12 Best Restaurants in Maui: The Top Restaurants in West Maui
Maui is one of my favorite vacation destinations in the United States. I’ve grown up going every few years, and the beautiful island continue to pull me back. Maui is the perfect destination for relaxing, adventuring, and indulging. One of my favorite things to do in Maui is try all of the restaurants serving local and international cuisine. There are many amazing restaurants and it can be hard to decide where to eat. This list of the best West Maui restaurants will break down where to eat in Maui for any occasion.
Below, I’ll share where to eat in the Wailea, Kaanapali, Kihei, and Hana areas of Maui. The restaurants on this list range from food trucks to fine dining establishments.
There are great places to go for a casual lunch or a special occasion. Keep reading to learn where to eat in Maui, and try to not get hungry.
For more information on planning a vacation to Maui, read my complete guide that shares where to stay, what to do, and other travel tips.
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Note – Some of these restaurants were impacted by the devastating Lahaina wildfires. Check the restaurant’s websites prior to your visit.
The Best Restaurants West Maui – Wailea
1. Nicks Fishmarket
Best Maui restaurant for… date night
Location: Fairmont Kea Lani Wailea
Cuisine: Seafood
Nick’s Fishmarket is one of my favorite restaurants in Maui. It is a high-end restaurant with great service, delicious food, and a great happy hour. One of the luxury dining options at the Fairmont Kea Lani, Nicks is great for a date night or celebration, even if that celebration is just about being on a great vacation.
I recommend ordering one of their delicious seafood dishes such as the scallops or catch of the day. The seafood is super fresh and prepared with delicate attention to detail. If you are not a seafood person, the filet mignon is also a great choice.
Be sure to end the meal with the tableside flaming strawberries. The experience is fun, and the dessert is tasty and fresh.
The ambiance is high-end without feeling stuffy. The restaurant has white tablecloths and the servers wear ties, but it is casual enough to bring kids or wear a sundress.
The restaurant also has a great view of the resort grounds and the nightly torch lighting ceremony.
2. Ko
Best Maui restaurant for… seafood foodies
Location: Fairmont Kea Lani Wailea
Cuisine: Fine Dining Asian
Ko is another one of the Fairmont Maui restaurants and is consistently ranked one of the best restaurants in Maui. This fine dining seafood restaurant is perfect for all foodies.
I have not yet tried this restaurant but if it is anything like the other Fairmont Kea Lani restaurants, you are in for a treat.
The food has an Asian twist with options like seafood lau lau, Korean braised short rib, lemongrass-coconut fresh catch.
Since Ko has an adventurous menu, it is more suited towards foodies, not children or picky eaters.
3. Tommy Bahama
Best Maui restaurant for… family dinner
Location: Shops at Wailea
Cuisine: Tropical American
Tommy Bahama is affiliated with the well-known clothing brand and attached to the store in the shops at Wailea. This is a national chain that consistently offers fresh and tasty food.
This is one of my favorite restaurants near Fairmont Kea Lani, or Wailea in general.
I would consider the cuisine “tropical American” as they showcase tropical favorites like pineapple, macadamia nuts, and seafood.
Some of the star dishes are the “world famous” coconut shrimp, the mahi mahi and the pina colada mojito. The tasty food, approachable menu and casual atmosphere make this a great stop for a family dinner.
As a bonus, I have heard that Adam Sandler frequents the Wailea location.
4. Bistro Molokini
Best Maui restaurant for… when you do not have a reservation
Location: Grand Wailea
Cuisine: Casual Bistro
Bistro Molokini is a highly underrated restaurant at the Grand Wailea. Many restaurants in Maui require a reservation far ahead of time. However, Bistro Molokini is typically easy to get into.
This restaurant is in the middle of the Grand Wailea property, overlooking the pool. The food is classic American with menu items like roasted chicken, pasta, flatbreads, and steaks.
The food is great, the view is beautiful, and this is a great option for an easy dinner.
5. Humble Market Kitchen
Best Maui restaurant for… sunset views
Location: Wailea Beach Resort
Cuisine: Asian-Fusion
I tried Humble Market Kitchen for the first time on my most recent trip and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of this restaurant.
The Humble Market Kitchen is located at the Wailea Beach Resort and is now one of my favorite restaurants in Maui. This is definitely one of the best restaurants near the Fairmont Kea Lani, where we usually stay.
The cuisine is Asian-fusion, and all the food is excellent. I knew I was in for a good meal when the complimentary edamame was the best I have ever tasted. To start, be sure to order one of their unique cocktails such as the lychee Collins.
For your meal, the beef short ribs, shrimp scampi and catch of the day are all excellent options. For dessert, you cannot go wrong with the pineapple upside down cake or the chocolate soufflé.
In addition to amazing food, the views at Humble Market Kitchen are amazing. The restaurant is perched on a hill, with great views of the beach and ocean.
If you dine at sunset, you will be treated to one of the best sunset views in Maui.
6. Monkeypod Kitchen
Best Maui restaurant for… drinks and apps
Location: Wailea
Cuisine: Small plates, bar food
Monkeypod Kitchen comes highly rated, but I have not yet tried this restaurant. Monkeypod is known for having great drinks and small bites. This is a great spot for before dinner drinks and apps. Monkeypod kitchen is also known for great happy hour specials.
The Best Restaurants in Maui Kaanapali
7. Longhi’s
Best Maui restaurant for… Italian food with a twist
Location: Kaanapali
Cuisine: Italian
Longhi’s is a great spot for Italian food with a local flair.
