While we stayed at multiple hotels, we didn’t eat all our meals on property. Below are the places we tried out on this trip that are worth mentioning.

View other posts in this series:

• Trip Introduction: Ringing in the New Year in Maui
• Good for Hilton Loyalists: A Review of the Grand Wailea
• Dining at Grand Wailea: Tasty Meals But Expensive
• Plenty of Aloha: Review of the Andaz Maui at Wailea
• Andaz Maui Dining Guide: Amazing Meals for the Family
• Maui with Kids: An Island Full of Adventure
• Where to Eat in Maui: Our Full Trip Dining Review (this post)

Kihei Caffe

Located in Kihei (where else would it be?), Kihei Caffe is a delicious hole-in-the-wall restaurant serving giant portions for breakfast. While food costs seem out of control in many places on Maui, the food here was pretty cheap for the quantity and quality. We went to the location across from the beautiful Kalama Park, but there are other locations. We came here just after 7am and there was plenty of seating. By the time we left around 8am, there was a line. So come early if you don’t want to wait.

When you arrive, head inside to order first and then come outside to find a seat. There are a number of chickens in the area, so don’t be surprised seeing some wandering under your table looking for scraps.

We ordered banana mac pancakes, a bacon omelet, and a breakfast burrito. As Hawaiians would say, it’s very ono.

We highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the mood for breakfast. Just remember that after you stuff yourself silly here, take a walk across the street for a nice stroll at Kalama Park, as I mentioned in the prior post. Your stomach will appreciate the physical activity.

Island Gourmet Markets

Island Gourmet Markets on Maui is found at The Shops at Wailea. If you’re staying at the hotels in the Wailea area, odds are this is pretty walkable or your resort may have a house car that will take you here. We came here twice, both times while we were staying at the Grand Wailea (about a 10 minute walk).

The first time we came here, we were looking specifically for some desserts. Most places were closed early for New Years Eve, but we got some gelato here. The gelato is pretty smooth and rich in flavor. Certainly not the best gelato we’ve ever had, but it hits the spot. And it was cheaper and looked more attractive than what was on offer at the Grand Wailea.

The second time we came here was actually the following morning (New Years Day). We wanted to try the breakfast, which is at the to-go restaurant in the back of the store. You order your food with the attendant at the Island Gourmet Kitchen, then pay for it at the front while they prepare your food, and finally show your paid receipt when it’s ready for pick up.

We ordered a couple of egg breakfast sandwiches (one with a side of rice, the other with a side of breakfast potatoes) and an ultimate hashbrown breakfast with over easy eggs. Tasty and hearty are the best words to describe it. If we didn’t want to eat at the Grand Wailea hotel and didn’t want to drive anywhere, we would likely end up here for breakfast.

There are tables just outside the grocery store if you don’t want to carry it all the way back to your hotel. If you can’t find tables directly outside the grocery store, there are other seats around the shopping center.

In general, in Hawaii, I tend to like the food options in grocery stores (try the poke at Foodland). This one is no exception. If you happen to be in the area, it’s worth a visit.

Monkeypod Kitchen (Wailea location)

We first discovered Monkeypod Kitchen in Ko Olina (Oahu) and have been actively seeking out their restaurants (or the higher-end Merriman’s) every time we go to Hawaii. We booked a reservation six months in advance, the earliest date possible to secure our 4pm happy hour time slot. The whole restaurant can choose from the happy hour menu, not just at the bar.

I’m tempted to call this the best dining deal in Hawaii as it has excellent food, a fun and unique mai tai and other cocktails, and free food for children under three (not applicable for this trip but we enjoyed it in Oahu). Happy hour is 3:30-5 almost every day. If you show up without a reservation, just be prepared for a wait as it gets crowded around that time with everyone specifically wanting the happy hour selections.

We were seated in an outdoor covered patio, which made for quite an enjoyable experience in early January.

While they have a full menu, I’m only going to focus on the highlights related to happy hour. Half off most appetizers, $13 pizzas aside from one, and discounted cocktails.

Jenn ordered the virgin mai tai (on the left) and I ordered the version with alcohol (on the right). Both were pretty tasty.

For food, we got the roasted chicken wings, poke tacos, house cut fries (two orders), a burger from the kids menu, the kalua pork and pineapple pizza, and two orders of kids pasta also from the kids menu. Given we are only two adults and two kids, it should be obvious that we had more than enough food (and in retrospect, I now know where I gained all my weight from on this trip). Between these poke tacos and the version we had at Morimoto, we preferred this version since it came with bigger chunks of poke.

If you’re staying in Ka’anapali, know there is a Monkeypod Kitchen at Whalers Village. The food here is excellent and happy hour makes the prices affordable. Make sure you secure those reservations to make things easier and you won’t go hungry despite eating dinner fairly early. I personally think eating here is a must.

Ululani’s Shave Ice

Ululani’s is somewhat of an institution here in Hawaii. You’ll find locations all throughout the island. We ended up going to the location in Kihei. This is the baseline expectation for Hawaiian shave ice: pillowy soft ice and rich flavors. You’d be remiss to not include a scoop of ice cream to help cut through the sweetness of the ice. Honestly, you can’t say you’ve been to Hawaii without stopping in.

Just note two things: they have long lines at practically all times of the day, which can make parking a bit of a drag, and they close early. Don’t come here after dinner expecting it to be open, unless you’ve just come from happy hour at MonkeyPod Kitchen, but then you surely wouldn’t have any room in your stomachs for this, right?

Island Vintage Shave Ice (Ka’anapali)

We really only came to Island Vintage Shave Ice because it was in Whalers Village after we were done with our Sea Maui whale watching cruise. They did run out of some flavors by noon, which is a bit odd to run out of flavors that early in the day. It’s not as good of a value as Ululani’s, the ice isn’t as soft, and the flavors are not as rich. I’d say the only reason to come here is if you are staying in Ka’anapali and don’t have a car, or you don’t want to make the drive elsewhere. It’s in a good location in the shopping plaza but that’s about all I can say about it.

Tasaka Guri-Guri

The Maui Tropical Plantation recommended Guri-Guri in part because it’s a place locals go. I can certainly see why as it’s not in a touristy place but it is close to the airport. It’s a bit hard to explain what it is. The best way I can describe it is that it’s a mix between shave ice and ice cream. Only one family (up to four persons) is allowed inside at one time, though I’m not sure if the rule is lingering from COVID-19 restrictions or if it’s just because the store is pretty small.

You can’t beat the price ($1.80 for two small scoops), but they only have two flavors and it’s cash only. It’s a bit overly sweet, so a small cup of it would more than suffice. I wouldn’t say you need to make a trip specifically out here, but it’s an option if you rented a car and are on the way to/from the airport (which is only a mile away). Just note there isn’t much else to do at the shopping plaza where it’s located.

Where did you like to eat in Maui when not at a hotel?