We are headed to Maui and the Big Island in April for our honeymoon. We are staying at the Fairmont in Maui and the Four Seasons on the Big Island. We are going to eat at both resorts but want other recommendations for restaurants. We don't want to eat a big, pricey meal every night. We'd like to switch it up and do casual and upscale. Any recommendations?

Here's a link to a trip report I did on our trip to Maui and BI that talks about food:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34887459


This one is for activities on BI fyi --
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34899946

I have more reports if you are interested, type my name in search box and then using the drop down menu, highlight Hawaii to find them

Hope this helps...
Debi

For breakfast/lunch on the Big Island you must try Java Lava in Kailua-Kona. Food is great, view of the bay, coffee amazing, good service (our further impressions here:http://www.seetheglobe.com/modules/w...?cid=6&lid=320)

For dinner on the Big Island the Kona Inn Restaurant in Kailua-Kona was really really good. Great atmosphere, strong Mai-Tais and great food.

For breakfast and an out of this world view the Coffee Shack in Captain Cook is awesome.

My favorites on Maui:
Maui Thai in Kihei, priced just like Thai at home (beware of ordering spicy, it's way hotter than anywhere on the mainland)
Maui Tacos, huge burritos about $6, locations all over Maui, closest one to Fairmont is in Kihei
Cheeseburger in Paradise in Lahaina
Hula Grill in Ka'anapali(eat at the Barefoot Bar at sunset, great dinners and much more reasonably priced than the regular restaurant...look for the free ice cream sandwich coupon in the coupon books you can find on every corner)
Giovanni's (great Italian food!)in Ka'anapali
Seawatch Restaurant at Wailea Golf Course (lunch is very reasonably priced, dinner a bit more spendy)
Alexander's for fish & chips
Marco's South Side Grill (one in Kahului and in Kihei,the one in Kihei has a little better menu, about $15/plate for dinner, they have breakfast & lunch too)
If you like coffee, go to Bad Ass Coffee Co.
Also, there's a little cafe on S. Kihei Rd that has a great breakfast. I think it might be called Kihei Cafe, it's not too far from the Bad Ass in Maui)


On Big Island (I've only been there once, didn't get to eat too many places):
O's (used to be called Oodles of Noodles) Has Italian, Asian, and all other kind of noodle dishes. In Kona at the Safeway shopping center. More of a bistro feel, about $10/plate.
Kona Brewing Company, busy place, but food was excellent.
There was a place in Kona right on the water and unfortuantely I don't remember the name. It was on the second floor of a little shopping plaza just down the street from Hard Rock) My husband and I ate there twice it was so good.

If you go to Volcanoes NP, eat at Thai Thai in Volcano. GREAT food in a little family owned restaurant - and the spices are brought from "home" (Thailand). Wonderful!

On Maui, Sansei is a Japanese restaurant with a wide array of Pacific Rim food, not limited to sushi or tempura. Zagat's top-rated restaurant in Hawaii for a couple of years. For an incredibly romantic dining experience, drive over to Lahaina before sunset and eat at I'o restaurant on the beach. They have both covered outdoor dining and garden dining at the edge of the beach. Their food is some of the best we have ever had, with seafood their specialty. www.iomaui.com Next door, same ownership, same setting, is Pacific O. They are less seafood, more land fare, also wonderful. If you like I can e-mail you a few photos from I'o.

I second Kona Brewing. Good beer and good food.

Don't forget to plan on attending a Luau. You may want to make your reservation well in advance. The one in Lahaina is the most authentic one available on Maui and sometimes sells out quickly.

The 4S on the BI is near Kailua-Kona which has lots of casual options...all you basically have to do is drive, park, and walk around until you find something that looks good . I'd also recommend the Kawaihae Harbor Grill in Kohala, a little drive north, but a fun restaurant and not too-too pricey. The Mauna Lani resort has several good restaurants--I'd recommend the Canoehouse for a fancy dinner and sushi at the Honu Bar for more casual dining (there is Hawaiian music and dancing most nights).

Maui has lots of casual options. Cheeseburger in Paradise is a good suggestion and you can pretty much walk there from your hotel. A bit of a stroll, but good for working off the calories

For casual dining on the Big Island we enjoyed Cafe Pesto. It will be a bit of a drive for you, though.

www.cafepesto.com

In Kona, I had a great fish sandwich at Huggo's on the Rocks. Perfect meal for me - simple and tasty!

