Hearts in Hawai'i
Hawaiian Restaurant Details
4/17/2013
1. Cafe Portofino (91.50 pts)
Location: Kapa`a
Visited: 2004
Located at the Kauai Marriott on Kalapaki Bay, this restaurant is situated side-by-side with Duke’s Canoe Club. Same view as Duke’s, but Cafe Portifino is more upscale with slightly better service. The focus here is on pasta; Patty had the Spaghettini alla Marinara and I had the Penne Salsiccia (mine was more on the spicy side than hers). Both dishes were very well done and quite tasty. An excellent dining experience with a wonderful view of Kalapaki Bay.
2. Honu Seafood & Pizza (90.50 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2012
Walking up to this Front Street restaurant, Honu looks rather dumpy. Once on the inside, you understand nothing could be further from the truth, with tasteful decor and an absolute killer view of the ocean. They also served the best pizza I've had anywhere in Hawai`i. Service is quick, quick, quick without being obtrusive--just very friendly. We were also fortunate enough to time our arrival so we could catch a wonderful sunset over the Pacific. My only regret was not being able to meet owner Mark Ellman and thank him for this gem of a place. Mark has hit a home run with this one!
3. Cuatro (90.00 pts)
Location: Kihei
Visited: 2012
Everything about this experience was noteworthy. Cuatro is a small establishment, with about 15 tables inside and one table outside. We had reservations for 6:30 but arrived there fifteen minutes early. We were immediately seated; from that point, everything happened at a slow, mellow pace. It took only a few minutes for our server to show up with the water and ask if this was our first time at Cuatro. He then explained the four preparations they use with their fish.
But we weren’t there for the fish. We were there for the stuffed chicken breasts, after reading the praises of the authors of Top Maui Restaurants. We did spend some considerable time mulling over the choices of starters and salads. I was inclined to try the Spicy Tuna Nachos, which had won awards, but Patty really wanted no part of this. We then considered the Asian Style Pupu Steak, which was strips of marinated steak, with sautéed mushrooms in a spicy teriyaki sauce. We decided on this, and I also got the Tijuana Caesar Salad. Now, I’ve had numerous Caesars while in Maui; this one was equal in taste to the Kimo’s version, but there was more salad in this one. The Pupu Steak was tremendously tasty.
The chicken, stuffed with green chiliis and ham and spread out over pepper jack cheese, was amazingly good. This dish also came with mashed potatoes and vegetables on the side.
The service was very good.
Our overall verdict on Cuatro? One of our favorite places on Maui; give this place a view of the ocean, and it would be, by far, our favorite place to dine.
4. Kimo's (89.25 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 1996, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012<
Kimo's is the only restaurant we've visited on every trip to Maui, which is a testament to how good their food, service and ambiance are.
Our first visit to Kimo's was on our wedding night in 1996. There have been several since, nearly all of them noteworthy. If you can get a spot on the rail overlooking the ocean, get it! It's worth the wait, which can be in excess of an hour on some nights, even if you have a reservation. If not, the service is still great, and the food is very reliable. Is it the best food on Maui? No, but the proximity to the ocean, the sunset views and the romantic ambiance after they light the tiki torches make the food taste even better.
Their Teriyaki Sirloin and Polynesian Chicken are as good as I've had anywhere else.
For the prices you pay here, you can’t go wrong.
5. Casanova (86.75 pts)
Location: Makawao
Visited: 2010, 2012
We had been to Makawao twice for dinner on previous trips, opting for Makawao Steakhouse both times. We decided on a change of pace in our 2010 trip and found ourselves at Casanova, a nice Italian restaurant. My expectations of this place, for some reason, were a bit low. To be honest, I didn’t expect much from Casanova. I could not have been more wrong! This was my favorite dinner of that trip, while Patty still feels Longhi’s was the best. Whatever. I started with Caesar Salad, then went on to the Spaghetti Della Casa which came with four meatballs of a ground beef/veal mixture. Fantastic! All this for only $14. Patty had a 12? build-your-own pizza with pepperoni and Italian sausage; she liked this a lot. Also, only $14. Total with beverages was just $40 pre-tip. Wow! The atmosphere here is nice; Casanova was a USO during WW2. The bar is hopping, the restaurant is filled with happily munching people. Great! Just great.
Our 2012 visit was pretty similar, but not quite as noteworthy as our fist visit.
The drive back down toward Kahului just after sunset is one of my favorite drives on Maui. You can see the lights of Kahului in the distance, the final light of day from the sunset on the other side of the West Maui Mountains, Kahakuloa Head rising up to the north. Doing this drive while listening to Hawaiian music is one of those simple pleasures I’ve come to love on Maui.
6. Duke's Waikiki (86.50 pts)
Location: Waikiki
Visited: 2007, 2010
What a fantastic setting this is, with views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head! A railing table with the views I’d mentioned earlier, and a buffet featuring fruits, juices, sausages, breakfast potatoes, bacon, eggs benedict, made to order omelettes. At $15 per person, this was an outstanding choice.
7. BJ's Chicago Pizzeria (86.00 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 1996, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009
We speak of BJ's in the past tense, due to the change in name to Lahaina Pizza Company prior to our 2010 visit. Before the name changed, they had what I consider to be the best pizza in Hawai`i, and it rated up there with any pizza we've enjoyed anywhere. The tip from Maui Revealed to ask them to hold the stewed tomatoes in lieu of extra tomato sauce was genius. It turned a good pizza into a great pizza.
Let's not overlook the other choices on their menu, either, which were also excellent, included their spaghetti.
On the second floor overlooking the Pacific across Front Street, the atmosphere here was also very good, as was the service.
Unfortunately, the change in name also led to a change in quality, and not for the better.
8. Mama's Fish House (84.50 pts)
Location: Paia
Visited: 2004, 2007
The location of this restaurant, on Maui’s north shore near Pa`ia, is wonderful. We can only imagine how the atmosphere would have been there for dinner; we had lunch there and were more than impressed. Patty had the ahi and bacon sandwich, and she loved it. I had the pork medallions and was equally impressed. Huge costs detracted only slightly and what was made the difference between Mama’s and Kimo’s.
