Going in April, just wife and I (woohoo no kids!), and staying in Wailea. Probably just stick to rests on this side of island, closer to hotel. Been here many times, and probably going with some of the old standbys…Humble Market Kitchin which is at our hotel and easy…LOVE LOVE Humuhumu…didn’t get a chance to go there last time as they were closed for a year because of covid…might even go there twice! Might do MAMA’s this time, since no kids…been years since we’ve been there. Hali’ilmaile General Store was nice last time…Monkeypod has just gotten too crowded and barish, so no going there. Definitely hitting Kula Lodge, and Kihei Caffe for breakfast!
We really enjoyed Pint and cork which is technically Kihei. Its considered a Gastropub plus right around the corner from Lapperts Ice Cream which makes for a pretty nice evening
On our last trip to Maui (2021), we really liked Cafe O'Lei Restaurants Maui (The Plantation location). The setting, the service, the food - all exceeded expectations. Make sure to sit outside on the patio
It was good, huh? We had reservations there the last time we were in Maui, but I broke my shoulder that day and we couldn’t fulfill our reservations. Looked like an interesting place.
Akami Coffee. Sensational coffee and limited brekkie menu.
Koiso in kihei
Small 10-12 seat family owned place. Must have rez The freshest I’ve had in Maui short of catching it myself
Wailea wine shop. Kihei
Great shop with terrific owners. There are some good finds on the shelf. We buy cheap restaurant Riedel bordeaux or burg glassware every time we visit there
Definitely the surprise dinner of the trip. I believe it was relatively new when we went so there wasn’t much in terms of reviews, but we’re really impressed and suggest it to any friends visiting Maui
Some great recommendations in here. When we were last on Maui and in Wailea 2.5 years ago, we had a fabulous meal at Morimoto at the Andaz Wailea resort. The food was impeccable and the service on point.
Totally understand your point about Monkeypod, but we always make a point of getting one of their Lilikoi foam mai-tais when on the islands as it’s quite unique, plus the wine list is always interesting.
The Pint and Cork recommendation looks great…especially if it’s neighboring a Lappert’s Ice Cream (will have to file that one away for our next trip out there).
Funny, I had a terrible meal at Morimoto’s around the same time (November ‘22). Sent the fish back, wasn’t fresh .
It was my fourth time there but Covid really shook up the supply chain. Instead of Maui caught, most restaurants got their fish from Kona.
Kaana Kitchen (same hotel) also went way downhill due to losing chef during Covid lockdown.
Since Sheldon Simeon is a local boy done good (via Top Chef), his restaurant in Wailea, Lineage, gets first pick of local fish. While the menu is limited, it’s great.
I enjoyed Mama’s but didn’t think the food was worth the hype/driveprice. Been twice. But then it was easier to get fresh, local fish.
Last March our favorite restaurant in Wailea was at Hotel Wailea - dress up, have cocktails in the Birdcage, and then dinner. Lovely evening! https://www.hotelwailea.com/
