OT: Maui Lunch/Dinner Recommendations | The Boneyard

OT: Maui Lunch/Dinner Recommendations

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BookEnd2014

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Hi Huskies! My family and I are going to Maui in March. We are staying in Lahaina at the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas. Would love any recommendations for lunch or dinner in the area. Any other general suggestions or recommendations also welcome! This will be our first time in Hawaii. TIA!
 
For lunch, try Fish Market Maui. It's tiny place but good fresh fish at a reasonable price. Plan to take it out as there are only a couple small tables on the sidewalk.

Funky place in the Times Market plaza called Java Jazz is good for breakfast/brunch.

There were several really good places in downtown Lahaina, but I have no idea what has been rebuilt or offering the same things.

For a big expensive dinner, you can't beat Mama's Fish House, but you will have to book reservations now and your selection of times will be limited. Great food but very pricey. Still one of the best meals I've ever had. It's on the other side of the airport from Lahaina just past Paia, but worth the drive.

If you drive out to Kihei, Nalu's South Shore Grill is really good. The Black and Blue Ahi Benedict is my favorite thing there.

And of course there are food trucks everywhere. Just start googling the ones you see to find the best ones.
 
jleves said:
For lunch, try Fish Market Maui. It's tiny place but good fresh fish at a reasonable price. Plan to take it out as there are only a couple small tables on the sidewalk.

Funky place in the Times Market plaza called Java Jazz is good for breakfast/brunch.

There were several really good places in downtown Lahaina, but I have no idea what has been rebuilt or offering the same things.

For a big expensive dinner, you can't beat Mama's Fish House, but you will have to book reservations now and your selection of times will be limited. Great food but very pricey. Still one of the best meals I've ever had. It's on the other side of the airport from Lahaina just past Paia, but worth the drive.

If you drive out to Kihei, Nalu's South Shore Grill is really good. The Black and Blue Ahi Benedict is my favorite thing there.

And of course there are food trucks everywhere. Just start googling the ones you see to find the best ones.
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Don’t leave without going to Mama’s Fish House, a truly memorable experience. Also consider lunch or early dinner because the views over the water with surfers and windsurfers is outstanding, an experience you miss during nighttime.
 
Merriman’s in Kapalua
Leilani’s in Whalers Village—good for happy hour and/or dinner
Plantation House—awesome spot for a fancy night out with your significant other.
 
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Baltic said:
Don’t leave without going to Mama’s Fish House, a truly memorable experience. Also consider lunch or early dinner because the views over the water with surfers and windsurfers is outstanding, an experience you miss during nighttime.
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Shoot for sunset. It's spectacular.
 
Don't do the drive to Hana yourself, book a driver. Several hundred hairpin turns and you spend more time driving than looking at scenery. We loved the food trucks everywhere but I have no idea if they are still in business after the fire.
 
jleves said:
For lunch, try Fish Market Maui. It's tiny place but good fresh fish at a reasonable price. Plan to take it out as there are only a couple small tables on the sidewalk.

Funky place in the Times Market plaza called Java Jazz is good for breakfast/brunch.

There were several really good places in downtown Lahaina, but I have no idea what has been rebuilt or offering the same things.

For a big expensive dinner, you can't beat Mama's Fish House, but you will have to book reservations now and your selection of times will be limited. Great food but very pricey. Still one of the best meals I've ever had. It's on the other side of the airport from Lahaina just past Paia, but worth the drive.

If you drive out to Kihei, Nalu's South Shore Grill is really good. The Black and Blue Ahi Benedict is my favorite thing there.

And of course there are food trucks everywhere. Just start googling the ones you see to find the best ones.
Expand ...

Mama’s looks amazing. Added to my notes.
 
Edward Sargent said:
Don't do the drive to Hana yourself, book a driver. Several hundred hairpin turns and you spend more time driving than looking at scenery. We loved the food trucks everywhere but I have no idea if they are still in business after the fire.
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You can absolutely drive if yourself. Start at Mile 0 before 9am and you'll be fine.

 
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BookEnd2014 said:
Hi Huskies! My family and I are going to Maui in March. We are staying in Lahaina at the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas. Would love any recommendations for lunch or dinner in the area. Any other general suggestions or recommendations also welcome! This will be our first time in Hawaii. TIA!
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A couple of quick short hikes near Lahaina are Dragons Teeth in Kapalua and the blow hole a little north of Kapalua. Don't go in sandals, sneakers are a must. And depending on the weather, a jacket or wind breaker would be a good choice for the blow hole. It gets windy there. There's also a family often selling banana bread at the parking lot for the blow hole. Expensive bread, but tasty and a good thing supporting local families.
 
