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
#406
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: London
Programs: BA bronze, Hertz pres circle, Marriott Platinum, hilton diamond
Posts: 2,537
Compared to the dinner menu which has Hawaiian Fresh Fish! as a section, followed by a From the Ocean section.
Perhaps you could point me to the fish section?
747FC that also crossed my mind, might be something up on a board, but hoping it isn't quite strong enough for a booking, and nowhere near enough for a restaurant claiming to specialise in it.
Anyway back to my original question, is it a 'thing' that lunch menus are very limited? just looking in the last few moments at a couple of restaurants mentioned here:
Ka'ana Kitchen, hours breakfast: 6:30-11am, dinner 5:30-9pm, menus breakfast & dinner, no lunch shown.
Merriman's, also only a brunch and dinner menu
Fleetwoods, dinner menu only
Taverna maui, lunch: sandwiches/pizza, dinner: pasta, risotto, veal etc
Guess I've answered my own question really, but just curious more than anything.
#407
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 436
Pedantic point noted , but sorry a couple of sorry scraps of fish do not a fish restaurant make.
Compared to the dinner menu which has Hawaiian Fresh Fish! as a section, followed by a From the Ocean section.
Perhaps you could point me to the fish section?
747FC that also crossed my mind, might be something up on a board, but hoping it isn't quite strong enough for a booking, and nowhere near enough for a restaurant claiming to specialise in it.
Anyway back to my original question, is it a 'thing' that lunch menus are very limited? just looking in the last few moments at a couple of restaurants mentioned here:
Ka'ana Kitchen, hours breakfast: 6:30-11am, dinner 5:30-9pm, menus breakfast & dinner, no lunch shown.
Merriman's, also only a brunch and dinner menu
Fleetwoods, dinner menu only
Taverna maui, lunch: sandwiches/pizza, dinner: pasta, risotto, veal etc
Guess I've answered my own question really, but just curious more than anything.
Compared to the dinner menu which has Hawaiian Fresh Fish! as a section, followed by a From the Ocean section.
Perhaps you could point me to the fish section?
747FC that also crossed my mind, might be something up on a board, but hoping it isn't quite strong enough for a booking, and nowhere near enough for a restaurant claiming to specialise in it.
Anyway back to my original question, is it a 'thing' that lunch menus are very limited? just looking in the last few moments at a couple of restaurants mentioned here:
Ka'ana Kitchen, hours breakfast: 6:30-11am, dinner 5:30-9pm, menus breakfast & dinner, no lunch shown.
Merriman's, also only a brunch and dinner menu
Fleetwoods, dinner menu only
Taverna maui, lunch: sandwiches/pizza, dinner: pasta, risotto, veal etc
Guess I've answered my own question really, but just curious more than anything.
If you want the freshest, "today's catch" fish someone has to have caught it, returned to port, and sold it to the restaurant or middleman. Since the earliest most local fisherman return is late morning, this leaves little time for fresh fish for lunch. Basically, it means lunch is yesterday's fish or fish bought at the auction on Oahu (also probably yesterday's fish) and air-shipped to Maui. Even dinner may not be today's fish due to the vagaries of the catch and the weather.
With such supply chain limitations in mind, and wishing to deliver best fish for fair price, most restaurants are limited in their lunch offerings, with their freshest best supply set for the evening meal.
Your best chance for fresh fish at lunch on Maui is Mama's Fish House. Yes, they're expensive.
#408
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Some where in the Mountains
Posts: 5,359
Try KO's at the Fairmont if in Wailea. Or try Monkeypod as well. Both really good. And if you fancy a pint with your fish, then Monkeypod is an excellent choice.
Most of the higher end restaurants on Maui are focused on the dinner client, and not the lunch crowd, who tend to be out and about at the beach during the lunch hour. So, yes, in a way, it is a "thing" for Maui restaurants to have limited lunch offerings.
Just back from Maui, and the best fish I have ever had was at KO's. A nice Monchong in a delightfully creamy sauce. And it was lunch time to boot!
