Maui Favorites

Best Restaurants

Café Des Amis at 42 Baldwin Avenue, Paia, HI 96779 (808) 579-6323 www.cdamaui.com. The best crepes on the island! Try the savory crepes and then have a dessert crepe to finish.

Hali’imaile General Store at  900 Hali’imaile Road, Makawao, HI 96768 (808) 572-2666 www.hgsmaui.com. Bev Gannon, one of the 12 original Hawaii Regional Cuisine chefs, is still going strong at her foodie haven in the pineapple fields. You’ll dine at tables set on old wood floors under high ceilings. The food, a blend of eclectic American with ethnic touches, bridges Hawaii with Gannon’s Texas roots and puts an innovative spin on Hawaii Regional Cuisine. Examples include sashimi napoleon and the house salad – island greens with mandarin oranges, onions, toasted walnuts, and blue-cheese crumble. Always fun for your upcountry drive.

Havens at 30 Manao Kala St., Ste. 102, Kihei, HI 96753 (808) 868-2600 www.havensmaui.com. A new favorite place to eat.

Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop at 820 Olowalu Village Road, Lahaina, HI 96761 (808) 662-3600 www.leodas.com. Leoda’s kitchen and pie shop has casual family style dining in a comfortable plantation era atmosphere. The menu features an assortment of hand-crafted sandwiches, salads, baked goodies and the amazing sweet and savory pies. The seared ahi salad is everyone’s favorite and the fried salad is a must have too. This is a destination that shouldn’t be missed.

Marlow at 30 Kupaoa Street, Makawao HI 96768 (808) 868-3366 www.restaurantmarlow.com Marlow, a wood fired kitchen by Chef Jeff Scheer, in Upcountry.

Matteo’s Osteria at 161 Wailea Ike Pl, A107, Wailea, HI 96753 (808) 891-8466 www.matteosmaui.com. Just below the new Residence Inn Maui, 808 891-Vino) Italian food and wine bar, online ordering, kids menu, happy hour, great pizza.

Maui Pie at 1280 South Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753 (808) 298-0473 www.mauipie.com infor@mauipie.com. A little slice of heaven…right here on Maui.

Milagros Food Co. at 3 Baldwin Ave, Paia, HI 96779 (808) 579-8755 www.milagrosfoodcompany.com. The best margaritas on the island, the chips, salsa and guacamole are fresh and fantastic. The breakfast here is Liam’s favorite, he loves the pancakes!

Misa Phat Sushi at Azeka Shopping Center, 1279 S Kihei, HI 96753 (808) 891-6476 www.misophat.com. Great Sushi, sit down or take out, open until 8:30pm Sun-Fri.

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman – Wailea, Maui at 10 Wailea Gateway Place, Kihei, HI 96753 (808) 891-2322 www.monkeypodkitchen.com. Another favorite eating place for our family.

Old Lahaina Luau at 1251 Front Street, Lahaina, HI 96761 (808) 667-1998 www.oldlahainaluau.com. It’s not exactly a restaurant, but it’s certainly an unforgettable dining experience. Maui’s best luau serves top-quality food that’s as much Pacific Rim as authentically Hawaiian, served from an open-air thatched structure. It’s one-third entertainment, one-third good food, and one-third ambience. All the kids love the show, who doesn’t?

Pita Paradise at 34 Wailea Gateway Center, A108, Kihei, HI 96753 (808) 879-7177 www.pitaparadisehawaii.com. Freshest fish in town! Owner fisherman Johnny catches fresh fish exclusively for Pita Paradise. This is our place when we are in Wailea with the kids. Great food and great value! All the kids order Kalua pork pita sandwiches.

Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar at The Ritz-Carlton Maui Kapalua, 600 Office Rd., Lahaina, HI 96761 (808) 669-6286 and at Kukui Mall, 1819 South Kihei Rd, Bldg. A, Kihei, HI 96753 (808) 868-0780 www.sanseihawaii.com. Always the kids request for birthday dinners, go to for appetizers and nice wine. Relentlessly popular, Sansei serves sushi and then some: hand rolls warm and cold, udon and ramen, and the signature Asian rock-shrimp cake with the oh-so-complex lime chile butter and cilantro pesto. This Kapalua choice is flavor central – simplicity is not the strong suit, so be prepared for some busy tasting. Another branch has opened in Kihei. Possibly the best deal in town, 50% off on the food between 5-6pm on Sunday’s and Monday’s. Get there early as it always fills up! Call for the specials. Also 50% off bar food in the later hours.

Star Noodle at 1285 Front Street, Lahaina, HI 96761 (808) 667-5400 www.starnoodle.com You will question where we have sent you as you are dining up the hill inside the Lahaina business park. Don’t worry you are not the last! This restaurant is a great find. The Vietnamese crepe and pad Thai are fantastic.