Top 30 Places for Local Food on Maui

Nalu’s has both indoor and outdoor seating. They also hold some events throughout the week, including music nights with a few of Maui’s most talented folks. They’re open seven days a week, so any meal can be enjoyed on any day at this Maui local food place.

The menu at Nalu’s is a blend of local fare and healthy favorites. They serve their Loco Moco and Chicken & Waffles all day long, and they’re both just incredible! The breakfast menu offers up some great traditional options like eggs and omelets. They have quite a few more tasty items like Island Pancakes (with a citrus-rum syrup), Acai Bowls, and Ahi Benedicts.

The Lunch & Dinner menu is full of delicious plates no matter your dietary preferences. We love their Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad, the Kalbi Chicken Wrap, all of the burgers, and the fresh fish plates. Everything is ono here.

There are two more reasons that we love Nalu’s so much. They have a great kid’s menu, and they source most of their ingredients from local farms and vendors on Maui and the rest of Hawaii. Supporting locals and serving aloha on a plate deserves five stars for sure!

Make sure that you try the Dry Mein at Sam Sato’s. It’s one of the most popular items on their menu. In case you don’t know, Dry Mein is like Lo Mein, but with dry noodles paired with char siu pork, bean sprouts, green onions, dash, and shoyu. Complete with Sam Sato’s famous seasoning, it’s mouth-wateringly good. Some must-order items at Sam Sato’s are the Dry Mein, Chow Fun, Teriyaki Beef Sticks, Plate Lunches, Kimchi, and the Sweet Lima Manju for dessert.

This is one historically famous eatery to enjoy some local food while you are on Maui!

Plan to get here early as the doors close when the bakery sells out. Some all-time faves at the Komoda Bakery are the Glazed Stick Donuts, Strawberry Doughnuts, the Chocolate & Vanilla Cream Doughnut, Cream Puffs, and the Guava Malasadas.

This place is an Upcountry Maui institution! Trust us, a stop in to Komoda Bakery on your vacation is an epic chance both for your taste buds and for learning more about the history of Maui.

Some other tempting items on the menu are the Shrimp Pupu plate, Jumbo Hot Dog Plate, Shrimp Bowls, and much more. If someone in your group doesn’t eat seafood, don’t worry! There are still quite a few meals here for them to love. If you’re having a beach party or are looking for larger plates, reach out to the Geste crew ahead of time and order the Party Platter. It’s the perfect dish to bring to a pot-luck or to enjoy with your family, with 60 pieces of shrimp of any style served over cabbage.

Geste Shrimp truck in Kahului is one of the tastiest options to try when you want to explore some island flavors. They’re open 7 days a week and they close when they sell out, so make sure to get there on the early side!

The family still grows and processes the same pesticide-free, organic Arabica coffee strains that were first cultivated by their great-grandparents on Maui. Whether you’re just hanging out in Keokea or are driving to or from the back road to Hana, make sure to plan for a stop at Grandma’s Coffee House. Fill up your belly, enjoy some caffeine, and revel in the gorgeous upcountry view from their terrace.

The coffee and the espresso drinks are good and strong, and the baked goods and desserts are sinfully delicious. Lunch is always a good choice here at Grandma’s Maui Coffee Shop. They have such great daily specials like the spinach lasagna, paniolo pork chops, meatloaf, fresh fish plates, and more. They also have a perfect selection of sandwiches, soups, and salads. This local Maui spot provides both indoor and outdoor seating.

Grandma’s is always a great idea no matter if you’re just stopping by or plan to stay for a meal.

At Saigon Cafe, you can expect some friendly service with a touch of aloha, and a bounty of flavor-filled dishes. There are just so many tasty options on the menu here. They include various phởs and soups, rice and noodle dishes, clay pots, cold salads, fresh seafood, and meat dishes.

Some favorites at Saigon Cafe in Wailuku are the Garden Delight Rolls, Green Papaya Salad with Shrimp, and Whole Steamed Opakapaka. There is also the Chicken Curry Stew, Mahi Mahi in a Clay Pot, Saigon Egg Noodle Soup, and the Vietnamese Steak. No matter what you choose at this Central Maui spot, you will no doubt be pleased.

