I can't believe that no one in this thread has mentioned David Paul's in Lahaina! I felt it was the best FOOD we had in Maui. The Firecracker Shrimp there is delicious!! It's not on the water and doesn't have a view, so it probably doesn't get as much attention, but I guarantee it will be the first place I go to when I make it back to Maui.

We enjoyed the Sea House in Napili Bay!
Great for lunch or dinner. Right on the water.

Gotta admit, Mama's has great food, and I gotta add to Cindy's posting. Not a roach, but a centipede crossed our table while dining there. Nonetheless, if you want good food, service, not minding the price, Mama's Fish House is awesome. If you want something more along the lines of Cheeseburger in Paradise, try across the street at BJ's. Good music in the evenings, casual, and just all around good food. If you want sushi, Sansei is great too! Karaoke after 10 and 1/2 off the sushi.

Mama's Fish House - hands down.

Pupu Lounge in Kihei. Fab!!!!

Pai`a Fish Market or Jawz Tacos (either the taco truck at Maken or the new store friont in the Azeka Center mauka)

Paia -- we loved Mamas Fish house (food and the setting)

Also Paia -- I don't remember the name (maybe it's Charlie's that others mentioned) but it was named after someone's Great Dane; I think the dog logo is on the front door, great lunch

Makawao -- Great Mexican place on an east/west street. Don't remember the name. Not too large, and it shouldn't be too difficult to find as Makawao isn't a large town

Ma'Alaea -- Ma'Alaea Waterfront Restaurant: This place had excellent seafood and service right on the waterfront (south side of island at narrowest part b/w East Maui and West Maui). Don't come here looking for hip or funky decor. Remember the restaurant where Jack Klugman hangs out at the end of each Quincy episode? Kind of like that. It's strictly about the food, service and waterfront view. Try to sit outside.

Kihei -- Stella Blues Cafe (in a strip mall across from McDonald's). We ate breakfast here every day. Healthy yet hearty food, hippie vibe, decorated with Grateful Dead memorabilia.

I second the motion on David Paul's in Lahaina. Excellent food and service!!

My favorite is the Hula Grill in Whalers Village. They have tables in the sand that face the water. You can watch the sunset and sip a tropical drink while waiting for dinner...I thought I must be dreaming.

Also enjoyed Ma'Alaea Waterfront Restaurant and Roy's for seafood.

Many people mention the Hula Bar and Grill right on the beach front in Kaanapali. But nobody ever mentions the two places right next to the Hula Bar - The Rusty Harpoon and Leilani's. All three offer different atmospheres and all offer great casual eatin' and drinkin'. And the Rusty Harpoon has a bunch of televisions for watching your favourite sports events.

Thankfull Maui Brews has bitten the dust. Unlike a previous poster who thought it was wonderful we hated it and put it on our "never return to" list.

I second Rusty's Leilani's suggestion. It isn't usually as crowded as the Hula Grill and I thought they were more friendly. The Hula Grill treated us like we were lucky they let us put our name on their waiting list. We left and went to Leilani's. Besides, you don't have to fight the sand while you are trying to eat.

Unfortunately, we've had more awful and mediocre meals on Maui than great ones, but we agree that Longhi's in Wailea(shops of Wailea) is wonderful and even pretty fairly priced by resort standards.

Gale what do you mean "Maui Brews has bitten the dust" ? Are they out of business ?

I would recommend with someone above that the Humu... in the Grand Wailea was delicious, as well as Sarento's on the Beach (however they did have a bit of a flying bug issue while we were there). Much to our disappointment was Roy's (the Kihei location). We are LONG time fans of Roy's, we do not have one near where we live, so this was very sad. Our meal was not very good, and certainly not up to Roy standards. Service was still excellent, it was just the meal.
Actually Tommy Bahamas at The Shops of Wailea was nice.
The Humu... place in the Grand Wailea was our favorite though.

p.s. I should mention that we heard since our last dining experience at Roy's that he sold his restaurants to (the person thought) the Black Angus chain. Not sure if that is accurate or not...

The L.A. Times recently ran an article on Roy Yamaguchi and his restaurants. There was no mention in the story of him selling anything. They listed the Newport Beach corporate address and Roy as the owner of the restaurants.

topping for new poster

Rusty.. I agree with you about the Rusty Harpoon. We were there in early December 03 and loved it. We liked it much better than the Hula Grill where you have to wait for your table and feel like you have leave right after dinner because people are waiting and watching your table. At the Harpoon we sat at a table next to the grass and the Hula Grill and could hear the music from Hula grill and had a nice view of the ocean. We never made a reservation and never had to wait. We stayed for a after dinner drink and never felt like we were being rushed by the waiter to leave. Their stuff shrimp and Ahi are the best!. Cant wait to go back in 20 days and take my brother in-law there! (His first trip to Maui). Want to try Leilani's this trip too.