Our Favorite Restaurants
We could spends days recommending restaurants….so many good ones! Consequently, we will just touch on a few. Our recommendations are not meant to exclude other restaurants…but we are creatures of habit and tend to return to the same places again and again.
Kula
One of our favorite things to do is to go to Ocean Organic Farm and Distillery for dinner. They have live music from 5-7 every night (4:30-6:30 in winter).
This venue is a large lawn with bi-coastal views. You can pick up lawn chairs at the entrance, find your “perch” looking toward sunset. Listen to great music and eat yummy food and drinks. They close at 7 so aim to get there by 5. BEAUTIFUL, relaxed spot! When you make reservations, put in a request for the chairs (instead of tables) so you can find your preferred spot.
Kula Bistro has great food (BYOB).
Kula Lodge has beautiful views and good food.
Out beyond Kula in Keokea is Grandma’s Coffee House…funky, cute and good food!
Kahului
If you are in Kahului which is not ultimately a great destination, but if you fresh off the plane or waiting to go to the airport, our favorite restaurants in Kahului are Marcos (Italian), Pinatas (Mexican), Ale House has “American Food” and is a sports bar with lots of beer and TV’s but hidden in the back is a great Sushi Bar and Tiki Thai Restaurant. Ululani’s Shave Ice is THE BEST EVER and they have s store in Kahului, Wailuku and Kihei (others as well. There is almost always a very long line, but it is truly worth the wait. NO WHERE in Kahului is about the ambiance….these recommendations are solely on the food and proximity.
Paia
We love eating at Cafe Des Amis –great crepes and curries. FlatBread Company has good Pizza. There is a yummy ice cream store right next to Cafe Des Amis. Paia Fish Market is a hot spot for fish. Island Fresh Cafe has great breakfasts.
Mama’s Fish House (beach at Mama’s pictured here) is not technically in Paia but rather in Kuau just 10 minutes down the road. It is world famous and an experience beyond the food. Note you will likely need reservations MONTHS in advance so do not hesitate to make them early. We recommend going during daylight hours so you can enjoy the ocean view. Please also note that this is not just expensive…it is REALLY expensive. Not uncommon to spend $150-200 PER PERSON.
Makawao
Pollis (Mexican), Freshies (breakfast and lunch), Cassanovas (Italian) Garden Cafe, Lunch box. All good. Anyone left out is simply cause we don’t have experience. Makawao General Store has a deli.
Haliimaile General Store is a higher end place and ultimately has its ups and downs depending on the current chef. I have had excellent meals there and good meals. NEVER BAD, but not always over the top.
Ma’alaea
Havens has excellent food and a great view but is super expensive for dinner. We found lunch to be more reasonable and Happy Hour to be perfect. (3-5) Tantes has beautiful views, we only ate there once and the jury is still out. It was good but not over the top, but hard to judge a restaurant on one experience. The Seascape restaurant at the Maui Ocean Center has unique, local style gourmet food and is good with beautiful views.For quicker (less expensive) food, Ma’alaea General Store has some good options. We’ve only been there a couple times but it was good. And Starbucks is right there! Honestly….we’ve resorted to the Carl’s Junior quite a few times when in a hurry!
Kihei
There are.a lot of good restaurants in Kihei…but we don’t live down here any more so only can recommend a few.
Maui Brewing Company has a great venue. Music, outdoor seating, good food and excellent beer. Nalu’s has great food. Monsoon India has great Indian Food. South Maui Gardens has a food truck court and a coffee shop I’ve heard good things about (but haven’t tried.) Cafe O’lei in Dolphin Plaza. Hawaiian Moons health food store has a good deli.
Right next to our Nani Kai Hale Kihei condo is a little bar/restaurant called The Sand Witch, I haven’t tried it but heard good things.
Wailea
Monkey Pod Restaurant and Pita Paradise (greek) are great restaurants
West Side
We haven’t eaten on the west side since before the fires of 2023…and maybe not since before Covid as, when you live on the island, the “other side of the island” feels like “the other side of the world.” So we really aren’t qualified to make recommendations over there.
Merrimans (Farm to Table) in Kapalua has a great reputation and has beautiful views…and is pricey, but likely worth it.
Beyond that…you are on your own on the west side.