Plan to pull over for lunch at the Ulupalakua Ranch Store and Grill while on your way out to the Ulupalakua Maui Winery. Frequented mainly by locals, this Upcountry ranch store has some special menu items that are sparsely found throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Two of the most popular burgers here are the famous Ulupalakua Elk Burger and the Maui Cattle Company Beef Burger. Some fave dishes are the Hot Roasted Kalua Pig served on a fresh torta roll, and Uncle Mike’s Steak Chili & Rice Bowl. The plate lunches are just to die for too, our favorite of which being the Hamburger Steak. It comes served with Kona Coffee Gravy and Roasted Garlic Aioli, with your choice of beef, elk, or lamb.

At the Ulupalakua Ranch Store and Grill, guests can put their minds at ease, as all of the meats served here are 100% all-natural island grazed. They also do not use growth hormones or add artificial ingredients.

There are just so many great dishes here at Tasty Crust. Some fan favorites are the Chopped Steak, Loco Moco, Korean Pork Ribs, and the Extra Crispy Chicken. There is also the Saimin, Won Ton Min, Chow Fun, Chinese Chicken Salad, and a variety of sandwiches, burgers, and salads. The menu goes on and on!

Inspired by his upbringing in Hilo on the Big Island, Sheldon has created his recipes and polished them to perfection. His vision is to offer families affordable comfort food made with aloha and from high quality, locally sourced ingredients.

You must try the Mochiko Chicken Bowl. It’s easily the most delicious dish in the house. It is made from chicken thighs that are marinated overnight in ginger sake shoyu, breaded with sweet mochiko batter, and then deep-fried not once but twice. This makes the chicken nice and crispy on the outside and extra juicy inside. It’s served with your choice of white or brown rice, kale, or Chef Sheldon’s own famous garlic noodles. Add a one-minute egg to the top to push this dish right over the top.

All of the dishes except the poke bowls come served with a side of salted cabbage. There are so many mouth-watering dishes to try here, like the garlic shrimp, chopped steak, and the fresh poke bowl of the day. Most items on the menu have a gluten-free version that is available upon request.

It’s a good idea to get here before the crowd hits for lunch. This is not just to beat the long line, but because they tend to sell out of their more popular items early.

There are many Hawaiian fish featured throughout the menu here at Coconut’s. They have Opakapaka (Crimson Snapper), Ahi (Yellowfin Tuna), Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish), and Ono (Wahoo). On top of the super great food here, guests will love how fun this family-friendly Maui restaurant is. They have such a laid-back, beachy interior and a warm and friendly staff.

Coconut’s has a wide array of Fish Tacos that you just have to try, including their famous Taco Mountain. Some more favorites on their menu are the Coconut Shrimp, any of their Fishburgers, the Seafood Caesar Salad, and the Local Style Fish served with brown rice. Boom!

Maui Azeka Plaza

Maui Kamaole Plaza

Kahului Food Truck

The braised beef ribs are a must-have. They are so tender that they literally melt in your mouth, and they’re served with a creamy mac salad and a scoop of rice. The coconut shrimp is amazing too, as it comes served with a delicious sweet and sour aioli. Last but not least, the pork adobo fried rice will no doubt keep you coming back for more.

Breakfast here is excellent as well! The banana macadamia nut pancakes are so light and fluffy, and are served up with warm coconut syrup. You’ll want to ask for extra syrup because it is just so tasty! The perfect pairing to these is the short rib hash served over rice with gravy and eggs cooked your way.

Joey’s kitchen is a great spot to pick up some tasty, local style comfort food for the whole family without breaking the bank.

As it is the perfect place for a casual date night or a group celebration, guests always enjoy eating at Sansei on Maui. They have award-winning menu items like the Panko Crusted Ahi Sashimi Sushi Roll, Mango Crab Salad Roll, and the Dungeness Crab Ramen with Asian Truffle Broth. We also love Sansei’s Shrimp Dynamite! It is a crispy tempura shrimp tossed with some creamy garlic Masago aioli and drizzled with an unagi glaze.

With such a lively atmosphere, a delicious menu, and a staff full of aloha, Sansei on Maui should not be missed!

Sansei Kihei
(Kukui Mall)

Sansei Kapalua
(Kapalua Resort)

Guests can eat inside, or dine outside under the covered lanai. They can also grab some take-out for a great family beach picnic. Some of the most popular Hawaiian fish used throughout the menu here are the Ono, Ahi, and Marlin.

Our favorite thing to get here is the super yummy Fish Burger. It is served with tomatoes, shoyu caramelized onions, and shredded lettuce on an onion roll. We also love the Fish Burritos, the Crab Cake Sandwich, Oyster Shooters, and the Ceviche. The Seafood Chowder and Lobster Bisque come served in a bread bowl and are both to die for.

