Eateries Nearby

You'll notice that this has a SW Maui emphasis however some folks may find some of these tips helpful:

BREAKFAST

• Kihei Caffe opposite Kalama Pk.... relaxed, large portions, fun people, love the loco moco and the mac nut pancakes are enough for two people and you'll be impressed...

• Kihei Caffe now also has an outlet located at the Coast Hotel on S Kihei Rd about 1.5 mi north of Surfside… very nice set up with the same / similar menu to the original one

• Fred’s apparently has a reputation for a mac nut pancake breakfast… across from Kamaole II People also rave about their Taco Tuesday special.

LUNCH Kihei area... in no particular order:

• Cafe O'lei @ Rainbow mall across from Kamaole II beach park ....good value.... good daily lunch special but you may have to be there by 12 to get it

• Café O’lei also has a nice restaurant at the Plantation on Hwy 30 (from Ma’alaea to Wailuku) and folks have recommended it for nice atmosphere and menu

• Coconuts Fish Cafe …. Famous for their coconut shrimp and fish tacos… Just south of Café O’lei upstairs at Kamaole Shopping Center we think its slightly better than Paia Fish Market Southside (see below)

• 808 deli has great sandos & salads for takeout; great value... Recently relocated to Rainbow Mall, under Café O’lei.

• Spoon & Key deli we highly recommend in new Wailea Village mall adjacent to the club house for the Wailea Blue course; just above the Shops at Wailea. Best to call ahead because they can get busy around noon. All their sandwiches seem exceptional.

• Maui Thai Bistro … Definitely on our top 3 favorites list; in back of Rainbow Mall (same place as Café O’Lei across from Hale Pau Hana). Reopened by a little grandma from Hana with fantastic reputation. All the food items we’ve tried are terrific … particularly the Panang curry with macnuts – short ribs and the Thai-Railway fried rice w/ ribeye steak

• Pita Paradise Also gets our top three status… just across parking lot from MonkeyPod in upper mall in Wailea. Amazing fresh catch every day…. Owner Johnny (& co-owner wife Christine) is a legit local fisherman so you cannot get better ingredients from our experience

• Isana Sushi …Same owner / fisherman Johnny has recently opened at 515 S Kihei Rd, with a couple of partners. Some friends said it was excellent and good value at happy hour

• Maui Tacos in next mall north of Rainbow Mall, beside sports bar is good too… 2411 S Kihei Rd

• Roasted Chilis at Azekas Mauka Mall east side towards the back row is really good.... super nice Mexican young fellow owns and runs... the margaritas are renowned and the food is very authentic

• Paia Fish Market Southside right across from Kalama Park (south of Foodland) with same good menu as their original store in Paia

• Gathers …one of the best restaurants we like is at the Wailea Gold/Emerald golf courses (the more southerly of the two golf course sites)... nice menu, reasonable, great views … and very nice affordable Happy Hour!

• Ferraro’s …if you want a beautiful dining / luncheon experience go to the 4 Seasons in Wailea... on the pool deck. Beautiful spot with amazing food... lunch with a glass of wine will be about $75+ for 2, but it might be worth it!

• Island Vintage Coffee...we like this in the Shops at Wailea.... upscale mall in the heart of the resort hotels in Wailea. One of the best acai bowls we’ve had.
• Akamai Coffee …now recently opened, is just up the hill from the Shops at Wailea, (about 50 yds) adjacent to the clubhouse of the Blue Course, in Wailea Village

• Fabiani's on Lipoa St ( just before Azeka’s Place ) turn right & 1/2 blk up on left; Great authentic Italian food…pizza, Italian lunch & dinners & bakery is killer… also good for takeout and best value Happy Hour

• Tommy Bahamas @ Shops at Wailea upstairs.. We had an amazing fish reuben;

• Stewz Burgers in Kukui Mall right next to Starbucks on S. Kihei Rd has won great reviews (across from Kalama Park ( Big Humpback Whale statute)

• Fork and Salad in Azekas Mauka Mall on east side of S Kihei Rd (just south of Longs Drugs)…. New place; terrific local produce selection; will make your salad into a sandwich or wrap; super tasty

• Wow Wow Hawaiian Lemonade …we love the fruit smoothies and acai bowls there, also in Azeka Place… very healthy (Mauka; mountain side of the road)

• Tin Roof in Kahalui Ace chef Sheldon Simeon and wife Janice also own Lineage in the Shops at Wailea and Tiffany’s in Wailuku. Tin Roof is just west of the Hana Hwy / Dairy Rd intersection in Kahalui… terrific Philippine-style locals plate lunch… you won’t be disappointed! You need to order online in advance or you will have a lengthy wait and their daily specials sell out early.

