Wailea and Kihei sit right next to each other on Maui’s south shore, but the food scene between the two couldn’t be more different…Wailea leans resort-fancy with the occasional splurge-worthy tasting menu, while Kihei is where you go for the food truck parked in a shopping center courtyard that turns out to be better than half the restaurants with a view.

After years of eating my way through both (someone has to do it), here’s my running list of where I actually go back to…from the casual lemonade stand to the $125 prix fixe, and everything in between. Some of these are full-blown destinations worth planning a night around. Others are just the place I duck into on my way to the beach because I know exactly what I’m getting and it’s always good. I’ve tried to flag which is which, because not every meal on vacation needs to be an event, and honestly, some of my favorite spots on this list are the ones that don’t try to be.

Where to Eat on Maui (in Wailea & Kihei)

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Kitoko // Kihei

Permanently located in South Maui Gardens in Kihei, Kitoko is one of Maui’s best food trucks. Think bento boxes, but elevated with options like Kauai shrimp, braised beef, or swordfish.

But my favorite time to go is Wednesday nights for the Hula Show when they do a special menu. 

You’ll need to buy a ticket to the Hula Show (an amazing alternative to a full blown resort luau), but it’s 100% worth it to try the crispy pork belly with okinawan sweet potato gnocchi. 

Lineage // Wailea

This is my favorite restaurant in Wailea. It may not have ocean views like some of the fancier spots in the resorts (it’s located in the Shops at Wailea), but it’s sooooo good. This family style restaurant specializes in local style Asian American cuisine.

The Cantonese lobster noodles and Korean fried chicken are their standout dishes.

Akamai Coffee // Wailea, Kihei & Kahului

Arguably Maui’s best coffee spot, Akamai has a few locations now. I like to try a different signature drink or special every day ; ) 

The Wailea location is also a great spot for a full breakfast. 

Spoon & Key Market // Wailea

Spoon & Key Market in Wailea is the perfect spot for a quick breakfast or lunch or to grab a picnic lunch for the beach. When I’m staying in Wailea, I love stopping at Spoon & Key Market for lunch on my arrival day. 

Their ahi melt is spectacular. 

They also do a special sunset menu on Wednesdays and Thursdays plus an amazing looking pre-fix menu on Fridays and Saturdays that changes weekly. 

Four Seasons Lobby Lounge // Wailea

One of my favorite spots on Maui for a drink…you just can’t beat the atmosphere here.

 

They have a collection of mai tais, but the Talisman is served in custom glassware. Also, they fly in dim sum from Chinatown in Honolulu and it’s so good!

Tikehau Lounge // Wailea

There are far fewer “tiki bars” in Hawaii than most people would expect, but this craft cocktail lounge in Wailea fills a major void on the island. 

Their drinks here are FAR superior to the often “ho hum” drinks you’ll find poolside at the resorts in and touristy oriented restaurants and at a much better price. 

Go for their happy hour for before dinner drinks, but their food is actually really good too. Their kalua pork sliders are amazing. 

Monkeypod // Wailea & Kaanapali

If I only get ONE place to go on Maui, I’m usually going to pick the Monkeypod. When I lived on Maui, we would stop at the Monkeypod in Wailea for happy hour all the time after a beach day so it feels a bit like tradition. And I still don’t really feel like I’m on Maui until I’ve had a mai tai. 

They’re famous for their mai tais which have a lilikoi foam on top and they do a really good happy hour. Check the recent hours but there’s usually an early one from 3ish to 5ish and a later one after 8 or 9. Besides pretty good deals on drinks, most of their appetizers and pizzas are half off. 

The original Monkeypod is in Wailea, but the one at Whalers Village in Kaanapali has ocean views. 

WowWow Lemonade // Kihei

Yes, you know WoW Wow for their lemonade (the blackberry lavender has always been my favorite), but don’t sleep on their acai bowls. 

They make the best ones on the island. They’re made fresh (so nice if you have food allergies!) with each order and they have good acai and pitaya options. 

Kihei Caffe // Kihei

For me, Kihei Caffe is a must do. It’s hearty, big portions, and GOOD local style food. Be prepared to wait in line if you go mid morning (but it moves fast) and take cash (or there’s an ATM inside). 

It’s right across from Kalama Beach park and it just feels like where you want to be when you’re on vacation in Hawaii. 

They also have another location in the Maui Coast Hotel in Kihei (jury’s still out on whether it’s as good) and a location in Lahaina in the Lahaina Gateway shopping center (they really appreciate support right now).

Ka’ana Kitchen // Wailea

Nothing says “living resort life” like a lavish breakfast buffet. I’ve tried out most of them, and  Ka’ana Kitchen at the Andaz Maui is my favorite breakfast buffet in Wailea (which makes it the best on Maui). 

It’s about $50/person (the going price), but I think they have the best offerings, best quality, and best service. The restaurant also has a great view and even on a non-weekend/brunch day it’s probably the place that feels the most like a special experience (even for $50/person some resorts just feel like they’re shuttling a herd of guests through the buffet before they leave for their daily adventures). 

One thing I really like here is that omelet and made-to-order egg requests are handled through your server and brought to your table so you don’t have to stand in line and wait for them to make it. 

