Best Restaurants in Wailea & Kihei
If you’re looking for really good eats here in the Wailea and Kihei side of the island, then we have you covered on where to go for good food from budget to fine dining venues.
Check out all of these restaurant and local style eateries in the area
Best Restaurants and eateries in Wailea & Kihei (By Category: fun, delicious and cool hang out food and drink venues
1. Best street food/truck experience – Huli Huli Chicken and Ribs
If you are visiting the Kihei craft market in Kihei, it’s hard to miss the huli huli street food vendor with the amazing roasting chicken that smells so amazing and the chicken really good to boot with their sides like corn on the cob, potato salad or Cole slaw you can choose from.
Address – 1194 S Kihei Rd
2. Best coffee spot to enjoy – Akamai Coffee
Not only is Akamai Coffee a cool spot to enjoy and hang out, the food and coffee is fantastic with tasty lattes, Americanos, mochas and even their cold brew drinks. A very design savy and fun place to enjoy a cup of coffee and bite to eat. Serving 100 percent Maui coffee along with other coffees from Columbia and Chiapas.
Address – 1325 S Kihei Rd #100, Kihei, HI 96753
3. Best for dinner with a view: Gather on Maui
Getting those gorgeous views just right with a wonderful dining venue is pretty perfect here at Gather on Maui. Located right on the Wailea Gold and Emerald Golf Courses in Wailea, this Maui restaurant offers a fantastic dining experience along with stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, coastline to Molokini Crater.
The vibe at Gather on Maui is a wonderful mix of upscale vibe, outdoor dining, great design and a contemporary menu. The chefs are keyed on using only fresh in Hawaii sourced ingredients from the land and ocean. Here’s you’ll find a delicious mix of locally sourced seafood, meat dishes and other local ingredients. There’s a full lunch to dinner menu including those in between times to enjoy the happy hour scene. Live entertainment and music makes it even more special to enjoy the wonderful meals and views at Gather on Maui
Popular dishes: Adobo Pork Shank, Seared Ahi Tuna, Mushroom catch fish, Cashew crusted Kampachi, Mana salad
Address: 100 Wailea Golf Club Dr, Kihei, HI 96753
4. Best Shave Ice: Ululani
One of the most popular shave ice spots which has spread to other islands, Ululani really lives up to hype and lines and is worth a visit in South Maui. Fluffy ice and a big selection of flavors along with delicious toppings to boot. This is definitely worth going to visit Ululani in Kihei to create your own delicious blends of shave ice and toppings. Try exotic flavors like passionfruit, mango,lychee or pickled mango and you’ll be in heaven.
Address – 61 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753
5. Best for breakfast: Nalu’s South Shore Grill
Get out of the resorts and head to Nalu’s where you’ll find a big menu, generous portions, and good prices. You can get classic breakfast favorites like pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Or you can tuck into a local favorite like loco moco or an acai bowl. They also offer a great happy hour and live music every night.
There is usually a line but things move quickly, so don’t get discouraged.
Address: 1280 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753
5. Best Happy Hour: Monkeypod
With so many fantastic happy hour places to get a drink in Wailea, but I’m voiting on the Monkeypod as the best happy hour spot in the Wailea area. Part of the Merrimen brand and located in a popular shopping center you should try the signature Mai Tai made with the delicious lilikoi foam topping that’s a popular topper. Happy hour is popular with family and kids offering discounts on drinks, appetizers and pizza
Address: 10 Wailea Gateway Pl B-201, Kihei, HI 96753
6. Best Romantic Meal: The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea
Probably one of the most romantic, gorgeous and quiet restaurant scenes in Wailea is located at the Hotel Wailea. The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea really delivers the total package for a amazing dinner experience that is truly exceptional. They offer a fabulous three course pre fixe menu along with panoramic views, wonderful dining and fantastic service.
You can enjoy drinks at the birdcage bar and then get seated in your table, enjoy the sunset and a lovely dinner at this Adults only resort, but the restaurant is open to all ages.
Top dishes to experience: Mahi Mahi, Beef salad, Kampachi Manila Clams, Charred Tako, Pork belly
Address: 555 Kaukahi St, Wailea, HI 96753
7. Best Resort Restaurant: Humble Market Kitchin
There are excellent resorts located in Wailea with decent but unpredictable restaurants. One of the standouts however is the Humble Market Kitchin and located at the Wailea Beach Resort,
Created by Roy Yamaguici, the acclaimed chef and James Beard award winner, the restaurant is one of his signature restaurants with spectacular views and servie. They are family friendly and offer a free children’s a free appetizer that appeals to their palate.
