I have a few food rules on vacation: 1. We eat what we eat, when we want it. 2. We don’t eat at restaurants we can find at home. 3. We don’t cook. I love to do my research beforehand on the best spots to eat at, which is especially prevalent right now due to covid regulations. While it’s fun to randomly stumble upon a fun place to try, unfortunately that is a little trickier these days. Reservations fill up quickly. During our time in Maui, we showed up at a 7:45 dinner reservation only to find out the restaurant had to unexpectedly close that day. There was only one restaurant that was still open that would take walk ins! (Shoutout to Paia fish market! It was a great casual spot.) Keep in mind some of the more well known restaurants booked up months in advance! That being said, here is part 1 of the best restaurants in Maui!
Best Restaurants in Maui
Mama’s Fish House
What we ordered: Maui Mahi, Macadamia crusted fish with crab & lobster
Like Poke
What we ordered: Poke Hurricane Style
Notes: Fast meal near the airport! Food truck.
Pacific’O
What we ordered: Seared snapper, Mahi Mahi, Banana Bread Ice Cream Sandwiches
Notes: O’O Farm’s restaurant! A true farm to table meal. Great date night spot with a view.
Paia Fish Market
What we ordered: Calamari, Fish Tacos, Cajun Ahi
Notes: There are multiple locations. Great casual spot. Stand in line to order then find a table.
Monkey Pod:
What we ordered: Kahlua Pizza, Seared Ahi Steak, Mahi Mahi, Banana Cream Pie.
Notes: Famous for their Mai Tais. They took walk ins and had about an hour and a half wait so we would go to the shops after putting our name on the list.
Kihei Caffe
Banana Macadamia Pancakes, Loco Moco, Dairy free coconut lattes
Notes: A classic spot with a LONG line. Get there early or be prepared for a shockingly long line.
Tobi’s Shave Ice
What we ordered: Poke
Notes: Apparently this place has been featured on TV! Their poke bowls were delicious, and it is a fun area to walk around with some amazing boutiques.
Isana
What I ordered: fried poke.
Notes: Fried poke was incredible Sushi was overrated. I was told that the head chef from MisoPhat moved to Isana, but I wasn’t super impressed. Should have stuck with MisoPhat! (Their menu looks much more like my style.)
Popular places we wanted to try but didn’t:
O’O farm lunch tour: A tour of o’o farm with a farm to table meal at the end.
Stay tuned for part 2 of my Maui Recap!
Which of these best restaurants in Maui do you want to try most? Let me know in a comment below!
