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5 dining spots on Maui for a great vacation
Places on the Island I love for food, vibes, and views.
Have you ever been to Hawaii? I remember my first trip to these stunning islands, where I had some of my happiest moments. The vibrant greens of nature, the blue ocean, towering mountains, and endless skies— Hawaiian landscapes feel like scenes from a dream.
After I tried Hawaiian cuisine for the first time, I was surprised. It is so delicious. It contains tropical ingredients, nuts, and fusion influences from other countries. I love it because of the combination of fruits and various proteins. On Maui, I realized that the food makes a great addition to your vacation, but you need to know where to eat.
There are many places in Maui where you can enjoy food and have a good time; some are popular or unique, some are attractive and of acceptable quality, and many are in the middle.
But I'd love to share a couple of my favorites with you. There are places where you can create memories that will last forever.
1 • Mama's Fish House
As the official website states, it is a world-notable restaurant on Maui's North Shore that features Hawaiian fish brought to it daily by fishermen. But it's more than that.
A young couple, Floyd and Doris Christenson, passionate about the Pacific, spent years living aboard their boat. They dreamed of opening a Maui restaurant featuring traditional Tahitian dishes and fresh fish—and in 1973, they made it a reality. Their story is truly inspiring. You can read more about it on the website or hear it from your server during your visit.
The authentic interior offers a stunning ocean view and a small beach area in front of the restaurant. The food is delicious, with various dishes and refreshing cocktails. It is an unforgettable food experience—I swear!
During two visits, I tried almost everything. Every meal was tasty and served with love and care. It doesn't matter what you order - fish or meat, everything will be delicious.
I don’t usually like white fish, but Hawaiian Kanpachi with lobster surprised me. I took a piece from my hubby's plate and didn’t stop. It was fresh, tender, and melted in my mouth—an unforgettable taste.
Some delicious items to try:
Macadamia Nut Crab Cakes with fire and ice relish
Shrimp Wontons with Macadamia Nut Sauce
Haleakala Beef in a grilled Hana papaya
For dessert - try a Polynesian Black Pearl, which looks like a seashell, or Island Fruit Sorbet ( lilikoi is 💛).
💡 Good to know before you go!
If you want a lovely table, make a reservation on the website in advance. If you can't book a specific date, try calling the restaurant.
If you still haven't gotten a table, try doing the same as I did during my last trip — go there at a less busy time for an early dinner or late breakfast (not brunch time). I came around 4:45, and a few spots were available at the bar. The bar seating is nice, and you can hear interesting things about the place from a bartender.
Mama’s Fish House is an excellent place to experience Hawaiian ambiance with ultra-fresh, locally caught seafood prepared with Polynesian flair, all served in a stunning beachfront setting. The warm hospitality, ocean breeze, and breathtaking sunset views make it a must-visit for anyone seeking the ultimate Hawaiian culinary escape. And yes! It is worth your time and money.
💵 Average price per person for dinner: $150 - 200
(with appetizer, entree, alcohol cocktail, and dessert)
2 • Cane & Canoe
I still remember this beautiful spot where I saw the colorful sunset on my first evening on the island! It was the perfect place to celebrate my hubby's birthday and have a cozy dinner.
The restaurant is located in the Montage Hotel on Kapalua Bay, surrounded by breathtaking views of the Pacific and resort, enchanting relaxing vibes, and live music.
Cane & Canoe serves Hawaiian cuisine with vibrant flavors and a beautiful presentation. It offers vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian options.
It was hard to choose from various appetizers and meals, but I was happy with the choice of:
Tomato & Buratta and Charred octopus as appetizers
Shrimp scampi and Roasted prime filet (for hubby) for the main dishes
Cocktails are fantastic.
One of the reasons I fell in love with Hawaiian cocktails is that I can't find the same amazing flavors and tastes anywhere else in the US (maybe you can tell me where I could see them). It's such a unique experience on the islands.
The service at Cane & Canoe was excellent - from booking a table with a great view to checking and asking if I was happy with the food. Also, the server kindly proposed taking a picture of me and my hubby to keep the memories of our evening. I had a wonderful evening with romantic music, a pink sky, and delicious food.
