Other Maui Favorite Dining Spots
Note that this list has been updated since the August Maui town fire.
Maui, like all of Hawaii, has an incredible local food scene. There is everything from favorite plate-lunch-type spots to more upscale Italian restaurants. Our team on Maui has some favorites that we're happy to share. Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures, so you'll find a little of everything, including some cuisines you may not have at home. The diversity of Hawaii's kitchens makes trying new restaurants fun!
Maui Restaurants – Kahului (near airport)
Tin Roof
360 Papa Pl Ste 116, Kahului
Tel: (808) 868-0753
Lineage promises to be just as successful as Simeon’s first Maui dining location Tin Roof. Situated in a tiny strip mall near the Kahului Airport, Tin Roof has been incredibly successful since it opened its doors to guests in 2016.
This tiny eatery is best known for its affordable takeaway bowls inspired by simple Hawaiian cooking. Customers at Tin Roof can order rice bowls filled with garlic shrimp, ginger-marinated chicken thighs, deep-fried pork belly, or chop steak for under $10. Tin Roof also offers poke bowls, garlic noodles, a kale salad, and a spicy chicken sandwich. Unlike Lineage, Tin Roof is designed for locals and visitors on a Maui vacation who are looking for a quick bite. Perfect if you're on your way to or returning from this side of the island!
West Maui Restaurants - Lahaina
These favorite Lahaina dining spots are a sign of the beginning of the rebirth of Lahaina.
Aloha Mixed Plate
1285 Front St, Lahaina
Tel: (808) 661-3322
Aloha Mixed Plate is back open on Front Street on Maui. Aloha Mixed Plate offers a beautiful oceanfront dining location next to the Old Lahaina Luau, which has also reopened, and classic Hawaiian plate lunch staples like shoyu chicken, kalbi beef, Kalua pig.
Mala Ocean Tavern
1307 Front St., Lahaina
Tel: (808) 667-9394
Another favorite local spot in Lahaina has reopened to the delight of residents and visitors alike!
Mala Ocean Tavern sits right on the ocean, offering a relaxed, upscale dining experience. The entrees are delicious, and we highly recommend the oyster shooters!
West Maui Restaurants - Kapalua
Merriman’s Kapalua
1 Bay Club Pl, Lahaina, HI 96761
Tel: (808) 669-6400
Merriman's is located in an incredible setting. Our team members report that the food is good, but the ambiance is unbeatable. For that, they are a top Maui restaurant.
South Maui – Kihei to Wailea
Lineage Maui
3750 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea
Tel: (808) 879-8800
Created by Sheldon Simeon, of "Top Chef" fame, the restaurant features local Hawaiian and Filipino food with a twist.
Chef Simeon says that most of the dishes at Lineage were inspired by recipes he learned from his Filipino parents and grandparents. Growing up near Hilo, Simeon would often have to hunt and fish to bring back the meats necessary for family meals. During this time, Simeon learned about many Filipino recipes featured on Lineage's menu.
With 80 seats and a bar area, Lineage has an intimate and cozy feel. Simeon says he wants guests to feel as if they just walked into a friend's home when they entered his restaurant. To give this effect, carts will make their way through the restaurant and offer small bites before guests order their main meal. These small dishes include boiled peanuts, kimchi, and cone sushi.
The restaurant offers "cart dishes," which are similar to Dim Sum. We're told that the pipikaula (Hawaiian jerky) with cuttlefish was yummy, as was the pothole (edible fiddlehead fern) salad!
We've heard rave reviews about his pork and peas – a Filipino comfort dish - and that the squid luau, smoked meat, and onion were on point! An interesting hook: we ordered the chicharron, which they serve with their homemade chili pepper water in a cool bottle, which you can take home with you.
As far as drinks, a team member reports the following:
- Makule Kiawe – a version of a Manhattan - is strong and delicious. Not too smoky.
- The South Side Southside – a team member loved this, a gin drink, but the flavors were light and not an overbearing gin flavor. They were served with Wasabi Peas and ginger. A great cocktail to start with!
