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    Urban Bliss Life » Restaurant Reviews » Hawaii Restaurants » Best Places to Eat in Maui

    Published: March 3, 2020 / Updated: March 2, 2023 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Best Places to Eat in Maui

    1231 shares
    best places to eat in maui

    Traveling to the beautiful Hawaiian island of Maui? Be sure to check out some of my faves: the best places to eat in Maui!

    Filipino Lumpia at Fairmont Kea Lani Resort in Maui

    We love Hawaiian vacations, and the island of Maui in particular is a magical destination.

    The beaches are stunning, and the sun is always shining. Even when there's rain in the forecast, it's only for a short while, and then the sun is back.

    Top hotels in Maui

    • Maui Kamaole M104 (⭐ 9.4)
    • Honua Kai Resort (⭐ 9.1)
    • Hale Ono Loa 210 (⭐ 9.7)
    • Lahaina Shores Beach Resort (⭐ 9.2)

    It's one of my favorite places for family travel. But it's also a foodie's paradise!

    Jump to:
    • 🏝 Food to eat in Maui
    • 🍽 Best Places to Eat in Maui
    • 🍧 Ululani Shave Ice
    • 🍚 Da Kitchen
    • 🦐 Down the Hatch
    • 🍕 Monkeypod Kitchen
    • 🍤 Ko Restaurant
    • 🐟 Mama's Fish House
    • 🍝 Matteo's Osteria
    • 🍺 Maui Brewing
    • More Hawaii travel guides

    🏝 Food to eat in Maui

    Hawaiian Malasada in Maui

    Like most Hawaiian islands, Maui is a beautiful blend of so many different cultures. Maui food reflects this diversity. You'll find a fantastic range of cuisines and styles of cooking here. Some of my favorite things to eat in Maui:

    • Malasadas - a Hawaiian doughnut (pictured above) that's super fluffy and light.
    • Shave Ice - the best of all Hawaiian desserts, in my opinion! Similar to snow cones, but the ice is very small, light, and fluffier than snow cones. Most Hawaiian shave ice is available with different flavored syrups and toppings.
    • Lumpia - this Filipino egg roll can be found on many menus throughout the island, which makes my Filipino-American heart so happy! I've also got a lumpia recipe on the blog so you can make it at home!
    • Spam Musubi - if you've shied away from Spam, you need to try it when you visit any of the Hawaiian islands. I found the best fried spam musibi on Maui... read on to learn where you can find it! And, check out my Spam Musubi recipe to learn how to make your own at home!
    • Poke - You haven't had poke until you've had it in Hawaii, and you'll find so many amazing poke dishes in Maui!
    Ahi Tuna Poke at Fairmont Kea Lani resort in Maui

    Here are some of the best places to eat in Maui. You'll find some of the best foods to eat featured at some of these top Maui restaurants!

    ✨ Must-try experiences in Maui

    • Indulge in a delicious feast and Hawaiian culture during the Mokapu Luau with a delicious ohana-style meal and hand-crafted drinks
    • Visit local breweries on the island and sample the variety of beers on a small-group guided tour
    • Discover Maui's smallest microbreweries
    • Learn the myths of Maui on an evening show with traditional dances and dinner

    🍽 Best Places to Eat in Maui

    We have been to Maui a few times now, for Hawaiian family vacations and I've been a few times for work. Here are some of my favorite Maui restaurants.

    This is by no means an exhaustive list, but if you're planning a trip to Maui, it will help give you some yummy ideas for the best places to eat. If you're looking to enjoy some of the best Hawaiian food, you'll find it in these fantastic restaurants!

    🍧 Ululani Shave Ice

    Hawaiian Shaved Ice Rainbow Colors

    Ululani Hawaii Shave Ice
    SIX locations on Maui
    We went to the Kihei beachfront location:
    Kihei, Maui
    61 South Kihei Rd.
    Kihei, HI 96753
    7 Days 10:30am-6:30pm

    There are many amazing spots to find delicious Hawaiian shave ice. One of the best places to eat shave is on Maui is Ululani Shave Ice. There are six locations on Maui. The one I like is the location across from the beach at Kihei. There may be a line but it moves pretty quickly. Plus, it gives you time to decide which of their luscious flavor combos you are feeling like that day.

    🍚 Da Kitchen

    fried spam musubi at one of the best places to eat in Maui: Da Kitchen

    Da Kitchen
    TWO Locations
    We visited the location in Kihei:
    Rainbow Mall
    2439 South Kihei Rd. #A107
    Kihei, HI 96753
    808.875.7782
    HOURS: Daily, 11am to 9pm

    Da Kitchen has been serving up classic Hawaiian plate lunches, noodles, and sandwiches since 1988. It opened its second Maui restaurant location in Kahului in 2000.

    The atmosphere is super casual, and it's a great spot for take-out. My fave dish here: the fried spam musibi. If you've never had spam musubi, I encourage you to give it a try. The salty Spam is sandwiched by fluffy rice, wrapped in seaweed and fried.

