| UPCOUNTRY / NORTH SHORE |
| FLATBREAD COMPANY Flatbread Company was voted ‘best pizza’ by readers of Maui Time Weekly but to call Flatbread Company just a pizza joint is to miss the profound spirit behind this unique restaurant. Focusing on the soul of food, the essence of what nourishes us both physically and spiritually, Flatbread has created a truly holistic dining experience. Using only organic, locally grown ingredients and cooking in an earthen wood-fired oven, Flatbread puts together some inspired and delicious combinations like Co-evolution featuring mozzarella, goat cheese, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives and rosemary. Moderately priced and kid friendly. 89 Hana Highway, Pa‘ia (808) 579-8989. Open daily: 11:30am-10pm. |
| COLLEEN'S A trendy urban bistro with an excellent wine list and hip vibe. A local favorite, Colleen’s serves breakfast, pastries and espresso starting at 6am. Lunch features sandwiches, salads and wraps including the delectable grilled ono (wahoo) and avocado wrap with a mango and red chili dressing. Dinner features reasonably priced entrees and pizza by the slice. Located in Haiku Cannery, 810 Haiku Rd., (808) 575-9211. Open daily: Breakfast 6am-11am. Lunch 11am-5:30pm. Dinner 5:30pm-9pm. |
| MAMA'S FISH HOUSE A Maui mainstay, Mama’s recently celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2008. Offering fish so fresh, it’s not uncommon for the menu to mention the fisherman by name. Polynesian charm and aloha spirit pervade this truly Hawaiian dining experience. Entrees include Mahi Mahi stuffed with crab, lobster, Maui Onions and baked with a macadamia nut crust. Reservations recommended. 799 Poho Pl., Pa‘ia (808) 579-8488. Open daily: Lunch 11am-3:45pm. Dinner 4:15pm-close. |
| PAIA FISH MARKET Hands down the best Mahi-burger in the island. Large tables with paper napkins and baskets of silverware let you know the focus is on the fish. The menu is posted above the counter and specials are scrawled on a chalkboard next to the self-serve soda fountain. Casual dining at its best, The Fish Market appeals to anyone looking for fresh seafood in a laidback Maui atmosphere. Located on the corner of Baldwin Avenue and Hana Highway in Pa‘ia (808) 579-8030. Open daily 11am-9:30pm. |
| SOUTH SHORE |
| CAFE O'LEI Located in an inconspicuous strip-mall on South Kihei Road, Café O’Lei offers fine dining in a decidedly aloha-casual atmosphere. The large bar serves up cosmos and martinis while an open kitchen boasts a full sushi bar and a wood-fire brick oven. Appetizers like wood-fired flatbreads and fresh sashimi complement an upscale menu featuring roasted duck, lobster tails and filet mignon. 2439 South Kihei Rd, Kihei (808) 891-1368.Open Tues-Sun: Lunch 10:30 am-3:30pm. Dinner 5pm-9pm. |
| SPENCER BEACH PARK Nice sandy white beach is great for swimming, snorkeling and picnics year-round. It is popular with families due to the reef-protected, gently sloping sandy bottom. Volleyball and basketball courts, camping, restrooms, and showers are available. Located off Hwy 270, ~ 1 mile uphill of Kawaihae Harbor within walking distance of Pu’ukoholu Heiau. |
| FRED'S / MOOSE McGILLYCUDDY'S On the ground floor, you’ll find Fred’s Mexican Cantina--ice-cold margaritas, nachos and tacos abound. Upstairs, you’ll find Moose McGillycuddy’s, a fun bar and grill with plenty to do. Large TVs blast music videos or sporting events, while the back room houses a pool table and video games. You might have the most fun checking out all the random pictures and decorations that adorn nearly every square inch of the place. “Taco Tuesdays” are a popular and cheap night out for locals and visitors alike. 2511 South Kihei Rd., Kihei (808) 874-8500. Open daily: 7am-10pm. |
| SANSEI SEAFOOD RESTAURANT & BAR One of the most popular sushi spots on the island. Early bird specials on Sundays 5pm-6:30pm and late-night sushi (Thurs-Sat after 10pm) have people lining up outside nearly an hour beforehand. Karaoke and a full bar make it a hot spot for nights out in Kihei. Do yourself a favor and try the panko-crusted ahi roll served in a soy-wasabi butter sauce. 1881 South Kihei Rd., (808) 879-0004. Open nightly 5pm-10pm. Late-night dining Thurs-Sat 10p-1am. |
