28 Best Restaurants in Maui, Hawaii

You'd never guess what's inside by the nondescript exterior and the location in an old pineapple cannery-cum-strip-mall, but this is one of Maui's most overlooked and underrated restaurants. Popular with locals for breakfast, lunch, and a daily happy hour, at night during dinner is when the candles come out and it's time for martinis and fresh fish; you'll feel like you're at a hip urban eatery.

Located steps from Lahaina Harbor, this casual restaurant serves top-notch seafood with Southern flair. The shrimp po'boy, seared ahi (yellowfin tuna) tacos, and fish-and-chips are perennial favorites. Order at the counter and grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables. Nightly live music, big screen televisions, and a full bar make this an entertaining choice any time of the day. For dessert, stop in for shave ice at Breakwall Shave Ice Co. next door, which is run by the same owners, and is also home to the famous "adult shave ice" for the 21 and older set.

Just outside of Hana is this small food truck that has been transformed into a permanent location with a large, covered patio, real restrooms, and beautiful wood-fired pizzas, calzones, and salads that highlight the vegetables from Hana Farms. While you wait for your food enjoy the free Wi-Fi (very rare in the area) and peruse the shelves of the farm stand for tropical fruits, banana bread, home and bath gifts, and more. For some of the only nightlife in the area, drop by on Friday nights for live music from local musicians.

The variety of abundance from local Hana farms is on display here with fresh produce highlighting plates with tasty American fare and a few local favorites like loco moco (white rice, burger patty, fried egg, and brown sauce) and ahi (yellowfin tuna) poke. The quality of meals and the prices are reflective of a more upscale restaurant, but customers can keep it casual here (no swimwear allowed, however). The bar, with its decadent craft cocktails (and mocktails) and local beer selection, tends to get a bit lively in the evening, one of the few options for nightlife in the area.

Chef-owner Joey Macadangdang, who has been at the helm of fine-dining kitchens for most of his career, brings his good taste to the masses with this unfussy restaurant featuring Filipino, Asian, and American fusion dishes. A longtime champion of local producers, many of his recipes highlight ingredients grown on Maui. Don't be fooled by its under-the-radar location in a strip mall; there's a good chance you'll find yourself returning here several times during your trip.

Don't be fooled by its playful name; this place serves high-quality food that befits its chic surroundings. This restaurant's owner is a fisherman himself, so you know the fish here is the freshest available. Lunch features affordable and delicious sandwiches and burgers, but in the evening the space is transformed into an Italian-Greek bistro with entrées like chicken fettuccine and mousaka.

Locals have been flocking to this off-the-beaten-path gem for years, lured in by the reliably delicious Vietnamese cuisine served family-style at decent prices. It's tucked behind a nondescript overpass—and only recently did they put a sign on its building—but you can't go wrong with the green papaya salad, mixed fondue, and the make-your-own Vietnamese burritos.

This cute, casual café by Valley Isle Kombucha is part kombucha tasting room, part eatery. Try one of the many kombucha flavors on tap, which is crafted in small batches using local ingredients, and comes in flavors like guava pineapple and Kula strawberry. This place is located in an industrial area and is only open for lunch, but is worth seeking out for a fun tasting experience paired with healthy and flavor-packed dishes. Try the banh mi bowl or lobster panini and grab a loaf of sourdough to take with you.

The location of this Mediterranean restaurant is smack-dab in the middle of Kahului, making it a convenient choice for lunch or dinner. The menu features everything from salads to pasta, and the tapas menu (available from 4-9 pm) changes weekly and always has an excellent selection of dishes.

Paia is one of Maui's most interesting food towns, and this colorful, airy, and brightly painted hangout is right in the thick of things. The menu features everything from burgers and fish to three different preparations of duck, and aside from the great food, the people-watching is fascinating.

A Maui institution since 1969, Charley's is known for satiating your cowboy-size breakfast appetite: omelets, pancakes, and sausage biscuits with country gravy lure customers in. Charley's also serves hearty portions for lunch and dinner, including handmade pizzas and awesome burgers.

A chain joint on Front Street, this place is known for—what else?—big beefy cheeseburgers, not to mention a great turkey burger, as well as healthier options such as smoothies and hearty salads. The second-floor balcony gives you a bird's-eye view of Lahaina's Front Street action.

This Vermont-based company marched right into Paia in 2007 and instantly became a popular restaurant and a valued addition to the community as it gives back to local nonprofits. The bustling restaurant uses organic, local, sustainable products, including 100% organically grown wheat for the made-fresh-daily dough, and it's a good spot to take the kids. There's a no-reservations policy (except for large groups), but there's "call-ahead seating," so you can put your name on the wait list before you arrive.

