Every time we write about eating on Maui, something unexpected happens in the comments. People don’t just tell us where they ate. They defend those places they love, question the ones everyone else appears to love, and sometimes tell us we’re crazy for spending what we did.
We’re heading to Maui this month for a range of firsthand reporting, and where we eat is just one part of that work. Somewhere in the middle of it, BOH editor Jeff ran into a pile of online chatter built around one simple question: Where do you absolutely have to eat on Maui? The answers were all over the place. This time, before we actually decide, we’re asking you.
Maui restaurants have clearly become harder to choose.
We’ve already seen how divided people can be. When we wrote about our first visit to Mama’s Fish House, we went in wondering whether one of Hawaii’s most famous restaurants could possibly still justify what it now costs. We came away more impressed than we expected, but plenty of readers saw it quite differently.
Then in May, we looked more broadly at why Hawaii restaurants aren’t what they used to be, and heard from longtime Maui visitors who said rising prices have changed entirely how often they eat out on the island. Readers talked again about favorites including Merriman’s, Paia Fish Market, Mala, and Mama’s. Others said they’re opting to eat at food trucks more often too, plus cooking for themselves or picking up meals at the store.
Dining choices have become a bigger part of planning Hawaii trips. In another recent look at Hawaii dining costs, we found that Hawaii leads the country in dining-out spending, which helps explain why visitors are thinking harder about which meals are really worth it. On the one hand, a memorable dinner can still be one of the highlights of a Maui trip. But at today’s prices, choosing the wrong one can hurt.
Our next Maui restaurant list starts with you.
We’ll be based in West Maui most of the week. Plus some surprise places, as well as two nights in Hana, where we’ll proffer a more in-depth look at that side of the island.
We’re going anonymously and paying our own way, as we always do. And rather than fill our restaurant calendar before we arrive, we’re deliberately leaving a lot of room for reader suggestions. Maui isn’t so big that we’d rule out driving for a meal anywhere readers make a compelling case for.
Where should we eat on Maui?
What’s interesting to us isn’t simply which Maui restaurants cost the most or have the biggest names. It’s which ones readers walk away from feeling were genuinely memorable and worth whatever money was spent. That might be an expensive dinner you would happily pay for again, or it might be a casual restaurant or even a food truck that delivers a terrific meal without turning dinner into a financeable vacation expense.
We’re not looking for a list of every restaurant you’ve enjoyed. We’re asking you to help us make a choice.
If you could send us to just one Maui restaurant this trip, which one would you choose, what would you order, and why is it worth one of our limited meals out?
Your answers aren’t just suggestions for some bland restaurant roundup. We’ll be reading them before and during the trip, and they’ll help decide where we actually eat and what we’ll cover afterward. If a place keeps coming up and readers make a convincing case for it, there’s a good chance we’ll find our way there and then report back.
We’ll see where you send us! Mahalo.
Lead Photo Credit: © Beat of Hawaii at Mama’s Fish House on Maui.
By Rob and Jeff, Beat of Hawaii.
Some of the most meaningful parts of Hawaii are the ones visitors walk right past without knowing they are there. We’ve spent nearly 20 years finding them firsthand for BOH as full-time Hawaii residents reporting on travel, culture, and island life, and telling you what they mean for your trip. Join us →
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My $0.02 on a number of the restaurants …
We’ve been coming to Maui for over 20 years and 6 years ago we moved to Kapalua full time.
Sansei: Nowhere near what it used to be. No longer worth going – and that hurts as it was a favorite for over 15 years.
Merriman’s: Another that never recovered from Covid. Pupus and drinks may be fine but not the service or food for dinner. Used to be great, now not so much.
Cane & Canoe (now The Restaurant at …) still excellent and our favorite in Kapalua.
Plantation House: Sliding down hill for service, food is still ok.
Taverna: ok, nothing special
Sale Pepe: Best Italian on the island
Mala: overrated. Honu is much better.