We made another lunch-time visit to Mama’s in 2007. I had a ribeye steak and Patty had some kind of Ono salad. They were extremely tasty. The only downside? The bill! $99, including the tip. No lunch is worth this much. Also, portions could be larger. Sorry. But I’ll say this…it’s a restaurant everyone should experience at least once.
9. Duke's Canoe Club (84.00 pts)
Location: Lihue
Visited: 2004
Next door to Cafe Portofino. The views were as good as any dining experience we had; the food (steak) and service were equally good. Patty had the “all you can eat” salad bar and was very impressed. I had the Terriyaki Sirloin Steak and was very happy with the choice.
10. Ruths Chris Steak House (83.50 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2012
Possibly the best steak I've eaten anywhere. If there was a better steak, I'm at a loss at to where I had it.
First, they cook it at 1800 degrees, which seals in the flavor and chars the outside. They put butter on top of the filet, and then serve it to you on a 500 degree plate which keeps the steak hot while you're eating it. The final bite was still hot. Fantastic!
We had the early bird special, which included a starter salad (mine was a Caesar, of course), along with mashed potatoes served with a petite filet, and then finished off with a dessert. All this for $39.95. Our meal, pre-tip was just under $100 for the two of us. Service was impeccable and the views from our window-side table of the Pacific (across from Front Street) were nice. There really wasn't anything negative we could say about Ruths Chris. The value kept the rating down just a little, although being able to take advantage of this early-bird special helped.
11. Bubba Gumps (83.50 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2008, 2009, 2012
There are a few reasons we keep coming back to Bubba Gump’s. First is the waterfront location. If the waves are high enough, they actually splash up on the windows! Second, this is simply a fun place to eat. A bit loud, but the idea of having the “Run Forrest Run” and “Stop Forrest Stop” when you want to be left alone or wanted to summon a waiter/waitress, is genius.
Their food isn’t bad, either. I’ve had the New York Strip twice, and had the Lieutenant Dan’s Drunken Shrimp (a shrimp, sausage concoction) on our last visit.
All three experiences left us full and happy. You can’t ask much more of a restaurant, can you?
12. Pioneer Inn (83.38 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2009, 2010, 2012
This is our favorite breakfast place on Maui, bar none. Sea House and Gazebo both have better views; there are really no views at the Pioneer Inn other than people arriving for their early morning tours taking off from the Lahaina Harbor. But the food is equal to both restaurants and at prices which won’t hit your pocketbook nearly as severely. Service is friendly, as well. This is a very easy place to recommend and has become our first-morning-on-Maui breakfast ritual.
13. Longhi's (82.50 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2009, 2010
The short of it? One of the best meals we’ve ever had, even though Patty might argue that point.
The long of it? We were seated promptly, which wasn’t surprising considering nobody else was there when we arrived. Service was impeccable, quick, and our waiter was knowledgeable on everything was asked him about on the menu. They had a four-course meal special for $40, and looked too good to pass up, so I went for that. Patty had the Fettuccini with chicken ($28) and was in love with it from the first bite. As for my special, we started with tomato and jalapeno break, followed by the Longhi Longhi salad, somewhat like a Caesar salad, but better. For my pasta choice, I had the Pomodoro, and that was the only mistake I made. While it was good, it wasn’t nearly as tasty as the Fettucini. The New York Steak Longhi was my choice of meat/fish/poultry, and it was sliced and extremely delicious. Topping it all off was Macadamia Nut pie. A cup of coffee (also very good) finished the meal. Including tip, it came to $103. Worth every penny. In all, it was a tremendous final meal or our 2009 trip for us both.
When we returned to Longhi’s the next year, Patty copied my 2009 order and was more than impressed. That butter basil sauce they do the New York strip steak pieces in…I’d crawl over a mile of broken glass for an order. That’s how good this meat is. I had the Fettucini Alfredo and it’s the best Alfredo I’ve found at any restaurant. Some people have panned this restaurant and I have to wonder; just what were they expecting?! The food is as good as at any Italian place we’ve eaten. The service is top-notch. True, the atmosphere isn’t up to Kimo’s standards but it’s tough to match Kimo’s considering Longhi’s is on the mauka side of Front Street. This is simply an outstanding restaurant.
14. Da Kitchen (82.00 pts)
Location: Kahului
Visited: 2008, 2012
Outstanding plate lunches in a setting with zero atmosphere. But you’re not here to enjoy the views and décor. You’re here to chow down on the best plate lunches I’ve had in Hawai`i, and Da Kitchen delivers! Either the Katsu Chicken or Teriyaki Chicken are highly recommended, as is the Loco Moco (defib paddles are extra for this artery clogging buggah!)
15. Buca di Beppo (81.50 pts)
Location: Honolulu
Visited: 2007, 2010
(2007) A quick note about the portions here; they are huge! Most dishes come in two sizes Buca Large (serving four or more people) and Buca Small (serving two people). We shared a Caesar Salad and garlic bread, which in themselves are nearly a meal. Patty had the Spicy Arrabbiata Pizza and I had the Penne Arrabbiata; both were outstanding. We rolled out of there completely stuffed with tons of leftovers for the next day.
(2010) Their combination of tasty Italian food, huge portions and reputable service make this a Can’t Miss restaurant. Once again, Buca lived up to its reputation. I had the chicken parmigiana; not as good as it used to be when it came with prosciutto but still pretty impressive. Patty had the Supremo Italiano pizza, and it simply rocked! The service, as always here, was excellent. Prices were very reasonable for what we selected.
16. Hawaiian Style Cafe (81.50 pts)
Location: Waimea
Visited: 2007
If you’ve ever watched the show Girls Meets Hawaii, one of the episodes (“Taste of Hawaii”, I believe) features Samantha Brown visiting this restaurant and order two huge plate lunches, including a Loco Moco. I immediately recognize Kim from that episode; she serves us and we chat about that episode. She says people usually mention it for awhile after the Travel Channel replays that episode, which seems to happen a few times each year. They have an interesting selection of plate lunches (including the famous Loco Moco), but we get “safe” with our choices–I get pancakes and meat (in my case, I choose bacon), consisting of three huge pancakes and a very generous amount of bacon. I almost manage to eat it all. Patty orders a cheeseburger and fries which she says are great. Total was only $16.91, an outstanding deal for the amount of food we got. Fall into conversation with some locals sitting at the next table. By the way, it appears we’re the only tourists in the place, and we really like this. Sitting at a dining place where locals go, you usually won’t go wrong…plus you will nearly always find some pretty pleasant people to talk to. Anyway, one of them says “their portions will challenge you”. No kidding! It’s clear to us by the time we pay our checks why this restaurant is so popular.
