Maui Specialties

Restaurants

Recipes

Hawaiian Fish on the Menu

Maui Specialties

`Original Maui Kitch'n Cook'd Potato Chips - Very Ono! Unfortunately, they closed up shop in 2022. So sad! We could go through an entire bag before we get to the check-out counter at Star Market! We used to get a minimum of 2.

Taro Chips - Hawaiian Chip Company Original Flavor Taro Chips Sometimes available at Napili Market, Long's, farmer's markets. Our replacement for Maui Potato Chips - and much better for you.   POG - The Official Drink of Hawaii What is POG? It's a rich and sweet mixture of passion fruit juice, orange juice and guava juice. You can find it everywhere on the islands. It was created in 1971 by a food product consultant named Mary Soon who worked for Haleakala Dairy on Maui. We buy it by the gallon at Costco (or any grocery store) and drink it for breakfast, lunch and dinner (with rum for an island mai tai).   POG - Mainland version of POG If you are craving POG after you return home, you can pick up a can of this from the frozen juice section of most grocery stores (Safeway, Lucky's, Whole Foods). It's not quite the same but it will do in a pinch with your favorite rum!

`Our Favorite Restaurants

Ratings:     ***** Excellent     ****Very Good     ***Food's okay to good - we go mainly for the atmosphere

Our philosophy is, while we are on Maui, why not eat where you can enjoy the beautiful ocean views. There are so many good restaurants with ocean views.

If you are going for dinner, try to make reservations for 30 - 45 minutes before sunset.

COVID UPDATE - Due to COVID, most of the most popular restaurants are now requiring reservations. For some you may need to call (or reserve through Open Table) 2-4 months in advance to find a seating around sunset.

Kimo's***** Front St., Lāhainā - right on the water

(Destroyed by the fire) This is probably our all-time favorite. Good food and a wonderful view! At sunset they light the tiki torches. The bar is right on the water - great mai tais, pupus and Hula Pie - on the expensive side but worth it. (We prefer to have pupus and mai tais in the bar for dinner with the water at our feet.) They have entertainment on the bar level most nights. The main restaurant is upstairs, open to the water with a view of Lanai, however, most of the tables do not have much of a view.

Hula Grill **** In Whaler's Village on Kā'anapali - right off the beach. This is probably our second favorite restaurant. Eat in the outside Barefoot Bar with your toes in the sand. Like Kimo's, great food. The view is nice but it's across the path from the water. You can order from the Barefoot Bar menu or the full restaurant menu. They have nightly entertainment. Go at sunset. They make great Mai Tai's and Hula Pie. It is run by the same company (TS Restaurants) as Kimo's. Leilani's, just across from Hula Grill, is also a TS Restaurant.

Kitchen 5315 & Tiki Bar**** 5315 Lower Honoapi'ilani Rd., Napili Bay 808-442-3700 - Located at Napili Shores right next to Napili Surf, where we stay. Looks over the Koi Pond and garden. I'll try anything that's called a Tiki Bar! The food is excellent. We like the Poke Bowl and Kalua Pork Quesadilla. Their My Mai Tai is one of the best. Their Tiki Bar can get a little loud so if you are concerned, ask for a table away from it.

Cheeseburger in Paradise *** Front St., Lāhainā – (Destroyed by the fire) Go to the upstairs bar for the best view. Cheeseburgers are okay but the view is great. So-so entertainment upstairs evenings.

Cliff Dive Grill **** At the Sheraton on Kā`anapali Beach. We loved the Kalua pork taco. The Mahi mahi taco is also excellent. It's a great place to watch the torch lighting and the cliff dive at Black Rock at sunset. Also, hula dancing. At sunset, as a lei-bedecked young man lights torches throughout the hotel, a narrator takes you back in time to the 18th century, when Maui’s King Kahekili proved his courage and prowess by making numerous dives from the adjacent 40-foot promontory called Pu’u Keka’a (Black Rock). After a dancer performs an ancient hula, he climbs Pu’u Keka’a, tosses his lei into the waves as an offering to the kupuna (ancestors) and, recalling Kahekili’s feats, dives into the ocean with sunset as a beautiful backdrop.

Maui Brewing Company (was HuiHui) Part of the Outrigger Kā'anapali Beach Hotel - 2525 Kā‘anapali Parkway, on the beachfront of Kā‘anapali Beach Hotel. (808) 667-0124 Daily Entertainment 2:00pm-5:00 pm at the bar. Nightly Performances 5:30-8:30 pm with hula dancers from 6:30pm-7:30pm on the patio. Great ocean view. We even saw the torch lighting and diving off of the Sheraton's Black Rock from the patio area. We had a wonderful Monchong (fish) in a light coconut sauce with pohole (fiddle ferns).

