If you’re planning a trip to the warm, tropical island of Maui, you will likely spend a lot of time soaking up the sunshine at the beach, snorkeling, and maybe hitting up a few hiking trails. However, in between all the fun activities to enjoy on the island, you’ll need to fuel your appetite! 

Fortunately, there are tons of good places to eat in Maui, from casual breakfast joints and food trucks to upscale restaurants and five-star dining experiences. On this list of the best places to eat in Maui, you will find a little bit of everything — so let’s dive right in! 

Note: I visited Maui in May 2023, prior to the devastating fires in Lahaina in August 2023. In this guide, I include a few restaurants that I enjoyed during my time on the island that were sadly affected by the fires. Under each affected restaurant, you will see a note that explains the status of the restaurant and how you can support them during this time. 

Disclosure: Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links, meaning that I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. This helps me keep the content on my website free for you to enjoy! 

Coffee & Breakfast 

Let’s start the day off right — with coffee and breakfast! Keep reading for some of the best places to eat in Maui for breakfast or brunch. 

P.S. — my price guide for the best restaurants in Maui is as follows: $ = <$10 per person, $$ = $11–25 per person, $$$ = $26–50, $$$$ = >$50 per person. This is just an estimation of how much you will spend per person at each restaurant based on our personal experience! 

1. Akamai Coffee 

  • Location: Kihei, Wailea Village & Kahului 
  • Price: $$ 
  • Try: Road to Hana Latte 
An iced coffee and a croissant sandwich with ham sitting on a wooden table.
A white coffee mug that says Akamai Coffee Co. Hawaii sitting on a wooden table with tropical trees and a parking lot in the background

Akamai Coffee was by far my favorite coffee shop we visited while in Maui. This local coffee chain serves locally roasted coffee, handcrafted espresso drinks, and delicious pastries and breakfast items, like Avocado Toast, Lox + Cream, Belgian Waffle, and Breakfast Burrito. 

We visited the location at Wailea Village and had a great experience! You could tell this place was popular because there was a line out the door. I ordered a Croissant Sandwich and Road to Hana Latte (made with Chocolate, Macadamia Nut, and Toffee Nut), and it was delicious. 

We also loved sitting on the patio at this location. The location in Kihei is also a cafe with seating, but the location in Kahului is a drive-through, which is perfect for grabbing a coffee when you’re heading to and from the airport — it’s less than ten minutes from the terminal!  

2. Aunt Sandy’s Banana Bread 

  • Location: Ke’Anae (Road to Hana) 
  • Price:
  • Try This: Banana Bread Loaf 
A woman in black athleticwear and a straw hat holding a loaf of banana bread out in front of a yellow and green sign that reads: "Aunt Sandy Famous Banana Bread. The Bread You've Been Driving For, Always Served Fresh." One of the best places to eat in Maui on the Ke'anae Peninsula
A loaf of banana bread wrapped in saran wrap being held in front of an ocean in Maui on the Road to Hana

If you’re planning on driving the Road to Hana, a stop at Aunt Sandy’s Banana Bread is a must. Y’all, the hype is real — this banana bread is amazing! 

Located in Ke’Anae, this unassuming fruit stand attracts a crowd for the famous banana bread loaves, so prepare to stand in line. Each loaf is $8.75 plus tax (as of January 2024), and though one may seem like enough, trust me — you’ll want to get one for now and one for later! You’ll also want to arrive earlier in the day, if possible. Once Aunt Sandy’s sells out of loaves, they’re out, and it would be tragic to miss out on these delicious banana bread loaves! 

Aunt Sandy’s used to be cash only, but now they accept credit cards with a minimum purchase of $10 (so, two loaves!). Aunt Sandy’s also serves chili dogs, ramen, and a couple of other food items. They’re open from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM on Monday – Saturday (closed on Sunday). 

