Please List Best Dining Deals on Maui

[bgdg24]

One of our favorites on Maui is Sansei. In Kihei, they have an hour of half price sushi and entrees on Sunday and Monday. The doors open at 5:00 and most every food item is half price until 6:00. Word of warning--be in line by 4:15 or you won't make it in the door at 5:00! It's that popular & delicious!

A new discovery for us this past summer was a restaurant called Eskimo Candy. It's a little hard to find in Kihei and not open on weekends! The seafood was cheap, plentiful and delicious---the ambience not so great! You might want to try this for lunch. Not a dress up place! It's off the beaten path but worth looking for!

We also like Monkeypod which has late evening specials! Would make it more affordable to feed the family! Order a Mai Tai---I guarantee you've never had one like they make them at Monkeypod!

I also highly recommend Mamma's Fish House! It's a once a trip splurge for us! Just can't beat the view and the food is magnificent! Just read an article last week that listed Mamma's as one of the top twenty restaurants in the US!

Gosh, this makes me SO homesick for Maui! Love, love, love it there!

 

[Luanne]

We also like Monkeypod which has late evening specials! Would make it more affordable to feed the family! Order a Mai Tai---I guarantee you've never had one like they make them at Monkeypod!

I ordered the special Mai Tai at the Monkeypod and hated it. It is billed as coming with a "light" float of eggwhite. But when it arrived it looked more like a layer of whipped cream. They graciously took it back and made me a "plain" Mai Tai.

One of my favorite drinks is the lilikoi margarita at Café O' Lei.

 

[heathpack]

From a list I complied two years ago:

On the Water or With a View
Kaanapali Beach
1. Ocean Pool Bar & Grill (WKORV), Happy Hour daily 3-5. $4 beer, Mai Tai; $7 well drinks on the rocks, Lava Flow & Piña Coladas, $3 zucchini or sweet potato fries. All day: $6 drink of the day
2. Tropica Maui (Westin Maui, free shuttle) Happy Hour 3:30-5. Multiple $5 dishes, easy to make a meal for $10-$15 each. $3 draft beers and $6 cocktails (including Mai Tai).
3. Cliff Dive Bar (Sheraton Maui) has daily sunset (5:45-5:50 in Nov) torch lighting, cliff dive, and music +/- hula, Happy Hour 3-5, $8 tropical drinks, $7 wine, $6 beer, no food specials on website
4a. Dukes Ohia Bar. Kaanapali, can walk along beach path from WKORV, about 0.7 mi. Aloha Hour 3-5 every day. Mai Tais, Dukes Lemonade & Chardonnay $6, beer $4, happy hour heavy pupus $5-$7, soups & salads can easily round to a meal -Or- bar entrees in $14 range.
4b. Dukes Beach House (same location as Ohia Bar). $26 Chefs tasting menu (three course meal), if seated by 5:30. Also moderately priced breakfast.
5a. Hula Grill. In Whalers Village. Chefs Tasting menu 4:45-5:45 in restaurant, all night at Chefs counter. 3 courses, $26.
5b. Hula Grill Barefoot Bar, Happy Hour 3-5. Mai Tais $6, beers $4.25. No food specials listed but bar entrees reg price $14-$18.
6a. Leilani's (Whalers Village- take shuttle). Olala Menu- 5-6pm (sunset time), several $20 entrees.*
6b. Lelani's Beachside Grill. Every day except Tues 3-5pm Happy Hour with $5 Mai Tais, margaritas, Lei's lemonade and draft beers; $4 sliders. Tacos Tuesdays $5 Pacifico & Margaritas, $4 tacos and chips/pico. Live music Wed-Sun.
Lahaina
1. Lahaina Yacht Club $10 lunch specials. Happy Hour 3-5 daily, $6 snacks. Need letter of intro, yacht club members only
2. Aloha Mixed Plate. Inexpensive mixed plates, drinks, on water in Lahaina.
3. Kimos (Lahaina). On water in Lahaina, moderate to expensive for dinner, reasonable for lunch. No happy hour or dinner specials that I can find.
North of Kaanapali
1. Sea House, on beach in Napili Bay. Happy Hour 2-5. Numerous $5 pupus and tropical drinks in $7 range, easy to make meal for two.
2. Gazebo Restaurant at Napili Shores Condos. Good breakfast with a view (and 20-40 min wait).
3. Merrimans Kapalua. Happy Hour drinks, $6 Mai Tais, $3 beer. Pupus but fairly expensive. A little confusing because they have an outdoor terrace (where you want to be) and two bar menus- the Pointe Bar menu, presumably for the terrace (no happy hour mentioned) and the Bar Menu, which lists Happy Hour 3-5 (unclear if there is a separate indoor bar that hosts happy hour).

