Whether you’re planning ahead or already on-island, look forward to the diverse plates of Maui’s cultural cuisine!
From casual, fine-dining restaurants (yes, it’s a thing here) to oceanfront fish houses with panoramic views or a simple grab-and-go, Maui has plenty of delicious choices to choose from. Here are a few ideas for great tastes of Maui.
Try Maui’s Local Plates.
Have you heard of Maui’s “local food” or plate lunches? This is a specific and semi-official cuisine that Hawaiians have enjoyed for over a century. From back in the last days of the historical plantations, plate lunches started being served by lunch wagons to construction workers and day laborers. This dish was so popular many local franchises and restaurants decided to add it to the menu. Today in Maui, you find this local fav almost anywhere. Common entrées plate lunches include are the loco moco, lomilomi salmon, laulau, poi, Portuguese bean soup, kalbi ribs, chicken katsu, chow fun, hamburger steaks, and macaroni salad.
Many plate lunch outlets also sell “mini-plates” which come with the same entrées in smaller portions. Keep this in mind as you cruise the island in search of a satisfying local lunch. Here are some favorite spots that serve local grindz as well locally-sourced ingredients for more familiar fare.
L &L Hawaiian BBQ
The iconic Hawaiian Barbecue plate lunch has a rich and varied history, beginning in the nineteenth century with plantation workers in the sugar and pineapple fields. To sustain them through their grueling workday, they created hearty lunches of rice and leftovers, packed into divided tins. As these individuals hailed from different parts of the world, such as Japan, China, the Philippines, Portugal, Korea, and even New England, their meals often differed from one another – yet were shared out of a sense of communal spirit. Today’s version of this classic meal is a colorful array of ingredients from all corners of the globe. Whether it be savory Kalua Pig or succulent Teriyaki steak, each bite is filled with flavor and spice that speaks to its unique beginnings in Hawaii’s diverse cultural landscape.
Havens
Discover Maui’s hottest new food spot: Havens. Chef Sato sources only local ingredients to craft unique culinary creations like Noodle dishes, Smash burgers, and Temaki. Every dish they create is of the highest quality and made with the finest ingredients from their trusted island suppliers. Their goal is to make outstanding food quickly available for all our customers to enjoy.
Cafe O’Lei
In 1997, Dana created Cafe O’Lei in the Upcountry of Maui; it was a 5-table outdoor cafe serving sandwiches, salads, coffee, and tea. Her husband Mike soon joined her in this venture, leaving his prior position of executive chef at the Outrigger Resort in Wailea to help expand their business. Soon after its establishment, Cafe O’Lei became a highly sought-after restaurant and catering service on the island. With an emphasis on quality and customer satisfaction, it quickly became one of Maui’s favorite establishments.
Enjoy Maui’s Fresh Fruit.
Visitors highly enjoy the assortment of Maui’s fresh and tropical fruits found at our local farmer’s markets. Try our famous apple bananas, strawberry papaya, Maui island fresh pineapple, guava, coconut, lilikoi (passion fruit), coconuts, mangos, rambatans, dragon fruit, and many others that you’ve probably never seen before.
Head “Up Country” or stop by the Farmers Market for Fresh Produce: From fresh eggs to massive jackfruit, Maui has a wide range of local farmers dedicated to growing our fresh island staples. Some of the best produce can be found at the farmer’s markets and if you’d like to discover more beyond that head up country towards the all-famous Kula. Many farms take advantage of being nestled below Haleakala’s perfect cool morning weather. Rich soil and regular rainfall create perfect conditions for growing beautiful healthy food. Farms grows crops of lettuce, zucchini, squash, broccoli, bananas, papayas, strawberries, gold potatoes, and also tropical flowers and orchids. There is always a selection of fresh produce and flora available.
You love these markets: Upcountry Farmer’s Market in Pukalani, the produce of the Saturday Swap Meet in Kahului, and the farms in Kula like Alii Kula Lavender and Surfing Goat Dairy.
Want It Served? Go to a Luau
Then check out Maui’s All Famous Luaus. To capture the tastes of Maui settle under the stars and treat yourself to a show of a lifetime while dining on a traditional feast of a Hawaiian Luau. Try the Kalua pig cooked in an imu (earth oven), haupia (coconut pudding) and poi (Hawaiian taro starch) just for starters. It truly is a gourmet Hawaiian spread, paired with drinks and an oceanfront view.
Lovely Luaus: The Feast at Lele, Old Lahaina Luau, Royal Lahaina Luau
