You must wonder where do locals eat in Maui. As a local, I can share where we go. Locals tend to go where visitors don’t go but the price is right and the food is great!
Best Local Restaurants Maui Hawaii
Tasty Crust Restaurant
If you are hungry and what something filling, the must try is their pancakes. The pancakes covers the plate, you won’t even see the plate that the pancakes are huge. You can find Tasty Crust in old Maui located in Wailuku. Far from the hotels and beaches as you take a drive to Iao Valley make a stop at Tasty Crust in the morning.
Poi by the Pound
Looking for authentic Hawaiian cuisine where locals give you thumbs up. Go to Poi by the Pound. You will know that the food is great because usually there is a line to get in or all the booths are mostly packed. Here you can find Laulau or kalua pig local favorites.
Tin Roof
Located in Kahului this restaurant offers local favorites with modern twists. The mochiko chicken and hot chow fun are the popular choices when visiting this restaurant.
Monkey Pod Kitchen Wailea by Merriman
This restaurant is crowded so make sure you make reservations. Most of locals especially on Fridays, after long week at work go to this restaurant to hangout with friends and have some beer. Food is great where you can share with your friends pupu style or tapas. There is always live music while you dine.
Star Noodle
Famous for their noodles. You have a choice of either Singapore noodles or Chinese noodles. You have a wide selection of offerings that will shock and amaze your pallets. Lunch with friends or after work is the best time to visit this restaurant.
Fleetwoods on Front St.
Out with friends, go to Fleetwoods on Front St.. Right on Front Street spectacular views on top of the bar overlooking the island of Lana’i.
As you would expect from Fleetwood, music and entertainment is what they are known for. But the food and drinks are of course great also.
Queen Kaahumanu Shopping Center Food Court
If you are hungry but undecided what to eat. Go to Queen Kaahumanu Food Court. Here you will have your choice from Chinese, Korean Barbecue, or Local plate lunch. I recommend the Korean Barbecue where you can choose your sides.
After you are done and need to burn some calories, just walk around take a look at local boutique shops or go the farmers market in the rotunda. But if you are just simply too tired to do anything, go ahead and watch a movie.
Maui Food Trucks
Maui Food Truck has been very popular among locals. You can find all sorts of cuisine from Thai food, Juice trucks, Mexican, Poke and Acai Bowls. The Food Truck location is right across the only Costco in Maui. The Food trucks also been made popular by Guy Fieri, Diner’s, Drive-In, and Dives who frequently shoot their show at this location.
There are plenty great restaurants to choose from and the list are just one of our favorite best local restaurants in Maui Hawaii and are also budget friendly.