3. Baya Bowls 

  • Location: Lahaina 
  • Price: $$ 
  • Try This: Acai Bowl 
An acai bowl topped with blueberries, strawberries, nut butters, chia seeds, and other toppings in front of a colorful mural.
Two acai bowls on a wooden table. One is filled with bananas, blueberries, and strawberries, and the other is filled with bananas, strawberries, and papaya.

Baya Bowls is a colorful food truck that serves delicious acai bowls and smoothies, though the acai bowls are the most popular menu item! 

Their traditional acai bowl comes in a small and large size with organic granola, local apple banana, strawberry, coconut, and local honey as toppings. However, you can also add on other toppings, like pineapple, papaya, kiwi, peanut butter, chia seeds, hemp seeds, almond butter, cacao nibs, bee pollen, goji berries, blueberries, and macadamia nuts for $0.75–$1.00 each. 

I ordered a small bowl and added blueberries, chia seeds, almond butter, and goji berries. It was delicious! I also loved the beautiful artwork on the exterior of the food truck. 

Note: Baya Bowls was sadly destroyed in the Lahaina fire in 2023. However, they do have plans to rebuild. You can follow @bayabowlsmaui on Instagram for updates from this local business and/or support their employees and business by donating on GoFundMe. 

4. Kihei Caffe 

  • Location: Kihei & Lahaina 
  • Price: $$ 
  • Try This: French Toast 
A breakfast spread with French toast topped with pineapple and coconut, iced coffee, and a plate with eggs, toast, and potatoes in the background.
A breakfast spread with French toast topped with pineapple and coconut, hot coffee in a mug, and a plate with eggs, bacon, and potatoes in the background.

If you’re looking for a more “traditional” breakfast, you need to visit Kihei Caffe. This Hawaiian-style dinner has three locations in Kihei, Lahaina, and at the Maui Coast Hotel (in Kihei) and offers a wide range of options, including omelets, French toast, and huevos rancheros. 

This is also a great place to visit if you’d like to try a traditional Hawaiian breakfast. They serve Pork Fried Rice and Eggs, Loco Moco, and other favorites. Personally, I ordered the French Toast topped with pineapple and coconut and thought it was delicious! I was also really torn about topping it with bananas and local macadamia nuts. That also sounded delicious. 

Kihei Caffe also serves juice and coffee — they have an espresso bar, so you can order lattes, mochas, and more. They serve breakfast all day (from 6 AM – 2 PM) but also have a lunch menu for the second half of the day. However, I recommend stopping for breakfast since it’s been voted one of the best places to eat in Maui for breakfast. 

5. Paia Bay Coffee & Bar 

  • Location: Paia 
  • Price: $$ 
  • Try This: Banana Bread French Toast 
An iced coffee in front of the sign for Paia Bay Coffee Bar, one of the best places to eat in Maui.

Paia Bay Coffee & Bar is a local coffee shop, restaurant, and bar that serves delicious, handcrafted espresso drinks and all-day breakfast. Paia Bay Coffee & Bar has a walk-up window where you can grab a drink and a pastry to go as we did (we stopped here on the way to the Road to Hana!), or you can sit down inside for table service. 

All the items on the breakfast menu sounded amazing, like the Paia Bay Breakfast, Monkey Butter Waffle, and the Banana Bread French Toast (you heard that right — French toast made from banana bread!), so we were super bummed we didn’t have time to stop for breakfast here. 

If you’re visiting in the evening, Paia Bay Coffee & Bar serves beer, wine, cocktails, and mocktails, as well as salads, starters, and entrees. 

6. Sugar Bake Beach Shop 

  • Location: Kihei 
  • Price:
  • Try This: Malasadas 
A box of four stuffed malasadas in front of the sign for Sugar Beach Bake Shop, one of the best places to eat in Maui.
A box of four stuffed malasadas on a turquoise wooden table.

You cannot visit Hawaii without getting a malasada — a Portuguese fried pastry (kind of like a donut) coated with sugar and often stuffed with rich custard fillings. We stopped to get malasadas for breakfast at Sugar Bake Beach Shop one morning, and they were delicious! 

