What are the best Kihei and Wailea restaurants? Gosh, it’s hard to pick.
South Maui is one of the island’s dining hot spots. This area has so many great places to eat, with a diverse mix of casual and high-end spots.
From locally-owned, laid-back cafes to elevated New American spots and relocated Lahaina favorites, here are our favorite South Maui restaurants (in no particular order).
Top 10 Favorite Restaurants in South Maui
• North Kihei •
Isana
Isana is one of Maui’s most-loved sushi restaurants. This beachside spot in North Kihei is owned by a local fisherman, so you can count on ultra-fresh fish and local catch specials. Go for an artful sushi roll, melt-in-your-mouth nigiri, or something off the kitchen menu, featuring Japanese favorites like agedashi tofu and ramen. Isana is pretty casual, but they do take reservations. (Psst, they have a killer happy hour, too!)
Nalu’s South Shore Grill
Tucked away in Azeka Center Makai, Nalu’s is an offbeat, open-air eatery with local-style comfort food. This funky spot is open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner, and features a diverse menu with favorites like loco moco, chicken and waffles, burgers, and poke. Order at the counter, grab a seat among the areca palms, and wait for a smiling server to deliver your colorful dish. Nalu’s is also a big supporter of local music, and after dark becomes a great place to grab a drink, talk story at the bar, and listen to local legends jam!
Cool Cat Cafe
Lahaina’s iconic Cool Cat Cafe has a new home in the Kukui Mall! While Cool Cat’s digs may be different, the vintage nostalgia is the same—and the service, shakes, and jumbo burgers are better than ever. We’re very excited to see another Lahaina business operating on Maui once again. Go show them your support!
• South Kihei •
Miso Phat at Maui Coast Hotel
Colorful sushi, fresh nigiri, and happy hour sake specials? Say less. Miso Phat is an award-winning, family-owned sushi bar with two longtime locations in Kahana and Kihei—and they just opened up a third brand new space in the Maui Coast Hotel. The new location is bigger than the others, so it’s a great place to come with large parties! In addition to the same sushi favorites, there’s also a full bar, outdoor seating, and a new signature kitchen menu.
Maui Brewing Company
Comfort food meets tasty brews at Maui Brewing Company’s flagship Kihei location. You don’t need to be a beer lover to enjoy the laid-back vibes at Maui Brewing Company. This spot features tasty craft pizzas, ono fish dishes, sandwiches, and other bites with island-inspired twists. And, with soaring ceilings, mountain views, daily live music, and a keiki area, you’ll be inclined to chill out and stay awhile.
Fred’s Mexican Cafe
Fred’s Mexican Cafe is a lively South Kihei staple. Grab a seat on the patio to people watch, sip margaritas, and dive into a heaping plate of California-style Mexican food. This colorful, funky restaurant is all about serving up a good time. Fred’s is also open for breakfast and happy hour—and is just steps from Kamaole Beach II!
• Wailea •
Aurum
Aurum is a stunning New American restaurant helmed by renowned chef Taylor Ponte, named Maui’s ‘Chef of the Year’ in 2020 and 2022. Dishes here celebrate Maui’s bounty, featuring local beef, fish, and produce. With an elevated bar program, sleek architecture, daily happy hour specials, and a commitment to sustainability, Aurum is the latest Wailea hotspot for visitors and residents alike.
Pilina at Fairmont Kea Lani
Pilina at the Fairmont Kea Lani takes lobby bars to the next level. This stunning lounge emphasizes local ingredients—even on the cocktail menu! Open for lunch, happy hour, and dinner, Pilina serves inspired craft cocktails, beautiful sushi rolls, and shareable plates like venison sliders and kimchi dip. A gorgeous interior and views of swaying palms only elevate the experience.
Gather on Maui
Tucked in the foothills above Wailea at the Wailea Golf Club, Gather on Maui pairs upscale island-inspired cuisine with sweeping ocean and sunset views. The menu highlights fresh, locally sourced ingredients in dishes like fish tacos, furikake-crusted ahi, and braised short rib. Whether you stop in for a casual lunch or a special dinner, you’ll be blown away by the impeccable hospitality and gorgeous views.
Spoon and Key Market
Whether you’re seeking a yummy morning coffee or a delectable dinner, Spoon and Key Market is the place. This versatile spot in the Wailea Village Center triples as a market, cafe, and restaurant. In the evenings (Wednesday through Saturday), expect refined cuisine, such as chef-curated prix fixe menus spotlighting local fish, meats, and inventive side dishes. With indoor and outdoor seating and sweeping ocean views, Spoon and Key is an elevated yet approachable destination for food lovers!
Each restaurant on this list brings something different to the table (literally!). So try a few, try them all, and enjoy discovering your new favorite restaurants in Kihei and Wailea.
Mahalo for reading!
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Aloha! Tiffany here. I've been blessed to call Maui home since 2011. With a background in the island's finest restaurants and hotels, guiding visitors to create unforgettable Maui memories is more than a skill I've mastered—it's a profound source of joy for me.