The Fish Market also offers sushi rolls throughout the week. They are made with fresh-caught Ono, Walu, Scallops, Swordfish, Opakapaka, Onaga, Mahi Mahi, Marlin, Uku, Lobster, and more.

All of the sandwiches at Ba-Le are served on their famous French bread rolls. Our absolute favorite is the Chicken Lemongrass Sandwich. If you go to Ba-Le, you MUST try it out. As the locals would say, “this sando is broke da mouth,” and they aren’t kidding!

Some other top choices here are the Fried Egg Rolls, Pad-Nam Noodles with Chicken, Char Siu Saimin, Fried Rice with Shrimp & Spam, and the Beef Teriyaki. Ba-Le Sandwich Shops on Maui also offer catering. Make sure to grab some freshly baked bread and a Taro or Mango Tapioca Pearl Drink on your way out…shoots!

It doesn’t matter which one you choose. You will still be left thinking about it for the rest of the day and will wonder about the others that you left untasted. Although all of the pies are delicious, the banana cream and chocolate haupia are at the top of our list for must-try pies.

They also serve some great salads, burgers, and sandwiches here but let’s get back to the pies. Make sure that you try one of the savory pies. We love the delicious little handheld pies stuffed with sweet Kula corn, Cotija cheese, chives, and a little lime zest. Of course, they have the classic turkey pot pie with tons of turkey and delicious gravy, as well as carrots, onion, and potatoes. They also have their own twist on the chicken pot pie with tender chicken breast, peas, carrots, and kale.

Heed our warning and beware: once you stop here, you may find yourself back for at least one more pie before you leave Maui. Lucky for you, they are open seven days a week.

The top choices for breakfast here are the Southern Style Sausage Gravy and Biscuits (homemade biscuits), and their Pork Fried Rice and Scrambled Eggs. Don’t forget their Pancakes with a choice of buttermilk, banana macadamia nut, pineapple coconut, blueberry, or chocolate chip. They also serve lunch with a selection of sandwiches, salads, and tasty burgers with all the trimmings, including a slice of fresh Maui pineapple.

Now, Maui locals and visitors can also enjoy Kihei Caffe in West Maui. Both locations are open seven days a week.

Kihei

Lahaina

‘Ohana owned, and ‘ohana managed, Kalei’s is the real deal. It’s owned and operated by Chef Aaron Heath, previously of Cafe 808 in Kula. If you have ever wondered what happened to that place, wonder no more as they came back with a bang! The menus at each Kalei’s Lunch Box are similar but not 100% the same. That’s why you must dine at all three locations to get the full picture.

In our opinion, the breakfast and plate lunches are where it’s at when you eat at Kalei’s. Some yummy breakfast items are the Loco Moco, an all-day breakfast sandwich, omelets, waffles, buttermilk pancakes, and much more. If you still haven’t tried Spam or Portuguese sausage, definitely order a side here.

All of the Plate Lunches here are just mouth-watering. We love the Asian Crusted Mahi, Chicken Katsu, and Smoke Meat Plate. The Kalbi Ribs are amazing and are served with a special housemade sauce that has you lingering for more. If you love a Philly cheesesteak, make sure to try either the Classic Cheesesteak sandwich or the Surf & Turf Cheesesteak at Kalei’s. They will have you booking your next flight to Maui in no time.

Maui Food Truck

Maui Lani Restaurant

Pukalani Restaurant

If you’re headed out on the Road to Hana, Kuau Store is right before you get to Mama’s Fish House. It’s just a quick 2-minute drive to Ho’okipa Beach Park.

The store has a counter for indoor seating and a picnic table outside. They have a small but well-curated selection of groceries and a deli with some freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, pasta, and ahi poke. For vegans and vegetarians, Kuau Store also sells a variety of plant-based foods and cold-pressed juices.

Kuau Store is also a great place to find some Maui souvenirs. They have t-shirts, hats, greeting cards, and water bottles for sale. Guests can also find Maui-made products like local honey, coconut water, coffee, and reef-safe sunscreen.

Kuau Store is a great local spot to visit on Maui’s North Shore. The staff here is so friendly, and the food is just delicious. It’s the best place to grab to-go items when you want to beach hop and adventure through Maui.

