Hawaii Vacations

Maui Vacations

Maui Dining Guide

Maui has a veritable cornucopia of eateries. There are inexpensive family restaurants and diners serving local-style favorite cuisine and plate lunches. And there are also first-class fine dining rooms in resorts featuring exotic Asian/Pacific and the popular Hawaiian Regional Cuisine. If anything, Maui has too many dining choices. The following are just a few of the options. The restaurant price ranges, as in the other island sections of this book, are based on the average dinner meal, exclusive of tax, alcoholic beverages and desserts. 

Legends of Makena, Maui Prince Hotel, Makena Resort, 808/875-5888. This legendary dinner show takes place on the hotel grounds and features table-service with a full Hawaiian feast of laulau, kalua pig, island fish, poi, fresh fruits and much more. Sunday evenings only, 5:30 p.m. $$$

Wailea's Finest Luau, Outrigger Wailea Resort, Wailea, 808/879-1922. This dinner show features an open tropical cocktail bar, torchlighting ceremony, hula show and more on lovely oceanfront grounds. Includes a full island buffet of traditional luau foods and delicacies. Call for times. $$$

Old Lahaina Luau, Old Lahaina Café & Luau, 505 Front Street, Lahaina, 808/667-1998. This oceanfront café also puts on a traditional nightly Hawaiian luau complete with lei greeting, hula and song and a full buffet luau feast. $$$

Drums of the Pacific Luau, Hyatt Regency Maui, Ka`anapali Beach, 808/667-4727. This is an exciting Polynesian revue featuring songs and dances of the Pacific Islands and a spread of authentic Hawaiian luau foods. $$$

Marriott Luau, Maui Marriott Hotel, Ka`anapali Beach, 808/661-LUAU. This luau dinner show takes place beachside and features a full buffet with traditional Hawaiian foods and a Polynesian music and dance program. $$$

Taste of Maui Dinner Cruise, sponsored by Pacific Whale Foundation, 808/879-8811, offered on the 50-foot catamaran Manute`a. Enjoy a four-course gourmet island dinner accompanied by live Hawaiian music. $$$

Sunset Odyssey Dinner Cruise, 808/661-8787, offered on the high tech SWATH (small waterplane area twin hull) Navatek II, which delivers the smoothest ride possible regardless of ocean conditions. Enjoy a full island style dinner and Hawaiian entertainment. $$$

Maui's Finest Sunset Dinner Cruise, 808/667-6165, aboard the 118-foot luxury yacht, Maui Princess, is a romantic cruise on Lahaina's calm waters. Spectacular views from the open-air dining deck. Air-conditioned main deck and lounge, island-style dinner and live entertainment.

Central Maui - Wailuku and Kahului

Chum's, 1900 Main Street, Wailuku, 808/244-1000, is one of Maui's venerable family-style cafés noted for local-style favorites such as chicken katsu, beef tomato, pork cutlet and mahimahi stir fry. $

Cupie's Drive In, 134 W. Kamehameha Avenue, Kahului,  808/877-3055, is one of Maui's oldest and most popular plate lunch eateries. This lunch counter, originally a drive-in, features such items as hamburger steak, beef teriyaki, kalbi short ribs, chili with hot dog, saimin noodles and chow fun noodles. $

Picnics, 30 Baldwin Avenue, Paia town, 808/579-8021. This country town eatery has a lengthy menu of sandwiches, burgers, salads and plate lunch specials like herb roasted chicken, teriyaki beef and chicken, fish and chips and fresh grilled fish. They specialize in take-out picnic baskets for excursions to the Hana Coast or Upcountry Maui. $

Norm's Café, 740 Lower Main St., Wailuku, 808/242-1667, is a funky local-style café with plain decor - nothing fancy here. The lunch-dinner menu features local favorites like chop steak, beef tomato, roast pork, fried chicken, beef stew, chicken curry, tripe stew, fried corn beef and onions, fried rice, burgers, sandwiches and salads. $

Nazo's Restaurant, 1063 Lower Main St., Wailuku,  808/244-0529. This family-operated local-style café features Filipino, Hawaiian and Oriental specials like chicken papaya, pork adobo, pork and squash, chicken luau stew, pig feet soup, Hawaiian plate, teriyaki steak, chicken katsu, ahi tuna, liver and onions, plus noodles and sandwiches. $

Fujiya's, 133 Market Street, Wailuku,  808/244-0206, has some of Maui's best Japanese food. The menu includes choices like tempura, teriyaki, chicken katsu, pork tofu, miso butterfish, ahi or salmon. They also have a variety of fresh-made sushi. $