- The Latitude 20 – a tequila drink that we're told is delicious!
They also have a great selection of sake. As far as vibe, we're told it's ideal for date night or adult friends dining together. Visitors who are new to Hawaiian or "local" cuisine will be in for a treat.
Maui Brewing Co
Tel: (808) 201-BEER
Maui Brewing Co. has multiple locations, but the brewery in Kihei has expanded. It's huge, and instead of having the food trucks outside, they now have a full menu in their own kitchen. We're still determining a food verdict, but they have some fun drinks on offer, including excellent cider options and freshly brewed beers. The space is enormous!! Definitely a good spot to check out if you have craft beer lovers in your group!
Nalu’s South Shore Grill
1280 S Kihei Rd, Kihei
Tel: (808) 891-8650
Some of our Maui team members love this place. Nalu's is a super casual, local joint in Kihei that serves surprisingly fresh, farm-to-table bar food. The restaurant is dog-friendly, so expect some local pooches nearby.
Food is ordered at the counter and brought to the table. Nalu's is a great place to catch local musicians like Barry Flannigan and Amy Hanai'ali'i.
Ferraro’s
3900 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei
Tel: (808) 874-8000
This restaurant has excellent views and is one of the only places on the south side of Maui that's on the water. Ferraro's is an open-air space boasting sunset views, plenty of seating, live music, and a hula dancer from 5:30-6:30 nightly. They have everything from Dim Sum to cheeseburgers! The food is "decent, but it's really about the views, and you are paying for the name here (Four Seasons).
Restaurant at Hotel Wailea
55 Kaukahi St, Wailea
Tel: (808) 879-2224
Super romantic setting, with good (if pricey) food. The spot makes the list for ambiance. Hotel Wailea is also an "adult only" resort, it's a good spot for a date night.
Monkeypod
Tel Wailea: (808) 891-2322
Tel Kaanapali: (808) 878-6763
Still a Maui favorite. They are located in Wailea and Kaanapali. Everything from Ahi to Maui Cattle Company Cheese Burgers and Bulgogi Pork Tacos. Reservations are imperative
Maui North Shore Restaurants – Paia Town Area
Mama’s Fish House
799 Poho Pl, Paia
Tel: (808) 579-8488
Mama's Fish House is a Maui favorite. Team members recently dined there and thought the whole fried snapper or Opakapaka was absolutely worth the effort of getting there and the price. However, some Maui guests who love the restaurant have told us that while Mama's is still good, it's "not as good as it used to be or not worth the price tag and drive."
Reviews are subjective, but what is without question is that Mama's Fish House remains a fine dining restaurant with a classic Hawaiiana vibe that many visitors crave. Its remote location on the North Shore (a drive for those staying in West or South Maui) is a positive in our book. We suggest making a day of it, spending the day on the beach in Paia, checking out Bohemian Paia Town, and ending your day with a fine meal at Mama's Fish House.
We'll add the Mama's Firsh House is an excellent choice if you are celebrating a special event.
Note: Mama's Fish House is about 50 minutes from West Maui, and they don't take reservations for more than 8 people.
Lunch and dinner menu are the same so while it might be an expensive lunch, daytime is a great time to dine there. It's located by Hookipa Beach, where you can watch some of the world's best windsurfers and kite boarders launch themselves off massive waves.
Milagros
3 Baldwin Ave, Paia
Tel: (808) 579-8755
This is a favorite in Paia, and we recommend it for people who are going to the North Shore and don't want to do Mama's.
Note that Café de Amis, Café Mambo, Island Fresh Café, and Pa'ia Flatbread would also all be in the mix for the north shore.
Maui Upcountry Restaurants – Makawao and Kula
Haili'imaile General Store - Upcountry Maui
900 Haliimaile Rd, Makawao
Tel: (808) 572-2666
Nice restaurant with everything Ahi Poke and Caesar Salad to Grilled Rack of Lamb. Still good and nestled into a fun spot, upcountry from Paia town. Be mindful of drive time if you’re staying in West Maui.
