I had a hard time figuring out how to choose which restaurants to list here.
There are a TON of good restaurants. There are many well-known restaurants. Some have become Maui institutions - Haliimaile General Store, Longhi's, and Mama's Fish House, for example. There are also a few really good chains that I enjoy: Tommy Bahama's, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Spago......but how about a few "off the beaten path" choices? Again, I tried to include locations that are "stroller friendly". I also didn't choose really high-end restaurants - prices are mid-range. You can always check online for menus and as always, I would be happy to answer questions in the comments section.
A caveat: I don't make it over to Lahaina/Kaanapali/Kanaha very often. So my suggestions for that area are liimited, but I will do my best :) I would love to hear from some west-siders so that I can add to my list!
Upcountry:
Colleen's in Haiku - urban style in the middle of the country. I have had friends get seriously lost trying to find this place at night. Small menu, but very good. Large portions.
Market Fresh Bistro in Makawao - if you are lucky enough to have reservations for one of their special dinners (usually on a Thursday or Friday night) consider yourself lucky. Seriously.
Cafe Des Amis, Paia - funky cafe with indoor and outdoor courtyard seating, yummy crepes, and a mediterranean platter that I adore.
Central:
Market Street Bistro, Wailuku - Good menu, nice atmosphere, fair prices, sometimes they have live music too.
Bistro Casanova, Kahului - Excellent pre-departure dinner option, close to the airport. Tapas, appetizers, pastas, entrees....I have enjoyed everything I have tried here. And they serve carafes of mojitos. Say no more.
South:
Wokstar, Kihei - Casual noodle joint with great prices, a tight menu written on a chalkboard with lots of options including vegetarian, a nice kids menu, and the food comes quickly. BYOB and enjoy the sunset.
Sansei, Kihei - they have really REALLY good sushi. Check for early bird and late night specials because it can get pricey - but it's totally worth it.
Cafe O'Lei, Kihei - yummy for sure. Great menu, a bit more expensive but worth it. We have had several wonderful family dinners here.
Kai in the Shops at Wailea is on my list to try.
Monkeypod Kitchen is opening mid February 2011 and I had a sneak preview. It was awesome. I will check back once they are open.
Lahaina -
Mala Ocean Tavern is a favorite, especialy for sunset. Good menu, excellent (but sometimes pricey) specials, and a nice kids menu. Excellent cocktails too.
I'o has never, ever let me down. I have had numerous amazing dinners there. If you are going to splurge, I recommend this place.
Kahana
Maui Brewing Company: their food is fine - I have always enjoyed it, but it's not anything extraordinary. Their beer, on the other hand, is awesome and I encourage you to stop by and check them out - if only for a drink and some appetizers.
I am interested in other suggestions for this area, as I rarely get over there and would like advice on where I should eat when I am far from home and hungry!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Lunch on Maui
So you need some lunch, hmmm?
Ok, if you still have room after breakfast, here are my suggestions:
Moana Cafe, Paia. In this hot and dusty town, Moana is air conditioned with easily accessible bathrooms and is very stroller friendly No stairs, plenty of floor space, and a kid's menu with noodles (topped with butter, cheese, or tomato sauce). You would be surprised how unusual that is here. Their lunches are awesome, and huge. In particular, their sandwiches and wraps. They also serve breakfast until 3pm, at which time they begin happy hour. Happy happy.
Cafe 808, Kihei. They have very limited seating but you can get yummy sandwiches and salads to go. I know, I recommended their sister locale for breakfast, but seriously - they do food right over here. Check out their daily specials, too. And they have hot dogs, if you like that sort of thing.
Star Noodle, Lahaina. Off the beaten path both literally and gastronomically - but not in a scary way - in a fun and adventurous way! Great menu, surprisingly kid friendly, and it's worth the trip just to see their bathrooms which my daughter declared "AWESOME". We took several photos in there. I wish I was joking.
