We're also big fans of Paia Fish Market, for a casual (order at the counter, sit at shared picnic style tables) lunch.

Hula Grill - decent (nothing to write home about) food in a fabulous setting.

Stay away from the other restaurant in Whaler's Village - Rusty something? It was awful.

I'll second and third the recommendation for Ono Gelato across from Paia Fish Market. It's great!

Oh yeah, stay away from Tommy Bahama's in Wailea. Frozen food microwaved. I swear I could have eaten better out of my own freezer and the staff had real bad attitudes.

Second the suggestion for Merriman's Kapalua. We had a wonderful meal there recently.

Mama's was the best place on the island (MHO)!!! I miss it and loved it!

8-)

We loved Aloha Mixed Plate. Also, Maui Taco was pretty good (fast food Mexican).

Aloha Mixed Plate is truly awful, cheap but awful. Read tripadvisor for the varied reviews, maybe we ordered badly. Same with Maui Tacos, have tried them over the years and each time the food has been very bad, dirty premises at Napili.

Thai Chef is very good for less expensive dining, near to a supermarket in central Lahaina. Some reviews are not good but we ate there in May this year and we enjoyed it. Mala was really good too, but very busy and quite expensive.

I second or third SeaWatch..went there for Sunset dinner and was great food...

We were in Maui 2 weeks ago and had 2 fabulous meals at the Haillimaile General Store. We had lunch one day and it was so delicious, we went back the next day for dinner. In Wailea there is another restaurant owned by the same folks called Joe's. When we were there, it was only opened for dinner.

The owners of Pacific O have a farm tour and lunch in the high country. The idea is good....a farm that produces product for the restaurants, but it's not worth the $50 they charge. The farm tour drags on for 2 hours and it could be done in 1/2 hour. The 'gourmet' lunch is ok but just make sure you are at the front of the line. The folks in front of us were very hungry and gobbled up most of the fish. We were polite and lined up at the end. Half of our group didn't get any of the entree (fish). Please note that the chef mentioned that the fish weighed 9 lb when caught. Hmmm. 9 lab of fish for 18 people is a bit cheap considering the tail and head were not served. We ended up paying $50 for salad, a few vegetables and a couple of chocolate covered strawberries. Even by Maui standards, this is expensive. I sent an email re: our disappointment with the event and alas, have heard nothing. So, I feel obligated to warn others to avoid the O'O farm experience (owned by Pacific O). The food that we did have was good, but definitely not worth the price.

I think Roy's is a chain. They have them in Phoenix. I always try to avoid chain places on vacation.

Roy's now has numerous restaurant locations, but he is a real person, genuine chef, and local to Hawaii (he was interviewed on the Travel Channel just last night).

I had a great meal at Aloha Mixed Plate the one time we were there.

Two questions :-)

1) I see some negative reviews for Roy's -- is that only the Kihei location, or also the Kahana location? We are staying in Kahana. The only Roy's we've been to is on the Big Island.

2) Can someone give me an idea of the average entree cost @ Haliimaile General Store for lunch? BTW, when I went to their site, it noted they are celebrating their 20th anniversary!

Thanks :)

The Roy's in Kihei just doesn't feel like a tropical Roy's. Except for my husband who doesn't want to have to drive to Kahana and back (from Wailea-Makena), the kids and I prefer it because Kahana's atmosphere is so much better. Each Roy's has their own menu and each chef at Roy's has his own dishes besides the typical dishes Roy Yamaguchi has placed is fine signature on. In the last three weeks, we dined at our local Roy's in Pebble Beach, three times. I know, I know but we had birthdays. It's a very good restaurant.

Out of the list, I've been to all of the top 5 listed and more. Our family's favorite has not been mentioned and I'm keeping my mouth shut...it's crowded enough! :S-

Mama's has good food and a wonderful setting, but is quite out of the way unless you're headed in that direction.

Haliimaile General Store (http://tinyurl.com/5w2xs8) is also a little out of the way (in the same general direction as Mama's), but consistently good. The owner Bev Gannon also has another restaurant in Wailea called Joe's.

Our favorite restaurant on Maui is the Seawatch Restaurant at the Wailea Golf Course (http://www.seawatchrestaurant.com). We go there even when we aren't golfing. Better for lunch as the views are amazing. Food is also great.

For budget meals, check out this article:
http://www.nokaoimagazine.com/Dining...ure/meals.html

Ichiban Okazuya is waaay off the tourist track but it is soo ono! (delicious)

Also, try the new spot: Wok Star in Kihei. Rice and noodle dishes, open early and late.

For a fantastic, blow-out dinner try David Paul's, Pineapple Grill, or Banyan Tree.

Tastings is closed, btw.

Probably better known by locals than tourists, The Waterfront in Maalaea. Great setting. Great food.

http://www.waterfrontrestaurant.net/

We just got back from Maui yesterday. Pacific O's was terrible. The restaurant was run down, the service was bad and the food was the worst! Hula Grille was okay. The coconut fish chowder was good. Lailannie's was a little better - same owner. I heard that Sansai sushi up near the Ritz is very good, but only open for dinner. Sadly, we could not find any really great seafood, but then again, we did not venture out to Mama's Fish House.

Four of us would like to try Mama's Fish House for lunch. Moma's does not post prices on their website menus. What is a ballpark amount for lunch for 4 people not icluding any wine or alcohol? Thanks!

Fully agree with Supercilious about the Waterfront!!