Maui Hawaii Restaurants

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Central

Wailuku-Kahului-Maalaea

A Saigon Café

Vietnamese
243-9560
1792 Main St., Wailuku

This restaurant has no sign on it because, as the story goes, Jennifer Nguyen is too busy serving an incredible variety of delicious Vietnamese and other Asian dishes to locals and people from all over the island. Jennifer's restaurant doesn't need a sign since customers keep coming back for a dozen different soups, hot and cold noodle dishes, crispy or steamed fresh catch, crispy spring rolls wrapped in fresh romaine lettuce, succulent jumbo shrimp fried and dusted with sautéed onions, ginger and chili ("Garden Party Shrimp"), Crispy Noodles with Chicken, Steamed Clams with Black Bean Sauce, Steamed Lobster Tail, all-in-one claypot and wok specialties like Crispy Wok-Fried Whole Fish, Lemongrass Calamari accompanied by rice in a clay pot, salads, stirfries, curries, classic "Pho," and numerous other delicious menu items. Jennifer grows all of the herbs and vegetables in her own gardens. 10am-9:30pm Mon-Sat., 10:00am-8:30pm Sun BEST KEPT SECRETS, LOCAL FAVORITE

Ba-Le

Vietnamese
877-2400
Food Court, Maui Marketplace, 270 Dairy Rd., Kahului

Select French bread or a croissant for one of about 20 tasty, inexpensive sandwiches (steamed pork, spicy lemon grass chicken, vegetarian, tofu, ham, and more). Order a main course of ribs, beef, and various kinds of pork and chicken (served with rice or macaroni salad), Vietnamese noodle dishes, wonderful "Pho" (Vietnamese noodle soup made by simmering marrow bones, brisket and herbs overnight, served with steak, chicken or seafood and sprouts, basil, chili pepper and lemon wedges). The lines at this tiny Vietnamese fast food emporium never seem to get shorter. Hardly anyone appears to look at a menu; they all seem to know exactly what they want. While in line you can savor the pleasure of figuring out which main additional ingredient (rare steak, chicken, seafood) to include in your Pho broth and, secondly, which type of tapioca to have for dessert. Black Eye Bean & Sweet Rice is a good choice. 10am-9pm daily DINNERS UNDER $20, LOCAL FAVORITE

Bentos & Banquets by Bernard

Local
244-1124
85 N Church St., Wailuku

For many years Bernard and his family has looked after lunches for locals. Visitors need to discover this gem hidden in plain sight in downtown Wailuku. Check out the buffet counter that features specials every day with two entrees, fresh caesar salad, rice and potato/macaroni salad. An incredible variety of entrees include: yummy Roast Pork, Ground Turkey Burger w/Gravy, Teri Steak, Vegetarian Tofu Delight and noodle dishes like Chow Fun, Chow Mein or Pansit, Roast Turkey, Bento's Meatloaf, Teriyaki Chicken, Thai Fried Chicken, Oriental Chicken Salad, Beef Swiss Steak, Baked Italian Chicken, Sweet & Sour Spareribs. Kalua Pork, Mahi Mahi Burger, Hamburger Steak, Bento's Roast Pork, Chicken Enchilada, Chicken Quesadillas, Orange Chicken, Lasagna, Reuben Sandwich, and on and on. 10am-2pm Mon-Fri FAMILY FARE, LOCAL FAVORITE

Biwon Korean Restaurant

Korean
244-7788
752 Lower Main, Wailuku

Biwon has not adapted its recipes to haole tastes, which would mean milder, less spicy, and sweeter dishes. Marinated beef short ribs known as Kal Bi, your Kimchi and the smells of grilled beef tenderloin and grilled short ribs in their sweet marinade will tell you that very little "fusion" and compromising is at work at Biwon. If not, that simply means that your tastebuds are temporarily dormant, soon to be revived by various kinds of Korean cuisine -- gui (broiled and barbecued dishes), chongol (hot pots), chigae (stews), bap (rice), guk (soup), namul (salads), pokkum (stir-fried dishes), and jeon (pan-fried dishes). Biwon also will introduce you to Korea's unique visual contribution to East Asian cuisine -- panchan -- an array of little side dishes that almost amount to a meal in themselves, including Kimchi, dried fish, marinated vegetables, and roasted seaweed. These Korean "tapas" are free and continuously replenished. 10am-10pm FAMILY FARE, BEST KEPT SECRETS