Upcountry*
1. Kula Lodge, upcountry. Breakfast with a view. Not inexpensive but breakfast seems to be a good deal for the quality of the setting.

No View
Kaanapali Beach
1. CJs Deli and Diner. Walk to from Sheraton Maui. Breakfast and deli sandwiches. Box lunches for picnicking.
Lahaina & Vicinity
1. Star Noodle. Foodie darling, a little inland in Lahaina. Small plates and noodles, moderately priced.
2. Leodas Pie Shop, just south of Lahaina. Pot pies, savory hand pies, sandwiches, sweet pies. Inexpensive to moderate.
3. Cool Cats (Lahaina), burgers and shakes in Lahaina, casual, no view.
North of Kaanapali
1. Honokawai Okazuya & Deli. Takeout 1.5 mi north of WKORV, inexpensive, excellent quality.*
2. Iron Imu BBQ. Napili. Dinner only, no alcohol or view, large meals of excellent BBQ
Upcountry & Paia
1.Komoda Store & Bakery. Makawao. Known for Malasadas and Cream Puffs. Also consider coconut pastries & long johns. Open 7am-5pm, best selection before noon. Closed Wed.
2. Flatbread Company. Highly regarded pizzas. Some salads. No a/c, gets hot in restaurant.
Hana
1. Thai food by Pranee & Nutcharees Authentic Thai food. Hana. Highly regarded food from a shack, served in a tent. Two "restauranteurs" share the shack and it goes by different names different days on the week.
South Maui
1. Monkeypod, Wailea. Happy hour 3-5 and 9-11. $9 pizzas, half price apps, $8 mixology-type cocktails. Dinner moderate to expensive. No view.

Enjoy!

H

 

[Sugarcubesea]

One of our favorites on Maui is Sansei. In Kihei, they have an hour of half price sushi and entrees on Sunday and Monday. The doors open at 5:00 and most every food item is half price until 6:00. Word of warning--be in line by 4:15 or you won't make it in the door at 5:00! It's that popular & delicious!

A new discovery for us this past summer was a restaurant called Eskimo Candy. It's a little hard to find in Kihei and not open on weekends! The seafood was cheap, plentiful and delicious---the ambience not so great! You might want to try this for lunch. Not a dress up place! It's off the beaten path but worth looking for!

We also like Monkeypod which has late evening specials! Would make it more affordable to feed the family! Order a Mai Tai---I guarantee you've never had one like they make them at Monkeypod!

I also highly recommend Mamma's Fish House! It's a once a trip splurge for us! Just can't beat the view and the food is magnificent! Just read an article last week that listed Mamma's as one of the top twenty restaurants in the US!

Gosh, this makes me SO homesick for Maui! Love, love, love it there!

Wow, thank you…awesome

 

[heathpack]

From our list, we ate at:

Cliff Dive bar (drinks only)
Lahaina Yacht Club (must be a member of a yacht club to visit here)
Leodas
Honokawai
Komoda Bakery (malasadas only)
Flatbread Company
Thai by Pranee

Cliff Dive. Great ambience. Unmemorable drinks
Lahaina Yacht Club. Great value, great location
Leodas. Good grub.
Honolawai. Greasy takeout. Maybe we got the wrong stuff.
Komoda Bakery, Flatbread Co and Thai by Pranee were all excellent.

We tried to hit Gazebo but it was too long of a wait. I swear we ate at Aloha Mixed Plate but for the life of me I can't remember it. We met some friends in Lahaina, I think at Cool Cats. If that was the place, it was 'meh'.

We also are at some more expensive places- our favorite was Mala Ocean Tavern. We also had a great time at the Old Lahaina Luau.

We were staying at the Westin Kaanapali for 2 weeks.

 

[BocaBoy]

If you are upcountry, try market Fresh Bistro in Makawao on Baldwin Street (the main drag). It is great for breakfast or lunch. Closed Mondays.

While you are in Makawao, pick up some pastries from Komoda's Bakery, also on Baldwin Street. It is perhaps the best bakery on the island. It is closed a couple of days a week, Sunday and Wednesday as I recall, and it closes at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

We do both of these every year on our annual Maui trip. Makawao is a charming little town.

 

[capjak]

Up Kaanapali good food and reasonable prices try Star Noodle.

