Last edit by: FlyinHawaiian
Moderator's Note: Sadly, due to COVID-19, many of the restaurants listed in this thread are no longer in business. Please check online to determine a restaurant's current status. We will retire this thread and start a new one once conditions stabilize.
Mahalo,
FlyinHawaiian, Co-Moderator
Hawaii (Travel) Forum
Mahalo,
FlyinHawaiian, Co-Moderator
Hawaii (Travel) Forum
Consolidated "Maui Restaurants" Thread
#361
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
The Sea House in Napili has an awesome Happy Hour. Get there early. Great calamari!!!!!!!!! http://seahousemaui.com/
#362
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
Also, Gannon's was the big disappointment. We love Hali'imaile General Store, so expected to love Gannon's. The food was ok, but the service was abysmally slow, and it was eerily dead there. I don't know if that's normal, but it surprised us and I don't think we'd be likely to go back unless we heard something had changed. Were they just having an off night?
#363
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MDW/ORD and the late lamented Meigs Field...
Programs: UA 1MM Premier 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium/ LT
Posts: 1,229
Pacific'o v. Mama's
I've been bemused by all the enthusiasm for Mama's, not just on Flyer Talk. We've gone several times with guests who selected it as an "occasion" dinner, and don't understand the excitement, but our guests were pleased, and they did make a nice big deal of son's first anniversary.
Anyone willing to spend that money and looking for an occasion dinner -- try Pacific'o. It faces west, unlike Mama's, so there are awesome sunsets. Much more intimate feeling than Mama's. There are some tables right on the beach, and the rest are on a veranda raised 8 feet from the beach.
But it's the food that sets Pacific'o way above Mama's. Far more inventive and exciting. As much local as they can grow themselves or source, and you can taste it in the greens and other vegetables. Great drinks, reasonable wine list (knowledgeable staff), desserts good but not the focus.
We had fish (seared ahi and an interesting plate of tempura-battered sushi with ahi, hamachi and maguro roe), but I heard someone at the next table marveling over their spring lamb with the maitre d'.
We shared a starter and salad. Two entrees, two desserts, coffee, good bottle of wine and after-dinner drinks: $220. Additional starter and salad would have added about $30. I felt ripped off at Mama's, but not here. (Leftovers for lunch!)
Anyone willing to spend that money and looking for an occasion dinner -- try Pacific'o. It faces west, unlike Mama's, so there are awesome sunsets. Much more intimate feeling than Mama's. There are some tables right on the beach, and the rest are on a veranda raised 8 feet from the beach.
But it's the food that sets Pacific'o way above Mama's. Far more inventive and exciting. As much local as they can grow themselves or source, and you can taste it in the greens and other vegetables. Great drinks, reasonable wine list (knowledgeable staff), desserts good but not the focus.
We had fish (seared ahi and an interesting plate of tempura-battered sushi with ahi, hamachi and maguro roe), but I heard someone at the next table marveling over their spring lamb with the maitre d'.
We shared a starter and salad. Two entrees, two desserts, coffee, good bottle of wine and after-dinner drinks: $220. Additional starter and salad would have added about $30. I felt ripped off at Mama's, but not here. (Leftovers for lunch!)
Last edited by lskohn; Mar 15, 2015 at 3:46 pm
#364
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Maui OGG Hoity-Toityville
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Marriott Rewards Silver,United Miles plus Hawaiian Air AirTran SWA
Posts: 579
Consolidated "Maui Restaurants" Thread
Joe's Bar and Grill in Wailea has closed
Being remodeled into a "Latin Themed " restaurant
Also Paia FishMarket had opened a second location in Kihei, across from Kalama park
In the Shack location ( old Alexander's and recently maui tacos locations)
Being remodeled into a "Latin Themed " restaurant
Also Paia FishMarket had opened a second location in Kihei, across from Kalama park
In the Shack location ( old Alexander's and recently maui tacos locations)
#365
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
I've been bemused by all the enthusiasm for Mama's, not just on Flyer Talk. We've gone several times with guests who selected it as an "occasion" dinner, and don't understand the excitement, but our guests were pleased, and they did make a nice big deal of son's first anniversary.
Anyone willing to spend that money and looking for an occasion dinner -- try Pacific'o. It faces west, unlike Mama's, so there are awesome sunsets. Much more intimate feeling than Mama's. There are some tables right on the beach, and the rest are on a veranda raised 8 feet from the beach.
