2026 ʻAipono Award Winners

Honoring Maui’s culinary community

About the ʻAipono Awards

ʻAipono combines ʻai, “to eat,” and pono, “excellence” – a name that captures the spirit of Maui’s premier restaurant honors. Maui Nō Ka ʻOi launched the ʻAipono Awards in 2005 to recognize the restaurants, chefs and food businesses that shape Maui’s dining scene. Each year, readers, residents, visitors and diners vote across 40 categories, and Maui chefs nominate their peers for Chef of the Year. The 2026 program marks the 22nd annual ʻAipono Awards and Maui Nō Ka ʻOi’s 30th anniversary.

Maui Nō Ka ʻOi will announce Gold, Silver, Honorable Mention and the winning categories in the fall issue and at the 2026 ʻAipono Awards event. We will announce event details separately.

ʻAipono Maui Restaurant Awards
See the 2026 Award Categories.

2026 Award Categories

  1. Best New Restaurant
  2. Most “Maui-est”
  3. Best Service
  4. Most Romantic Setting
  5. Most Innovative Menu
  6. Best Oceanfront Dining
  7. Best Lūʻau
  8. Best Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine
  9. Best Pacific Rim Cuisine
  10. Best Chef’s Table
  11. Best Farm-to-Table Cuisine
  12. Friend of Agriculture
  13. Best Asian Cuisine
  14. Best Southeast Asian Cuisine
  15. Best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern Cuisine
  16. Best Mexican Cuisine
  17. Best Italian Cuisine
  18. Best Plate Lunch
  19. Best Noodles
  20. Best Sushi
  21. Best Pizza
  22. Best Burger
  23. Best Healthy Fare
  24. Best Restaurant Poke
  25. Best Steak
  26. Best Dessert
  27. Best Fish and Seafood
  28. Best Shave Ice
  29. Best Food Truck
  30. Best Bakery
  31. Best Coffee Shop
  32. Best Breakfast
  33. Best Business Lunch
  34. Best Lobby Lounge
  35. Best Handcrafted Cocktails
  36. Best Happy Hour
  37. Best Wine List
  38. Best Bar
  39. Best Late-Night Dining
  40. Best Grab & Go Market

Additional Honors

  • Chef of the Year
  • Restaurant of the Year
  • Friend of Agriculture

Celebrating Maui’s 2026 ʻAipono Award Winners

Raise a glass to the restaurants, chefs and food businesses whose creativity, hospitality and dedication make Maui’s dining community extraordinary. Every name below has earned a place among the 2026 ʻAipono Award winners – an honor shaped by the passion of Maui’s culinary community and the support of the readers and diners who champion it.

130 celebrated businesses, listed alphabetically.

Come Celebrate With Us

The celebration is just beginning. Subscribe to Maui Nō Ka ʻOi to be among the first to discover the winning categories and honors, and watch for details about the 2026 ʻAipono Awards event. Then join us as we gather to honor the people and places that make Maui’s dining community shine.