Best Maui Restaurants – Discover Maui’s Culinary Gems 🍽️🌴☀️
Hey there, fellow food lovers!
I’ve spent countless hours exploring the culinary gems of Maui alongside my boyfriend, and trust me, we’re bona fide foodies who just can’t get enough of the island’s amazing eateries. Let me tell ya, our tastebuds have been on a rollercoaster ride through a smorgasbord of flavors – from Italian to authentic Hawaiian, and everything in between. You’ll find that I’ve got you covered when it comes to discovering the top 10 restaurants in Maui.
Sifting through an endless list of choices can be downright overwhelming, am I right? Fear not, for I have made all those tough decisions (and eating all that delicious food) so that you don’t have to stress about where to grab your next meal while soaking up the sun in beautiful Maui. Believe me; we’ve tasted it all!
Having devoured dishes at both exquisite fine dining establishments and cozy local joints alike, I feel like I’ve earned my stripes as an expert on this topic. And now, dear reader and fellow food enthusiast, it’s time for me to share this mouthwatering knowledge with you.
Warning: Reading this might make your stomach rumble uncontrollably or even inspire spontaneous trips to Maui just for the sake of satisfying your cravings.
So let’s dive right into my tried-and-tested list of best restaurants in Maui – it’s high time we savor these scrumptious experiences together!
#1 The Plantation House – Hawaiian food on the Plantation Golf Course
Address: 2000 Plantation Club Dr, Lahaina, HI 96761
This restaurant has it all. A spacious elegant open-air seating. A gorgeous view of the golf course and ocean. An impressive and well-thought-out menu at sensible prices. It’s the ultimate restaurant for the perfect date, a casual lunch, or a day activity at the Plantation Golf Course with high-class food. It’s such a beautiful space it is popular for weddings.
It’s my number one pick because the food is incredible, rich in flavor, and fresh. They serve a great combination of beef, pork, and seafood with vegan and gluten-free options. Try some of my favorites like lobster ravioli, beet and arugula salad with goat cheese, and pan-roasted half chicken. They also have incredible sides to add to your dish like the roasted garlic mashed potatoes (creamy and incredibly tasty!).
This is a family-friendly restaurant with a creative kid’s menu. The whole family will also love the desserts including the coconut lemongrass panna cotta with caramel and chocolate cream, or the pineapple upside-down cake with coconut ice cream. Chocolate lovers should try the chocolate Pono pie with strawberries (my boyfriend’s top pick!)
We always make our reservations ahead of time and get seated quickly. The staff is always smiling and ready to help. They are very knowledgeable about the menu, so ask questions. Also, ask for the wine card. Because they have some of the best wine on the island.
Make sure to treat yourself to a meal at the Plantation House because:
- They have a one-of-a-kind venue with beautiful open-air views of the gulf course and ocean.
- The menu is a creative surf and turf combination of high-quality meat and freshly caught seafood.
- This is a family-friendly restaurant, so bring the kids, or come alone for a romantic date night.
- Service is quick, professional, and always friendly.
Address: 4100 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, HI 96753
Ko Restaurant is part of the luxurious Fairmont Kea Lani hotel. It has a beautiful palm tree and a sunset view in the distance. The seating is open air and there is a gorgeous fully stocked bar with a master cocktail maker. The seating is spacious and comfortable. There is always enough privacy for a great conversation or just a romantic evening enjoying food and wine.
The menu is creative and different from other restaurants in the area. It’s influenced by many cultures and uses amazing ingredients and seasonings. Asides from lunch and dinner, they also have a happy hour menu (with classics like the Chicken & Mushroom Lumpia) and a Sunday brunch menu. The brunch is a buffet including Portuguese sausage frittatas, Filipino Ube and Macadamia nut pancakes, sashimi and sushi, Korean chicken, and more.
But the best experience is the dinner. We always ask for a table near the swimming pool and order a carefully picked bottle of wine. It’s surrounded by lush green plants. Lighting is perfect for some romance. Whatever you choose to eat it will be generously portioned, perfectly seasoned, and tasty. My favorite is the Lavender Honey Crisp Shrimp and Pork Belly with jalapenos and bacon jam.
