Where to Eat in Maui, Hawaii

I spend a lot of my time before trips researching the best restaurants to eat at and the best foods to try. After visiting Maui for 10 days, it did NOT disappoint in the food department. Maui offers a large range of delicious food, from freshly grown produce to locally run food trucks to fine dining restaurants. I had so many delicious meals during my trip to Maui and needed to share with anyone who plans on visiting Maui. These are the places you must eat at while visiting Maui!

Monkeypod Kitchen – Wailea

Topping off the list is my absolute favorite restaurant that we ate at; Monkeypod Kitchen in Wailea. When I was researching where to eat in Maui, almost every single website mentioned Monkeypod Kitchen. Considering how many people mentioned this restaurant, I had to go check it out! Monkeypod Kitchen was everything I dreamed it would be and more. They are infamous for their Mai Tais, which were nothing short of phenomenal. They are $15 each, but you simply cannot dine at Monkeypod Kitchen without trying one of these. A lot of people argue that these Mai Tais are the best on the island, and I absolutely agree! The lilikoi foam on top is what makes this drink next level good.

Not only were the drinks delicious and worth the visit themselves, but the food was perfection. Our waiter gave us a whole speech about how every single ingredient is farm to table or locally caught. You could tell that he took great pride in working at such a successful restaurant. We started off with the garlic truffle oil fries ($10.95) and the hamakua wild mushroom & truffle oil pizza ($19.95). Normally I am not a huge fan of truffle oil as it tends to make me sick, but both the fries and pizza were delicious.

My mom and I both ordered the bulgogi pork tacos ($19.95) and my mom swears they were the best tacos she’s ever had in her life. They were full of so much flavor and had a nice spicy kick to them. If you’re not a fan of spice, my sister thoroughly enjoyed her coco corn chowder ($10.95).

If I still haven’t convinced you to visit Monkeypod Kitchen while you’re in Maui, let me give you one more reason why you should, dessert. We ordered the strawberry pie ($10.95) and just like everything else, it was delicious. If you are planning on dining at Monkeypod Kitchen, they do not currently take reservations, so you are going to have to wait. We arrived at 4:30pm for dinner and had to wait an hour and a half. Please don’t let this stop you from dining there because it is completely worth the wait!

Fleetwood’s on Front Street

Another amazing experience we had was at Fleetwood’s on Front Street. The food, the atmosphere, and the live music all contributed to the perfect night out. We were fortunate enough to get a rooftop reservation right at sunset. In the photo below you can see our view of the ocean, but what you can’t see is the beautiful mountain view behind us. This was easily one of my favorite dining experiences in Maui because it was so peaceful.

We started off with a drink they call Kokomo ($15). This consisted of coconut vodka, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and house made lime sour. This was the perfect vacation drink and I dream of drinking one of these right now!

They started us off with some homemade rolls which were warm and delicious. My mom and I split the seafood chowder ($13). This was really good, but what made it even better was the braised pork belly on top. For my entrée I ordered the 9oz flat iron steak ($36) and it was melt-in-your-mouth good! The chimichurri sauce along with the mashed potatoes and asparagus were cooked to perfection. One of my favorite parts of this dish were the cherry tomatoes that were bursting with flavor.

What really put the cherry on top of the cake was indeed their 4-layer chocolate cake ($14). It was the perfect amount of chocolate and the raspberry sauce on the bottom paired perfectly! Overall, Fleetwood’s on Front Street was a great dining experience. The atmosphere was gorgeous, the live music was phenomenal, and the food was delicious! I highly recommend making a reservation which can be made up to 30 days in advance. Here is the link the make a reservation; https://www.opentable.com/fleetwoods-on-front-st

Merriman’s

People were raving about Merriman’s, and it makes sense why. Remember the restaurant Monkeypod that I mentioned? Yeah, well this is the same owner! Monkeypod was such an amazing experience and Merriman’s was too! They also serve that infamous Mai Tai that I mentioned earlier, and I obviously had to order another one! Merriman’s also offers complimentary valet parking.

What’s so unique about Merriman’s is that they serve a 3-course prix-fixe menu. This means you pay one set price ($95) and choose one first course, one entrée, and one dessert. Before your first course they serve you bread and a cucumber/tomato gazpacho soup (this could be different when you visit). They take pride in their fresh and local ingredients. Take note that their menu is constantly changing so what menu I had when I visited could be totally different from what menu you have. For my first course I ordered the kalua pork quesadillas which came with a house-made kim chee and mango chili sauce. Also pictured below is the house-made bread, the Caesar salad, and the shrimp and pork chow fun noodles.

For my entrée I order the prime fillet which came with garlic whipped potatoes, chili garlic green beans, oyster mushrooms, and a bourbon-green peppercorn sauce. This was definitely the best steak I had on the whole trip!