If you are close to the Hawai'i Tropical Botanical Garden you can stop at What's Shakin for a smoothie and sandwich. I had an avocado sandwich, fruit salad and smoothie that were all delicious.

I see many people recommending Cheesburger in Paradise, but when our experience there was an absolute disaster. The burgers tasted like they had been boiled (probably were put on the grill while still frozen), the beer was warm, the fries were cold, and the service was slow. Did I just hit a bad night or are people overlooking the quality of the food/service because of the awesome sunset view?

We had an OK experience at Cheeseburger in Paradise--nothing gourmet, but everything was hot (except the pina coladas) and service was fine--and enjoyed the proximity to our resort (the Grand Wailea) plus being able to walk around the Shops At Wailea after dinner.

Hi chrissywally5. I just returned from a trip to the Big Island (my 15th trip). I have some favorite restaurants I would like to share with you. First is Roy's at the Kings Shops at the Waikoloa Beach Resort (just north of the Four Seasons). The food at Roy's is absoultely wonderful!! We ate there three times this last trip. Another great choice is Merriman's in Waimea (up the mountain a ways). You turn left out of the Four Seasons, take that highway till it ends in a T, turn right and drive up the mountain to Waimea. The food, service and wine list at Merriman's is the best. Another good choice is The Canoe House which is in the Mani Lani resort. The restaurant is on the beach and is one of the best sunset locations ever. The food and service is great and be sure to bring lots of film/memory cards. The sunset shots are to die for !!!

Hope your anniversary trip is the best !!

I also was underwhelmed by Cheeseburger in Paradise. I don't see any reason to go there, especially on your honeymoon. Also didn't like Kobe Sushi in Lahaina.

Pacific-O and I'o both have great food and settings. We go to at least one every time we're in Maui. Very romantic.

Barefoot Bar at Hula Grill is a great place to grab a semi-casual dinner. They usually have a decent band playing too. Get there early, put your name in, wander around Whalers Village, have a drink at the bar, or walk on the beach while you're waiting.

For lunch, Maui Tacos is great. We also like Aloha Mixed Plate across Front St from the Safeway in Lahaina. Great outdoor patio right on the ocean. Service was iffy in the past, but very good on our last visit in Feb'07. I think their prices have crept up as it's been discovered. The grilled mahi-mahi and the kalbi ribs mixed plates are both great.

We usually pack a picnic lunch for the beach (which in Hawaii is not necessarily cheaper than eating out BTW). The Safeway has good poke rolls and seaweed salads that make a great island picnic lunch (bring/buy a little soft-sided cooler bag).

We are headed back to Maui in May. We have two favorites....Pacific 'O in Lahina. They have wonderful beachside seating and it's a great place to dine and watch the sun set. We had my daughter's wedding reception there two years ago and they did a fantastic job. We were back last year and loved it even more. You can check out their menu on their website...wwww.pacificomaui.com.

We also enjoy the Sea House Restaurant at the Napili Kai Beach Resort in Napili. Again, great beachside dining and fabulous sunsets.

Have a wonderful honeymoon! Hawaii is the perfect place to relax and have fun after all of the wedding planning.

Big Island... two more votes for Huggo's on the rocks (great cocktails with sunset views!) and "O's" near Safeway in Kona.

In Hilo, try the mac nut pancakes with coconut syrup at Ken's House of pancakes. Great for breakfast or an afternoon treat.

JAMTRAVEL nailed my two faves - you absolutely MUST get an outdoor table at the Canoe House so that you are out there for the sunset - really you MUST!! And Merriman's is wonderful and romantic as well. I am so jealous, so ready to go back to the BI...!

We just got back from Hawaii and were on both the Big Island and Maui. On the Big Island recommend Kona Brewing Company and if you get to Volcano the Thai Thai Restaurant is awesome! On Maui, reommend the Old Lahaina Luau (not necessarily inexpensive but you get unlimited alcohol drinks plus all you can eat buffet) but make a reservation before you go because it sells out. Recommend the mat seating as you are right in front of the stage. Also ate at Maui Tacos which was very reasonable and large servings. Also ate at the Royal Thai restaurant in Kihei on Maui. Enjoy your trip!

Just to add to some great suggestions:
Milagro's in Paia
Cassanova & Polli's in Makawao
Sunrise Cafe in Lahaina

Maui
The gazebo in Napili for breakfast
Plantation house at the Kapalua Clubhouse for breakfast/lunch/drinks
Sansei for sushi
Hula Grill for casual lunch/drinks
Kimo's lunch/dinner/drinks
Maui Tacos