This is my second pick because:
- The venue is beautiful and the atmosphere is romantic but casual.
- They have a varying menu for lunch, dinner, happy hour, and Sunday brunch.
- It’s a great opportunity to try foods influenced by many other cultures.
- Service is impeccable.
#3 Mama’s Fish House – Local landmark with fresh seafood and an ocean view
Address: 799 Poho Pl, Paia, HI 96779
Anyone near Paia should have a meal at Mama’s Fish House. It’s a perfect stop on the road to Hana, but also worth the drive for a romantic evening. The restaurant has breathtaking views of the open ocean, palm trees, and a sandy beach. And they serve fresh seafood caught by local fishermen.
Everything is decorated in the Polynesian style with fun artwork and details. There are many authentic details such as paintings, traditional attire, and flowers. The tables are well spaced out and spacious (so you can order a lot!) The menu serves seasonal food made from scratch and made in-house. They also have a great bar.
We enjoy having dinner here and love the lit tiki torches in the evening. Some of our go-to menu items include macadamia nut crab cakes, seared and cut octopus, and lobster soup. But the menu changes all the time and they have amazing specials (depending on what the fisherman caught that morning!) so be open to trying something new.
Make sure to make reservations. They get busy. Sometimes it’s a short wait, but if you are not in a hurry it’s well worth it. The staff will try to accommodate you and they are super friendly. Ask about the day’s catch.
Don’t miss out on Mama’s Fish House because:
- They serve fresh daily caught seafood in cooperation with local fishermen.
- The food is masterfully prepared with an authentic Hawaiian taste.
- It’s a great place for lunch with a beautiful ocean view or a romantic low-lit dinner.
- It’s a local staple with a long tradition of serving authentic seafood.
#4 Nalu’s South Shore Grill – open-air setting with locally sourced food
Address: 1280 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753
This is an awesome restaurant that serves a delicious hamburger, French toast, fried chicken, and more. All these awesome traditional meals are served with a modern Hawaiian twist. They are open from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm every day of the week.
This restaurant has a relaxed beach vibe in an elegant setting. Often they have live local music. You line up to place your order at the counter in front of the restaurant before finding a seat. Or choose ahead of time and have your party find seating while you order. Don’t be discouraged if there is a long line, because they are quick and everything moves along quickly.
The portions are generous and extremely well-priced. Try the apple brie burger with an Angus beef patty, caramelized Maui onions, granny smith apples, melted brie, and apple-wood smoked bacon. For a lighter version, my favorite is the crab cakes and salad. The salad comes with avocado, greens, mango salsa, and mango in-house vinaigrette. (Yummy!) I love this perfectly sticky sweet and tangy dressing. Everything smells amazing and you can tell it’s fresh and ripe.
This is a place we revisit often to get a casual lunch or dinner. It’s no fuss, and I can count on the food being delicious. The staff is friendly and helpful.
You will love eating at Nalu’s South Shore Grill because:
- The good is innovative, fresh, and tasty. The portions are generous, and the prices are good.
- The restaurant is casual, clean, and spacious.
- You can catch some local music with your meal.
- They have a strong breakfast menu, but it’s worth revisiting for multiple meals.
#5 Flatbread Company – Best pizza in Maui
Address: 89 Hana Hwy, Paia, Maui, HI 96779
Flatbread Company is a funky Paia treasure and they serve the best pizza on the island. They are a small franchise, but it doesn’t take away from their dedication or quality. They serve organic ingredients and free-range meats. All the pizza is wood-fired and baked in traditional clay ovens.
The space is both rustic and modern, with great wood table seating and booth options. There are surfing and Hawaiian details displayed thoughtfully. The outside is a classical cowboy town building. Most will enjoy watching the pizza come out of the huge clay oven on display. Needless to say, everything in the restaurant smells amazing. For those who do not want to eat here, you can order online.
The dough and all the ingredients are made from scratch and in-house. The sauce is amazing and there is plenty of it on each pizza. They don’t use toppings sparingly. They use a lot of local vendors and you can get information about them at the restaurant. My favorite pizza is their Half and half Mopsy kalua and Pele Pesto pizza. The crust is always perfectly crunchy and chewy, and the flavor combinations are original.
