Must Eats in Maui
I spent seven years of my childhood living in Hawaii, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. My husband and I take our kids there whenever we can, so it's become a happy place, a home away from home. As with all our family trips, immediately after booking a plane ticket and a hotel, I book restaurants! I love going back to old favorites but also exploring new ones - because you just never know when you're going to stumble upon a new "must eat" spot!
We recently spent a few weeks over the holidays in Maui and split our time between the Ka'anapali Beach area and the Wailea side of the island. When I returned, I had a number of requests for posting our favorite spots on the island, and here they are for you!
Best Breakfast Award…
Goes to Gazebo Restaurant at Napili Shores. It's a small, casual restaurant open only for breakfast and it's right on the ocean. Be prepared, there is always a line, any day of the week...but it's well worth the wait! There are two specials I highly recommend...The Fried Rice (you can order a half portion, it's still plenty to share and have leftovers!) and the Macadamia Nut Pancakes with Coconut Syrup (don't forget to add bananas!). Reasonably priced, delicious food!, beautiful open air views!
Best Shave Ice…
Ululani's Lahaina, they have a number of locations on the island. Every time our kids spot a shave ice place, we have to stop, so I sort of feel like we've tried them all. The perfect shave ice is refreshing, perfectly flavored with syrups and light and almost melts in your mouth like a cloud. Perfect on a hot day in Maui!
Best Date Night…
Merriman's Kapalua, hands down. Peter Merriman is one of my favorite Hawaiian chefs — his food is fresh, local, seasonal and every plate is phenomenal! Get there early to enjoy one of his famous Lilikoi Foam Mai Tai's at the bar, watch the sunset and enjoy the full panoramic views of the ocean. It's an incredible experience. Save room for dessert!
Best Burger…
We have two boys, so they are (sort of!) burger connoisseurs at this point. I only wish I could eat burgers as often as they do — there isn't a burger left untried anywhere in their path! That being said, best burger on the island goes to Cool Cat Cafe in Lahaina. They are perfectly seasoned and have a ton of creative options to choose from, yum!
Best Hawaiian Fusion…
This goes to a new restaurant in Wailea we just discovered on this trip, Lineage. Award winning chef Sheldon Simeon built the foundation and recently passed the reins to chef Mijin Toride. If you're looking for an amazing, reasonably priced ,but utterly delicious dining experience, check out Lineage! Chef Mijin has created some amazing dishes and the drinks are also very inventive and creative! If I were ever to suggest a dish to Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" it would be her Fried Chicken, which can be prepared with a sweet & spicy Korean glaze or with a Garlic Jalapeño sauce...we've tried them both, you can't go wrong! Whoever thinks ordering chicken in a restaurant is boring has not tried this chicken, trust me on this one. The Wagyu Short Ribs and Fried Rice are also personal faves!
Best Noodles & Ramen…
Star Noodle in Lahaina. This restaurant recently moved to the location on the ocean in Lahaina where Aloha Mixed Plate used to be. Everything, I repeat everything on the menu is fantastic! In fact, we couldn't decide, so we ordered family style and tried most things on the menu...The Spicy Chicken Wings, Ribs, Tempura Prawns, Poke & Avo, Pork Buns (don't skip these), Pad Thai, Garlic Noodles and all of the Ramen dishes are amazing!
Best Happy Hour/Mai Tai…
In Hawaii, the famed Mai Tai deserves it's own category. Our kids may be burger connoisseurs, my husband and I are Mai Tai connoisseurs! I need to give this to MonkeyPod which is a more casual restaurant, also from chef Peter Merriman. There are locations in Wailea as well as in Whaler's Village, Ka'anapali Beach. It's the same Mai Tai I mentioned above from Merriman's, there's something about that Lilikoi Foam that really sets it over the edge. Get there for Happy Hour at 3:30, have a few cocktails, flatbread pizzas, chicken wings with tzatziki sauce and watch the sunset!
Best Sushi…
Japengo, located in the Hyatt Regency in Ka'anapali. Delicious, fresh sushi, beautifully prepared and amazing views to boot! I've heard they also have an amazing Happy Hour, but we haven't made it there for that yet....gotta save something for the next visit!