Son'z at Swan Court

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars
^{*how we rate restaurants}

Rated #1 High-End Contemporary W.

In a nutshell: A romantic setting with fantastic Mediterranean influenced island cuisine.
Minuses: Pricey.
Sound-bite: “so romantic, we were seated at a table for two right next to the lake.”

Location:   Hyatt Regency Resort, 200 Nohea Kai Dr., Ka'anapali, HI 96761 Phone:   808-667-4506 Website:   www.tristarrestaurants.com/son... Menus:   Dinner Menu Wine List

Hours:   Daily 6:30 - 11am; 5-10pm (10:30 Fri & Sat) Bar stays open to midnight. Price:   Expensive Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Yes Outdoor Seating:   Open Air Entertainment:   No Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Yes

Description:
Located at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Ka'anapali, this romantic open-air restaurant sits at the edge of a swan pond complete with flowing waterfalls, lush gardens, and a dramatic staircase entry that looks like it's been transported out of an elegant 50's movie set.

Normally I shy away from resort restaurants, because, in Maui more than most places, an on-the-ground understanding of what makes our island unique is key. Otherwise, you're sitting at a formula restaurant that really could be dropped on any resort beach in the world with the same result - and I don't believe that is what draws people to Maui.

The key to success here is that Son'z doesn't belong to Hyatt. Son'z is part of a Hawaii based group of high-end restaurants, the ownership and on-site management team are fine-tuned from decades of presence in Hawaii, and quite literally, have also been an active part of defining contemporary fine dining in the islands.

Like virtually all high-end restaurants in Maui, the dress is "resort casual", and in line with the tropical ambiance and relaxed atmosphere. The waitstaff is equally relaxed, though professional, well informed and attentive - just as you would expect when dining in a restaurant of this caliber.

The cuisine consists of delicious interpretations of "Mediterranean meets Hawaii" - plus a few exquisite renditions of classic comfort foods (Kobe beef meatloaf is a favorite.)

Much of the produce at Son'z comes from local farms, fish come from the surrounding waters - and even the goat cheese is local. In fact, a favorite appetizer is the Surfing Goat Dairy cheese ravioli - which incorporates local award-winning cheese, Maui's Kula corn and Big Island Hamakua mushrooms.

Both meat and fish lovers will come away equally satisfied by the "Mediterranean Rim" interpretations (a name given by the owners to describe the mix of Pacific Rim and Mediterranean influences.) Ahi prime rib, grilled Maui Cattle Company beef tenderloin, and Hawaiian opakapaka picatta, are among the stars of the show.

To top it all off, Swan Court also boasts the largest wine cellar in Hawaii.

(PS, the breakfast buffet here is also ranked among the best in Maui!)

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

Yelp

|

Google

|

Tripadvisor

|

|

OpenTable

You may also be interested in:

• Lahaina Grill
• Hula Grill
• Umalu

Don't judge a book by its cover!

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars

In a nutshell: The absolute freshest fish (prepared or not) in West Maui.
Minuses: Closes early.
Sound-bite: “I watched guys from a boat walk in and sell them their fish while I ordered!”

Fish Market Maui is a great escape from the pricey restaurants in the resort areas. This place is a non-assuming fish market and take-out joint in a strip mall north of Ka’anapali – so the ambiance isn’t what brings folks here – it’s the fresh fish! When we say fresh, we mean it – if you hang around, you’ll see it come in the door straight from the fishermen who just caught it. You’ll also see plenty of local residents coming in and out during lunch, and all day – always a good sign in a tourist area that the food is gonna be good.

The ono burger, oyster shooters and poke are favorites here, but they also have several non-fish dishes, like kalua pork, that are delicious.

Fish Market Maui got our #1 rating in two different categories because not only do they have among the best fresh fish for sale to the public, but they’ve also got killer, relatively inexpensive prepared food to eat-in or take-out.

Now, we must say that we’ve heard tourists grumble that this place isn’t really inexpensive. Well, my friend, welcome to Maui – nothing is inexpensive, and you definitely won’t get out of here spending under ten bucks a head. But I doubt you could do much better in price at the Safeway…and the quality – well, if you understand what quality is worth, this place is a square deal sitting smack in the middle of resort-inflated prices.

The Fish Market has a few indoor tables, and some outdoor seating – but the way we like to enjoy what these folks have to offer is at the beach. We always order to take-out, and sit down at one of the spectacular West Maui beaches to enjoy a tasty picnic lunch.

