Maui Dining Guide: Central

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Central Maui Restaurants

Kahului, Wailuku, Waiehu, Waikapū

 

B=Breakfast BR=Brunch L=Lunch H=Happy Hour D=Dinner N=Dinner past 9 p.m. R=Reservation recommended
$=Average entrée under $15  $$=Under $25  $$$=Under $40  $$$$=$40+ =Gold & Silver 2022 ‘Aipono Restaurant Award winners ̄ =Live music!
Check the venue website for information. Phone numbers are area code 808.

 


CENTRAL

 

808 ON MAIN
2051 Main St., Wailuku, 242-1111
Soup, sandwiches and salads in a stylish spot on Main Street. A Wailuku lunchtime favorite. American. L, $$

 

ALIVE & WELL (BROTH CAFE)
340 Hāna Hwy., Kahului, 877-4950
Alive & Well’s revamped Broth Cafe is known for its health-conscious wraps, bowls, smoothies, bahn mi and salads. Go for a green burrito with purple sweet potatoes or try taro bahn mi and tan tan ramen for lunch. International, B, L, $-$$

 

A SAIGON CAFÉ
1792 Main St., Wailuku, 243-9560
Squeeze into a booth and order a Vietnamese burrito, clay pot, or lemongrass curry. Vietnamese. L, D, $-$$

 

BA-LE
1824 Oihana St., Wailuku, 249-8833
Vietnamese counter-service eatery with bahn mi, pho, plate lunches and fresh baked bread and croissants. Additional locations in Kahului, Kīhei and Lāhainā. Vietnamese. L, D, $$

 

BISTRO CASANOVA
33 Lono Ave., Kahului, 873-3650
This downtown bistro serves paella for two, fresh-cut french fries and burrata caprese. Best pau hana (happy hour) in Kahului! Mediterranean. L, H, D, R, $-$$

 

CAFE O’LEI AT THE MILL HOUSE
Maui Tropical Plantation, 1670 Honoapi‘ilani Hwy., Waikapū, 500-0553
Fun, expanded menu at the restaurant group’s newest venue. The most beautiful mountain view in the Central Valley! Hawai‘i Regional. L, H, D, R, $-$$$

 

ESTERS FAIR PROSPECT
2050 Main St., Wailuku, 868-0056
Serving classic cocktails, tiki drinks, spirits, rum, mezcal, wine and beer. Local farm-to-table-inspired small lates. Rosé wine and daiquiris during happy hour. Open 2-10 p.m. Lounge/snacks. H, N, $

 

FORK & SALAD
Pu‘unene Shopping Center, 120 Ho‘okele St., #330, Kahului, 793-3256
See South Shore listing.

 

FUEGO ARGENTINIAN STEAKHOUSE
1333 Maui Lani Pkwy., Kahului, 633-4436
Cozy indoor and outdoor seating on the Dunes at Maui Lani Golf Course. Authentic Argentinian-style barbeque, pasta and sandwiches. An extensive list of cocktails and international wines. Latin-inspired. B, L, D $$-$$$

 

GIANOTTO’S PIZZA
2050 Main St., Wailuku, 244-8282
Bodega-style eatery with pizzas and homestyle Italian served with aloha. Italian. L, D, $

 

HAVENS
Plate Lunch Marketplace, 591 Haleakalā Hwy., 868-0555
Enjoy the same smash burgers and sushi at this gourmet food truck. Plenty kau kau! See also South Shore listing. Food Truck. L, D, $

 

KING’S CHINESE BBQ
197 N. Market St., Wailuku, 242-8848
No frills, counter-service joint serving Chinese BBQ and local favorites like saimin and spam musubi. Additional locations in Kīhei and Ha‘ikū. Chinese, Local Mixed-Plate. B, L, D, $$

 

MARCO’S GRILL AND DELI
444 Hana Hwy, Kahului, 877-4466
Family-friendly Italian-American diner with homestyle eats like meatball subs, vodka rigatoni and shrimp scampi. Classic breakfast plates available before 12 p.m. Breakfast, Italian, B, L, D, $$-$$$

 

MAUI COFFEE ROASTERS
444 Hāna Hwy., Kahului, 877-CUPS (2877)
Pastries, muffins, salads, sandwiches, wraps, bagels and lox made to order. Fresh-roasted coffee beans set this experience above the rest. “Happy Cappy Hour” 2-6 p.m. Coffee Shop. B, L, H, $

 

MAUI FRESH STREATERY
MauiFreshStreatery.com
Kyle Kawakami, ‘Aipono’s 2019 Chef of the Year, also won for Silver for Best Food Truck in 2022. Imaginative poutine, ethnic dishes from around the world, and a modern take on local fare. Follow him on Facebook for locations. Food Truck. L, $

 

MAUI TACOS
58 Ho‘okele St. Unit #530, Kahului, 793-3931
Chef Mark Ellman founded this Maui franchise in 1993. Known for island-style fish tacos, heaping burritos and trademark salsas. Additional locations in Kīhei and Nāpili. Mexican. B, L, D, $

