Maui Restaurants

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.

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  • 1. Freshies Maui

    $

    While the rest of Makawao Town eases into the day, fuel up with a hearty breakfast at this garden café in the shade of a sprawling Argentinian coral tree. With options like huevos rancheros, French toast, and housemade biscuits and gravy, it feels like Sunday brunch every day.

    3620 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, Hawaii, 96768, USA
    808-868–2350

    Known For

    • Peaceful setting
    • Vegetarian and vegan options
    • Local and organic ingredients

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and major holidays; no dinner
  • 2. Haliimaile General Store

    $$$$

    Chef-restaurateur Beverly Gannon's first restaurant remains a culinary destination after more than 30 years, serving exquisite dishes like Bev's Famous Crab Pizza, sashimi napoleon, BBQ pork sandwich, and the macadamia nut--crusted fresh catch. There are daily and nightly specials, hand-crafted cocktails, and local beers as well. The big, rambling former plantation store has two dining rooms; both are usually full, so reservations are encouraged.

    900 Haliimaile Rd., Haliimaile, Hawaii, 96768, USA
    808-572–2666

    Known For

    • Bev Gannon's classic recipes
    • Exquisite dining in an unlikely location
    • Hawaii regional cuisine

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 3. T. Komoda Store and Bakery

    $

    One of Makawao's landmarks is T. Komoda Store and Bakery, a mom-and-pop shop that has changed very little over the last century. If you arrive early enough, you can get an incredible "stick" doughnut, cream-filled malasadas, or delicious cream puffs. The store makes hundreds daily but sells out.

    3674 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, Hawaii, 96768, USA
    808-572–7261

    Known For

    • Long but fast-moving lines
    • Amazing guava malasadas (Portuguese cream puffs)
    • Cool store with historic vibe

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Wed. and Sun., Small parking lot to the right of building
  • 4. Casanova Italian Restaurant

    $$$ | Coffee

    An authentic Italian ristorante, Casanova is smack dab in the middle of Maui's paniolo (cowboy) town of Makawao. Imported from Italy, the brick wood-burning oven has turned out perfect pies and steaming-hot focaccia for more than 20 years. Sunday brunch is new and exciting, with omelets ordered to your liking, specialty benedicts, and flowing mimosas. Generous portions and fresh, local ingredients make Casanova the perfect stop.

    1188 Makawao Ave., Makawao, Hawaii, 96768, USA
    808-572–0220

    Known For

    • Outstanding calamari
    • Attentive staff and friendly atmosphere
    • Decadent desserts
  • 5. Grandma's Coffee House

    $ | Coffee

    If you're taking a drive through the gorgeous Upcountry, this is a great place to stop for a truly homegrown, organic cup of coffee. The Franco family has been perfecting their coffee since 1918, growing the beans, handpicking, drying them under the Maui sun, then roasting them at the coffeehouse. Their menu is a true reflection of local culture, the meals tutu (grandma) made for the ohana (family). Pop in or order take-out online; the baked goods, bagels, or burgers will hit the spot.

    9232 Kula Hwy., Keokea, Hawaii, 96790, USA
    808-878–2140

    Known For

    • Fresh-pressed juices
    • Tasty, generously portioned breakfasts
    • Idyllic country location best viewed from the back deck

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Casual
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Kula Bistro

    $$

    Nestled on the slopes of Haleakala, this bistro's atmosphere is reminiscent of trattorias in northern Italy. Serving up home-style food with a splash of Italian, this eatery makes the scenic drive worth it. Start the day with any of their benedicts, frittatas, or the indulgent white chocolate macadamia nut pancakes. Grab any one of their outstanding paninis for lunch, or enjoy dinner from specialty pasta, prime rib, house-made vegetable lasagna, signature pizzas, to the local favorite loco moco.

    4566 Lower Kula Rd., Kula, Hawaii, 96790, USA
    808-871–2960

    Known For

    • BYOB
    • Family- and group-friendly
    • Impressive desserts

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No breakfast on Mon.
  • 7. Nui's Garden Kitchen

    $

    This roadside Thai food truck fronts the 40-acre Maui Nui Farm, owned by Nui and Kit. You can expect fresh produce and ingredients that change with the seasons. The menu changes often, but everything is delicious. The curry and pad Thai are perennial favorites. Stop and grab a bite to eat, then tour their beautiful farm.

    151 Pulehunui Rd., Kula, Hawaii, 96790, USA
    808-264–1103

    Known For

    • Farm-fresh ingredients
    • Outdoor seating with views of Haleakala
    • Excellent peanut sauce
  • 8. Polli's Mexican Restaurant

    $

    A Makawao staple since 1981, Polli's is set in the town's only intersection. Polli's is a lively Mexican restaurant that serves up the best fish tacos on the Island. The portions are generous, with classic fajitas, burritos, and enchiladas; there are vegetarian options.

    1202 Makawao Ave., Makawao, Hawaii, 96768, USA
    808-572–7808

    Known For

    • Fun and friendly atmosphere
    • Huge dishes and family-style dining
    • Tasty mango, strawberry, and lilikoi (Hawaiian passion fruit) margaritas

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
  • 9. Market Fresh Bistro

    $$$$
    Closed Permanently

    This hard-to-find restaurant tucked into a courtyard serves farm-to-table food prepared by chef Justin Pardo, formerly of Union Square Café in New York City. In addition to offering locally grown and produced ingredients, Pardo nods to healthful eating by using reductions and infused oils rather than butter. Representative dishes include the Upcountry vegetable salad and creative fresh fish preparations. Reservations are essential for the Thursday-night prix-fixe farm dinners, which are pricey. Lunch, however, is much less—around $12. Brunch is served on Sunday only.

    3620 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, Hawaii, 96768, USA
    808-572–4877

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner Fri.–Wed., Credit cards accepted

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