If you’re anything like me, you understand the value of a good meal. One of my favorite parts about traveling is trying as many local restaurants as possible. Maui has some of the most delicious food I’ve ever had! The quality + freshness of the produce is unbeatable. Be sure to try and stop at some of these places on your next trip to Maui! Here are six restaurants in Maui that you need to try on your next Hawaiian vacation!
Pacific’o on the Beach
505 Front St Suite 114, Lahaina, HI 96761
Located in Lahaina, Pacific’o provides customers with a sophisticated, yet chill environment surrounded by beach views. It’s the perfect atmosphere for a celebration or date night. They offer seasonal ingredients from their Upcountry Maui O’o Farm to provide the ultimate farm-to-table experience. The food is so fresh and flavorful that we’ve eaten there both times we’ve gone to Maui.
I’m a big bread lover, so naturally I ordered the Hawaiian Brioche as an appetizer. The sweet + salty flavor of the butter combined with the fresh brioche rolls provided my tastebuds with so much joy. For dinner I recommend the Lemongrass Curry. Enjoy the fresh catch of the day layered over coconut rice with macadamia nuts in a delicious curry sauce. I can easily say it was one of my favorite meals I ate in Maui!
Along with delicious food, they also serve amazing drinks! They’ve got a long list of cocktails and mock-tails alike, so there’s something for everyone. The first drink I drank there was a special of the night, so I’m not sure what it was. However, the last time I went I got the Virgin Butterfly-Tai which was so good + refreshing that I ended up ordering two.
Pacific’o has provided me with amazing experiences both times I’ve gone. It’s earned a spot on my favorite restaurants in Maui list and I hope that it finds it’s way on yours as well.
Kimo’s
845 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761
Another Lahaina gem, Kimo’s on Front Street should be at the top of anyones “must try” list. Located along the beautiful Maui waters, Kimo’s allows customers to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner with salt water air + a gorgeous view. Be sure to make a reservation or line up to get in as soon as they open, as they do fill up fast.
I’m a big seafood fan and usually opt for seafood in some way, shape, or form for every meal when I’m somewhere with an ocean. Kimo’s serves up some of the best calamari I’ve ever had. It’s got perfect crispy breading and octopus that isn’t too chewy–which I find hard for most places to do. Plus the house-made cocktail sauce is delicious. For my main meal I ordered the fish tacos, which were super refreshing + light, but also filling. You really can’t go wrong with tacos in my opinion!
Like their food, their drinks are also incredibly tasty! But be careful, they are on the stronger side. My girlfriends + I all got two each and let’s just be honest here, we left with a strong buzz. Drinking not your thing? No worries! I’m sure most of their cocktails can be made without alcohol, and if not, just order a P.O.G juice. It’s passion orange and guava juice and is a Hawaiian staple. I’m pretty sure my husband and I ordered one at every restaurant we went to on our honeymoon–it’s THAT good!
Whether you go for lunch or dinner, you’re in for a treat at Kimo’s! It’s one of the best restaurants in Maui! There’s a reason their reservations fill up so quickly ;). Be sure to try and snag one early on in your planning! You will not be disappointed.
The Banyon Tree
1 Ritz Carlton Dr, Lahaina, HI 96761
If you’re into unique atmospheres and high quality food, then you must checkout The Banyon Tree at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua! From a gorgeous outdoor seating area to the hand-crafted wooden bar, The Banyon Tree provides customers with expansive views to enjoy while eating. We honestly made a reservation after going on a nightly walk and seeing it, we didn’t bother looking at the menu beforehand because the restaurants beauty was captivating in itself.
Like many restaurants in Maui, The Banyon Tree utilizes fresh produce from their farm to create appetizing meals. I recommend getting the fresh catch of the day paired with vegetables, pineapple sambal, macadamia nut jasmine rice, and an incredible coconut curry. From the fish to the veggies, everything was fresh, flavorful, and will leave you wanting more.
If you’re going to get dessert anywhere in Maui, let it be at The Banyon Tree. The Ban-nan-yan’s Foster is delectable. Enjoy a malasada (kind of like a donut but better) with banana macadamia nut ice cream + toasted coconut rum sauce. I’m telling you it is one of my a l l t i m e favorite desserts! From start to finish, The Banyon Tree provided us with amazing food, great service, and an unforgettable evening. You should definitely check it out when in Maui!
The Pour House
700 Office Rd, Kapalua, HI 96761
Feel like leaving Hawaii and taking a trip over to Italy? Okay, probably not. BUT The Pour House in Kapalua can provide those dreamy Italian feels while staying in the tropics of Hawaii. Family owned, The Pour House is an Italian kitchen and wine bar that imports ingredients from Italy as well as sources food locally to produce tasty dishes. It is definitely one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Maui!
Start your meal off with your choice from their buratta bar. Thats, right, a burrata B A R. There are many options, but we ordered the Burrata with Fresh Organic Pears and Local Honey and ohmygoshhhh it was absolutely amazing! There’s really nothing better than a delicious cheese, fresh fruit, and honey.
I’m not sure about you, but it’s almost impossible for me to go to an Italian restaurant and not order pasta. So naturally I ordered the Lemon Basil Pesto Pasta which had the perfect balance of zesty and herby. My husband ordered the Chicken and Mozzarella Ravioli which was equally delicious! We aren’t big drinkers, so I can’t speak on the wine–but with how great the food was, there’s not doubt that the wine is just as amazing.
Huong Nam
The Wharf Cinema Center, 658 Front St #145B, Lahaina, HI 96761
If you’re craving Vietnamese food while in Maui, be sure to stop by Huong Nam! A family owned restaurant located on the wonderful Front Street, Huong Nam provides you with a cozy atmosphere and delicious menu. We’re big pho fans, so we got the beef pho and it was so savory and flavorful. We added their house made chili sauce for a little extra spice and it did not disappoint. We enjoyed it so much, we went back for round two the next night! To add to the great food, the family who runs the restaurant are incredibly kind and provided us with great service. It was the perfect place for an easy and comforting dinner!
Flatbread Company
89 Hana Hwy, Paia, HI 96779
Though not local to Hawaii, Flatbread Company is a stop that’s worthy of your time. It’s another restaurant we visited two days in a row–it’s THAT good. Enjoy a fresh made flatbread baked in a wood fire oven with a delicious fresh made mango juice. They have pre-made flatbreads, but we opted to order a custom one with the Kiawe smoked free-range pork that was so tender and full of flavor!
The restaurants in Maui provide some of the freshest ingredients and most flavorful food that I’ve ever had. There’s so many family owned restaurants, food trucks, and fruit stands located throughout the island that you’re guaranteed to be eating good no matter your location. These are just a few of the delicious meals I’ve eaten, I hope that they find their way on your “Maui favorites” as well! If you’re looking for other activities to do in Maui, check out my “7 Day Itinerary in Maui”!
til the next trip,
bre
*Note: as much as I ~try~ to be a “phone eats first” girly, i simply get too excited for my food to be at my table that i just start eating. i’m working on it tho<3
