74 Best Restaurants in Maui, Hawaii

808 on Main

$ Fodor's choice

Delicious artisan sandwiches, classic burgers, and signature items make 808 on Main a local favorite. Their pupus, cocktails, and draft beers will make you wish they were open later (10-3 pm). Check out their counterpart 808 Deli in Kihei for breakfast, paninis, and gourmet hot dogs.

2051 Main St., Wailuku, Hawaii, 96793, USA
808-242--1111
Known For
  • refreshing house-made strawberry lemonade
  • fun and friendly atmosphere
  • tasty fish sandwiches
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.

Ba-Le Sandwiches & Bakery

$ Fodor's choice

This popular spot began as a French-Vietnamese bakery on Oahu and has branched into popular small restaurants sprinkled throughout the Islands. Some are kiosks in malls; others are stand-alone with some picnic tables out front, as is the case at this location. Ba-Le is also located in Kahului, Lahaina, and Kihei. The Vietnamese pho (the famous soups laden with seafood or rare beef, fresh basil, bean sprouts, and lime) share menu space with local-style saimin and plates of barbecue or spicy chicken, beef, pork, or local fish served with jasmine rice. 

1824 Oihana St., Wailuku, Hawaii, 96793, USA
808-249–8833
Known For
  • affordable Vietnamese cuisine
  • boba teas in fun flavors like taro or pineapple
  • opakapaka (pink snapper) with garlic shrimp
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Casual

Colleen's at the Cannery

$$ Fodor's choice

You'd never guess what's inside by the nondescript exterior and the location in an old pineapple cannery-cum-strip-mall, but this is one of Maui's most overlooked and underrated restaurants. Popular with locals for breakfast, lunch, and a daily happy hour, at night during dinner is when the candles come out and it's time for martinis and fresh fish; you'll feel like you're at a hip urban eatery.

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Da Kitchen

$ Fodor's choice

This extremely popular purveyor of all food "local" is bright, shiny, comfortable, and just minutes from Kahului airport. Try the signature mahimahi tempura, loco moco, Hawaiian plate, chicken katsu, and daily mixed bentos; and rest assured that everything on the menu is delicious and portions are gigantic. There's an "express" location in Kihei, but we recommend the happy, always-crowded Kahului location.

425 Koloa St., Kahului, Hawaii, 96732, USA
808-871–7782
Known For
  • fried spam musubi
  • enormous plate lunches
  • Polynesian paralysis moco with fish tempura, kalua pork, two eggs, onion, mushrooms, and gravy—all served over fried rice
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.

Down the Hatch

$$ Fodor's choice

Located steps from Lahaina Harbor, this casual restaurant serves top-notch seafood with Southern flair. The shrimp po'boy, seared ahi (yellowfin tuna) tacos, and fish-and-chips are perennial favorites. Order at the counter and grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables. Nightly live music, big screen televisions, and a full bar make this an entertaining choice any time of the day. For dessert, stop in for shave ice at Breakwall Shave Ice Co. next door, which is run by the same owners, and is also home to the famous "adult shave ice" for the 21 and older set.

Freshies Maui

$ Fodor's choice

While the rest of Makawao Town eases into the day, fuel up with a hearty breakfast at this garden café in the shade of a sprawling Argentinian coral tree. With options like huevos rancheros, French toast, and housemade biscuits and gravy, it feels like Sunday brunch every day.

Haliimaile General Store

$$$$ Fodor's choice

Chef-restaurateur Beverly Gannon's first restaurant remains a culinary destination after more than 30 years, serving exquisite dishes like Bev's Famous Crab Pizza, sashimi napoleon, BBQ pork sandwich, and the macadamia nut--crusted fresh catch. There are daily and nightly specials, hand-crafted cocktails, and local beers as well. The big, rambling former plantation store has two dining rooms; both are usually full, so reservations are encouraged.

900 Haliimaile Rd., Haliimaile, Hawaii, 96768, USA
808-572–2666
Known For
  • Bev Gannon's classic recipes
  • exquisite dining in an unlikely location
  • Hawaii regional cuisine
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.

Hana Farms Bamboo Hale Grill & Pizzeria

$$ Fodor's choice

Just outside of Hana is this small food truck that has been transformed into a permanent location with a large, covered patio, real restrooms, and beautiful wood-fired pizzas, calzones, and salads that highlight the vegetables from Hana Farms. While you wait for your food enjoy the free Wi-Fi (very rare in the area) and peruse the shelves of the farm stand for tropical fruits, banana bread, home and bath gifts, and more. For some of the only nightlife in the area, drop by on Friday nights for live music from local musicians.

2910 Hana Hwy., Hana, Hawaii, 96713, USA
808-248–4047
Known For
  • sides vibrantly flavored and colored with turmeric and curry powder
  • farm-grown veggies included in every dish
  • a beautiful outdoor eatery
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.--Thurs.