17. Bubba Gumps (81.50 pts)
Location: Kailua-Kona
Visited: 2007
Parking in this area is difficult to find adjacent to Ali`i Drive, but if you drive up a block to the Kuakini Highway, you’ll find two large free lots at the Ali`i Sunset Plaza. Bubba Gumps was a very fun place to eat. There’s a somewhat limited menu especially in the chicken and beef areas. I had a New York strip which was outstanding and comes with a double-stuffed potato (with bacon, sour cream and green onions in it). Patty had the Chicken Cobb salad which she said was good but not outstanding. The oceanside table where we sat offered us a view of the oceans where boogie boarders are very active today.
18. Amigos (80.00 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2010
You wouldn’t think of Maui being a place where people could find the best Mexican food they’ve ever had. Cilantro in Lahaina has received some excellent reviews, by Top Maui Restaurants and also by Maui Revealed. However, the times we’ve walked by their restaurant in the past and reviewed the menu, nothing really jumped out at us as being something we thought we could enjoy. (Note: Cilantro proved our earliest impression wrong in 2012)
With that in mind, something attracted us to Amigo’s in the Wharf Center on Front Street tonight. Maybe it was the idea of eating somewhere we haven’t before. Maybe it was the scent of what would turn out to be incredible Mexican food when we walked past. Maybe we were just hungry. Maybe it was a combination of all these things?
Whatever the reason for stopping there for dinner tonight, it was a stroke of genius (or pure luck) on our part. I tried the combination plate of ground beef enchiladas and Chili Relleno. Fantastic! Patty had the chicken quesadillas. For some reason, quesadillas has become one of her favorite restaurant foods. Whenever a restaurant offers them, there is an excellent chance she will order them. She liked hers but she claimed they didn’t quite stack up to the ones served at Hacienda del Sol in Duluth. That isn’t necessary in indictment of Amigos–Hacienda del Sol is by far our favorite Mexican restaurant in Duluth.
19. Makawao Steakhouse (79.75 pts)
Location: Makawao
Visited: 2008, 2009
(2008) In previous trips to Maui, we hadn’t explored much of Upcountry; we’d been through that area in the past during a bus tour up Haleakala to view the sunrise, but we’d never spent much time checking out what was up there in towns such as Pukalani, Kula and Makawao. James’ and Molly’s book on Maui restaurants held the Makawao Steak House in high regard, so we thought it would be a nice stop off on our way back from a day trip up Haleakala. We never got around to the Haleakala trip, but we wanted to check out this restaurant so we made reservations.
The lounge opens at 5:00, a half-hour before the dining area opens up. While sitting in the lounge enjoying pre-dinner drinks, we watched another couple arguing somewhat loudly, obviously having had too much to drink during the day. We were hoping they wouldn’t be seated near us. Naturally, they ended up being seated at a table right next to us! Apparently the woman hadn’t had anything to eat in quite some time (funny how an extended period of drunkeness will do that ), and she wasn’t shy about this fact. She punctuated her “demand” by pounding her fist on the table and nearly yelling “I…want…food….NOW!!!”. Yikes! We listened to this for 15 minutes or so before heading to the salad bar. I joked with the waitress that I hoped the entertainment was free; I don’t know if she understood I was joking because she reacted with some embarrassment. Eventually the waitress went to their table and told them that she could no longer serve them alcohol, per the owner’s instructions. Drunk Guy was pissed off but tried to act like it was cool–meanwhile, Drunk Lady was busy woofing the pupus they’d ordered. In any event, within ten minutes they asked for the check and were out the door, no doubt in search of another establishment where they could continue their path to oblivion. I had the feeling this was a fairly regular pursuit for them.
The waitress and owner both visited our table afterward and couldn’t have been nicer, asking us if we’d like a free Mud Pie for dessert. Why, of course we would! For the remainder of our time, things were as we’d anticipated and better; the steaks, while expensive (over $30 for a New York Strip for Patty and my Filet was similarly priced), were as well prepared and tasty as any we’d eaten at other restaurants. Salad bar and baked potato were included, and the salad bar was excellent. Total bill was $83.
By the way, if you’ve never explored this area of Maui and only spent your time in the coastal areas, you’re missing out. It’s cooler up here (you lose three degrees for every thousand feet you gain in elevation) but it’s green, beautiful and you have Haleakala’s 10,000 foot peak looming above. It’s an area we’d neglected in the past and intend to spend more time at in future trips.
(2009) We were also hopeful that Mr. & Mrs. Drunk Beyond Recognition wouldn’t be in attendance tonight. There was window shopping to be done prior to our 5 p.m. reservation, and I found a pretty cool Makawao t-shirt at the Designing Wahine Emporium. It was cool up here tonight, and we had some sprinkles during our trip. The food at the Steakhouse was, as last year, great. Patty had the shrimp, I gorged myself on the fillet tenderloin.
20. Cilantro (79.50 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2012
Cilantro turned out to be a real treat which we should have tried long ago, but nothing on the menu had previously jumped out at us. I had the Mother Clucker Flautas, and they rocked! Patty didn’t like her Chicken Quesadillas, because all they consisted of was chicken and cheese. She liked the chicken but was expecting more, like sour cream and tomatoes. She should have researched this a little bit better.
21. Maui Onion (79.50 pts)
Location: Wailea
Visited: 2002
Previously located at the Renaissance Wailea Beach Resort, this beachside place was very well known for their onion rings. Their food wasn’t cheap for burger-type fare, not by any stretch of the imagination, but the taste and setting justified these prices. Sadly, this place has since closed.