But it's the food that sets Pacific'o way above Mama's. Far more inventive and exciting. As much local as they can grow themselves or source, and you can taste it in the greens and other vegetables. Great drinks, reasonable wine list (knowledgeable staff), desserts good but not the focus.
We had fish (seared ahi and an interesting plate of tempura-battered sushi with ahi, hamachi and maguro roe), but I heard someone at the next table marveling over their spring lamb with the maitre d'.
We shared a starter and salad. Two entrees, two desserts, coffee, good bottle of wine and after-dinner drinks: $220. Additional starter and salad would have added about $30. I felt ripped off at Mama's, but not here. (Leftovers for lunch!)
Anyone willing to spend that money and looking for an occasion dinner -- try Pacific'o. It faces west, unlike Mama's, so there are awesome sunsets. Much more intimate feeling than Mama's. There are some tables right on the beach, and the rest are on a veranda raised 8 feet from the beach.
But it's the food that sets Pacific'o way above Mama's. Far more inventive and exciting. As much local as they can grow themselves or source, and you can taste it in the greens and other vegetables. Great drinks, reasonable wine list (knowledgeable staff), desserts good but not the focus.
We had fish (seared ahi and an interesting plate of tempura-battered sushi with ahi, hamachi and maguro roe), but I heard someone at the next table marveling over their spring lamb with the maitre d'.
We shared a starter and salad. Two entrees, two desserts, coffee, good bottle of wine and after-dinner drinks: $220. Additional starter and salad would have added about $30. I felt ripped off at Mama's, but not here. (Leftovers for lunch!)
But Yelp & TripAdvisor readers don't agree with you. They both have a number of fine dining rest. (Lahaina Grill, Mama's, Merriman's, etc) rated higher than Pacific'O. But I appreciate your review and will try it on my next trip. Mahalo.
Last edited by philemer; Mar 25, 2015 at 3:24 pm
#366
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Maui, HI
Posts: 135
The Sea House in Napili has an awesome Happy Hour. Get there early. Great calamari!!!!!!!!! http://seahousemaui.com/
For people wanting other places on Maui, we've eaten at a lot, but here are some others you might not know about.
Da Kitchen........think of Aloha Mixed Plate but where the locals actually go...two locations.
Monkeypod.......good food, good service, in the Kihei area
Hula Grill.........good at happy hour and the barefoot bar
Kimo's..........awesome service, awesome food, original Hula pie....must try!
Longhi's Steakhouse.....best view in Lahaina....awesome steak and seafood and service, we make it a must visit every year too
Cool Cats.....best burger in Maui like 10 years running......VERY good
Fleetwoods.....food is pretty good, go on a Tuesday/Wednesday and you'll probably see Mick Fleetwood....we went on a Wednesday and he was there, came over to our table and said hello
Merrimans....went here the night our friends got married. The service was spectacular, the food was great, loved it too.
#367
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
The big negative, IMHO, to Longhi's in Lahaina is that it sits mauka and on a very busy corner, Front St. and Papalaua St. Yes, you can see the ocean across the street but watch out for the exhaust fumes & noise from the cars/buses.
#368
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3,445
Surprised not to see any recommendations for Star Noodle. IMHO, the most interesting restaurant in Lahaina, and quite reasonably priced by Maui standards.
Not a place for a celebratory dinner, as it's a small place and very busy, but a real place foodies can appreciate. it's up on the hill away from the center of town and the shoreline, but worth the trip if you've got a car.
Not a place for a celebratory dinner, as it's a small place and very busy, but a real place foodies can appreciate. it's up on the hill away from the center of town and the shoreline, but worth the trip if you've got a car.
#369
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SNA
Posts: 410
I thought Star Noodle was ok, but not amazing. I don't regret going, but I also don't think I'll go back next time we're on the island.
#370
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Maui OGG Hoity-Toityville
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Marriott Rewards Silver,United Miles plus Hawaiian Air AirTran SWA
Posts: 579
Consolidated "Maui Restaurants" Thread
Star Noodle is great
Filipino Bacon and eggs
Yum
Pork buns great too
The specials are usually great too.
Filipino Bacon and eggs
Yum
Pork buns great too
The specials are usually great too.
