Been to Maui 3 times, going back for our 4th trip this year, here are some of the better restaurants we've visited.

West Side
Longhi's Steakhouse - AWESOME! Always great service, view, and food.
Duke's Beach House - Good food, service was so/so, but worth a trip
Hula Grill - Awesome food and service!
Fleetwoods - Awesome Food, Drinks, and go on Tues/Wed and you'll probably see Mick Fleetwood...we did!
Cool Cats - BEST BURGER IN MAUI (and probably most of the world...simply awesome)
Aloha Mixed Plate - Pretty good, authentic "mixed plate". Get the Kalua Pork plate
Seahouse Restaurant - Great breakfast and great after beach time place to get a drink
The Gazebo Restaurant - Honestly the BEST BREAKFAST I've ever had in my life...and I"ve been a LOT of places. Be sure and try to friend rice too....you won't regret it.

South Maui
Monkeypod - Great food...try the Potato tacos!!
Humumunukunuku - Ok food, I'd possibly pass on it though
Amasia - GREAT food, if you're into that sort of thing, haha

Other
Komoda Bakery - I can't say enough GET A DONUT ON A STICK....actually, get a dozen, You will NOT be disappointed. Taking the Road to Hana? Make the detour to here first and stock up...it adds 45 minutes to the trip (depending on where you're coming from, could be less) but WELL WORTH IT!

Consolidated "Maui Restaurants" Thread
 

The NEW Matteo's Osteria (Italian)
Is really really good!
Located in Wailea Town Center past the tennis courts and Joe's Bar n Grill

Chef Matteo Mistra came back and has some very nice inventive meals

The menu has clearly marked GF gluten free dishes too.

Prices are reasonable for Maui
Less than the hotel restaurant prices, but slightly more than Kihei Restaurants

Same location as the old Il Italiano Ristorante? Can't remember the owner's name/chef, but he was the head chef at Four Seasons Hualalai (was the individual who started Surf, Sand and Stars, which is no longer). If this is the same restaurant/chef you're talking about. But I'm talking Kihei, so perhaps its not the same. The restaurant was shut down this past summer, and I'm wondering if there is one to replace?

Matteo had a place a few years ago across from the shops. The new place is in the Wailea Town Center. I love the Maui pizza

The $79.99 for $100 in gift cards at Costco is also available for some local places like the Gannon group (Hailemaile, etc) and Mala/Honu in Lahaina. Worth a stop on your way in from the airport if you're thinking of hitting those places.

We did the Ruby's Tuesdays Maui (not in Canada) and with kids it was a very good option. Bought the $79.99 for $100 in gifts cards at Costco. That's what got us in there.

So the Gannon group is worth it? I may have to go adventurous and buy some different gift card options from Costco.

Japengo
 

Awesome Happy Hour prices. Wine & beer ~$4/per. Tried the pupu platter and everything was good except the calamari. Little tiny ringlets deep fat fried with little flavor. Maybe we'll try the dinner menu next year.

The Red Bar at Gannons has a great Happy Hour and you can use them on Happy Hour pricing.

I like Joes better pricing than the Hotel places

Fleetwoods also had discount Costco cards last time I was in

just got back from Maui and enjoyed:

- Mama's Fish House - absolutely sensational, couldn't fault this place
- KO at Fairmont - we did the 4 course Twilight dinner package under Cabana overlooking pool
- Humuhumunukunuku at Grand Wailea - good service and lovely food.
- Monkeypod - much more casual than the above but equally as memorable - Poke Taco's were the highlight for me

So is Mama's or Merriman better? Not looking at spending $300-$400 for 2 dinners..

we also have $200 in giftcards at Marriot to eat at the Mala Restaurant?

or we could essentially eat at Mama or Merriman, and use the $200 for a massage at the Marriot.

which would you guys pick?

Mala is good and somewhat casual. Merriman's is nice, has great views, and has really good food. BUT! If you want a really unique and wonderful dining experience, I would go to Mama's. You have to try it once. And you won't be disappointed. Make sure you make a reservation though. You could always have dinner at Merriman's and have lunch at Mama's.

All three of these places are excellent, and Mama's is a special experience, but it's VERY pricey, even by Maui standards. If you drink at all, you'll easily be well into triple digits per person. It's not easy to get out of there for under $50 a person for lunch.

I really enjoy Mala, and relative to the quality and creativity of the menu, it's fairly reasonable by Maui standards. I've not eaten at Merriman's on Maui, but I do enjoy Hula Grill (also a Peter Merriman restaurant) and I love the original Merriman's on the Big Island.

We go to Maui 1 to 2 times every year and always make sure we eat at Mama's Fish House at least once for dinner. Very pricey but absolutely one of the best meals we eat regardless of where we are.

Try the seared Ahi ...

seared ahi
grilled rye bread, seared fresh sashimi grade tuna, avocado, caramelized Kula onion, jarlsberg cheese, local basil pesto, garlic aioli watercress

(I prefer it on Hapa instead of Rye - http://www.leodas.com/our-menu/)