The 9 Best Restaurants in Lahaina

View of Lahaina Fish Co. from the water on Maui.
John Elk / Getty Images.

John Elk / Getty Images

Searching for a place to eat in Lahaina? Consider yourself lucky! Many of Maui’s best restaurants are condensed to this 9 square-mile town on the west side of the island, with many situated on gallery-lined Front Street. Maui’s incredible seafood, farm-fresh produce, and locally sourced ingredients are showcased by some of Hawaii’s best chefs in Lahaina...and the possibility of a stunning ocean view is just an added perk.

01 of 09

Best Splurge: Lahaina Grill

Dining room of Lahaina Grill

Courtesy of Lahaina Grill

Address
127 Lahainaluna Rd, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
Phone +1 808-667-5117

Located off Front Street on Lahainaluna Road, this legendary eatery has won Honolulu Magazine’s reader poll for Maui’s best restaurant 26 years in a row. A local and visitor favorite for special occasions and celebrations, the “contemporary bistro” has gone through several renovations since it opened almost 30 years ago, including a semi-private chef’s table. In notoriously casual Maui, Lahaina Grill offers a chance to splurge on a spot with fine china, beautifully prepared culinary creations, extraordinary service, and even a sommelier. It's best to plan ahead, since scoring one of Lahaina Grill’s 130 seats almost always requires a reservation (especially on the weekends).

02 of 09

Best Sunset: Fleetwood’s

Two dishes on the patio at Fleetwood's on Front St

Courtesy of Fleetwood's on Front St.

Address
744 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761-2408, USA
Phone +1 808-669-6425

Lahaina is definitely the place to schedule your restaurant plans around a sunset view, and there aren't many that beat Fleetwood’s on Front Street. The massive restaurant’s main claim to fame is its owner, musician Mick Fleetwood, but its popular ocean-facing rooftop is a close second. This spot also has live music, everything from local Hawaiian music to Scottish bagpipes, and a nightly sunset ceremony at 5:45 p.m. to help celebrate the end of the day.

03 of 09

Best Seafood: Lahaina Fish Co.

Puleho Tako from Lahaina Fish Co

Courtesy of Lahaina Fish Co

Address
831 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761-1607, USA
Phone +1 808-661-3472

There’s no debate; Maui has a lot of good seafood. Even with so many options to choose from, Lahaina Fish Co. on Front Street offers the best of the best. Open since 1990, this place is well recognized by residents and visitors alike thanks to its wonderful views and killer seafood. Fish options change nightly (don’t forget to ask about the daily special), and do yourself a favor by asking for a table on the outside lanai over the water; There’s a special kind of magic in being served fresh fish right next to where it was caught. You’ll find all you need to know on the restaurant’s logo: “Eat Well...Live Well.”

04 of 09

Best Cocktails: Monkeypod

Fruit cocktail from Monkeypod

Courtesy of Monkeypod Kitchen

Address
2435 Kaanapali Pkwy Bldg I-1, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
Phone +1 808-878-6763

When you’re planning on spending a good portion of your vacation sipping on cocktails, it pays to know which spot has the best ones. Maui has plenty of good contenders, but Monkeypod takes the cake when it comes to mai tais. Made with locally made rum, freshly squeezed juice, and topped with lilikoi (passionfruit) foam, it’s enough to make anyone want to book a ticket to Maui. Food-wise, you won’t be disappointed pairing your drink with something off the farm to table concept menu.

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05 of 09

Best Dessert: Kimo’s

Hula Pie

Courtesy of Kimo's Restaurant

Address
845 Front St a, Lahaina, HI 96761-1693, USA
Phone +1 808-661-4811

If there’s one thing that regular visitors to Maui can agree upon, it's to come for the ocean views and stay for the Hula Pie. It's a tasty combination of chocolate fudge, macadamia nut ice cream, and whipped cream; Basically, if it's possible to score an 11 out of 10, this dessert would be the one to do it. Even though this iconic dish can be found at all of TS Restaurants’ eight Hawaii locations (and a few in California, too), there’s just something special about eating one at Kimo’s. Maybe it’s the ocean view, maybe it's the fact that the dessert was literally invented here. Even better, Kimo’s down to earth, friendly service trained to tackle both fine and casual dining is exactly what you want on a Maui vacation.

06 of 09

Best Casual: The Fish Market Maui

Table filled with food

Courtesy of The Fish Market Maui

Address
3600 Lower Honoapiilani Rd, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
Phone +1 808-665-9895

Half fish market, half counter-order eatery, the Fish Market Maui in north Lahaina is one of the best spots to grab a quick, quality meal in a casual setting. Fresh fish is delivered by local fishermen every morning before they open. Grab a filet of Monchong, Opah, or Nairagi to cook for dinner while you wait for your fish tacos to be prepared for lunch. However, be prepared to take your food to go, as there aren’t many places to sit here (and the few they do have fill up pretty fast). Tip: There’s a small beach park just north of the market about a block away with picnic tables.

07 of 09

Best Noodles: Star Noodle

Garlic Noodles

Courtesy of Star Noodle

Address
1285 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
Phone +1 808-667-5400

Yes, we have a category for noodles because noodles are just that important in Hawaii. Star Noodle’s are fresh, house-made, and arguably some of the best in the islands. This Asian fusion restaurant has quite the following, and many regular Maui visitors make a point to eat here at least once during each vacation. Family style is the way to go, so pair your garlic noodles with pork bao steam buns or dumplings for perfect sharable portions. Dining solo? A perfect opportunity to try out the ramen!

08 of 09

Best Breakfast: Down the Hatch

Breakfast

Courtesy of Down the Hatch

Address
658 Front St # 102, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
Phone +1 808-661-4900

When you’re spending the day surfing, hiking, and snorkeling, breakfast is definitely the most important meal of the day. Fuel up for the day’s adventures at Down the Hatch on Front Street, right next to Lahaina Banyan Court (home to Maui’s oldest living tree). Breakfast portions are huge and best accompanied by a $10 carafe of bloody marys or mimosas. The breakfast “nachos” are a fan favorite, but guests also rave about the ahi benedict and the chicken and waffles.

Continue to 9 of 9 below.
09 of 09

Best Family Friendly: Paia Fishmarket Front Street

Sign for Paia Fish Market

Courtesy of Paia Fish Market

Address
632 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761-1223, USA
Phone +1 808-662-3456

The Front Street, Lahaina location of North Maui’s Paia Fishmarket is a casual, affordable option for families traveling with kids that doesn’t sacrifice quality. You can tell the kid’s menu here is more than just an afterthought, with options for fresh fish and shrimp as well as classics like quesadillas and plain pasta. At the same time, parents can feel like they’re not missing out on Maui’s freshest fish by dining casually since the restaurant is also committed to supporting local fishers.

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The 9 Best Restaurants in Lahaina