At Sugar Beach Bake Shop, you can choose from traditional malasadas coated with sugar and cinnamon sugar or malasadas stuffed with vanilla, ube, lilikoi (passion fruit), or coconut. The vanilla ones were my favorite, but I also loved the tangy flavor of the lilikoi ones to balance out the sweet, sugary coating. 

Just be sure to arrive early. Sugar Beach Bake Shop is open from 6 AM to 2 PM on Tuesday to Saturday (closed on Sunday and Monday), and the malasadas sell out quickly. I recommend arriving in the first few hours if you want to snag a specific flavor. We arrived at 9 AM on a Saturday, and they were already sold out of the coconut ones (sad day for me!). 

In addition to malasadas, Sugar Beach Bake Shop also sells scones, cookies, pies, muffins, and other baked goods, in addition to some coffee drinks and breakfast sandwiches. 

7. Swan Court Breakfast 

  • Location: Ka’anapali 
  • Price: $$$ 
  • Try This: Breakfast Buffet 
A breakfast spread on a plate with a waffle, croissant, fruit, muffin, breakfast burrito, eggs, bacon, sausage, and juice at a breakfast buffet in Maui.
A tower at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa with a lake and waterfall in the foreground.

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa during our time in Maui, so Swan Court Breakfast was our breakfast option at our resort. However, even if you aren’t staying at the resort, I highly recommend stopping by here for the breakfast buffet — not only was the food exceptional, but the ambiance of the open-air restaurant was spectacular! 

Swan Court Breakfast offers a breakfast buffet for $38 per adult and $14 per child from 6:30 AM to 11 AM daily. If you visit during brunch time (about 9 AM – 10 AM), you’ll be able to fill up on this all-you-can-eat buffet and won’t have to eat again until dinner — trust me! 

Swan Court’s buffet breakfast comes with coffee and juice, served at the table. Some of the items offered include pastries, waffles, breakfast burritos, eggs, sausage, bacon, smoked salmon, deli meats, cheese, cereal, potatoes, yogurt, fresh fruit, and more! 

Lunch & Dinner 

Now, the main course — lunch and dinner! Though most of these restaurants are great for either lunch or dinner, if one time of day is better than the other, I’ll let you know in the description. I’ll also share if reservations are needed, if there is happy hour, and other important information! 

8. Duke’s Beach House 

  • Location: Ka’anapali 
  • Price: $$$ 
  • Try This: Coconut Shrimp & Hula Pie 
A slice of Hula Pie on a plate that says, "Hula Pie," sitting on a wooden table at Duke's Maui.
A beer and a pina colada with strawberry flavor sitting on a table overlooking the ocean in Maui.

If you’re looking for a laid-back, beachside meal that is quintessential “Hawaii,” look no further than Duke’s Beach House — one of the best restaurants in Maui. Duke’s Beach House is a Hawaiian restaurant with three locations in Hawaii (one in Waikiki, Ka’anapali, and Lihue) and three in California (Huntington Beach, La Jolla, and Malibu). 

Duke’s is one of the best restaurants in Maui for appetizers and drinks. I always order the Lava Flow while I’m here (basically a pina colada with strawberry!), but the Duke’s Mai Tai is popular as well. For lunch, I’ll usually order Fish & Chips, and for dinner, I’ll typically get Fish Tacos. However, we always start our meal at Duke’s with Crispy Coconut Shrimp and end with Hula Pie — in my opinion, the two best things on the menu! 

Duke’s Beach House in Maui is in the Honua Kai Resort & Spa on the north side of Ka’anapali. If you’re visiting for dinner, try to arrive early to get a table or make a reservation. If the restaurant is full, you can always order select appetizers, entrees, drinks, and desserts at the Barefoot Bar, open from 4 PM to 9 PM. 

9. Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop 

  • Location: Olowalu 
  • Price: $$ 
  • Try This: Sandwiches & Personal Pies 
A small coconut cream pie sitting on a wooden table with a small vase holding white and purple flowers.
Half of a sandwich stuffed with turkey, cheese, lettuce, and tomato is sitting in a bowl in a restaurant in Maui.

Come for the pies — stay for the food! Leoda’s Kitchen & Pie Shop is well-known as one of the best restaurants in Maui for its delicious pies in several flavors, including Banana Cream Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Apple Crumb Pie, Chocolate Macadamia Nut Pie, and Olowalu Lime Pie. 

Though it was extremely difficult to choose a flavor (I am obsessed with coconut, lime, and macadamia nut-flavored things!), we settled on the Coconut Cream Pie, and it did not disappoint. Even though the pies are “personal” sized, my husband and I split one and were still stuffed. In fact, we brought back leftovers to our hotel room to snack on later! 

Since the pies are the main attraction, I expected the food to be average — but boy, was I wrong! The sandwiches at Leoda’s are amazing. I truly think the bread was some of the best sandwich bread I have ever tasted. All that to say — Leoda’s is a must-visit for lunch on Maui and is open daily from 10 AM – 6 PM. 

10. Star Noodle 

  • Location: Lahaina 
  • Price: $$$ 
  • Try This: Star Udon 

Star Noodle is a popular restaurant on Front Street in Lahaina for dumplings, ramen, noodles, and drinks. The restaurant is in a super romantic location overlooking the ocean and offers a great ambiance. It’s perfect for a dinner date or a fancy evening out. 

We were super bummed because our friends had highly recommended this restaurant, and when we went to eat here on our last night in Maui, the waitlist was already full! That said, I highly recommend getting here for an early dinner (it is open from 10:30 AM – 9 PM daily) or making a reservation. This spot is great, and it seems like everyone knows it! 

Note: Star Noodle is currently closed in the aftermath of the Lahaina fire in 2023. You can follow them on Instagram at @star.noodle for updates about reopening and/or donate to the employee GoFundMe to support the employees of this restaurant. 

11. Paia Fishmarket 

  • Location: Paia, Kihei & Lahaina 
  • Price: $$ 
  • Try This: Blackened Mahi Mahi Plate 
Two plates that each include two filets of blackened mahi mahi, coleslaw, and rice sitting on a wooden table.
A wooden sign that reads "Paia Fish Market Front Street," with a fish on it: one of the best places to eat in Maui.

Paia Fishmarket was my favorite place we ate during our trip to Maui, and arguably, some of the best fish I have ever had. Ever. It was seriously incredible, and I highly recommend this spot to anyone during a trip to Maui — it’s without a doubt one of the best places to eat in Maui! 

Although we went to the location on Front Street in Lahaina that tragically burned in the fires in 2023, Paia Fishmarket has two other locations in Maui (Paia & Kihei) that you can enjoy, as well as two locations on Oahu (Waikiki & Kailua). All locations on Maui are open daily from 11 AM – 9 PM. The quick-serve style dining makes it the perfect spot for a late lunch that will keep you full well into the evening. 

Though I highly recommend getting one of the Fresh Catch Plates (the Blackened Mahi Mahi was truly amazing), Paia Fishmarket also sells burgers, tacos, quesadillas, pasta, and more, made with fresh-caught fish (or beef or chicken for any non-seafood lovers in the group). 

12. Huli Huli Chicken 

  • Location: Hana 
  • Price: $$ 
  • Try This: Huli Huli Chicken 
A disposable carton containing huli huli chicken, white rice, and a green salad in front of a red sand beach and the ocean on the Road to Hana in Maui.
A disposable carton containing huli huli chicken, white rice, and a green salad in front of a red sand beach and the ocean on the Road to Hana in Maui.

Huli Huli Chicken is a Hawaiian grilled chicken dish that is prepared by barbecuing chicken over mesquite wood and turning it several times (“huli” means “turn” in Hawaiian!). It is then coated in “huli huli sauce, which is like a sweeter, fruitier teriyaki sauce. 

