We’ve visited Maui quite a few times over the years and are sharing our favorite restaurants that we keep coming back to.
From hole-in-the-wall local joints to tourist hot spots, we’ve rounded up 14 of the best places to eat in Maui, Hawaii!
14 Best Places to Eat in Maui, Hawaii
Table of Contents
- The Gazebo
- A’A Roots
- Coconut’s Fish Cafe
- Reef’s Real Fruit Ice Cream
- Paia Fish Market
- Cinnamon Roll Place
- Monkeypod Kitchen
- Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop
- Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
- Coco Deck Lahaina
- Tin Roof
- Island Cream Co
- Kahiau’s Poke Truck
- Down the Hatch
The Gazebo
The Gazebo is a hidden gem tucked away inside the Napili Shores Condos complex. You’ll find the small breezy outdoor cafe located poolside overlooking the ocean.
They serve the same breakfast and lunch menu daily from 7:30 am to 2:00 pm.
The Gazebo is inside of a literal gazebo, so seating is limited and there is always a steady line during opening hours.
I promise it is worth the wait, the White Chocolate Mac Nut Pancakes are the stuff dreams are made of!
It doesn’t get much better than sitting by the ocean, indulging in fluffy stacks of pancakes smothered in coconut syrup and piled high with homemade whipped cream.
The Gazebo is also known for its fried rice. The rice is perfectly seasoned and mixed with vegetables and your choice of meat. The generous dish is also large enough to feed the entire table!
A’A Roots
If you’re looking for the best acai bowls without added sugars and artificial flavoring, head to A’A Roots in Napili.
This cozy bohemian cafe has a relaxed vibe and friendly staff.
They specialize in serving only the freshest vegan dishes. We tried several different acai bowls, all piled high with fresh fruit and beautifully plated.
In addition to acai bowls, they also offer pitaya bowls, curry and noodle bowls, bagel sandwiches, breakfast burritos, salads, smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, and avocado toast.
Coconut’s Fish Cafe
If you’re looking for the best fish tacos in Maui, and all of Hawaii, then head to Coconut’s Fish Cafe.
This casual family-owned eatery opened in 2009 and quickly became a favorite among locals. Today, the restaurant has expanded to include locations throughout Hawaii and even in Arizona and California!
If you want to visit the original location, you can find it in the Azeka shopping center in Kihei, where you’ll find the restaurant sandwiched in between Wow Wow Lemonade and Peggy Sue’s.
Coconut’s Fish Cafe was listed in the “Top 100 Seafood Restaurants in the World” by CNN and has also received accolades from the likes of Zagat and Travel + Leisure, to name a few.
There really is something special about their fish tacos. They use 17 different ingredients and 7 different textures that complement each other perfectly. The flavors meld together to create the most mouthwatering dish.
While the fish tacos are the main attraction, be sure to order a side of coconut shrimp and volcano fries as well!
We had a chance to talk to the owner, who is such a friendly and humble guy. He just so happened to be helping out with dishes that night when he stopped to chat.
He shared that his mission is to not only serve the best fish tacos around, but to also make each customer feel like family!
After you eat, stop in at Wow Wow Lemonade for fresh-squeezed lemonade. Or visit the neighboring Peggy Sue’s retro diner for an old-fashioned milkshake.
Their shakes are made with scoops of real ice cream and milk. You won’t find any artificial flavors or coloring here!
Reef’s Real Fruit Ice Cream
Not only is this food truck darling, but they serve the most delicious New Zealand-style ice cream made with real fruit!
We lived in New Zealand for 2 years, and I can attest that they really do have the most delicious ice cream!
You can choose a vanilla ice cream base or a coconut base if you are dairy-free. Then, pick the fresh fruit you want mixed in and any additional toppings.
We tried the dragon fruit and tri-berry and loved them both!
The ice cream is fresh and naturally sweetened without any added sugars or artificial flavoring. It’s so refreshing on a hot day!
You’ll find Reef’s Real Fruit Ice Cream in a food truck park located near the corner of S Kihei Road and Alahele Place in Kihei.
Paia Fish Market
Paia Fish Market is regularly touted as one of the best places to eat in Maui, and for good reason! They have been serving the best fresh-caught fish on the island since 1989.
