Paia is a small, eclectic, fun town on the north side of the island. Like other towns, there’s great beaches (especially Baldwin Beach). The best thing to do in Paia is just hop right in. Find some parking and peruse the cool, local shops. Grab a bite to eat at the Paia Fish Market or Cafe Mambo. You can also drive a mile or so north to check out Ho’okipa, a large surfing beach that’s home to the world windsurfing championships each year. For a night out, Mama’s Fish House is one of the nicest dinners you can find on the island.
This place is a go-to for ladies looking for some seriously awesome island wear. Mahina is Steph’s favorite shop on the island. Her favorite location is in Paia, but they have locations in Kihei, Wailea and Lahaina as well.
Good coffee and GREAT acai bowls. This place is the best for a quick and healthy breakfast. Their açaí bowls, coffee and lemonade are second to none. We get breakfast here just about every morning. Special mention to Kihei Cafe, where you can get an amazing traditional breakfast (make sure you have cash, they are cash only).
Let’s do it! We’re renting some boards and shredding on the west side.
808 Deli has some of the tastiest sandwiches on the island. Best part is they are all around $7-8 each. Their sides are equally as tasty, making this the spot for grab and go lunches.
Of course the first restaurant on this list is run by an iron chef. We have so many great memories at this place. We’ve celebrated birthdays, vacations and even our engagement. The food here has a heavy Japanese influence with some of the best sushi you’ll find anywhere. Morimoto is definitely expensive, but it will be the best meal you eat on your visit.
Monkeypod is a mainstay of Wailea eateries with a huge beer selection, tasty cocktails (the mai tai is crazy good) and an expansive food selection. The interior is well designed, with nightly live music. One drawback with this place is that it’s always crowded so reservations are a must. With that said, Monkeypod is worth the visit for the legendary strawberry pie alone.
This is Justin’s favorite spot on the entire island. Big Beach, also known as Makena, is a 2 mile stretch of pristine beach south of Wailea. Big Beach is a favorite for locals and families. The attraction at the beach is the waves. Very large and dangerous waves break right on the beach making for a fun time for expert bodyboarders and skimmers. Nevertheless, this is a beautiful beach that can’t be missed. Just heed the warning of the lifeguards and be careful if you’re getting in the water.
This place is the most well known plate lunch spot on the island for good reason. With 2 locations (near the airport and Kihei) we love the Kihei location for its laid back atmosphere. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu: loco moco (rice covered with a hamburger patty, fried egg and gravy), teriyaki chicken, kalua pig…all yummy.
Lahaina is on the west side of the island and has great beaches for snorkeling, surfing (for beginners) and for families. Front Street is a focal point for visitors because of the level of restaurants, shops and galleries that are condensed into one street. Further north is Ka’anapali, another great resort town. North of that is Honolua Bay, a great, and very dangerous, surf spot. However, there’s a beach just south of the bay called “Makule'ia Bay,” this place is one of our absolute favorites because of its clear water and semi-private feel.
Two Words, Garlic Noodles This place combines the many flavors of the people and cultures that call Maui home. For sure try the garlic noodles. This place gets pack so reservations are a must, but the food is legit and the staff is SUPER nice. Star Noodle is tasty enough to right home about.