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.)

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

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.

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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.

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You may also be interested in:

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

Location:   3600 L. Honoapiilani Rd., Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-665-0512 Website:   Menus:   Menu

Hours:   Daily 10A - 2:30P & 4:30 - 9P Price:   Affordable Credit Cards:   No (ATM) Views:   None Outdoor Seating:   Some Entertainment:   No Booze:   No Reservations:   No

Description:
One of my favorite things to do is order the food and take out to enjoy a delicious meal on the beach.

No frills counter-service tiny strip-mall joint with spectacularly good restaurant quality local food. Even more spectacular is the reasonable pricing. (Fish entrees ~$15)

Some folks cry about "expensive for plate lunch" but the quality here isn't lunch-truck fare. They could be serving this same food with an ocean view and waitstaff at double the price and still pack the place.

Very popular with local residents, and can be crowded enough that you have to wait in line. It is well worth it.

Friendly and inexpensive so long as you appreciate the food over the china.

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You may also be interested in:

• Genki Sushi
• Gazebo Restaurant
• Aloha Mixed Plate

Star Noodle

Rating: 4.25 out of 5 stars
^{*how we rate restaurants}

In a nutshell: A reasonably priced inventive and inspired twist on Asian/Local food.
Minuses: Out of the way in Maui’s version of a light industrial park.
Sound-bite: [sluuurrrrp!]

Location:   286 Kupuohi St, Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-667-5400 Website:   www.starnoodle.com Menus:   Menu

Hours:   Daily 10:30am - 10pm Price:   Affordable Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Ocean & Sunset Outdoor Seating:   No Entertainment:   No Booze:   Yes Reservations:   No

Description:
UPDATE: May 2011 - There have been some consistency issues; rave reviews still coming in, but mixed in some really poor reviews have started showing up on TA and Yelp in enough numbers to warrant a (hopefully temporary) rating adjustment. If you dine here let us know what you think! We will show up there again soon (we though it was good when we had lunch there last summer!)

We categorized it as "Local Food" but this place has a metropolitan twist that really puts it in its own category. Descriptions like "Asian Fusion" have been used to describe the place - but whatever you want to call it - it's broke da mouth delicious.

Star Noodle is located off the beaten tourist path, at the top of a largely undeveloped industrial park above Lahaina. The location seems a bit odd as you drive uphill, away from...um...everything - especially when you're used to virtually everything in Lahaina being packed like sardines on Front Street.

Once inside, the decor and ambiance also fly in the face of any industrial expectations - this is more like the kind of "modern-chic" that you would expect in a converted New York City warehouse. Modern, trendy and Asian themed with contemporary use of woods, glass and stone throughout.

In fact, the parallel with New York goes further than the surface - the chef and staff went to the top noodle houses in NYC during the development stage for inspiration - and that is where they polished the metropolitan influence on this concept that is so perfectly Maui.

More importantly than the decor and metro influence, the food and service are absolutely spectacular.

The staff, highly competent - and packed with an extra heaping of Aloha, has clearly been hand-picked. (I'm guessing they're likely stars form the owners' other highly rated restaurants: Aloha Mixed Plate and Old Lahaina Luau.)

The dishes are inventive, but solidly grounded. The menu sports noodle dishes like ramen (with rich pork broth, roast pork, poached egg and bamboo shoots.) Local-style saimin (with spam, of course!) And more than enough variety in noodle dishes to make the name on the door stick.

But Star Noodle doesn't stop at just noodles - Share plates and bentos span the gamut as well - local favorites like musubi sit alongside Korean style seafood pancakes, and sizzling Rib-eye. Or Avo Ahi (Avocado and Ahi) and Scallops & Asparagus (seared with a delicious yuzu-miso vinaigrette) will tempt as well. The majority of dishes are served family-style, and meant to be shared and enjoyed.

Star Noodle is very much an idea born in Maui, off to the big city for a Metropolitan education, then back home to shine brighter than ever from a view of both worlds. And shine it does.

Oh, there is one surprising thing from both Maui and New York City that they seem to have left behind: the price tag.