The menu at Tiffany’s is huge and full of top-notch plates. It boasts page after page of Asian-infused local fare, leaving you dreaming about your order and wanting to try it all. If you would like a chicken plate, you can have it your way at Tiffany’s. There are lots of tasty options like Korean Chicken, Katsu Chicken, BBQ Chicken, Spicy Chicken Wings, Mochiko Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, and more. They also have so many yummy seafood dishes. The Spicy Squid Stir Fry, Shrimp Tempura, and Misoyaki Butterfish are our top choices.

Tiffany’s is open seven days a week and they have a late-night menu. If you enjoy old-school mom-and-pop-style restaurants, this place will steal your heart. Enjoy!

All of their poke bowls come with a generous portion of Ahi, and your choice of brown or white rice on top of a crispy bed of romaine. Then, the bowls are topped with some wonton strips and a sprinkle of furikake (dried seaweed with spices and sesame seeds). So ono!

The only downside to this awesome North Shore Maui local food spot is that these poke bowls are so popular and they sell out quickly. It’s a good idea to stop by for an early lunch. This is a great chance to try some of their top choices. They have a lime-cooked Ahi ceviche with coconut milk that is to die for. They also have the perfect acai bowl, and some delicious plate lunch specials.

At Tobi’s you’ll also find that the Shoyu Chicken is just so flavorful, moist, and juicy! There’s no dry chicken here at this local food joint!

Don’t forget to try out their shave ice with all of the fixings. Some top choices are the mochi ball in the center and the sweet condensed cream drizzle on top.

Right in the heart of Paia Town, this is a great spot to just sit outside, enjoy some ono local food, and some great people-watching.

Items like the Teishoku Trays and the variety of bento are super popular picks here. The Salmon Teriyaki is another favorite. The Chicken Katsu has a unique feel that sets it apart from most versions of this classic Hawaiian dish. You should definitely try it out! The quality of food here is top-notch, and they have very reasonable prices for a traditional Japanese mom-and-pop-style restaurant.

If you would like to try Japanese food done Hawaiian-style, make sure that you check out Tokyo Tei. It’s so fabulous!

This West Maui gem has received rave reviews for just about everything on its menu. Guests just love their pupus (appetizers), burgers, sandwiches, and plate lunches. Some popular items here are the Lemon Caper Mahi Mahi, Teriyaki Beef, Korean BBQ Chicken, and the Mahi Mahi and Ono Sandwiches.

The Okazuya Deli has a kid’s menu and rotating lunch and dinner specials. If you’re with a large group or are looking for catering in West Maui, Honokowai Okazuya & Deli is a great choice.

So, what should you order at L&L Hawaiian BBQ?

Obviously, the BBQ Chicken and the BBQ Beef are great choices. They both come served with a heaping scoop each of white rice and Mac salad, so you’ll be in local food bliss in no time. Some more notable items on the L&L menu are the burgers served with crinkle fries, the Garlic Shrimp plates, Loco Moco, and the Kalua Pork with Cabbage. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why is SPAM® so popular in Hawaii?,” try out the SPAM® Musubi or the SPAM® Saimin and you will learn in no time at all.

On Maui, you’ll find four L&L Hawaiian BBQ locations. Two are in Kahului, one is in Kihei, and one is in West Maui. No matter where you are in Hawaii, you can be sure that there will be an L&L BBQ nearby.

Queen Kaahumanu Center

Kahului

Kihei

Honokowai

Mama’s is the perfect alternative to Maui’s high-priced restaurants and fast food spots, for both locals and guests to the island. Mama’s is a no-frills, Maui-soul-food kind of place. Everything here is so tasty, authentic, and freshly made. You won’t find manufactured flavors here.

Stop in to Mama’s to recharge after a beach session, or give them a call for some takeout on your way home for the night. It’s low-key and quaint with a few picnic tables for you to quietly enjoy your meal.

Napili Plaza

So, you might be asking, what is Boba? Boba refers to a pretty large category of drinks to come here from Asia. Originally from Taiwan, “Boba” is another word for bubble tea, tapioca pearl tea, or tapioca milk drinks. Sometimes you’ll find tapioca pearls, or there will be small pieces of fruit. Sometimes, they are made with both!

At Boba Bar Paia, guests can choose from a fresh and creative assortment of refreshing drinks. Some top choices are the Butterfly Boba Tea, Espresso Boba, Strawberry Bobas, and much more.

Next time you’re cruising in Paia, visiting the North Shore beaches, or headed towards Hana for the day, make sure that you make a pit stop at Boba Bar Paia. Check out their daily specials and grab a cool drink for the road!