22. Teddy's Bigger Burgers (79.00 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2012
Having been to the one on Waikiki five years ago, I thought I knew what to expect. But these burgers were far better and the onion rings were almost perfect. I think our impressions of Teddy’s in 2007 were affected by the fact we had just arrived on Waikiki and wre fried from a full day of flying in the Northwest Airlines “cattle car”.
Patty gets the five-ounce burger with fries and a drink, I get the seven-ounce with bacon, cheese and grilled onions along with rings and a drink. We discussed how good they were afterward and basically agreed they were the best burgers we’ve had in Hawaii, and probably better than anything in the Duluth area other than the Anchor Bar.
23. Tommy Bahama's (79.00 pts)
Location: Wailea
Visited: 2012
This was another wonderful dining experience for us. While we were inside, the atmosphere still felt wide open. We were seated at a comfortable booth and attended to by three different staff. At one point, a guy who I think was the manager came over to ask how we were enjoying our food. He talked about how the lettuce on the salad came from an upcountry farm. “Kula?” I asked, and he concurred. They are trying to do more business with island farms, helping to sustain the local economy. Not to mention that buying locally ensured better freshness in the product. Exactly the philosophy of James McDonald, owner of Pacific`o and I`o.
Patty had the seafood bisque soup and a salad. I had the Caesar Salad and Jerk Chicken. For dessert, we shared homemade butterscotch pudding. It was all well-made and delicious.
24. Killer Tacos (78.50 pts)
Location: Kailua-Kona
Visited: 2007
Only $6.99 for fantastic Taco Salads! Crisp lettuce, great salsa topping, yummy ground beef. The only improvement I could recommend would be to spice up the beef just a little. This is a super buy, ranking up there with Hawaiian Style Cafe in terms of cost/quality. No atmosphere; great food! Killer Tacos is another easy recommendation to make.
25. Giannotto's Pizzeria(77.50 pts)
Location: Wailuku
Visited: 2012
After touring the Maui Ocean Center and Maui Tropical Plantation, we thought we’d try out Giannotto’s in Wailuku. We chatted with the two young men working inside about Duluth and various places while we ate. It’s a small place, sort of a hole in the wall. No atmosphere, no view–but excellent pizza! It’s a thin crust affair with a crunchy crust and good sauce. We had sausage, pepperoni and onions on ours, and the onions were the star of the show, turning a good pizza into a great pizza!
26. Longhi's (77.50 pts)
Location: Honolulu
Visited: 2010
Patty had the Steak Longhi, which consists of slices of New York steak drizzled with a basil butter combination. Fantastic! I had the Arrabiata which would have been better had I used the included crushed chili pepper in moderation. But I was a glutton for spice, of course, and the dish suffered as a result.
27. Hecock's (77.50 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2008
Our first impression of Hecock’s was an interesting one; our server was hung over so he sat down at the table next to us and took our order. The food was decent, as were the prices. And the view of the ocean was second only to Sea House and Gazebo. By the way, we saw our server the following night outside the Bamboo Bar at 505 Front Street, drunk out of his mind again! Heh.
Hecock’s has since closed and been replaced by Betty’s Beach Café, and reviews of Betty’s have not been kind. It sounds like it has turned into one of those places which tries to get by solely on their views.
28. Sea House (77.25 pts)
Location: Napili
Visited: 2010, 2012
After a visit in 2010 which left us underwhelmed (service was unbelievably slow), we felt it necessary to give them another chance in 2012. Had it not been for the dreamy views alongside Napili Bay, we would have blown this off as a place to stay away from. The service was appreciably better this time, with the same excellent breakfast fare. And, of course, the same fantastic view.
29. Cheesecake Factory (77.00 pts)
Location: Waikiki
Visited: 2007, 2010
(2007) Don’t let the name fool you; while they have a huge assortment of cheesecakes available for dessert, their dining menu options are huge; there is something there to please even the pickiest or most discriminating diner. I decided on the Jambalaya which was good but not great. Patty got a Chicken Caesar, which she really enjoyed. This is a relatively easy place for us to recommend unless you’ve been to one of their outlets, in case there’s nothing new or special at this location.
(2010) Located in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center; while it’s true that this is chain restaurant, this is still an excellent choice for dinner. All four of us thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience here; Patty had the Chicken Quesadillas, and I got the Spicy Meat pizza. Dessert was cheesecake, of course! I woofed down a piece of strawberry cheesecake. The tab for four people came to just over $100 with tax and tip. By Hawaiian standards, this is a very good deal.
30. Oceanarium (76.50 pts)
Location: Waikiki
Visited: 2004
The primary atmospheric attraction here is a huge 280,000 gallon aquarium featuring fish from more than 70 species. While you’re watching the action in the aquarium, you can tend to forget two things…first, the service is very good, and second, the food is equally as good, although a bit overpriced in our opinion. You won’t regret dining here, in any event.
31. Kona Brewing Co. (76.50 pts)
Location: Kailua-Kona
Visited: 2007
Here, we had a 12? pizza with two toppings was $14–a good deal. We got the Parmesan sausage & pepperoni. After discussing our sauce choices with the waiter, we go for the Cajun tomato sauce instead of the regular tomato sauce, which was a mistake! Too hot! Live and learn. Overall, it was a pretty decent meal.
32. Jamesons by the Sea (76.00 pts)
Location: Haleiwa
Visited: 2004
We stopped here for lunch on the day we did our circle-island drive of Oahu, and would be interested in how a sunset dinner would be. My guess is that it would be a special event. The atmosphere is nice, especially if you get an outside table with a view of the Pacific. Overall, it was a good to very good dining experience for us both.
33. Kobe Steakhouse (75.50 pts)
Location: Waikiki
Visited: 2010
If you’re into social settings for dinner, a place such as Kobe can be a lot of fun, getting to know other people at the U-shaped table you’re seated at while watching knife-wielding chefs chop and cook meals of your choice. For me, it was Sukiyaki Steak. The shrimp which comes with this meal is top-notch! The shabu-shabu soup was much better here than at the Lahaina location, the fried rice not quite so. Overall, it was a fun, entertaining and tasty meal for a price which didn’t break the bank.