Sam Sato's, 1750 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku,  808/244-7124. This is a local-style noodle eatery famous for their saimin and Maui-style chow fun noodles. The menu also has daily specials plus standards like teriyaki beef, stew and hamburger steak. The fresh baked peach, apple and coconut turnovers and traditional Japanese pie crust manju are excellent. A great lunch stop. $

Saeng's Thai Cuisine, 2119 Vineyard, Wailuku,  808/244-1567. This is among the best of Maui's Thai restaurants with a pleasant clean atmosphere and lots of decorative plants. The menu is authentic Thai hot and spicy cuisine, including everything from curry chicken to ginger beef, garlic shrimp or spring rolls. They also have a Lahaina outlet. $$

Goldie's Store, 1951 Vineyard Street, Wailuku, 808/242-5519. This small operation serves up Maui's best local Filipino food. The menu has choices like pork & peas, chicken papaya, pork adobo, menudo and pinacbet, plus desserts. There are several daily specials. $

Mama's Fish House, Highway 36 east, past Paia town, 808/579-8488. The menu here emphasizes fresh island seafood. An old-fashioned by-the-sea restaurant. This is one of Maui's best seafood dining rooms and has been very popular over the years. $$$

Koho Grill and Bar, 275 Ka`ahumanu Avenue, Ka`ahumanu Center, Kahului, 808/877-5588. This is a good family dining place with a menu of sandwiches, burgers, some local-style favorites and Mexican fare as well. $

West Maui - Lahaina, Ka`anapali to Kapalua

Roy's Kahana Bar and Grill, 4405 Honoapi`ilani Highway, Kahana Gateway Center, 808/669-6999. This is the West Maui outlet of noted Roy's chain. Chef Roy Yamaguchi's restaurants are known for creative Hawaiian Regional Cuisine using local products. The menu changes nightly but includes dishes like blackened ahi tuna, banana pork loin, Mongolian rack of lamb and lemon grass chicken. Roy's is always busy, so reservations are suggested. $$$

The Rusty Harpoon, Whalers Village at Ka`anapali Resort, 808/661-3123. This American-continental restaurant has a menu of sandwiches, burgers, entrées, pizza and appetizers. Popular with the tourist crowd. $$

BJ's Chicago Pizzeria, 730 Front St., Lahaina, 808/661-0700. This mainland chain introduced their special version of pizza to Maui and it's proven quite popular. Among the best are deep-dish, thick crust pizzas smothered in a variety of cheeses and fresh creative local-style toppings. The menu also features creative appetizers, sandwiches, pasta and salads. $

Gerard's Restaurant, 174 Lahainaluna Road, in the Plantation Inn, Lahaina, 808/661-8939. This popular French cuisine restaurant offers a menu of local seafood and special selections done with a creative French/Hawaiian flair. Casual indoor or outdoor dining available. $$$

Longhi's, 888 Front Street, Lahaina, 808/667-2288. Long a Maui favorite, Longhi's has a menu of continental-Italian specials from creative pastas to exotics like prawns amaretto, Venetian shrimp or Italian lamb chops and chicken. Fabulous desserts complete the menu. $$$

Chez Paul, Highway 30 at Olowalu, 808/661-3843. This small classy dining room has a reputation for fine French food. Specials include poached fish, scampi, lobster and duck, a variety of superb appetizers and creative soups and salads plus exotic desserts. $$$

Lahaina Grill, 127 Lahainaluna Road, Lahaina, 808/667-5117. This elegant restaurant features New American cuisine with southwestern accents. Creative entrées in an ever-changing menu include Maui onion seared ahi, Kona coffee roasted lamb, kalua duck and macadamia smoked salmon. Great food in a lavish setting. $$$

Hula Grill, in Whalers Village Shopping Center, Ka`anapali Resort, 808/667-6636. This is another of the famed Hawaiian Regional Cuisine restaurants, this one operated by Chef Peter Merriman. Everything from appetizers, salads and soups to entrées are creative and original with an emphasis on Hawaiian and Asian/Pacific flavors. This is a relaxing oceanfront dining room. $$$

South Coast - Ma`alaea, Kihei to Makena

Aroma D'Italia Ristorante, 1993 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, 808/879-0133. This small authentic Italian café is a real find. Clean, bright and cheery, the food is equally zesty and satisfying. The menu features daily specials plus pasta selections, ravioli, spaghetti, lasagna, veal, chicken, shrimp and salads. $$ 

Alexander's Fish, Chicken & Ribs, 1913 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, 808/874-0788. The menu features lots of local seafood selections in a funky fast-food atmosphere across from the beach. Items include mahimahi, ono, ahi, shrimp and calamari, plus chicken and ribs. $

Maui Tacos, Kamaole Beach Center, 2411 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, 808/879-5005, other outlets at Napili, Lahaina and Kahului. The menu offers enchiladas, hard and soft tacos, quesadillas, burritos and more with an open salsa bar to spice your own. $

