Here are the best restaurants in Kihei by category

Best Breakfast Restaurants in Kihei

• Kihei Caffe serves all-American breakfast and brunch with a Hawaiian twist. Banana n Macadamia Nut pancakes? Yes, please. Or if you don't wanna take a nap at 11AM, you can opt for healthier options like the Papaya bowl filled with yogurt, fruit, and granola. And of course, they have hearty options like the Kalua Pork Loco Moco or an Atkins Omelette. Check out their menu here.

• For killer fresh-baked goods, don't sleep on Maui Bread Co. They have Hawaiian and German artisans breads, sweet and savory breakfast options like turnovers and sandwiches, and more. I highly recommend trying out their perfectly flaky and moist almond croissant or their uniquely delicious P.O.G. (passion fruit, orange, guava) bread. Check out their offerings here.

• For health-focused fare, you'll be hard-pressed to beat That's a Wrap. Yes, they do have lots of vegan and gluten-fee options. Try any of their acai bowls and you won't be disappointed. They also offer wraps and avocado toast that's almost too pretty to eat. Almost. Check them out here.

Best Family Restaurants in Kihei

• Coconut's Fish Cafe has the BEST fish tacos on the island. They have something like 17 ingredients including cheese, tomato salsa, coleslaw, tomatoes, and mango salsa. This is a clear case of more is better. But if fish isn't your thing, they'll do kalua pig, chicken, and other proteins or veggies instead. Pictured is their taco salad. What more is there to say? Their menu is here.

• Stewz Burgers is the best burger in Kihei. They source locally from Maui Cattle Company and all their burgers are named after and designed with the unique flavors of various cities on Maui. When you're trying to please everyone in the family, it's hard to beat a Stewz Burger. Check their menu here.

• And if you still have picky eaters who can't all agree on one place to eat, you'll find "peace of grind" at Kihei Food Truck Park. Here are several trucks that serve everything from Carribean food (my wife's favorite), to local plate lunches, to Thai food, and more.

Best Local Fare Restaurants in Kihei

• Da Kitchen is the best plate lunch in Kihei and perhaps in all of Maui. (Some people like L&L Better, but I think Da Kitchen has da edge.) Portions are huge (that's how you know it's local) and the food is rich, heavy, and delicious, unless you opt out of the mac salad for a green one. I'm partial to the Chicken Katsu or the Kalbi Ribs. See the menu here.

• Cafe O'Lei on South Kihei Road is the best hidden gem of Kihei. It's small, cozy, and the food is "broke da mout" as locals say. Try the Braised Shortrib or the Mac Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi with caper sauce. And if you wanna try anything else, it's all good. Check the menu for something you'd like here.

• Paia Fish Market South Side has the BEST fresh fish on the island and they aren't anywhere near the most expensive. My favorite is the butter-fried snapper plate with cajun rice and coleslaw. But they offer other fishes like tuna, wahoo, etc. and they're all good. Drool over their menu here. And in case you're wondering, yes, this is the sister restaurant to Paia Fish Market in Paia and the one that used to exist in Lahaina until the recent Lahaina wildfires.

Best Fine Dining Restaurants in Kihei

• Gannon's or Gather on Maui is top-tier dining from the food to the ambience. You'll have views of the ocean, Kaho'olawe, and Pu'u Olai cinder cone. Grab a bite to eat after a morning's round at Emerald Golf Course. View the menu here. They serve lunch and dinner.

• Hotel Wailea's Restaurant offers Wagyu Ribeye, Spiny Lobster, and much more. It doesn't get finer than this. See their menu here.

• If you're a Wolfgang Puck fan, eat at Spago. They've got a wide variety of rolls, pastas, and steaks, and they even offer private dining experiences. The view here is gorgeous, especially at sunset. It reminds me of views from the now destroyed Kimo's on Lahaina's Front Street. Check out the menu here.

NOTE: all of these restaurants require reservations well in advance. Call or book your reservation online now.

Best Live Music & Night Life Restaurants in Kihei

• Nalu's Southshore Grill is one of my favorite spots in all of Kihei. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the food is excellent and unique, and the live music is always grooving every night. Chicken and waffles, breakfast bowls, burgers, and amazing salads are all available here. You can even check the wait time on Google for seating before you go. Look at the menu. Note: Nalu's has live music, but not a real night life as they close about 9pm.

• Life's a Beach is all about fun if you love karaoke and Tex-Mex. They even have cheap tacos on Taco Tuesdays. Karaoke is Sunday through Thu and the sunset view from here isn't bad, you'll even see a whale (statue) breaching year round. Check out the menu here. Closes at midnight.

• Ohana Seafood Bar & Grill is best known for their nightly live music and sidewalk dance floor. They party hearty until 10pm. I recommend their calamari and their coconut shrimp. Check the menu here.

• South Shore Tiki Lounge has the longest-lasting night life with closing time at 2AM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Their food is good, too, and the often have live music. Check the menu.

Best Warm Treats Restaurants in Kihei

• The Cinnamon Roll Place has ooey gooey delicious cinnamon rolls as big as your hand. It's a family-owned establishment and truly decadent. They also serve lunch. Check their treats out here.

• My favorite sweet treat spot in Kihei is a little gem called Sugar Beach Bake Shop. Go early to get their special flavors of malasada, a Filipino fluffy, donut-like pastry that's to die for. But everything, and I mean everything, is good here. Peep the menu.

• The best pie shop in Kihei, Maui Pie has consistently quality pies, warm or cold. But to be honest, I favor cold pies. Still, I know lots of people who like warm apple pie. They have that, but they also have Mango, Passion Fruit, or Haupia (a coconut pudding) pies. Check them out.

Best Cold Treats Restaurants in Kihei

• Ululani's Shave Ice is the best shave ice on the island. It's texture is like powder-snow. And the flavors are smack-you-in-the-mouth good. Top it all off with several toppings options and this may be the best shave ice you'll ever have. Not to mention that shave ice really hits different on a sunny day in Maui. Menu here. NOTE: The Lahaina fires destroyed not one but two of Ululani Shave Ice locations. And they could really use the patronage now.

• Maui Gelato and Waffles is dangerous, in the good way. They're open late (9PM) and that's the perfect time to get Gelato. I'm partial to the tropical flavors like Island Roots (maui grown sweet potato and coconut milk), but they've got lots of others.

• Maui Sweet Shoppe has Maui-made icecream flavors and, my favorite, ice cream sandwiches (on cookies). Eat here and experience the best kind of food coma available. They're also one of the few places that has Dole Whips! Check them out.

I hope this list of the best restaurants in Kihei, Maui was helpful to you. If so, consider subscribing for more helpful posts like this. Also, my condo has experienced quite few cancellations due to the Lahaina fires. But only West Maui is closed and we're in South Maui. My place is ready to book. Take a look and keep your eyes open for an even deeper discount on that post.

Aloha,

Jason Akinaka