 

[Henry M.]

We had Stillwell's Bakery in Wailuku make the cake for my daughter's wedding this past August. Almost every local we talked to said they were the best bakery on Maui. We went several times during the 3 weeks we were there, and everything we tried was very good. They also make sandwiches and have a breakfast menu. It is well off the beaten path, as you have to be going to it to find it. It is by itself with other industrial buildings.

Leoda's in Olowalu was also good, but more expensive.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Wow, these are all great choices for me and the family…. I am now compiling a spreadsheet with this info on it….thanks and keep those suggestions coming.

 

[mauitraveler]

Sugarcubesea,

If you don't want to wait in the long line for the great food at the Gazebo in Napili, Koa's Seaside Grill in Lahaina is owned by the same couple. They've taken their fine breakfast menu to Koa's, and they're open for lunch and dinner, as well. Koa's is ocean front right on Front Street, and it's ten minutes away from where you're staying. Hope you give them a try. You won't be sorry! Happy travels to you and your family! CJ

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Sugarcubesea,

If you don't want to wait in the long line for the great food at the Gazebo in Napili, Koa's Seaside Grill in Lahaina is owned by the same couple. They've taken their fine breakfast menu to Koa's, and they're open for lunch and dinner, as well. Koa's is ocean front right on Front Street, and it's ten minutes away from where you're staying. Hope you give them a try. You won't be sorry! Happy travels to you and your family! CJ

I am for sure going to go to one of these choices…Thank you so much for pointing out that both folks own these two restaurants.

Should I anticipate long waits at Koa's Seaside Grill as well?

 

[mauitraveler]

I am for sure going to go to one of these choices…Thank you so much for pointing out that both folks own these two restaurants.

Should I anticipate long waits at Koa's Seaside Grill as well?

When we went for breakfast at 9:00 a.m., there was no line, nor was there one when we left. We were seated right by the railing, so we had a fantastic view. They also have ocean front seating on the 2nd floor, as well. That could be the reason that there was no line. You can go to: Koasgrill.com to check out the menu. Enjoy! CJ

 

[Sugarcubesea]

When we went for breakfast at 9:00 a.m., there was no line, nor was there one when we left. We were seated right by the railing, so we had a fantastic view. They also have ocean front seating on the 2nd floor, as well. That could be the reason that there was no line. You can go to: Koasgrill.com to check out the menu. Enjoy! CJ

That is great to know. thanks

 

[mchct]

Hi Sugarcubesea:

Everyone's posted a lot of good suggestions and places for Maui. We usually go to Oahu, but last year decided to try Maui for the first time.

We had a great time because a local friend who grew up on Maui and still has family there gave us her list with recommendations and some local places, if you and your family like or want to try local food.

Here's some information for the northern areas that she provided to us; but you may want to google or check yelp to make sure these places are still open, as a lot of local places are closing down. Plus it depends what time you arrive in Maui, if the stores are still open:

Stop at Costco, Kmart and/or Walmart to pick up things you'll need at the condo (if your car has room.) Stuff is expensive on Maui and for example soft drinks at Walmart are half the price you'll find in local markets. As you leave the airport and come to the first signal light (Haleakala Hwy.) turn left and Costco will be on your right. If you go straight (actually you veer a little left) at the first signal, Kmart will be at your left. I suggest stopping at Costco, then Wal-Mart as getting out of the Kmart parking lot may be difficult. Drinking water and a styrofoam ice chest are recommended if you are going to do a lot of sightseeing.

Going straight on the road (Dairy Road) past Kmart, you will see the Maui Marketplace shopping center on the left. There is a Sports Authority Store and other shops. Keep going down the road and you'll see Wal-Mart and Home Depot on your left. Continue down Dairy Road and you'll be on your way to West Maui.

If you want to stop in Kahului before heading to your hotel, there are three shopping centers.

Maui Mall has a local favorite ice cream (kind of like a ice cream and sherbet mixture) shop called Tasaka Guri-Guri Ice Cream, in the south side of the mall.

Near the airport is Da Kitchen Cafe, with large portions of food (chicken katsu is good) at reasonable prices, around $6~$12. 425 Koloa St., Closed Sunday, M-F 11-8, Sat 11-3. Also has a "Hole is the wall" location in Kihei.

There's also a Zippy's near airport. Zippy's are kind of like Denny's Diner, but has the good local Hawaiian stuff, plus the regular burgers or pancakes so a good choice for picky eaters in the group.