Last, but certainly not least was the dessert! My sister ordered the lilikoi pot de crème which was SO tart and delicious. I ordered the flourless chocolate cake, and my mom ordered the blueberry tart. All the desserts were scrumptious. We were celebrating my mom’s birthday while we were in Hawaii and our server was nice enough to send out free sparkling rose to cheers my mom. She also went out of her way to write happy birthday in Hawaiian on my mom’s dessert. Not only was the food amazing, but the service was exceptional.

The atmosphere at Merriman’s was also one of the best parts of the whole experience. Merriman’s has an oceanfront setting in the Kapalua Resort. I highly recommend walking the Kapalua Coastal Trail before your reservation at Merriman’s because it is stunning. If you are interested in having a fancy night out at Merriman’s, you can book 30 days in advance here: https://www.exploretock.com/merrimanskapalua/

Star Noodle

If you’re looking for some delicious Asian food, you need to check out Star Noodle. I knew while visiting Maui that I wanted to enjoy some Asian cuisine at least once. My sister surprised me with a reservation at Star Noodle. My watermelon sour ($14) really hit the spot; it was so refreshing!

As far as food goes, the steamed pork buns ($12) and teri kati chicken ($11) were both delicious. The steamed pork buns specifically were exactly what I was craving. If you’re only going for appetizers, definitely get the steamed pork buns!

For entrees I highly recommend the star udon noodles ($10). Not only were the noodles delicious, but it is a lot of food for only $10! I easily could’ve only ordered the noodles and been full. The rich pork broth was what made this dish. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the noodles, I found myself sipping the broth by itself. My sister ordered the garlic noodles ($8 for small and $13 for a large). My sister isn’t a huge fan of Asian food, so I ate most of hers! There were so many items on the menu I wanted to order, I’ll definitely have to go back and dine with them again.

If you are interested at dining at Star Noodle, you need to have a reservation. Make a reservation here; https://www.starnoodle.com/visit-star-noodle-directions

Flatbread Company in Paia

Flatbread company is a New-England based pizza company. The original Flatbreads was opened in Amesbury, Massachusetts, which is right near where I live! I grew up going to Flatbreads and I still visit every few weeks or so. I knew that I had to visit the only Flatbreads that wasn’t in New England. Each Flatbreads has its own specialty pizza. The one in Amesbury, Massachusetts specializes in their Mopsy’s Kalua Pie, which is my personal favorite. I saw that the location in Hawaii is the only other location that serves the Mopsy’s Kaula Pie. This pizza consists of pork, BBQ sauce, red onions, pineapple, goat cheese, herb mix, and more. The Paia location had a little bit of a spin on my favorite pizza, so I had to go and try it for myself.

Honestly their version of my favorite pizza was just as good, if not better! We also ordered their organic salad which consisted of, sweet leaf lettuce, kale, green papaya, organic carrots, sesame seeds, organic cucumbers, and their homemade pineapple vinaigrette. This salad was absolutely delicious, and I wish I could’ve brought it back to the Flatbreads I have at home! You do not need a reservation, but note that the town of Paia is often extremely busy!

Kihei Caffe

If you’re looking for the best breakfast spot in Maui, look no further! Kihei Caffé was conveniently a 3-minute walk from where I was staying. This is a small little café that serves up delicious and quick breakfast food. It is extremely busy here and there is almost always a line to get in, but it is completely worth it. We arrived right at 6am, when they open, and were able to sit almost immediately. However, almost right after we sat down, a line started to form! If you order one thing from Kihei Caffé, make it their cinnamon bun ($6). Their cinnamon buns are HUGE and delicious! If you’re looking for a more Hawaiian inspired breakfast, get their banana and macadamia nut french toast ($11.95).

If you’re looking for some savory options, I really enjoyed their pork fried rice ($9.95). This not only included pork, but also ham and Portuguese sausage too! They have such a large menu and honestly, I wanted to try everything. My mom built her own omelette ($9.95) and she thoroughly enjoyed it. We also ordered their freshly squeezed orange juice and it topped off the whole meal!

Maui Brewing Company

You simply cannot visit Maui and not go to the Maui Brewing Company! Maui Brewing Company is Hawaii’s largest craft brewery that specializes in their own lagers and ales. I highly recommend the pineapple-infused wheat beer or their coconut porter. I bought both for my boyfriend as a souvenir and he ended up loving both! Although you can take a $15 tour we just decided to sit and enjoy some lunch on our own.

Their logo is adorable which is why I bought many souvenirs here. If you know someone back home who loves beer, I recommend coming here to buy some of your souvenirs! Not only do they serve up delicious beer and fun apparel, but also delicious food! Where I am from, breweries usually don’t have the best food. However, Maui Brewing Company did not disappoint. Their jalapeno bacon burger ($18) and sriracha aioli fries were delicious. Although I loved dining at fancier restaurants, it was nice to go somewhere they had more of a casual atmosphere. If you’re looking for casual food, fun atmosphere, great souvenirs, and even greater beer, visit the Maui Brewing Company.

