Where to Eat on Maui

West Maui — Lāhainā, Kāʻanapali and Kapalua

Front Street in Lāhainā is still mostly closed as of 2026, but restaurants have been slowly returning. Some survived the August 2023 fires and others have relocated or rebuilt in new locations. Sale Pepe Pizzeria e Cucina was the first restaurant lost in the Lāhainā fire to rebuild and reopen in Lāhainā town. They opened in a new location at Emerald Plaza Center in March 2025. If you're planning to visit a Lāhainā restaurant you've been to before, confirm it is open and verify its current location before you arrive. For updated status, see our 2026 Lāhainā Visitor’s Guide.

• Sale Pepe Pizzeria e Cucina A 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist, Sale Pepe is the most compelling restaurant story in West Maui right now — a family-owned Italian spot by husband-and-wife team Michele and Qiana di Bari that lost everything in the 2023 fires and rebuilt from scratch in Lāhainā. Michele di Bari is Maui's only certified pizzaiolo, and the handmade pastas and wood-fired pizzas here reflect his roots in Milan and Brooklyn. Dinner nightly from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Reservations strongly recommended.
• Māla Ocean Tavern Recognized as Lāhainā’s best oceanfront dining destination, Māla has served the Lāhainā community for more than 25 years on Front Street. The menu is seafood-forward and many of the ingredients on the menu are locally sourced. I love coming here for happy hour — daily from 2 to 4 p.m. with live music — with the ocean view. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for brunch and dinner.
• Coco Deck Lāhainā Kitchen + Bar Recognized in the Best of Maui 2025 reader vote for Best Chef, Best Pau Hana Bar and Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant, Coco Deck opened in September 2024 on Front Street as a welcoming, affordable space for locals and visitors to come together after the 2023 fires. Led by Chef Alvin Savella, a Lāhainā native, the menu blends Hawaiian, Mexican, American and seafood influences. Dishes and cocktails are inventive and fun. Daily happy hour from 2 to 5 p.m.
• ʻUlu Kitchen by Merriman Peter Merriman's newest farm-to-table concept located at The Westin Kaanapal serves locally sourced ingredients and Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine dishes in an open-air beachside setting. Happy hour daily from 3 to 5 p.m.
• Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman — Kāʻanapali The Kāʻanapali location of Monkeypod at Whaler’s Village is one of the most reliable all-around restaurants on the west side. Come for Peter Merriman’s farm-to-table menu and the restaurant’s famous lilikoi mai tai. The crowd-friendly format works well for families and large groups. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Daily happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m.

Wailea (South Maui)

Other than Kapalua on the west side, Wailea is where most of the island’s high-end dining is located. Reservations are strongly recommended at all of the following, especially during peak season (December through April and June through August).

• Spoon & Key Market Named one of Hawaiʻi Magazine's five best new restaurants in 2025, Spoon & Key Market was conceived for locals and visitors who want elevated, locally sourced cuisine without full resort-restaurant formality. Co-owners and chefs Christopher Kulis and Tarah Principato run a breakfast and lunch counter daily from 8 a.m. and dinner Wednesday through Saturday — prix fixe and à la carte — with a menu built around seasonal, local ingredients. There is also a gelato counter and retail shelves selling charcuterie, cheese and gourmet local and Italian ingredients. 
• Koast Koast is the vision of Chef Chris Cosentino — a James Beard Award nominee and Top Chef Masters winner — in partnership with husband-and-wife team David and Alicia Soboda, who brought the concept to the second floor of Wailea Village. The philosophy is whole-animal preparations and local Hawaiʻi ingredients, executed with the kind of refinement you'd expect from Cosentino's San Francisco legacy. Happy hour runs daily from 3 to 5 p.m.; dinner Monday through Saturday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. One of the most ambitious restaurants currently operating on the island.
• Aurum Maui Aurum — the Latin word for gold — is a culinary brand from Colorado-based Destination Hospitality Group, and Maui is its first expansion to the islands. Led by Maui Chef Taylor Ponte, the restaurant opened at The Shops at Wailea in July 2025 offering New American cuisine rooted in locally sourced ingredients. The menu runs from elevated starters and small plates to a bone-in rib-eye, with a craft cocktail program that rivals the best on Maui. Open daily from noon to 9 p.m. for lunch and dinner. Daily happy hour from 2 to 5 p.m.
• Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman — Wailea The Wailea location of Monkeypod is slightly more polished than the Kāʻanapali outpost but runs the same well-liked formula: farm-to-table menu, strong cocktail program and a poppin’ happy hour. Great for large groups and families staying on the south shore. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Daily happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m.
• Lāhainā Brewing The first of two locations to reopen since the 2023 Lāhainā fires, Lāhainā Brewing in Wailea Village offers a casual, open air pub experience with inventive bar food by chef Isaac Bancaco that pairs with the brewery’s award-winning beer. Open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Weekday happy hour from 2 to 5 p.m.

