I'm not sure that is going to cover dinner for 2 with a bottle of wine, and TTC.

There's always the verable Roy's, who usually has very good cuisine.

Check Yelp. http://www.yelp.com/c/lahaina-hi/restaurants

The Lahaina Grill has been around for quite a while and still gets good reviews.

Hula Grill, David Paul's Island Grill and Pacifi O are more good local restaurants.

Are you set on dinner? Maybe they would like to do a sunset cruise? $50 a person - http://www.sailmaui.com/rates.htm

Or how about this: http://www.warrenandannabelles.com/
We loved the show. It would be something quite different that dinner, something they will remember for some time to come. You could do the admission for $118 and then they can chose if they want drinks, appetizers or dessert. I am guessing they are over 21, or else they can't get in.

Does it have to be in Lahaina? If not, then I would suggest the Hali'imaile General Store. It is a great, fun place with amazing food. We go there every time we're on Maui. They offer a $30 fixed price deal from 5:00 to 6:30 most nights. It would also be a great place for lunch while they are exploring upcountry.

http://bevgannonrestaurants.com/haliimaile/

This also is not in Lahaina -its in Kapalua- but it is a beautiful setting- we just had happy hour here and loved it-

http://merrimanshawaii.com/maui.htm

In Lahaina we enjoyed dinner at Kimo's - waterfront- not terribly expensive

Something different in Lahaina would be Star Noodle. Not your run-of-the-mill place, but lots fun with a young vibe that a couple of food loving twenty-somethings might like.
http://www.starnoodle.com/

this is the best and worst of fodors..
one person says check yelp - is it not obvious from my post I've done some checking?
Roy's is expensive and very noisy.
AND OF COURSE A BUNCH OF GOOD IDEAS AS WELL!

I don't know how much they will want to leave Lahaina so I'm loath to book something not right there but I will check. Great idea for the cruise!

THANKS AND MORE IDEAS ALWAYS WELCOME

http://www.gerardsmaui.com/cms/index.php

OK you all did see my note that we KNOW there are lots of high end places....but dinner/drinks would be $200 plus.

We are thinking of Kimo's which was suggested on another board.

Sorry. I didn't read closely enough.

Of course my personal favorites are i'o and pacific'o restaurant on the beach at 505 Shops. Star Noodle is amazing too, but not what I would call romantic. My friend Jon posts about moderate priced restaurants here that you should check out:
http://www.mauihawaii.org/restaurants/moderate-restaurants.htm
there is also great general info for maui. hope it helps!

lets see
Merrimans & Lahaina Grill would be $200 w/wine, Roys, $150(while the food is good, its about as romantic as Star Noodle) Kimos, Sansei & Hula Grill have early bird deals that would work....There is a half off coupon for I'O at the Visitors Center in Lahaina that would work if they dont mind coupon shame

If the fiance is in culinary school, offer $100 towards Lahaina Grill or lunch at Mamas...they are the 2 best

For the record, the OP didn't mention "romantic" as a requirement for the restaurant. Agree that Star Noodle is not "romantic", but I suggested it as I think it fits the financial, geographical and the "bit special" requirements mentioned.

I don't understand the need to denigrate previous suggestions instead of just making your own and let the OP decide. Who really knows what this couple will really enjoy?

Some posters just say "Thanks, I was really looking for something under $200" rather than bark at people giving free advice.

And avoid using capital letters to shout at respondents.

They often get more responses than those that are less appreciative.

I think a culinary student would appreciate a lunch at Hailiimaile General Store. Bev Gannon's first career was in the music industry. She left it to start a small catering business on Maui and turned it into a culinary empire with her husband. They now own the catering business, 3 restaurants, and consulting with airlines as well as consulting at a restaurant on Lanai. She was one of a handful of innovative chefs that revolutionized the food scene in Hawaii.

We ALWAYS visit HGS and always order the Sashimi Napolean. It is a masterful creation of taste and texture and detail.

http://bevgannonrestaurants.com/haliimaile/files/2011/08/Sashimi-Napoleon.jpg

We are part of Wendy the barmaids Ohana and when there for lunch she always insists we try the soup and it is always wonderful. She makes a mean jalapeno margarita too!

Considering their age and culinary dreams, you could make a creative gift by printing out her menus and history and the surrounding area for exploration including Paia, Makawao and Hookipa Park. I would think it would make a wonderful few hours away from their home base.

Most of the "foodie" types I know might just as much enjoy a meal at a place like Aloha Mixed Plate as they would Mama's. I suggest that if you can't afford a high end dining experience, try the other end of the spectrum. Chefs appreciate a well-made burger as much as a perfectly grilled Ono fillet, and by sending them to something like Aloha Mixed Plate, you'd at least be giving them a dining experience that they haven't yet had.