Hula Grill or Leilani are both very good (better than Merriman’s or Mala)
Japengo: Better than Sansei for the last year or two for sushi and very good for other items
Takumi: next to no seating (5 tables?) but for carry out it’s fine and better sushi than Sansei
Monkey Pod: great casual dining
We go to the Gazebo at Napili every year. Really good breakfast at a great spot on the beach on West Maui. Never have been disappointed.
Best fish tacos in Kihei is Coconuts. Taco is huge and mango salsa is the best.
Great value for what you get.
Our last trip to Maui, we ate at Paia Fish Market Southside in Kihei almost daily. The seafood is fresh, prices are reasonable (most appetizers under $10), and the service is cheerful and efficient. We even brought some of their Magic Sauce home with us. The Ono Burger is the best thing on the menu.
PS…Sea House on Napali Beach is BEST higher end Restaurant…Happy Hour is best DEAL on island for Great Views, Great Food Bites!
Breakfast best is Veggie Frittata…Cinnamon Mac Nut Roll
Lunch_Chicken Salad…Burger….Mahi…French Dip
Dinner_Early Bird Dinner :)…any Fish
Thai Me Up Food Trucks; across street from Costco, in Kihei and Wailuku…the owner is a former Mama’s Fish House Chef…consistently delish!! Sauces are on point… serving sizes are good….excellent Yelp reviews as well
Leoda’s is must on every visit we make to Maui. Nothing fancy. Just great comfort food. And the pies are wonderful!
Gather in Wailea. Food is awesome, drink specials are always creatively delicious and the views out towards Molokini are spectacular. Location, location location!!
Captain Jacks for fish tacos or fish and chips
Coconuts for fish tacos
Paia Fish Market for fresh catch and home potatoes, also their seafood pasta is divine
Mala Tavern for fish and chips
Star Noodle and Aloha Mixed Plate are must go’s for us with Mix Plate edging out Star Noodle recently. Best food for the price at Mix Plate by a long shot. Can’t beat the location.
Food Trucks too!
Scrolled through all the comments and cannot believe I only saw one mention for our all time favorite:
– Miso Phat, in Kahana –
Dine in, take out – best sushi ever. Have sent so many mainlanders there and they all rave about it! Also, the breakfast fried rice at Gazebo is so worth the early morning and line!!
Love your news updates = thank you!
Japengo for best sushi…you do not walk out smelling like food and it is beautiful and fresh! Sansei is very yesterday!
Hula Grill, always dependable and Ulu Kitchen absolutely rocks!
If someone wants Teppan Yaki but does not want to smell like a greasy kitchen when they leave, TeppanYaki Dan!!!
Amigos restaurant in Napili (sister restaurant in Kihei, but not affiliated with the one in Kahului):
Authentic, fresh, Mexican food…so good! The Napili site is new, after having lost their Lahaina location. Everything is fresh and tastefully done.
Happy hours, morning and afternoon.
Very friendly staff.
Family owned.
And really very authentic, which is so hard to find in the islands!
Santos’s!
I. Lahaina, Star Noodle.
Excellent food. But pricey.
The last time I went to Maui was before the fire in Lahaina. We stopped at Leoda’s for breakfast and their great pies on the way to Lahaina. I suggested some of my friends to try it, and I’ve got pix of their daughter holding several pies. So, if you can, stop there for breakfast.
Our favorites in no particular order:
Merriman’s, including The Point
Honu
Mama’s Fish House
Tommy Bahama Restaurant
Taverna
Duke’s
Plantation House
Monkeypod
Papi O’hana’s
The fish market in Kihei
Fabiani s in Kihei
Here’s one you can skip: IHOP in Kahului. We used to eat here once or twice a month because my grandsons love it. (Go figure!)
There was always a line of people outside waiting for a table. On our recent visit, there was no line and the restaurant was mostly empty. When we opened the menus, the reason became abundantly clear. Prices in many cases, have doubled. I used to get a BLT on the senior menu for about $8.00. Now they’ve added an extra slice of bread in the middle (like a Club sandwich) and raised the price to $18.00. My grandson had a single-patty cheeseburger, and we each had a soda. The check was $50, and the automatic tip was 22%, unless you manually changed it.
