Maui restaurant and food scene background

Top 20 Restaurants, Food Trucks, and Markets on Maui

From legendary fish houses to hidden gem food trucks, here are the best places to eat on the Valley Isle

Jade Kawanui, local food expert and author

Written by a Local Expert

Aloha! Picture this: you're sitting on a lanai overlooking the Pacific, trade winds carrying the scent of plumeria and grilling fish, while you bite into the most perfect piece of ahi you've ever tasted. This is why I fell in love with food on Maui, not just the incredible flavors, but the way each meal connects you to this island we call home.

I've spent 28 years exploring every corner of this rock, from sunrise breakfast spots in Upcountry to late-night food trucks in Kahului. As someone who photographs these places, eats at them regularly, and shares them with visitors through my food tours, I can tell you that Maui's food scene is unlike anywhere else in the world.

This isn't your typical restaurant list. These are the 20 places that capture the true spirit of eating on Maui, where tradition meets innovation, where local families have been serving the same recipes for generations, and where a simple plate lunch can become a life-changing experience.

Beautiful overhead shot of a traditional Hawaiian plate lunch with fresh fish, rice, and vegetables

The Legends: Fine Dining Destinations

🐟 1. Mama's Fish House - Paia

Walking into Mama's feels like stepping into a Polynesian dream. This North Shore institution has been serving the freshest fish on Maui since 1973, and they've never compromised on their founding principle: the fish you're eating was caught today.

What makes Mama's special goes beyond the food. Your table overlooks Kuau Cove, where gentle waves lap against the rocky shore. The menu tells you exactly who caught your fish and where, details like "Ono caught by Keith Nakamura off the Hana Coast" make your meal feel personal and connected to the island.

The Polynesian Black Pearl dessert is pure magic, chocolate lilikoi mousse served in a pastry shell that looks like it came from the ocean floor. At $65 per person before drinks, this is an investment. But for a special occasion dinner where you want to feel the true aloha spirit, nowhere else compares.

Pro Tip: Reservations open six months out and fill quickly. Book your sunset table the moment you know your travel dates.

🌺 2. Merriman's Kapalua - Kapalua

Chef Peter Merriman pioneered Hawaii Regional Cuisine, and his Kapalua restaurant remains the gold standard. Perched on rocky cliffs overlooking Kapalua Bay, this spot offers what might be the most spectacular sunset views on the island.

The wok-charred ahi is a Merriman's original, seared on the outside, perfectly raw inside, with a sesame oil drizzle that enhances rather than masks the fish's natural flavor. Everything here showcases Maui's incredible produce, with 90% of ingredients sourced from island farms.

Their mai tai deserves special mention. Topped with honey-lilikoi foam, it's both beautiful and perfectly balanced, not too sweet, not too strong. Watching sunset from their lanai with one in hand is a quintessential Maui moment.

Pro Tip: If the full dinner menu feels too pricey, try their light fare menu on the outdoor lanai. You get the same incredible views and aloha spirit at a more casual price point.

🍜 3. Lineage - Wailea

Chef Sheldon Simeon brings his Filipino heritage to this intimate Wailea restaurant, creating dishes that honor both his roots and his island home. The family-style service encourages sharing, turning dinner into a communal experience that reflects the true spirit of aloha.

The Korean fried chicken arrives impossibly crispy, with a glaze that balances sweet, spicy, and umami notes. The wagyu kalbi short ribs fall off the bone, accompanied by pickled vegetables that cut through the richness perfectly.

This isn't fusion for fusion's sake, it's deeply personal cooking that tells Sheldon's story while celebrating the multicultural heritage that makes Hawaii's food scene so special.