Here’s me optimistically posting about how not to have to cook Thanksgiving Dinner, but…. I’ll be smoking ribs for friends and family this Thanksgiving. We already had a turkey for Canadian Thanksgiving last month, so we’re mixing it up a little.
When YOU are here on Maui for Thanksgiving, you may not want to cook up a whole dinner (though you could). You may indeed prefer to hang at the beach or go on some other Maui adventure. If you aren’t cooking, do plan ahead. Some family-run restaurants will be closed for the holiday, others will be reservations only. Some are completely sold out already.
Here are some ideas.
Order take-out
The cheapest option is to pre-order your dinner from Safeway or Foodland and pick it up ready to eat on the condo’s lanai or picnic-style in a beach park. If you are staying in Kihei or Wailea, the zip code is 96753 (make sure you order from the correct store location). Whole Foods in Kahului is also offering pre-made turkey dinners (order by November 22)
Thanksgiving buffet dinners.
Various restaurants offer buffet or prix fixe options. You will want to reserve your table as soon as possible as they do sell out.
Gannons ~ my favorite Maui restaurant (for the view) is hosting a buffet dinner with seatings between 2-7pm.
Ekolu Kitchen 1279 ~ located in Azeka Plaza. I’ve heard many good things about this place, but have never eaten here.
Humuhumunukunukuapua’a at the Grand Wailea ~ they are offering both a prix fixe Thanksgiving menu and their regular menu
Ka’ana Kitchen at the Andaz (Wailea) ~ prix fixe Thanksgiving menu
Hali’imaile Restaurant (in upcountry Hali’imaile) ~ this is a sister restaurant to Gannons
Pint and Cork (Shops at Wailea) ~ on Thanksgiving day they are opening early at 11:30 for the Giants/Cowboys game and will be serving a special Thanksgiving plate until they run out. Kitchen closes at 8pm, bar at 10pm
I would also check out the Cafe o’Lei family of restaurants to see what they are doing (I’m not seeing any posts on their website or social media). They have Cafe o’Lei and Ami Ami in Kihei and then Cafe o’Lei at the Mill House at the Maui Tropical Plantation.
Thanksgiving luau or Thanksgiving dinner cruise
Luaus and dinner cruises might be sold out for this year, but something to think about for next year’s Maui trip! Here is a blog I wrote about Maui’s luaus for more luau information.
What if you want to cook?
If you are staying at one of our Maui Oceanview Condos, you absolutely could whip up a full turkey dinner. The kitchens are well-equipped for cooking regular meals, though for a turkey feast you may want to pack a baster, meat thermometer and some poultry seasoning. Grab a cheap roaster at the grocery store where you buy your turkey (currently there are turkeys at Costco, Safeway and Foodland).
My favorite Thanksgiving dinner
My favorite Maui way to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner is to have an imu-roasted turkey. You do need to be in the know and have connections for that, and sadly this year I was not able to secure an imu ticket. I blogged about our imu turkey a few years ago. It was honestly the best experience!
Looking for some holiday events to make your Maui trip a little more festive? Check out my 2022 holiday events blog!