34. California Pizza Kitchen (75.25 pts)
Location: Honolulu
Visited: 2002, 2007
Ironically, the best items on their menu have nothing to do with pizza. Their Grilled Sausage & Pepper Penne is one of the best pasta dishes I’ve found. CPK is a chain restaurant, but I would consider them to be a step up from Chili’s and certainly above TGI Friday’s. Still, it’s a step down from Cheesecake Factory.
35. Colleen's (74.00 pts)
Location: Haiku
Visited: 2012
We never know what to expect from first-time restaurants. It’s apparently very popular with the locals–which is usually a good sign. Patty notices the pizza they are selling by the slice as we first walk in, and says it looks really good. It’s a bright and fairly loud place, with maybe 1/3 of the tables filled. They aren’t serving dinner until 5:30 but the waitress takes our order a little early, explaining that the computer won’t let her enter the order until 5:30. Fine by us.
I get my Caesar Salad first, and Patty asks for a second plate so I can share with her. Don’t recall asking her if she wanted to help. It’s a very good salad!
My vodka penne pasta arrives with Patty’s Ho`okipa Pizza, a mix of pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions and red peppers. Fantastic! Her pizza, I mean. My pasta is very good but the chicken seemed a little off. Maybe it just wasn’t a good fit with the other ingredients in the dish.
Overall, it was a good dining decision.
36. Kobe Steakhouse (73.75 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2008, 2009
Kobe is a show. A chef stands in front of a U-shaped hibachi cooking fresh meats and fish for you and ten or your newly-found closest friends. The party atmosphere works fairly well, and you’ll walk away from this place stuffed. Quality wise, it’s not the best, and it’s somewhat expensive.
37. Cool Cat Cafe (73.75 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012
After disappointing experiences with Cheeseburger in Paradise, our search for the Perfect Burger brought us here in 2008.
Two books we’ve read recommended this eatery over Cheeseburger In Paradise.
Cool Cat wasn’t busy (as opposed to Cheeseburger) at 5 p.m. The menu features a very nice selection of burgers and other things, including steaks, salads and pupus. For pupus, we ordered the Frings (half french fries, half onion rings). Both were outstanding. After some discussion and reviewing the many choices on the menu, we both decided on burgers; Patty got the Leader Of The Pack (with mayo, lettuce, pickles, Maui onions and Thousand Island dressing), and I had the Bogy Burger (with bacon, cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, Maui onions and Thousand Island dressing). By the way, what’s the deal with the Thousand Island dressing? It’s featured on most of their burgers, but it does add a nice flavor. Both of our burgers were as good as we’ve had anywhere. Better than Cheeseburger In Paradise, and slightly cheaper. The only possible downside is the service is somewhat indifferent, but who cares? Just gimme my burger! We got what we asked for fairly quickly so this point did little damage to the overall rating.
(2009) Patty had the Ali`i (their version of a Patty Melt), I got the Bogey Burger. We split an order of Frings (half onion rings, half French fries). We left there feeling stuffed and satisfied.
(2010) Tonight we go to Cool Cat Cafe for dinner, our personal favorite place to munch burgers–sorry, Cheeseburger In Paradise! Patty’s Ali`i Burger (their version of the Patty Melt) seems smaller than it used to be, she claims. Frings (french fried and onion rings) are decent but I think we’d be better off with just onion rings as their fries are only average.
(2012) By now, we had eaten at Teddy’s Bigger Burgers. The verdict? More food at Cool Cat, better food at Teddy’s, cheaper prices at Teddy’s, better atmosphere at Cool Cat. We can live with either place but prefer Teddy’s.
38. Aroma d`Italia (73.50 pts)
Location: Kihei
Visited: 2008, 2009, 2010
(2008) A co-worker and his wife joined us at Aroma D’Italia; pretty cool that someone we knew from work was on Maui at the same time. It made for a nice visit while enjoying an excellent meal.
This restaurant was easy to find on S. Kihei Road after a very windy drive down from Lahaina. We were seated immediately upon the restaurant’s opening at 5:00 and chose an outside table. Despite the windy conditions, this was a good choice. We chatted with Rick and his wife while dining (I had Chicken Parmigiana, Patty had a chicken Caesar salad); the food quality was top notch and the prices were quite reasonable. As with other places we’d found during this trip, we wish we had found them years ago!
(2009) Patty had the Linguine with sausage and peppers – very good! I had the Chicken Parmigiana, which I found to be equally tasty. Their specialty, if you haven’t guessed, is Italian food. Portion sizes are good, quality is excellent, and the prices are very fair.
(2010) We’ve eaten at several “repeat” restaurants during this trip, for one reason or another. For Kimos, it’s the memory of our wedding night dinner, plus the delicious sunset views. BJ’s (now Lahaina Pizza Company) has its incredible pizzas although I must say the quality has recently slipped. Aroma d’Italia is a puzzler–something intangible is going on here–the food isn’t the best, the setting isn’t great, it’s next to a parking lot–but there is something which keeps drawing me back. (Patty, on the other hand, doesn’t care if we return here or not). This was our dining choice for tonight; the food was good–pasta with sausage and peppers–but not remarkable. Service was friendly but could have been quicker. But this place relaxes me in a way I can’t readily explain. Mostly, it’s just a feeling I get when I walk into the place–a family-run restaurant which embodies aloha. Maybe that’s what it is.
Sadly, Aroma d’Italia closed in April 2012, depriving us of one of our most trusted Italian restaurants.
39. Brick Oven Pizza (72.50 pts)
Location: Kalaheo
Visited: 2004
If you have never enjoyed Portuguese Sausage on a pizza, you're missing out! We went there twice in March 2004 and were impressed both times. Despite being hindered by their atmosphere (no view whatsoever), it's an easy place for us to recommend.
