Top 11 Maui Hawaii Restaurants
When on the island of Maui, no experience is complete without trying some of the authentic food and cuisines. Poke, Loco Moco, and fresh seafood are just some of the Hawaiian favorites you can find at many restaurants. We have compiled a list of the 11 best Maui Hawaii restaurants that allow you to taste high quality Hawaiian food at an affordable price. All of the below restaurants serve portions worth the price and will keep you coming back for more! We hope you enjoy as much as we did!
[Lahaina]
Going to a Luau in Hawaii is much more than just experiencing dinner and a show, it is experiencing a part of Hawaiian culture. Luaus date back to the early 1800's and are a feast accompanied by hula dancers and story tellers. There are many luaus to choose from in Maui, however, we chose to experience the Old Lahaina Luau as it is the most authentic luau on the island. With an open premium bar and all-you-can-eat fresh local foods such as poi, Laulau, Lomilomi, salmon, poke, and Kalau pig, this meal is one you will never forget.
Throughout the night you will be able to witness beautiful traditional dances told through century-old stories. The hula dancers and performers provide wonderful entertainment throughout the night and when choosing traditional seating, you get to have the closest seating to this spectacular show! Although this meal was much more than we would usually spend for dinner, we found the Old Lahaina Luau to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that was well worth every penny. Due to the popularity of this Luau, we recommend booking at least three months in advance to secure a table.
Tip: Select "traditional seating" for the best view of the show!
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[Lahaina]
DTH is recommended by Guy Fieri in Diners Drive-ins & Dives and featured in Yelp's Top 100 US Restaurants 2022. We have to say, Down the Hatch is worth the hype with their open-air dining, daily live music, adult shaved ice from Breakwall Shaved Ice ($5 during happy hour) and delicious seafood items fresh off the grill. The experience only gets better once you head here between 2-5pm for their daily happy hour. Enjoy some Hawaiian cocktails like their Lava Flow, Mai Tai, or Pina Colada. You will not be able to leave without trying their famous Lava Lava Shrimp or Lobster and Crab Grilled Cheese.
J&L Recommended: Best Happy Hour in Maui!
3. Kihei Caffe
[Kihei & Lahaina]
A Hawaiian-style diner serving a variety of breakfast options. The Kihei Caffe may have an intimidating line wrapping around the building, however, it moves fast with their efficient counter-ordering style and is well worth the wait. Try their traditional Loco Moco, which is white rice topped with hamburger (can substitute for pork), fried egg, and brown gravy. You cannot go wrong with any of their breakfast options, however, when in Hawaii we recommend sampling some traditional Hawaiian favorites!
Try Traditional Hawaiian Food: Loco Moco
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[Makawao]
On Yelp's Top 100 US Restaurants of 2022, Freshies offers delicious breakfast & brunch options in the upcountry town of Makawao. This quaint little restaurant is nestled among a beautiful lush patio, perfect for dining after a morning or afternoon spent at Haleakala National Park. Favorites include their fish tacos, huevos rancheros, and French toast made with Hawaiian sweet bread. Salivating yet? You've tried nothing until you've lathered your dish in Freshies famous chipotle aioli taco sauce. If you stop by in the afternoon, try one of their local craft beers for the perfect noms & brews combination.
Also Read: 2 Week Hawaii Travel Itinerary
[Lahaina]
Paia Fishmarket is located in Lahaina and serves large portions of fresh seafood at a reasonable price. Enjoy their catch of the day, burgers, or snacks while taking in the Front Street views on their terrace. With such a prime location downtown Lahaina, you would expect their prices to reflect the demand of tourists, however, we were pleasantly surprised to find their quality, quantity and prices to be far superior to their competition.
J&L Recommended: High Quality, Affordable Entrees
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[Makawao]
This popular bakery (est. 1916) is a local favorite serving unreal baked goods at a reasonable price. Their hours are 7am-2pm making for a wonderful place to stop for a quick breakfast after the Haleakala sunrise. Try their famous cream puffs, butter rolls, or donuts on a stick! Be prepared to wait in line, however, you will soon realize the donuts are worth the wait!
[Makawao]
Looking for an afternoon pick-me-up? Try a delicious (and massive) cookie from this fantastic women-owned business in Makawao! Not only is this quaint shop filled with whimsical décor, but an equally charming greeting is given by the lovely ladies running this shop. These gourmet cookies come in numerous decadent flavors that are hand-rolled in small batches. It is hard to walk by without grabbing one to try!
[Kihei]
Poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish that is typically eaten as a snack on its own, however, poke bowls (poke served over rice) are becoming a very popular way to eat this traditional dish. Poke is raw ahi tuna or octopus cut into bite-sized pieces and seasoned. Maui Fish'n Chips is a classic place to grab a poke bowl and watch the sunset across the street at Kamaole Beach Park I. If you are not one for raw fish, Maui Fish'n Chips also has delicious teriyaki bowls as well!
Tip: Chose takeout and eat at Kamaole Beach Park across the street!
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[Lahaina, Kihei, Kahului, Wailuku, Paia]
Did you really go to Hawaii if you didn't have shaved ice? Shaved ice has been a cooling treat for Hawaiians since the early 20th century. Ululani's takes it one step further and provides a gourmet treat with over 50 specialty flavors and premium ingredients. With the amount of awards given to Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice, they truly are a contender for the best tasting shave ice experience possible. Taste the difference for yourself!
[Kihei]
If you are looking for some delicious street food tacos, look no further than Horhitos Mobile Taqueria. Run out of a food truck, Horihitos serves some delicious veggie and fish tacos at an affordable price. With such close proximity to the beach, Horhitos makes for a quick snack between sunbathing or a full meal of mixing and matching with their 2 for $5 deal.
J&L Recommended: Great deal for a quick bite
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[Kihei]
The Cinnamon Roll Place is an ideal breakfast spot for sunrise-chasers. It opens at 6am so you can grab yourself a giant cinnamon roll, breakfast sandwich, and large cup of coffee from this family run shop. Take a stroll along one of the breathtaking beaches across the street and set up a perfect breakfast picnic in the sand. The Cinnamon Roll Place is an excellent place for adventure seekers who have a full day of adventures and need a quick, filling option to start their day.
Also Read: Maui Hawaii Complete Guide
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