Inexpensive restaurants on Maui? Do they exist?
 

Dear Fodorites,

We are leaving for Maui in a week (first time in Hawaii for both of us) and would like some advice on restaurants. Even though we are willing to spend $$$$ to sample the best of Maui restaurants (I've made reservations for dinner at Mama's Fish House and am thinking of another comparable place), I was wondering if anyone could recommend not so expensive but good value restaurants (preferably in West Maui - we will be staying on Kaanapali beach but will have a rental car) that would have nice atmosphere, good food (local? seafood?), and be moderately priced.

Many thanks in advance!!

If they didn't exist all of the underpaid service workers employed at the reosrts would have no place to eat! Yes, there are plenty of affordable places to eat. Here are some I like in west Maui:

Sunrise Cafe for breakfast.
Gazebo for another breakfast.
Plantation House for a special breakfast.

Cool Cat Cafe for burgers. Try the liliko`i wheat ale.

Lahaina Coolers for casual dining. I really like the `ahi burger

Aloha Mixed Plate--best happy on the island with $2.50 mairtais every day from 3 to 7 and great local style food

Maui Tacos--nothing over $7.95

House of Saimin for noodles

Canoes for dinner--they have $19.95 three course sunset specials (prime rib, mahimahi or chicken last I was there) and the best salad bar on the island. Make that probable the only salad bar on the island, apart from buffets.

Hecocks has a great happy hour with $3 tropicals and $1.75 tap beers starting at 3. They also have nightly specials $14.95-19.95--crab night, lobster night, etc. Added bonus--you can see the show from the Feast at Lele from their lanai.

The Hot Dog Cart across from the banyan tree serves up Hebrew Nationals and Veggie Dogs, with kraut for $2 Includes a soda and a bag of chips.

Café Sauvage has the best food value, with prix fixe dinners in the $35 range. Amazing food for the $$.

Lahaina Fish Company is relatively inexpensive compared to other dinner choices. They have a really nice atmosphere, entrees start under $20.

If you get to Wailuku A Saigon Café and the Who's the Boss Bistro -- great food, even better value.

Just about any palce in Pa`ia.

Da Kitchen in Kihei or Kahului for plate lunch.

Mulligans for dinner in Wailea. Go on Tueday night to catch the jazz stylings of the one and only Joe Cano, or Mondays for Tom Conway and Gypsy Pacific for your dining entertainment

There are plenty more too--part of the fun of travel for me is finding that one great place no one knows about yet!

What wonderful information. We will be in Maui this February and will definitely use several of your recommendations. Thank you!!!

Thanks, here today, great info. I'm spending February maybe more on Maui, but I hate structured travel. Is it possible to find places to stay without having reservations?

I too, am grateful for the info. We leave in 32 days. It's 2 below 0 today in Michigan, and I'm dreaming of Hawaii!! A couple of questions...Is Mulligan's at a golf course in Wailea?? Seems I read that..which one?? We love Irish pubs, so..also, we love to watch college basketball--good ideas for any "sports bars" or places to watch??We're definitely going to Cool Cat Cafe, since my husband "loves" burgers (even over a steak-crazy, I know, but a cheap date), and I like beer, so I will try the liliko'i wheat ale..your tips are invaluable....we've also cancelled our reservation for Hana Kai Maui, and are gonna wing it based on the weather.. we don't want to drive there in the rain, so any advice on reservations 4-5 days in advance..we'll watch weather and go from there! Thanks gone2Maui!!!