The Geste Shrimp Truck is parked on Kahului Beach Road next to the harbor. We heard is is listed as one of the 50 best food trucks in the nation but haven't tried it and hopefully as good as Giovanni's truck in Oahu.

Wailuku area:
Sam Sato's (1750 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku) Breakfast & lunch only, Mon-Sat 7-2. Known by the locals for their dry min or saimin (noodles), pie crust manju and other local dishes like chicken katsu, fried rice.

Just past Sam Sato's is the Asian Star restaurant with good Vietnamese food.
Prices as usual are higher here than on mainland. What would be a $6 bowl of pho in Orange County is $10 here.

Archie's and Tokyo Tei are small Wailuku restaurants on Lower Main Street that serve Japanese and local food, nothing fancy, but good. Next to Archies is Tiffany's Bar & Grill, which friends like but we haven't tried.

For Poke and other local prepared foods visit Takamia Market, in the Happy Valley section of Wailuku. Ichiban Okazuya is another favorite local place.

Lahaina:
808 Grindz Cafe (7am-2 pm): Hole in the wall, mostly locals (at the time) great breakfasts for $5.75

Star Noodle (286 Kupuohi St) Upscale fusion place, now pretty crowded with tourists. Good ramen noodles, a bit pricey and long wait sometimes.

Honokowai, Kahana, Napili:
As you head north on the main highway past Black Rock, you'll pass the Royal Lahaina Resort. Turn left onto the Lower Honoapiilani Rd you'll soon come to a small shopping center on your right with a very large TImes Market. Past this shopping center on the right is a strip mall with Honokowai Okazuya and Deli, a hole in the wall with take out only, good food but prices have gone up.

L&L: Typical local plate lunch place with local favorites like chicken katsu, teriyaki, loco moco. Large portions, generally not too expensive.

Seahouse Restaurant (Napili Kai Beach Resort): Great view. Had portuguese sausage, eggs, fried rice. Tasted great and good for the arteries!

Kapalua Bay:
Sansei Restaurant: A bit pricey, but they sometimes have discounted prices during certain hours like 5:30-6 and 10:00. Get there early as the line gets long.

Sorry the info above was long, but I tried to cut out the other info to post her info for the airport/northern Maui areas.

Hope you and your family enjoy your time there!

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Hi Sugarcubesea:

Everyone's posted a lot of good suggestions and places for Maui. We usually go to Oahu, but last year decided to try Maui for the first time.

We had a great time because a local friend who grew up on Maui and still has family there gave us her list with recommendations and some local places, if you and your family like or want to try local food.

Here's some information for the northern areas that she provided to us; but you may want to google or check yelp to make sure these places are still open, as a lot of local places are closing down. Plus it depends what time you arrive in Maui, if the stores are still open:

Stop at Costco, Kmart and/or Walmart to pick up things you'll need at the condo (if your car has room.) Stuff is expensive on Maui and for example soft drinks at Walmart are half the price you'll find in local markets. As you leave the airport and come to the first signal light (Haleakala Hwy.) turn left and Costco will be on your right. If you go straight (actually you veer a little left) at the first signal, Kmart will be at your left. I suggest stopping at Costco, then Wal-Mart as getting out of the Kmart parking lot may be difficult. Drinking water and a styrofoam ice chest are recommended if you are going to do a lot of sightseeing.

Going straight on the road (Dairy Road) past Kmart, you will see the Maui Marketplace shopping center on the left. There is a Sports Authority Store and other shops. Keep going down the road and you'll see Wal-Mart and Home Depot on your left. Continue down Dairy Road and you'll be on your way to West Maui.

If you want to stop in Kahului before heading to your hotel, there are three shopping centers.

Maui Mall has a local favorite ice cream (kind of like a ice cream and sherbet mixture) shop called Tasaka Guri-Guri Ice Cream, in the south side of the mall.

Near the airport is Da Kitchen Cafe, with large portions of food (chicken katsu is good) at reasonable prices, around $6~$12. 425 Koloa St., Closed Sunday, M-F 11-8, Sat 11-3. Also has a "Hole is the wall" location in Kihei.

There's also a Zippy's near airport. Zippy's are kind of like Denny's Diner, but has the good local Hawaiian stuff, plus the regular burgers or pancakes so a good choice for picky eaters in the group.

The Geste Shrimp Truck is parked on Kahului Beach Road next to the harbor. We heard is is listed as one of the 50 best food trucks in the nation but haven't tried it and hopefully as good as Giovanni's truck in Oahu.

