A Foodie's Paradise in Kihei
From Plate Lunch to Pūpū: The Best Local Grinds
Written by a Local Expert
Jade KawanuiA Foodie's Paradise: From Plate Lunch to Pūpū
In Kihei, we trade white tablecloths for picnic tables and five-star prices for five-star flavor. This is where you'll find the true taste of Maui—fresh, local, and served with plenty of aloha. The dining scene here is a perfect reflection of the town itself: casual, diverse, and exceptionally high in quality.
Local Grinds & Food Trucks: The Heart of Kihei Flavor
The food truck scene in Kihei isn't just a trend; it's a core part of our culinary identity. These mobile kitchens, often clustered together in lively "pods," serve up some of the most innovative and delicious food on the island.
Food Truck Hubs
South Maui Gardens (35 Auhana Rd)
This is my favorite food truck park, set within a beautiful and lush nursery. The atmosphere is as wonderful as the food. You can't go wrong with the gourmet bentos and fresh seafood from Kitoko, the incredible sourdough pizza from Blue Door Bakery, or the crispy, flavorful wings from Wing Kings.
31 Piikea Avenue (behind Azeka Shopping Center)
This is another fantastic gathering of food trucks with something for everyone. It's home to Da Nani Pirates, famous for their award-winning fish and chips with passion fruit tartar sauce, the creative bao buns at Suns Out Buns Out, and the fresh, high-quality sushi at Oao Sushi Go.
Kihei Institutions (Brick & Mortar)
Coconut's Fish Cafe
Legendary fish tacos with 17 ingredients including coconut milk coleslaw and mango salsa. Consistently voted among Hawaii's best.
Kihei Caffe
Iconic breakfast spot. Massive portions of loco moco and pork fried rice. Expect a line—it moves fast and worth the wait.
Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice
Real shave ice with homemade pure cane sugar syrups and real fruit. Fine as snow. An absolute island essential.
Paia Fish Market Southside
Fresh-catch fish plates, burgers, and tacos at Kihei Kalama Village. Lively communal seating, North Shore vibe.
Coconut's Fish Cafe
This place is legendary for a reason. Their fish tacos, made with 17 different ingredients including coconut milk coleslaw and mango salsa, are consistently voted among the best in Hawaiʻi. It's a must-try Kihei experience.
Kihei Caffe
Be prepared for a line, but don't let it deter you. This iconic breakfast spot serves up massive, delicious portions of local favorites like loco moco and pork fried rice. The line moves fast, and the food is worth every second of the wait.
Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice
Forget the crunchy snow cones you had as a kid. This is the real deal. Ululani's makes their own syrups from pure cane sugar and real fruit, and their ice is shaved so finely it has the texture of fresh snow. It's an absolute island essential.
Paia Fish Market Southside
Located in Kihei Kalama Village, this spot brings the fresh-catch vibe of the North Shore to Kihei. Their fish plates, burgers, and tacos are always fresh and delicious, served at communal wooden tables in a lively, bustling atmosphere.
📖 Complete Kihei Guide
🚚 Top Food Truck Parks
- South Maui Gardens
35 Auhana Rd - Beautiful nursery setting
- Piikea Avenue
31 Piikea Ave - Behind Azeka Center
⭐ Must-Try
- Coconut's fish tacos
- Kihei Caffe loco moco
- Ululani's shave ice
- Da Nani Pirates fish & chips
🍽️ Dining Tips
- Breakfast spots fill fast
- Food trucks peak 12-7 PM
- Cash helps at some trucks
- Happy hours 3-6 PM
💡 Jade's Local Tip
Hit South Maui Gardens on Thursday evenings for their Artisan Market. Live music, great food trucks, and local crafts make it the perfect pau hana experience.
Pau Hana Time: Kihei's Best Happy Hours
Pau hana is a cherished local tradition. It means "finished with work," and in Kihei, it's our daily ritual to unwind, talk story (chat and share stories), and enjoy the sunset with a cold drink and some tasty appetizers, or pūpū.
Maui Brewing Company
Daily 3:00-5:00 PM
The craft beer hub. $2 off drafts, $3 off cocktails, $13 pizzas. Vast open-air restaurant, perfect for relaxing.
Nalu's South Shore Grill
Daily 3:00-6:00 PM
Live music vibe. "7 for $7" menu with generous pūpū like crab cakes, poke tacos, and seared ahi.
South Shore Tiki Lounge
Daily 11:00 AM-6:00 PM
Classic tiki bar at Kihei Kalama Village. Longest happy hour in town. Great deals on drafts, wells, and margaritas.
Monkeypod Kitchen
Daily 3:30-5:00 PM (Wailea)
Foodie favorite. Legendary Mai Tai with honey-lilikoi foam. Half-price appetizers, $14 wood-fired pizzas.
Maui Brewing Company
The best place for beer lovers. Their daily happy hour from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM features $2 off all draft beers, $3 off craft cocktails, and delicious pizzas for only $13. The vast, open-air restaurant is the perfect place to relax.
Nalu's South Shore Grill
Nalu's has a wonderful, breezy, open-air setting and features live local musicians every evening. Their happy hour from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM includes a "7 for $7" menu with generous pūpū like crab cakes, poke tacos, and seared ahi that are a meal in themselves.
South Shore Tiki Lounge
For a fun, classic tiki vibe, this is the spot. Located in Kihei Kalama Village, they have one of the longest happy hours in town, running from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. You can get great deals on draft beers, well drinks, and margaritas while enjoying live music in their outdoor courtyard.
Monkeypod Kitchen
While technically in Wailea, Monkeypod is an essential part of the South Maui experience and just a short drive from Kihei. Their happy hour, from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, is legendary. You absolutely must try their Mai Tai, which is topped with a honey-lilikoi foam. They also offer half-price appetizers and $14 wood-fired pizzas, making it an incredible value for such high-quality food.
Dining with a View: Oceanfront Options
You don't need to be at a fancy resort to enjoy a meal with a spectacular ocean view in Kihei. We have a few gems where the sunset is the main event on the menu.
5 Palms Restaurant
Situated directly on the golden sands of Keawakapu Beach, 5 Palms offers one of the most stunning, unobstructed sunset views in all of Maui. Their menu focuses on fresh, island-inspired coastal cuisine, and it's the perfect place for a special occasion dinner or a memorable brunch.
Monsoon Bar & Grill
This is a fantastic and unexpected treasure. Monsoon serves some of the most authentic and delicious North Indian food on the island, all from a beautiful second-floor terrace that overlooks the ocean. Enjoying a flavorful curry while watching the sun dip below the horizon is a truly unique Kihei experience.
Kina'ole Grill Food Truck
For a more casual—but no less spectacular—oceanfront meal, find this food truck parked directly across the street from Kamaʻole Beach I. You can grab a delicious plate of fresh fish or pulled pork sliders and eat at a picnic table with one of the best views in town, all for a fraction of the price of a restaurant.
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