We just returned from Maui and went to several places Here Today mentioned, she is absolutely right! We went to Aloha Mixed Plate (loved sitting outdoors oceanside). My hubby said their burger was really good - and he's pretty picky about his burgers. I enjoyed their seafood, shoyu chicken and kalua pork. Gazebo's breakfasts are also served oceanside and are yummy and inexpensive (around $15 - 20 max for two). If you have a sweet tooth the banana mac nut pancakes are for you - just order the short stack unless you have a really big appetite! Loved the fish tacos and salsa selection at Maui Tacos. Charley's in Paia had a terrific ono papaya grill for around $12 that I enjoyed. Hope to return and try more of Here Today's suggestions! Mahalo, Here Today :-)

Try Moose McGillicuddy's in Lahaina. They're open all day and the prices are very reasonable. They also offer nightly specials on food and drinks. They're open air and sportsfriendly if you want to watch a game or 2. They're not exactly "high class", but always one of our favorites when we just want to hang out.

I have to also say we *loved* Aloha Mixed Plate and ate there a few times on our last trip. YUM.

Pam, I just ate at the Cool Cat a few nights ago. It is across from the banyan tree, upstairs, and if you get a table by the rail you can people watch while you eat. There are really many places in Hana, and you be able to find something next month. Here is one that was recommended to us recently: http://www.hanamaui.net/cabana.php
We like to stay at: http://www.hana-maui.com/
One other source is: http://www.hanamaui.com/lodging.html

Mulligan's is on the Blue Golf Course--Mulligans-on-the-blue http://www.mulligansontheblue.com/

Beezely, you should be able to find something in Feb. There was a recent trip report here from a gentleman who spent a few weeks here, booking accomadations as he went. You might wat to search for recent Maui trip reports.

CCinBC-I've been reading your threads-great info- thanks for ideas..Moose McGillicuddys is where we'll catch a game or two. We don't need "high class" for beer & basketball.

Thanks MinniNo1--Aloha Plate sounds like a must.

And Gone2Maui, you always come thru..I'm visiting the Hana websites today, and we'll definitely be visiting Mulligans. Your dot-coms are fab. It's so great to have a contact on the Islands and to have so many respondants to questions. This has made my planning much easier.. Thanks. Also, a quick question--if we get up early, which we do, while in Hana, I guess it's just us and the locals until about when?? What time should we leave to visit all thats past Hana?? Oheo, 7 Pools, Lindbergh grave, etc, without the crowds, and how long a drive is it to Tedeschi Winery from there. Any ideas as to where to eat as we get closer to the populated areas?? Maybe a late lunch, early dinner??

The daytrippers seem to arrive pretty darn early anymore. I'm guessing a lot of people leave their hotels around 6 or earlier, because you will start to see them coming through pretty early. `Oheo Gulch starts to get busy by 10 am. It's about 1.5 -2 hours from Kipahulu to Ulapalakua. The winery does two tours a day, The later one being at 1:30. I wouldn't rush to get there for the tour--it's not much of a tour. Instead, take your time and enjoy the drive.

We like to get breakfast at the Hana Ranch Restaurant take out window. Check out the Macadamia French toast--it's enough for two to share. You can grab a sandwhich at the ranch store by the winery if you are starved, but I'd wait. A better stop would be Grandma's Coffeehouse in Keokea. Lots of other options as you get past Ulapalakua, in Makawao, Ha`iku and Pa`ia. Even in Pukalani--Maui's Best Tamales, where I'll be headed on Friday for traditonal sweet Christmas tamales--I'm a SoCal girl and I can't have Christams without tamales! For dinner, Makawao has the Makawao Steak House and Casanova, my favorite affordable Italian restaurant on the island. Colleen's in Ha`iku is always great for lighter fresh fare; Hana Hou for plate lunch, local style food. Or head into Pa`ia--the fishmarket, Milagros, Charleys, many others--all great.

Thanks so much... We'll be doing much of what you have suggested..sounds like you travel like we do. I can't wait to visit your beautiful island...

Here_today: thank you so much for your suggestions! We are leaving for Maui this Friday, and will follow your recommendations once there.

Arina.

Definitely go to Paia Fish Market. The food is great and inexpensive. I love the Ono Burgers (large piece of Ono in a bun.)

Also, you may want to hit Costco, Walmart, etc. to get snacks and drinks.