As you can imagine, Huli Huli Chicken serves, well, Huli Huli Chicken, as well as pork ribs. It’s one of the best places to eat in Maui and a can’t-miss roadside shack along the Road to Hana. We stopped here for lunch, and it was not only delicious, but so much food. It kept us full on the rest of the Road to Hana until we arrived back in Paia later that night for dinner! 

The best part about Huli Huli Chicken, aside from the delicious chicken served with steamed rice and macaroni salad or green salad, is the views. After grabbing your meal, you can sit at Koki Beach Park, a red sand beach, and enjoy the beautiful views. 

One thing to note about Huli Huli Chicken is that it’s cash only, so be sure to carry at least $50 cash with you on the Road to Hana. This spot is open from 11 AM – 6 PM daily. If you’re looking to save money, I recommend splitting a chicken plate here. It’s plenty of food! 

13. The Plantation House 

  • Location: Kapalua 
  • Price: $$$$ 
  • Try This: Catch of the Day 

Most upscale dining establishments in Maui are located right on the water — and understandably so! You are on an island, after all. However, if you are looking for a change in scenery for a romantic date night, The Plantation House is one of the best restaurants in Maui. 

Located on the Plantation Golf Course in the Kapalua Resort, this Hawaiian restaurant offers a delicious surf ‘n’ turf menu for dinner, in addition to drinks and dessert, with a lush, green golf course as the backdrop. I’ve also heard the brunch here is spectacular! 

The Plantation House is open from 8 AM – 8 PM daily. I recommend making reservations to secure a table for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at this local Maui restaurant. 

14. Monkeypod Kitchen 

  • Location: Wailea & Ka’anapali 
  • Price: $$$ 
  • Try This: Monkeypod Mai Tai & Kalua Pork Pizza 
Two pizzas sitting on a wooden table at Monkeypod Kitchen. One is a margarita pizza, and one contains kalua pork, pineapple, and jalapenos.
A burger and a pizza sitting on a wooden table at Monkeypod Kitchen in Maui.

Monkeypod Kitchen was one of my favorite places to eat in Oahu, so when I saw there were two locations in Maui (Wailea & Ka’anapali) — I knew we needed to grab a meal here! 

Monkeypod Kitchen is a popular place for happy hour in Maui, and they are well-known for the Monkeypod Mai Tai, considered one of the best in Hawaii. They also serve beer, wine, and other handcrafted cocktails and mocktails. However, the food at Monkeypod is just as delicious. The locally sourced, seasonal menu is always changing, but some staples include pizzas, salads, “upcountry” dishes (meat), and “makai” dishes (fish). 

I’m personally a big fan of the Kalua Pork & Pineapple Pizza, though the Maui Cattle Company Cheeseburger was also delicious. Monkeypod Kitchen is open daily from 11 AM – 10 PM (Wailea) and 11 AM – 9 PM (Ka’anapali). Both locations have happy hour specials from 3:30 PM – 5 PM daily, with the expectation of select holidays. 

15. Maui Brewing Company 

  • Location: Kihei, Kahana & Ka’anapali 
  • Price: $$ 
  • Try This: Limited Release Beer 

Maui Brewing Company is one of the most popular breweries in Maui. You’ve likely seen their popular beers, like the Bikini Blonde, Big Swell IPA, or Coconut Hiwa Porter at other restaurants in Maui or even at the grocery store at home. They have three locations in Maui and two in Oahu, but the brewery itself is in Kihei. You can take a brewery tour here! 

In addition to beer, Maui Brewing Company also serves lunch and dinner, making it one of the best places to eat on Maui. The Wild Hog Flatbread at the Kahana location was delicious (and huge!), but you can also order salads, appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, and entrees.  