Their fish comes directly from local fishermen and is served fresh daily. The produce is also locally sourced.
Try the Blackened Mahi Mahi, or the Hawaiian Snapper sauteed in butter and garlic and spritzed with lemon.
The Fresh Catch Plate includes your choice of homemade sides, such as hand-cut coleslaw, Cajun rice, homestyle potato hash, or French fries.
This local Maui seafood restaurant has been featured in many notable publications, such as National Geographic, Thrillist, Travel Channel, and The Huffington Post.
The original Paia Fish Market can be found in Paia, but the restaurant has expanded to include a location in Kihei and in Waikiki on the island of Oahu.
Paia is the gateway town to the Road to Hana. If you are planning to drive the Road to Hana, be sure to check out our guide for the 15 Best Stops on the Road to Hana!
Cinnamon Roll Place
I am very particular when it comes to cinnamon rolls, so trust my opinion when I say that these are some of the best cinnamon rolls I’ve ever had!
The rolls are warm, soft, and gooey, and topped with a rich frosting that melts right into the cracks. It literally melts in your mouth!
In addition to cinnamon rolls, they also serve bread pudding, banana bread, mango bread, fruit scones, breakfast wraps, breakfast sandwiches, and other baked goods.
The Cinnamon Roll Place is located in Kihei. It is a small bakery with only a few tables outside. There is often a wait, but it is worth it!
Monkeypod Kitchen
Monkeypod Kitchen is a farm-to-table restaurant from the same creators behind the upscale Merriman’s Maui. Peter Merriman is the chef and owner and has been nominated for the James Beard award.
The restaurant takes pride in creating dishes using locally grown and sourced produce and meats. Everything on the menu is fresh, with the highlight being the chef’s catch of the day.
Our family’s favorites are the Pumpkin Patch Ravioli, Waipoli Farm Baby Romaine Salad, Fresh Caught Fish Tacos, Maui Cattle Company Cheeseburger, and fresh-cut fries.
I will say that the portions are a little small for the price, but you can definitely taste the high-quality ingredients.
For a more budget-friendly option, visit during happy hour from 3-5 pm, where they have discounted pizza and half-price wings.
Their pizza actually made #9 on the list of Yelp’s Top 100 Best Pizza Spots in the US in 2024. The wood-fired pizza is baked using wood from the local kiawe tree that gives the crust a smoky mesquite flavor. Try the Kalua Pork and Pineapple Pizza!
Monkeypod Kitchen has a few locations in Maui, as well as Oahu. The Wailea location is our favorite.
While you’re in Wailea, be sure to check out these 8 Awesome Things to do in Wailea!
Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop
Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop is a Maui institution. It is THE spot to go for mouthwatering home-baked goods.
With silky coconut cream pies, warm banana bread, monkey bread with sweet cream cheese frosting, and their legendary homemade whoopie pies, you will want to try one of everything!
The banana cream pie is always my go-to, and I get it every time we visit Maui. But you really can’t go wrong with any of their pies!
If you’re craving something savory, their turkey pot pie is to die for! It has a perfectly flaky crust and is filled with a hearty serving of shredded turkey and vegetables simmered in a rich, creamy sauce. It is so flavorful and delicious!
Along with their baked goods, they also offer a menu for casual farm-fresh dining in their plantation-era shop.
Try the French toast for breakfast, and a spicy tuna sandwich or Lahaina dog for lunch. The homemade empanadas are also a favorite!
Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
Ululani’s has a reputation for serving the best shave ice on the island, and we can’t argue! Their creamy smooth texture makes their shave ice a notch above the rest.
If you’re not sure what to order, try a scoop of mac nut ice cream on the bottom, topped with shave ice drenched in mango and guava syrup, and a snow cap (sweetened condensed milk) on top.
The pina colada is my favorite, but if you want something more local, try the ube syrup and homemade mochi topping.
Ululani’s has a location in Kihei and Kahului. We prefer the location in Kihei, it’s right across from the beach if you want to enjoy your sweet treat on the sand.