That’s a Wrap

Another great and casual spot in Maui is That’s a Wrap. After spending the morning at Kamaole Beach Park 2, my sister and I were looking for something casual to eat on the beach. We looked up places to eat nearby and ended up deciding on That’s a Wrap. This café is the definition of healthy eating in paradise. They have a large menu consisting of wraps, bowls, smoothies, pastries, and more. They even make their own pickles!

The interior of this café was super cute, and they had a pitcher full of pineapple water that we definitely took advantage of. Maui is extremely hot, and the free pineapple water really hit the spot. I decided on the mermaid bowl ($10) which consists of coconut milk, bananas, spirulina, vanilla protein smooth, local fruit, granola, and chia seeds which are served in a papaya. This was delicious! If you’re looking for something savory, all their wraps ($12) sounded delicious too! If you’re looking for some healthier and more casual, check out That’s a Wrap.

The Outrigger Pizza Company Food Truck

A famous food truck on Maui that you need to check out is The Outrigger Pizza Company. This food truck was featured on Food Network and Guy Fieri was there 2 weeks before I visited Maui. If you look closely at the picture below you can see where he signed the truck!

No matter what you order here, it will be delicious. If you want the full experience, you must order their lilikoi pork pizza ($16). This pizza is the perfect combination of savory and sweet. The lilikoi drizzle, which is similar to passion fruit, really takes this pizza to the next level. My sister thoroughly enjoyed her three-cheese pizza ($10) and my mom loved her Maui onion pizza ($14). They cook their pizza right in their wood-fired pizza oven and it is nothing short of delicious. Wait times can be long because they can only cook a certain number of pizzas at once. I recommend calling ahead and taking it to go!

Jazzy’s Kitchen Food Truck 

If you’re looking for some authentic Mexican food, I highly recommend Jazzy’s Kitchen. People go absolutely crazy for their fish tacos! I personally don’t eat fish, but every review I read raved about how good their fish tacos are. It can get busy, but it is 100% worth the wait. They are usually located at this address: 6761 Makena Rd, Kihei, HI 96753

I ordered two steak tacos and they were perfection! My mom and sister both ordered quesadillas and they loved them. Food trucks are a part of the Maui culture and visiting them will leave you happy and satisfied. Food trucks are a great way to have a delicious, but cheap meal. Some of my favorite meals were from food trucks!

Thai Mee Up Food Truck

If you’re going to visit only one food truck when in Maui, make it this one. Thai Mee Up offers the MOST delicious Thai food. I am a huge fan of Thai food, and this exceeded my expectations and more! Their pad thai, satay chicken, lemongrass fried chicken, and their curry chicken are just some of the plates that people rave about. I ordered the chicken pad thai ($10) and chicken fried rice ($10), both were incredible.

Seriously, I can’t say enough good things about this food truck. Their food is delicious, they have good prices, and they have good portions. They are located a short drive away from the airport along with a few other food trucks. I have a favorite Thai food spot back at home, but this food truck has ruined it for me. This is the best Thai food I have ever had, and I wish I was eating it now!

Lava Taco Food Truck

If you’re up in the Hana area, you’ll notice there aren’t a lot of food options. Hana is a small town and a lot of things close decently early. Lava Taco was our only food option when we were there, but nevertheless it was delicious.

I ordered the steak quesadillas with a side of Mexican rice. This food was definitely worth the line we waited it. Note that a lot of food trucks up in Hana close early, around 5 or 5:30. If you decide on having an early dinner, you will have more food options. Like I said, this was our only food option in Hana, but it did not disappoint.  They had a lot of delicious and unique options!

Ululani’s Shave Ice

You cannot visit Hawaii without trying their infamous shave ice. After a long walk on the beach, my sister and I noticed there was an Ululani’s nearby. This was the perfect frozen treat after baking in the sun. Shave ice is a lot lighter and a lot more refreshing than ice cream in my opinion. I ordered the sunset beach which consists of, passion orange, mango, and guava. My sister ordered the no ka oi which consists of, mango, coconut, and passion fruit. Both were $7 for a large. Trying shave ice is an experience you must have when visiting Hawaii.

Lappert’s Ice Cream

If you’re looking for some ice cream instead of shave ice, I recommend Lappert’s ice cream. Lappert’s is wildly popular, but for a good reason. I ordered the brownie sundae with my choice of two flavors. I chose coconut and lava java coffee. What I loved is that the brownie was broken up into pieces and mixed into the sundae. Most sundaes I’ve had usually just throw the brownie on the bottom and call it a day. They have lots of fun and unique flavors. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, check out Lappert’s!

Island Cream Company

Another honorable ice cream mention is Island Cream Company. I ordered a cone with two scoops: one scoop of snickers ice cream and one scoop of turtle. They also have a really cool station where you can create our own shave ice and add whatever flavors you like to it. They are located in Lahaina and are completely worth the stop if you’re in the area!

If you’re interested in visiting and want some more tips, please feel free to leave a comment below or direct message me on Instagram @smilesmilesaway . Also check out my Amazon Storefront where I share all of my Amazon favorites: My Amazon Storefront . If you’ve already visited Maui, please comment below one of your favorite memories. Can’t wait to read your comments!

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