Wailuku area:
Sam Sato's (1750 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku) Breakfast & lunch only, Mon-Sat 7-2. Known by the locals for their dry min or saimin (noodles), pie crust manju and other local dishes like chicken katsu, fried rice.

Just past Sam Sato's is the Asian Star restaurant with good Vietnamese food.
Prices as usual are higher here than on mainland. What would be a $6 bowl of pho in Orange County is $10 here.

Archie's and Tokyo Tei are small Wailuku restaurants on Lower Main Street that serve Japanese and local food, nothing fancy, but good. Next to Archies is Tiffany's Bar & Grill, which friends like but we haven't tried.

For Poke and other local prepared foods visit Takamia Market, in the Happy Valley section of Wailuku. Ichiban Okazuya is another favorite local place.

Lahaina:
808 Grindz Cafe (7am-2 pm): Hole in the wall, mostly locals (at the time) great breakfasts for $5.75

Star Noodle (286 Kupuohi St) Upscale fusion place, now pretty crowded with tourists. Good ramen noodles, a bit pricey and long wait sometimes.

Honokowai, Kahana, Napili:
As you head north on the main highway past Black Rock, you'll pass the Royal Lahaina Resort. Turn left onto the Lower Honoapiilani Rd you'll soon come to a small shopping center on your right with a very large TImes Market. Past this shopping center on the right is a strip mall with Honokowai Okazuya and Deli, a hole in the wall with take out only, good food but prices have gone up.

L&L: Typical local plate lunch place with local favorites like chicken katsu, teriyaki, loco moco. Large portions, generally not too expensive.

Seahouse Restaurant (Napili Kai Beach Resort): Great view. Had portuguese sausage, eggs, fried rice. Tasted great and good for the arteries!

Kapalua Bay:
Sansei Restaurant: A bit pricey, but they sometimes have discounted prices during certain hours like 5:30-6 and 10:00. Get there early as the line gets long.

Sorry the info above was long, but I tried to cut out the other info to post her info for the airport/northern Maui areas.

Hope you and your family enjoy your time there!

mchct, I really appreciate you taking the time to write down all of these local spots for me… I'm keeping a master spreadsheet with all of this info on it…. I have just copied your data into my master list…..thanks again and have a great day

 

[MichaelColey]

Don't forget to get your first (and cheapest) meal when you stop at Costco. $1.50 Hot Dog Combos for all. $7.50 will feed a family of 5.

I'm going to have to remember this thread next time we go to Maui. Looks like a lot of great choices.

 

[BoBird1314]

If you are upcountry in the Kula area, we recommend the pizza at the Kula Lodge. Reasonably priced for the quality and views that are to die for if you can snag one of the window tables.
In Lahaina, we have twice had lunch on the patio at Kimo's and were pleased with the quality of food for the price (particularly the fish taco's), the service, and the atmosphere on the patio overlooking the ocean.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

If you are upcountry in the Kula area, we recommend the pizza at the Kula Lodge. Reasonably priced for the quality and views that are to die for if you can snag one of the window tables.
In Lahaina, we have twice had lunch on the patio at Kimo's and were pleased with the quality of food for the price (particularly the fish taco's), the service, and the atmosphere on the patio overlooking the ocean.

Excellent suggestions....thanks

 

[maui-or-bust]

Exceptional Qualilty, Best value on the island.
http://www.opentable.com/leis-family...rant?rid=82333

The Leis Family Class Act Restaurant is our student run fine dining room at the University of Hawaii Maui College. Students enrolled in the Maui Culinary Academy are your chefs and servers under the leadership of their instructors. We serve a 4-course prix fixe menu on Wednesdays and Fridays with reservations available from 11:00am - 12:30pm. Our price for the complete 4-course meal ranges from $29 - $39 depending upon the entree selected. The globally influenced menu changes weekly. Be sure to call early for reservations as we are sometimes sold out weeks in advance. Menus can be viewed by clicking the MENU tabs on this Open Table site. We look forward to serving you!

One of the Top Ten places to dine in Maui, BYOB.
Hard reservation to get.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

The first 5 days we are at: Hono Koa Vacation Club ---Honokowai, Maui, Hawaii
The remaining days we are at: Sands of Kahana Vacation Club ---- Kahana, Maui, Hawaii

I appreciate the help

I just wanted to update my resort...

The first 5 days we are at: WKORV-N
The remaining days we are at: Sands of Kahana Vacation Club ---- Kahana, Maui, Hawaii