Looking for some of the best restaurants in Maui you must visit? We got you covered. We visited Maui and tried food from all over the island. But of course, it was difficult to make it to every restaurant, but we found many spots that are fantastic. We also found a few restaurants that didn’t impress us, but don’t worry we wont send you there.
Maui is home to some great fresh seafood, especially mahi-mahi, ahi tuna, and opakapaka, so you gotta try at least one of these fresh fish while you are on the island. But it’s not just seafood, Hawaii is home to all kind of tropical agriculture. So no matter where you are on the island, there is bound to be some good food which we have laid out for you below! Let’s dive into the best restaurants in Maui you must visit.
Wow Wow! Lemonade:
Wow Wow Lemonade was our first stop in Maui. We were craving something fresh, sweet and delicious. And that is exactly what Wow Wow Lemonade delivered. There are tons of delicious lemonade flavors and even kombucha on tap. Plus they are also known to have fabulous Acai bowls too. So if you are in the mood for a quick bite, definitely pick up an acai bowl too.
Check Out The Menu For Wow Wow Lemonade: Menu
Aunt Sandy’s:
When you are in Maui, you MUST get a famous Banana Bread. Assuming you are driving down the legendary road to Hana, then you will most likely pass by this spot. Aunt Sandy’s is located on the Keʻanae Peninsula and they sell small loaves of warm bread that will blow your socks off. Do note they are only open from 8:30am- 2:30pm. So be sure to plan your visit to Ke’anae between those hours if you can.
Don’t worry if you missed this spot, there will be more chances to snag some banana bread along the road, but we can 100% vouch that Aunt Sandy’s Banana Bread is totally worth the stop.
Check Out The Menu For Aunt Sandy’s: Menu
Paia Fish Market:
If you want to get signature fresh fish from Maui that won’t break the bank, then Paia Fish Marketplace is for you! It was honestly one of my favorite meals while down in Maui and definitely deserves a spot on the best restaurants in Maui you must visit. We ordered take out which was super quick and everything was hot and ready to go as we walked down to the beach.
I got Ahi Tuna blackened with cajun seasoning as a sandwich and absolutely loved it! Jake got the mahi-mahi broiled in cajun seasoning and it was also delicious! There are a few different locations around the island: Paia, Lahaina and Kihei, so no matter which location you are venturing through, check to see if there is one nearby.
Check Out The Menu For Paia Fish Market: Menu
Hana Farms- The Bamboo Hale:
One of the stops we did on the road to Hana was at The Bamboo Hale in Hana Farms. And we think this is one of the best restaurants in Maui you must visit. This awesome stop has a 7-acre tropical farm, roadside marketplace stand, bakery, and restaurant. At the Bamboo Hale restuarant they have some delicious BBQ that I still crave at the moment as I write this. Mmmm it was so good!
We got the pulled pork sandwich and they smoke the meats right there so the smells will have your mouth watering before you order. And their home made macaroni salad was also some of the best. If you happen to be there on the weekend, they also offer wood-fired pizza.
They also have a roadside stand where you can pick up a banana bread if you missed Aunt Sandy’s or some other local goods like hot sauces, BBQ sauce, Hawaiian coffee, farm fresh produce, and more.
Check Out The Menu For The Bamboo Hale: Menu
Freshies:
We visited Freshies after our sunrise hike to the Halaeakala summit. We woke up at 3am to get to the top, so when we left the summit, our bellies were ready for a home cooked meal. All their food is sourced from local farmers and suppliers and made into delicious meals right in their kitchen. Freshies has a wide list of daily specials with their changing ingredients from the local farmers.
They have a delicious breakfast menu we can vouch for. If you happen to get there a little later than breakfast time, you are in luck because they also serve lunch which also looks super tasty. The inside seating area is pretty small but they have a large outdoor seating area in a garden courtyard.
Check Out The Menu For Freshies: Menu
Waikiki Brewing:
So, we didn’t actually eat here, but we stopped for a beer when we did our own makeshift brewery tour in Lahaina. But I’d say one regret I had was not getting food here.
The smell of their smoked meats wafted through the air, making your mouth water. But we already had our mind set on getting take out from one of the options listed above.
All I can say is, you should probably check out some of their BBQ items, because if they taste as good as they smelled, I’m sure you will not be disappointed. And not to mention the view of this restaurant is one of the best with waves crashing up onto the wall just across the street.
Check Out The Menu For Waikiki Brewing Company: Menu
Kinaole Grill Food Truck:
Maui has an incredible food truck scene. And one food truck that was really close to where we were staying in Kihei was Kinaole Grill. We had to try the famous Katsu Chicken Jake’s brother was raving about when he visited Maui a few years ago.
So we stopped at Kinaole Grill for exactly that and we were impressed. If you don’t know what Katsu Chicken is, it’s basically coconut breaded chicken that is fried, and some how it is delicious.
Coming from a food truck, the chicken was crispy and the sides from the truck were also super yummy.
They also have a large menu as you can choose between shrimp, ahi tuna, mahi-mahi, pulled pork, calamari, etc.
Check Out The Menu For Kinaole Grill Food Truck: Menu
Aloha Thai Fusion Food Truck:
Just next door to the food truck listed above in Kihei is Aloha Thai Fusion. We got some mahi-mahi tacos with mango lime cilantro crema sauce and they were divine! But they have tons of other great options on the menu to choose from, such as pad thai, calamari, stir fry, curry, you name it!