#371
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Maui OGG Hoity-Toityville
Programs: AS MVP Gold, Marriott Rewards Silver,United Miles plus Hawaiian Air AirTran SWA
Posts: 579
Consolidated "Maui Restaurants" Thread
MiGrant at the Wailea Marriott is great
Chef is Sheldon Simeon of Top Chef and Star Noodle fame
Street corn, hangar steak Brussels Sprouts were all so good
Chef is Sheldon Simeon of Top Chef and Star Noodle fame
Street corn, hangar steak Brussels Sprouts were all so good
#372
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Maui, HI
Posts: 135
While I agree that the food wasn't bad, we had HORRIBLE service here. Our waiter was rude, arrogant, and quite frankly I believe he was making fun of us to the other staff (not sure why) as we saw him pointing at us and laughing. We did file a complaint with the manager after the fact. With the exception of Duke's, we've had awesome service at every other place we've ever eaten on Maui...special shoutout to Longhi's, Kimo's, and Humuhumu's...even had great service at the McDonald's (Gotta get some Haupia, Taro, or Banana pie!!)! LOL
#373
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
Here are my Wailea-area tips, along with a couple others:
-Best restaurant: Ka'ana Kitchen at the Andaz. Fantastic Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, great drinks, fantastic view of the sunset, and great service. Forget the big-name Morimoto spot in the hotel - this is the place to be.
-We only ate at Ferraro's at the Four Seasons, but it was pretty solid overall - lots of local ingredients used, and pasta made on premises. Not going to blow you away compared to Italian in NYC, for example, but a solid rendition of it. Best sunset view out of any of the spots on the coast here.
-The Fairmont has a couple restaurants as well; I actually preferred Nicky's quality over Ko, which I thought tried a bit too hard. Both are very good overall, but Nicky's has the better entrees, as well as flambeed strawberries as well - what's not to like?
-Mama's Fishhouse - poor ventilation made me downrate this a bit; in mid-80 degree weather, it was a nightmare sitting inside. The crusted mahi-mahi is delicious as advertised, but the service was mediocre, and it felt very tourist trap-like. That said, after I wrote a poor review on Yelp (3 stars), they refunded my entire dinner - completely unnecessary but a very kind gesture, and next time I'm on the island I will give them another chance for sure.
ETA: If you like farm-to-table, you have to go to O'o Farms in upcountry. What an experience! Great views looking down onto central Maui, a nice tiny little farm where you pick the veggies you eat for lunch. It's BYO, and they also have a small coffee operation on the premises.
-Best restaurant: Ka'ana Kitchen at the Andaz. Fantastic Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, great drinks, fantastic view of the sunset, and great service. Forget the big-name Morimoto spot in the hotel - this is the place to be.
-We only ate at Ferraro's at the Four Seasons, but it was pretty solid overall - lots of local ingredients used, and pasta made on premises. Not going to blow you away compared to Italian in NYC, for example, but a solid rendition of it. Best sunset view out of any of the spots on the coast here.
-The Fairmont has a couple restaurants as well; I actually preferred Nicky's quality over Ko, which I thought tried a bit too hard. Both are very good overall, but Nicky's has the better entrees, as well as flambeed strawberries as well - what's not to like?
-Mama's Fishhouse - poor ventilation made me downrate this a bit; in mid-80 degree weather, it was a nightmare sitting inside. The crusted mahi-mahi is delicious as advertised, but the service was mediocre, and it felt very tourist trap-like. That said, after I wrote a poor review on Yelp (3 stars), they refunded my entire dinner - completely unnecessary but a very kind gesture, and next time I'm on the island I will give them another chance for sure.
ETA: If you like farm-to-table, you have to go to O'o Farms in upcountry. What an experience! Great views looking down onto central Maui, a nice tiny little farm where you pick the veggies you eat for lunch. It's BYO, and they also have a small coffee operation on the premises.
#374
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3,445
While I agree that the food wasn't bad, we had HORRIBLE service here. Our waiter was rude, arrogant, and quite frankly I believe he was making fun of us to the other staff (not sure why) as we saw him pointing at us and laughing. We did file a complaint with the manager after the fact. With the exception of Duke's, we've had awesome service at every other place we've ever eaten on Maui...special shoutout to Longhi's, Kimo's, and Humuhumu's...even had great service at the McDonald's (Gotta get some Haupia, Taro, or Banana pie!!)! LOL
#375
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SNA
Posts: 410
We sat at a table, and while I didn't mention it in my original post, our service wasn't great. Not horrible, far from the worst I've had in my life, but probably the worst we had on that trip to Maui. I got a bit of a "you're not cool enough to be here" vibe from the staff, and had a heck of a time getting them to come take our order, refill water, etc.