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For a place the size of Maui, there’s a lot going on when it comes to the dining scene, from ethnic holes-in-the-wall to stunningly appointed hotel dining rooms, and from seafood trucks to oceanfront fish houses with panoramic views. Much of the food is excellent, but some of it is overpriced and touristy. If you’re coming from
For a place the size of Maui, there’s a lot going on when it comes to the dining scene, from ethnic holes-in-the-wall to stunningly appointed hotel dining rooms, and from seafood trucks to oceanfront fish houses with panoramic views. Much of the food is excellent, but s
For a place the size of Maui, there’s a lot going on when it comes to the dining scene, from ethnic holes-in-the-wall to
For a place the size of Maui, there’s a lot going on when it comes to the dining scene, from ethnic holes-in-the-wall to stunningly appointed hotel dining rooms, and from seafood trucks to oceanfront fish houses with panoramic views. Much of the food is excellent, but some of it is overpriced and touristy. If you’re coming from a "food destination" city, you may have to adjust your expectations.
Follow the locavore trend, and at casual and fine-dining restaurants choose menu items made with products that are abundant on the island, like local fish, beef, venison, onions, avocados, cabbage, broccoli, asparagus, hydroponic tomatoes, myriad herbs, salad greens, kalo (taro), bananas, papaya, guava, lilikoi (passion fruit), coconut, mangoes, strawberries, and Maui pineapple. You can also look for treats grown on neighboring islands, such as mushrooms, purple sweet potatoes, and watermelon.
"Local food," a specific and official cuisine designated as such in the 1920s, is an amalgam of foods brought by the ethnic groups that have come here since the mid-1800s and also blended with the foods native Hawaiians have enjoyed for centuries. Dishes to try include lomilomi salmon, laulau,poi, Portuguese bean soup, kalbi ribs, chicken katsu, chow fun, hamburger steak, and macaroni salad. For a food adventure, take a drive into Central Maui and have lunch or dinner at one of the "local" spots recommended here. Or get even more adventurous and take a drive around Wailuku or Kahului and find your own hidden gem—there are plenty out there.
Delicious artisan sandwiches, classic burgers, and signature items make 808 on Main a local favorite. Their pupus, cocktails, and draft beers will make you wish they were open later (10-3 pm). Check out their counterpart 808 Deli in Kihei for breakfast, paninis, and gourmet hot dogs.
This popular spot began as a French-Vietnamese bakery on Oahu and has branched into popular small restaurants sprinkled throughout the Islands. Some are kiosks in malls; others are stand-alone with some picnic tables out front, as is the case at this location. Ba-Le is also located in Kahului, Lahaina, and Kihei. The Vietnamese pho (the famous soups laden with seafood or rare beef, fresh basil, bean sprouts, and lime) share menu space with local-style saimin and plates of barbecue or spicy chicken, beef, pork, or local fish served with jasmine rice.
Sam Sato's is a local favorite for noodles, manju (Japanese pastry filled with sweet bean paste), and plate lunches. Open for breakfast and lunch; the menu includes favorites like "dry noodles," beef tomato, omelets, and fried rice. Dry mein, saimin, and chow fun come in different-size portions with add-ins to satisfy every noodle craving; try a teriyaki beef stick or two while you wait for your bowl. When it's busy—which is almost always—you will likely have to wait for a table or a stool at the counter; write your name on the little yellow pad at the takeout window.
Stillwell's is one of the best bakeries in Maui, so this is the place to come for coffee and an outrageously good strawberry florentine or a renowned cream horn. Their breakfast and lunch offerings are exceptional, from a fried egg sandwich to mouthwatering pancakes and gourmet sandwiches on house-made bread to their famous Chinese chicken salad. Every day is cake day at Stillwell's, so order the perfect cake for that special occasion. The desserts on display will surely make you drool; go ahead, you're on vacation!
Locals have been flocking to this off-the-beaten-path gem for years, lured in by the reliably delicious Vietnamese cuisine served family-style at decent prices. It's tucked behind a nondescript overpass—and only recently did they put a sign on its building—but you can't go wrong with the green papaya salad, mixed fondue, and the make-your-own Vietnamese burritos.
The food is so fresh at this Waikapu standout that you can see the fields where the food was grown while seated at your mountain view table. This family-owned restaurant creates rich cuisine from mauka (mountain) to makai (ocean), boasting seasonal produce. With every bite, you know it was made with aloha. Reservations encouraged.
1670 Honoapiilani Hwy., Waikapu, Hawaii, 96793, USA
Located in Wailuku on Market Street, serving breakfast and lunch crafted by chefs utilizing various cooking styles and techniques to showcase the seasonal bounty Maui has to offer. Rotating menus (every 62 days) are created using seasonally fresh farm ingredients. It's not only a restaurant but a market too, featuring chef-crafted spices, rubs, and sauces made from local herbs and vegetables.
Tokyo Tei is worth seeking out for local-style Japanese food. At lunch, you can rub elbows with bankers and construction workers, and at dinner, three generations might be celebrating tutu's (grandma's) birthday at the next table. Enjoy the freshest sashimi, feather-light crispy shrimp and vegetable tempura, and local-style bentos and plate lunches. They're open Monday to Saturday from 10:30 to 1:30 pm and 5:00 to 8:30 pm, and Sundays from 5:00 to 8:00 pm.
1063 Lower Main St., Wailuku, Hawaii, 96793, USA
808-242–9630
Known For
Local institution that's been around for more than eight decades
Misoyaki-glazed fish
Unlikeliest of locations for great food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.--Sat. 1:30--5 pm; Sun. dinner only
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