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South Maui Restaurants
Kīhei, Wailea, Makena, Māʻalaea
Hunting for food in South Maui? 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.
HR = Happy Hour RR = Reservations Recommended
Average Entrée Price: $ = < $15 $$ = < $25 $$$ = < $40 $$$$ = $40+
1054 Togoshi Sushi
95 E. Līpoa St., Kīhei, 868-0307. Chef Manabu’s twenty-five years as a sushi chef—including two years as head chef at Morimoto’s Maui—shines through in fresh sashimi and sushi. Closed Mondays and the last Tuesday of each month. Sushi. D. $-$$
★ Akamai Coffee Company
1325 S. Kīhei Rd., Unit 100, Kīhei, 868-3251. Second location at Wailea Village Center, 116 Wailea Ike Dr., Wailea, 868-0003. Coffee and espresso done right with beans from their own farm. Coffee Shop. $
Amigo’s
1215 S. Kihei Road, Kihei, 879-9952. Huge portions. Kid-friendly. Mexican. B, L, D. $
Bistro Molokini
Grand Wailea Resort, 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-1234. Chef Michael Young knows how to satisfy keiki as well as their parents. Organic Kurobuta pork, Hāna Bay fish and chips, and grilled mahimahi are made with fresh local ingredients. Kid-friendly. American. L, D. $$$
★ Botero Bar
Grand Wailea Resort, 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-1234. Named for the Fernando Botero sculptures that surround it, the Botero Bar offers nightly entertainment and Thirsty Thursdays—when a three-cocktail tasting is just $20. Cocktails. L, D, N. $
★ Café O’Lei
2439 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 891-1368. Choose from macadamia-nut-crusted chicken, seared ‘ahi tuna, tiger shrimp linguine and other favorites. American/Pacific Rim. B, L, D. $$
Coconuts Fish Café
1279 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 875-9979. Second location at Kamaole Shopping Center, 2463 S. Kihei Rd., 875-4949. Fresh fish tacos, grilled fish burgers, fish and chips. Frances’s famous cabbage slaw with coconut dressing and mango salsa sets this place apart. American. L, D. $$
Cuatro
1881 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 879-1110. Latin and Pacific Rim flavors mingle at this pocket-sized restaurant. Try spicy ‘ahi nachos or a “Maui-terranian” fish dressed in basil beurre blanc, salsa, and balsamic syrup. Latin/Pacific Rim. D. $$$
★ Duo
Four Seasons Resort Maui, 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 874-8000. Duo reinvents the classic “surf and turf.” Japanese Kobe tenderloin (the real thing) and dry-aged rib eye are a carnivore’s delight. Choose a strong wine to match your meat’s performance. Steak/Seafood. B, D, RR. $$$$
Eskimo Candy Seafood Market & Deli
2665 Wai Wai Pl., Kihei, 879-5686. Locals come here for the rice bowl topped with four types of poke: shoyu, spicy wasabi, furikake and spicy. Fresh opah fish and chips with cabbage coleslaw. Seafood, Deli. Local. L, D. $-$$
Fabiani’s Pizzeria & Bakery
95 E. Lipoa St., Kihei, 874-0888. Lox and bagels, fresh croissants, Caprese salad with locally harvested tomatoes, thin-crust and gluten-free pizza, spaghetti with house-made pork-sausage meatballs. Italian. B, L, D. $$
Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse
1913 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 879-8711. What happens to pulled pork, beef brisket and pork ribs when they’re smoked 15 hours over fragrant kiawe? Something amazing. Enjoy with sides like cornbread, chili-garlic beans, and two cabbage slaws: one sweet-tart, the other with blue cheese and apples. American. L, D, N. $-$$
Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante
Four Seasons Resort Maui, 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 874-8000. This poolside restaurant caters to high-class tastes, with lobster sandwiches and gourmet gelato. At night, the atmosphere transforms into an oceanfront slice of Italy. Italian. D, RR. $$$$
5 Palms Restaurant
2960 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 879-2607. Watch the whales cruise by and enjoy lobster-tempura sushi and baked artichokes—half-price from 3 to 6 p.m. Breakfast is generously served until 2:30 p.m. American/Pacific Rim. B, L, D, HR. $$$
Fork & Salad
1279 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 879-3675. “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. $
★ Four Seasons Lobby Lounge
Four Seasons Resort Maui, 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 874-8000. Impeccable service, an upscale, locally sourced menu, swank cocktails, and performances by hip, local songwriters. Pacific Rim. D, N, RR. $$$$
Gannon’s
