10 Must Visit Restaurants on Maui
A big part of the Hawaiian lifestyle is food and Maui has no shortage of great places to eat. Whether it’s fresh island-caught fish or cuisines of other countries, Maui has many places to eat which offer great food befitting of paradise. Here’s a list of the Must Visit Restaurants on Maui:
Mama’s Fish House
Mama’s Fish House is unquestionably a favorite amongst all who have dined there. Go here and you’ll have immaculately prepared, fresh fish, incredible service, beautiful scenic views and memories for a lifetime. Mama’s Fish House is probably the nicest restaurant on Maui and is a world favorite for many. The only negative thing you will ever hear about Mama’s Fish House is how much lighter your wallet feels after your visit. You get what you pay for though. This is definitely a must go.
Just an extra tip: make a reservation. It books up pretty far ahead of time, sometimes months.
Website
Reservations
http://www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/2767
Location
Latitude, Longitude
20.9292, -156.3661
Address
799 Poho Place
Paia HI 96779
Cost
$$$$
Rating
5/5 coconuts
Gallery
NextGEN Gallery
Flatbread
Flatbread is probably the most unique pizza joint on Maui. A great atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious food, Flatbread is one of our favorites and is a must visit. In the middle of Maui’s Hippie Town, Paia, Flatbread can get pretty busy, but it’s walk in only, so give yourself some buffer time when you plan on eating here. Also, if pizza isn’t your thing, their No Boundaries salad is one of the best salads you can find on island, no contest.
There are also some celebrities that have homes in neighboring towns to Paia, so you may get an opportunity to see some of your favorite actors and musicians. Just remember, they’re people too.
Website
https://www.flatbreadcompany.com/maui/
Reservations
None, gives everyone an equal and fair chance to eat at this great establishment.
Location
Latitude, Longitude
20.915824, -156.382019
Address
89 Hana Hwy
Paia, HI 96779
Cost
$$
Rating
5/5
Gallery
NextGEN Gallery
Hula Grill
Hula Grill is a great place to go for any occasion, whether with the family, your significant other or celebrating with a big group. Sitting right on the water’s edge on Kaanapali Beach, Hula Grill is also known as the Barefoot Grill. One of the seated sections sits on a patch of sand, which you can dig your feet into as you eat your meal.
There’s something about digging your feet in the sand and that feeling doesn’t diminish while you’re eating. With great service, beachside ocean views and a full-on tropical feel, Hula Grill isn’t a restaurant you to miss during your time on beautiful Maui.
Website
http://hulagrillkaanapali.com/
Reservations
http://www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/33451
Location
Latitude, Longitude
20.920865, -156.693795
Address
2435 Kaanapali Parkway Bldg P
Lahaina HI 96761
Cost
$$$
Rating
4/5
Gallery
NextGEN Gallery
Kula Lodge
Kula Lodge is a wonderful place to stop after the long morning of driving up and down Haleakala for one of the most beautiful sunrises you will ever see. Located in Kula at approximately 3,200 feet, near the entrance into Haleakala National Park, Kula Lodge offers incredible, scenic views of the south-western facing sides of the island of Maui, overlooking Maalaea Bay and the West Maui Mountains.
Kula Lodge is also known for its brick oven pizza and its breakfast menu and it’s a wonderful place to unwind after the windy, switchback roads leading up to and down from Haleakala’s summit at over 10,000 feet.
Great views and equally delicious food is the perfect way to spend a meal with those whom you are fond enough of that you would endure two plus hours of curvy roads up and down Maui’s dormant volcano.
Website
Reservations
http://www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/106171
Location
Latitude, Longitude
20.778158,-156.307858
Address
15200 Haleakala Hwy
Kula, HI 96790
Cost
$$$
Rating
4/5
Gallery
NextGEN Gallery
Down the Hatch
Down the Hatch is one of the best places to grab a bite in Lahaina. It’s located at the Wharf Cinema Center in Lahaina, right across the street from Lahaina’s Banyan Tree, and occupies the majority of the lower level of the Wharf Cinema Center. Down the Hatch is one of the places that many of the locals go to and for good reason. They have great food, great prices, quality service, and a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. Also, being so close to Lahaina’s harbor, you can bet you’ll get fresh fish here.
It’s not an uncommon sight to see fisherman bringing down their catch of the day to Down the Hatch, so you know you’ll be getting some of the freshest fish served in a restaurant on Maui.