If you’re staying in a condo with a kitchen and plan on cooking during your vacation, super fresh uncooked fish is also available to take back with you.

Key Info:
Location: 3600 Lower Honoapiilani Rd., Honokowai Get directions
GPS Coordinates: 20.952439,-156.686759
Phone: 808.665.9895
Web: http://www.fishmarketmaui.com/
Meal Price: $10-$20/person


View Larger Map
The funny thing about this Google street-view is if you pan over to the delivery truck, you’ll see “Eskimo Candy” on the side of the truck. That is funny because Google caught our number one South Maui purveyors of fish delivering to the number one in West Maui! (See the Eskimo Candy review.)

You may also be interested in:

• Eskimo Candy
• Cilantro Mexican Grill
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Lahaina Grill

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars
^{*how we rate restaurants}

Rated #1
American Fine Dining in West Maui

In a nutshell: A Lahaina fine-dining landmark for 20 years.
Minuses: No outside seating.
Sound-bite: “The service was only bested by the food.”

Location:   127 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-667-5117 Website:   www.lahainagrill.com Menus:   Dinner Menu (English) Japanese Menu Japanse Dessert Menu Wine List

Hours:   Nightly 6 - 9:30P Price:   Fine Dining Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   No Outdoor Seating:   No Entertainment:   No Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Strongly Recommended

Description:
Fine dining in the Historic Lahaina Inn. Formerly known as David Paul's, the Lahaina Grill is on everyone's list of top Maui restaurants for good reason.

This place is top-dollar (expect to drop ~$100/person), but they certainly deliver the goods.

The impeccable wait staff is attentive, highly knowledgeable about all aspects of the menu (including preparation, sourcing and wine pairing) and clearly like what they do.

While the dining room has many of the nicer touches of fine dining, the Lahaina Grill is certainly not formal. The staff is full of Aloha, and nothing is stuffy or overdone. Bright, colorful artwork adorns the walls, and dress is resort casual.

The ambiance is cozy, even romantic - but this isn't an intimate hush-hush kind of place. Lahaina Grill can get quite lively; diners are welcomed to enjoy themselves (if your the old crotchety guy that complained about the noise on Tripadvisor, may I suggest the library?)

The Food!

Lahaina Grill has eight salads (and a couple soups) to choose from. Fresh local produce and greens aplenty. The bufala tomato salad has been raved about by many diners, with more than one calling the tomatoes melt in your mouth delicious.

Favorite appetizers: baked escargots (in a unique light curry, herb and garlic butter), the cake walk (petite Kona lobster crab cake, sweet Louisiana rock shrimp cake and seared ahi cake) and the seared ahi and foie gras (sweet and sour fresh fig compote, Maui onion duck demi-glace.)

Entrees: Chef Arnie's home-made-meatballs (blended veil, pork and beef over Penne pasta & fresh tomato-basil sauce), Kona coffee roasted rack of lamb (coffee-Cabernet demi-glace & herb mashed potatoes), and the center cut veal chop (Pommery mustard, sauteed wild mushrooms, herbed truffle risotto) are all highly recommended.

Lahaina Grill also has an impressive award-winning wine list to select from (link to list above.)

Favorites aside, this is one restaurant where you can order anything you want from the menu, because virtually the entire menu is remarkable. And if you can't make up your mind, just sit down and order the Chef's tasting menu - a combination of all the best the chef has to offer for about the same price as your a la carte choices will cost you.

Voted "Best Maui Restaurant" 17 years running by Honolulu Magazine (among other awards.) Lahaina Grill is a must for anyone who appreciates fine food.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

Yelp

|

OpenTable

|

Tripadvisor

|

|

Google

You may also be interested in:

• Leilani’s On The Beach
• Betty’s Beach Cafe
• Kobe Japanese Steakhouse & Oku’s Sushi Bar

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars ^{*how we rate restaurants}

Rated #1 Affordable Thai in West Maui

In a nutshell: Reasonably priced, big menu, eat-in/take-out/BYOB Thai joint.
Minuses: It can get crowded.
Sound-bite: “Around da back, brah!”

Location:   878 Front St., Suite A-12, Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-667-2814 Website:   Menus:   Menu

Hours:   M-F 11am - 2pm; Daily 5 - 9:30pm Price:   Affordable-Moderate Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   No Outdoor Seating:   No Entertainment:   No Booze:   BYOB Reservations:   No

Description:
Frequently packed with regulars (and visitors in the know.) Decent Thai food at affordable prices.

