Maui is a popular destination for food lovers, with its rich and diverse culinary scene. From traditional Hawaiian cuisine to international flavors, there are plenty of options available for visitors looking to indulge their taste buds. Here’s a guide on what to eat in Maui, including some of the most popular restaurants serving local dishes.
1. Popular Restaurants in Maui
There are many great restaurants in Maui that offer delicious traditional Hawaiian cuisine. Some of the top-rated ones include The Pineapple Grill, which serves fresh seafood and tropical cocktails; Honu Seafood & Pizza, known for its mouthwatering pizzas made with locally sourced ingredients; and Mama’s Fish House, famous for its fresh fish dishes prepared using sustainable practices.
2. Traditional Food to Eat in Maui
Hawaiian cuisine is heavily influenced by Polynesian culture and incorporates a variety of ingredients such as taro, sweet potato, squid, octopus, and shrimp. Some popular traditional dishes you should try while visiting Maui include laulau (steamed pork wrapped in ti leaves), kalua pig (slow cooked pork roasted in an underground oven), poke (a raw fish salad served with soy sauce and sesame oil), and lomi-lomi salmon (a dish made with tomatoes, onions, and salmon).
3. Breakfast Options in Maui
Breakfast is an important meal in Hawaii, and there are many places where you can enjoy a hearty breakfast before starting your day. Some popular breakfast spots in Maui include Cafe O’Lei at the Wailea Resort, which offers a wide selection of breakfast items including eggs benedict and French toast; and The Dining Room at the Hotel Wailea, which features a daily breakfast buffet with both local and international options.
4. Dinner Options in Maui
Dinner time is also a great opportunity to sample some of the best local flavors in Maui. There are many excellent restaurants offering authentic Hawaiian cuisine, as well as other types of cuisines from around the world. Some highly recommended dinner spots in Maui include The Millhouse at the Maui Tropical Plantation, which serves farm-to-table fare using produce grown on site; and Seabury Hall, a restaurant located inside a historic school building that offers gourmet Pacific Rim cuisine.
5. Best Local Flavors of Maui
In addition to trying out traditional Hawaiian cuisine, it’s also worth exploring some of the unique flavors found only in Maui. For example, you might want to try shave ice, a refreshing dessert made with finely shaved ice and flavored syrups; or poi, a staple food made from mashed taro root. Other must-try local flavors include Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, and li hing mui, a type of candy made with dried plums and salt.
6. A Guide to Hawaiian Cuisine
To fully appreciate the complex and varied flavors of Hawaiian cuisine, it helps to have a basic understanding of the key ingredients and techniques used. One of the most distinctive aspects of Hawaiian cuisine is its use of local ingredients like taro, sweet potato, and squid. Many dishes also feature bold flavor combinations like sweet and savory, or spicy and sour. Cooking methods like sous vide and smoking are also commonly used to enhance the flavor of ingredients. Overall, Hawaiian cuisine is a fusion of various cultural influences, reflecting the melting pot of cultures that make up the islands today.
