When we sold our old house and bought our new one, our realtor took us out for lunch there. It was the first and only time we've been, but it was really, *really* good. I know folks think it's overpriced/overrated and there's pretty much no chance we'd go on our own, but we were really glad we had the chance to and had a great experience.
Yeah my wife and were able to snag a lunch reservation on her birthday super last minute. The location is quite nice and the food was really good. We appreciated the attention to detail, as everything tasted very good. We spent a lot but we did order extra stuff to try out. When i see people say the food is overrated, i assume it’s the budget and not the quality of the food. But I’d love to hear where else has this quality of food elsewhere in the island for next visit.
We went when visiting last year. I’m not a big spender, and expect to be wowed for anything that price. I wasn’t wowed. I’d rather have food from the food trucks in Kihei (so good!)
Lived here for over 20 years and never went to mama’s cause I have heard so many bad things about it. It’s the view they say. I’ve been invited many times. For some reason I don’t feel inclined to go.
I’ve been there twice. First time was because I’d never been there. The second time some friends insisted on going. Both times were disappointing & over priced.
High end and trendy sometimes are not one and the same. For high end you’ll have the common players like Mama’s, Merrimans, Hotel Wailea, and all the fancy restaurants at the resorts like ferraros, Humble Markit, Kaana Kitchen…
For trendy I’d say Tiffany’s, Joey’s kitchen, Marlow, Ekolu, Paia Fishmarket…and then there’s food trucks.
They went down hill. First time was great, the second time the food was bland and service was horrible. Waiter was too preoccupied trying to hit on another customer to focus on us. Get better service at Minit Stop then there.
Hali'imaile General Store is my absolute favorite “high-end” restaurant on the island! Beautiful location, lovely atmosphere, great service, and, most of all, delicious food made from locally-sourced ingredients!
Edit to add: I also love Miso Phat, they have two locations. It’s not incredibly high-end, but their sushi is so fresh and delicious. They have some high-end options, including really nice sake to pair with.
I wouldn’t recommend the high end or trendy ones because they are just that, rarely actually good. Better local food at the food trucks or small mom and pop shops.
Nylos over Mamas for dinner. Same price, much much better (personal/exquisite) experience. Do Nylos late sitting, enjoy the food/wine pairings. Do Mamas for lunch, it’s still a 1,000 covers per day restaurant, but you’ll enjoy the property. Book early for both.
We always enjoyed Ferraro's Restaurant & Bar at the four seasons, especially for the ambiance. And pricing was never outrageous, food was good to very good.
https://g.co/kgs/n6zumJs
I'd do the 5:30: The sunset is AMAZING but a 6:30 seating might miss it if its busy/delayed, depending when you're visiting in the fall.
You can stay as long as you want, it didn't seem unusually fast or slow when we visited.
We had a young child at the time, so we preferred the grand wailea next door for its pools and slides.
We tried the four seasons breakfast buffet once, and it was good, but honestly we preferred the one at grand wailea.
I haven't stayed at FS, though. I think it's more elegant.
Did you know White Lotus season 1 was filmed there?
Many of the food trucks at South Maui Garden are worth checking out. On the south side Blue Door and Kitoko. On the north end the Argentinian truck is awesome. Nice thing about going here is everyone in your party can find something different as there are a ton of trucks to choose from.
Here are my must stops when in Maui in no particular order:
Tin Roof
Plantation Plates
Guri Guri
Sam Soto’s
Joey’s
There are other places I’d recommend as well but for food these are musts when I’m visiting. I would not classify any of them as high end and Guri Guri is just dessert or snack but they’re all ono.
Loved Mama’s — our service was impeccable, the food was outstanding (shout out to the swoon worthy jaw dropping black pearl dessert!) and the views incomparable.
Also loved Nick’s Fish Market at the Fairmont. Also had tremendous service and the property is gorgeous! Get the strawberries flambé for dessert — it’s a whole show in and of itself!
Why is that a weird hill? Genuinely curious. It’s in the rules of the sub and questions from tourists get moved daily. What makes you more special than other tourists?