The restaurant has a great, open patio area and a large bar. The restaurant has classic black and white checkered floors and bistro style furniture.
The cuisine at Longhi’s is Italian but they feature local ingredients like mahi and other seafood. You cannot go wrong with any of their pastas or entrée dishes.
8. Kimo’s
Best Maui restaurant for… a tasty Mai Tai
Location: Lahaina Old Town
Cuisine: Casual American
Kimo’s is a great, casual restaurant in Lahaina Old Town. It is a great stop for lunch in Lahaina and has one of the best Mai Tais. The cocktails are served in a tiki glass that is oh so “insta-worthy”.
In addition to the drinks, the location is perfect with the deck overlooking the Lahaina bay. This Lahaina grill is a great option for families as well since they have a good kids menu and large tables.
9. Cheeseburger in Paradise
Best Maui restaurant for… lunch in Lahaina
Location: Lahaina Old Town
Cuisine: Casual American
Cheeseburger in Paradise is another great place for lunch in Lahaina. This waterfront restaurant serves up tasty burgers and other casual bites. Be sure to try one of the burgers, a fun cocktail and delicious fries.
Something that makes Cheeseburger in Paradise a great Maui restaurant is the fun ambiance and décor. Modeled after the famous Jimmy Buffet song, this restaurant has great, tropical décor.
Best Restaurants in Kihei Maui
10. Maui Brewing Co
Best Maui restaurant for… a great beer
Location: Kihei
Cuisine: American
Maui Brewing Company is a great local brewery and restaurant. The restaurant portion is attached to the brewhouse where the Maui beer is made.
The restaurant consists of a large indoor warehouse, spacious outdoor patio and a lawn with picnic tables and outdoor games.
Maui Brewing is great for families and large groups since it is so spacious. They have 20+ beers on tap and many delicious food options. I enjoyed the sour beer and a large flatbread pizza.
Some other great choices are the burgers, salads, and IPA’s. If you enjoy the beer, you can find it served at most local restaurants.
Restaurants in East Maui
11. Mamas Fish House
Best Maui restaurant for… fresh fish
Location: Paia
Cuisine: Local Seafood
My biggest Maui travel regret is not visiting Mama’s Fish House. This local treasure is often regarded as the best restaurant in Maui. Mama’s serves the best local seafood from the Paia fish market in an elegant, yet casual, way.
The seafood is fresh caught, and the menu changes daily based on availability. If you want to snag a coveted reservation here, be sure to get a reservation at least six months ahead of time.
12. Braddah Hutts
Best Maui restaurant for… local Hawaiian barbecue
Location: Hana
Cuisine: Hawaiian Barbecue
Braddah Hutts is the most casual of the Maui restaurants on this list but is one of my favorites. It is a food truck located in Hana town, conveniently at the end of the road to Hana.
They serve fresh-made Hawaiian barbeque dishes like barbecue chicken and kalua pork. Each dish is paired with Hawaiian macaroni salad and white rice.
This food truck with a white canopy and plastic tables does not look like much, but trust me, it is absolutely delicious. It is also a great way to support local businesses.
The Top Foodie Experience in Maui
If you have made it this far in this guide to the best restaurants in Maui, I assume you’re a bit of a foodie. To experience local cuisine and customs, I highly recommend visiting the Mokapu Farm-to-Table Luau at the Andaz resort in Maui.
There are two reasons to visit this luau. The first reason is that a luau is a quintessential tourist activity in Maui. You can learn about the local culture through stories and dancing.
The second reason to visit this luau specifically, is the focus on great food. Most luaus serve bland, buffet-style food that leaves a lot to be desired. This Farm-to-Table luau prioritizes good food, made with local ingredients, served family style.
Map of the Best West Maui Restaurants
Summary of the Best Restaurants in Maui
Overall, you cannot go wrong with choosing a restaurant in Maui. This list of the best restaurants in Maui is just a start to all the great options that this Hawaiian island has to offer. Be sure to reference this list for which place to visit in each location.
If you are having a hard time choosing from this list, here are my top three choices of where to eat in west Maui:
- Best Casual Restaurant – Braddah Hutts
- Best High-End Restaurant – Nicks Fish Market
- Best Restaurant View – Kimo’s
Mama’s Fish House would be my top choice if we were discussing where to eat in east Maui, but that’s a different conversation.
If you enjoyed this list or have other recommendations, please leave a comment below. Happy eating!
FAQ – West Maui Restaurants
West Maui includes the popular tourist towns of Lahaina, Kapalua, and Ka’anapali. There are many attractions to see in West Maui such as Honolua Bay, which is well known for its snorkeling and diving; Kahekili Beach Park which offers stunning views of Molokai and Lanai; and Iao Valley State Park which has been called “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.”
In addition to these sights, West Maui also features some of the best restaurants in Hawaii, along with charming shopping districts filled with locally made items and souvenirs.
West Maui is an excellent choice for a getaway! With beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and exciting activities like snorkeling, paddle boarding, and hiking, it’s the perfect place to unwind and explore. Plus, the area has many options for dining and shopping that will make your vacation even more enjoyable.
Food in Maui is expensive because the island is only accessible by boat or plane, so prices rise due to transportation costs. Tourism also plays a big role in food prices on the island since resorts have higher budget requirements for their meals. Additionally, ingredients must be imported from the mainland since there isn’t much local agriculture in Maui.
Related Posts
- Complete Maui Travel Guide
- Guide To Staying In Wailea Maui
- Fairmont Kea Lani Villas And Resort Review
- Complete One Day Road to Hana Guide
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