Popular standout dishes: Misoyaki butterfish, braised short ribs, mahi mahi, fresh catch, rack of lamb
Address: 3700 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, HI 96753
8. Best Vegetarian Options: Olivine
Olivine offers the best Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten free options and also can modify dishes to suite your special needs. Even though the restaurant offers plant-based dishes, this is not strictly plant-based foods but a nice mixture of foods that match with the views, service, environment and a nice meal at the Grand Wailea Resort.
Signature and popular dishes to experience: Stuffed squash blossoms, lobster pizza, black truffle pasta, burrata caprese, Olive Oil Cake
Address: 3850 Wailea Alanui Dr Wailea, HI 96753
9. Best Local Food: Da Kitchen
A popular local favorite spot to get local dishes like plate lunches, loco moco and fried spam musubi. Da Kitchen is where to head for delicious and tasty local style foods and some even done with a twist.
A relaxed and contemporary vibe with basic design and the food shines and the prices are good.
Popular dishes to try: Loco Moco, Mixed plate, Deep fried Musubi, Lau Lau, Teriyaki Beef
Address: 1215 S Kihei Rd Ste E Kihei, HI 96753
10. Best Italian: Matteo’s Osteria
If you want something more Italian tonight, why not try Matteo’s Osteria. A fantastic restaurant with fabulous dining service, beautiful atmosphere and well paired wine selections. You’ll find a classic Italian menu, generous portions and a complete menu to choose from . Located in the Wailea Town Center, there’s easy parking and a true dining spot for locals and visitors alike.
Address: 161 Wailea Ike Pl Wailea, HI 96753
11. Best for Gatherings and entertainment: Maui Brew Co
Definitely the meet up and best gathering spot in South Maui is the Maui Brew Co. indoor and outdoor dining with a large lawn and patio area, live music and family friendly with games you can play in the open areas. Very relaxed and casual vibe with plenty of spaces to choose for drinks or dining
The food menu is basic for brewery fare with salads, pizza, fish tacos and typical bistro food that is well prepared and actually to to eat.
Signature dishes to try: Brewmaster pizza, boneless chicken wings, fish tacos, fish and chips
Address: 605 Lipoa Pkwy Kihei, HI 96753
12. Best for Poke: South Maui Fish Company
A popular local spot to get fresh and locally made Poke, the South Maui Fish Company creates daily poke by the pound or have them with delicious fish tacos. Located at the Aloha Open Marketplace, come early since many poke offerings do sell out quickly even though they get replenished.
Address: 1794 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753
13.Best Family friendly dining venue – Coconut’s Fish Cafe (Kihei)
If you are looking for a family friendly and relaxed place to eat, consider Coconute’s Fish Shack with it’s island flavored food and surf-shack vibe. There’s also dishes thaat are kid friendly with a dedicated keiki (kids’) menu.
You’ll find an easy and friendly staff, great dishes made with fresh ingredients and of course generous portions of food.
Address: Coconut’s Fish Café – Kihei Azeka Shopping Center
1279 South Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753
14. Best luau food: Te Au Moana
If you are looking for the total luau experience with actually good food to enjoy, then try the Te Au Moana at the Wailea Beach Resort. The dining is more refined with a three course menu that is served family style with popular dishes like mahi mahi, kalua pork and Hawaiian Poke
The food is consistently good and the show is also very entertaining and worth the price tag for the complete experience.
Address: 3700 Wailea Alanui Dr Wailea-Makena, HI 96753
Here’s a video tour experience of the Te Au Moana Luau below
15. Best Take Out: Havens
A popular spot to enjoy take out food with limited seating, just pick up and enjoy anywhere outdoors. Get ready to enjoy popular noodle dishes, fish burger or even the favorite smash burgers to go.
Havens is one of those restaurants is a local favorite and priced well for the area.
Address: 591 Haleakala Hwy Maui, HI 96732
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Conclusion to Kihei and Wailea dining venues
If you are visiting the south side of the island to Kihei and Wailea, We’ve put together our favorite places to eat that are more casual, family friendly to great views, happy hours and fine dining. Hope you enjoy these favorites and get a chance to visit them.
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I’m in total agreement with most of your reviews however I did not particularly agree with your reviews of hotel Wailea food as well as coconuts due to the fact the quality of the food was subpar and nothing to rave for the price you pay at HW! In addition, the coconut food was not as I expected with inconsistent cooking. You failed to mention my favorite such as Paia Fish market, Cafe O’Lei and Kihei Cafe.
Aloha