While you’re here, I highly recommend trying one of the limited-release beers since it’s easy to find the beers served year-round at other restaurants in Maui. Happy hour is from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM on weekdays. Also, if you’d like to sit outside, I recommend visiting the Kihei or Ka’anapali location (the beer garden in Kihei looks awesome!) — the Kahana location only has indoor seating. 

16. Kimo’s Maui 

  • Location: Lahaina
  • Price: $$$ 
  • Try This: Coconut Shrimp 
Two plates sitting on a wooden table. One include fish tacos and chips, and the other includes fish and chips.
A Mai Tai cocktail in a tall glass with a pineapple and pink umbrella decorating it sitting on a table at one of the best restaurants in Maui.

Kimo’s Maui is one of the best restaurants in Maui for a Hawaiian-style lunch or dinner. The two-story restaurant offers gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean, so ask for an ocean-facing table (if possible!) for stunning views during sunset. 

The Coconut Shrimp here was simply amazing — I loved the honey mustard dip that was served with it. I also enjoyed the Fish Tacos, though you can choose from tons of surf ‘n’ turf options at Kimo’s, such as ahi, shrimp, prime rib, and filet mignon. 

My favorite thing about dining at Kimo’s was actually the little carrot cake muffins they brought out as an appetizer. They were seriously so good that I think I could have eaten them as my entree (…kidding, but almost serious!). Kimo’s is definitely one of the best places to eat in Maui! 

Note: Kimo’s Maui was sadly destroyed in the Lahaina fire in 2023. They are currently collecting donations in partnership with Maui Brewing Co. through The Legacy of Aloha Foundation that will go to team members and their families affected by the Maui fires. You can also support other restaurants in the TS Restaurants Group during your trip to Maui, including Duke’s, Hula Grill, and Leilani’s on the Beach. For more updates, please follow @kimosmaui on Instagram. 

17. Mama’s Fish House 

  • Location: Paia 
  • Price: $$$$ 
  • Try This: Daily Entree 

Mama’s Fish House is the most popular restaurant in Maui and arguably the most famous restaurant in Hawaii. We were unfortunately unable to eat at this famous restaurant because we booked our trip to Maui for the end of May in March, and reservations were already completely full. You can make reservations up to a year in advance! That is how popular this place is. 

However, if you are one of the lucky ones who can eat at Mama’s Fish House, you will not be disappointed. The menu changes daily but features fresh-caught seafood with Polynesian and Hawaiian flavors, handcrafted cocktails, and wines by the glass or bottle. 

Mama’s Fish House is the perfect spot for a special occasion celebration, like an anniversary, birthday, honeymoon, or babymoon. Not only is the food amazing, but the restaurant is right on the beach, so it’s a stunning place to watch the sunset. 

If you can’t snag a reservation, give Mama’s Fish House a call to see if they have an opening. We didn’t have any luck, but I’ve heard other people have! 

18. Hana Farms 

  • Location: Hana 
  • Price: $$ 
  • Try This: Wood-Fired Pizza 
An open-air market selling t-shirts, drinks, snacks, and other goods on the Road to Hana in Maui.

Hana Farms is a fun stop on the Road to Hana, and while I placed it in the “lunch and dinner” section, you can find just about anything here, including coffee and dessert! 

Hana Farms has four branches: “The Stand,” “The Bakery,” “The Farm,” and “The Restaurant.” While I recommend visiting them all, if you are hoping to get lunch or dinner, you’ll want to head to “The Restaurant,” where they serve fresh wood-fired pizzas and farm-fresh salads. Meals are served in a gorgeous open-air bamboo hale (meaning “home” or “structure” in Hawaiian) that will allow you to enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze with views of the tropical garden. 

19. Japengo 

  • Location: Ka’anapali 
  • Price: $$$ 
  • Try This: Sushi 

Japengo is a popular restaurant in Maui located at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Ka’anapali. It is an Asian fusion restaurant with a focus on Hawaii’s fresh seafood, and sushi is the star of the show, served from 5 PM to 9 PM every evening.  