Merriman's for Brunch on Sunday was really good too. If you like local Hawaiian coffee, they do an excellent French press. Their malasadas just melt in your mouth!
Most of the higher end restaurants on Maui are focused on the dinner client, and not the lunch crowd, who tend to be out and about at the beach during the lunch hour. So, yes, in a way, it is a "thing" for Maui restaurants to have limited lunch offerings.
Just back from Maui, and the best fish I have ever had was at KO's. A nice Monchong in a delightfully creamy sauce. And it was lunch time to boot!
Merriman's for Brunch on Sunday was really good too. If you like local Hawaiian coffee, they do an excellent French press. Their malasadas just melt in your mouth!
#409
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3,445
Fish don't magically appear at the restaurant for your enjoyment, especially at lunchtime in Maui.
If you want the freshest, "today's catch" fish someone has to have caught it, returned to port, and sold it to the restaurant or middleman. Since the earliest most local fisherman return is late morning, this leaves little time for fresh fish for lunch. Basically, it means lunch is yesterday's fish or fish bought at the auction on Oahu (also probably yesterday's fish) and air-shipped to Maui. Even dinner may not be today's fish due to the vagaries of the catch and the weather.
With such supply chain limitations in mind, and wishing to deliver best fish for fair price, most restaurants are limited in their lunch offerings, with their freshest best supply set for the evening meal.
Your best chance for fresh fish at lunch on Maui is Mama's Fish House. Yes, they're expensive.
If you want the freshest, "today's catch" fish someone has to have caught it, returned to port, and sold it to the restaurant or middleman. Since the earliest most local fisherman return is late morning, this leaves little time for fresh fish for lunch. Basically, it means lunch is yesterday's fish or fish bought at the auction on Oahu (also probably yesterday's fish) and air-shipped to Maui. Even dinner may not be today's fish due to the vagaries of the catch and the weather.
With such supply chain limitations in mind, and wishing to deliver best fish for fair price, most restaurants are limited in their lunch offerings, with their freshest best supply set for the evening meal.
Your best chance for fresh fish at lunch on Maui is Mama's Fish House. Yes, they're expensive.
#410
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 436
Fish don't magically appear at the restaurant for your enjoyment, especially at lunchtime in Maui.
If you want the freshest, "today's catch" fish someone has to have caught it, returned to port, and sold it to the restaurant or middleman. Since the earliest most local fisherman return is late morning, this leaves little time for fresh fish for lunch. Basically, it means lunch is yesterday's fish or fish bought at the auction on Oahu (also probably yesterday's fish) and air-shipped to Maui. Even dinner may not be today's fish due to the vagaries of the catch and the weather.
With such supply chain limitations in mind, and wishing to deliver best fish for fair price, most restaurants are limited in their lunch offerings, with their freshest best supply set for the evening meal.
Your best chance for fresh fish at lunch on Maui is Mama's Fish House. Yes, they're expensive.
If you want the freshest, "today's catch" fish someone has to have caught it, returned to port, and sold it to the restaurant or middleman. Since the earliest most local fisherman return is late morning, this leaves little time for fresh fish for lunch. Basically, it means lunch is yesterday's fish or fish bought at the auction on Oahu (also probably yesterday's fish) and air-shipped to Maui. Even dinner may not be today's fish due to the vagaries of the catch and the weather.
With such supply chain limitations in mind, and wishing to deliver best fish for fair price, most restaurants are limited in their lunch offerings, with their freshest best supply set for the evening meal.
Your best chance for fresh fish at lunch on Maui is Mama's Fish House. Yes, they're expensive.
#411
Suspended
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3,445
My point was, these places most certainly have fish available to put on the lunch menu, if it was on the dinner menu the night before.
#412
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Programs: HH-Diamond, IHG-Plat, DL-DM, PnF Plat, Kroger +
Posts: 514
We had a few great meals while in Maui 2 weeks ago.
The Fish Market in Lahaina, they also sell all kinds of fish to people to cook. had some great fish tacos and panko Mahi.
The other great meal was in Makawao, had an awesome Shutome fish sandwich.
The Fish Market in Lahaina, they also sell all kinds of fish to people to cook. had some great fish tacos and panko Mahi.