    🦐 Down the Hatch

    Best places to eat in Maui: Shrimp Po Boy sandwich from Down the Hatch Maui

    Down the Hatch
     658 Front St #102
    Lahaina, HI 96761
    HOURS: Daily
    Breakfast 7:30-10:30am
    Lunch/Dinner 10:30am-Midnight
    Kitchen open till midnight
    Bar 8am-2am
    Happy Hour 2p–6p

    Down the Hatch is located across the street from the Old Banyan Tree in Lahaina. The open-air restaurant/bar is a fun spot for all. You can belly up to the outdoor bar and watch the game with friends, or grab a table in the courtyard. It's very kid-friendly, with lots of yummy options for people of all ages.

    My menu pick: the shrimp po boy (pictured above). The po boy is made with Down the Hatch's lava lava shrimp. The sweet chili sauce gives it a lovely sweet/tangy flavor. Love this dish!

    Down the Hatch offers Adult Shave Ice (read: shave ice with alcohol) during Happy Hour from 2-6pm every day. You do need to enjoy these on site; you can't take these beverages to go.

    🍕 Monkeypod Kitchen

    Best places to eat in Maui: Best Mai Tai at Monkeypod Kitchen in Maui
    Monkeypod Kitchen Maui

    Monkeypod Kitchen
    TWO locations on Maui:
    Wailea
    10 Wailea Gateway Place
    Kihei, HI 96753
    HOURS: Everyday 11a–11p
    Happy Hour 3p–5:30p & 9p–11p
    Ka'anapali
    2435 Kaanapali Parkway
    Lahaina, HI 96761
    HOURS: Everyday 11a–11p
    Happy Hour 3p–5:30p & 9p–11p

    Monkeypod Kitchen is a classic Hawaiian restaurant. It is pretty popular and fills up, so be sure to make reservations in advance.

    They serve an award-winning Mai Tai (reportedly one of the best on the island), which I ordered (pictured above). It's delicious! This family-friendly Maui restaurant serves wood-fired pizzas, burgers and sandwiches, and a variety of fish dishes. You'll also find a couple of noodle options and steak entrees.

    🍤 Ko Restaurant

    Best places to eat in Maui: Filipino Lumpia at at Ko restaurant Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
    calamari at at Ko restaurant Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
    lobster at at Ko restaurant Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
    macadamia shrimp at Ko restaurant Fairmont Kea Lani Maui

    Ko Restaurant
    Within Fairmont Kea Lani Resort
    4100 Wailea Alanui,
    Maui, Hawaii 96753
    808-875-2210
    HOURS: Lunch 11:30am - 2:30pm
    Dinner 5:00pm - 9:00pm
    Kō Bar 11:00am - 9:00pm
    Happy Hour 3:00pm - 5:00pm

    We love Fairmont Kea Lani, and one of the on-site restaurants, Ko, is always fabulous. It's truly one of the best places to eat in Maui.

    The Filipino lumpia here is beautifully prepared, and I highly recommend ordering it as a starter. For entrees, you'll find a nice selection of seafood, steak, and vegetarian options.

    The service at Ko is impeccable, and the view looking out over the beautiful grounds of Fairmont Kea Lani Resort is stunning.

    Is Ko family-friendly?

    Yes! It is a more upscale restaurant, but it's also at a resort. This is one of the restaurants our kids would dress up just a bit for dinner. Although, we also saw kids in shorts and t-shirts.

    🐟 Mama's Fish House

    Best places to eat in Maui: Interior of Mama's Fish House in Maui

    Mama's Fish House
    799 Poho Place
    Paia, HI 96779
    (800) 860-4852
    HOURS: Open Daily, 11am - 9pm

    Perhaps one of the most popular tourist attractions in Maui is Mama's Fish House. Located on beautiful beachfront property in Poipu, the restaurant is connected to a hotel as well.

    What to order at Mama's Fish House

    Mama's Fish House Famous Stuffed Fish in Maui

    Mama's Fish House is somewhat famous for the Mama's Stuffed Fish dish. This has lobster and crab baked in a macadamia nut crust. Served with a small corn on the cob and topped with some asparagus, the dish is on the expensive side at $60 per plate.

    tuna at Mama's Fish House in Maui

    The Kanpachi with Kalua pig fried rice ($56) is also delicious. This dish comes in a fairly large portion.

    Is Mama's Fish House Kid-Friendly?

    kids' menu fish at Mama's Fish House in Maui

    There is not a printed kid's menu but they do offer two items for children. The dish pictured above is the child's fish with rice and vegetables ($30).

    Poipu beach at Mama's Fish House in Maui

    Overall, we found Mama's Fish House to be underwhelming. It is quite expensive for the average quality of food and service we received.

    However, the fish was very fresh and the beachfront view (as seen in the photo above) was absolutely gorgeous. And, loads of tourists seem to love this place, so we felt obliged to include it. Just know: it's not our personal favorite, but you might enjoy it! This is definitely a special occasion splurge restaurant.