*Related post: Best Beaches in Maui
Coco Deck Lahaina
Coco Deck is a witness to the resiliency of Maui locals after the fire. It is one of the few restaurants that remained standing on Front Street after the 2023 fire ravaged the historic district. The restaurant was formerly Duckine, but was rebranded and reopened one year after the fire.
Today, Coco Deck offers a robust menu with Mexican-inspired seafood and comfort dishes served in a casual setting with ocean views. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll appreciate the kids’ zone with arcade games.
It is located across the street from Mala Ocean Tavern, a Lahaina favorite among locals and tourists alike.
We went with the fish tacos and nachos, and they were really good! A few other popular items on the menu include the Big Deck Bowl, Coco Crusted Mahi, the Smash Burger, and the Poke Donut.
Tin Roof
This casual joint is run by Chef Sheldon Simeon, a contestant from Season 10 of Top Chef. It has also been featured on Gordon Ramsey’s Uncharted and has a 4.4-star Yelp rating with over 3,000 reviews.
Their signature dish is the Mochiko Chicken Bowl, featuring crispy, tender fried chicken thighs drizzled with spicy mayo and a sweet, tangy sauce.
Their fresh poke bowls and wok-fried homemade chow fun noodles are also a crowd favorite.
I will say that the portion sizes seemed a little small for the price, but that is often the case in Hawaii!
*Related Post: Makamakaole Falls: A Maui Hidden Gem
Island Cream Co
If you’re looking for a sweet treat, head to Island Cream Co.
From the outside, it looks like any other strip mall ice cream shop, but step inside and you’ll find the largest selection of handmade ice cream in Maui!
They offer 150 different flavors with a rotation of 36 made fresh daily in the store.
With so many different flavors, it’s hard to decide what to order, but they do offer free samples to help you narrow it down. Or order the 6-scoop mini sampler with six different flavors topped with hot fudge!
Try the Oatmeal Cookie, Hawaiian Passion Sorbet, Banana Custard, or Pineapple ice cream if they are available.
Island Cream Co. has received numerous awards and has also been voted the best ice cream in Maui by Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Buzzfeed.
The Glacier Ice Station can also be found inside the Island Cream Co shop and is a huge hit, especially with kids.
Here you can make your own shave ice creation, mixing any combination of the 36 different flavors that you would like!
Kahiau’s Poke Truck
If you’re looking for some fresh poke on your way to or from the airport, be sure to stop by Kahiau’s Poke Truck.
It is located in an empty lot across from Costco. Here, you’ll find a circle of 8-10 food trucks in the lot that has been nicknamed the “Costco Circle”.
While they do offer fried poke and deep-fried ahi plates, stick with the original poke bowl.
Try the spicy ahi Pele Poke or the Shoyu Bowl with ahi, avocado, and imitation crab. All of the bowls are served with sushi rice, which gives it that little extra something.
Kahiau’s Poke Truck is quick, convenient, fresh, and delicious!
Down the Hatch
*Update: Down the Hatch was destroyed during the devastating August 2023 fires in Lahaina. The owners are currently working to reopen in a different location. Check their website for updates.
Of all the places we ate in Maui, we all agreed that Down the Hatch was our favorite!
And we’re not the only ones who think it is one of the best places to eat in Maui. Down the Hatch was awarded one of Yelp’s top 100 restaurants in 2022.
Their specialty is the Lobster & Crab Grilled Cheese Sandwich that was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives. However, every dish we tried was delicious, and the portions are generous.
The Cali Burrito with a side of loaded nachos is so deliciously filling and an easy dish to share. You can’t go wrong with any of their fresh seafood dishes, especially the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi. For a vegetarian option, try the Sweet Potato Tacos with mango salsa and lava lava sauce.
The dining area is located in an outdoor courtyard at a Lahaina shopping center.
It has a fun ambiance with string lights and a bubbling fountain.
I hope this guide has helped you discover some of the best places to eat in Maui! And if you’re looking for some fun things to do in Maui, check out these guides:
- 9 of the Best Waterfalls in Maui
- 11 Most Beautiful Places in the West Maui Mountains
- Pipiwai Trail: the Best Waterfall Hike in Maui
[…] *Related post: If you’ve worked up an appetite after all these waterfall hikes, be sure to check out these 11 Best Places to Eat in Maui! […]