I am regularly asked about my favorite restaurants on Maui. In the past few years much has changed.
Cara's favorite breakfast places
- Beach Street ~ formerly the S&Q Shave Ice stand. Also has great shave ice.
- Maui Bread Co ~ we like to walk to this bakery, go early, it's small, and they sell out. Currently closed on Wednesdays.
- Kihei Caffe ~ this place is hugely popular for their big portions. Two Kihei locations ~ the original across from Kalama Park and one at the Maui Coast Hotel. They also have a Lahaina location for those staying on the West side!
Cara's favorite restaurants
- Gather on Maui (formerly Gannons) ~ my absolute favorite restaurant location, the view and ambiance is amazing. Note their happy hour menu. We go for lunch.
- Koa Brewery Bakery Cafe ~ Italian restaurant with amazing pizzas that at last count is still waiting for their liquor license (it's a Maui thing). Mom and Pop bakery and restaurant ~ the wife also does custom cakes that are to die for.
- Maui Brewing Company ~ for lunch and dinner. Fun ambiance, live music some evenings. Hugely popular. They also offer tours of their award-winning facility.
- Nalus South Shore Grill ~ I dream of their ahi club sandwich. It is just so good
- Fabianis ~ I love their X pizza. Do check out their dessert case, co-owner Michelle is a fantastic baker!
- Spoon and Key Market at Wailea Village
- Koiso Sushi Bar ~ tiny sushi bar with very limited seating in Kihei's Dolphin Plaza. Amazing traditional style sushi. You will need to make reservations weeks in advance.
- while not a restaurant, Island Gourmet Markets @ Shops at Wailea has a very nice take-out/deli section for picnics.
Food trucks have become hugely popular on Maui. There are two food truck areas in Kihei to check out
- South Maui Gardens ~ this is technically a plant nursery, but with food truck courts on both the North and South side (Blue Door Bakery is my fave on the South end, while Thai Me Up is fantastic on the North side). During the day, you can walk through the nursery, after-hours you'll have to walk on South Kihei Road to get from one end to the other.
- Maui Food Trucks of Kihei ~ tucked in behind Azeka Mall, close to where the Kihei Fourth Friday Town Parties take place.
Non-Kihei special mentions
- Tin Roof ~ take-out only. There is no shady place to sit, so pre-order and pay on their website for quick pick-up. The mochiko chicken is amazing.
- Cafe o Lei at the Tropical Plantation. Incredible ambiance, decent prices, and... they have a historic steam train engine in their bar. You have to go.
Best grocery stores
- Safeway ~ if you ever had a Safeway card, use your phone number, or the card in the condo. If you can't find it, use my phone number for the Safeway deals. They have $5 Friday deals.
- Hawaiian Moons ~ small natural/organic grocery store with a small take-out section. Make sure to grab the Pueo discount card (school fundraiser coupon card) from the condo for a 10% discount. Please return it to the condo for the next guest.
- Foodland ~ here too, sign up for a Foodland card/use the one in the condo, or use my phone number for the deals.
Cara's favorite restaurants ~ these are the ones that really count
I love desserts and treats. Truly love them.
- Ululani's ~ hands down the best shave ice on Maui
- Fabianis ~ love their dessert display case. The lilikoi meringue is a definite favorite
- Hula Cookies ~ they make ice cream sandwiches with your choice of their cookies and Roselani ice cream. So good
- Sugar Beach Bake Shop ~ I may have mentioned a time or two just how much I love sweets. Malasadas until 9AM.
- Momonas Bakery and Coffee Shop ~ I am willing to drive to Kahului for this
- Komodas ~ home-made malasadas, donuts etc. Arrive early (like between 7-8AM) for best selection, or pre-order for later pick-up.