Surely they will leave Lahaina to see some of the island.

Most visitors tour Haleakala -- and could detour to Hali'imaile General Store. They'd probably also go north to piney Kapalua and south to the end of the road past Makena -- could try more a moderately-priced Gannon's venture above Wailea (B,L,D). I'O has a farm tour/lunch in Kula.

I'd scratch Kimo's regardless of cost. There are three or four *popular* places in Kaanapali that are all one chain -- none especially wonderful.

The sunset cocktails-and-pupu's cruise is a good idea; dinner cruises are not.

the caps were not complaining, they were complimentary.

and I get frustrated when I see there's a bunch of responses and some of them haven't even read the post.

As i mentioned on another board, some have suggested that if they are young and staying in Lahaina they may not want to travel to the other side of the island to have dinner. I don't want to get them something they can't use. I also don't know if they will have a car- I am assuming so but they may not. He's kind of a lug to be honest.

I guess my thought process is, I know the bride pretty well, him not at all but I know he's not adventurous, and not too outdoorsy. I am guessing they picked Maui because it 's romantic to them and not so much for the outdoor activities.
The moderate resto list was very helpful - looking at Castaway Cafe and I still favor Kimo's which is one of the places I have actually been. I actually don't like Lahaina and would never stay or eat there (except once at Kimo's which we loved) so this is why I'm looking for suggestions.
I like the cruise idea and am pondering the sunset cruise. I am going to ask MOB what she knows about their taste and their plans.

I'm also loath to get a lunch thing or an all day thing as i don't want to impinge on their plans, and I figure they'll want to go out to eat dinner at least once.

We really enjoyed the sunset cruise with drinks and pupu's. I did a trip report on it. A bit long in the tooth, but may help you decide:



http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/debitnm-trip-report-part-3a---maui-activities.cfm

tileaftilly,
I wasnt knocking you, I was elevating Star Noodle by comparing it to Roys. I think Star Noodle is a fine choice for $100, the owner/cook there is a asian fusion genius. They make everything there from scratch, even the desserts. I have had close to everything on the menu, and many things that arent, all excellent. The only thing I didnt like was one of his ice cream creations...Lemon pepper ice cream; blah

FrankS, I misunderstood then. I agree with you about StarNoodle.

Well, this may or may not help tileaftilly, but it sure is helping me (we'll be there in September)

Based on FrankS's comments, Star Noodle just sounds much more interesting for a couple into food.

Gosh, I sure HOPE they have a car reserved! It's rare for a visitor not to have one. They might as well go to an all-inclusive in 'Wherever' (Third World Country).

I'm starting to think I'd give them $100 on a Visa gift card and tell them you hope they'll use it on a nice dinner. You could enclose a list of our Super Suggestions! LOL

For this purpose, Kimo's would be fine. I am sure they will enjoy any place you select for them.

Wow Chisue that was uncalled for. My thought of not having a car is that if all they want to do is head to the beach and relax they may not WANT to go exploring. I know they are staying in a cottage w/ a kitchen so they may just want to spend time in Lahaina.
I'm not giving a gift car - for me I may as well give cash.

I am looking at several suggestions from another thread, including a $100 GC for leilani's so they could use it for lunch, towards the dining room, or dinner at the beachside cafe.

Also looking at Star noodle but i don't know how much they actually like Asian fusion. I think I'D love it but they are younger and a little more pedestrian.

I'm just amazed at how expensive restos are in Maui.

Where's the Aloha?

So many argumentative people on this thread. Sorry I wasted my time.

@lookin Glass - don't feel that way! Your suggestion was very helpful, just beyond my budget and not in Lahaina. But good to know about.

"I am looking at several suggestions from another thread, including a $100 GC for leilani's so they could use it for lunch, towards the dining room, or dinner at the beachside cafe."

Just wanted you to make sure that you know Leilani's is not in Lahaina. It is on Kaanapali Beach at Whaler's Village, which is north of Lahaina a few miles.

I think the Visa gift card idea is a good one. I just used several on a recent trip that were given to DH and I for a special occasion.

However it works out, it is a very generous and thoughtful thing you are doing.

I'm not sure why the car rental is such a controversy, but they really do need a rental car to enjoy Maui to it's fullest.

That's pretty much the standard recommendation.

Whatever you chose, I'm sure they will be appreciative.

After all this, I'm left wanting to investigate Star Noodle, so I did get something out of this, too.

Whether or not they rent a car is there business; but since they are young, a rental car would probably be VERY expensive for them as young renters. Add that to what are very high rental prices in HI and it isn't hard to imagine them not renting a car. Especially if they are really seasoned travelers yet.