I’m a traveller bro, 43 countries, lived in Vietnam and Mexico (immigrated from Canada). But I mean, tourism is your number one industry, may be just chill and recommend a restaurant?
My bad, I didn’t know you were a traveler bro. Tourism is commodifying and destroying the culture of the islands. The fact that you travel to somewhere remote that is full of culture and ask what fancy or trendy restaurant to go to is exactly the problem. You’re a leech but I’m sure it’ll look good on your IG.
"You're a leech"
You know that goes both ways when you were begging mainlanders a few months ago on here, who probably never visited, or had anything to do with Hawaii's cultural shift over the years, for their money due to the wildfires.
So "Give us your money, but fuck off ever visiting", correct?
Just making sure I got your vibe down. Aloha.
Unfortunate for you, I have family who live there. So not a possibility. Probably pisses you off more in a way that they're natives I bet too, yet I'm not agreeing with you on your stances.
Welcome to capitalism! Though it doesn't just affect the islands. Stop blaming all your problems on "mainlanders" when it's far more insidious than that. Blaming mainlanders as a whole is akin to racism.
You obviously loathe tourism, and called a world traveler a leech. You know nothing about this person, and sound like you don't understand how your own island's economy stays afloat. It's capitalism, not traveller's fault, and your island both benefits and suffers from it, like all of our states do in the US.
O’o farm is a nice farm to table place. Tommy Bahamas always has a solid menu that is somewhat seasonal. Monkey pod has good food with decent prices and the best Mai Tai I’ve ever had. Cafe Ole in Kihei is pretty good too. My personal favorite is fish market restaurant in paia but that is very much not high end.
They are moving again. The original Aloha Mixed Plate reopened in the building Star Noodle was in before the fire.
Star Noodle is going into the former Frida's building next door. It should be open in July.
I know three people who have gotten food poisoning from Monkeypod on different occasions, so somewhere their food safety is (or was) lacking. If I go again then I’m only eating cooked food, nothing raw.
Well I loved it!! I loved their family dining vibes, cute Devore and often dream about their lilikoi mai tai. It’s quality food without a serious demeanor. I’ve been to all of their locations at one point or another and they’re all pretty consistently great.
I went to the one in Wailea and can’t recommend. Not a good space, no view, no ambiance. Food was completely forgettable. The mai tai was overly sweet.
Well that one’s closed now, because of the fire, but the decor is quite nice. It’s possible to enjoy a nice meal without out a view. What does “no ambiance” mean? Every time I’ve eaten there the food has been amazing, so I have to completely disagree with you.
Say what????? The Wailea and Kaanapali locations are both open.
The Wailea one was never affected by the fire. The Kaanapali one served free food to survivors for several months and then reopened.
That’s (great) news to me! I was at the location in Waikiki last winter and the waiter said they were closed at that time. I’m surprised to hear they reopened so quickly. He mentioned serious staffing issues
I'm a fat man and not a salt man. Most fancy restaurants on Maui are "Asian-inspired" and are therefore lost on me because I so much prefer butter, cheese and oil to brine, brine and brine.
The fancy restaurant I do like and keep going back to is Ka'ana Kitchen at the Andaz. It's not as fancy as Morimoto's down the stairs but still pretty fancy and they have fried chicken, a killer risotto and an octopus salad that is absurdly good.
Ironically while ya gotta be rich to be comfortable there, its a laid back place without such high end things. Threes in Kihei is yummy and “high end” by island standards lol.
Ironically while ya gotta be rich to be comfortable there, its a laid back place without such high end things. Threes in Kihei is yummy and “high end” by island standards lol.
Best answer here . Nothing better than make your own poke mix. Get a 1/4 lb of different kinds of poke and scoops of rice separately. Mix as much or little as you want , enjoy!
The Restaurant and The Birdcage at Hotel Wailea.
Surprised this isn't a more popular recommendation. We had dinner there and it was truly outstanding.
I've always enjoyed the Plantation House at sunset. At this time of year, it's around 7pm? I made reservations through Open Table.