The other great meal was in Makawao, had an awesome Shutome fish sandwich.
#413
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
For September 30, I would suggest maybe spending a little more time upcountry and on the north shore. Baldwin and Ho'okipa are beautiful beaches, and there are shops and restaurants in Pukalani, Makawao, Haiku, and Paia. Haliimaile General Store and Mama's Fish House are recommended restaurants.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; May 13, 2018 at 4:14 pm Reason: moved into master thread so more people can see it
#414
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum 3mm, Starwood Gold
Posts: 227
Mama's
So, Mama's is still good or at least reasonable? It's been decades since I was last in Maui (usually went to the GH Kauai and bodysurfing near Princeville so knew most of the local eateries there especially Hanalei.) We're doing the Westin timeshare deal-6 days/5 nights on Kaanapali with rental car for $647 last week of August. I remember some of the restaurants around there being so-so but expensive. Any recent, recommendations, especially any Thai as my GF is Thai and she usually defaults to that. She's from Surin so likes to stay out of the sun, not a swimmer, and boats can be a little scary for her, so I'll have to figure out some non-beach activites besides the timeshare presentation. Your upcountry suggestion seemed to fit in well here. I know, should probably just have taken her to Phuket.
#415
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
Actually, every entree was well over $40, and most $60. That's some expensive scenary.
#416
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: United-1K, Million Miler; SPG-Titanium and Lifetime Platinum; Globalist
Posts: 198
My all time favorite in Maui is The General Store. It is in the upcountry. Maybe a 30 minute drive from Wailea or the airport. I always eat here at least 3x per trip. Crab pizza app is a must. Reasonable (for Maui), high quality, and great service. I like the ambiance, too, even though it is not on a beach. Enjoy!
https://hgsmaui.com/
https://hgsmaui.com/
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; May 3, 2021 at 10:30 am Reason: inserted link to the restaurant for clarity
#417
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
The Fish Market is actually a few miles north of Lahaina in Honokowai. Agree that it is a great place for a reasonably priced seafood meal. Not fancy and they only have a few tables.
#418
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Maui, HI
Posts: 135
Maybe he meant Paia Fish Market Lahaina.....always great also. 3 Location, original in Paia is the best, IMO.
#419
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 392
About to go back to Maui (Andaz).
Planning dinners at:
-Morimoto
-Monkeypod
-Humble Market Kitchin
I need a place for a fourth night in Wailea/Kihei. Any recs? I never like the Fairmont restaurants for some reason.
I hate a long drive after dinner, so I'd like to keep it to that area. Any good new places I should know about? I realize that two of the three I listed above are in hotels, but I typically prefer non-hotel restaurants.
thx
Planning dinners at:
-Morimoto
-Monkeypod
-Humble Market Kitchin
I need a place for a fourth night in Wailea/Kihei. Any recs? I never like the Fairmont restaurants for some reason.
I hate a long drive after dinner, so I'd like to keep it to that area. Any good new places I should know about? I realize that two of the three I listed above are in hotels, but I typically prefer non-hotel restaurants.
thx
#420
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DAY
Programs: Rapid Rewards, Skymiles, Hilton HHonors, SPG/Marriott Rewards
Posts: 4,949
About to go back to Maui (Andaz).
Planning dinners at:
-Morimoto
-Monkeypod
-Humble Market Kitchin
I need a place for a fourth night in Wailea/Kihei. Any recs? I never like the Fairmont restaurants for some reason.
I hate a long drive after dinner, so I'd like to keep it to that area. Any good new places I should know about? I realize that two of the three I listed above are in hotels, but I typically prefer non-hotel restaurants.
thx
Planning dinners at:
-Morimoto
-Monkeypod
-Humble Market Kitchin
I need a place for a fourth night in Wailea/Kihei. Any recs? I never like the Fairmont restaurants for some reason.
I hate a long drive after dinner, so I'd like to keep it to that area. Any good new places I should know about? I realize that two of the three I listed above are in hotels, but I typically prefer non-hotel restaurants.
thx