Eat Like a Local: Top 10 Maui Foods You Need to Try And Where To Find Them!

Maui is not only known for its breathtaking landscapes and tropical weather, but also for its delicious and unique Hawaiian cuisine. From traditional Hawaiian dishes to fusion cuisine, there are plenty of foods to try during your visit to Maui. In this article, we'll explore the top 10 Maui foods to try and where to find them. We've grouped them together for location in case you're looking for somewhere to eat while you're visiting an area!

1. Laulau - A traditional Hawaiian dish made from pork, chicken, or fish wrapped in taro leaves and steamed. One of the best places to try laulau is at Tasty Crust in Wailuku. Their laulau is served with a side of poi, a traditional Hawaiian starch made from taro. Address: 1770 Mill St, Wailuku, HI 96793.
2. Poke - A popular Hawaiian dish (pronounced "poh-kay") made from raw fish marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, and other spices. One of the best places to try poke is at Like Poke and their poke is made from fresh, locally caught fish and is served with rice and seaweed salad. Address: 1960 Main St, Wailuku, HI 96793.
3. Huli Huli chicken - A Hawaiian-style grilled chicken dish that is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce. One of the best places to try Huli Huli chicken is at Huli Huli Chicken in Hana. It is an unassuming tent on the beach at Koki Beach Park but their Huli Huli chicken is grilled to perfection and served with a side of rice and salad. Address: 175 Haneoo Rd, Hana, HI 96713
4. Loco Moco - A Hawaiian breakfast dish made with a hamburger patty, rice, fried egg, and gravy. One of the best places to try loco moco is at Kihei Caffe in Kihei. Their loco moco is served with Portuguese sausage and is a favorite among locals. Address: 1945 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753.
5. Spam musubi - A Hawaiian snack made from a slice of grilled Spam on top of a block of rice, wrapped in nori seaweed. One of the best places to try spam musubi is at Da Kitchen in Kahului. Their spam musubi is served with a side of macaroni salad, another Hawaiian favorite. Address: 425 Koloa St, Kahului, HI 96732.
6. Plate lunch - A local favorite, plate lunch usually consists of a main dish (such as chicken katsu or kalua pork), two scoops of rice, and macaroni salad. One of the best places to try plate lunch is at Tin Roof. It was founded in 2016 by Chef Sheldon Simeon, a finalist on Bravo TV's Top Chef. The restaurant's menu features a blend of traditional Hawaiian cuisine and Asian flavors, showcasing Chef Simeon's Filipino heritage. Tin Roof's Kau Kau Tins pay homage to Hawai'i's plate lunches and offer a variety of mouth-watering options such as succulent pork belly, savory garlic shrimp, and crispy mochiko chicken and two sides (such as rice, macaroni salad, or kimchi). Address: 360 Papa Pl Ste 116, Kahului, HI 96732
7. Shave ice - A popular Hawaiian treat made from finely shaved ice topped with flavored syrups. One of the best places to try shave ice is at Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice in Lahaina. Their shave ice is made with natural syrups and is served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Address: 790 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761.
8. Malasadas - A Portuguese dessert that has become a favorite in Hawaii. Malasadas are deep-fried doughnuts coated in sugar. One of the best places to try malasadas is at T. Komoda Store & Bakery in Makawao. Their malasadas are freshly made and come in a variety of flavors. Address: 3674 Baldwin Ave, Makawao, HI 96768.
9. Lomi Lomi Salmon - This traditional Hawaiian dish is made with salted salmon that is diced and mixed with tomatoes, onions, and sometimes chili peppers. The dish is usually served as a side dish or a topping for poke bowls. One of the best places to try Lomi Lomi Salmon on Maui is at Mama's Fish House in Paia. Their Lomi Lomi Salmon is made with fresh salmon that is locally caught and is mixed with diced tomatoes, Maui onions, and green onions. Address: 799 Poho Pl, Paia, HI 96779.
10. Coconut shrimp - Shrimp coated in coconut batter and fried to a crispy golden brown. One of the best places to try coconut shrimp is at Mama's Fish House in Paia. Their coconut shrimp is made from fresh, locally caught shrimp and is served with a side of tropical dipping sauce. Address: 799 Poho Pl, Paia, HI 96779.

In a nutshell, Maui's food scene is epic! You can find so many grindz here that'll take your taste buds on a wild ride from da classics to fusion creations. Make sure to hit up these spots during your stay on Maui, and savor the flavors that make our island cuisine so unique and irresistible. Mahalo (thank you), and enjoy the food!