, in particular, champions a plant-forward approach, meaning vegetables, grains, and fruits are at the center of the plate, with sustainably sourced proteins complementing them. This is a fresh, modern take on Hawaiian-inspired cuisine.
3. Welina Terrace's Modern Japanese Concept
Welina Terrace introduced a sophisticated, modern Japanese menu to the North Shore. This concept, featuring shared plates and a vibrant bar scene, is designed to enhance the sunset viewing ritual. It offers a more casual yet refined alternative to the more traditional dinner service, making it the perfect spot for cocktails and small bites as the sky turns brilliant colors.
4. The Hanalei Bay Sunset Ritual
The evening at the former Makana Terrace was a ritual, and it continues today. Guests gather on the terrace to witness the daily spectacle, often accompanied by live music or the sound of the ocean. The experience is about more than just the food; it's about pausing to appreciate one of the world's most beautiful natural settings. This is the enduring spirit of the original venue.
5. The Wellness Sanctuary Vibe
The entire 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay property, and by extension its restaurants, operates as a "wellness sanctuary." This means the design is organic, utilizing natural materials, and the service is focused on holistic well-being. The dining experience is part of this larger focus, with nutrient-rich cuisine designed to support health goals, a fresh and unique approach compared to the traditional luxury resort model.
Planning Your Visit: Reservations and The Best Time to Go
Accessing the legendary view and dining experience requires planning, especially given the popularity of the new venues. Reservations for both 1 Kitchen and Welina Terrace are highly recommended, particularly if you are aiming for a table during the peak sunset hour (which shifts daily). The best tables are those situated right on the edge of the terrace, offering an unobstructed view of the bay and Mount Makana.
For a more casual, yet equally scenic experience, 1 Kitchen's breakfast buffet remains a spectacular way to start your day. You can enjoy the same breathtaking views in the soft morning light, often with the added bonus of seeing surfers in the bay below. Whether you seek the grandeur of the sunset or the tranquility of the morning, the Makana Terrace legacy, now embodied by 1 Kitchen and Welina Terrace, continues to offer an unforgettable piece of Kauai magic.
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