Down that Hatch and Breakwall Shaved Ice are one in the same, so after your meal, you don’t have to go far for an ice-cold, refreshing dessert. And if you’re of age, Breakwall serves the island’s only adult shaved ice (think Hawaiian-style, alcoholic shaved ice.)
After eating at Down the Hatch, you’ll definitely be coming back for more.
Website
https://www.dthmaui.com/down-the-hatch
Location
Latitude, Longitude
20.8724999,-156.679539
Address
658 Front St #102
Lahaina, HI 96761
Cost
$$
Rating
5/5
Gallery
NextGEN Gallery
Maui Princess
While not the typical restaurant, Hawaii Ocean Project’s Maui Princess Dinner Cruise is a restaurant and an activity in one. They offer one of four entrees per booking: Roasted chicken quarters, Prime Rib, Macadamia nut-encrusted Mahi Mahi and a vegetarian option upon request. You have to choose prior to boarding when you make your reservation because the food they serve is catered. Surprisingly enough, the food is actually pretty good, which may be contrary to expectations, dining out on the water. And their prime rib is the best you will find on the island.
You are on a boat charter and they can get as many as 149 passengers on the boat, so any complaints of service not befitting of fine dining should take that into account. Also, they typically go rain or shine, so check the weather before you go out and if you go during whale season, you’ll get a whale watch out of it too.
If you’re looking to catch two fish with one rod, consider going out on Hawaii Ocean Project’s Maui Princess dinner cruise.
Website
https://www.hawaiioceanproject.com/tours/sunset-dinner-cruise/
Reservations
http://www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/74683
Location
Latitude, Longitude
20.872069, -156.678591
Address
675 Wharf St
Lahaina HI 96761
Cost
$$$
Rating
3.5/5
Gallery
NextGEN Gallery
Paia Fish Market
Paia Fish Market started out as a single location in Paia on Maui’s northern shore. Since its inception, it has grown to three total locations throughout the island, and for a good reason. You will find some of the freshest fish on Maui at Paia Fish Market. It’s like you went out and caught the fish yourself, without having to do the work.
Also, as exhibited at their Lahaina location, the kitchen is in open view to the public so there’s no question as to the preparation of the fish. With some of the freshest fish you find in a restaurant coupled with the delicious preparation, Paia Fish Market is definitely a spot you’ll want to hit (a few times) while spending time on Maui.
Website
Reservations
No Need
Location
Paia
Latitude, Longitude
20.9159086,-156.3835085
Address
100 Baldwin Ave
Paia, HI 96779
Lahaina
Latitude, Longitude
20.8716993,-156.6792052
Address
632 Front St
Lahaina, HI 96761
Kihei
Latitude, Longitude
20.7321434,-156.4531003
Address
1913 S Kihei Rd
Kihei, HI 96753
Cost
$$$
Rating
3.5/5
Gallery
NextGEN Gallery
Leoda’s
Leoda’s is great for a few reasons: first, it is just about the only stop on the drive to the West side of the island from Central Maui. Second, it has some of the tastiest pies you’ll find on the island of Maui, and likely anywhere else. Sitting around mile marker 14 on Maui’s only highway to the west side of the island, Leoda’s can be a sanctuary after spending time on the water or at the beach, or if traffic has built up and you need a place to stretch the legs.
While Leoda’s does serve entrees (we recommended the spicy ahi sandwich), Leoda’s is known island-wide for the freshly baked pies that it serves. You won’t regret stopping here on the way to or from the west side of the island, as it’s worth every minute it takes to get one of Leoda’s pies.
Website
Location
Latitude, Longitude
20.811371, -156.622085
Address
820 Olowalu Village Rd
Lahaina, HI 96761
Cost
$$
Rating
4/5
Gallery
NextGEN Gallery
Monkeypod
Monkeypod is great for a casual outing or a slightly more formal occasion. Now operating at two locations on Maui, Wailea and Kaanapali, Monkeypod offers a variety of types of food, focusing more on seafood and American. You can stop in to grab some pizza for a more casual night or order some island-fresh seafood. Service is great, drinks are great, food is great.
Monkeypod has a great atmosphere, whether you’re dining outside or inside, and often has live music. Overall, it’s a great place to have a meal and is a personal favorite.