100 Wailea Golf Club Dr., Wailea, 875-8080. Order drinks at the Red Bar, then enjoy Chef Beverly Gannon’s fine comfort food: maple-vinaigrette-sweetened chicken salad, or venison atop rich Parmesan risotto. American/Pacific Rim. D, HR. $$$
Gilligan’s Bar and Grill
470 Lipoa Pkwy., Maui Nui Golf Course, Kihei, 868-0988. Wings, hummus, wild and smoky pulled pork sandwiches and fish and chips. Don’t miss The Gilligan cocktail: white rum, coconut rum, banana liqueur and tropical juice blend. International. Sundays only, B,L,D. M-Sat. L,D. $-$$
★ Honolulu Coffee Company
The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr., 875-6630. ‘Aipono’s 2019 Silver Award for Best Coffee Shop, this full-service coffee bar also offers light fare such as granola parfait with fresh fruit, bagels, and ham-and-cheese croissants. Coffee Shop B, L. $
Humble Market Kitchin
Wailea Marriott, 3700 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 879-4655. Chef Roy Yamaguchi hits it out of the ballpark with kampachi crudo, seasonal Goose Point oysters, roasted Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, tender beef short ribs, and even saimin. Perfect. Pacific Regional. B, L, D. $-$$$
★ Humuhumu
Grand Wailea Resort, 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-1234. If fresh island prawns in Thai ginger, tomato broth and tapioca pearls, or brioche- and lemongrass-crusted rack of lamb doesn’t make you want to dance the hula, the tender butter lettuce, Cabot white Cheddar cheese, Asian pears, and candied macadamia nuts tossed in a mustard vinaigrette will. Pacific Rim. B, D. $$-$$$
★ Island Gourmet
The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 874-5055. Sushi to go, deli sandwiches, plate lunches and much more. Pacific Rim. B, L, D. $
★ Ka‘ana Kitchen
Andaz Maui, 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 573-1234. Start with grilled Wagyu hanger steak on green papaya salad, then charred octopus with local goat cheese. Next, Kona abalone on creamy risotto, or a modern interpretation of chicken and waffles. A curated wine list with sommeliers to guide you in pairings, and mixology at its finest. Asian Fusion. B, D. $$$$
Kamana Kitchen
1881 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 879-7888. Eye-catching art and Indian relics grace the walls, a prelude to a menu highlighting exotic spices lovingly blended from family recipes. Indian. L, D. $-$$
Kea Lani Restaurant
Fairmont Ke Lani, 4100 Wailea Alanui Dr., 874-4100. Upscale local style breakfast menu with great Bloody Mary cocktails. Sunday brunch. B,BR. $-$$
★ Kihei Caffe
1945 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 879-2230. Tasty, egg scrambles, house-baked pastries, fish with rice, and fresh juices lend you strength for catching waves across the street at Cove Park. Kid-friendly. American. B, L. $
★ Kō
Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, 4100 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-4100. Plantation Era cuisine takes the spotlight. Try the Kobe beef poke appetizer, and “On the Rock”—three mouthwatering morsels of ‘ahi served with a 300-degree lava rock for searing them to perfection. Pacific Rim. L, D. RR. $$
Lehua Lounge
Andaz Maui, 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 573-1234. Cocktails created with locally sourced, seasonal ingredients like lychee, liliko‘i and Hawaiian navel oranges go hand in hand with Ka‘ana Kitchen’s award-winning menu. $
★ Lineage
3750 Wailea Alanui Dr., The Shops at Wailea, 879-8800. The cute Maneko-Neko cocktail will make you giggle and wonder, “How did they do that?” Follow it with charred tako (octopus) and potatoes, then, Korean Fried Chicken and garlic Szechuan noodles. Pacific Rim. L, D. $$-$$
Local Boys Shave Ice
1941 South Kīhei Road, Kīhei, 344-9779. How to chill out in the Islands? Slurp up a mountain of fruity shave ice served with plantation-culture-inspired add-ons like haupia (coconut) and macadamia-nut ice cream. Shave Ice. $
Longhi’s Wailea
The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 891-8883. Try a crisp pinot grigio and a romaine tossed with lemon- feta vinaigrette and anchovies. Italian. B, L, D. $$$
Luana
Fairmont Kea Lani, 4100 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea, 875-2210. Do the Makalapua or Basil Schmasil cocktail with Pang’s Poke Bowl of your favorite add-ins. Oysters, Kaua’i shrimp appetizers and more! Pacific Rim. L, D. $-$$
Makana Market + Cafe
Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, 4100 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-4100. Healthy vegetarian fare, deli sandwiches and spectacular desserts abound at this take-out/eat-in deli. Espresso drinks, baked goods and house-made gelato, too. Try the new Juice Bar! American/Italian. B, L, D. $$
Manoli’s Pizza Company
100 Wailea Ike Dr., Wailea, 874-7499. The latest offering by Tri-Star Restaurant Group, Manoli’s believes in fresh, organic and sustainable ingredients. Order a pizza with handcrafted organic wheat or gluten-free crust, or dig into chicken scaloppini or homemade lasagna. American/Italian. L, D, N. $$
★ The Market
10 Wailea Gateway Pl., Wailea, 879-2433. Fresh-baked bread, breakfast, salads to go, charcuterie and sandwiches like the Haole Hoagie: pepper-crusted turkey on sourdough with red-dragon cheese and cumin aioli. Coffee drinks sweetened with fresh-pressed sugarcane juice, and the cheese is made on Maui. B, L. $$
Matteo’s Osteria
161 Wailea Ike Pl., Wailea, 879-8466. Matteo’s makes its meatball sandwich with Maui Cattle Company beef and Italian sausage, and crusts its ‘ahi with Calabrese olive tapenade. Or try the Tuscan kale-and-hemp salad with lemon- honey-mustard dressing. Italian. L, D. $$-$$$
Maui Thai Bistro
2439 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 874-5605. Fragrant with kaffir lime leaves, the Bistro’s tom yum shrimp-fried rice just might become your favorite lunch on Maui. Or try the green-mango salad with crispy fish, then finish with house-made black sesame ice cream. Curries are made to order with freshly ground herbs and spices. Thai. L, D. $-$$
★ Miso Phat Sushi
1279 South Kīhei Road, Kīhei, 891-6476. Sushi served on-site, takeout or delivered. Sashimi platters, sushi rolls, nigiri and specialty rolls. Japanese. L, D. $$
★ Monkeypod Kitchen
10 Wailea Gateway Pl., Wailea, 891-2322. Lunch at this Peter Merriman restaurant includes pizza, burgers, tacos and ramen. For dinner: Big Island beef rib eye with chimichurri sauce, gnocchi with pork sausage, and banana-cream pie. Hawai‘i Regional. L, D, N. $$
Morimoto Maui
Andaz Maui, 3550 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 573-1234. Iron Chef’s Masaharu Morimoto combines signature and Maui-centric dishes such as rib-eye beef burgers lobster roll sandwiches. Dinner catches fire with prix fixe omakase. Handcrafted mixology and a dazzling selection of sakés. Japanese Fusion. L, D. $$$$
Mulligans on the Blue
100 Kaukahi St., Wailea, 874-1131. Maui’s only Irish-owned pub serves up fish and chips, grilled bangers and mash, and shepherd’s pie. Or try the chopped salad with bacon, blue cheese and tomatoes. Guinness poured properly, great music to get you foot-stompin’ happy, and sports-bar action, too. Sláinte! Irish. Friday-Sunday. L, D, N. $-$$$
Nalu’s South Shore Grill
Azeka Shopping Center (mauka), 1280 South Kīhei Road, Kīhei, 891-8650. Generous portions and locally sourced ingredients served with aloha. ʻAhi club with smoked bacon, and fresh fish and (hand-cut) chips will have you coming back for more! Burgers? Yes! American/Pacific Rim. B, L, D. $-$$
Nick’s Fishmarket
Fairmont Kea Lani, 4100 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-7224. Classic seafood dishes are served beneath a trellis of stephanotis and a sky full of stars. Woo your date with plump strawberries that are drenched in Grand Marnier and set aflame. Pacific Rim/Seafood. D, RR. $$$$
★ Nutcharee’s Thai Food
1280 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 633-4840. The flavors of Thailand never get boring when Nutcharee is cooking! Start with ahi laab tartare salad, or the popular crispy fi sh mango salad, then dig into tender braised short ribs smothered in masaman curry. Don’t forget the spring rolls! Thai. L, D. $-$$
Outback Steakhouse
281 Pi‘ikea Ave., Kīhei, 879-8400. Personable servers, steaks and shrimp hot off the “barbie” and a menu just for “joeys” (kids) make eating an adventure at this Aussie-themed chain restaurant. Kid-friendly. Steak. L, D, N. $$
★ Pā‘ia Fish Market Restaurant
1913 South Kīhei Road, Kīhei, 874-8888. Huge slabs of fresh fish served with coleslaw on burger buns, quesadillas, fajitas and seafood pasta . . . the same yummy menu that for years has hooked surfers and families in Pā‘ia is now in Kīhei, too. Kid-friendly. Seafood. L, D. $
Piko Cafe and Restaurant
1215 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 793-2671. Fried rice or buttermilk pancakes for breakfast, bento lunches for the beach, plus dry mein, waffle dogs, burgers, katsu, killer salads, and a signature dessert: haupia-chia-ube pudding. Hawai‘i Regional. B, L. $
Tanpopo