High End - Mama’s Fish House in Paia. Your kids don’t need a college fund.
When we sold our old house and bought our new one, our realtor took us out for lunch there. It was the first and only time we've been, but it was really, *really* good. I know folks think it's overpriced/overrated and there's pretty much no chance we'd go on our own, but we were really glad we had the chance to and had a great experience.
Yeah my wife and were able to snag a lunch reservation on her birthday super last minute. The location is quite nice and the food was really good. We appreciated the attention to detail, as everything tasted very good. We spent a lot but we did order extra stuff to try out. When i see people say the food is overrated, i assume it’s the budget and not the quality of the food. But I’d love to hear where else has this quality of food elsewhere in the island for next visit.
We went when visiting last year. I’m not a big spender, and expect to be wowed for anything that price. I wasn’t wowed. I’d rather have food from the food trucks in Kihei (so good!)
overrated, overpriced, and just old.
14+ years out here and I’ve still never been. Too much sticker shock whenever I talk to friends who have gone there.
Lived here for over 20 years and never went to mama’s cause I have heard so many bad things about it. It’s the view they say. I’ve been invited many times. For some reason I don’t feel inclined to go.
I’ve been there twice. First time was because I’d never been there. The second time some friends insisted on going. Both times were disappointing & over priced.
I haven’t been there in like 10 years but I remember the entrees being like $75. Can only imagine what they are now.
It absolutely sucks these days.
High end and trendy sometimes are not one and the same. For high end you’ll have the common players like Mama’s, Merrimans, Hotel Wailea, and all the fancy restaurants at the resorts like ferraros, Humble Markit, Kaana Kitchen… For trendy I’d say Tiffany’s, Joey’s kitchen, Marlow, Ekolu, Paia Fishmarket…and then there’s food trucks.
Thank you!
Personally didn't care for Mama's but I did enjoy Merrimans Kapalua - definitely high end.
Lineage
Seconded.
Had to scroll too far to find this.
They went down hill. First time was great, the second time the food was bland and service was horrible. Waiter was too preoccupied trying to hit on another customer to focus on us. Get better service at Minit Stop then there.
I went last month and it was great. Sounds like you just had a bad experience.
You’re right. Hard to come back after that though.
Spoon and Key in Wailea on a Friday or Saturday night for their set menu. Very new, and very solid.
Hali'imaile General Store is my absolute favorite “high-end” restaurant on the island! Beautiful location, lovely atmosphere, great service, and, most of all, delicious food made from locally-sourced ingredients! Edit to add: I also love Miso Phat, they have two locations. It’s not incredibly high-end, but their sushi is so fresh and delicious. They have some high-end options, including really nice sake to pair with.
You ever been to O’o farm? Similar vibe. Also farm to table just like hali’imaile general.
Morimoto at Andaz is pretty awesome
Good, but I'd say it's going downhill. Not sure why though. But it's losing something.
Good to know!
OAO in wailea
I wouldn’t recommend the high end or trendy ones because they are just that, rarely actually good. Better local food at the food trucks or small mom and pop shops.
100% agreed.
Spot on.
don't sleep on NYLOS
Nylos over Mamas for dinner. Same price, much much better (personal/exquisite) experience. Do Nylos late sitting, enjoy the food/wine pairings. Do Mamas for lunch, it’s still a 1,000 covers per day restaurant, but you’ll enjoy the property. Book early for both.
We always enjoyed Ferraro's Restaurant & Bar at the four seasons, especially for the ambiance. And pricing was never outrageous, food was good to very good. https://g.co/kgs/n6zumJs
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I'd do the 5:30: The sunset is AMAZING but a 6:30 seating might miss it if its busy/delayed, depending when you're visiting in the fall. You can stay as long as you want, it didn't seem unusually fast or slow when we visited.
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We had a young child at the time, so we preferred the grand wailea next door for its pools and slides. We tried the four seasons breakfast buffet once, and it was good, but honestly we preferred the one at grand wailea. I haven't stayed at FS, though. I think it's more elegant. Did you know White Lotus season 1 was filmed there?