We won’t be back.
Monkey pod happy hour
Mama”s FH is always the one place we go to when we take our 6-7 week holiday. We actually go twice a trip. I cannot add much more than your previous review. It’s just a special place. They do a terrific job on Ahi dishes and I usually order a bowl of the teaser soup they start you off on to your wonderful meal. We avoid Gather in Wailea-it just is not Gannons.
Frank N
OK you asked. One of our favorite places to dine in Maui is The Plantation house. Breakfast to dinner the food is good quality the service is excellent and the view is spectacular. It’s in Kapalua overlooking the golf course with a view that ends at the ocean. Spectacular sunsets are an added bonus. They offer a fish pairing nightly which is lovely the seafood chow fun is a delicious mix of seafood noodles and char siu pork. The short ribs almost enough for 2. We dine there often as a friend of ours plays beautiful ukulele music on Monday night from 6:00. – 8:00 pm. Reservations are highly recommended.
Hi guys,
I really like your newsletter. We go to Mama’s probably every other time we’re on Maui , usually yearly. Expensive but worth it.
For a must go every time place it’s Star Noodle! They’ve rebuilt on Front street and it’s beautiful- right by the water. And the food is still great. We always have the duck buns. If dim sum are on the menu we have some of those. Of course the noodle dishes are super.
Mahalo and aloha.
Here are the restaurant we return to: Pour House, Seascape at the Maui Ocean Center, Cafe Mes Amis in Paia, Monkey Pod Restaurant in Wailia, ( not Whalers Village), China Boat (take out), Hula Grill in Whaler’s Village, Sea House, Mala Tavern, Plantation House, Lalanies (sp?) Whalers Village. I did not like Hali Mailei in Paia. Could never get reservations at Merrimans.
So we have been dining repeatedly at these restaurants for 6 years. A testament to how good they are. Also there is a little place in the Napili Village that sells shave ice, sandwiches, nice place to cool down and rest.
We are returning on Aug 23 for another 2 weeks and probably will go to
Most of these.
Regards
Lucille
The name of the Napili shop is Island Vibes Cafe and it is one of my Maui favorites!!!!!!! Excellent sandwiches and service. I hate to recommend it (!) bc it is my go to place here and might get too popular but they deserve to be noted- for the excellent food. Prices are reasonable too, portions are huge. It’s a newish shop so the name is not well known yet.
Taverna or Sansei in Kapalua never disappoint.
A special meal at O’O farms is worth the money.
Honu is noteworthy in Lahaina.
Mala as well as Star Noodle.
Merrimans is good but quality sporadic.
That’s my take on my favorites places.
Sea house for Happy Hour always works!
Try Tiffany’s in Wailuku for very local feel and great chef.
Karima
Order Mahi-ala-Kalei at Kaleis’ lunchbox at the Lahina Cannery mall – to die for!
Yes, Hawaii is expensive but part of the experience is enjoyhe beautiful vistas and embracing the culture as well as the adventures in both dining and doing.
These are lifetime memories. You need to balance budget with practicality. Mamas is always on our list of must dining and then it’s food trucks In villa cooking and bbq at the resort
I still think about Uncle Russell’s Huli Huli Chicken and Ribs on the road to Hana. It was a ton of delicious food for a very reasonable price. It was so beautiful to sit at a picnic table by the water and eat. We even got another plate to go to take back to our lodging to eat later.
Sansei, Kapalua, a must every trip. Great sushi and other dishes. Pricy, but worth it.
We were devoted fans of Sansei for many years, dining there several times per year. On our last visit in March, things had changed. The restaurant looked shabbier, the food was completely lackluster and the service was subpar.
We probably won’t return.
Completely agree about Sensei. We used to love it, but after 2 very disappointing visits, we will not be going back. The restaurant itself is getting shabby and the food was sub-par at best. Hate to say it as we always loved it.
Also agree about Sensei. For a number of years, it was a must for at least one dinner during a two or even one week stay.
However, sometime before Covid, there was a change of ownership and the quality suffered tremendously! Other friends have had the same experience. Too bad! Won’t go back.