While I definitely wouldn't call it a "take-out-joint", they do plenty of take-out business. Thai Chef is a small, quaint, inexpensive family-owned restaurant. Focused on catering to the local residents, the atmosphere is cozy, and most definitely not touristy.

The service here is fast and friendly. All the staff usually act as a team, so one being bogged down won't slow the food coming out to your table.

Thai Chef has won many readers-choice and critic awards & accolades over the years, including as recently as this year (2010.)

Now, if you're looking for fancy-schmancy metropolitan ambiance, or a high-end resort themed joint, this isn't it. A peppering of online reviewers complained about silly things like the style of the flooring, the bathroom location (outside), or were wrapped around pretense that the cuisine isn't world-class like [insert all the Thai joints they like in their home town.] Please, Mr. Pretentious, get a grip - this is an inexpensive take-out/eat-in/BYOB Thai joint - walking in here expecting elegant ambiance or sophisticated culinary excesses is your "faux pas", not Thai Chef's.

Now, on to the food! In a word: delicious! Standards like Pad Thai and hot & sour soup are really a treat - but you can certainly feel free to explore. Crab yellow curry and Thai red pineapple curry are delish. Check out their extensive menu (links to photos above.) Oh, and when they say "hot" they *really* mean it. (Most folks who like hot food will be well satisfied ordering medium-spicy.)

Thai Chef also has an extensive vegetarian menu, and since they make the food to order, they can substitute tofu, or otherwise make virtually any of the dishes without meat.

The location is a bit off the main drag, and has been reported difficult to find by those who haven't been there before. Hint: go around to the rear of the complex (it is not on the Front Street side as the address suggests.)

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

Tripadvisor

|

Google

|

|

Yelp

You may also be interested in:

• Cool Cat Cafe
• CJ’s Deli & Diner
• Tia Juana’s

Smokehouse BBQ
(Google Streetview)

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars
^{*how we rate restaurants}

Rated #1 BBQ in West Maui

In a nutshell: Great BBQ, kind service, in a genuine, non-touristy atmosphere.
Minuses: “Not touristy” means guests with realy bad attitudes might not necessarily be killed with kindness.
(You know who I’m talkin’ ’bout!)
Sound-bite: “Ooops…maybe I should’ve worn a bib!”

Location:   930 Wainee St., Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-667-7005 Website:   Menus:   Menu

Hours:   11:30am - 9pm (Sat/Sun Open 3pm) Price:   Affordable Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   No Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   Yes Booze:   Yes Reservations:   No

Description:
Here is another secret in Lahaina off of Front Street. Genuine down-to-earth Mom & Pop BBQ joint, without the fancy touristy trappings.

If you love BBQ this might become one of your favorite restaurants in Maui.

Baby Back ribs are slow-cooked to perfection, and the meat that falls right off the bone. The pulled pork is smoky, tangy and sweet. The BBQ sauce is unique and delicious, and the cole slaw, complete with bits of pineapple, is highly addictive.

Awesome BBQ, laid back atmosphere, generous portions, spot-on genuine service and equally generous pricing. Throw in the kind owners who cook and wait on you, and I don't know what more anyone could want.

To top it all off, they also host excellent local entertainment (call ahead) that might just keep you here drinking their tasty Mai Tais all night along side the regulars.

A great escape from the tourist traps, into an oasis of genuine local Aloha spirit, hospitality and ohana-style BBQ.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

Tripadvisor

|

Google

|

Yelp

You may also be interested in:

• RVN Deli Kitchen Catering
• L&L Drive-Inn (Lahaina)
• China Boat

The Gazebo (Photo: Urbanspoon)

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 stars ^{*how we rate restaurants}

Rated #1 Inexpensive Breakfast in West Maui

In a nutshell: Affordable casual oceanside breakfast and lunch right on Napili Bay.
Minuses: The line to get in.
Sound-bite: [ding!-ding!] “Whale-Ho!”

Location:   Napili Shores Condos, 5315 L. Honoapiilani Rd., Napili, HI 96761 Phone:   808-669-5621 Website:   Menus:   Text version you can read Menu Photo w/prices

Hours:   Daily 7:30am - 2pm Price:   Affordable Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Beach & Ocean Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   No Booze:   BYOB Reservations:   No

Description:
Oceanside at the Napili Shores condos, The Gazebo sits next to the pool at an aging condo complex. If you didn't know any better, you wouldn't guess this line is actually for people waiting to be seated at the condo's poolside snack shack.

The Gazebo only serves breakfast and lunch (breakfast menu is also available during lunch) - and, sorry, they don't take reservations.

