Welcome to the 1st Edition of the MUST EAT SERIES: Dedicated to all the travel loving foodies in search of that can't miss meal! You know what I'm talking about - the one when you get back, everyone is like OMG, did you go here? Wasn't it the best ever? Or the one, when someone says I'm going here, you can chime in, OMG don't miss this one! Regardless of if you're visiting for a day, a week, a month, there are some things you would just hate to miss out on! #FOMO is real in this foodie world...lol! As hungry travelers, we always say we'll be back, at some point - but my philosophy on life is: There's no time like today to eat a great meal! *All recommendations are based solely on items I've eaten and would happily indulge in again...and again.
MAUI, HI - The ultimate paradise for any fresh fish, shaved ice, tropical fruit lover! 5 hour direct flight from Sacramento, it is the most convenient getaway to relax and recharge anytime of the year. Sunny skies and a warm ocean all year long are hard to beat! Check out the must eats below (in no particular order) -
Order: POKE BOWL: 1/2 lb poke, rice, slaw
Price: $18
This ahi poke is straight dreamy. As in, I legitimately still dream about it! Order half traditional half spicy because both are equally delicious and two flavors are always better than one. The fish literally does not get any fresher! This #foodtruck has been around since 2016 and prides itself on its fresh local catch. (One time I was in line and a car literally pulled up with the fresh fish and they threw it straight on the grill for tacos (Also, delicious!)). In additional to the freshest ahi poke around, it is coupled with warm white rice covered in furikake (obviously!) and a refreshing slaw filled with fresh pineapple chunks mixed in. The poke bowl goes great with a can of POG (Passion Orange Guava) and some fish tacos! For more details on just how delicious this poke is, check out Where is the BEST poke in Maui?
Order: LILIKOI MALASADAS
Price: Half dozen filled $14 (mix/match flavors)
There's something special about watching your food be made right in front of your eyes... I swear it makes it taste even better! And when the husband and wife team cooking are super friendly and happy to answer all your ridiculous questions about how they started, how they make their fillings, or how many they make a day, it absolutely makes the experience unforgettable.
Malasadas, also known as Portuguese donuts - similar to a donut hole but bigger, fluffier, and often stuffed with yummy fillings. Flavor options include: chocolate, haupia (coconut), mango, lilikoi, guava, and varying seasonal flavors each time like blueberry, pineapple, or lychee. They are big, puffy, and perfectly tossed in white sugar. The fillings are all homemade and each malasada is hand filled. First bite is basically an explosion of goodness in your mouth - donut like texture filled with fruity flavor filling. My favorite was the lilikoi! It literally tasted like a passion fruit was stuffed inside the #malasada! I wouldn't expect this sort of flavor naturally anywhere other than Maui. Mango would be my next must have, but ordering a half dozen and mix/ matching the flavors of your choice is really a great way to experience fresh malasadas at their finest. *Only open M/T/TH/F - go early, they sell out!
Order: FRIED RICE PLATE
Price: $14.95 (Half order $9.95 - but you'll regret not ordering the full)
If there's ever been a reason to get up when the sun comes up, besides watching the gorgeous sunrise in Maui, it is for this fried rice plate. I may be on vacation, but I will set an alarm to be here, in line, by 7am on a weekend/ 7:15am on a weekday (opens at 7:30am). The restaurant is small, literally the size of a gazebo, and looks out on the ocean. Once you smell the food, you will not want to be still standing in line, wishing you set that alarm clock!
Description on the menu is super simple: #friedrice, meat, veggies, soy sauce, and scrambled eggs. But don't let that description fool you, this is simplicity at its best! This fried rice convinced me all rice should be eaten with eggs, and I am forever grateful. Each bite has the savory from the meat, salty from the soy sauce, and sweet from the onions and peppers. The egg magically brings it all together creating an umami bomb in your mouth that requires you to order the full size plate. Plus, if for some reason you get full (because you also ordered a stack of the banana nut pancakes, which are beyond delicious) it tastes just as delicious for a mid day snack or breakfast tomorrow.
