Noshing around Maui: Our Restaurant Picks
“No Wasted Meals” is one of our travel mottos. So yes, of course we plan meals when we plan our itinerary! For one, popular places book up weeks, even months in advance these days. There is also nothing worse than being tired and hangry at the end of the day and no one in the group can decide what they want for dinner. If there is somewhere we really want to experience, we will book in advance, and if plans change, we cancel (with plenty of notice).
If you can’t get a reservation, or prefer spontaneity, consider going early right when the restaurant opens, or sit at the bar. For meals (especially lunches) where we want to be more spontaneous. I’ll make a list of ~3 viable nearby options that I keep in our itinerary, so that we aren’t struggling with an endless list of options to choose from when we are hungry.
Review sites like TripAdvisor or Yelp have limited utility – watch out for who is reviewing as what their priorities are – but can provide a starting point. Foodie websites are more useful – I have heavily relied on Eater.com over the years. Lastly, ask your hotel or rental host in advance for their favorites.
Wailea (all are walkable from any of the Wailea beachfront resorts):
A newer addition to the Wailea area delivers a small but solid menu. You can’t go wrong with anything here. Portions are generous and served family style. Waygu short ribs with bone marrow rice and fidene sauce? Yes please. The gochujang glazed half roasted chicken speckled with peanuts has a thick caramelized skin that will remind you of a candied apple….the leftovers (there will be plenty!) is perfect eaten cold on your Haleakala hike or a beach picnic. The handcrafted cocktails are spot on, and more reasonably priced than what you will find at the nearby resorts (open daily for dinner only, located in the shops at Wailea just north of Marriott’s Wailea Beach Club, 3750 Alanui drive, ask for outdoor seating if it isn’t rainy).
Pricy but memorable, this restaurant at the Andaz resort offers unique takes on island staples with a farm to table flair, and definitely our favorite of the resort restaurants on Maui. True foodies should book the Chef’s Table in advance to enjoy a little sampling of everything they have to offer; for cocktail lovers, a cocktail paired menu is also available. If you arrive early, stroll the grounds and take in a bit of the luau happening at the waterfront. We also throughly enjoyed their unique breakfast offerings, such as seared pork belly with Korean fried rice (open daily, located on the top floor of the Andaz resort, 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr).
Well know for sushi, for good reason. Excellent sushi can be found elsewhere on the island, so check out your other options (Miso Phat Sushi in Kihei also came recommended to us) but we love splurging on a long lunch here: start with the dumplings and the waygu beef carpaccio, then move on to the sashimi – but save the sauce from the beef carpaccio to dip your sashimi in (trust us – solid advice from a seasoned server). Pair with a saki tasting, and linger poolside, enjoying the view (open daily for lunch and dinner, request the covered outside seating, located poolside at the Andaz resort, 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr).
My foodie parents (the leaves didn’t fall far from the tree here) gave us several dining recommendations in Maui….but I promptly ignored Tommy Bahamas. With limited time on the island, we were not about to “waste” a meal (remember the rule: no wasted meals!) in an overpriced, overhyped chain restaurant likely full of retirees sporting floral shirts paired with with tall black socks and shorts. Oh heck no. Well….listen to mom. My parents finally got us talked into trying the Tommy Bahamas in Las Vegas (it was during the pandemic, they had outdoor seating with space heaters, and their outdoor patio was completely empty…social distancing for the win). For a chain built on a brand name, they have a remarkable menu. The signature coconut shrimp are a must, complemented by mango chutney and a delicious light and flavorful island slaw. The surprise entree that blew all of us away were the ribs: a subtlety fruity marinade, buttery tender meat, and a charred crust. Not a bad dish to be found. Top it all off with a Pineapple Paradisio, which is essentially Hawaii in a glass. (On Maui, they are located in the shops at Wailea just north of Marriott’s Wailea Beach Club, 3750 Alanui drive, a second outpost in Lahaina, open for lunch and dinner daily, happy hour specials available).
Central Maui and Near the Airport:
Located on the Maui Tropical Plantation, this is a spot not to be missed. The picturesque grounds are lovely to stroll through, and it makes a fantastic lunch or dinner finale on your way back to the airport (it is a good 30 minutes drive from most resorts on Wailea and the Kaanapali/Lahaina area. For the adventurous foodie who wants a splurge dinner, book tickets for the Saturday night chefs table – located in an outdoor pavilion separate from the restaurant, this is an all evening affair created by a group of chefs who prepare an extensive multi course dinner with local ingredients. It is designed to be interactive – you are encouraged to wander around, watch, and ask questions. Seating is communal, but we found this to be half the fun – we met great people and even shared bottles of wine amongst our table. (Open daily, 1670 Honoapililani Hwy, 15 minutes from the airport).