    🍝 Matteo's Osteria

    Best places to eat in Maui: squid ink pasta at Matteo's Osteria in Maui
    pasta at Matteo's Osteria in Maui
    pizza at Matteo's Osteria in Maui
    pasta at Matteo's Osteria in Maui

    Matteo's Osteria
    161 Wailea Ike Place
    Wailea
    info@matteosmaui.com
    808.891.VINO (8466) 
    HOURS:
    Dinner, 5 - 9:30pm
    Happy Hour Mon-Fri 3-5pm, Sat-Sun 4-5pm

    Yes, you should eat all of the fresh fish, poke, and kahlua pig that you can when visiting Maui. But if you're hungry for the best places to eat Italian food in Maui, you will find it at Matteo's Osteria.

    We've been here on two different Maui trips, and each time has been spectacular. The service is always attentive and friendly. The wine list is one of the best on the island. And of course, the food is superb.

    What to order at Matteo's Osteria

    The obvious choice is to order pizza or pasta. You can also find large salads here. The standout dinner item for me is the Fettuccine Frutti di Mare. This hearty Italian pasta dish is made with squid ink pasta and overflowing with fresh crab, shrimp, and clams. It's all tossed together in a tomato white wine sauce. Delicious.

    Is Matteo's Osteria kid-friendly?

    Matteo's is very family-friendly! You'll find lots of families dining here, with children of all ages. They have a separate kid's menu with items such as pizzas, mac and cheese, and spaghetti.

    🍺 Maui Brewing

    Best places to eat in Maui: beer in sunshine at Maui Brewing

    Maui Brewing - Kihei Location
    605 Lipoa Parkway
    Kihei, Maui, HI 96753
    (808) 201-BEER (2337)
    HOURS: daily, 11am - 11pm

    Maui Brewing - Lahaina Location
    Kahana Gateway Center
    4405 Honoapiilani Highway
    Lahaina, Maui, HI 96761
    (808) 669.3474
    HOURS: daily, 11am - 10pm

    Maui Brewing's Kihei location is a fantastic place to enjoy lunch or dinner. It's spacious, totally kid-friendly, and has a nice selection of food to go along with your beer. We love the super casual atmosphere, perfect for lounging around with a local beer and bites after a day at the beach!

    More Hawaii travel guides

    Looking for a fantastic place to stay in Maui? Check out our family's favorite Maui hotel: the Fairmont Kea Lani Resort.

    • Kapaa Hawaii on Kauai Island
    • Travel Bliss: Ziplining, Kayaking, and Snorkeling in Kauai
    • Best Places to Eat in Kauai: RumFire Poipu Beach
    • TRAVEL BLISS: Sheraton Kauai Resort - A Stunning Oceanfront Hawaii Hotel

    If you visit, please be sure to let them know that you read about it on Urban Bliss Life! And if you snap some pics, tag us @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Shannah says

        March 05, 2020 at 3:06 pm

        Hawaii is on my bucket list! I so want to vacation there in the near future. These are such unique suggestions on places to eat I will save it for our trip planning thanks!

        Reply
      2. Maria says

        March 04, 2020 at 9:29 pm

        I would love to go to Maui, these are excellent restaurants to visit. Looks delicious!

        Reply
      3. Kasey Ma says

        March 04, 2020 at 3:38 pm

        I've never been to Maui, but if I do I definitely am going to reference back to this guide! This is such a thoughtful list, thank :)

        Kasey Ma

        Reply
      4. Erin Lynch says

        March 04, 2020 at 11:24 am

        I go on a Poke binge everytime we go to Hawaii! But there are so many other dishes on your list that I'm definitely going to need to make room for!

        Reply
      5. Diana says

        March 04, 2020 at 9:39 am

        I want to visit Maui! The food looks amazing! We went to Kauai for our honeymoon, but I would love to explore the other islands.

        Reply
      6. Erika says

        March 04, 2020 at 7:36 am

        Oh my...that all looks so good! Saving this in case I ever make it there!

        Reply
      7. Madi Rowan says

        March 04, 2020 at 2:42 am

        Yum, everything looks incredible! I bet the poke is amazing ...& so fresh! I'd love to go to Maui...Hawaii is definitely on my list of places I'd like to visit!

        -Madi xo

        Reply
      8. Madi Rowan says

        March 04, 2020 at 2:41 am

        Yum! I bet the poke is amazing there...& so fresh! I'd love to go to Maui...Hawaii is definitely on my list of places I'd like to visit!

        -Madi xo

        Reply
      9. Leanne Wong says

        March 04, 2020 at 2:16 am

        Oh my! Maui looks like a paradise destination indeed! I'd love to try some local fresh fish and poke there.

        Reply
      10. Katie Carrick says

        March 04, 2020 at 1:40 am

        Everything here looks SO good! And I really appreciate that you added the info about being family-friendly, that helps A LOT.

        Reply
      11. Bryan Carey says

        March 03, 2020 at 11:24 pm

        I've been to Hawaii before, but never to Maui. I like to seek out locals foods, but I'm not sure I could eat something made with spam! I'll take your word that it's good

        Reply
      12. Nene says

        March 03, 2020 at 3:15 pm

        Omg all your pictures look amazing and the food looks delicious!!! Thanks for sharing

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          March 03, 2020 at 9:06 pm

          Thank you, Nene!

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      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

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