What’s definitely special about the location of this place is there is another food truck next door. So if you are traveling with a group, everyone should be able to find a meal that catches their eye between the two! And you can walk an extra 100 feet to have dinner by the beach, just make sure to properly dispose of your garbage!
Check Out The Menu For Aloha Thai Fushion Food Truck: Menu
808 Deli:
808 Deli is an affordable and delicious deli in Kihei. It’s even been voted the best local sandwich every year since 2008. They have a wide selection of specialty sandwiches, panini’s, salads, gourmet hot dogs, and even breakfast sandwiches.
People who we were traveling with in Maui got the Spicy Chicken Ranch and raved about it. They are the perfect place to stop for a quick bite on the go, or if you want to pack some tasty sandwiches for the beach.
Check Out The Menu For 808 Deli: Menu
Cinnamon Roll Place:
Who doesn’t love an ooey gooey cinnamon roll? My parents used to own a bakery, so to say I have a little bit of a sweet tooth is an understatement. We got a couple cinnamon rolls while we were here and they were to die for. Since 1981 this place has been an iconic mom and pop shop in Maui. You can even watch the current owner hand make the cinnamon rolls right in front of you, so you know you are getting quality product.
They also have a few other items on the menu which we tried, but the real winner is the cinnamon roll. So if you have a sweet tooth, you should definitely pick up a cinnamon roll from this place because it is one of the best restaurants in Maui! We promise you won’t be disappointed. The Cinnamon Roll Place is located in Kihei.
Check Out The Menu For The Cinnamon Roll Place:Menu
Maui Coffee Roasters:
While you are on the island, you must pick up some 100% Kona Coffee. Maui Coffee Roasters is located in Kahului which is near the Maui Airport.
Don’t be fooled, there will be a ton of coffee claiming to have Kona coffee but it is usually only 10% (which you will find at most grocery stores). Kona coffee is hand picked and exclusively grown on the Big Island of Hawaii.
What makes the coffee so special is the volcanic soil that is porous and rich with minerals. It’s also covered in clouds or rain most afternoons giving it lots of shade in order to make these beans high-quality.
Check Out The Menu For Maui Coffee Roasters: Menu
Akamai Coffee:
And if you tried 100% Kona coffee and you enjoyed it, you might as well head over to Akamai Coffee to try 100% Maui coffee. This coffee shop comes highly recommended. Akamai has a cafe in Kihei and a drive through location in Kahului, so I’m sure somewhere along your adventure in Maui you will pass one of these locations. They are proud to grow and roast their beans right in Maui, and many customers seem to enjoy the taste of their beans!
Check Out The Menu For Akamai Coffee: Menu
Honolulu Cookie Company:
Alright, I know we aren’t in Honolulu but you can get a taste of their delicious macadamia butter cookies from their shop in Lahaina. Macadamia nuts are special to Hawaii because of their volcanic soil, tropical temperatures, and rainfall. Therefore, they make some delicious cookies you gotta try. You can either just have 1 or buy a gift box of many different flavors. But you gotta say you’ve tried the famous macadamia cookies of Hawaii! There are two different locations: Lahaina and Wailea.
Check Out The Menu For Honolulu Cookie Company: Menu
Honorable Mention:
There were a few places mentioned to us to try but we either ran out of time or the price point was a little higher than our desired budget. So we will leave some of these other best restaurants in Maui for you to decide if you choose to check them out for yourself!
Mama’s Fish House
The first thing you should know about Mama’s Fish House is be prepared for a large bill at the end of the night. But, with that being said, most people have said it’s worth the price. What’s most special about Mama’s Fish House is they have fishermen go out daily to catch the fish used for your meals. So if you came for some fresh fish, Mama’s Fish House will live up to your wildest expectations! Mama’s Fish House is located in Paia and highly recommended to book a reservation well in advance.
Check Out The Menu For Mama’s Fish House: Menu
Monkeypod Kitchen
Monkeypod Kitchen is named after the beautiful Monkeypod Trees that thrive on the island of Maui. They say the grass is always greener under a Monkeypod Tree because its leaves release nitrogen to naturally fertilize the soil beneath it. Therefore, the chef of Monkeypod wants to bring that Hawaiian spirit into his restaurant. The restaurant works together with farmers, brewers, and artisans to bring you a delicious menu. There are two different locations on Maui: Wailea and Ka’anapali.
Check Out The Menu For Monkeypod Kitchen: Menu
Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar
If you are looking for some seafood on the island, Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar have you covered. They have great small plates, sushi rolls, and entrees. One roll that was highly recommended to us was the mango crab roll, and that sounds pretty dang delicious! We will definitely be stopping here next time we are on the island! There are two different locations on the island: Lahaina and Kihei.
Check Out The Menu For Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar: Menu
Fred’s Mexican Cafe
Fred’s Mexican Cafe has great Mexican-style entrees in Kihei. And some specialty margarita’s too! They make all their salsa and sauces fresh in house daily. They serve brunch, lunch and dinner, so you can be fueled during most hours of the day here!
Check Out The Menu For Fred’s Mexican Cafe: Menu
Takeaway | Best Restaurants In Maui You Must Visit:
The list simply doesn’t just stop here, there are tons of great restaurants in Maui that we didn’t try. But these are a few places we did go or that were recommended to us. Hopefully this helps you find some of the best restaurants in Maui you must visit.
If you need more tips on what to do in Maui, be sure to check out our Maui 7-day itinerary.
And if you are ‘Ballin on a budget’, check out our guide, How To Travel Maui On A Budget.
Also, check out our post: Best Breweries In Maui
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