My wife and I will be in Maui in February, staying at the Westin Kaanapali Resort Villas. Can any Fodorites recommend some distinctive dinner experiences while we are there? Good wine list is a plus, and we are not opposed to haute cuisine but not set on it either. The dinner is pretty much our "night life" for the evening, and we will have a rental car so driving is not a problem. Thanks!

This is dated, but may be helpful:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...art-2-food.cfm

Thanks! I read good things about Chez Paul as well.

Haliimaile General Store is my perennial favorite place on Maui. Are there fancier? Yes. Are there more romantic? Yes. Are there places with a better view? Yes, but I'd say it certainly qualifies as "distinctive". The sashimi napoleon ranks up with as one of my favorite restaurant appetizers. It will be the first place we hit when we are on island in February.

Chez Paul has always been a favorite of ours, but hate to tell you that it has closed.

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I have been reading a lot about Pacific Rim cuisine, will be looking forward to that....any recommendations along that line? Haliimaile General Store sounds great!

We just ate at KIMO's in Lahaina, very good fish. I would make reservations for dinner if you want a good table.

iamq - make sure you get in Wendy's Ohana Photo Album this time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybWwbLu1j6M

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2675/...651772bc_o.jpg

Hard to beat Merrimans at Kapalua. It is right on the beach and has spectacular sunsets. Food is outstanding. You can see the menu on their website.

I just returned from a weeklong trip to Maui on Wednesday. By far my favorite meal (with great wine) was the Plantation House. It's about a 20-25 minute drive from Ka'anapali area. Make a reservation at 5:30 so you can enjoy the view while the sun sets. I highly recommend the opakapaka served either Mediterranean style (substitute mashed potatoes for couscous) or Maui style. Both were incredible (we ate their twice).

My second favorite meal was at Lahaina Grill.

Thanks for the recommendations!

I like Merrimans and Roys, but I am surprised that no one mentioned Mama's Fish House. It was one place that I have always wanted to go to, but never made it. It is definitely on the agenda for our next trip.

Mama's is better for lunch so you can see the ocean. Once was enough for me.

I've only had lunch at Mama's once and it wasn't a full blown lunch experience - just sharing an app and an entree at the bar. I have heard good things if you treat it like a big event and take a few hours and drop a load of cash. That said, the setting is lovely and the food may be memorable. I might consider it when staying south, but somehow the drive back to Kaanapalli after a few glasses of wine with dinner, in the dark, takes the glow off.

My wife and I love the Westin Villas and stay there all the time. Just north of the Villa's in Napili, is the Sea House resturant in the Napili Kai resort on Honoapalini HWY. The food is very good and the prices are reasonable. The resturant sits right on the ocean on a small bay and the scenery is beautiful. The best time to get there is before sunset, but that may be a little early in February. Reservationa are recommended. For breakfast, I recommend the Gazebo restuarant just across the bay from the Sea House in the Napili Shores resort.

Actually, I am happy with fish tacos at Laelani's on the beach at sunset.

Have a look at Gerard's in Lahaina.

gerardsmaui.com

Wow, great recommendations from all. Thanks so much. We have five nights there so it looks like the dining calendar is filling up nicely.

Mama's Fish House is very expensive but very fine food. Plan to spend the afternoon in the area as there are wildly crashing waves with windsurfers, kite surfers, etc enjoying the thrill. A beautiful beach to walk along and take in the awesome sights.
Kimo's in Lahaina is right on the water on Front St and is excellent. We ate there twice on our last trip in April and will make reservations again in Feb.
evanphyl's response re Sea House and Gazebo is spot on although we didn't make it up there this last trip.
If you like a good cheeseburger and a great time, upstairs @ Cheeseburger's in Paradise is not to be missed. I have been going there for probably the last 15 years or so and it is "touristy" to say the least, but the view and fun atmosphere is hard to beat for the price.
All the best!