Ok, if you still have room after breakfast, here are my suggestions:
Moana Cafe, Paia. In this hot and dusty town, Moana is air conditioned with easily accessible bathrooms and is very stroller friendly No stairs, plenty of floor space, and a kid's menu with noodles (topped with butter, cheese, or tomato sauce). You would be surprised how unusual that is here. Their lunches are awesome, and huge. In particular, their sandwiches and wraps. They also serve breakfast until 3pm, at which time they begin happy hour. Happy happy.
Cafe 808, Kihei. They have very limited seating but you can get yummy sandwiches and salads to go. I know, I recommended their sister locale for breakfast, but seriously - they do food right over here. Check out their daily specials, too. And they have hot dogs, if you like that sort of thing.
Star Noodle, Lahaina. Off the beaten path both literally and gastronomically - but not in a scary way - in a fun and adventurous way! Great menu, surprisingly kid friendly, and it's worth the trip just to see their bathrooms which my daughter declared "AWESOME". We took several photos in there. I wish I was joking.
Breakfast Joints: Maui
So you want a yummy breakfast on vacation, and the $30 buffet at the resort was not exactly what you had in mind.
What, you have a problem with warm-ish eggs benedict and cold-ish oatmeal? But it's ALL YOU CAN EAT.
Still no?
Alright then.
A few of my favorites, while my personal faves are heavy on meat, these places do have veg options:
North Shore Cafe, Haiku. On the road to Hana? Pull over. Just a mile from the Hana Hwy, a few yards past the Kokomo/Haiku Road intersection.
$5.75 steak and eggs.
Crab Latkes with bearnaise sauce for $8.08
So I'll see you there, then?
Bistro 808, Kihei. Directly across the street from the beach, in a cool, shady, open air, indoors/outdoors locale. I have a secret: I hate omelets. No, wait, that's not true. I hate crispy brown eggs, so I don't usually eat omelets because too often, the eggs are brown. But the eggs are not brown here, and the curry omelet and short rib omelet are two of the most amazing omelets ever.
Ever.
And they have homemade banana bread and a bloody mary bar. I know. Blows my mind.
Lahaina Coolers, Lahaina. I'll be honest: I get the same thing every time. BECAUSE IT'S AMAZING. Corned Beef Hash. They make it there. They make it from scratch with real beef. It is not a pile of fried mush. And they have a hot sauce they make themselves from scratch too. Try and get them to sell you a bottle - they might. Best Souvenir Ever.
There are tons of other places I haven't mentioned, and even more for brunch (Oh, Mala Oceanfront Tavern in Lahaina, I love you so) remember that you can always ask for more suggestions in the comments section.
What, you have a problem with warm-ish eggs benedict and cold-ish oatmeal? But it's ALL YOU CAN EAT.
Still no?
Alright then.
A few of my favorites, while my personal faves are heavy on meat, these places do have veg options:
North Shore Cafe, Haiku. On the road to Hana? Pull over. Just a mile from the Hana Hwy, a few yards past the Kokomo/Haiku Road intersection.
$5.75 steak and eggs.
Crab Latkes with bearnaise sauce for $8.08
So I'll see you there, then?
Bistro 808, Kihei. Directly across the street from the beach, in a cool, shady, open air, indoors/outdoors locale. I have a secret: I hate omelets. No, wait, that's not true. I hate crispy brown eggs, so I don't usually eat omelets because too often, the eggs are brown. But the eggs are not brown here, and the curry omelet and short rib omelet are two of the most amazing omelets ever.
Ever.
And they have homemade banana bread and a bloody mary bar. I know. Blows my mind.
Lahaina Coolers, Lahaina. I'll be honest: I get the same thing every time. BECAUSE IT'S AMAZING. Corned Beef Hash. They make it there. They make it from scratch with real beef. It is not a pile of fried mush. And they have a hot sauce they make themselves from scratch too. Try and get them to sell you a bottle - they might. Best Souvenir Ever.
There are tons of other places I haven't mentioned, and even more for brunch (Oh, Mala Oceanfront Tavern in Lahaina, I love you so) remember that you can always ask for more suggestions in the comments section.
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