40. Fat Daddy's Smokehouse BBQ (71.50 pts)
Location: Kihei
Visited: 2009, 2010, 2012
(2009) We found a hidden surprise for dinner at Fat Daddy’s Smokehouse BBQ in Kihei. There is no real atmosphere here (other than the smell of especially tasty meat being cooked back in the kitchen). No matter; service here is prompt and friendly and the food is outstanding. Patty had the ribs and chose Mac & Cheese and Cole Slaw for her two side dishes. I was tempted to get the ribs but decided on the Smoked Brats instead, with baked beans – pretty good with a subtle chili flavor to them – and cole slaw. Being this was the eve of the seventh anniversary of my quitting smoking, Patty footed the bill for dinner. The price was reasonable for what turned out to be an excellent meal.
(2010) If you’re looking for that romantic place to share a meal, Fat Daddy’s ain’t it. If you’re looking for atmosphere, you’re similarly out of luck. You won’t see the ocean while you dine. This isn’t what Fat Daddy’s is about. Fat Daddy’s is about the food, and they don’t pretend to be anything else. The tables are all out in the open in this somewhat smallish place. But the food here is absolutely top-notch, as are the prices, and the service is good. There is aloha here. You just have to be receptive to it.
Patty has the ribs with mac & cheese and cornbread (you get two sides with your choice of primary dish) I get the smoked Brats with beans and watercress salad. The salad has an interesting taste which grows on you. Beans are also good and have a slight chili-type flavor to them. The Brats (with Dijon mustard) are awesome. In short, this is an excellent place to get filled up on good meat and side dishes.
(2012) We’ve been here twice previously, and on this visit, I was not very impressed. For $31, we each had a Fat Plate; Patty had the Ribs, I had the Brats. Their service rating took a hit when the waitress brought our bill to us while I was still eating. A faux pas, in my opinion. We are hoping that Beach Bums will turn out to be better when we go there later this week. (Note: Beach Bums was much, much worse)
41. Planet Hollywood (71.50 pts)
Location: Waikiki
Visited: 2002
The décor inside is decent enough, as is the food. Nothing to write home about, I’d characterize this as superior to Hard Rock Café, especially in price vs. quality.
42. Cafe 565 (71.00 pts)
Location: Lanai City
Visited: 2008
Cafe 565 is less than a block away from Richards on Lanai City’s main drag (such as it is); we didn’t see it even though we drove by it three or four times! Plate lunches are 565's specialty, and they’re delicious. Patty had the fried chicken, I had a combination fried chicken/hamburger steak plate. After tip, the cost was only $20, which was a very good deal. It’s Lanai’s answer to Da Kitchen on Maui.
43. Flatbread Company (70.50 pts)
Location: Paia
Visited: 2008
Guidebooks (and many people on the Trip Advisor site) claim this is the best pizza on Maui. I don't get it. While it's good and allegedly more natural and thus healthier, we prefer Giannotto's in Wailuku, and certainly the pizza they serve up at Honu Seafood & Pizza in Lahaina. Not to mention that, before BJ's Chicago was renamed to Lahaina Pizza Company, Flatbread wasn't even in the same league. But Flatbread Pizza is good pizza in an uninspiring location. Plus, if you're staying in Lahaina (as we always do), it's a helluva long drive to get here.
44. Cheeseburger In Paradise (69.75 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2002, 2007
Take Cool Cat Café, give it a better atmosphere, add long wait times (which can be extremely long at dinner time during the busy season), jack up the prices and make the food less inspired and tasty, and you have Cheeseburger In Paradise in Lahaina. Go here once. Twice isn’t necessary.
45. Denny's (69.50 pts)
Location: Waikiki
Visited: 2002, 2004
Back when Denny's offered the Breakfast Dagwood, this was my favorite breakfast joint. Two things happened; first, they dropped the Dagwood! Second, they closed their Waikiki location underneath the Park Shore hotel. Remove my favorite item, remove the convenience, and it becomes a place we no longer visit.
46. Gazebo (69.50 pts)
Location: Napili
Visited: 2008
It seems as though every guide book I’ve read recommends this restaurant in Napili. It’s a breakfast and lunch place, but there is a drawback. Well, two drawbacks, actually. First is that there are only fifteen tables or so. Second is that, because of its popularity, if you’re not there by 7:00 (they open for breakfast at 7:30), expect to wait, sometimes for a long time. We got there at 7:15 and there were at least 15-20 groups of people ahead of us. By the time we were seated at 8:15, we were tired of standing.
Was the wait worth it? Patty thinks it was, I’m not convinced. Her Banana Macademia Nut pancakes were wonderful, but my Denver omelette was too heavy on the cheese. Despite a nice view of Napili Bay, the place is crowded. Service is pretty good and your orders arrive quickly, but it’s not a place I’m in a rush to return to. The other thing is that we felt slightly pressured to finish eating and pay our bill. Not by the wait staff, they were fine. But while you’re eating, you can see the lineup of people outside the restaurant, which only gets longer as the early morning progresses. Maybe it’s a subconcious thing.
47. Stella Blues Cafe (68.50 pts)
Location: Kihei
Visited: 2012
Stella Blues is a place to go to hear some excellent live Hawaiian music (we saw Hapa here in 2012 are were very happy we did), but as a restaurant, it’s average. Nice interior décor, less than enthusiastic service, average food. They could do better here.
48. Chili's (68.50 pts)
Location: Waikiki
Visited: 2002, 2004, 2007
Chili’s has fairly good food by chain restaurant standards. Their Chicken Monterrrey is one of my personal favorites. The Steak Fajitas? Not nearly as good. Service and pricing is what you’d expect from this type of restaurant. I would characterize this place as predictable, fairly reliable and unimaginative.
49. Lahaina Pizza Company (68.50 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2010, 2012
The falloff in quality was so sudden subsequent to the change of name from BJ's Chicago Pizzeria that we felt it necessary to rate Lahaina Pizza Company on its own, despite the restaurant's claim that it was the same pizza with the same owners. Well, the owners may be the same, but the pizza is not. Toppings are sparse, the tomato sauce has little flavor. The crust, to be fair, is still excellent. Plus, we feel their pies are overpriced. They still have the very nice location on Front Street with views of the ocean, and it's still a nice place to visit after sunset when the music is playing. It is unfortunate the quality has taken a dive.
