It’s one of the more expensive places on Maui, but it rarely disappoints. As farm to table restaurant, they have their own farm up country and most of what they serve in terms of vegetables and whatnot come from that farm.

The restaurant is basically right on the beach. So you’ve got an ocean front view as your having your meal. The ambiance is just amazing: the ocean’s right there, you’re outdoors, you’ve got this farm to table restaurant serving up great dishes for you… it’s perfect. If I’m trying to do a special dinner, either for date night or whatever, Pacifico is definitely my go-to. Most places that are actually oceanfront usually aren’t that great food-wise and they’re still expensive. And the other restaurants that I consider to be really high end, great restaurants, like Lahaina Grill, aren’t ocean front, it’s all indoor.

Pacifico is just an awesome combination of all the things that you want for a special night.

Anyways, if you’re down in the harbor or hanging around Front Street, Cool Cats is awesome. My favorite burger is the Luna. Their other food is good as well, but the burgers are the stand out item. They usually have live music at night. Generally a guy with a guitar or a trio, but it’s usually pretty good.

Can be crowded on weekends or if there’s a cruise ship in town, but during the week they usually have the music too, so it’s a great place to chill after a weekday sunset whale watch or cruise.

The cool cats, the cool burgers, and the menu: https://www.coolcatcafe.com/

Or call them for takeout: 808.667.0908 (This is what I do most of the time)

The downside? Yeah… that’s also when they’re doing Karaoke. So, the trick is get there about 9:50, wait in line, study the menu in line, and order as soon as you’re seated. They’re pretty quick with getting the food out, so if you don’t want to deal with the off-key singing, you can usually be in and out pretty fast. That said, the Karaoke can be fun and I have heard some singers that were fantastic. But… it’s Karaoke… so I’ve also heard some pretty awful drunk guys.

Anyways, the panko-crusted Ahi roll is a must have. So good. Otherwise, not necessarily the best sushi on Maui, but it’s good and for 1/2, it’s really good.

Menu and all that jazz: https://dkrestaurants.com/index.php/restaurants/sansei_kapalua

Phone: (808) 669-6286

They also have a location in Kihei. They also have a happy hour thing, but I’m not sure when it is.

It’s another hole-in-wall place. Maybe you’re getting the sense that I like these kinds of places? Yeah. But partially because Maui tends to be expensive and the out-of-the-way spots are more likely to have great food for reasonable prices. The restaurants in the tourist areas tend to have mediocre food for reasonable prices or great food for very high prices. Since I want great food… it’s the hole-in-the-wall places most of the time and the fancy places when the occasion warrants it. Both are awesome. Mediocre food is not awesome.

But the Q here is not mediocre! It’s the best I’ve had on Maui. It’s also a fun little dive bar if you’re into such things. Drink some beer, eat some ribs, go sit in the sand for sunset. The Maui good life.

You were expecting a website from a dive bar/BBQ joint? Nah. They’re old school. Give ’em a call or just stop by: (808) 667-7005

Address: 930 Waine’e St, Lahaina

The thing that makes Star stand out is that everything is so fresh. For example, the Pad Thai is cooked perfectly and the vegetables are crisp and fresh. It makes a big difference.

But it is a little pricey. And they just moved to an ocean front location in Lahaina, which means everything got a little pricier. (Garlic noodles used to be $6/9 for example) It’s kind of in between Casual and Fancy. Good ‘date night’ place if you’re not doing the ‘big night out’.

They get super crowded, so if you can’t get a reservation, just do take out.

For the menu and other info: https://www.starnoodle.com/

Reservations/take out: 808.667.5400

Rose, the gal who runs it, is very friendly and the overall vibe is great. It’s BYOB (pretty common on Maui), so if you want wine, beer or whatever just swing by the Foodland supermarket before you go to eat. The restaurant is relatively small, so make reservations if you can… especially on Friday or Saturday. It’s purely a Thai restaurant, so they have the full range of Thai dishes. As mentioned, the curries are very good. Summer rolls and seafood dishes are also great, particularly the Tamarind Shrimp.

Anyways, I love the place, so I highly recommend it.

Check out their website for the menu: https://thaichefmaui.com/ Phone number for takeout or reservations: 808-667-2814