The whole concept of the restaurant is that you’re actually in the kitchen (even at dinner) so a LOT of the food for the buffet is actually being made right next to the serving stations. Which means that you can usually grab extremely fresh waffles, pancakes, etc. They’re also really good about swapping out dishes and bringing out fresh food so you never feel like you’re getting the stale, crusty ends that are left in the pan. 

They have everything you could possibly want here but I especially loved the desserts. A lot of them were unique and not the typical things that you see at a breakfast buffet. Example: Nutella brioche buns and homemade fruit cobbler. 

If you’re just coming for oatmeal, yogurt, eggs, etc. the price is pretty excessive, but if you’re ready to really eat and enjoy it, you won’t be disappointed.

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Nalu South Shore Grill // Kihei

A popular spot in Kihei for breakfast, but honestly it’s great any time of day (live music in the evenings). You order at the counter so it usually moves pretty fast. They’re famous for their loco moco and chicken and waffles. I think they have a great lobster roll!

Ululani’s // Kihei

They have a few locations around the island, but the one in North Kihei is great because you can browse the farmers market next door.

The shave ice is light and fluffy, they have great syrups and local toppings, but for me the standout is their homemade mochi. They had blueberry mochi last time I was here that was AMAZING. 

Humuhumunukunukuapua’a // Wailea

The setting alone here is reason for a visit! 

Located on the water at the Grand Wailea, this dreamy spot has overwater thatched huts, waterfalls, and a showstopping aquarium bar. 

I’ll be honest, for the price, this isn’t where I’d come for a full blown fancy dinner (Mama’s Fish House, Merrimans, and the Restaurant at Hotel Wailea are my go tos), but I love coming here right when they open for drinks at the aquarium bar. 

I do recommend getting here early though because people line up before the restaurant opens and after the initial seating, spots at the bar probably won’t open up until after sunset (unless it’s in the summer when the sun sets later). 

South Maui Fish Co // Kihei

After hearing from multiple sources that these are the best fish tacos on Maui, I had to check it out myself. And…they’re the best fish tacos on Maui. The fish (caught that morning) is grilled on a grill right outside the truck. 

It’s tucked in the inner courtyard of a shopping center so it can be a little tricky to find the first time. 

Maui Matcha // Wailea

I’ll confess I’m not a matcha lover, but I felt like I’d never had “good” matcha so I had to try this place out just to be sure.

It’s not my thing, but it was fun to watch the girl make it and she was so friendly and helped me order what she thought I’d like best!

BUT if you do love matcha, I have it on good authority that this is a place worth trying. It’s a cart on the lower level of Shops at Wailea. 

Kraken // Wailea & Kihei

They have a coffee truck in Kihei and just opened a shop in Wailea (in the same shopping center as Monkeypod). I’ll grab coffee at the one in Wailea if I’m in a hurry and the line at Akamai is too long. 

Restaurant at Hotel Wailea // Wailea

The Hotel Wailea is quickly becoming one of Wailea’s swankiest spots (and that’s saying something!). The hotel and the restaurant have been racking up all kinds of accolades lately so on my last trip to Maui it was time to finally check it out. 

First things first, the Hotel Wailea is TOTALLY DREAMY and unlike the big beachfront resorts in Wailea that you can kind of stroll through even if you’re not staying there, this place is pretty exclusive. Part of it’s the location. It sits up on the slopes of Haleakala above Wailea so it’s not right on the beach, but it’s got GREAT views. It’s also adults only and just has a very lowkey (but sophisticated) hideout vibe. 

If you want the full blown experience, stop for drinks at the Birdcage first. Otherwise, plan your dinner reservation about 30 minutes before sunset. 

The setting of the restaurant is definitely romantic and enchanting and it almost has more of a European vibe than Hawaiian. 

The menu is really elevated, but still accessible. If you’re an adventurous foodie, or more of a plain jane…you’re going to eat well here. 

Here’s how it works: the menu is a set $125/person for a first course, a main course, and a dessert.

 And these aren’t tiny little portions where you’re going to leave wanting more. One of the things we like about this place the most was how much food we felt like we got to try. With three people, we felt like we were able to try a LOT of the menu and nobody went home hungry. 

For first courses we had beet salad, risotto, and pork ribs. 

For mains, we had the scallops, the wagyu ribeye, and the fettuccine with braised wagyu. 

And for dessert, the chocolate mousse, tiramisu, and yuzu tapioca.

There wasn’t anything that we didn’t like. I would just base your choices on what you’re most drawn to. 

Want the full plan, not just this post?

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably actually planning a trip to Maui…not just daydreaming. So here’s the thing: what you just read is a small piece of what I know about this island.

I’ve been visiting Maui for years, and I put everything…the itineraries, the hotel breakdowns, the restaurants actually worth your time, the spots most visitors never find…into one guide. It’s 75+ pages, built around real day-by-day plans (not just a list of “things to do”), plus an interactive map so you’re not toggling between five browser tabs trying to piece your trip together.

It’s the guide I wish I’d had on my first few trips here.

See what’s inside the Maui Guide → HERE