The restaurant we really miss is the Lahaina Grill which regrettably permanently closed after the Lahaina fire! Great food, great drinks, great service …
On every Maui vacation, we eat at least 3 times at ‘Cafe O’Lei at the Plantation,’ Wailuku. The scenic botanical grounds, the incredible, lush views, and the delicious food have never disappointed us. Make a reservation to sit on the patio. Order the absolutely-best-mai-tai-on Maui, the daily fish special, and be sure to follow with the Malasada dessert (3 special sauces: take home if you can’t finish it!), and don’t forget a cup of Maui coffee to enhance your experience. If you want an appetizer, go for the amazing Onion soup. There are several unique boutique shops on the grounds along with the infamous Kumu Farms Country Market, where you want to buy the Maui coffee, browse all the cool souvenirs, and pick up some local produce.
Without a doubt – Mala. Best MaiTai’s and pork chop unbelievably good.
My favorite restaurant on Maui (tough question) is: Nalu’s South Shore Grill in Kehei.
Seems like people can repeatedly say the expensive restaurants but cheap ones are questioned. I will try anyway. A local Diner named Tasty Crust has the really good banana pancakes and other breakfast food for a lot less than the expensive ones.
Honu and Merriman’s are our clear favorites.
Lahaina Grill was our favorite before the fires. Their executive chef is now at Honu. They’ve modified the menu and added some great new items. They also have evening specials that are terrific. Excellent service also.
Merriman’s has the service that is closest to what we had at Lahaina Grill. Food is consistently excellent and the views are wonderful.
Totally agree about Honu. I wasn’t aware that the executive chef at Lahaina Grill is now at Honu. That at least in part explains how good Honu is now.
I would definitely send you to Monkey Pod. Great food and we go back each year for their unique Mai Tais. The best on the island.
Gathering is our second must go to restaurant. Great food and unique views and atmosphere.
We will be in Maui in 2 weeks. And yes, we feel the price of dining out has just moved beyond our budget. I was researching resturants just last night. Hoping to determine where we would want to spend our Food Dollars. After some hard soul searching we decided to limit dinner out. Instead we are going to look at Lunches & Food Trucks. We always stay in South Maui/Kihei (our favorite is the Mani Kai) and have enjoyed Cafe O’Lei many times. So that might be our go to Lunch/Dinner outing. I just looked at the Menus Online & prices are reasonable. We’ve always enjoyed the food there & service is usually good too. We havn’t tried Cafe O’Lei at the Plantation yet and would welcome input from anyone who has. Mahalo
Been visiting Maui for a very long time and seen a number of great restaurants go.
Our current favorites to try and hit each trip are:
Breakfast: Seahouse on Napili bay. I know some think it’s gone downhill, but we still get consistently great meals each time. Gazebo is great as well, but we manage our timing to get there early and minimize wait times.
Lunch: Honolua Store is still a nostalgic favorite for to-go sandwiches we eat on the rocks overlooking Ironwoods beach on the Kapalua Coastal trail. Cool Cat Cafe (now just the Kihei location) the days we head south, and Casanova’s Deli in Makawao when we go upcountry.
Dinner: The Plantation House for a sunset dinner can not be beat; great views, food and service every time. Upcountry, we make sure we visit the Hali’imaile General Store; love their shrimp pasta.
Snacktime on the lanai: Nothing beats a glass of chardonnay and spicy ahi poke from Foodland!
sale pepe for great Italian and pizza
Bully Burgers. Farm to table. It’s about the view. It’s spectacular.
The BBQ Mac-N-Cheese rib sandwich from Sol Brothers BBQ at the Maui Food Trucks of Kihei. Delicious…
Here’s another vote for Castaway Cafe in Kaanapali unmatched beachfront location for those sunsets, very good food, reasonable prices (for Maui), tucked away inside Maui Kaanapali Villas so it’s mostly guests there and local folks who know about this hidden gem. Duke’s is just a short walk up the beach and we have heard a lot of diners compare Castaway very favorably to Duke’s.