Website
Reservations
http://www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/55432
Location
Wailea
Latitude, Longitude
20.6885068,-156.4334499
Address
10 Wailea Gateway Place
Kihei, HI 96753
Kaanapali
Latitude, Longitude
20.9209451,-156.6960062
Address
2345 Kaanapali Pkwy
Lahaina, HI 96761
Cost
$$$
Rating
4/5
Gallery
NextGEN Gallery
Food Truck
Food trucks are staple of life on Maui. Parked just about anywhere you can find a relatively remote beach and also in the heart of towns, food trucks provide a quick and easy meal on the go. Contrary to the initial thought, some food trucks serve delicious foods of many varieties if you know where to look. One of the beauties of food trucks is that you can find them just about anywhere and you will find a handful of quality food trucks near beaches for the quick post surf snack.
There is an area in Kahului where you can go to find several different food trucks at once. Check out this spot for a couple of our favorites, including Fresh Off The Boat.
Latitude, Longitude
20.888095, -156.447287
Map
Tin Roof
Tin Roof is among Maui’s newer restaurants but is not lacking in quality. Only open between 10am to 2pm, Tin Roof is operated by Top Chef contestant Sheldon Simeon and his wife, Janice. Since you can only get food from Tin Roof in the short window of four hours per day, it’s a good idea to call your order in ahead of time. Getting your food here is worth the small window of opportunity though. You can expect deliciously-prepared Hawaiian comfort food from internationally recognized chef Sheldon Simeon. Tin Roof is definitely a food destination not to be missed.
Website
Reservations
Call ahead because they’re only open between 10am – 2pm
Location
Latitude, Longitude
20.8851238,-156.4548029
Address
360 Papa Pl
STE Y
Kahului, HI 96732
Cost
$$
Rating
4/5
Gallery
NextGEN Gallery
Honorable Mentions
Ululani’s Shaved Ice
Ululani’s Shaved Ice, while not technically a restaurant, is a great way to cool down when it’s hot out or just to go to for dessert. Shaved Ice it taken to an art form on the Hawaiian Islands and Ululani’s is one of the more popular places to go to satiate the sweet tooth. With many different flavors and the ability to choose up to three, as well as choose other premium addons like an ice cream center or shaved coconut or mochi, Ululani’s is one of the better ways to cool down or top off the a normal meal with a bit of sweetness.
Website: www.ululanishawaiianshaveice.com/
Lahaina Grill
Considered one of the most elegant restaurants on Maui, Lahaina Grill is hidden away on Lahainaluna Street, perpendicular to Lahaina Town’s famous Front Street. Almost as highly regarded as Mama’s Fish House, Lahaina Grill is considered superb in almost all aspects. Created to be the epitome of fine dining, Lahaina Grill serves exquisitely prepared dishes, immaculate service and an overall enjoyable experience.
However, Lahaina Grill doesn’t draw much attention in Lahaina, almost hidden away like a hole in the wall restaurant. One significant caveat remains: Mama’s Fish House is our favorite. When compared to Mama’s Fish House, other restaurants are pale in comparison. Both restaurants charge a premium for their fine dining and if we had to choose between Lahaina Grill and Mama’s Fish House, we would choose Mama’s every time. If looking for a formal evening, Lahaina Grill would be a great addition to the list, however we would choose Mama’s every time over Lahaina Grill.
Website: https://lahainagrill.com/
Reservations: http://www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/2849
Kimo’s
Kimo’s is a great spot in Lahaina on the west side to grab a bite for dinner. You can’t go wrong with fresh fish on an island and Kimo’s has many different options for fresh fish. Again, reservations are recommended.
Website: http://www.kimosmaui.com/
Reservations: http://www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/47920
Mala
Sitting right next to its sister restaurants, Honu and Frida’s, Mala is a nice place to go to for fresh island cuisine.
Website: http://www.malaoceantavern.com/
Reservations: http://www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/48085
Honu
Sister restaurant to Mala and Frida’s, Honu is a great spot for a nice, romantic dinner. Great service, food and atmosphere, you can’t go wrong with this place. Can be expensive, but many places on Maui are going to cost you a little more. Not a bad idea to get a reservation.
Website: http://www.honumaui.com/
Reservations: http://www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/61477
Duke’s
Located on the beach in northern Kaanapali, Duke’s offers great island cuisine with oceanfront views.
Website: http://www.dukesmaui.com/
Tamura’s
While not really a restaurant, Tamura’s is known island wide as the local favorite for poke. Tamura’s is a liquor store but they have a food bar inside that has some of the best poke on island.
Soundbite: Best poke ever.
Sansei
A great place for sushi, Maui has two locations for Sansei’s: Kihei and Kapalua. It also gets busy here, so reservations are recommended. If you like sushi, can’t beat Sansei’s.
Website: http://www.sanseihawaii.com/
Reservations: http://www.opentable.com/restaurant/profile/139222
