Culinary Heritage
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel Mantra Restaurant takes full advantage of postcard-like views of Kauna’oa Bay, while serving island-fresh, island-inspired cuisine. From a weekly luau and the signature dining room, Manta, to Hau Tree’s tropical beach menu, selections for hungry golfers at “Number 3,” and Copper Bar’s casual, innovative menu, sunset views, and hand-crafted cocktails, the variety of options appeal to discerning guests.
Dishes with a backstory: The Frederico
Culinary traditions run as deep as the Pacific Ocean at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel has sourced produce and products from Hawaii’s Big Island for well over 50 years, long before sourcing local prominence and renown for its “Hawaii Regional Cuisine.” A signature drink found at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and served up at the Hau Tree Bar is The Fredrico. It was created in the summer of 1988, bartender Fred Allen created the drink to replace the syrupy Mai Tai's of old. He wanted a crisp, clean drink but something not too sweet. Magically, he found this by adding bourbon into the recipe and the drink was born. It has now become a tradition for guests to hang by the beach bar and sip on a Freddy (Fredrico).
Dishes with a backstory: Mauna Kea Banana Bread
Guests are greeted each morning at Manta Restaurant with a slice of Mauna Kea’s moist, flavorful banana bread. Home cooks have tried to replicate the recipe, but the secret to its success is tightly guarded in the hotel’s pastry kitchen, where it is freshly baked daily. The Mauna Kea Banana Bread has been served since the hotel opened in 1965, and can be ordered, packed, and taken home in full loaf or half-loaf sizes.