Pāʻia (North Shore)

Casual eats, mid-tier pricing and some of the most consistent independent restaurants on Maui. Parking on Pāʻia's main street can be difficult. Plan to arrive early or expect to walk.

• Flatbread Company Wood-fired pizza using organic, locally sourced toppings in a lively, communal setting. One of the most popular casual restaurants on the North Shore. Great for families. Dine in or take out. Open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
• Cafe Des Amis A beloved Pāʻia staple serving Indian and Mediterranean cuisine in a small, relaxed space. Strong vegetarian and vegan options alongside curries, crepes and fresh-baked bread. One of the better values on the island at this quality level. Open daily 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Milagros Food Company Tex-Mex menu with good margaritas, a covered lanai and a casual atmosphere that works well after a morning at the beach. A solid neighborhood spot. Open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Mamaʻs Fish House One of the most popular restaurants on Maui. Open since 1973, the fish is caught by local fishers — the menu tells you who caught your dinner and where — and the restaurant is a converted beach house surrounded by tropical gardens. The service is warm without being stiff. Prices run $50 to $80 for entrees and reservations book out months in advance. Plan to book two to three months ahead. Open daily 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (last seating at 8:45 p.m.)

Upcountry (Kula/Makawao)

Cooler temperatures, farm-to-table sensibilities and a solid coffee and pastry scene. If you're driving up to Haleakalā, stop here for a meal.

• Marlow The best stop for dining in Makawao — coffee and exceptional pastries in the morning, pizza in the afternoon and evening. The kind of neighborhood restaurant that locals return to multiple times a week. A strong pick for breakfast or a casual dinner after a day upcountry. Open daily. Breakfast from 7 to 10:30 a.m. (opens at 8 a.m. on Sundays). Lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner from 4:30 to 9 p.m. (last seating at 8:30 p.m.)
• Ulupalakua Ranch Grill Grass-fed beef, venison and elk burgers from the working ranch just outside Kula — one of the only places in Hawaiʻi to serve ranch-raised venison and elk in a roadside setting. Worth the drive if you're in the area. Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Mondays.
• Makawao Public House Local Hawaiʻi comfort food and pub fare in a casual Makawao setting. Great for large groups. Solid beer selection. Open daily 4 to close.
• Komoda Store & Bakery A Makawao institution since 1916. Famous for its cream puffs. Lines form early and the pastries sell out, so plan to arrive early in the morning. Open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., closed Sundays and Wednesdays. 
• Moku Roots Farm in Kula offering a plant-forward menu built around what's growing on the property. One of the best farm-to-table experiences on the island for visitors who want to eat close to the source. Farm tours + brunch begins at 8:30 a.m.

Kahului/Wailuku (Central Maui)

No ocean views, no tourist markup. This is where many locals eat. Kahului and Wailuku are the best areas on Maui for plate lunch, local comfort food and casual dining without resort prices.

• Tin Roof Chef Sheldon Simeon, a two-time Top Chef finalist and Maui native, runs Tin Roof out of a Kahului strip mall, and it is the best first meal to grab straight off the plane. The mochiko chicken bowl — chicken thighs marinated in gochujang, double-fried and finished with miso sauce and roasted garlic aioli — is a fan favorite. Takeout only, lunch only. Expect to wait in line — worth every minute. Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Tiffanyʻs Restaurant & Bar A Wailuku mainstay for nearly 20 years, Tiffanyʻs is now run by Chef Sheldon Simeon and his wife Janice, who took over the space and refreshed it while keeping the booths, the TVs and the loyal following. The menu covers local-style Hawaiʻi classics — saimin, honey walnut shrimp, oxtail soup, sashimi — rooted in the Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino and Portuguese flavors that define the island's food culture. Made the New York Times Restaurant List in 2023. Open daily. Monday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• The Parlay A casual, community-centered bar and restaurant in Wailuku with inventive bar food and cocktails. More of a neighborhood vibe than a tourist destination. A solid pick for a relaxed lunch or early dinner in Central Maui. No reservations necessary. Live music on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. Open daily. Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., happy hour 3 to 5 p.m.
• Sam Satoʻs Sam Satoʻs has served its famous dry mein — a brothless noodle dish — for four generations. Strong local following in a modest Wailuku location. A genuine Maui institution. Cash preferred. Lines are common at lunch. Order the dry mein and the manju pastries to go. Open Tuesday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Food Truck Park — Kahului A wide variety of cuisines in a single lot across from the Costco gas station in Kahului. One of the best ways to eat well and affordably in Central Maui. Open daily 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Best For