So, how about we just respect what the OP asked for and not get into a contest with the replies?

their, not there.

thanks debit. couldn't have described it better.

I thought we were being civil...

Its not like anyone said Merrimans Opakapaka is Dolphin, Mamas has cockroaches, or Roys Lava cake is really Duncan Hines.

Aloha

There are loads of fun places to eat if you just walk around the central part of Lahaina. Fun and funky, hip and interesting, not necessarily high-end or stuffy. Aloha Mixed Plate was one of my favorite meals, as one example. Several other casual spots (sorry don't remember names) where we popped in, no reservations, had patio seating, delicious fresh fish, or pasta, with wine, under $50pp.

Why not print out a street walking map of Lahaina and wrap it around a $100 bill!

Roy's Lava cake could be Duncan Hines. I'm still addicted to it.

oooh i know i know...

Breakfast on the veranda at Pioneer Inn is lovely
http://www.pioneerinnmaui.com/

suze's idea wins!

Marginal,
Me too! I love Roys Lava Cake

LOL - what a thread. My best advice is that if people are taking their time and trying to offer advice - take it and use it or not, or come back to nicely ask questions about their recommendation.

And if you are unsure of the young couple's taste preferences - suggest you do ask the mother.

For a Culinary School grad - I would think something like the Star Noodle suggestion would be very interesting(especially since it is right in Lahaina), and unless you find out they don't like Asian cooking (which I would find surprising) - that would be one of my front line choices. http://www.starnoodle.com/find-us/

And Sansei is also a special place that could work - but it's up the beach a little from Lahaina - in Kapalua. http://kapalua.com/dining/sansei-seafood-restaurant-sushi-bar

I just know if *I* were on vacation I would not want to be tied into going somewhere one night just because someone had bought me a gift certificate specifically to it. And I most definitely would not ask their mother. Sheez.

Seriously, use my idea. You could print out some cute stuff from the internet, maybe including a few suggestions, but let them decide for themselves. That makes $100 seem like a very generous gift, instead of possibly not really enough to pay in full for a meal at a high-end place.

Actually - what Suze says does make some sense. I am old fashioned and like to try and do the research and pick a place I think they would like (and asking their mother would only endear you to her) - but it really might be better to give them a list of suggestions/recommendations and they could decide how to spend the $100.

Who knows - they might like to split it up and go for a couple of meals at places that are young, hip and not necessarily gourmet.

Or take a cruise, whatever.

"some sense"??? "some" geez thanks.

heck they might like to order 10 maitais on the beach and drink them all at once!!!

It had to happen sooner or later.

@suze -it's a honeymoon for two young adults (early 20s) each of whom still lives at home so I am darn well going to ask the MOB what she thinks! And as several places mentioned on this and another thread are within the $100 limit I think it'll be fine.

Yo know: You try to be nice - and gals like Suze - who I am guessing have had others kissing up to her - take it all the wrong way. Typical - fill in the blanks - but did I say Blond? Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

Bottom line - even though you mean well - and take pride in researching the gift that is just right for them, as I would do - I still suggest you just give them a gift card/nicely enhanced - and they will love you for it.

And then Tile- a filly - - whose choice I applauded - has to hang with the ladies. So sad.

I'm so done with this thread.

Par for the course.

Hope you learned something.

Humblebragger pajama poster doesn't have a clue.

kissing up to me? blonde? Hardly.

i only joined this thread because i heard rumors how bad some people were behaving here.

i still say cash is nicer because maybe they don't want to go to the restaurant you OR their mother picked out.

When we were on Maui staying not far from Lahaina, we had 2 memorable meals at a very small, but lively restaurant called Mala Ocean Tavern. Not as upscale as Merriman's or Mama's Fish House which we enjoyed as well, but good food, fun, casual. Not sure of prices, but even if bill is > $100, your gift certificate would pay a substantial portion, I'm certain.

Also have heard great things about Lahaina Grill & Bev Gannon's Hali'imaile General Store, but didn't have time to try on our visit to Maui - next time!

Another thing we did which we loved that was in Lahaina was an oceanfront type of dinner/show that was called "Feast at Lele". We absolutely loved our evening there. It was pricey - ~ $100 per person, but we thought a good value for excellent food & evening of entertainment. My niece & her husband had some type of online honeymoon fund set up that you could gift money & designate it for something on their list. The Feast at Lele was one of their choices, so we gave that to them as a gift.

We also did a sail/snorkel trip from Maui to Lanai that leaves from Lahaina - again, a bit expensive, but if they were interested in this type of activity, your gift would help out substantially.

Feast of Lele is a fantastic suggestion (unfortunately twice the price of what they want to spend here though).