Blue Marlin Harborfront Grill & Bar

Seafood
244-8844
Ma'alaea Harbor Village, 300 Ma'alaea Rd., Ma'alaea

Overlooking Ma'alaea Harbor, indoors or outdoors on the boardwalk Blue Marlin serves fresh catch, seafood, sushi and sashimi, clam chowder, saimin, roast chicken, New York and teriyaki steak, baby-back pork ribs, pasta, hamburgers, salads and pizza. An ideal lunch spot after ocean excursions and for takeout en route North or South. 11am-9pm daily DINING WITH A VIEW, FUN HAPPY HOUR

Brigit & Bernard's Garden Café

European
877-6000
335 Ho'ohana St., Kaluhui

Local lunch crowds clearly signal two things: consistently delicious food and visitors definitely should plan to have dinner at this tiny eatery "hidden" in the Kahului Industrial Area. Start with seared ahi or shrimp Dijon. For an entrée order Swiss chef/owner Bernard Weber's rack of lamb, chicken marsala or a German specialty like jaegerschnitzel. (Turn off Dairy Rd. on Hukiliki, left on Hoohana) 10:30am-3pm Mon-Fri., 5-9pm Wed-Sat. BEST KEPT SECRET, LOCAL FAVORITE

Buzz's Wharf

Steak N Seafood
244-5426
Ma'alaea Harbor

A landmark since 1967, anytime is a good time at Buzz's a mai tai or Jamaican Me Crazy (Cuervo Gold, Malibu rum, crème de banana, pineapple & cranberry juice) and for a wonderful Ma'alaea Harbor view. Prawns from Buzz's own saltwater shrimp farm in far off New Caledonia are the house specialty. Try Paradise Prawns Tahitian or the Delectable Paradise Prawns Cocktail. Buzz's formidable lunch and dinner menus include soups and salads, steak, chicken, burgers, sandwiches galore, fish or shrimp & chips, a couple of vegetarian meals and, for the rest of us, Colossal Onion Rings, Calamari Rings or Coconut Panko Fried Oysters topped with creamy lomi lomi salsa, and award-winning deserts like Mango Crème Brulèe and Baked Papaya Tahitian. 11am-9pm daily FAMILY DINING, DINING WITH A VIEW

Cary & Eddie's Hideaway

American/Hawaiian
873-6555
500 N. Puunene Ave. (behind First Hawaiian Bank), Kahului

The full menu includes salads, full and half slabs of baby-back pork ribs, beef ribs, combinations of beef, pork and chicken barbecue, prime rib, NY steak, teriyaki steak, king crab legs and many other dishes. Locals usually head for the buffet featuring both American food and Hawaiian specialties. Favorites on the American side include tender ribs, barbecued chicken, and catch of the day plus a local main entrée. On the Hawaiian side are delicious kalua pig and cabbage, beef luau (greens and meat chunks) and teriyaki chicken in a tangy sauce. Hawaiian lunch buffet and mini-brunch on Sunday (8am-2pm) also are local favorites. 11am-8:30pm Tu-Thu, 11am-9pm Fri-Sat, 9am-9pm Sun, closed Mon. BEST KEPT SECRET, LOCAL FAVORITE

Da Kitchen

Local Grinds
875-7782
Triangle Sq., 425 Koloa St., Kahului

Serving BIG portions of local-kine grinds - tasty teriyaki chicken, pork lau lau, chicken katsu and Kalau pork, two scoop rice, mac salad and loco moco, all cheap and nothing resembling lo-cal. Da Kitchen is right up there at the top of local kine grinds. No one goes away hungry after a Teriyaki Plate or Hawaiian Plate Lunch, the equivalent of a luau without hula dancing. All of the plate lunch meats can be ordered in sandwiches. Hawaiian NY steak and Shrimp Scampi are house specialties. 11am-8pm Mon-Fri, 11am-3pm Sat LOCAL FAVORITE, DINNER UNDER $20

Down to Earth

Organic/Eclectic
877-2661
305 Dairy Road, Kahului

Excellent quality and selections of hot and cold food, a big salad bar and fairly tasty bakery items to eat in a no-frills dining room upstairs or to take out. Specialties include mock chicken tofu, teriyaki tofu, herb potatoes, and their own versions of enchiladas and lasagna. 7am-9pm Mon-Sat., 8am-8pm Sun. FAMILY DINING, LOCAL FAVORITE