Nestled on the slopes of Haleakala, this bistro's atmosphere is reminiscent of trattorias in northern Italy. Serving up home-style food with a splash of Italian, this eatery makes the scenic drive worth it. Start the day with any of their benedicts, frittatas, or the indulgent white chocolate macadamia nut pancakes. Grab any one of their outstanding paninis for lunch, or enjoy dinner from specialty pasta, prime rib, house-made vegetable lasagna, signature pizzas, to the local favorite loco moco.

It's been a popular casual spot with locals since it first opened in 1989, and to be around that long, it's got to be doing something right. You can get everything from huevos rancheros to local-style fried rice at breakfast; plate lunches, salads, wraps, and more for lunch; and fresh fish, chicken, steak, and pasta for dinner; plus there are separate pizza, pupu, and bar menus. Since this restaurant buys its fish from Lahaina Harbor anglers, the catch of the day is always a good bet.

One of the go-to places for airport comers and goers, this popular Italian restaurant also draws a steady crowd of local residents, mostly for business lunches. Meatballs, sausages, and sauces are all made in-house, there's a long list of sandwiches that are available all day, and the affordable salads are big enough to share; substitutions or special requests are not recommended.

The wooden surfboards hanging above the bar and surf videos playing in the background set a decidedly chill vibe at this buzzing restaurant, the creation of local celebrity-chef Peter Merriman. He offers a menu that highlights local bounty, with such standout dishes as poke tacos, coconut corn chowder, and wood-fired pizzas.

This authentic Indian restaurant offers stunning ocean views and appetizers like papadum chips and samosas served with homemade chutneys. There are 10+ breads—naan and more, including a gluten-free option—that come hot from the tandoori oven, along with mix-and-match curries, lots of vegetarian selections, kebabs, and biryanis.

This off-the-beaten-path izakaya-style Japanese eatery is worth the trek to sleepy Haiku. Diners flock here for the eclectic menu that includes everything from specialty French fries and fusion sushi rolls to sashimi and some of the best tempura around—all based on what's fresh from local farmers and fishermen.

This family-run restaurant serves authentic flavors from Mexico City and just about everything—from the furniture to the artisanal plates on the wall—has been brought directly from Mexico. All menu items are made in-house; try Grandma’s classic chicken mole recipe, which packs in more than 25 ingredients.

Aromas from a wood-fired oven lure you into this cozy Italian restaurant set just off of Front Street, and the wine list tempts you to stay awhile. Quality is paramount here—many of the ingredients are imported directly from Italy, while farm-fresh produce and meats come from Maui. Chef-owner Michele Bari (also from Italy) honed his skills at the prestigious Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli (International School of Pizza) in Venice. The desserts change regularly—if you’re lucky, the addictive tiramisu will be on the menu.

Maui Ocean Center's signature restaurant is a great choice for seafood (aquarium admission is not required to dine here) and offers harbor and ocean views from its open-air perch. The restaurant promotes heart-healthy cuisine, using sustainable seafood and trans fat–free items, but still allows for indulgence in their well-priced cocktail menu.

Located in Wailuku on Market Street, serving breakfast and lunch crafted by chefs utilizing various cooking styles and techniques to showcase the seasonal bounty Maui has to offer. Rotating menus (every 62 days) are created using seasonally fresh farm ingredients. It's not only a restaurant but a market too, featuring chef-crafted spices, rubs, and sauces made from local herbs and vegetables.

For a little break from the Maui sun and fruity cocktails, spend an afternoon digging into elegant pub fare backed by an excellent, expert cocktail program with a focus on whiskey. It’s the perfect spot to recover from a sunburn or catch a game while still being social and enjoying what Maui has to offer. This is the type of place where you want to sit at the bar and bend the bartender’s ear (if they’re not busy).

The name of the restaurant comes from the three young chefs who each have a distinctive culinary style (Hawaiian, Southwestern, and Pacific Rim), but somehow it all works. The space is as big as the menu—there are salads, burgers, steaks, and fresh fish, as well as a raw bar with sushi and hand rolls—with three separate dining areas, plus an outdoor patio.

Executive chef Tom Muromoto is a local boy who loves to cook modern, upscale Hawaiian food, and he augments the various fresh fish dishes on his menu with items influenced by Hawaii's ethnic mix. This casual, open-air restaurant is the only place on Maui—maybe in Hawaii—where you can have a Native Hawaiian combination plate that is as healthful as it is authentic. Sunday brunch, complete with strolling Hawaiian musicians and hula dancers, is renowned here; and if you're around for any holiday, chow down at the amazing holiday brunch buffets.