The line typically snakes around the condo pool.
(Photo: Urbanspoon)

In fact, there is almost always the guarantee of a 15 - 30+ minute line; but the wait can be put to good use gawking at the scenery and quizzing the repeat customers (and getting hungry!) They also have free self-serve coffee while you wait. Once inside Service is fast and friendly.

You can minimize your wait by showing up just before they open - or a secret that not many know: call ten minutes ahead for takeout!

The Gazebo is best known for their huge, fluffy pancakes topped with a generous dollop of their secret (and sinful) sweet creme concoction. Everyone should be required to order at least a small stack to split among the table. For the full effect, suspend all cares of how you're going to look in that bikini and slather the sweet Hawaiian coconut syrup on top of these already sugar-coma-inducing pancake confections. Welcome to Hawaii pancake heaven!

The breakfast fried rice is also a solid winner. And the absurdly large portion of fried rice makes the other generously sized dishes look small in comparison - a full order could be split among a table full of Sumo wrestlers - and even a half-order can be amply split as a substantial side for a trio of linebackers.

Since it is perched next to, and above the bay, the Gazebo has spectacular ocean views with Moloka'i island standing mystically out of reach. Diners frequently spot green sea turtles close to shore, and during the winter and spring months the magnificent humpback whales frolic as your unforgettable breakfast entertainment.

The Gazebo can be a bit tricky to find if you're flying blind, but if you map out Napili Shores ahead of time (map below), all you need to do is park at the condos as a guest, then find the pool. The line is a dead giveaway. ;-)

Oh, and don't forget to apply sunscreen before you go!

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

Yelp

|

|

Tripadvisor

|

Google

You may also be interested in:

• Cool Cat Cafe
• Cilantro Mexican Grill
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Location:   174 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-661-8939 Website:   www.gerardsmaui.com Menus:   Wine List Appetizers Soups & Salads Fish & Seafood Meat & Poultry Desserts Degustation Menu

Hours:   Nightly 6 - 8:30pm Price:   Fine Dining Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   No Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   No Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Yes

Description:
Romantic, elegant, classical fine French dining. In the Plantation Inn, off the Lahaina beaten path. Much more formal than most Maui restaurants.

Gerrard's focuses on using fresh, locally sourced foods. From Surfing Goat Dairy cheese to local fishermen bringing the catch right from the dock.

Service is impeccable and the food astounding. Prices to match.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

Google

|

Yelp

|

Tripadvisor

|

You may also be interested in:

• Ono Bar & Grill
• Cascades Grille & Sushi Bar
• Black Rock Steak & Seafood

Location:   1251 Front St., Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-667-1998 Website:   www.oldlahainaluau.com Menus:   Menu

Hours:   Apr-Sept 5:45 - 8:45P; Oct-March 5:15 - 8:15 Price:   $95.83 (Children $64.58) - tax included. Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Beach, Ocean & Sunset Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   Yes Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Required

Description:
Recognized as the most authentic Luau and also rated as best and recognized by a bundle of local and national periodicals, including The Maui News, Maui Time, No Ka Oi Magazine, National Geographic Traveler, New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and on and on.

A more comprehensive article is planned, but short and to the point, this is where I suggest those in search of a more authentic Hawaiian experience go.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

Yelp

|

Tripadvisor

|

Google

|

Yahoo

|

You may also be interested in:

• Humuhumunukunukuapua’a
• Drums of the Pacific Luau
• David Paul’s Island Grill

Location:   505 Front St., Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-667-5353 Website:   www.feastatlele.com Menus:   Menu

Hours:   Nightly @ 6P Price:   $110 Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Beach, Ocean & Sunset Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   Yes Booze:   Open Bar Reservations:   Required

Description:
Different from the buffet Luaus, you are seated at a private table and served by attentive always-on service. There are no shortcuts here.

Executive chef James McDonald of Pacific'O and I'O fame has spectacular world-class food coming out all night.

All you can drink, with a wide selection of beer, wine and mixed drinks - and, just like the food, the waitstaff is super-attentive and has your drinks constantly full.

The four course meal, is more like 12 since many plates are brought out with several different dishes per course.

This is the most expensive luau, but among the best in value - it isn't a significantly higher price than even the least expensive, considering the difference in what you get.

Very romantic setting, and they even have a special menu for vegetarians.

Other Reviews: ^{*ordered by accuracy}

Yelp

|

Google

|

Tripadvisor

|

You may also be interested in:

• Umalu
• Drums of the Pacific Luau
• David Paul’s Island Grill