Order: BANANA CREAM PIE
Price: $8.75
With around 10 different sweet pie options (varying by season), this is the place to satisfy any sweet tooth craving on the island. The #bananacreampie is the perfect personal size pie to leave you smiling ear to ear but not make you feel guilty for indulging. The crust is crumbly with a salty tang to balance out the sweet chunky banana custard filling. The whipped cream is freshly made, perfectly formed, rolled with graham cracker crumbs, and topped with bananas. Each bite has that crunch from the crust, banana cream, fresh chunk of banana, and whipped fluff to top it off! Check out BANANA life for the play by play details of putting down this scrumptious treat! But if somehow banana isn't your thing, I'd still recommend this cute little farm fresh shop for brunch and one of their other pies. Their apple crumb pie can certainly hold its own against the best of best! Other flavors included macnut, coconut cream, berry, and lime.
Order: OPAH, ONO, AND MAHI-MAHI IN PANANG CURRY
Price: $58
If you're going to splurge in Maui for a meal, THIS is the place, and THIS is the meal! Located in Paia, it is quite a drive from the heavy tourist traffic found in Lahaina, but definitely worth the drive. Make reservations well in advance and for pre-sunset time. (If you arrive too early, keep on driving to check out the beach around the corner that often has turtles lounging in the sand and wind surfers cruising on the ocean.) Snag a window seat if you're lucky and stare out on the palm trees and ocean waves while indulging in the most scrumptious curry in existence.
In the land of fresh coconuts, how could the #curry not be amazing!? Well, don't worry, it is! I could literally just drink the curry sauce it's so delicious. The crispy coconut on top totally adds that extra punch to compliment the creamy curry. The chunks of fish are plenty and perfectly flakey to the fork. They glisten ever so lightly inside before being smothered around in curry goodness. The vegetables and rice complete the plate by balancing out the richness of curry. Served alongside are options of crushed macadamia nuts, sweet chopped bananas, chili sauce, and mango chutney. All pair deliciously with the plate, but my two favorites are the banana for that hint of sweetness and the chili sauce for the heat. *Recommended pairing with the Strawberry Guava Fizz - because you can't come all the way to Maui and not have a blended cocktail with a colorful umbrella on top!
Order: Everything
Price: $5.50 (Medium)
Ululani's: "All shaved ice is not created equal." That statement could not be more true! This Hawaiian shave ice cannot even be compared to other shave ice - it is by far the smoothest, lightest, and their syrups are all packed full of flavor! With 45 flavors to choose from and 12 suggested combinations, it's impossible not to find something you would enjoy.
With so many options it can be quite overwhelming for a first timer. (My first time I literally took 15 minutes to read my options and rationalize what flavors would pair well together). Best suggestion is, don't worry, this will not be the only one you have, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to mix and match flavors and try them all! Regardless of size (S/M/L) it comes with 3 flavors, the choice to add ice cream (The answer is always YES - after all, it's Maui-made Roselani's Premium Gourmet ice cream!) at the bottom and various toppings. The combinations are endless!
I personally like to order a medium each time because it's a solid ratio of ice cream to shave ice and is big enough to satisfy my immediate need, but not too big to prevent me from putting down another one later in the day. (I'm sure you're thinking, girl, you're addicted! And I'm thinking, you'll be too! Enjoy!) My go to order: Medium, Guava/Mango/Passion Fruit, Haupai (Coconut Cream) ice cream (Literally the best coconut ice cream I have ever eaten, if I could ship a bucket home, I would), and Shredded Toasted Coconut on top.
This list could literally go on forever - I LOVE Maui, the food, the beach, the friendly people - it is the ultimate relaxing vacation that has a little bit of something for everyone. Here's a few other favorites in case you're still hungry. Would love to hear what some of your favorite's are and what you think of these if you've had them!
- Star Noodle: GARLIC NOODLES
- Tin Roof: ANIMAL STYLE CHICKEN SANDWICH
- Maui Brewing Co (Kihei location): POKE CRISPS
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