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What to Eat in Maui
Maui is quickly earning a reputation as a foodie destination: The island's restaurant scene is as diverse as its visitors with restaurants serving food from around the world. But as long as you're here, you may as well get a taste of the local cuisine.
Like the rest of America, Maui is on board with the local food movement – here, you'll find plates piled high with freshly caught fish and regional produce. To find these ingredients prepared in the island way, you'll want to stray from resort-heavy areas and head to towns like Lahaina, Kihei and Paia, which are home to popular restaurants like Paia Fish Market, Mama's Fish House, Merriman's, Star Noodle, Lahaina Grill and Nalu's – a few traveler favorites. The farther you get from Maui's resorts, the more local mom and pop joints you'll find. These local outposts serve such specialties as pork roasted in banana leaves, poi (ground taro root) and haupia, a creamy coconut custard. If you're not quite sure where to start your culinary tour, ask some local residents for recommendations.
One very popular – and economical – way to get your fill of Hawaiian cuisine is to eat big around noon. Many local eateries served what's called a "plate lunch," which comes piled high with some sort of protein (usually beef, pork or fish), rice and/or macaroni salad and some sort of pickled vegetable. This tradition formed on the sugar plantations, where workers would gather for lunch and share their food. Today, it's common to see residents and visitors alike chowing down on the mountainous servings dished out by plate lunch restaurants and stands.
Another way to cut down on restaurant tabs is to munch on farmers market finds for breakfast and lunch. In addition to the fresh produce, you'll also find ready-made meals, including acai bowls and macaroni salad. Go Hawaii offers a guide to all of Maui's farmers markets on its website. Fruit stands selling smoothies and juices are also a common sight, especially on the Road to Hana.
Find the Best Restaurants in Maui
- #1
Mama's Fish House#1 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia
$$ | American, Hawaiian799 Poho Pl, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-9708Read More » - #2
Mana Foods#2 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #3
Flatbread Company#3 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #4
Paia Gelato Company#4 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #5
Paia Bay Coffee & Bar#5 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #6
Paia Fish Market#6 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #7
Cafe des Amis#7 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #8
Cafe Mambo#8 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #9
nyloS#9 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia
$$ | American115 Baldwin Ave Unit A, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-9647Read More » - #10
Vana Paia#10 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #11
Kuau Store#11 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #12
Milagro's#12 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia
$ - $$ | Mexican, Southwestern3 Baldwin Ave, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-8607Read More » - #13
Charley's Restaurant#13 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #14
Paia Bowls#14 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #15
Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice#15 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #16
Rock & Brews#16 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #17
Thai Spice#17 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #18
Maka by Mana#18 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #19
Tobi's Shave Ice#19 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia - #20
The Hana Bay Picnic Co.#20 of 44 Places to Eat in Paia
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