1215 S. Kīhei Rd., #F, Kīhei, 446-3038. Lunch offerings include ramen, Japanese-style chicken curry, California rolls and beef burgers. Dinner goes Italian and Japanese, with pastas, flatbreads, sashimi, sushi and tempura. Japanese Fusion, L, D. $-$$$
★ The Pint & Cork
3750 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea, 727-2038. Premiere gastropub/neighborhood sports bar specializing in craft beer, handcrafted cocktails,“hard to find” whiskeys and fine wines. The chef’s menu features Hawaiian-inspired pub food. Try the BIB Burger, pork adobo moco, and spicy beef salad. International. L, D, N. $-$$
★ Pita Paradise
34 Wailea Ike Dr., Wailea, 879-7177. Start with classic spinach tiropitas with caramelized onion, feta, mozzarella and tatziki wrapped in phyllo dough; then move on to kababs, luscious pastas and gyros. Baklava ice-cream cake, too. Mediterranean. L, D. $–$$$
Pizza Madness
1455 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 270-9888. This family-style restaurant serves Cobb salad, hot and cold deli sandwiches with chips and a pickle, some of the best pizza this side of the Pacifi c, and pasta, too. Italian/Pizza L, D. $-$$
The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea
555 Kaukahi St., Wailea, 879-2224. Serving al fresco breakfast from 7:30-11am. Pre fixe dinner menu to die for! Gorgeous outdoor setting for a date in heaven. European-inspired. B, D, RR. $$-$$$$
★ Roasted Chiles
Azeka Shopping Center, 1279 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 868-4357. Ofir and Suki Benitez share family recipes like Mama Benitez’s chicken mole, pozole verde, and langostino enchiladas blanketed with tomatillo cream sauce. Giant margaritas and fresh mixology. Mexican. L, D. $-$$
★ Ruth’s Chris Steak House
The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 874-8880. Steaks worthy of devotion, top-flight service and a superb wine list earn the chain loyal fans. This venue doesn’t stray from the flock. Several tables overlook the harbor. American. D, N. $$$$
★ Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Kukui Mall, 1819 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, Building A, 868-0780. D.K. Kodama’s wildly popular restaurant draws lines late into the night. Small and action-packed, this classy sushi bar is the place to try a Kenny G roll (snapper with shiso and ponzu sauce) with a swig of saké. Pacific Rim/Sushi. D, N, RR. $$$
South Shore Grindz
2439 S. Kihei Rd., Rainbow Mall, Kihei, 856-0016. Poke bowl, Crazy Noodles with ground pork-black bean stir fry, teriyaki steak bahn mi sando, or a Sumo Plate with choice of two local style mains, such as, roast pork and chicken katsu. Desserts are to-die-for, if it’s not sold out! Pacific Rim. $-$$
South Shore Tiki Lounge
Kīhei Kalama Village, 1913 S. Kīhei Rd., Kīhei, 874-6444. Gourmet pizza, burgers, salads, and several vegetarian items round out this hip bar’s menu. American. L, D, N. $
Spago
Four Seasons Resort, 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 874-8000. Wolfgang Puck’s ‘opakapaka sashimi and perfectly seared Kobe beef match the trendsetting wine list note for note. Spectacular sunsets may as well be on the menu. Pacific Rim. D, RR. $$$$
Thailand Cuisine
1819 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 875-0839. Gracious waitstaff welcome you with a steaming pot of vanilla tea. Sticky rice served in a woven Thai basket perfectly complements the flavorful red duck, lobster, or tofu curries. Thai. L, D. $-$$
Three’s Bar & Grill
1945-G S. Kihei Rd., Kihei, 879-3133. Southwest, Pacific Rim, and Hawaiian flavors mingle at this eclectic bistro. Try the tasty CoCoNut Porter BBQ sauce on the kalua pork sandwich, build-your-own burger, or quesadillas. Pacific Rim, Southwest. L, D, N, HR. $$
Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar
The Shops at Wailea, 3750 Wailea Alanui Dr., Wailea, 875-9983. Who guessed a clothing company could deliver mean pork sandwiches and Caribbean-inspired libations? Caribbean/Pacific Rim. Open 1-8pm. L, D, N, HR. $-$$
Trilogy Excursions’ Sunset Dinner Sail
Ma‘alaea Harbor, 661-4743. Board a luxury catamaran for Chef Bailey’s four-course dinner. Choose a rosemary-garlic-crusted steak on roasted garlic demi-glace, wild-caught mahimahi with lemon caper butter, or vegetarian pasta. Open bar with cocktails, Maui Brewery and wine selections. American. D. RR. $$$$
★ Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
61 S. Kihei Rd., Kihei. Homemade tropical-flavored syrups like liliko‘i and coconut set this shave-ice business apart. Kid-friendly. $
