Where I Actually Eat on Maui: Favorite Spots, Road to Hana Stops, and Honest Takes
Marcie of Hawaii Travel Made Easy shares the Maui restaurants she personally returns to each trip, starting with fish tacos at Coconuts Fish Cafe in Kihei (best at lunch) and dessert at Ululani’s Shave Ice, including a Maui Ocean Center location. She highlights Sweet Hula’s acai bowls in the South Maui Gardens, explains how Paia Fish Market differs in Paia versus Kihei (especially for takeout), and recommends Cafe Olei at the Maui Tropical Plantation for an upscale sit-down meal with reservations. For families, she suggests Monkeypod Kitchen for its crowd-pleasing menu and standout mai tai. She praises Da Kitchen for huge portions and Road to Hana stops like Huealo Lookout smoothies and Bruddah Hutts BBQ ribs, and offers a candid, less-enthusiastic take on Hali‘imaile General Store. She notes most stops require a car and promotes planning resources, consultations, and itinerary audits on her website.
00:00 Oahu Food Hangover
00:24 Maui Eats Mission
00:52 Coconuts Fish Tacos
01:38 Ululani Shave Ice
02:09 Sweet Hula Acai
02:55 Paia Fish Market Picks
03:44 Cafe Olei Plantation
04:16 Monkeypod Favorites
04:56 Da Kitchen Classics
05:28 Road to Hana Bites
06:10 Upcountry Reality Check
06:40 Car Rental Note
06:57 Wrap Up And Help
Who this episode is for: Anyone planning a Maui trip who wants real restaurant picks from someone who's eaten there dozens of times, not a generic "best of" list.
What you'll learn: Where to eat in Kihei, Paia, and Upcountry, which Road to Hana stops are worth the detour, and which hyped spot Marcie skips.
Restaurants discussed:
- Coconuts Fish Cafe (Kihei) — fish tacos, best at lunch
- Ululani's Shave Ice (multiple locations incl. Maui Ocean Center)
- Sweet Hula (South Maui Gardens) — acai bowls
- Paia Fish Market (Paia vs. Kihei locations, takeout notes)
- Cafe Olei (Maui Tropical Plantation) — upscale, reservations recommended
- Monkeypod Kitchen — family-friendly, mai tai
- Da Kitchen — huge portions
- Hali'imaile General Store — Marcie's honest, less-enthusiastic take
Places discussed: Kihei, Paia, South Maui, Maui Tropical Plantation, Upcountry, Road to Hana
Activities discussed: Driving the Road to Hana
Marcie's recommendations:
- Coconuts Fish Cafe for lunch specifically
- Cafe Olei for a nicer sit-down night out
- Huealo Lookout smoothies and Bruddah Hutts BBQ ribs on the Road to Hana
- Skip the hype on Hali'imaile General Store
Related Hawaii Travel Made Easy episodes:
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About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories.
Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.com
Connect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation
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