Maui Travel Guide

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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 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 13668 reviewsTripAdvisor (13668)
    $$ | American, Hawaiian
    799 Poho Pl, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-9708
    Read More »
  • #2
    Flatbread Company
    #2 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 2362 reviewsTripAdvisor (2362)
    $ - $$ | Italian, American, Pizza
    89 Hana Hwy, Paia, Maui, HI 96779
    Read More »
  • #3
    Mana Foods
    #3 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 876 reviewsTripAdvisor (876)
    $ - $$ |
    49 Baldwin Ave, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-8607
    Read More »
  • #4
    Paia Gelato Company
    #4 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 398 reviewsTripAdvisor (398)
    $ | Cafe, Deli, Healthy
    99 'C' Hana Hwy, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-9745
    Read More »
  • #5
    Paia Bay Coffee Bar
    #5 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 312 reviewsTripAdvisor (312)
    $ | American, Cafe, Mediterranean, Healthy
    115 Hana Hwy Unit G., Paia, Maui, HI 96779-9745
    Read More »
  • #6
    Paia Fish Market
    #6 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 2396 reviewsTripAdvisor (2396)
    $ - $$ | American
    100 Baldwin Ave., Paia, Maui, HI 96779
    Read More »
  • #7
    Cafe des Amis
    #7 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 679 reviewsTripAdvisor (679)
    $ - $$ | Indian, Mediterranean, Cafe
    42 Baldwin Ave, Paia, Maui, HI 96779
    Read More »
  • #8
    nyloS
    #8 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 84 reviewsTripAdvisor (84)
    $$ | American
    115 Baldwin Ave Unit A, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-9647
    Read More »
  • #9
    Vana Paia
    #9 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 83 reviewsTripAdvisor (83)
    $ - $$ | American, Cafe, Japanese, Bar, Sushi, Pub
    93 Hana Hwy, Paia, Maui, HI 96779
    Read More »
  • #10
    Cafe Mambo
    #10 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 810 reviewsTripAdvisor (810)
    $ - $$ | American, Bar, Cafe, Hawaiian
    30 Baldwin Ave, Paia, Maui, HI 96779
    Read More »
  • #11
    Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice
    #11 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 71 reviewsTripAdvisor (71)
    $ - $$ | Hawaiian
    115A Hana Hwy, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-9745
    Read More »
  • #12
    Kuau Store
    #12 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 81 reviewsTripAdvisor (81)
    $ | Cafe
    701 Hana Hwy, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-9734
    Read More »
  • #13
    Milagro's
    #13 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4 based on 789 reviewsTripAdvisor (789)
    $ - $$ | Mexican, Southwestern
    3 Baldwin Ave, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-8607
    Read More »
  • #14
    Paia Bowls
    #14 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 5 based on 56 reviewsTripAdvisor (56)
    $ - $$ | Healthy, Cafe, Hawaiian
    43 Hana Hwy, Paia, Maui, HI 96779
    Read More »
  • #15
    Charley's Restaurant
    #15 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4 based on 1028 reviewsTripAdvisor (1028)
    $ - $$ | American, Bar, Pub
    142 Hana Hwy, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-9745
    Read More »
  • #16
    Rock & Brews
    #16 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4 based on 420 reviewsTripAdvisor (420)
    $ - $$ | American, Bar, Pub
    120 Hana Hwy Suites 10 & 11, Paia, Maui, HI 96779
    Read More »
  • #17
    Thai Spice
    #17 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 107 reviewsTripAdvisor (107)
    $ | Asian, Thai
    149 Hana Hwy, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-9745
    Read More »
  • #18
    Maka by Mana
    #18 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 103 reviewsTripAdvisor (103)
    $ - $$ | Fusion, American
    49 Baldwin Ave Inside Mana Foods, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-8607
    Read More »
  • #19
    Tobi's Shave Ice
    #19 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4.5 based on 120 reviewsTripAdvisor (120)
    $ | Hawaiian
    137 Hana Hwy, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-9745
    Read More »
  • #20
    The Hana Bay Picnic Co.
    #20 of 47 Places to Eat in Paia
    TripAdvisor Traveler Rating 4 based on 147 reviewsTripAdvisor (147)
    $ | American
    99 Hana Hwy, Paia, Maui, HI 96779-9745
    Read More »

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