Hana Ranch Restaurant

$$ Fodor's choice

The variety of abundance from local Hana farms is on display here with fresh produce highlighting plates with tasty American fare and a few local favorites like loco moco (white rice, burger patty, fried egg, and brown sauce) and ahi (yellowfin tuna) poke. The quality of meals and the prices are reflective of a more upscale restaurant, but customers can keep it casual here (no swimwear allowed, however). The bar, with its decadent craft cocktails (and mocktails) and local beer selection, tends to get a bit lively in the evening, one of the few options for nightlife in the area.

Joey's Kitchen

$$ Fodor's choice

Chef-owner Joey Macadangdang, who has been at the helm of fine-dining kitchens for most of his career, brings his good taste to the masses with this unfussy restaurant featuring Filipino, Asian, and American fusion dishes. A longtime champion of local producers, many of his recipes highlight ingredients grown on Maui. Don't be fooled by its under-the-radar location in a strip mall; there's a good chance you'll find yourself returning here several times during your trip.

Kihei Caffe

$ Fodor's choice

This unassuming popular spot across the street from Kalama Beach Park has a breakfast menu that runs the gamut from healthy yogurt-filled papaya to the local classic loco moco—two eggs, ground beef patty, rice, and brown gravy—and everything in between. Unique menu items include corned beef hash and catfish at breakfast and a calamari sandwich at lunch. A second location recently opened in Lahaina.

Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop

$ Fodor's choice

Slow down as you drive through the little roadside village of Olowalu, about 15 minutes before Lahaina town if you're coming from the airport, so you don't miss this adorable farmhouse-chic restaurant and pie shop, where everything is prepared with care. All the breads are house-made and excellent, and most ingredients are sourced locally; try a sandwich or a burger with Kula onions for lunch, or comfort food like pot pies for an early dinner. This is a big fan favorite, and lines are often very long -- don't expect to get through quickly if you're in a rush.

Note: If you've been to Leoda's in the past you may need to modify your expectations; they shifted to a limited menu during the pandemic and breakfast and dinner look a lot different.

Mala Ocean Tavern

$$$$ Fodor's choice

The menu at this oceanfront standout features interesting local-style Hawaiian food fusions. There's a focus on ingredients that promote local sustainability, and the cocktails and wine list are great, too. Daily brunch and happy hours keep guests happy all day, and a late night menu on Friday and Saturday features raw fish and wagyu plus discounted cocktails.

Mama's Fish House

$$$$ Fodor's choice

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.

799 Poho Pl., Paia, Hawaii, 96779, USA
808-579–8488
Known For
  • incredibly fresh fish processed and served within 24 hours
  • Mama’s Stuffed Fish, filled with lobster and crab then crusted in macadamia nuts
  • hard-to-come-by dinner reservations
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Reservations recommended

Maui Brewing Company

$ Fodor's choice

You don’t need to be a beer lover to appreciate a visit to Maui Brewing Company’s flagship location. Spanning more than five acres, the Kīhei compound includes a restaurant, brewery, and tasting room. Craft pizzas, burgers, salads, and more highlight a lively menu, as do craft cocktails. Step behind the scenes with a one-hour guided brewery tour on the weekend.

Morimoto Maui

$$$$ Fodor's choice

"Iron Chef" Masaharu Morimoto's eponymous restaurant, located at the Andaz Maui resort, has some of Maui's most creative presentations and, arguably, some of its best food. Poolside outdoor tables that sit directly under the stars, a bustling dining room, and a sushi bar all make it a lively choice, but the food is ultimately the reason to go. Feast on slices of tuna pizza, indulge in premium Wagyu beef (carpaccio or filet), and splurge on some of the best sushi in Maui.

Paia Fishmarket Restaurant

$ Fodor's choice

If you're okay with communal picnic tables, or taking your meal to a nearby beach, this place in funky Paia town serves, arguably, the best fresh fish for the best prices on this side of the island. Four preparations are offered and, on any given day, there are at least four to six fresh fishes from which to choose; there are burgers, chicken, and pasta options for the non-fish fans. There are also locations in Kihei and Lahaina.

100 Hana Hwy., Paia, Hawaii, 96779, USA
808-579–8030
Known For
  • delectable side dishes
  • grilled opah
  • local fish and local beer at low, local prices
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: no reservations

Pita Paradise Mediterranean Bistro

$$ Fodor's choice

Don't be fooled by its playful name; this place serves high-quality food that befits its chic surroundings. This restaurant's owner is a fisherman himself, so you know the fish here is the freshest available. Lunch features affordable and delicious sandwiches and burgers, but in the evening the space is transformed into an Italian-Greek bistro with entrées like chicken fettuccine and mousaka.

Roy's Kaanapali

$$$$ Fodor's choice

Roy Yamaguchi is a James Beard Award–winning chef and the granddaddy of East-meets-West cuisine. His eponymous Maui restaurant, located next to the golf course clubhouse near Kaanapali's main entrance, features signature dishes like fire-grilled, Szechuan-spiced baby back ribs, Roy's original blackened ahi, and hibachi-style grilled salmon, as well as an exceptionally user-friendly wine list.

Sam Sato's

$ Fodor's choice

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.