Star Noodle - 1285 Front St, Lāhainā, 808-667-5400 - (Suffered major damage in the fire. Temporarily closed.)This location used to be Aloha Mixed Plate. It's on the water, next to, and owned by the Old Lahaina Luau's owner, Michael Miller. We had Garlic Fried Noodles, Lahaina Fried Soup (large noodles, bean sprouts), and crème brûlée. I enjoyed it, Jim didn't care for it.

BREAKFAST

The Gazebo at Outrigger Napili Shores ***** 5315 Lower Honoapi'ilani Rd 808-669-5621

Drop dead view and Ono breakfast! Beautiful view of Lana'i and Moloka'i - and whales early in the year. Their Macadamia Nut pancakes with coconut syrup are the best!! We order the pancakes, a Big Kahuna Omelet (bacon, Portuguese sausage, onion, mushroom, avocado, pepper jack cheese), and fried rice (with meats, veggies, scramble eggs - the best on Maui!), and have enough for breakfast then take the leftovers with us for 2 more breakfasts back at the condo!! (You can call 808-669-5621 after 8 AM for take-out.)

Breakfast and lunch 7:30 am - 2 pm. Unfortunately, lots of folks know and love The Gazebo. The line forms early!! We get there before 6:45 to make the first seating. They have coffee available while you wait and it's always fun to share travel stories with the folks around you.

BEST LUAU

Old Lāhainā Lūʻau *****(808) 667-1998

(Damaged by the fire - hopes to reopen March8, 2024) Around $230/person now!! If you've never been to a luau and you are willing to pay dearly for the experience, this one is wonderful. It's right on the water - great traditional food, beautiful sunset and entertainment. Go early to wander and see the imu and poi making before dinner.

BEST TAKE OUTS

Honokowai Okazuya and Deli ***** 3600 Lower Honoapi'ilani Road.

Open 10 AM to 9 PM, closed Sundays. 665-0512 (they take phone orders – the waits can be long). Best buy on the island! It’s mainly a take-out - very limited seating. The original owner was a chef at Mama's and they have kept the same recipes!!! Great prices and great food. You get an entrée, rice and veggies or macaroni salad for $15 - $20. The portions are large - we often share a dinner. Our favorite entrées are Mahi Mahi Lemon Caper Mushrooms, Thai Chili Salmon, Blackened Ahi, or the day's fish special. This is a great alternative if you're tired of eating out but don't want to cook. We pick the food up, go back to our condo, make mai tais and enjoy the sunset and dinner on the lanai or beach. They are CLOSED SUNDAYS and accept CASH ONLY, so plan accordingly.

Fish Market***** 3600 Lower Honoapi'ilani Rd #H1 808-665-9895

This is where we fell in love with Poke. Their fish is super fresh, caught fresh daily. They offer fresh fish fillets ready to take home and grill with marinades, preparations, and cooking tips or, they can cook it up for you. As you walk in, the left counter is where you can order sandwiches, tacos (very ono), soup, and such. They are known for their Ahi and Ono burgers. The right counter is their fresh fish counter. We love to take out ahi poke (medium spicy - they make it to your liking), fish/shrimp ceviche and Ocean (AKA Seaweed) salad. If you want poke, best to get there before 1 PM. They often run early.

China Boat - 4474 Lower Honoapi'ilani Rd, Lāhainā - north of Kā’anapali - 808-669-5089 Chinese take-out – others have recommended it but we haven’t tried it. Their hot and sour soup is highly recommended.

FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Mama's Fish House *****

In Pā'ia - 20 minutes east of the airport – one hour drive from Ka'anapali. A Maui legend. Great innovative food and decor, on the water - on the expensive side. Lunch prices are more affordable. Their ceviches and Lilikoi Crème Brûlée are wonderful. In the last few years, we touch down on Maui, we fetch our bags, pick up our car, and head straight from the airport to Mama's for lunch. Great way to start your stay in Paradise.

Pacific ’O ***** 505 Front St., Lāhainā,  667-4341 (Destroyed by the fire) Our favorite for the "Last Night on Maui celebration/farewell dinner." Right on the beach. Fabulous view of Lana'i. Make reservations for about 1 hour before sunset! (End of May the sun sets between Lana'i and Moloka'i.) The food is very fresh and very innovative! The Feast of Lele Luau is next door and you may hear their Hawaiian music.