Japengo offers at least a dozen sushi rolls, including popular favorites like the California Roll and Spicy Tuna Roll and more unique, local offerings like the Lahaina Sunset Roll and Ka’anapali Roll. Japengo also serves tons of nigiri and sashimi, including yellowtail, salmon, eel, and shrimp, as well as noodles, bowls, and other Asian-style dishes.  

Personally, I am not a huge sushi person, so we did not eat at Japengo. However, we were staying at the Hyatt Regency Resort, and this restaurant seemed popular and comes highly recommended, so I wanted to include it on this list in case you are a sushi person! 

20. Flatbread Company 

  • Location: Paia 
  • Price: $$ 
  • Try This: Flatbread Weekly Special 
A flatbread pizza is sitting on a wooden table at a local pizza joint in Maui.
A golden beer sitting on a wooden table in Maui.

So, fun fact. The first time I visited Flatbread Company was not in Maui. It was actually in — Portsmouth, New Hampshire? Yeah, that’s right! Flatbread Company is primarily based in New England, with locations across New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and even Whistler, Canada, but it also has a location in Maui. I’m curious as to the reason why — maybe the owners like vacationing there? 

Anyhow, Flatbread Company was just as delicious in Paia, Maui, as it was in New Hampshire! This restaurant focuses on serving flatbreads with local, seasonal ingredients, and they are delicious! I recommend trying the weekly special — either the “Carne” with meat or the “Veggie” with no meat. They are usually delicious! 

However, the menu also includes organic salads, other flatbreads, and beverages, including alcoholic and nonalcoholic options. If you are in Paia, you definitely want to stop here! 

21. Merriman’s 

  • Location: Kapalua 
  • Price: $$$$ 
  • Try This: Nightly Fish Special 

Merriman’s is a local restaurant chain in Hawaii with locations on each of the islands. The location in Maui is in Kapalua, a quiet neighborhood north of Ka’anapali, filled with luxury resorts, gorgeous golf courses, and stunning beaches. 

Chef Peter Merriman, the pioneer of “Hawaii Regional Cuisine,” is the mastermind behind Merriman’s and Monkeypod Kitchen. Unlike the casual, laid-back happy hour vibes at Monkeypod, though, Merriman’s offers a more refined menu that changes daily, depending on which local foods are fresh and in season. 

Despite the rotating menu, Merriman’s offers appetizers, salads, ocean, and land dishes for dinner, in addition to dessert, wine, and other drinks. If you’re looking for an upscale date night on the island and can’t get into Mama’s Fish House — this is an amazing alternative! 

Sweet Treats 

I’m a “dessert everyday” kind of girl, so I couldn’t miss the chance to share some of my favorite sweet treats on Maui that I didn’t have the chance to list in the earlier sections. Let’s do it! 

22. Olowalu Juice Stand 

  • Location: Olowalu 
  • Cost:
  • Try This: Pineapple Juice (in a Pineapple!) 
A drink in a pineapple with a pink umbrella in front of a colorful food truck that reads "Olowalu Juice Stand"
A drink in a pineapple with a pink umbrella in front of a colorful food truck that reads "Olowalu Juice Stand"

Have you ever wanted to have a drink in a pineapple? I’ll be honest, this was way higher on my bucket list than I should probably admit. Fortunately, Olowalu Juice Stand made my pineapple-drink dreams come true in Maui! 

Olowalu Juice Stand is a fruit stand and food truck in Olowalu (near Leoda’s Pie Shop) that serves fresh fruit smoothies, including papaya, pineapple, guava, coconut, and passionfruit, as well as fresh pineapple juice in a pineapple. This is what I ordered, and it was so refreshing. If you’re driving from Ka’anapali to Kihei (or vice versa!), I recommend stopping here on the way. 