Best for pizza

• Marlow: Located in Makawao. Wood-fired Neapolitan pizza using Upcountry ingredients.
• Sale Pepe Pizzeria e Cucina: Located in Lāhainā. Maui's only certified pizzaiolo.
• Via! by Sale Pepe: Located at Whaler’s Village in Kāʻanapali. Build-your-own pasta and New York- and Roman-style pizza slices.

Best for families

• Tiffanyʻs Restaurant & Bar: Located in Wailuku. Serves local favorites in family-style portions with unpretentious, casual service.
• Monkeypod Kitchen: Two locations — Wailea and Ka’anapali. Family-friendly dishes, large portions.
• Coco Deck Lāhainā Kitchen + Bar: Located in Lāhainā. Offers a kid-friendly menu and kid’s play room.

Best for a casual meal

• The Parlay: Located in Wailuku. Neighborhood spot with reasonable prices.
• Aloha Mixed Plate: Located in Lāhainā. Plate lunch classics with ocean views.
• Lāhainā Brewing: Located in Wailea and Upcountry. Pub food, local beer and casual atmosphere.

Best for cocktails

• Tikehau: Located in Wailea. One of the best craft cocktail programs on island with a strong local spirit selection.
• Esters Fair Prospect: Located in Wailuku. Inventive craft cocktails with a strong local following.
• Aurum Maui: Located in Wailea. Craft cocktails that works alongside the kitchen to create artisan syrups, bitters and garnishes.

Best Breakfast

• Spoon & Key Market: Located in Wailea. High-end, locally sourced ingredients.
• Marlow: Located in Makawao. Exceptional pastries and coffee.
• Papi's Ohana: Located in Lāhainā. Famous cinnamon roll spot. Expect to wait in line.

Best Cheap Eats

• Plate lunch at Tin Roof in Kahului — get the mochiko chicken bowl. Lunch only, takeout only. Expect to wait in line.
• Dry mein at Sam Satoʻs in Wailuku. Historic local institution.
• The food truck park near Costco in Kahului. This will have the widest range of cuisines at the lowest prices on Maui.

Best Happy Hour

Happy hour ends earlier on Maui than most visitors expect — plan to arrive by 3 or 4 p.m. at the following spots.

• Monkeypod Kitchen (Kāʻanapali and Wailea): Two locations, both with discounted cocktails and food and live music. One of the most popular happy hours on the island. Order the lilikoi mai tai. Daily 3 to 5 p.m.
• The Pint & Cork (Wailea): A solid wine and beer-focused happy hour located inside The Shops at Wailea. Daily 2 to 5 p.m.
• Cliff Dive Grill at Sheraton Maui (Kāʻanapali): Oceanfront happy hour with one of the best sunset views of any pau hana spot on the island. Stick around for the nightly cliff diving and torch lighting ceremony. Best for visitors staying in Kāʻanapali. Daily 3 to 5 p.m.

Best Romantic Dinner

• Koast (Wailea): The most ambitious and talented kitchens on the south shore, with an open-air space designed for a special evening. Make reservations ahead of time. Ask for one of the cabanas.
• Sale Pepe Pizzeria e Cucina (Lāhainā): An intimate Italian restaurant with a story behind it — the first restaurant to rebuild in Lāhainā after the 2023 fires, now a James Beard Award semifinalist. You’ll feel like you are dining in Italy.
• Aurum Maui (Wailea): New American cuisine from two Maui natives at The Shops at Wailea. Refined but approachable, with excellent service and elegant dining room.