50. Cafe O Lei (67.50 pts)
Location: Kihei
Visited: 2010
Staff at Cafe o Lei is efficient, waiter is good but not overly outgoing. Won’t let Patty substitute soup for salad, which is unfortunate as the salad is a mix or greens which are not very tasty. Patty has the ribs and finds out (after getting her plate) they are beef ribs, not pork ribs. She says it’s “okay” which is Patty-speak for “this sort of sucks”. I order the New York strip with onion rings and garlic mashed potatoes. Pretty good! We share some vanilla bean ice cream for dessert (three scoops of Lapperts). Atmosphere here is so-so–it’s an enclosed restaurant with no real views of anything. $70 total.
51. Ola (67.50 pts)
Location: Turtle Bay
Visited: 2010
How can a place serve up average food at inflated prices and have us leave smiling? Easy; give us a killer view of a beach and the ocean. This is exactly what Ola does. It’s a good place to visit if you’re passing by Turtle Bay on Oahu’s North Shore and are hungry at lunchtime. It’s not worth driving any kind of distance for.
52. Round Table Pizza (66.00 pts)
Location: Waikiki
Visited: 2007
We selected Round Table Pizza on Kuhio Avenue, based mostly on recommendations of staff at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel. Really good pizza can be hard to find in Honolulu. Round Table makes an admirable effort, and the results are decent, not great.
53. Teddy's Bigger Burgers (65.50 pts)
Location: Waikiki
Visited: 2007
Okay, one of three things are happening which explain the ratings difference between this location in Waikiki from the location in Lahaina. First, my taste buds or expectations have changed. Second, the really really is that much different here. Third, we ate at the Waikiki location just after arriving on Waikiki and our nerves were frayed, made worse by the noise level on that night. I don’t know which one explains it, but I really didn’t like the Waikiki version of Teddy’s very much.
54. Ruby's (65.00 pts)
Location: Kahului
Visited: 2010
Ruby’s reminds me quite a bit of Bridgeman’s in Duluth, a classic burger/pop/ice cream joint. It was surprisingly good albeit a bit loud with all the families crowded in there, kids running about and so forth. Patty preferred their Patty Melt to what she had at Cool Cat Cafe, it being a bigger sandwich for less money. I still give a slight edge to Cool Cat, however.
55. Bubba's Burgers (64.50 pts)
Location: Kapa`a
Visited: 2004
Simply put, as good a burger as I’ve ever had (remember, this was before experiencing Cool Cat Café and Teddy’s Bigger Burgers), on a par with the old Nick’s Burger King (before they started shoveling out the standard Burger King crap) in downtown Duluth. No atmosphere here, but you get your burgers quickly and they’re fantastic! Located in Kapa`a on Kaua`i.
56. Serpicos (63.50 pts)
Location: Pukalani
Visited: 2012
Serpico’s specializes in pasta dishes in a New Jersey-New York style. It’s a small place, nothing fancy. Service was adequate, other than our having to remind the waitress to bring our Focaccia bread which came with the dishes we ordered. Patty had the Fettucinni Alfredo with chicken, which she didn’t particularly care for. I had the Chicken Parmesan which was served over spaghetti with meat sauce. Both portions were HUGE, which justified what we felt was otherwise a fairly high price. There is no atmosphere here and no views. The Chicken Parmesan was tasty, the spaghetti not quite as good, although strangely enough the spaghetti tasted much better the next day when the leftovers were reheated in the microwave.
57. Perry's Smorgy (63.50 pts)
Location: Waikiki
Visited: 1996
Perry's served up average food at good prices in a place with no real atmosphere. But you weren't there to enjoy the views; you were there to fill up on food where you didn't mind about the quality, just the price. The Perry's we visited on Lewers Street closed to make way for the Waikiki Beachwalk construction, a major, much needed renovation which opened in 2007. Three years later, the remaining Perry's on Kuhio Avenue also closed.
58. Gaby's Pizzeria (63.50 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 1996
Sometimes nostalgia counts. Despite its relative low rating (okay pizza with zero atmosphere), we found ourselves wanting to return there on our most recent (2012) trip to Maui. It was the first restaurant we visited on our first trip to Maui in 1996. Given it was also right next door to our hotel, it seemed an easy choice. Alas, Gaby's closed in 2011, and nothing has (as of June 2012) taken its place in the 505 Front Street shops.
59. TGI Fridays (63.25 pts)
Location: Waikiki
Visited: 2002, 2007
Not our favorite chain restaurant, and certainly not up to par with places such as Cheesecake Factory and Buca di Beppo. Both Honolulu locations closed in about 2008.
60. Coconuts (63.00 pts)
Location: Kapa`a
Visited: 2004
Patty and I saw this place differently. She was less than impressed but I happened to think that, despite average service and no view, the inside atmosphere, price and food quality were quite good. I had the Penne Pasta With Roasted Chicken; I recommend this highly.
61. Tutu's (62.50 pts)
Location: Hana
Visited: 2002
There aren’t many dining choices in Hana, and that’s probably a good thing for Tutu’s. Don’t ever call this place “fast food”. Not considering how long it takes to get your order! The very nice view of Hana Bay makes us for some of their shortcomings and high prices.
62. Da Kitchen (63.00 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2010
Similar to the Da Kitchen location in Kahului? Not quite. In fact, not even close. While these two places share the same name, the similarity ends there. The Lahaina location is in an open air plaza at the Wharf Center, but flies can be a problem. A bigger problem rests with the quality of their food. Not comparable to the Kahului location in any way.
It seems our disappointment with this restaurant was shared by others, as this restaurant closed sometime prior to 2012.
63. L&L Drive-in (59.50 pts)
Location: Honolulu
Visited: 2007
Just before we arrive at L&L, a big gap in the sidewalk causing my ankle to collapse outward (damn trick ankle!) and I end up tumbling, landing on my right knee and tearing it up much as I did the left knee three years ago! So now I’ll have matching scars.
There’s a good deal of blood but the lady working the counter at L&L tells us the bathroom is closed because “it’s dirty”. After showing her my knee, she winces a bit and hands me the key. One second after opening the door to the bathroom I understood what she meant by “dirty” but this was a level of dirty I’d never experienced before. I’ll spare you the details but will say it was the filthiest public bathroom I’ve yet encountered. Gruesome, but I was warned…
But, back to the meal; I had a plate lunch of hamburger steak, teriyaki steak, mac salad, rice and chili. This was a huge meal for just six bucks, more than I could eat. Quality was so-so. It’s not a place I’d be driven to eat at again.