You’ve had some great recommendations in this thread already, and I figured I’d add my 2 cents as I lived on Maui for 3 years (lived Kihei; worked in Lahaina/Kapalua/Napili). I also had my honeymoon in Maui and stayed in Kapalua.

Dinner: 1. Mama’s, 2. Merrimans, 3. Plantation House, 4. Fred’s Mexican Cafe (if a Tuesday), 5. Royal Lahaina Luau (@ Royal Lahaina Resort)
Lunch: 1. Da Kitchen, 2. Fred’s, 3. Aloha Mixed Plate, 4. Plantation House

Dinner: Mama’s will require a LONG drive at night (think 45-60 minutes at least). Merrimans was our favorite dinner of our honeymoon (I never went as a resident because I lived south side). Plantation house is close. Fred’s is also a long drive but have an incredibly popular taco Tuesday that will involve waiting for a table. I always thought Royal Lahaina’s luau was best and I’ve been to all of them.
Lunch: Da Kitchen is the best by a mile. I ate here and Fred’s more than anywhere as a resident. There will likely be a line for take out and seating. Aloha mixed plate will be close to you. I very regularly purchased poke bowls from delis in Lahaina and ate at the beach on lunch breaks from work. Those types of items are usually always fresh.

Island activities: if sunrises are your thing, by all means go to Haleakalā, but I have always thought it was overrated and am willing to die on that hill haha. You also have to go so out of your way for just the sunrise….. but again, if that’s your thing then yes it would be worth it. I worked quite a bit in Makawao and Kula and it is not as catering to tourist stuff either.
1. Hana - Go, go EARLY (like leave Lahaina at 6am) make a day out if it because you will need the whole day. It has kind of become overcrowded, but I don’t want to deter you from going. It was so much more crowded on my honeymoon than it ever was when I lived there. It’s still so worth it. Drive it yourself and do not do a tour so you can go your own pace. If you want a Word document of every mile marker of the Hana Hwy just message me. I made one I pass along to anyone going to Maui for vacation.
2. Snorkel at Honolua Bay in Kapalua. My favorite snorkeling spot on the entire island and it will be close to you. I’d even go twice since it’s close. Go early as it starts to get crowded by lunch. Again I have mile markers described as you sort of just start to see some cars parked in the side of the road and it walk a bit through trees.
3. Cliff jump at Black Rock. Again you are right there in Kaanapali so might as well. I always liked stand up paddling here too so if you are a beginner rent some boards it’s a decent beginner spot (not great for any surfing though). If you have kids this is also a good spot. Waves can be tough at times for kids (and adults - make sure not to try jumping over the wave when getting in); if you go a little closer to black rock it’s easier to get in.
4. Fleming Beach - if you have kids this is a good kids beach that will be close. It’s near the Ritz and the Kapalua golf course (the one pga event is on)
 
Halloween said:
Dukes Beach House. Save room for Hula pie.
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Duke's Beach House is located in the next resort up from the Westin, in the Honua Kai resort Fun place, great waterfront location. Actually had a Thanksgiving dinner there when I went down for the Maui Classic in 2016.

Of course Mama's is the go to place in Maui, Merriman's is excellent also. I was a passenger on the road to Hana, glad I wasn't driving!
 
Merriman's is outstanding. One of the best ocean views. Peter Merriman also owns Monkeypod Kitchen in Whaler's Village which is also good but more casual.

Hali'imaile General Store in the Upcountry is also very good and is one of our favorites. It's about a 45 minute drive from Lahaina.

There was restaurant called Macdangdang which was really good and moderately priced but I think it is temporarily closed. the chef/owner also owns Joey's Kitchen (two locations). I can only assume they are also very good.

Roy's in Kaanapali was very disappointing, definitely not up to par compared to his other restaurants.

The beach at Black Rock in front of the Sheraton is one of the nicer spots on kaanapali. If you go to the far north end, you will be swimming up close with turtles and all kinds of fish. If you are not into snorkeling, this is a great chance to see sea life. The water is relatively clear.

I would definitely do the road to Hana. It is winding but worth it. Plan on 3 - 4 hours each way. Stop in Paia at one of the delis for a box lunch to take with you.

Haleakala is a must do.

Iao Needle is also a nice.

The views at Ho'okipa Beach are amazing. One of the top windsurfing spots in the world.
 
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