Merriman's - Kapalua**** One Bay Club Place, Lāhainā, On Kapalua Bay

On the point between Napili Bay and Kapalua Bay, overlooking Moloka'i. Great view of Moloka'i and sunset. This was our favorite "Last Night There" restaurant. - I have recently discovered that Merriman's menu is now prix fixe at $120/person.

RESTAURANTS WE'D LIKE TO VIST SOON - THANKS TO ALL OF THE FANTASTIC REVIEWS

Māla Tavern - Patio right on the water.

Hali'imaile General Store - 900 Hali'imaile Rd., Makawao, 808-572-2666 - It's in Makawao, away from the water, thus we've never visited, but have heard wonderful things. It's always one of the highest rated restaurants on Maui.

Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman - Whaler's Village, Kā'anapali, 808-878-6763 Some of the same dishes as Merriman's Kapalua but less expensive.

Merriman's delicious Mai Tai with Liliko'i Foam

There are many, many more restaurants that we haven't tried (usually because they aren't on the water). I'm sure some are wonderful. These are our favorites that we return to over and over again.

On Hawaii - The loveliest fleet of islands that lies anchored in any ocean - MarkTwain

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Recipes

We tend to eat at home every few nights to save our stomachs, waistlines and budget. We love to BBQ at sunset with a mai tai in hand then dine on the lanai - or bring home takeout from Okazuya or the Fish Market.

Here are some quick, easy, and tropical ideas.

"POG Tai" - our favorite Mai Tai and very simple

POG juice (Passion, Orange and Guava juices - when at home, buy the concentrate at any grocery store in the frozen orange juice section)
Hana Bay Rum (or Bacardi)
Triple Sec - optional (we don't bother)
Float Meyers Rum on top for a special treat
Pour proportions to taste!!! Garnish with a slice of pineapple - and maybe an umbrella!!

Pineapple Boat Pupus (that's Hawaiian for appetizer)

1 ripe pineapple
1 can mandarin orange slices or tangerine slices
1 jar maraschino cherries, fresh raspberries, or small strawberries
Package of toothpicks

Cut pineapple into quarters lengthwise through the crown, using a sharp knife. Remove core from each quarter. Then cut between shell and fruit, separating fruit from the shell in one piece. Leaving fruit in place, cut into 5-7 crosswise pieces then down middle to make 10-14 bite sized pieces (depending on the size of the pineapple). Cut the pineapple flesh away from the rind.

On a toothpick, spear a cherry/raspberry/strawberry, then a mandarin orange section and through one of the pineapple sections into the pineapple rind to keep it in place.

Easy Crab Toast Pupus

1 pkg. Imitation crab or fishcake (kamaboko)
1 cup each grated cheddar & mozzarella cheeses
1 stalk green onion chopped finely
3 heaping Tbsp Mayonnaise
1 French bread cut in half lengthwise

Mix all of these ingredients together in a large bowl. Spread mixture onto sliced French bread and bake in the oven or under broiler until cheese melts and bread browns. Remove from oven and slice into bite-size servings.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Dip

1 large whipped or softened Phili cream cheese pkg.
1 small can of crushed Dole Pineapple in syrup (not heavy syrup)
Mix it, sprinkle the top with chives and cayenne pepper
Top with toasted Macadamia nuts
Serve with a bag of Hawaiian Luau BBQ Kettle Chips

Mai Tai Steak - our all-time favorite

This now requires some planning ahead 

Great to do on the BBQ while sipping a mai tai and watching the sunset!!! (I bring small baggies of cornstarch and the meat marinade from home.)

1 ½ to 2 lb. flank steak
2/3 cup pineapple juice
2 tablespoons Rum
1 tablespoon Soy Sauce

1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/2 teaspoon Ground Mustard
2 teaspoons Minced Onions
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4 teaspoon Ground Pepper Black
1 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Paprika

I combine all of the dry ingredients at home and take them with us.

In a shallow pan, thoroughly blend all but the flank steak. Place the flank steak in the marinade. Pierce all surfaces thoroughly and deeply with a fork. Marinade 15-30 minutes turning several times. Remove from marinade; drain, reserving remaining marinade for mai tai sauce.

BBQ or broil for 5-8 minutes each side turning once. Transfer steak to a carving board; carve meat into thin, diagonal slices.

Sauce for Mai Tai Steak

Place the remaining marinade in a saucepan.

Add:
3/4 cup pineapple juice
1 tablespoon rum
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Blend well. Bring sauce to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 5 min. Serve hot over sliced flank steak.