It’s also a great place to support because they take care of their community, use organic, free range, and support different charities. Many local farmers sell to them.
Flatbread Company has the best pizza in Maui because:
- The pizzas are made from scratch with local, organic ingredients and baked in a traditional clay oven using a wood fire.
- Everything is made from scratch and fresh.
- The restaurant is nicely decorated and it’s a great casual place to eat and have some beers.
- The company takes care of its community by supporting charities and local farmers. It’s a good feeling to help out and offset some of our tourism.
#6 Miso Phat Sushi – The best sushi on the island
Address: 1279 S Kihei Rd Ste 108 Unit 108, Kihei, Maui, HI 96753-5222
This is my favorite sushi spot, and they serve fresh, buttery, and well-cut fish every time. They have a great menu of sushi rolls, baked rolls, sashimi, nigiri, and vegetarian rolls. They even have a kid’s meal of baked teriyaki salmon with rice and a drink.
The restaurant is clean, simple, and small. There is nice and comfy bar seating and some family-size tables. It’s a casual eatery with a relaxed and fun atmosphere. A great place for lunch or an easy-going dinner. They are known for their creative and new-age rolls. .
The most famous is the TNT roll with shrimp tempura and crab, topped with Ahi Poke. My favorite is the caterpillar roll with broiled unagi and avocado. Fresh fish lovers must try their Maguro sashimi and 21-piece sashimi plate with a fresh combination of the best fish, according to the chef’s choice.
They do not take reservations. It’s on a first-come, first-serve basis. But if waiting in line bothers you, pre-order your food and take it to the beach or park. They have an online order menu and a dine-in menu available. So check it out ahead of time.
Pick Miso Phat for sushi and baked rolls because:
- Their menu is creative with lots of raw fish and cooked seafood options.
- Everything is fresh, clean, and perfectly seasoned.
- They offer great service and a family-friendly atmosphere.
- Order online for pickup, or just come by the restaurant to be seated.
#7 Lahaina Grill – art-filled restaurant serving steak, seafood, and excellent wine
Address: 127 Lahainaluna Rd Lahaina Inn, Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761-1502
This wonderful restaurant has a beautiful space filled with incredible artwork. The menu is innovative and refreshing and they use flavors from around the world. Lots of the ingredients are also right off the island as they work with local dairy producers, farmers, and fishermen.
The outside entrance into the restaurant is unassuming, simple, and easily skipped. But the inside of the restaurant is light-filled, elegant, and carefully decorated with exquisite paintings (it is like dining in a gallery). They have a good-sized bar and can accommodate large and small parties.
They have a large menu with carefully picked food to set them apart from the rest of the island. If you want to skip the seafood I recommend trying the wagyu beef ravioli, Maui onion soup, chef’s homemade meatballs, or the boneless short rib. They are all generously portioned, perfectly seasoned, and just great culinary experiences. For dessert, I always have peanut butter mousse cake. My boyfriend loves the key lime pie martini.
They also have a great drink choice including an impressive wine card. They serve some awesome options by the glass, so ask your waiter to help you pair something with your meal. They are friendly and knowledgeable.
Lahaina Grill is a great restaurant choice because:
- The restaurant has a stunning collection of well-displayed paintings and is a light and elegant space.
- The food is modern and features original and authentic tastes from all around the world.
- The portions are generous and served beautifully by a professional staff.
- They have a strong wine card including great options by the glass.
#8 Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante – Best Italian and Tuscan food
Address: 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, HI 96753
Located at the Four Seasons Resort Maui in Wailea Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante is a top-notch restaurant by all standards. They serve modern and traditional Italian food that is juicy, freshly made from scratch, and resembles home cooking with a modern twist.
True to the Four Seasons, the restaurant has a breathtaking location and view of the ocean. The beachfront terrace is perfect for a sunset dinner and is usually accompanied by candlelight and elegant torches. Everything is open-air and classic without being pretentious.