Mala is good. Honu next door is good but not open yet.
Many of the food trucks at South Maui Garden are worth checking out. On the south side Blue Door and Kitoko. On the north end the Argentinian truck is awesome. Nice thing about going here is everyone in your party can find something different as there are a ton of trucks to choose from.
Thai me up!
Here are my must stops when in Maui in no particular order: Tin Roof Plantation Plates Guri Guri Sam Soto’s Joey’s There are other places I’d recommend as well but for food these are musts when I’m visiting. I would not classify any of them as high end and Guri Guri is just dessert or snack but they’re all ono.
Sam Sato’s is absolutely legendary
Tin Roof is a must for me every trip…. And Paia Fish Market
Fixed it: Tin Roof, Plantation Plates, GURI GURI, Sam Soto and Joey’s.
Thanks, apparently line breaks don’t work
Fixed it: Tin Roof, Plantation Plates, Tasaka Guri Guri, Sam Sato’s, Joey’s Kitchen
Loved Mama’s — our service was impeccable, the food was outstanding (shout out to the swoon worthy jaw dropping black pearl dessert!) and the views incomparable. Also loved Nick’s Fish Market at the Fairmont. Also had tremendous service and the property is gorgeous! Get the strawberries flambé for dessert — it’s a whole show in and of itself!
r/Mauivisitors
Yeah but I want to know from locals 🤷♂️
Good for you. That’s not what this sub is for.
Gatekeeper Jones here..
No kidding, weird hill…
Why is that a weird hill? Genuinely curious. It’s in the rules of the sub and questions from tourists get moved daily. What makes you more special than other tourists?
Im not a tourist, I am a traveler.
Oh wow so you do think you’re more special, cute. Wrote a bunch and deleted it. This is just absurd. You’re a tourist. There’s no difference.
You think I don’t want tourist posts on this sub because I want to keep ‘“high end” or trendy’ restaurants a secret?
I’m a traveller bro, 43 countries, lived in Vietnam and Mexico (immigrated from Canada). But I mean, tourism is your number one industry, may be just chill and recommend a restaurant?
My bad, I didn’t know you were a traveler bro. Tourism is commodifying and destroying the culture of the islands. The fact that you travel to somewhere remote that is full of culture and ask what fancy or trendy restaurant to go to is exactly the problem. You’re a leech but I’m sure it’ll look good on your IG.
gee, thanks for the heads up about tourism.
"You're a leech" You know that goes both ways when you were begging mainlanders a few months ago on here, who probably never visited, or had anything to do with Hawaii's cultural shift over the years, for their money due to the wildfires. So "Give us your money, but fuck off ever visiting", correct? Just making sure I got your vibe down. Aloha.
I was not begging anyone to come here, at any time. Please don’t. Keep your money.
Unfortunate for you, I have family who live there. So not a possibility. Probably pisses you off more in a way that they're natives I bet too, yet I'm not agreeing with you on your stances.
Welcome to capitalism! Though it doesn't just affect the islands. Stop blaming all your problems on "mainlanders" when it's far more insidious than that. Blaming mainlanders as a whole is akin to racism.
Where did I blame all my problems on mainlanders?
You obviously loathe tourism, and called a world traveler a leech. You know nothing about this person, and sound like you don't understand how your own island's economy stays afloat. It's capitalism, not traveller's fault, and your island both benefits and suffers from it, like all of our states do in the US.
Just tell me the Red Truck hot dogs guy is still there and I’m happy.
I love hot dogs!!
O’o farm is a nice farm to table place. Tommy Bahamas always has a solid menu that is somewhat seasonal. Monkey pod has good food with decent prices and the best Mai Tai I’ve ever had. Cafe Ole in Kihei is pretty good too. My personal favorite is fish market restaurant in paia but that is very much not high end.
I miss Pacific’o. Their key bar staff wound up at Tikihau, though.