| JAWZ TACOS A true local gem. Born from a mobile taco stand parked across from Big Beach, Jawz took its simple Maui-Mex style and translated it into a cozy surf shack atmosphere in the Azeka Plaza. Fish tacos and Maui burritos are among the favorites on their ever-expanding menu. A huge salsa bar lets you concoct your own sweet or spicy combinations and a spin on their wheel could win you free chips, soda or even your entrée. Good luck! 1279 South Kihei Rd., (808) 874-TACO. Open Daily 11am-9pm. |
| SARENTO'S ON THE BEACH This upscale eatery is literally “on the beach” with a dining room overlooking the quiet Keawakapu Beach in South Kihei. The Hamakua mushroom bruschetta is an all-star on the appetizer menu and is a perfect starter for any of Sarento’s fine dining choices. An extensive wine list and stellar 5-star service make it a truly elegant experience. And you simply can’t beat the sunset view. 2908 South Kihei Rd., (808) 875-7555. Open daily: 5:30pm-10pm. Lounge 5pm-12am. |
| WEST SIDE |
| I'O Boasting a fantastic open lanai (patio) right on the water in Lahaina, I’o’s “new Pacific” cuisine blends fresh fish with tropical flare. Each entrée is paired with a glass of wine on the menu making it easy to choose the perfect complement to your dish. Try the ono, “tropical piccatta” style with citrus, capers and passion fruit. A sister restaurant of Pacific’O, which is also in Lahaina. 505 Front Street, Lahaina (808) 661-8422. Open nightly: 5pm-9pm. Reservations recommended. |
| KOBE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE There are always good times to be had at a teppanyaki restaurant. Highly skilled chefs sling shrimp, vegetables and jokes at guests as they deftly slice and dice with a blur of cutlery. One of the best places to take a large group, especially a kid’s birthday party, the food is not to be overlooked. Fresh fish, rice and veggies prepared right before your eyes. Kobe is also home to Oku’s Sushi bar if you’re in the mood. 127 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina (808) 667-5555. Open daily for dinner: 5:30pm-10pm. Sushi from 5:30pm-11:30pm. Reservations recommended. |
| LU LU'S SURF CLUB & GRILL A fantastic new location in the Lahaina Cannery Mall, Lu Lu’s epitomizes the surf shack atmosphere of its sister store in Kihei, while remaining uniquely classy. Huge plasma screens line the bar as the vast open restaurant spreads out around you. Great burgers and local brews on tap. Live entertainment and dancing on the weekends. 1221 Hanoapiilani Highway (808) 661-0808. Open daily: Breakfast 8am-11am Lunch 11am-5. Dinner starting at 5pm. Drinks till 2am. Happy Hour (full menu _ price) 4:30pm-6pm nightly. |
| CENTRAL MAUI |
| DA KITCHEN Locals take their plate lunch seriously in these parts. And there’s no place more serious about serving up huge plates as Da Kitchen. As authentic as local food gets, Da Kitchen serves some of the best loco moco (hamburger, eggs and gravy served over fried rice) around. Nearly everything comes served with white rice and potato-mac salad and nearly every dish is enormous. Try the local plate, a sampler of pork lau lau, lomi lomi salmon and kalua pig. 425 Koloa St Ste 104, Kahului (808) 871-7782. Open Mon-Fri 11am-8:30pm Sat 11am-4pm. Closed Sundays. |
| A SAIGON CAFE Hidden away on a quiet side street in Wailuku, one might miss A Saigon Café altogether if not for the shooting star on the roof peaking over the bridge as you drive into Wailuku Town. Serving up authentic Vietnamese cuisine, A Saigon Café also has some of the funniest wait-staff on the planet. Something about these guys makes it hard not to have a good laugh, while you experience some great food. A favorite is the lemon grass chicken served over vermicelli noodles. Also, try the summer rolls and green papaya salad. 1792 Main St., Wailuku (808) 243-9560. |
| THE ALEHOUSE The sports bar perfected. Pool tables, video games and enough TVs to make Ted Turner’s head spin. Early Sunday mornings during football season, The Alehouse will be packed to the gills, each television showing a different game and each table full of fans rooting for their favorite team. Lots of local brews on tap; the food is traditional pub grub with dynamite burgers and wings. 355 E. Kamehameha Ave., Kahului (808) 877-9001.Open Sun-Sat 11am-1:30am. |