On the surface, this seaside restaurant looks like a tourist trap, and you will spend a pretty penny, but *everyone* goes here…for good reason. The fresh, impeccably prepared fish explains why a reservation must be booked weeks in advance, and the beachside location near the airport makes it a memorable first or last meal on your trip. The traditional Hawaiian platter is worth trying. Come early or linger after dinner to enjoy the views. (Open daily, 799 Poho Place in Paia, 17 minutes from the airport)
We heard about Tin Roof from a friend, and also through Eater.com (my go-do for dining recommendations while traveling). Chef Sheldon Simeon (from Top Chef) runs this takeout outpost offering a limited but delicious menu. Daily specials vary. You can’t really go wrong here, but we recommend the chicken over garlic noodles (ordering “animal style” gets you extra sauce) or the chicken sandwich, and don’t pass up the kale salad – its amazing. Keep in mind the location is take out only and there is not outdoor seating available, so unless you want to enjoy your saman standing with a background of fumes from the auto body shop next door, plan on taking your goods back to your hotel or to a nearby beach park. (Open daily for lunch and dinner, closes at 8pm, 360 Papa Pl off of Dairy Road, 5 minutes from the airport, keep in mind there is nowhere to sit indoors or out, so plan accordingly).
Ululani
Ululani is a popular (for good reason) shave ice chain sprinkled around the northern and central areas of Maui, and on Kaanapali beach. They have an outpost just down the street from Tin Roof off of Dairy Rd (open daily, hours: 10am-6pm). This is not your county fair shave ice, but much more creamy and flavorful (for extra cream, add macadamia nut ice cream on the bottom.) For first timers, go with one of the recommended favorites, and don’t skip the li hing mui powder on top.
Food Trucks
Hawaii has an abundance of food trucks, and conveniently many are near the airport; popular ones include Thai Me Up, and Poke No? Ask at your hotel or your AirBnB/VRBO host for recommendations on the latest and greatest.
Near Lahaina and Kaanapali beach:
(Keep in mind, we have not spent much time in this area so our suggestions are limited.)
Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquors
When a local tells you their favorite spot for poke is a liquor store…well, you have to check it out! This is a perfect addition to your beach picnic. They offer fresh ahi tuna in a variety of preparations, as well as seaweed salad, and other sides. Order by the scoop and pay by the pound – it’s affordable enough you can try several varieties. If you prefer your poke over rice, order as a bowl. Several locations around the island, open daily at 10am.
Your Kaanapali beach picnic strategy:
I highly recommend a beach picnic. The southwestern portion of the island has innumerable small public beaches with picnic tables. We opted to stop at Hanakao’o park just south of Kaanapali beach (where you can go for a nice stroll after). Here’s how to roll:
First, I hope you were able to snag some cheese at the Surfing Goat Dairy on your way back from Haleakala. Sadly, they were closed they day we drove through Kula, but you may find their cheeses at one of the local markets.
As you head up the coast toward Lahaina, on your left you will see a tiny, run down looking place called Leoda’s, known for their pie but in our opinion, a little overhyped. I would not stop here for a meal. We were not super impressed, nor were my parents, by the savory chicken pot pies (largely full of potatoes and devoid of much flavor…and awkward to enjoy when live chickens are staring you down, waiting for a bite)….but, consider stopping for a dessert pie to go. The olowalu lime pie is tasty (the crust is reminiscent of gingerbread) and beach friendly, and worthy for your picnic.
Get back on the road for barely 20 seconds and you will then see a fruit stand just past Leoda’s, also on your left. If you haven’t stopped at a fresh fruit stand on Maui yet, here is your chance to get freshly sliced pineapple (they will slice it for you, and do try the li hing mui powder sprinkled on top). Also try a few of the small “apple bananas” (which is why banana bread is so common on the island – and so tasty; this stand also sells banana bread, but it isn’t as beloved as Aunty Sandy’s banana bread on the road to Hana, which is served warm).
Then, hit up Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquors for poke…and a beach beverage (my current favorite at Tamura’s is Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, now available in a can; the hard kombuchas are also lovely on a hot day). Picnic, completed. Nap not included.
A French restaurant is a little out of place in Lahaina, but this charming restaurant located in a historic home with an inviting front porch (request outdoor seating) might be the break you need from seafood. The lamb chops are sublime. (Open daily, dinner only, 174 Lahainaluna Rd in Lahaina, easy to walk to from anywhere in Lahaina).
This is not the place to go for global flavors or Asian fusion, but this small Hawaiian chain offers fresh, farm to table fare with many freshly caught seafood options on their frequently changing menus, and is a lovely place for a nice dinner with family…and the waterfront location with sunset views can’t be beat. (Open daily for dinner, with happy hour specials available in the lounge, outdoor seating available, 1 Bay Club Place, Lahaina.)
A more casual restaurant from the Merriman’s group, offering a variety of solid lunch and dinner options as well as an extensive draft beer and cocktail list. Located right off the beach in Kaanapali; the Wailea location is not easily walkable from the beach (we tried, and succeeded, but that is a loooong, sweaty uphill walk- allow a good 30 minutes). Neither has abundant outdoor seating or great views.
A word on drinking and driving on the island:
I don’t advocate drinking and driving anyway, but be extra cautious in Hawaii, where winding 2-lane roads pose extra risk. The local police also periodically set up DUI checks on the road…as my parents and their friends discovered one night driving back to their lodging in the Lahaina area (thankfully, they were fine…but many folks that night were ticketed). If you plan on drinking with dinner, stay within walking distance of your lodging or take a taxi or ride share.
Know of a great place we didn’t list? Leave it in the comments section below…and if when we make it back to Maui, we will check it out!