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You may also be interested in:

• Bistro Molokini
• Cool Cat Cafe
• David Paul’s Island Grill

Location:   991 Limahana Pl., Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-667-9062 Website:   Menus:   Not Available

Hours:   Open 7 days at 5:30am to Close (M-F: 1pm; Sat: Noon; Sun: 11am) Price:   Affordable Credit Cards:   No Views:   No Outdoor Seating:   Yes (a pretty rough picnic table) Entertainment:   No Booze:   No Reservations:   No

Description:
A shoe-in for #1 in baked goods for West Maui.

This European bakery is small and hidden in an industrial area that usually only sees tourists headed for the Sugar Cane Train.

This is one of those "don't judge a book by its cover" deals, because, from the outside you may be tempted to just keep on driving.

They have fresh croissants, breads, cakes, pastries and a full-service deli with sandwiches made on just-baked bread. Everything really is damned good here.

They also feature something that is hard to find on Maui: *real* bagels. (On Maui you'll find plenty of masquerading rolls with holes in them.)

Icing on the cake is that they're reasonably priced, too.

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You may also be interested in:

• Whole Foods Market
• Tradewinds Deli and Market
• Cool Cat Cafe

Location:   502 Office Road, Kapalua, HI 96761 Phone:   808-665-9105 Website:   www.kapalua.com/recreation/din... Menus:   Menu

Hours:   6am - 8pm Price:   Affordable Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Golf course & Some ocean Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   No Booze:   Yes Reservations:   No

Description:
Well, a review can't do this place justice. It is exactly what makes Maui charming. A genuine unpretentious general store, (established in 1929) smack in the middle of opulent Kapalua luxury resorts.

Right next to the Ritz, it has had its facelift to keep up with the times, and hawks plenty of resort-branded items, but it is still clearly operating outside of the resort's price structure because it is a great value for breakfast and plate lunch. (Hint: head to the back room, the front room is the trap for tourists!)

They cater to local tastes, and tourist convenience as well. Their quality, pricing and location draws plenty of locals and visitors alike.

Like any good-old country general store, they also have groceries, snacks, booze, household goods and a little bit of everything. (Including an espresso bar!!)

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• Nagasako Okazu-ya (Deli)
• Gazebo Restaurant
• Five Palms (was Canoes)

Location:   One Bay Club Place, Kapalua, HI 96761 Phone:   808-669-6400 Website:   www.merrimanshawaii.com Menus:   Dinner Dessert Keiki Wine List Bar Happy Hour Specialty Bar Oceanfront Wine Bar

Hours:   Nightly 5:30 - 9pm (Bar open at 3) Price:   Fine Dining Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Beach, Ocean & Sunset Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   Yes Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Suggested

Description:
Among the best Maui restaurants. At least 90% of the food is locally sourced and sustainably grown/caught.

The ambiance and views here are sweeping and dramatic. The service is expert and attentive. The cooking is perfection.

Make a reservation for sunset.

All the above don't come cheap - be ready to shell some ducats.

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• Banyan Tree
• Umalu
• Humuhumunukunukuapua’a

Location:   Kapalua Plantation Golf Course, 2000 Plantation Club Dr., Kapalua, HI 96761 Phone:   808-669-6299 Website:   www.theplantationhouse.com Menus:   Menu Vegiterian Menu Keiki Menu Japanese Breakfast & Lunch Menu Japanese Dinner Menu Wine List

Hours:   Daily 8am - 3pm & 6pm - 9pm Price:   Expensive Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   Ocean, Sunset, Golf Course & Mountain Outdoor Seating:   Yes Entertainment:   No Booze:   Yes Reservations:   Suggested

Description:
A gorgeous restaurant in the old plantation style. Spectacular panoramic views of mountain, golf course and ocean are matched by knowledgeable, attentive service and excellent food.

The price rating is "Expensive" however it is on the moderate side of that number, and compared to other places of similar quality, it is considered a good value.

If you go for dinner, schedule your reservation so that your meal will end around sunset time, you won't be disappointed.

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You may also be interested in:

• Mala Wailea
• Pineapple Grill
• Pacific’o

Location:   658 Front St., Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone:   808-661-1971 Website:   Menus:   Not Available

Hours:   Daily 11A -8:30P Price:   Affordable Credit Cards:   Yes Views:   No Outdoor Seating:   Entertainment:   No Booze:   BYOB Reservations:   No

Description:
Small Thai joint at the Wharf Cinema Center. Great value on traditional Thai cuisine.

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You may also be interested in:

• Thai Chef
• Bamboo Bar & Grill
• Oneloa Beach (aka Ironwoods Beach)