1750 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, Hawaii, 96793, USA
808-244–7124
Known For
  • amazing spare ribs
  • huge portions of flavorful food
  • affordable local hideout
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.

Sea House Restaurant

$$$$ Fodor's choice

Built in the 1960s at the Napili Kai Beach Resort, before there were laws forbidding construction so close to the beach, this restaurant is literally footsteps away from gorgeous Napili Bay. Wear your beach wrap to breakfast and enjoy the signature oven-baked pancakes or the beautifully delicious Molokai sweet potato egg frittata; the menu also offers fish from Hawaiian waters and fresh local produce.

Star Noodle

$ Fodor's choice

This local favorite, one of Maui's most popular restaurants, recently moved to an oceanside locale. The expanse of the Pacific sets the scene for an eclectic Asian menu with must-try items like the ahi (yellowfin tuna) avo, tempura shrimp, and noodle dishes like the Lahaina fried soup that's served with fat chow fun, pork, and bean sprouts. The cocktail list is similarly fabulous, and the Asian Pear with sake and pear vodka has become a Lahaina classic.

1285 Front St., Lahaina, Hawaii, 96761, USA
808-667–5400
Known For
  • steamed pork buns
  • shared, small-plate dining
  • house-made noodles
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Reservations required

Stillwell's Bakery & Cafe

$ Fodor's choice

Stillwell's is one of the best bakeries in Maui, so this is the place to come for coffee and an outrageously good strawberry florentine or a renowned cream horn. Their breakfast and lunch offerings are exceptional, from a fried egg sandwich to mouthwatering pancakes and gourmet sandwiches on house-made bread to their famous Chinese chicken salad. Every day is cake day at Stillwell's, so order the perfect cake for that special occasion. The desserts on display will surely make you drool; go ahead, you're on vacation!

Tin Roof

$ Fodor's choice

Celebrity chef Sheldon Simeon has taken the fame he earned on Top Chef and opened this trendy lunch counter in a small Kahului warehouse. You can't miss this spot; look for the line of people waiting in the parking lot. While there are only a couple of stools in the restaurant, many people dine on the curb or take it to-go. Locals and visitors swarm in droves for the affordable and ono (delicious) plates of mochiko chicken, pork belly, ulu mac salad, beet box, and garlic shrimp. Don't forget to ask for some chili pepper water!

Tommy Bahama

$$$$ Fodor's choice

It's more "Island-style" than Hawaii-style—and yes, it's a chain—but the food is consistently great, the service is filled with aloha, and the ambience is Island refined. The cocktails are among the best and most creative on the Island and include well-priced non-alcoholic options. Guests can enjoy live music Wednesday through Saturday evenings.

A Saigon Cafe

$$

Locals have been flocking to this off-the-beaten-path gem for years, lured in by the reliably delicious Vietnamese cuisine served family-style at decent prices. It's tucked behind a nondescript overpass—and only recently did they put a sign on its building—but you can't go wrong with the green papaya salad, mixed fondue, and the make-your-own Vietnamese burritos.

1792 Main St., Wailuku, Hawaii, 96793, USA
808-243--9560
Known For
  • strong cocktails well mixed
  • authentic Com Tay Cam (rice in a clay pot)
  • known locally as "Jennifer's"

Aa Roots

$
The meals at this charming vegan restaurant are almost too gorgeous to eat; don't be surprised to find edible flowers or a rainbow of fruit adorning your meal. Choose from hearty soups, salads, sandwiches, and smoothies, plus rice bowls piled high with healthy ingredients. The welcoming staff are happy to answer questions or offer suggestions, making this a great option for non-vegans.
5095 Napilihau St., Napili, Hawaii, 96761, USA
808-298–2499
Known For
  • dragon fruit açaí bowl
  • hearty burritos
  • locally sourced ingredients
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.

Alchemy Maui

$$

This cute, casual café by Valley Isle Kombucha is part kombucha tasting room, part eatery. Try one of the many kombucha flavors on tap, which is crafted in small batches using local ingredients, and comes in flavors like guava pineapple and Kula strawberry. This place is located in an industrial area and is only open for lunch, but is worth seeking out for a fun tasting experience paired with healthy and flavor-packed dishes. Try the banh mi bowl or lobster panini and grab a loaf of sourdough to take with you.

157 Kupuohi St., Lahaina, Hawaii, 96761, USA
808-793–2115
Known For
  • friendly staff
  • fresh and local ingredients
  • vegetarian and vegan options
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sat. and Sun.

Aloha Mixed Plate

$

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!

Aria's

$$
Dinner and lunch items are affordable and delicious at this Asian bistro, but Sunday breakfast is equally tempting. At lunch, try the flavor-packed char siu bao (barbecue-pork-filled bun) sliders and the gigantic crab club sandwich, and favorite dinner options include the Asian-braised pork belly and the vegetarian putanesca.
2062 W. Vineyard St., Wailuku, Hawaii, USA
808-242--2742
Known For
  • location in Wailuku's Old Town
  • upscale dining at affordable prices
  • braised chocolate chipotle lamb shank
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.--Wed.