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'Ulupalakua Ranch Store
Opposite the 'Ulupalakua ranch headquarters, 5.5 miles south of Keokea, this store has a deli and lunchtime grill featuring the ranch's hormone-free beef and elk burgers. The store also sells cowboy hats and souvenir T-shirts. Say howdy to the life-sized wooden cowboys on the front porch carved by a former ranchhand.
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A Saigon Café
Follow the locals to this backstreet gem serving the finest Vietnamese fare on Maui. Start with the Buddha rolls, a delightful combination of tofu, veggies and fresh basil served with spicy peanut sauce, then move on to the hearty pho noodle soup or one of the aromatic lemongrass curries. It's tricky to find: take Central Ave to Nani St and then turn south on Kaniela St.
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Alexander's
The place for fish-and-chips, made with your choice of mahimahi, 'ahi or ono (wahoo). The fried fare is a bit greasy but the grilled fish is absolute perfection. The food is prepared for takeout, or eat at the picnic tables at the side.
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Aloha Mixed Plate
Hands down, the best place on Maui to enjoy a Hawaiian-style meal in a beachside setting. Go local with the Hawaiian plate lunch brimming with kalua (traditional method of cooking in an underground pit) pig, lomilomi salmon (minced, salted salmon, diced tomato and green onion) and other taste treats. And then there are the award-winning coconut prawns - order them as a pupu (snack or appetizer) or as part of a mixed plate, but do try them.
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Aroma D'Italia Ristorante
Double-dare you to walk by at dinnertime and not be pulled in by the temping aromas wafting out the door! This place has it all - classy service, old-world decor and a chef-owner who relies upon her traditional family recipes to create delicious pasta dishes.
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Bakery
Don't be deterred by its stark warehouse appearance - on the other side of the rickety screen door you'll find superb French breads, flaky pastries, huge pizza slices and tasty sandwiches made to order.
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Café 808
Its motto, 'The Big Kahuna of Local Grinds,' says it all. This eatery, a quarter-mile south of the Holy Ghost Church, offers a wall-size chalkboard of all things local, from banana pancakes to carb-heavy, gravy-dripping loco moco .
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Café Mambo
This upbeat, arty café adds a splash of innovation to everything it does. Breakfast, served until noon, features create-your-own omelets. At other times choose from fragrant Moroccan stews, mouthwatering kalua duck fajitas and tempting vegetarian selections. Mambo also packs box lunches in coolers for the road to Hana (for two people $17).
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Café O'Lei
Sophisticated atmosphere, superb food and honest prices separate this place from other upscale Kihei dining spots. For a tangy treat, try the sesame-seared 'ahi . There are also creative salads using organic local greens, unbeatable lunch deals for around US$10 and a sushi chef after . And don't miss the martinis.
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Casanova Deli
Makawao's best breakfast option, this Italian deli has buttery croissants, fluffy omelets and strong coffee, as well as hot sandwiches and Greek salads. Take it all out on the roadside deck and watch the world flow by.
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Casanova Restaurant
The one Makawao restaurant that lures diners up the mountain, Casanova offers good Italian fare, classy service and well-paired wines. The menu ranges from unbeatable wood-fired pizzas and zesty pasta dishes to filet mignon smothered in wild mushrooms. Request a rear table overlooking the gardens.
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Charley's
Got a hankering for breakfast in the afternoon? No problem here. Charley's will whip you up island-fresh eggs any time of the day. The eggs Benedict with sautéed spinach and mushrooms is simply ono . The burgers, steaks and pizzas don't disappoint either.
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Chez Paul
This superb French provincial-style restaurant may be in the middle of nowhere, but it attracts diners from far and wide. While old-world artwork and white linen add ambience, it's the classic French dishes like rack of lamb, béarnaise steak, and fresh fish poached in champagne that packs those pretty tables. Reservations are recommended.
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China Boat
West Maui's best Chinese fare comes at affordable prices, with a full menu of Mandarin and Szechwan favorites. Start with the hot-and-sour soup and move on to crispy duck, or splurge on the lobster in a tasty kung pao sauce. Everything's prepared without MSG.
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Cool Cat Café
Maui's top-rated burger, hand-patted 100% Angus beef, with the price depending on how you want to load it up. The open-air café, on the 3rd floor, overlooks Banyan Tree Sq.
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Da Kitchen
Tropical decor, friendly staff and unbeatable local grinds combine to make this a favorite with islanders. The kalua pork is, as they say, 'so tender it falls off da bone' and the more expensive plate lunches are big enough to feed two. Expect a crowd at lunch but don't be deterred, as the service is quick.
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Da Kitchen Express
It's all about the plate lunches - tasty and huge - at this quintessentially Hawaiian diner. The local favorite is Da Lau Lau Plate (with steamed pork wrapped in taro leaves), but you won't go wrong with any choice, from teriyaki chicken to loco moco (a dish of rice, fried egg and hamburger patty topped with gravy).
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David Paul's Lahaina Grill
The darling of gourmet magazines, this sophisticated restaurant in historic Lahaina Inn superbly blends local ingredients with tastes from Europe and the Pacific Rim. Standouts include Kona coffee-roasted rack of lamb and 'opakapaka in lobster-champagne sauce. Although the food gets rave reviews, service can be rushed, so be prepared to hold on to your plates.
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Down to Earth Natural Foods
For health food or goodies to take to the beach, you'll find Maui's largest selection here, including a full deli with hot and cold dishes and an excellent salad bar.
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Eskimo Candy Seafood
A real find on a side street between the beach and the highway, Eskimo Candy is essentially a fish market with a take-out counter and a couple of tables. Delicious fresh 'ahi and Kula veggie wraps, decent fish tacos and excellent poke .
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Farmers Market Deli
The salad bar includes organic goodies and some hot veggie dishes, the smoothies (around US$5 are first-rate and Maui-made ice cream is sold by the scoop (around US$3 ). Take it across the street to the beach and have yourself a picnic.
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Feast at Lele
Cooked up by the award-winning chef at I'O restaurant, this Polynesian luau is an intimate beachside affair. Dance performances in Hawaiian, Maori, Tahitian and Samoan styles are each matched to a food course. With the Hawaiian music, you're served kalua pork and taro; with the Maori, duck salad with poha berry dressing; and so on. A true gourmet feast.
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Ferraro's
No other place in Wailea even comes close to this breezy restaurant for atmospheric seaside dining. Lunch strays into fun selections, like kalua pig quesadillas with mango poi, while dinner gets more serious, offering a solidly Italian menu with wood-fired bruscetta, lobster risotto and wonderful pesto dishes.
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Fish & Poi
Teak furnishings and a view of a koi pond set the mood. Hawaiian comfort food goes upscale here with crab cakes in mango dipping sauce, tempura-style fish-and-chips and chicken-papaya salad. Kids will like the na keiki menu of burgers and grilled cheese, and parents will like the price (from $3).
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Foodland
This supermarket is a convenient stop for those heading up the mountain for the sunrise, or coming down for supplies - there's a good sushi shop inside it as well.