 

MIKO’S CUISINE
1764 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, 868-2914
Small off-the-beaten-path eatery with Chinese, Korean and Japanese fares. Asian. L, D, $$

 

MIYAKO SUSHI
1883 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, 244-0085
Sequestered Okazuya style sushi joint also specializing in antiques and local snacks. Carryout only. Japanese. B, L, $

 

MOMONA BAKERY AND COFFEE SHOP
7 E Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului, 214-3589
Chic, spacious coffee shop serving fresh pastries, including cakes and Argentinian-style croissants. Come early for the best selection. Latin-inspired bakery. B, L, $

 

MY THAI MAUI
230 Hana Hwy, Kahului, 877-8887
Hole-in-the-wall eatery serving authentic Thai plates like tom kha, larb and pad woon sen. Favorites like curry, pad thai and bao are also on offer. Thai. L, D, $$

 

ONLY ONO BBQ
Heritage Hall, Pā‘ia, onlyonobbq.com, 777-9026
Crispy-skin Chinese-style roast pork and duck, bao pork buns, plate lunches, smoked brisket. Location varies (see website for schedule). Food Truck. Chinese/American. L, D, $

 

SAM SATO’S
1750 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku, 244-7124
This beloved Maui restaurant sets the standard for dry mein, saimin and chow fun. Asian. B, L, $

 

SHIKEDA BENTO PATISSERIE
2050 Main St., Wailuku, 500-2556
Japanese bento and patisserie shop located in the food court on Main Street in Wailuku. Get there early for a selection of bentos and colorful Japanese pastries like azuki cream puffs, matcha berry rolls and ube coconut shortcakes. Japanese. B, L, $-$$

 

SIXTY-TWO MARCKET
62 N Market St., 793-2277
Part market, part brunch joint with artfully plated eggs benedicts, frittatas and omelets. Lunchtime offerings include soup, sandwiches and salads. Silver medal for Best Business Lunch at 2022 ‘Aipono Awards. American. B, L, $$

 

THAI MEE UP
Plate Lunch Marketplace, 591 Haleakalā Hwy., Kahului, 214-3369
Addictive fried pork ribs and luscious pad Thai noodles. Curry, too! Thai. Food Truck. L, D, $

 

TIGHT TACOS
349 Hanakai St., Kahului, 707-1221
Scratch great Mexican off your foodie bucket list! Get the three-taco plate lunch (braised beef, pork and shrimp) with corn, rice and salsa. Mexican. L, $

 

TIN ROOF MAUI
360 Papa Pl., Kahului, 868-0753
Sheldon Simeon of Bravo’s Top Chef fame builds memorable kau kau bowls filled with mochiko chicken or garlic shrimp. Try the saimin, kale salad, or double-fried chicken sandwich on a brioche bun. Pacific Rim. L, $

 

TJ’S WAREHOUSE
875 Alua St., Wailuku, 244-7311
Located in Wailuku Industrial Park, TJ’s serves plate lunch to go: chicken katsu, fried saba (mackerel), and a hotline of daily specials, like potato croquettes, nishime and poke. Asian. B, L, $

 

TASTY CRUST
1770 Mill St., Wailuku, 244-0845
A Maui mainstay since 1942 serving breakfast classics and island-style lunch and dinner. Cash or debit only. American, Local Mixed-Plate. B, L, D, $

 

THE EMPANADA LADY
2119 W. Vineyard St., Wailuku, 868-4544
Garden-like eatery in the heart of Wailuku serving authentic Puerto Rican fares. Puerto Rican. L, D, $$

 

TIFFANY’S
1424 Lower Main St., Wailuku, 249-0052
Revitalized local eatery helmed by celebrity chef Sheldon Simeon. Filipino, Japanese and local-style fares. Pacific Rim. Open for lunch on weekends. Asian, Local. L, D, $$

 

TOKYO TEI
1063 Lower Main St., Wailuku, 242-8848
Longstanding Wailuku staple with authentic Japanese fares in a family-friendly atmosphere. Japanese. L, D, $$

 

ULULANI’S HAWAIIAN SHAVE ICE
333 Dairy Rd., Kahului Second Central Maui location:50 Maui Lani Pkwy., Wailuku
See West Side listing.

 

UMI MAUI
1951 Vineyard St., Wailuku, 269-1802 and Food Truck, Maui Street Market, 150 Hāna Hwy., 500-8783.
If a California roll topped with tuna, hamachi, salmon and unagi rocks your world, then chef Jayse Sato’s restaurant is your earthquake! Creative presentations, epic soft-shell crab bao buns. BYOB. Japanese. D, $-$$

 

WAILUKU COFFEE CO.
28 N. Market St., Wailuku, 495-0259
Espresso, salads and sandwiches in a relaxed and eclectic setting. Coffee Shop. B, L, $