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Central Maui Restaurants

Kahului, Wailuku, Waiehu, Waikapū

Hunting for food in Kahului Maui or Wailuku? Read our recommendations below to find the best Maui restaurant for your tastes and budget. Or read in-depth editorial about Maui restaurants.

★ =  ʻAipono Readers Choice Award Winner 2019
B = Breakfast   L = Lunch   D = Dinner
BR = Brunch    N = Dinner past 9 p.m.
RR = Reservations Recommended
Average Entrée Price: $ =  < $15   $$ = < $25 $$$ = < $40   $$$$ = $40+

Amigo’s

333 Dairy Rd., Kahului, 872-9525. Huge portions. Kid-friendly. Mexican. B, L, D. $

Bistro Casanova

33 Lono Ave., Kahului, 873-3650. This “downtown” bistro branches out from its Upcountry sister, adding paella for two, fresh-cut french fries, and seductive crêpes to the menu. Mediterranean. L, D. $

Café O’Lei at The Mill House

1670 Honoapiilani Hwy., Waikapu, 500-0553. The owners of Cafe O’Lei Restaurants take the Mill House menu to another level. For lunch, try the Jacintho Ranch cheeseburger smothered in caramelized onions; dinner offers rosemary smoked ’ahi, Asian style braised beef short ribs, and the best banana cream pie! Pacific Rim. L,D,HR. $-$$

★ Café O’Lei, The Dunes at Maui Lani

1333 Maui Lani Pkwy., Kahului, 877-0073. Mac-nut-crusted chicken, seared ‘ahi tuna, tiger shrimp linguine and other favorites, served in a setting overlooking a links-style golf course and the West Maui Mountains. (Second Central Maui location: Waiehu Golf Course, 200 Halewaiu Rd., Waiehu, 242-2770) American/Pacific Rim. B, L, D. $$

Farmacy Health Bar

12 Market St., Wailuku, 866-4312. Pono means excellence, which perfectly describes this organic eatery’s pono bowl: kale salad atop quinoa and tofu. The taro veggie burgers and the poi açai bowl with fresh fruit are a delicious spin on a local staple. Call in your order to expedite service. Maui-style, Takeout Only. B, L. $

★ Fork & Salad

Puunene Shopping Center, 120 Ho’okele St. Unit 330, Kahului. 793-3256. See South Shore listing. “Eat local, eat healthy” is the mantra of chef-owners Cody, Travis and Jared. Imagine green superfoods topped with pastrami-style seared ‘ahi, baked quinoa falafel, or ginger tofu. Vegan, gluten- and dairy-free options. International. L, D. $

Geste Shrimp Truck

Kahului Beach Road, Kahului, 298-7109. Try Hawaiian scampi, hot and spicy, spicy pineapple, and lemon-pepper shrimp with crab salad and rice. Food Truck. L, D. $

Leis Family Class Act Restaurant

UH–Maui College, 310 W. Ka‘ahumanu Ave., Kahului, 984-3280. Leis Family Class Act Restaurant and World Plate Restaurant at UHMC offers a la carte entree specials. Same great flavors served takeout style. Bakery goods, too. International fare. L, RR. $-$$

Marco’s Grill & Deli

444 Hana Hwy., Kahului, 877-4446. One of the best vodka rigatoni dishes you may ever eat, and the bleu-cheese chopped salad with smoked bacon is crunchy and delicious. Italian. B, L, D, HR. $$

★ Maui Coffee Roasters

444 Hana Hwy., Kahului, 877-2877. Eclectic artwork and brightly painted tables decorate this popular gathering spot. At Happy Cappy Hour, 2 p.m. to closing, cappuccinos are special price. Coffee Shop. B, L. $

★ Maui Fresh Streatery

137 E. Ka‘ahumanu Ave., Kahului, 344-7929. Chef Kyle rocks the street-food scene with imaginative poutine, ethnic dishes from around the world, and a modern take on local fare. Menu changes weekly. Food Truck. L. $

Las Piñatas

395 Dairy Rd., Kahului, 877-8707. The home of the famous Kitchen Sink burrito, plus tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas . . . and a self-serve salsa bar. Ole! Kid-friendly. Mexican. B, L, D. $

Poi by the Pound

385 Ho‘ohana Street, Kahului, 283-9381. Eat like a local. Hawaiian. L, D. $

A Saigon Cafe

1792 Main St., Wailuku, 243-9560. Squeeze into a booth beside local lawmakers and order Buddha rolls and lemongrass curry. The comedic servers don’t miss a beat. Vietnamese. 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. $

★ Thai Mee Up

591 Haleakalā Hwy., Kahului, 214-3369. Great Thai cuisine from a food truck? Who would have guessed? Thai. L, D. $

Tiki Tiki Thai Cuisine

395 Dairy Road, Kahului, 893-0026. Filet mignon in creamy Thai chili sauce, chicken panang curry, and many vegetarian selections. Coconut mango sticky rice pudding will plunk you into tropical heaven. Thai. L, D. $-$$

★ Tin Roof Maui

360 Papa Place, Kahului, 868-0753. Chef Sheldon Simeon of Bravo Channel’s Top Chef fame lets you build your own kau kau bowl with his savory offerings: sweet Kaua‘i prawns in garlic butter and kochujang sauce; seared furikaki-crusted fish with wasabi mayo and soy, and more. Pacific Rim. L, D. $-$$

TJ’s Warehouse

875 Alua Street, Wailuku, 244-7311. Located in Wailuku Industrial Park, TJ’s serves up plate lunch to go: chicken katsu, fried saba (mackerel), and a hot line of daily specials, such as potato croquettes, nishime and poke, too. Asian. B, L. $

★ Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice

333 Dairy Rd., Kahului. Homemade tropical-flavored syrups like lilikoʻi and coconut set this shave-ice business apart. Second Central Maui location: 58 Maui Lani Pkwy., Wailuku. Shave Ice. Kid-friendly. $

UMI maui

1951 Vineyard St., Wailuku, 269-1802. Winner of the Silver ‘Aipono for best new restaurant, this sushi bar brings creative presentations to old Wailuku Town. NEW! Check IG for UMI food truck pop ups! Japanese. L, D. $–$$

Wailuku Coffee Company

28 N. Market St., Wailuku, 495-0259. Espresso, ice cream and sandwiches cater to the downtown crowd. Coffee Shop. B, L. $

Whole Foods Market

70 E. Ka‘ahumanu Ave., Kahului, 872-3310. All things fresh and healthy. Order from the deli or construct your own meal from the salad and hot-food bars. Get it to go, or dine here inside or out. B, L, D. $