The Working Travelers

Maui has a laidback, casual food scene with a few trendy spots here and there. But before I get into specifics of restaurants, I want to make a quick note about dining in Maui (and Hawaii in general). You can find all types of restaurants, from fast-casual to fine dining, but your best meals will come from roadside stands, trailers, and food trucks. Hawaii has such a strong street-food culture, and you would be remiss to miss out on that. Stay away from the large touristy seafood restaurants and instead opt for something like fish tacos from a food truck or poke from a grocery store’s cold bar (Foodland has some of the best poke on the island). You’ll also want to make sure you try a Maui gold pineapple while you’re there–they are the sweetest pineapples you’ll ever taste!

South Maui Fish Company: I love poke, and I was determined to find the best on the island. I did some research online and found South Maui Fish Company, a small trailer in Kihei serving up authentic poke. (This is where I got the recommendation for Charley Young Beach–it’s right near by). It’s fresh-caught and no-frills. I got the classic tuna poke over rice and it goes down in my book as the best meal I had on the island.

Kula Lodge & Restaurant: Kula Lodge is going to be my only touristy recommendation, and that’s only because it’s a must-stop for breakfast on the Haleakalā bike ride. If you do the sunrise bike tour, you’ll be able to get there early and hopefully beat the wait. Everyone’s lining up to try the restaurant’s famous macadamia pancakes with coconut syrup. They were indulgent, fluffy, and nutty, and the fresh coconut syrup made the dish feel like Hawaii in a bite. Get a pineapple wine mimosa to go with it and you’ll be on cloud nine. The restaurant also has a beautiful view and garden out back.

Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop: Go for the pies, stay for the lunch. This place was so good we went twice! Leoda’s is famous for its homemade pies (sold in full, minis, or slices) and also has a large lunch menu. The pie flavors are inspired by the island, including Olowalu Lime, Macnut Chocolate, Pineapple Mac Nut, and Coconut Cream. They are all good–you can’t go wrong. The lunch menu also features pies in a savory form. Options include pot pies or handheld pies–the savory corn with hibatchi sweet Kula corn, lime zest, cotija cheese, chives, and cilantro was my favorite and tasted like street corn in a pie!

Olowalu Juice Stand: Grab a smoothie or fresh-squeezed juice from this roadside truck. Tropical flavors include coconut, pineapple, dragonfruit, and papaya. It’s also located near a stand where you can buy fresh fruit.

Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread: Banana bread is a classic Maui dish and there are plenty of good places to get it on the island. Aunty Sandy’s, along the road to Hana in Keanae, has been making it for more than 30 years. The golden brown loaves were so moist and full of fresh banana flavor–the taste difference is obvious when bananas are growing right in the backyard. This bread is all about the bananas–no nuts or any other additions. (Honorable mention to Julia’s Banana Bread, which I wanted to go to but the road there is treacherous and our car was too big. Ha.)

Star Noodle: This was a recommendation I got from a friend in my hometown who goes to Maui all the time. This Asian and noodle restaurant is at the top of the list for foodies visiting Maui. It’s best enjoyed by ordering several dishes and sharing them with the table. Our favorites included the Vietnamese Crepe, Taro Dumplings, Lahaina Fried Soup (unlike any dish you’ve had before), and the Garlic Noodles. End with malasadas–Hawaii’s version of a fried donut. Be sure to make reservations in advance.

And here’s a fun tip: the word “ono” in Hawaiian means “delicious.” Ono, indeed!

For what to do in Maui, click here.

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