• Tiffany’s Just opened in late 2022 is the next sister restaurant on Lower Main St in Wailuku. Opens at 4pm but around 11am for brunch on Sat and Sun. The reviews are terrific!

• Island Gourmet Market and ABC Stores Kihei…Another hidden gem for the econo minded vacationer… but really very good…. Every Thurs and Sun at ABC Store on S Kihei Rd (Kam 1) and Island Gourmet Market in Shops at Wailea they serve an 8oz Prime Rib dinner with all the trimmings to go for ~$20 ! It is quite terrific and the larger size can easily feed two.
• Pizza Madness Maui … 1455 S Kihei Rd just south of Azeka Place. Good pies
• Black Rock Pizza … just North of Kalama Pk, across from Kikui Mall and past the firehall. Heard good reviews
• Nalu’s South shore grill … Azeka Place, (Makai (oceanside)). Open air setting; Good Hawaiian fare for breakfast or lunch…. Use the garlic chili vinegar !!
• Three’s bar & grill … right across from Kalama Pk next to Lava Java Coffee in the parking lot; nice open air patio with interesting menu and sushi for lunch, happy hour or dinner. Owners have a good pedigree.
• Loulu’s … this artisanal café-market is a nice spot in the Grand Wailea Hotel. Great array of grab and go options.
• NOVELTIES / TREATS
• Ululani’s … most authentic shave ice ever… real fruit flavors: hoopia (coconut); calamanci; lilikoi. Pretty well at the north end of N Kihei Rd near Sugar Beach. Always lined up but worth the trouble.
• Ice cream @ Maui mall
• Beach Street Coffee … Out front Rainbow Mall. “World famous kona bean shake” and they are not lying. Great late afternoon treat !
• Maui Bread … Dolphin Plaza; closed Wed 7am – 1pm (better than Cinnamon Roll at Kam Shopping Ctr)

DESTINATION SPOTS

• Komoda’s … Family business since 1916 ! Great bakery at top of the street in Makawao. Check the schedule (closed Wed and Sunday) 7am – 1pm; wise to phone ahead and reserve. Guava malesadas; cream puffs; donuts on a stick !
• Sam Sato … very old fashion family diner in Wailuku. Not fancy but authentic Maui folk fare.
• Tasty Crust ... Wailuku town.  Again an old fashion; long time family run diner with very authentic service and food.  Favorite spot for many visitors.
• Marlows …Kula Malu Town Center in Pukalani. The BEST Neapolitan pizza you’ll find ! Open daily … coffee and great baking til 11; lunch 11-1:30; dinner 4:30-8:30pm. Worth the drive.
• Grandma’s Coffee House Kula … 7am – 2pm daily. Best Loco Moco you’ll experience. Everything is amazing including the view.

We like the HAPPY HOURS in this area:

• Monkeypod from 3 – 6… you can expect to lineup from about 4 onward and definitely line up for dinner
• Humble Market Kitch’n at the Marriott …. Limited seating; be there at opening …. 5pm
• Matteo’s Italian in Wailea Town Center (just below the Marriott Residence Inn) has very good wine selection and excellent happy hr M-F 3-5pm Sat Sun 4-5pm
• Maui Brewing Co has become very popular
• Fabiani’s on Lipoa is popular (meals and happy hr) but happy hr only at the bar & generally dominated by locals in the know
• Maui Thai Bistro noted above, daily 4-6pm
• Ko Signature restaurant at the Kea Lani Fairmont in Wailea 5pm… good food value but $0 off beer / wine / drinks
• Nick’s Fish Market at the Kea Lani Fairmount in Wailea is also great for Happy Hour… beautiful setting and super cuisine