Chuck's Steak House, Kihei Town Center, Kihei, 808/879-4489. There is an extensive menu of steaks and prime rib plus Korean kalbi ribs and seafood items like cajun mahimahi, shrimp, fresh fish, appetizers and a great salad bar. $$

Lana`i Terrace, Outrigger Wailea Resort, Wailea, 808/879-1922. This hotel dining room offers an international menu and special themed buffet dinners several nights weekly. The food is excellent with views overlooking the property and ocean. $$$ 

Tony Roma's, 1819 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, 808/875-6188. This mainland chain features BBQ ribs plus combos with chicken, shrimp, fish and steak. Some local-style items like teriyaki beef and chicken, shrimp skewers, sandwiches. Nice family restaurant. $$

A Pacific Café-Maui, 1279 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, 808/879-0069. This is the Maui outlet for noted Chef Jean-Marie Josselin. He also has a restaurant on Kaua`i. The menu features fresh island products and creative Hawaiian Regional Cuisine. Entrées range from grilled steaks, chops and island fish to delicate roast duck, and seared scallops, mahimahi or beef tenderloin. Many terrific appetizers and desserts round out the menu. $$$

Buzz's Wharf, Ma`alaea Harbor, Highway 30, Ma`alaea, % 808/244-5426. Buzz's has been around a long time. The steak and seafood menu has items like oriental fried shrimp, scallops Provencal, New York steak, prime rib, chicken pineapple, fresh fish. Try the Maui onion soup. There are nice views of Ma`alaea boat harbor. $$

Hula Moons, Outrigger Wailea Resort, Wailea, 808/879-1922. This Hawaiian-themed restaurant offers a seafood and American menu with choices like lemongrass chicken, lilikoi (passionfruit) duckling, garlic shrimp, mahimahi tempura and many more creative dishes, plus sandwiches and salads. It has a pleasant poolside location. $$

Waterfront, in Milowai Condo, Ma`alaea, 808/244-9028. If you like fresh seafood, it doesn't get much better than here. This family-owned restaurant features fresh island seafood with a variety of unique preparations. They get their fish right from Ma`alaea harbor boats. The menu also has veal, chicken and an occasional wild game selection for variety. $$

Upcountry - Makawao to Kula

Grandma's Maui Coffee, Highway 37 at Keokea, 808/878-2140. This small country coffee house offers fresh brewed Maui coffees plus homemade pastries, sandwiches and light lunch fare. $

Upcountry Café, Highway 37, Pukalani, 808/572-2395. This is a bright, clean country style café. The menu is local favorites including beef and chicken teriyaki, mahimahi, chicken curry, hamburgers, sandwiches and daily specials. $

Casanova Italian Restaurant, 1188 Makawao Avenue, Makawao, 808/572-0220. The menu includes a variety of breakfast selections and lunch-dinner sandwiches, salads, baked fish, filet mignon, veal chop, seafood, pastas and pizza. $$

Kula Lodge, on Haleakala Highway 377, five miles past Pukalani, 808/878-1535. They have a breakfast menu and continental-international fare featuring local products. Featured entrées include raspberry duckling, rack of lamb, seafood pasta, shrimp and crab. Enjoy a scenic view of Maui's splendor and mountain sunsets next to a cheery fireplace. $$

Hali`imaile General Store, Hali`imaile Road, Hali`imaile, % 808/572-2666. This old pineapple plantation village store has won wide acclaim for its creative Hawaiian regional and continental-inspired cuisine. The seasonal menu features local products with fresh innovations in preparation and cookery. Entrées might range from Hawaiian blackened chicken to Hunan lamb or duck to coconut seafood curry and BBQ salmon. The menu also features creative appetizers and desserts. $$$

Makawao Steak House, 3612 Baldwin, Makawao, 808/572-8711. This upcountry steak house features New York steak, prime rib, fresh island fish, pork chops, chicken, scampi and pasta dishes plus interesting appetizers, soups (try the Portuguese bean soup) and salads. $$

East Maui - Hana

Hana Ranch Restaurant, Hana town, 808/248-8255. They feature a daily buffet lunch and a dinner menu of BBQ ribs, steaks, teriyaki chicken, prawns, pasta, seafood and pizza. $$

Hotel Hana Maui Dining Room, Hotel Hana Maui, 808/248-8211. This exclusive fine dining room features a continental menu. Selected entrées include prime rib, steaks, Thai chicken, pork, pastas and fresh island fish, also appetizers, salads. $$$

Hana Gardenland Café, Hana Highway, 808/248-7340. This small eatery is part of the nursery operation. They have breakfast items plus sandwiches, soups, salads, light lunch and other snacks. 

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