5 Best Restaurants in Maui, Hawaii

Few restaurants in Maui have the reputation of this North Shore eatery, tucked into a small cove just off the highway on the Road to Hana. You’ll pay for the quality of your meal, but it’s worth the splurge; the fish comes from as close as Maui’s shores to as far away as the deep waters of Antarctica, and the daily menu often tells the story of that catch.

Sam Sato's is a local favorite for noodles, manju (Japanese pastry filled with sweet bean paste), and plate lunches. Open for breakfast and lunch; the menu includes favorites like "dry noodles," beef tomato, omelets, and fried rice. Dry mein, saimin, and chow fun come in different-size portions with add-ins to satisfy every noodle craving; try a teriyaki beef stick or two while you wait for your bowl. When it's busy—which is almost always—you will likely have to wait for a table or a stool at the counter; write your name on the little yellow pad at the takeout window.

This longtime Lahaina oceanfront classic is run by the same group of wonderful folks who bring you Old Lahaina Luau. This is the place to try a "plate lunch"—a protein served in Asian-style preparation, along with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad—and also features Hawaiian favorites like laulau, kalua pork, and poi from the restaurant's own farm. Take your plate to a table so close to the ocean you just might get wet. Oh, and don't forget the mai tai!

Though it may seem like a tourist trap, this oceanside restaurant does not disappoint in the quality of its food, paired with an ambience steeped in Hawaiian history. The restaurant is named for famed surfer Duke Kahanamoku, and guests can learn about his life through memorabilia throughout. The seafood menu is downright astounding, and the famous Hula Pie—macadamia nut ice cream on a cookie crust served with hot fudge—might have you rushing to get to dessert, but you’ll definitely want to linger over dinner and drinks while enjoying nightly live music.

The 5,000 square-foot venue Huihui, meaning “constellation,” is a new shining star in the culinary scene in Hawaii. Executive Chef Tom Muromoto created a menu featuring unique Hawaiian dishes using fresh local ingredients, showcasing the Island's diversity. The restaurant also serves as an educational tool for Hawaiian cuisine, cooking, and traditions in wayfinding. Micro-greens, ulu, venison, and fresh ocean fish are some of the island's offerings woven into modern fusion cuisine. A calm dining experience and breathtaking ocean views are the perfect backdrops for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Savor a cup of signature coffee and Poi French Toast in the morning, grab a venison burger and Poke Holokai for lunch, or paddle your way back at sunset for Pau Hana in the lounge for locally inspired cocktails like the Lilikoi Mojito and Smoked Li Hing Margarita. Traditional Hawaiian cooking is the focus of dinner service from koala (barbecue), lawalu (wrapped in a ti leaf and grilled), and Chef Muromoto’s signature Laulau steamed in luau (taro leaf).