34 Best Restaurants in Maui, Hawaii

Delicious artisan sandwiches, classic burgers, and signature items make 808 on Main a local favorite. Their pupus, cocktails, and draft beers will make you wish they were open later (10-3 pm). Check out their counterpart 808 Deli in Kihei for breakfast, paninis, and gourmet hot dogs.

This popular spot began as a French-Vietnamese bakery on Oahu and has branched into popular small restaurants sprinkled throughout the Islands. Some are kiosks in malls; others are stand-alone with some picnic tables out front, as is the case at this location. Ba-Le is also located in Kahului, Lahaina, and Kihei. The Vietnamese pho (the famous soups laden with seafood or rare beef, fresh basil, bean sprouts, and lime) share menu space with local-style saimin and plates of barbecue or spicy chicken, beef, pork, or local fish served with jasmine rice. 

This extremely popular purveyor of all food "local" is bright, shiny, comfortable, and just minutes from Kahului airport. Try the signature mahimahi tempura, loco moco, Hawaiian plate, chicken katsu, and daily mixed bentos; and rest assured that everything on the menu is delicious and portions are gigantic. There's an "express" location in Kihei, but we recommend the happy, always-crowded Kahului location.

While the rest of Makawao Town eases into the day, fuel up with a hearty breakfast at this garden café in the shade of a sprawling Argentinian coral tree. With options like huevos rancheros, French toast, and housemade biscuits and gravy, it feels like Sunday brunch every day.

This unassuming popular spot across the street from Kalama Beach Park has a breakfast menu that runs the gamut from healthy yogurt-filled papaya to the local classic loco moco—two eggs, ground beef patty, rice, and brown gravy—and everything in between. Unique menu items include corned beef hash and catfish at breakfast and a calamari sandwich at lunch. A second location recently opened in Lahaina.

Slow down as you drive through the little roadside village of Olowalu, about 15 minutes before Lahaina town if you're coming from the airport, so you don't miss this adorable farmhouse-chic restaurant and pie shop, where everything is prepared with care. All the breads are house-made and excellent, and most ingredients are sourced locally; try a sandwich or a burger with Kula onions for lunch, or comfort food like pot pies for an early dinner. This is a big fan favorite, and lines are often very long -- don't expect to get through quickly if you're in a rush.

Note: If you've been to Leoda's in the past you may need to modify your expectations; they shifted to a limited menu during the pandemic and breakfast and dinner look a lot different.

You don’t need to be a beer lover to appreciate a visit to Maui Brewing Company’s flagship location. Spanning more than five acres, the Kīhei compound includes a restaurant, brewery, and tasting room. Craft pizzas, burgers, salads, and more highlight a lively menu, as do craft cocktails. Step behind the scenes with a one-hour guided brewery tour on the weekend.

If you're okay with communal picnic tables, or taking your meal to a nearby beach, this place in funky Paia town serves, arguably, the best fresh fish for the best prices on this side of the island. Four preparations are offered and, on any given day, there are at least four to six fresh fishes from which to choose; there are burgers, chicken, and pasta options for the non-fish fans. There are also locations in Kihei and Lahaina.

Sam Sato's is a local favorite for noodles, manju (Japanese pastry filled with sweet bean paste), and plate lunches. Open for breakfast and lunch; the menu includes favorites like "dry noodles," beef tomato, omelets, and fried rice. Dry mein, saimin, and chow fun come in different-size portions with add-ins to satisfy every noodle craving; try a teriyaki beef stick or two while you wait for your bowl. When it's busy—which is almost always—you will likely have to wait for a table or a stool at the counter; write your name on the little yellow pad at the takeout window.

This local favorite, one of Maui's most popular restaurants, recently moved to an oceanside locale. The expanse of the Pacific sets the scene for an eclectic Asian menu with must-try items like the ahi (yellowfin tuna) avo, tempura shrimp, and noodle dishes like the Lahaina fried soup that's served with fat chow fun, pork, and bean sprouts. The cocktail list is similarly fabulous, and the Asian Pear with sake and pear vodka has become a Lahaina classic.

Stillwell's is one of the best bakeries in Maui, so this is the place to come for coffee and an outrageously good strawberry florentine or a renowned cream horn. Their breakfast and lunch offerings are exceptional, from a fried egg sandwich to mouthwatering pancakes and gourmet sandwiches on house-made bread to their famous Chinese chicken salad. Every day is cake day at Stillwell's, so order the perfect cake for that special occasion. The desserts on display will surely make you drool; go ahead, you're on vacation!

One of Makawao's landmarks is T. Komoda Store and Bakery, a mom-and-pop shop that has changed very little over the last century. If you arrive early enough, you can get an incredible "stick" doughnut, cream-filled malasadas, or delicious cream puffs. The store makes hundreds daily but sells out.

Celebrity chef Sheldon Simeon has taken the fame he earned on Top Chef and opened this trendy lunch counter in a small Kahului warehouse. You can't miss this spot; look for the line of people waiting in the parking lot. While there are only a couple of stools in the restaurant, many people dine on the curb or take it to-go. Locals and visitors swarm in droves for the affordable and ono (delicious) plates of mochiko chicken, pork belly, ulu mac salad, beet box, and garlic shrimp. Don't forget to ask for some chili pepper water!

