6 Best Restaurants in Kahului, Maui

Da Kitchen

$ Fodor's choice

This extremely popular purveyor of all food "local" is bright, shiny, comfortable, and just minutes from Kahului airport. Try the signature mahimahi tempura, loco moco, Hawaiian plate, chicken katsu, and daily mixed bentos; and rest assured that everything on the menu is delicious and portions are gigantic. There's an "express" location in Kihei, but we recommend the happy, always-crowded Kahului location.

425 Koloa St., Kahului, Hawaii, 96732, USA
808-871–7782
Known For
  • fried spam musubi
  • enormous plate lunches
  • Polynesian paralysis moco with fish tempura, kalua pork, two eggs, onion, mushrooms, and gravy—all served over fried rice
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.

Tin Roof

$ Fodor's choice

Celebrity chef Sheldon Simeon has taken the fame he earned on Top Chef and opened this trendy lunch counter in a small Kahului warehouse. You can't miss this spot; look for the line of people waiting in the parking lot. While there are only a couple of stools in the restaurant, many people dine on the curb or take it to-go. Locals and visitors swarm in droves for the affordable and ono (delicious) plates of mochiko chicken, pork belly, ulu mac salad, beet box, and garlic shrimp. Don't forget to ask for some chili pepper water!

Aria's

$$
Dinner and lunch items are affordable and delicious at this Asian bistro, but Sunday breakfast is equally tempting. At lunch, try the flavor-packed char siu bao (barbecue-pork-filled bun) sliders and the gigantic crab club sandwich, and favorite dinner options include the Asian-braised pork belly and the vegetarian putanesca.
2062 W. Vineyard St., Wailuku, Hawaii, USA
808-242--2742
Known For
  • location in Wailuku's Old Town
  • upscale dining at affordable prices
  • braised chocolate chipotle lamb shank
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.--Wed.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Bistro Casanova

$$

The location of this Mediterranean restaurant is smack-dab in the middle of Kahului, making it a convenient choice for lunch or dinner. The menu features everything from salads to pasta, and the tapas menu (available from 4-9 pm) changes weekly and always has an excellent selection of dishes.

33 Lono Ave., Kahului, Hawaii, 96733, USA
808-873–3650
Known For
  • paella with saffron rice, scallop linguine
  • beautiful desserts
  • perfect place for dinner before heading to the airport
Restaurants Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.

Fork & Salad

$

Healthy, fresh, fast. This busy eatery is the second restaurant for chef-owners Jaron Blosser, Cody Christopher, and Travis Morrin, the first being Three's Bar and Grill in Kihei. You can order a signature salad or create your own with the impressive selection of add-ons, including many grown on Maui. Sandwiches and soups are also featured, as are fresh-squeezed juices. The line can get long, but it moves quickly; order online and skip the wait altogether. Sit-down dining is available, though this bustling restaurant can get noisy.

Marco's Grill & Deli

$$

One of the go-to places for airport comers and goers, this popular Italian restaurant also draws a steady crowd of local residents, mostly for business lunches. Meatballs, sausages, and sauces are all made in-house, there's a long list of sandwiches that are available all day, and the affordable salads are big enough to share; substitutions or special requests are not recommended.