Dragon Dragon

Chinese
893-1628
Maui Mall, 70 E Ka'ahumanu Ave., Kahului

Delicious lunches, including Dim Sum, and dinners at reasonably prices are served in pleasant surroundings with excellent service. Start with Honey Walnut Prawns and then try Sautéed Scallop Szechwan Style, Kung Pao Chicken, Crispy Soft Shell Crab with Chef's Special Sauce, Crispy Gau Gee Mein or other authentic dishes. 10:30am-2pm Mon-Fri., 10:30am-2:30pm Sat-Sun., 5-9pm Sun-Thu., 5-9:30pm Fri-Sat. FAMILY DINING, LOCAL FAVORITE

Fiesta Time

Mexican
249-8463
1132 Lower Main St., Wailuku

Inexpensive combination plates or a la carte chicken or beef tostadas, fish or pork tacos, burritos, enchiladas, chile rellenos, chile verde or chicken, shrimp and fajita specials, and other delicious dishes are made with fresh ingredients in this tiny eatery. Lower Main Street probably will not be on anyone's itinerary except for people who love really good Mexican food (and terrific, inexpensive Japanese food at nearby Tokyo Tei). Take-out a Fiesta Time meal and drive up to the Tropical Gardens of Maui en route to Iao Valley to savor it on a picnic. 11am-9pm Mon-Sat. FAMILY DINING, LOCAL FAVORITE, DINNER UNDER $20

Ichiban Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Japanese/American
871-6977
Kahului Shopping Center, 47 Ka'ahumanu Avenue, Kahului

A mixture of Japanese, local and American cuisine, Ichiban keeps a lot of different kinds of customers happy three meals a day, especially with over-size portions. Drop in any time for a friendly welcome and excellent service. The teriyaki beef may be the most tender on Maui. Everything from saimin, miso soup and tempura to unagi and California rolls is tasty and a very good value. Mon.-Fri, 6:30am-2pm, Sat. 10:30am-2pm, 5-9pm, closed Sun FAMILY FARE, LOCAL FAVORITE, SUSHI

Kahili Restaurant

Hawaii Regional
242-4653
2500 Honoapiilani Hwy., Wailuku

Spectacular views from the Kahili Golf Course and Restaurant span Mt. Haleakala, Ma'alaea Bay and the Central Valley. Chef Eddie Munoz, former chef at the Kapalua Bay Hotel, prepares delicious luncheon specials featuring Asian dishes like Japanese Chicken Curry and oriental stir-fried noodles. Come for delicious pupus at happy hour (3-5pm) and discounts on well drinks and beer. 10am-5pm daily FAMILY DINING, DINING WITH A VIEW

Kau Kau Food Court @ Maui Marketplace

Hawaiian Local
270 Dairy Road, Kahului

Take a trip back to the 50's at Aloha Grill for great burgers covered with teriyaki and other yummy toppings, eight varieties of veggie burgers at Aloha Grill, malts and plenty of fountain favorites. Besides 20 tasty sandwiches, short ribs, char sui saimin, chicken or seafood "Pho" at Ba-Le, specialties include vegetarian tofu rolls. L&L Drive-Inn serves generous plate lunches with katsu, cutlets, BBQ, chicken and more. Fernando's carnitas, chimichangas, chicken, beef, seafood fajitas and vegetarian dishes guacamole and pico de gallo are local favorites. Mon-Sat 8am-9pm, 7pm Sun FAMILY DINING, BREAKFAST UNDER $10, DINNER UNDER $20, LOCAL FAVORITE

Koho Grill and Bar

Eclectic
877-5588
Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, 275 Ka'ahumanu Ave., Kahului

Besides excellent breakfasts, Koho Grill and Bar serves inexpensive plate lunches, steaks, burgers, fajitas, pupus, sandwiches, ribs, clams, nachos, soups, salads and sandwiches. Come for Fajitas Madness on Tuesdays or any night for chicken stirfry, a tender baby-back rib plate, sautéed or grilled Mahi and other tasty dishes. 7am-10pm Sun-Mon., 7am-11pm Tue-Thurs., 7am-12am Fri-Sat. FAMILY DINING, BREAKFAST UNDER $10

Koho Grill and Bar

Eclectic
877-5588
Queen Ka'ahumanu Center, 275 Ka'ahumanu Ave., Kahului

Besides excellent breakfasts, Koho Grill and Bar serves inexpensive plate lunches, steaks, burgers, fajitas, pupus, sandwiches, ribs, clams, nachos, soups, salads and sandwiches. Come for Fajitas Madness on Tuesdays or any night for chicken stirfry, a tender baby-back rib plate, sautéed or grilled Mahi and other tasty dishes. 7am-10pm Sun-Mon., 7am-11pm Tue-Thurs., 7am-12am Fri-Sat. FAMILY DINING, BREAKFAST UNDER $10