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SeaWatch
Head up here to the golf course if you want to escape the hotel scene. At breakfast the crab-cake eggs Benedict sizzles. At other times you'll find tasty sandwiches, salads and seafood. Dine on the veranda for a panoramic ocean view across the fairway.
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Serpico's
In the center of Pukalani, opposite McDonald's, this casual Italian eatery makes real New York-style pizzas and pasta dishes, and it makes them well. If you're in a hurry, there's always an around US$5 pizza lunch special.
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Son'z at Swan Court
Between the waterfalls, the swan pond and tiki torches, this is hands-down Ka'anapali's most romantic dinner choice. In addition to the expected fine-dining steak and lobster menu, there are plenty of island touches, like Maui goat cheese ravioli. Incredible wine list, too.
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Stella Blues
You'll find a good meal here any time of the day. The jalapeño-laden Mexican omelet will jump-start your morning, or go Hawaiian with banana macnut pancakes. Lunch is built around specialty salads and sandwiches, while dinner leans into a seafood and steak menu.
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Sunrise Café
Sit on the little lanai and watch the morning harbor action at this cozy hole-in-the-wall. Locals rave about the eggs, Portuguese sausage and fruit plate (around US$7 ), and Sunrise also makes good breakfast burritos and decadent chocolate pancakes. At lunch it's salads and sandwiches.
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Sunrise Market & Protea Farm
Stop here, a quarter of a mile up from the intersection of Hwys 378 and 377, to pick up post-sunrise java, breakfast burritos and fruit salads. Then stroll out back to view the protea garden.
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Tasaka Guri-Guri
For the coolest treat in town join the crowd at this hole-in-the-wall shop dishing up tangy homemade tropical sherbets. The guri-guri, as it's called, is so popular that locals pick up quarts on the way to the airport to take to friends when they go off-island.
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Teppanyaki Dan
Chefs let the knives fly as they cook traditional teppanyaki meals right at your table. The only difference from dining in Tokyo is that here the ingredients are fresh Hawaiian. Choose from seafood options, like Kona lobster or hibachi butterfly fish, or go for the juicy steak.
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Thai Chef
Hidden in the back of a shopping center, the place looks like a dive from the outside, but the food is incredible. Start with the fragrant ginger coconut soup and the crispy spring rolls and then move on to savory curries that explode with flavor. Plenty of luscious choice for vegetarians and carnivores alike.
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Thailand Cuisine
A solid menu of well-prepared Thai dishes includes aromatic Panang curries redolent with lime and sweet basil, and a spicy vegetarian 'evil prince tofu' that will fire up your tastebuds. Cool it all down with a dish of homemade coconut ice cream.
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Tutu's
The quintessential beach grill, Tutu's serves up the expected menu of shave ice, plate lunches and burgers. Just grab a table on the sand and you've got yourself an instant picnic at Hana's favorite family beach.
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Veg Out
Tucked inside a former warehouse, this casual vegetarian eatery serves up a killer burrito with hot tofu, beans and pineapple salsa to the sounds of Ravi Shankar. Pesto goat-cheese pizza, taro burgers and veggie wraps also satisfy.
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Waterfront Deli
Wailea's sole budget option, this deli inside the Whalers General Store serves up sandwiches on bread it bakes fresh. Choices range from mainland standards, like the hot corned-beef Reuben to Maui taro burgers. It's a good stop on the way to the beach - it even boxes up picnic lunches.
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Yorman's by the Sea
Don't expect locals to let this one out of the bag. Kihei's best-kept secret, Yorman's overlooks an ancient fishpond and has an amazing water view. The food hails from the US South, with the likes of pork chops and pecan-crusted chicken. A jazz band (with owner Yorman Williams on bass) plays in the evening. Or swing by for Sunday brunch when there's live ukulele music.