Their pasta options are one-of-a-kind and made from scratch. They have lemon saffron pappardelle with red crab, lobster cannelloni with wild mushrooms and ricotta, and house-made tagliatelle with traditional beef ragu. I also recommend organic chicken with Kula corn, polenta, and mushrooms. You will be stuffed way before dessert!
Make sure to make reservations ahead of time. That way there will be no waiting and you get the perfect table. The staff is well trained and knows their food and drinks. Feel free to ask for recommendations.
You will love dining at Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante because:
- They have amazingly made-from-scratch pasta with authentic flavors and large portions.
- The menu has something for everyone and there are great meat, seafood, and vegetarian options.
- The restaurant is gorgeous with an open-air layout and beachfront view.
- Service is impeccable and well-informed about their menu.
#9 Honu Oceanside – brick oven and New-England food
Address: 1295 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761
This is a great spot for an elegant lunch or romantic dinner. They have a great ocean view and airy setting and an impressive bar (serving exclusive wine and spirit selections). Everything is well designed with great artwork and detail on the walls.
This high-class restaurant is Maui owned and uses local food sources including sustainable fishing partners and local farmers. They serve lunch and dinner and have a combination menu of great seafood, beef, and a couple of treasures. They also have happy hour at the bar, so you can enjoy some discounted drinks. Make reservations online.
My boyfriend and I have dined twice here, and both times the food and service were great. The staff is accommodating and attentive. They won’t rush you. They have an extensive wine and cocktail menu with some great beers in there as well.
Also, they serve some expected staples like truffle fries and clam chowder, but much better tasting than you could imagine. They even have pizza and sandwiches. And they have lots of gluten-free and vegetarian options. My favorite was the seafood scampi. It’s a great combination of pasta, lobster, fish, and clams. Everything smells and tastes amazing and the portions are filling. The price is reasonable too. They also have a coconut banana cream pie to die for!
Honu Oceanside is a great meal choice because:
- The food is creative, and great tasting and the portions are large.
- They have full meals and great light options like sandwiches, soup, and salad.
- The restaurant serves lunch, and dinner and they have happy hour.
- The open-air space overlooks the ocean and it has an amazing view of the sunset.
#10 Cane & Canoe – high-end, modern Hawaiian food, wine, and cocktails
Address: 1 Bay Dr, Lahaina, HI 96761
Cane & Canoe at the Montage Kapalua Bay is a high-end elegant restaurant that serves a two-course Prix fix menu. The space is incredibly beautiful with a large and well-spaced outside seating plan. It’s well-designed with a fire pit, tiki torches, and intertwining palm trees. Everything is open air. Covered areas have a powerful high sealing.
Most will enjoy the mellow and quiet atmosphere set by the well-groomed and green grounds. It’s a perfect place for a peaceful or romantic meal. We have visited periodically (when in town) and each time we have had a pleasant experience and good service.
The two-course Prix fix menu includes gems like lobster macaroni and cheese, charred octopus with chickpeas, and shrimp cocktail. For the main meal, there are great options like the ribeye and lamb rack and half chicken. Overall the menu is well planned out and has great value. We always add on the bread service with Maui Olive Oil, salted butter, and Mauna Pua Wai honey.
The menu has vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. They use locally sourced ingredients and support the community. The waiters are efficient and well-organized. Even when the restaurant is full they are attentive and friendly. I like that they don’t rush you.
Have a great meal at Cane & Canoe because:
- The two-course Prix fix menu is high quality, the ingredients are fresh and everything is well served.
- The restaurant has a wonderful view and the venue is calm and inviting.
- The portions are large and it’s a good value for your money.
- It’s a good date night spot.
Conclusion:
Maui is an exotic and exciting vacation spot. It’s also a foodie’s paradise.
The island offers authentic, modern, and infused food from all around the world. Expertly made meals are mostly locally sourced, sustainable, and good for the island and environment.
You can experience luxury treatment, with world-famous views or grab a local and tasty bite at self-service. Whatever you choose the island has it.
Make sure to carefully check out all 10 of my choices and I’m sure your favorite meal will be on the list. Depending on your time and taste, visit them all or find that perfect spot.
Whatever you decide, we wish you Bon appetite!
Last Updated on April 7, 2023 by Brigitte