64. Ruby Tuesday (59.50 pts)
Location: Wahiawa
Visited: 2004
Another chain restaurant, and an acceptable choice for lunch when we drove to the Dole Plantation north of Wahiawa, Oahu. Patty tried their Salad Bar Extravaganza and really liked it; I had the Old English Bacon Cheeseburger and was less impressed. Little atmosphere, but good service and decent prices.
65. Penne Pasta Cafe (59.50 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2009
No atmosphere here (no view), and it’s a place where you go to the counter, order your food and then find a table and wait. I got the Chicken Parmigiana on top of spaghetti, Patty had the spaghetti and meatballs, plus we split a personal pizza with salami, sausage, tomato and mozzarella. Based on the food quality and quantity versus price, it was an okay meal with no outstanding flavors.
66. Drysdale's II (59.50 pts)
Location: Keauhou
Visited: 2007
Listen, this place is essentially a sports bar (with a name like Drysdale’s, this is no surprise) which serves food. Keep this in mind and you won’t be too disappointed. Actually, by sports bar standards, the food here is reasonably good.
67. Compadres (58.17 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 1996, 2002, 2007
Poor quality food, good prices. I’m at a loss to explain why, given that, we ate here three times before they eventually closed up. Maybe it was because we didn’t know of any good Mexican places, prior to finding Amigo’s and Cilantro?
68. Moose McGillicuddy's (56.00 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2002
69. Hard Rock Cafe (56.33 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 1996, 2002, 2010
It’s a bar, and they serve bar food. Not bad by bar food standards, and the price is reasonable. It’s an open-air restaurant, so the atmosphere is decent.
If overpriced, average food is your thing, then the Hard Rock Cafe is for you. The only interesting thing about this place is the music videos they play on TV's interspersed throughout the restaurant. It might take your mind off the fact that you're being gouged for your meal.
70. Yard House (52.00 pts)
Location: Waikiki
Visited: 2010
I understand a lot of people like Yard House. I am not one of those people.
71. Cheeseburger in Paradise (51.00 pts)
Location: Lahaina & Waikiki
Visited: 2002, 2004, 2007
Before we found Cool Cat Café, we felt Cheeseburger in Paradise had Hawai`i’s best burgers, and lamented that there could not be found a good burger at reasonable prices anywhere in Lahaina or on Waikiki. At least the Lahaina location is oceanfront. Go there once just to say you went there. Don’t make our mistake and go there three times!
72. Aloha Mixed Plate (51.00 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2009
As with Flatbread Company, I don't get the hype with Aloha Mixed Plate. We had dinner there before driving up to Kahului for the Brothers Cazimero concert, and I simply wasn't impressed. I considered their plate lunches to be below average, and certainly not to be mentioned in the same breath as Da Kitchen.
73. Eggbert's (49.00 pts)
Location: Kapa`a
Visited: 2004
Give this place the same vantage point which Al & Don’s enjoys and its rating would jump up several points. As it is, the omelettes here are huge so bring your appetite. Not a bad choice for breakfast. Has that “family restaurant” feel to it, if you’re into that type of thing.
74. Tony Roma’s (48.50 pts)
Location: Lahaina
Visited: 2008
I don’t know what their idea of a New York strip steak is, but the one they served me wasn’t it. It was fairly heavily marbled, more along the lines of a rib-eye steak. Let’s just say it was disappointing. The atmosphere is average; I suppose it would have been nicer to have an outside table, but they were all occupied, so we sat inside. Service was adequate to good. Patty had the baby back ribs, which she liked. Our dessert choice was strawberry cheesecake, which was somewhat dry. Overall, it was my least satisfying dining choice during our trip.
75. Kona Canoe Club (46.50 pts)
Location: Kailua-Kona
Visited: 2007
We had wanted to dine at the Kona Inn but they weren’t serving dinner until 5:30 and we got there an hour early. The alternative was to order their lunch pupus which were uninspiring from the menu we looked at. So we walked over to the Kona Canoe Club, which is rather like another sports bar. I had a chili burger, Patty had her usual salad. The burger was disappointing. There is no culinary reason whatsoever to come here.
76. Al & Don's (46.00 pts)
Location: Kapa`a
Visited: 2004
This place being right on the beach at the Kauai Sands Hotel is the only thing going for it. Service is mediocre and on the brusque side and the food is average at best. Who recommended this place to us? A boot to the head to whomever did.
77. Tropical Burgers (43.50 pts)
Location: Kapa`a
Visited: 2004
Mix snooty service, a dull atmosphere and poor food and Tropical Burgers is the result. There is not much else to say about this Kapa`a restaurant other than we won't be returning.
78. Beach Bums Bar & Grill (43.50 pts)
Location: Ma`alaea
Visited: 2012
Top Maui Restaurants liked this place?? Maybe we made the mistake of ordering ribs. Oh yeah, that’s right—we ordered ribs because that book recommended ribs! While I agree with the book with respect to many places, I couldn’t disagree with more their review of this…”restaurant”. Ugh.
79. La Playita Azul (41.50 pts)
Location: Kapa`a
Visited: 2004
In a weird way, our negative reviews feel a bit justified when a place closes down. Such was the case with La Playita Azul, a Mexican restaurant set in a hole in the wall location in Kapa`a. With the understanding that what we know of Mexican food is really more Tex-Mex than true Mexican, the food here was awful. The service started out adequately until the owner stopped by to ask how the food was. “Not bad” was my wife’s reply, after which he chuckled and walked off, not to return again until it was time to give us our check. I still grimace when I think of this place. But at least the prices were decent for Hawai`i.
80. East Ocean (40.00 pts)
Location: Kihei
Visited: 2010
In the latest edition of Top Maui Restaurants, James and Molly Jacobson state that, with the closing of East Ocean, if you want good Chinese food, you're best option is to buy a wok. I propose this was your only option.
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