I serve it with wild rice and sugar peas - see recipe below.

Teriyaki Chicken

Your favorite chicken parts skinned - thighs, breasts, legs
Marinate in Veri Veri Teriyaki (or Kikkoman Teriyaki Sauce) for 1 hour or more.
BBQ.
Serve with rice and salad.

Sugar Peas

1 lb. sugar or snow peas - cleaned
15 button mushroom cleaned and sliced in half
½ yellow onion - sliced
1 garlic clove minced
Salt & Pepper to taste

Sauté garlic. Add mushrooms and onion and cook 3 minutes.
Add snow peas and cook a few more minutes leaving them al dente. Season to taste.

Pineapple Side Dishes

Brush a little oil on both sides of fresh pineapple slices. Place them on the grill. Grill a few minutes on each side.

- or -

Using bamboo skewers (soaked in water about 30 min.), alternately skewer chunks of pineapple, red & orange bell pepper, and onion chunks. Brush with a little olive oil. BBQ a few minutes on each side.

Mango and Avocado Salad

1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 mangos, cubed
2 avocados, cubed
½ small red onion, diced
Hawaiian salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Lettuce/arugula (optional)

In a large serving bowl, whisk together vinegar, lime juice, salt and pepper to taste. Slowly whisk in oil. Toss in mangoes, avocado and red onion until coated. Serve immediately. (You may want to serve over lettuce or arugula.)

Ahi Poke - or go to the Fish Market

This is a very basic recipe for ahi poke, but our favorite. The simpler the better!  

1 lb. Ahi (yellow fin tuna, sashimi grade) cut into ½ inch cubes
½ cup Aloha Shoyu
2 tablespoons sesame oil (Trader Joe's)
¼ cup green onion, sliced diagonally
¼ + cup Maui onion, minced (optional)
2 teaspoons Sambal Oeleck chili paste
2 teaspoons Wasabi
Hawaiian salt/sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper to taste (you may not need any)
Optional – cubed avocado

Combine all ingredients, except ahi, avocado and onions, in a bowl. Mix well. Taste and make adjustments then chill. Add ahi, avocado, and onions just before serving. Garnish the ahi with more green onion, thinly sliced onions and/or toasted sesame seeds if you like. Serves 4 or more

Serve with Tortilla chips. Good for a dinner with kimchi, white rice, bok choy

Polynesian Ceviche (Poisson Cru) - because of the number of ingredients, you might want to wait until you return home.

¼ lb. sashimi grade Ahi (cut into ½ inch cubes)
1 juiced lime
Handful Celery - cut diagonally in ½ in. pieces
Handful Persian Cucumber - diced
Handful Green onions cut diagonally
Cilantro (not too much)
Jalapeno pepper - minced for some zest
½ c. Coconut cream (milk)

Sea salt - it takes more than you think - taste test.

Place the ahi into a bowl. Pour the lime juice over.
Add all the other ingredients. Gently mix well. Taste for salt and pepper. Add more if needed.
Serve in clam shell, wooden or clear bowl placed on a ti or banana leaf.
Garnish with cilantro or green onion.

Hawaiian Fish on the Menu

Ahi
In Hawaiian the word Ahi means “fire”. While being hand lined aboard the Hawaiians’ canoes, the fish would make fierce runs causing the line to smoke where it rubbed against the wooden canoe. Ahi is of the tuna species and is delightfully delicious when quick broiled and served with a teriyaki or ginger sauce or just sliced and eaten raw as sashimi or in poke.

Mahi-mahi
A true favorite among seafood lovers world-wide. Mahi-mahi often gather in schools and are found throughout the Pacific. This fish is a moist, flaky, mildly flavored, sweet light pink flesh that when cooked turns white. It is delicious when baked with macadamia nuts and topped with white wine and lemon butter. Or just plain off the BBQ!!!

Ono
Ono means good to eat in Hawaiian. Also known as Wahoo, this is a white, flaky, delicate, sweet, lean fish that has gained popularity in restaurants in recent years as chefs have looked for a substitute for Mahi-mahi. Ono is delicious when quick broiled and topped with lime butter or lemon caper butter.

Onaga
Long-Tail Red Snapper is often caught from depths of over 1,000 feet. Onaga is the premium of snappers and a local favorite.

Opakapaka
Pink Snapper from the deep sea. Opakapaka fillets are moist and delicious.

Ulua
Also known as Pompano or, when under 12 pounds, as Papio. Ulua can be caught by rod and reel from shore and are the most sought-after inshore fish in Hawaii. It has has firm, dense, slightly oily meat.