Anyone who knows me knows that I am a food ADDICT! My love of travel is fueled by my desire to eat all over the world! Here are my favorite places on Maui:
Sansei Seafood Restaurant – This is my #1. I MUST eat here each time we’re in Maui, at least once and preferably more often. And I’m not the only one raving – Sansei has been written up by Travel + Leisure, Bon Appetit, and Wine Spectator as well. There are two locations, one in Kihei and one in Kapalua. The food is amazing at both, but the atmospheres are slightly different with the Kihei location being more casual than the Kapalua resort location. The obvious choice here is anything fish. They deliniate the “Sansei Specialty” items and ALL are delicious. Several stand out in my mind: the Sansei Special Roll – it’s crab, cilantro and veggies dusted with furikake and served with Thai chili sauce. Sweet and savory, it’s the perfect roll. The Asian Shrimp Cake – is a delicious shrimp cake covered in an amazing ginger-chili-lime butter sauce and crispy noodles. It’s a phenomenal appetizer. Another great appetizer is the Chinese Style Sashimi – it’s paper-thin slices of shiromi seared in hot sesame oil. AMAZING. It’s not your cheapest option, but it’s by far the best. If the price is off-putting, wait until after 10pm when sushi is 50% off.
Ono Gelato – Another must-try while on Maui with two locations – the original in Paia and a new spot in Lahaina both have the same white-washed, beachy charm. They handmake all their own gelatos in delicious tropical flavors with local ingredients (the farm suppliers and listed in the store). The stand-out here is the Lilikoi Quark – a goat cheese, passion-fruit flavor which is creamy and tangy and something truly different from traditional gelato flavors. Aside from just a simple scoop they offer tantalizing milkshakes as well.
Flatbread Company – This is the best pizza on Maui in my mind. There’s a place in Kihei called Shaka Pizza that says “Voted #1 Pizza in Maui”. Yeah. I don’t know who they surveyed to get that answer, but I’m guessing it was the owner’s mom, because it was BAD. The pizza tasted like it had been frozen and the service was apathetic at best. I was about to give up on Maui pizza altogether when we stumbled upon Flatbread Company in Paia. Another establishment using local ingredients – Flatbread Company has a massive board listing all their local suppling farms and what veggies, herbs, cheese, etc. that they buy from them. They have a huge wood-fire oven that you can see from nearly every table in the place. You’ll see them slide your pizza in and in less than 8 minutes your pizza comes out bubbly, crispy, and delicious!! Did I mention the service is always great? It must be a fun place to work because the entire staff is friendly and seem geniuinely happy to be there! A great dining experience.
Local Boy Shave Ice – Although my shave ice obsession is waning (I’m trying to cut back on the straight sugar water), I am still a die-hard fan of this shack on S. Kihei Rd. They offer free ice-cream in the bottom of your cup surrounded by ice shaved to near powder-form. They top it with one of their many flavors (my favorites are coconut, guava, pineapple, and raspberry) and Kauai cream, which is a sweet cream over the entire creation. It’s amazing and a great price: $3.50 for a small (which I can’t even finish before it’s half melted), $4.50 for a medium or $5 for the large. Definitely put Local Boy on your list while in Kihei.
Bistro Molokini at The Grand Wailea – Our trips to Maui are usually on a budget but we splurge on the decadent drinks and dessert at Bistro Molokini at the Grand Wailea. As you’d expect from a five-star resort, the grounds are impeccable, the decor is flawless, and the service is always top-notch. At $13-$18 per drink, some may find the cost prohibitive, but we’d rather spend $60 on an impressive desert and round of drinks than a mediocre dinner at one of the various chain restaurants around the island. Yes, we’re looking at you Outback Steakhouse. Nothing beats the personal campfire you get with the S’mores dessert. They provide you with marshmallows, a Hershey’s chocolate bar and homemade graham crackers circled around a small flame for roasting. Not only is it dessert, it’s an experience! Be sure to sit at the bar, because chatting with the bartenders gives you all kinds of insight into what’s happening around the island. As we’ve found, many resort guests seem to think that the wait-staff aren’t worth talking to. We’ve found otherwise. Plus, having a bartender buddy can’t hurt, it just might get you a free round!
Ferraro’s Bar at The Four Seasons Wailea - Everything I’ve said about The Grand Wailea applies at Ferraro’s and the Four Seasons Wailea as well. Another stellar resort and definitely worth visiting! A++ for the bartenders here – if you’re game, they’ll create one-of-a-kind drinks for you to try that aren’t featured on the menu.