One of my favorite parts of any trip is researching great restaurants in the area, and planning where we are going to eat while we are there. Our Maui trip was no different. Being the organizational nerd that I am, I even created a GoogleDocs spreadsheet detailing when and where we were eating each day. I built in some flexibility, especially around lunchtime, but on this trip there were so many great breakfast and dinner spots that we really stuck to our plan. We found some truly spectacular places, and some that we probably wouldn't revisit.
And, since I always love seeking out the recommendations of friends when deciding where to eat on vacation, I thought I would share with you some of our favorites and least favorites {just in case you find yourself in Maui anytime soon looking for some great places to eat!}.
Our Favorite Breakfast Spot:
The Plantation House
{Kapalua}
{Kapalua}
Why eat here? Amazing panoramic view of both the ocean and the mountains, open-air, early morning dining, and great service.
Our favorite items on the menu? The pineapple with cinnamon sour cream sauce, the banana bread {which, I think, was a special that day}, the Molakai french toast, and the crab cake benedict.
Our Favorite Breakfast Spot {Runner-up}:
Gazebo
{Kapalua}
Why eat here? The restaurant is literally a gazebo located right on the ocean. Need I say more? And, even the locals fight the crowds to eat here, which is saying a lot.
Our favorite item on the menu? Definitely, the white chocolate chip macadamia nut pancakes. They really are as good as everyone claims.
*Fair warning: The restaurant is small and doesn't take reservations. So get there right when it opens if you are hoping to beat the crowds. Otherwise, you'll have a bit of a wait. But, the wait is so worth it.
Our Favorite Lunch Spot:
Hula Barefoot Bar & Grill
{Ka'anapali}
Why eat here? If you are staying at any of the resorts in Ka'anapali, it is within walking distance, it offers live music, outdoor dining right on the ocean, and you can literally eat barefoot with the sand between your toes.
Our favorite item on the menu? Kapulu Joe barbecue sandwich with mac-nut slaw
Our Favorite Seafood Spot:
The Lahaina Grill
{Lahaina}
Why eat here? Exceptional service, great ambiance, and top-notch food.
Our favorite items on the menu? Everything. The bread and herb butter, the bufala tomato salad, the sweet kula corn soup, the Maui onion & sesame crusted seared ahi tuna, and THE TRIPLE BERRY PIE.
*Fair warning: This place is pricey, but worth every penny.
Our Favorite Dinner Spot Overall:
Why eat here? Asian-fusion dining better even than Momofuku {which is saying a lot!}, small plates so sharing is encouraged, great ambiance, and fresh noodles made daily.
Our favorite items on the menu? Again everything. Steamed pork buns, Vietnamese crepes, garlic noodles, pad Thai, and the malasadas for dessert {basically just sugar-crusted donuts with chocolate and caramel dipping sauces}.
Other Spots We Ate & Would Recommend:
Cane & Taro in Ka'anapali {breakfast}
Honolua Store in Kapalua {great mixed plate lunches}
Bistro Casanova in Kahului {dinner}
and since I would never lead you astray....
Our Least Favorite Meals:
The Pineapple Grill
{Kapalua}
{We went here for dinner because it had been voted the best restaurant in Maui the previous year, and got great reviews. We were VERY disappointed.}
Lahaina Coolers
{Lahaina}
{We ate here for breakfast. The service was slow and the food was mediocre.}
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