7 BEST FOOD & RESTAURANTS IN MAUI
When it comes to food, Maui is a true melting pot of variety of cuisines. With lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood you have the makings for some outstanding food options.
As I do with all trips, I keep a list of favorites and some that I saved for my next trip. Here is a list of some of our favorite food stalls/ food trucks, and restaurants scattered all over the island ranging from a casual shrimp truck to fine-dining restaurants.
MOKU ROOTS
Moku roots, Maui's only zero-waste vegetarian and vegan restaurant also supports local farms and food purveyors. It is a vegetarian/vegan cafe located in Laihaina town uses as many locally sourced ingredients from trusted local farms.
They create wonderful meat substitutes, like their taro patty and coconut bacon. Then, they combine all the right veggies, spices, and more to build a big flavor in every bite. We really enjoyed the taro fingers, their signature taro burger and the acai bowl which comes in a cute pineapple.
They always take a zero-waste approach to serving farm-to-table deliciousness and craft cocktails so if you are thinking of taking food to go, bringing your own to go containers is a must!
Insider Tips:
-Need to skip the wheat? Ask them to use gluten-free bread when ordering a sandwich. Or go with the lettuce wrap instead of a tortilla.
-When getting food to-go, there’s no good way to bring sauces with you. Their zero-waste philosophy means no sauce cups. So, you’ll have to go without unless you’d like the sauce put in a hollow avocado peel.
-Want to swing by for happy hour? Plan your visit for 3pm to 5pm Monday through Saturday. Sunday is all about serving up their delicious brunch, so no happy hour specials on that day.
Address: 335 Keawe St #211, Lahaina, Hawaii 96761
2. TINROOF
Open for lunch and dinner, Tinroof is a bustling local counter turning out pork belly bowls, garlic noodles & other Hawaiian comfort fare. Although they don’t have any seats for dining in, Tin Roof Maui eatery has a welcoming vibe and bright, airy aesthetic helping everyone feel right at home upon walking through the doors.
At the heart of the operations at Tin Roof Maui is Chef Sheldon Simeon who uses his Hilo, Hawaii, upbringing to handcraft memorable meals from start to finish. Driving the popularity of their Kahului eatery is their perfectly fried Pork Belly, flavorful Garlic Shrimp, and many other savory dishes including the poke bowl which was delicious! This is another of my favorite restaurants in Maui. Don’t miss the famous Chocolate birthday bibingka for dessert.
Insider Tips:
- While wholly delicious, their poke portions can be very big and filling.
- If you prefer brown rice instead of white, just ask or add that to the pre order with extra charge.
- You can also upgrade to kale or garlic noodles for extra charge
- Pay extra for their decadent 6 minute egg, it goes great with absolutely everything
- Try ordering online ahead of time if (it was a great option for our family landing in OGG around 4pm which was right about dinner time, we got to Tinroof and was able to quickly pick up our preorder and skip the long lines)
Address: 360 Papa Pl Ste 116, Kahului, Hawaii 96732
3. SOUTH MAUI GARDENS
South Maui Gardens is near Kalama Park in Kihei and it is technically a plant nursery that is home to over 500 species of tropical plants, but there is so much more. Tucked behind the Island Surf Building this place is a 7 acre space with food trucks, shops and plenty of shaded seating to take it all in. There is the Blue door bread and pizza, Kitoko food truck and Da green coffee shop on the right.
On Thursday mornings from 9-1pm there is an artisan market and on the second Saturday of every month they host live music.
We got here right after our whale watching just before lunch time, around 11am and it was pleasant with a few people, places starting to open up. So we grabbed coffee and snacks for the kids from Da Green coffee then took a walk around the nursery.
Then when Kitoko opened up we ordered our lunch and ate at the picnic tables near the koi pond which the kids loved.
Address: 35 Auhana Rd, Kihei, HI 96753
4. PAIA FISH MARKET
Paia Fish market has a cozy, casual atmosphere that is family-friendly restaurant with counter service. As the name suggests, this place specializes in fish that is just-caught, fresh-off-the-boat local seafood.
We ordered the fresh catch plate where we got to choose the type of fish we wanted (mahi mahi, ahi, snapper), how we want it prepared (grilled, sautéed, charbroiled, cajun-style), with a choice of sides (rice, cajun rice, home fries, or french fries).
Insider Tips:
-The town of Paia is very popular with visitors, which means parking can be a challenge. There is free public street parking along both the big intersecting streets, but it may be easier to pay a fee for parking behind the Paia fish market if the free public ones become full.
-Take your order to go and picnic-style at Lower Paia Park, this green space opens up to the beach and is only a five minute walk down the street from the restaurant. (great option for families with young kids)
Address: 100 Baldwin Ave Paia, HI 96779
5. GESTE SHRIMP TRUCK
On the way to the airport going back home we stopped by one of the oldest food trucks in Maui, Geste Shrimp. It is conveniently located right next to the airport so it would be a great option for those who are just arriving in Maui or leaving Maui to Kuhului airport.
Geste’s shrimp truck has a four star rating and serves fresh, juicy marinated shrimp, and is known for having some of the best garlic shrimp on the islands. They serve their shrimp four ways: hot & spicy, lemon pepper, Hawaiian scampi and Spicy Pineapple. Each dish comes half-pound shrimp, two scoops of rice and one dense ball of macaroni salad (great portion sizes).
Address: 591 Haleakala Hwy, Kahului, HI 96732
6. LEODAS PIE
A great sport that serves up some delicious comfort food, including sweet pies, savory hand pies, burgers, sandwiches, and even refreshing Maui mules. It’s a perfect pit stop of lunch while driving the west side of the island, and a great place to pick up baked goods and dessert to take back to the hotel.
Their menu items are made with local ingredients, and the pies are made fresh every day. Though we didn’t get to try any of their savory dishes, some of their most popular sandwiches are the seared ahi sandwich on grilled rye bread with caramelized onions and a homemade pesto sauce the reuben with corned beef made in-house, and the roasted turkey on hapa wheat bread with roast turkey.
This was a place we had to stop by again on our last day to the airport to bring some pies back home!
Address: 820 Olowalu Village Rd, Lahaina, HI 96761
7. Honoapiilani Farmers market
This is a great place for those rainy days to get vegetarian sandwiches, hot soups, burgers, smoothies and acai bowls. It’s like an indoors farmers market with fresh produce, locally made items, and food made to order.
We were staying close by to this farmers market so came by a few times to grab snacks, lunch, smoothies, fruits and milk & cereal. It is like a market and kitchen in one store.
Insiders Tips:
-Fresh papayas here are one of the best ones we have had!
-Keep this on your list for those rainy days and you need to get food/groceries. There are a few tables and chairs indoors for those who want to eat on the spot.
Address: 3636 Lower Honoapiilani Rd, Lahaina, HI 96761
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