23. Coconut Glen’s 

  • Location: Haiku (Road to Hana) 
  • Cost:
  • Try This: Original Coconut Ice Cream

Coconut Glen’s is an unassuming food truck on the Road to Hana that serves up some amazing dairy-free coconut milk ice cream made with organic ingredients. They offer tons of flavors, including Original Coconut, Pistachio, Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Macadamia Nut, Salted Caramel, and more. They even offer some “Ice Creamy Elixers” with added health benefits! 

Coconut Glen’s is open daily from 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM. I was bummed because we just barely missed getting ice cream here on the way there and back. We were too early on the trip to Hana, and we were too late on the way back! That said, if you happen to be driving on the Road to Hana while Coconut Glen’s is open, stop by and let me know what you think! 

24. Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice 

  • Location: Kihei, Wailuku, Kahului & Paia 
  • Cost:
  • Try This: Hawaiian Root Beer Float 
A blue, white, and brown shave ice in front of Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice, one of the best places to eat in Maui.

Normally, I am an ice-cream-for-dessert kind of person, but Hawaii always brings out the shave ice enthusiast in me. If you are what you eat, then in Hawaii, I am a combination of shave ice, coconut shrimp, and coconut or macadamia nut-flavored coffee. 

That said, trust me when I say Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice is the best shave ice in Maui. Hands down. Fortunately, Ululani’s has several locations, including one in Kihei, Wailuku, Kahului, and Paia, so getting shave ice is easy, regardless of where you’re staying. Sadly, the location in Lahaina (pictured above) burned in the Maui fires in 2023. 

Ululani’s has tons of flavors and options. Like, dozens of options! My personal favorite was the Hawaiian Root Beer Float, flavored with Coconut, Root Beer, and Vanilla. I also got coconut or macadamia nut ice cream on the bottom (depending on the day!) and a snowcap (sweetened condensed milk poured on top). It was seriously amazing. 

After getting Ululani’s one time, we got it every day until we left the island! Don’t bother trying anywhere else for shave ice — just go to Ululani’s! 

FAQs – Best Places to Eat in Maui 

What food is Maui famous for?

Maui (and Hawaii in general) is popular for lots of delicious food, including malasadas, shave ice, kalua pork, pineapple, fresh-caught seafood, poke, banana bread, and pies (specifically from Leoda’s). If you’re looking for something to drink, Mai Tais are super popular in Hawaii.

What foods should I try in Maui?

Some dishes and foods you should try in Maui include fresh-caught fish (whatever kind you prefer — I like mahi mahi and shrimp!), loco moco, huli huli chicken, shave ice, malasadas, and kalua pork (on a flatbread or at a luau, preferably!).

Does Mama’s Fish House have a Michelin star?

According to the Michelin Guide, Mama’s Fish House does not have a Michelin star (although most people who dine there would agree it probably should!). There are nearly 200 Michelin star restaurants in the United States, and only 13 restaurants with three stars, primarily located in New York, Chicago, and California.

How much does it cost to eat at Mama’s Fish House?

Entrees at Mama’s Fish House generally range from $60–$70 per person. After factoring in the cost of appetizers, dessert, and drinks, the average cost of eating at Mama’s Fish House is probably about $150 per person (not including tax and tip).

Feast on Popular Hawaiian Favorites at These Best Places to Eat in Maui 

Regardless of whether you’re craving fresh-caught fish, farm-to-table flatbreads, handcrafted coffee, fresh fruit, or sweet, sweet shave ice, you’ll find all that (and much more!) on this list of all the best places to eat in Maui. 

Which of these restaurants will you be dining at in Maui? What dish sounds the most delicious to you? I would love to know! 

Save the Best Places to Eat in Maui for Your Hawaiian Vacation

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Looking for more things to do in Hawaii? Check out my helpful travel guides and other blog posts about Maui and Oahu:

About the Author

Hi, I'm Brit! I'm a writer from Phoenix, AZ who loves coffee, golden retriever puppies, and obviously, travel! I help ordinary women (like me!) dream, plan, and do extraordinary travel experiences.

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