Maui Dining Guide: Upcountry

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Upcountry Maui Restaurants

Makawao, Pukalani, Kula, Hāli‘imaile, Kēōkea, ʻUlupalakua

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

B = Breakfast   L = Lunch   D = Dinner
BR = Brunch    N = Dinner past 9 p.m.
HR = Happy Hour   RR = Reservations Recommended
Average Entrée Price: $ =  < $15   $$ = < $25 $$$ = < $40   $$$$ = $40+

 

Cafe at the Point by Hawaii Sea Spirits

4051 Omaopio Rd., Kula, 877-0009, ext.7037. You know the cocktails will be great, but did you know that the pizzas, salads, poke bowl and more are top shelf? Try a  wild mushroom pizza, blue cheese and pear salad and end with a toasted coconut [rum] tiramisu.Pacific Rim. L,D. $-$$

Casanova Italian Restaurant & Deli

1188 Makawao Ave., Makawao, 572-0220. Order a tartufo pizza or carbonara pasta at this Upcountry institution, and stay for the night’s entertainment. Visiting musicians make the dance floor one of the island’s hottest. Kid-friendly. Italian. B, L, D. $$

Colleen’s at the Cannery

810 Kokomo Rd., Ha‘iku, 575-9211. Sink into a comfy booth and enjoy a roasted eggplant sandwich on homemade bread. The pizza is a well-loved standard. Kid-friendly. American/Pizza. B, L, D. $-$$

Espresso Mafia

3654 Baldwin Ave.,Makawao. Caffeinating customers at the highest level of goodness, coffee and the aloha spirit is always purrfect at this little food truck. Hot or iced, always made right. Panini and baked goods. Coffee food truck. B,L. $

Freshies

3620 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, 868-2350. B,L,BR. Breakfast offerings include fresh fruit parfaits, Huevos Rancheros, fried egg sandos, and biscuits and gravy. Burgers, melts, salads and fish plates fill out the lunch menu. Pac-Rim. B,L. $-$$

Grandma’s Coffee House

9232 Kula Hwy., Kēōkea, 878-2140. The eggs Benedict and made-from-scratch baked goods are worth the trek. For lunch, enjoy a hamburger with Swiss cheese and caramelized onion; for dinner, fresh fish or Grandma’s home-style meatloaf with carrot-mashed potatoes. American/Coffeehouse. B, L (D Wed–Sat). $$-$$$

Hali‘imaile General Store

900 Hāli‘imaile Rd., Hāli‘imaile, 572-2666. Chef Bev Gannon dishes up fresh fish, local meats, and regional produce drenched in complex sauces. The towering sashimi appetizer is legendary, as is Bev’s crab dip. Hawai‘i Regional. L, D. $$$$

Kojima’s Sushi

81 Makawao Ave., Pukalani, 573-2859. This third-generation, family-owned restaurant offers classic and modern sushi, combination bentos with teriyaki salmon, and California rolls consistently served with aloha. Sushi. D. $-$$

Kula Bistro

4566 Lower Kula Road, Kula, 871-2960. Big fat sandwiches on focaccia, Upcountry salad greens with house balsamic vinaigrette, and buttery scallop appetizers will have you swooning. Fresh fish entrèes and juicy burgers, too. American/Pacific Rim. B, L, D. $-$$

KULAMALU Food Truck Lot

Kulamalu Town Center, Pukalani. Great selection of trucks in this upcountry location. Fish, local-style dishes, vegetarian, pizza, and cookies! International. $

La Provence

5355 Lower Kula Rd., Kula, 878-1313. The glass case overflows with perfect croissants, fruit tarts, and arguably the world’s best blueberry mango scones. On weekends, muscle past Kula’s long distance cyclists to order a Benedict or salmon-pesto crêpe. No credit cards. French/Bakery. B (Wed-Fri), BR (Sat-Sun). $

Lumeria’s Wooden Crate

1813 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, 579-8877. Only the freshest produce and proteins go on the menu at this restaurant nestled on the grounds of a boutique property. For dinner, try the grilled fresh catch or braised Maui tempeh with basil, kaffir lime and coconut curry sauce. Fall in love with the papaya with coconut cardamom cream and candied mac nuts. Pacific Rim. B, L, D. $$-$$$$

Mahalo Aleworks

30 Kupaoa St., #10. Wild yeast, American oak barrels and locally sourced fruits produces some of Maui’s most interesting artisanal beer.  Add a sausage sandwich and you’re set! Brewery/Grill. L,D. $-$$

Marlow

30 Kupaoa St., A104, Pukalani, 868-3366. Don’t miss dining at this family-owned restaurant. Jeff and Kaili Scheer know good food, and here in Pukalani, wood-fired sourdough pizza, killer meatballs and rustic salads are seriously good eats. Great wine menu, too! Italian. D. $-$$

Nuka

80 Ha‘iku Rd., Ha‘iku, 575-2939. Izakaya food with flavor and style. Start with paper-thin fried gobo chips, then move on to ‘ahi tataki with house-special ponzu sauce. Tempura shrimp udon is light and crispy. Save room for black-sesame or green-tea ice cream. Japanese. L, D. $$-$$$

O’o Farm

651 Waipoli Rd., Kula. Call Pacific’O Restaurant, 667-4341, to reserve a culinary tour. Learn about organic gardening and coffee roasting, and enjoy a breakfast veggie frittata, bread from the wood-burning oven, and freshly roasted coffee. Lunch offers chicken and fish entrées, roasted root vegetables and dessert. Maui Comfort Food. B, L. $$$$

Polli’s Mexican Restaurant

1202 Makawao Ave., Makawao, 572-7808. The sign outside says, “Come in and eat, or we’ll both starve!” Follow that advice to find entrees like kitchen-sink burritos and grilled carne asada plates with refried beans and Spanish rice. L, D. $$

Sip Me

3617 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, 573-2340. The cutest coffee shop with vegan, gf and floury offerings. Try the organic rose infused golden latte. Coffee shop. B,L. #
Freshies, 3620 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, 868-2350. B,L,BR. Breakfast offerings include fresh fruit parfaits, Huevos Rancheros, fried egg sandos, and biscuits and gravy. Burgers, melts, salads and fish plates fill out the lunch menu. Pac-Rim. B,L. $-$$

Ulupalakua Ranch Store & Grill

14800 Pi‘ilani Highway, Kula, 878-2561. Across from Maui Winery, find great deli fare and hot-off-the-grill offerings: lamb burger with tzatziki, grass-fed elk, venison or beef burgers. Plus homestyle chili and rice, or kalua-pork plate lunch with mac salad and rice. American. B, L, D. $