This Maui institution is a must-visit for interesting shave ice flavors featuring natural, hand-made syrups and a variety of toppings including Roselani's ice cream. The menu is extensive but features some popular combos to make your choice easier. Be sure to look for specials before ordering from the big board—and don't be afraid to try a tropical flavor that might be new to you.

This longtime Lahaina oceanfront classic is run by the same group of wonderful folks who bring you Old Lahaina Luau. This is the place to try a "plate lunch"—a protein served in Asian-style preparation, along with two scoops of rice and macaroni salad—and also features Hawaiian favorites like laulau, kalua pork, and poi from the restaurant's own farm. Take your plate to a table so close to the ocean you just might get wet. Oh, and don't forget the mai tai!

Its proximity to Maalaea Harbor means this joint is always jumping, and the look is funky, beachy, and kitschy. The draw here is definitely the barbecue—ribs, chicken, and prime rib, all smoked on-site—but so is the Tuesday night lobster fest and the Wednesday night ribs fest. In West Maui, there's another location in the Napili Plaza shopping center.

The menu at this budget-friendly café features French, Mediterranean, and Indian dishes, and the food is fresh and tasty. Expect flavors and preparations not easily obtainable at other island eateries, with a nice selection of sweet and savory crepes, curry wraps, and salads with cocktails, wine, and beer to complement.

Chef Christian Jorgensen left fancy hotel kitchens behind to open a casual place serving simple, delicious food—mango-glazed ribs, burgers, and classic Reuben sandwich—at reasonable prices including a vegan menu and kombucha on tap. If you're staying in a condo, the Chefs to Go service is a great alternative to picking up fast food (run-of-the-mill and usually lousy) as everything is prepped and comes with easy cooking instructions.

Healthy, fresh, fast. This busy eatery is the second restaurant for chef-owners Jaron Blosser, Cody Christopher, and Travis Morrin, the first being Three's Bar and Grill in Kihei. You can order a signature salad or create your own with the impressive selection of add-ons, including many grown on Maui. Sandwiches and soups are also featured, as are fresh-squeezed juices. The line can get long, but it moves quickly; order online and skip the wait altogether. Sit-down dining is available, though this bustling restaurant can get noisy.

If you're taking a drive through the gorgeous Upcountry, this is a great place to stop for a truly homegrown, organic cup of coffee. The Franco family has been perfecting their coffee since 1918, growing the beans, handpicking, drying them under the Maui sun, then roasting them at the coffeehouse. Their menu is a true reflection of local culture, the meals tutu (grandma) made for the ohana (family). Pop in or order take-out online; the baked goods, bagels, or burgers will hit the spot.

Located within a nondescript mini strip mall, this small place has only a few stools and a couple of tables outside, but it's fast and the food is consistently good—all it takes to keep the place filled with locals. The beef and black bean chow fun and the mahimahi (dolphinfish) with lemon capers are the top-selling favorites, but there are vegetarian options and lighter fare such as Grandma's spicy tofu, egg foo yung, and even a veggie burger. It's cash only, so arrive prepared.

This roadside Thai food truck fronts the 40-acre Maui Nui Farm, owned by Nui and Kit. You can expect fresh produce and ingredients that change with the seasons. The menu changes often, but everything is delicious. The curry and pad Thai are perennial favorites. Stop and grab a bite to eat, then tour their beautiful farm.

The start to a lovely day in Paia begins at this popular coffee spot tucked away just behind the main buildings on Hana Highway. Grab a coffee or tea along with avocado toast or banana bread for breakfast or lunch. It’s also a great place to wind down the day, with their daily happy hour with Island-fresh cocktails at good prices (2--5pm) followed by live music in the evening every day except Sunday.

Fresh gelato made with locally sourced ingredients is the big draw here. Try Surfing Goat Dairy's Lilikoi Quark flavor and thank us later. You'll also find jams, jellies, and dressings from Jeff Gomes, coffees from Maui Coffee Roasters, and picnic box lunches from Hana Lunch Co.

A couple of blocks off Front Street in Lahaina, this small restaurant packs a powerhouse of a menu with reasonably priced pizzas, pastas, salads, and sandwiches. The name can be found on the menu in four dishes; two can easily split a salad and entrée and leave completely sated.

When it opened in 1995 this was an over-the-counter pizza place, but it's evolved over the years into a local favorite, serving Mediterranean-style pizza and comfort food including pitas, gyros, and kabobs.

A Makawao staple since 1981, Polli's is set in the town's only intersection. Polli's is a lively Mexican restaurant that serves up the best fish tacos on the Island. The portions are generous, with classic fajitas, burritos, and enchiladas; there are vegetarian options.

This tiki bar—tucked into Kihei Kalama Village—serves burgers, sandwiches, and delicious specialty pizzas that are crafted from scratch with sauces made from fresh Roma tomatoes and Maui herbs.