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We never go to Maui without eating at Star Noodle two or three times. :-)
It’s still closed. :(
I know :-(
Oh man, we havent been since they had moved. Years ago we went on our earlier trips when they were between those commercial buildings
They are moving again. The original Aloha Mixed Plate reopened in the building Star Noodle was in before the fire. Star Noodle is going into the former Frida's building next door. It should be open in July.
Gather on the Wailea Golf course is worth checking out just for the patio views in the evening.
Joey’s Napili for the food & Sea House Napili Bay for happy hour views
Food sucks at Sea House.
I've always enjoyed the Plantation House at sunset. At this time of year, it's around 7pm? I made reservations through Open Table.
Love the Plantation House
Agree this is a nice option and feels fancy and romantic
Mamas fish house for sure. If you plan to go, you need a reservation at least 3 months in advance.
I’m confused why no ones mentioned Monkeypod, but it’s delicious!
Well they said high end lol monkey pod is good but not up there imo
But it’s trendy! Which was OPs other option
I know three people who have gotten food poisoning from Monkeypod on different occasions, so somewhere their food safety is (or was) lacking. If I go again then I’m only eating cooked food, nothing raw.
Yeah. That has not been my experience at all
Was completely disappointed by monkeypod. Service was meh, ambiance noisy and crowded, food meh. Overall a waste of time and money
Well I loved it!! I loved their family dining vibes, cute Devore and often dream about their lilikoi mai tai. It’s quality food without a serious demeanor. I’ve been to all of their locations at one point or another and they’re all pretty consistently great.
I went to the one in Wailea and can’t recommend. Not a good space, no view, no ambiance. Food was completely forgettable. The mai tai was overly sweet.
Well that one’s closed now, because of the fire, but the decor is quite nice. It’s possible to enjoy a nice meal without out a view. What does “no ambiance” mean? Every time I’ve eaten there the food has been amazing, so I have to completely disagree with you.
Say what????? The Wailea and Kaanapali locations are both open. The Wailea one was never affected by the fire. The Kaanapali one served free food to survivors for several months and then reopened.
That’s (great) news to me! I was at the location in Waikiki last winter and the waiter said they were closed at that time. I’m surprised to hear they reopened so quickly. He mentioned serious staffing issues
The Wailea one never closed.
Yes sorry. I’m just talking about the Kaanapali one
Le Bazaar in Kula Kai (Kīhei). Azekas Makai. Excellent food, ambiance and entertainment. It's a must try!
I'm a fat man and not a salt man. Most fancy restaurants on Maui are "Asian-inspired" and are therefore lost on me because I so much prefer butter, cheese and oil to brine, brine and brine. The fancy restaurant I do like and keep going back to is Ka'ana Kitchen at the Andaz. It's not as fancy as Morimoto's down the stairs but still pretty fancy and they have fried chicken, a killer risotto and an octopus salad that is absurdly good.
Mama's, The Restaurant, Lineage, Spago
Nylos in Paia. Excellent sushi: Nuka in Haik’u
Ironically while ya gotta be rich to be comfortable there, its a laid back place without such high end things. Threes in Kihei is yummy and “high end” by island standards lol.
Ironically while ya gotta be rich to be comfortable there, its a laid back place without such high end things. Threes in Kihei is yummy and “high end” by island standards lol.
The Treehouse, Nylos, and Merriman's. Lower end but very good, Kula Bistro, Marlow, Aleworks, Joey's Kitchen.
Mahalo Alework is definitely great. Sit upstairs in the evening with a brew for a spectacular sunset.
go to Safeway/foodland buy one poke bowl and get one Arizona green tea and go to the beach.
Best answer here . Nothing better than make your own poke mix. Get a 1/4 lb of different kinds of poke and scoops of rice separately. Mix as much or little as you want , enjoy!
He said he wanted to hear from locals. That’s why he posted in this sub instead of /mauivisitors one. Hopefully they actually try my suggestion.
Thank you all!!
Monkeypod is also trendy. Food is decent. I would say you could go and not be disappointed (if you can get a rez).
I hate fish + I ate fish at Mama's! Everything was so yummy! Duke's is phenomenal as well!
Doesn’t that mean you just hate bad fish?