Hawaiian elegance and fresh, island-inspired cuisine in Cane & Canoe make it a perfect spot for a relaxed dining experience in Maui.
💵 Average price per person for dinner: $125 - 150
(with appetizer, entree, alcohol cocktail, and dessert)
Reservations via OpenTable
Open daily: |
3 • The Banyan Tree
This place is like a paradise garden, with a beautiful mix of living trees, vibrant plants, and fresh flowers! The walls and ceilings are lovingly decorated with greenery and orchids, creating a unique atmosphere for everyone. Overall, it is the most romantic place on the island and great for special occasions because of the atmosphere.
It is located on Kapalua Bay at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, close to the pool area, so you must walk a little through the hotel. The surrounding view is beautiful, with some great spots to take pictures before visiting the restaurant.
The food is good, but nothing extraordinary or spectacular at this price point. It blends Asian and international cuisine, so the menu includes seafood made as curry, grilled, or raw. The central star is the "from the Josper Oven" section, which offers smoked and grilled meat.
Some items to try:
Hawaiian ahi tuna poke
Charred Ceasar salad
Banyan tree seafood curry
Prime New York steak 14oz.
If you want to visit it but don't have enough time for food, order a cocktail or a sweet ending like a warm malasada trio (donuts with three sauces) or Banana cream pie.
Pacific-inspired flavors and tropical ambiance, paired with stunning sunset views over the ocean, make it a great choice for a memorable dining experience in Maui.
💵 Average price per person for dinner: $150 - 200
(with appetizer, entree, alcohol cocktail, and dessert)
Reservations via OpenTable
4 • Ko restaurant
I love it, mainly because of the large open-air area, live music performance, and torch-lighting ceremony. I am not sure at what exact time the ceremony is happening in the evening, but the fire dancers during the dinner is a great idea)
Ko has authentic food that blends influences from Hawaain, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and Korean cuisines. That's why the menu offers different meals, such as coconut broth, fish tacos, sushi rolls, lobster tempura, pork bao buns, and more, as well as vegan and vegetarian dishes.
What to try?
You don't want to miss Ahi on the Rock in appetizers because you can cook it on hot stones any way you want. It's so fun! Lavender honey crispy shrimp and Venison with raspberry pineapple compote blew my mind because I didn't expect it to be so good.
Ko restaurant has received various awards for its innovative menu, the best Hawaii regional cuisine, and the best Pacific Rim cuisine. So, this is your place to try something Hawaiian with a modern twist and exotic notes.
💵 Average price per person for dinner: $125 - 150
(with appetizer, entree, alcohol cocktail, and dessert)
Reservations via website
Open daily: |
5 • Duke's Beach House Maui
Duke's is a must-visit beachfront spot overlooking the stunning shores of Kaanapali North Beach. Named after Duke Kahanamoku—Hawaii's legendary Olympic swimmer and the father of surfing.
It’s become a sweet little tradition for my family—whenever I’m on Maui, a trip to Duke's is a must! Its oceanfront setting captures the spirit of old Hawaii charm.
The place embodies the spirit of Aloha—tiki torches with real fire, umbrellas made from palm leaves, wooden furniture, surf elements, and images and statues of the Duke. The highlight is its barefoot bar, where Hawaiian music, fresh cocktails, and views of Maui create the perfect vacation vibe.
Some of the good dishes to try:
Macadamia nut hummus
Crispy coconut shrimp
Roasted Tristan lobster
I almost forgot to tell you about the famous HULA Pie, made from Macadamia nut ice cream on a warm cookie crust, with a thin layer of cold chocolate fudge and whipped cream atop the ice cream. Please give me more!
Duke's is the most affordable dine-in spot on my list. For similar options, check out other TS Restaurant Group restaurants (same as Duke's), such as Hula Grill, Leilani's on the Beach, Keoki's Paradise, Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge, and Kimo's.
💵 Average price per person for dinner: $100 - 125
(with appetizer, entree, alcohol cocktail, and dessert)
Reservations via OpenTable
Overall, my food experience in Maui was excellent. If you wish to know more about restaurants on Hawaiian islands, feel free to email me, and I will create a newsletter about places on other islands like Kauai or Oahu.
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