Your favorite restaurant in Kihei & Wailea

Question

I want to try a restaurant I haven’t been before in Kihei and Wailea. Do you have some recommendations? Any price range and any foods are fine with me. Please let me know why you recommend them. Thank you!

Answer

Maui’s Kihei and Wailea areas have a fantastic range of dining options, from casual local eateries to upscale restaurants with ocean views. Here’s a detailed list of some favorites that offer variety in cuisine, price range, and atmosphere, along with reasons why they are recommended.

KIHEI RESTAURANTS

Three’s Bar & Grill
- Cuisine: Eclectic Hawaiian, sushi, and seafood.
- Price range: Moderate ($15–$35 per entree).
- Why recommended: Creative fusion dishes with a Hawaiian twist; lively atmosphere; great for trying fresh fish and poke. The fish tacos and fresh seafood specials are consistently praised.
Café O’Lei at the Pukalani
- Cuisine: Hawaiian-inspired contemporary.
- Price range: Moderate ($18–$40 per entree).
- Why recommended: Less touristy than beachfront options, known for attentive service, locally sourced ingredients, and dishes like macadamia nut-crusted fish or duck confit.
Fred’s Mexican Café
- Cuisine: Mexican/Latin.
- Price range: Moderate ($12–$25 per entree).
- Why recommended: Excellent for casual dining with vibrant flavors, generous portions, and tasty margaritas. Great for a fun, relaxed meal without breaking the bank.
Monkeypod Kitchen
- Cuisine: Hawaiian & international with craft cocktails.
- Price range: Moderate to slightly higher ($20–$40 per entree).
- Why recommended: Known for live music, happy hour deals, fresh fish, and wood-fired pizzas. Emphasizes farm-to-table ingredients and inventive dishes.

WAILEA RESTAURANTS

Ferraro’s Bar e Ristorante
- Cuisine: Italian fine dining.
- Price range: Higher-end ($30–$60 per entree).
- Why recommended: Oceanfront dining with stunning sunset views, excellent pasta, fresh seafood, and attentive service. Perfect for a special evening.
Morimoto Maui
- Cuisine: Japanese/Asian fusion.
- Price range: Higher-end ($35–$70 per entree).
- Why recommended: Innovative dishes from a celebrity chef, creative sushi, and stunning presentation. Ideal for foodies looking for upscale dining with a unique twist.
DUO Steak and Seafood
- Cuisine: Contemporary American, steakhouse.
- Price range: Higher-end ($40–$70 per entree).
- Why recommended: Perfect for meat lovers, high-quality steaks, seafood, and a polished, modern atmosphere. Great for a refined dinner experience.
Gannon’s
- Cuisine: Pacific Rim / Hawaiian fusion.
- Price range: Moderate to high ($25–$60 per entree).
- Why recommended: Beautiful cliffside views, inventive dishes using local ingredients, and a romantic yet relaxed ambiance. Known for seafood and fresh island produce.

For a combination of casual local flavor and upscale dining, Kihei is best for relaxed, everyday meals with great local food, while Wailea offers more high-end, scenic dining experiences. Depending on your mood and budget, you can mix both to experience Maui’s culinary variety.