AK's Cafe

1237 Lower Main St, Wailuku, HI 96793 808-244-8774

Description: WAILUKU. A change of pace is in store at this delightful restaurant. Aspiring to be an "asset to the community" with heart- and diabetic-friendly cuisine, the kitchen turns out creations like grilled chicken with Thai chili sauce, fish tacos, and garlic-crusted ono with cucumber relish. Diners looking to break their diets can try baked opakapaka with lobster passion fruit sauce, or crab cakes drizzled with papaya buerre blanc. Lunch delivery is available, and accomplished, healthful fare with no loss of flavor makes AK's a very attractive prospect.
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Alexander's Fish, Chicken & Ribs

1913 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753 808-874-0788

Description: KIHEI. The name of this casual cafe, located right across from Kalama Park, tells you exactly what you get. It's not fancy, but the seafood, available broiled or fried, is first-rate. Everything is prepared fresh daily, which is easy to tell when you bite into perfectly-cooked mahi mahi or succulent ribs. You can also order chicken, shrimp, and beef from the counter, along with fries and onion rings. Outdoor tables are clustered around the place, and they offer a great place to kick back and enjoy the food. If you just don't feel like dressing up, it's an ideal destination for good eating and lots of it.
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Gazebo Restaurant

5315 Lower Honoapi'ilani Rd, Napili Shores Resort, Napili, HI 96761 808-669-5621

Description: NAPILI. So you want a local place? One that's intimate, with great views, reasonable prices, and fantastic food? Then you'll score big at the Gazebo, whose substantial popularity is evident from the moment they open. Lines form early as people try to get one of the few tables and treat themselves to omelets, eggs benedict, or the signature macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup. If you decide to come later in the day, you'll find sandwiches, salads, hamburgers, and plate lunches to munch on. Expect to hang out around the pool and in the parking lot while you wait.
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Hali'imaile General Store

900 Haliimaile Rd, Makawao, HI 96768 808-572-2666

Description: HALIIMAILE. Set amid pineapple fields, this sunny establishment offers comfortable dining amid an exhibition kitchen and a wealth of local art. It also provides a top-notch menu of contemporary Hawaiian cuisine. From a stellar list of options, several stand-outs have earned lasting reputations. The house salad features crisp greens, oranges, walnuts, and blue cheese in a balsamic vinaigrette. Topped with caramelized onions, Szechuan barbecued salmon gains flavor from garlic, orange peel, and fresh herbs. The Hunan rack of lamb, tinged with sesame oil and hoisin sauce, is grilled medium-rare for tenderness. Steaks, poultry, and pastas also find room on the menu, as do the fabulous desserts, such as Kona coffee creme brulee. An upcountry Maui favorite.
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Hard Rock Cafe

900 Front St, Lahaina Center, Lahaina, HI 96761 808-667-7400

Description: LAHAINA. Chock full of Americana, not to mention surfing and rock 'n roll memorabilia, Lahaina's branch of the familiar chain stays busy day and night. The menu is a bonanza of comfort-food fare, including burgers, sandwiches, salads, steaks, chicken, and ribs. Plus, potent drinks and an oceanfront location create immediate appeal, and live music kicks up the fun more than a notch. Rich desserts and a gift shop also up the ante on vacation play.
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Jacques Bistro

120 Hana Hwy, Paia, HI 96779 808-579-8844

Description: PAIA. Terrific, affordable food and a gorgeous garden setting recommend this bistro as one of Maui's best values. The convivial atmosphere and lack of pretense make it that much more attractive. Amid all the fun, you'll discover a pleasing variety of dishes, from rack of lamb to pasta, from fresh seafood to zesty curries. Local vegetables also make an appearance, providing a simple counterpoint to the sophisticated entrees. Lamb chops, smoked duck quesadillas, and a well-dressed Greek salad crop up on the menu too, welcoming diners of all tastes and inclinations. Somewhat crowded, but a great destination.
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Leilani's on the Beach

2435 Kaanapali Pkwy, Whaler's Village, Lahaina, HI 96761 808-661-4495

Description: LAHAINA. This established beachside venue offers two options: Downstairs, the grill serves inexpensive fare such as burgers, salads, and sandwiches while upstairs, the main restaurant presents seafood, steaks, and pastas. Accompanied by great views of the beach and live music in the afternoons, the menu makes for a pretty powerful draw, especially for those addicted to sand and water. And better yet, prices are affordable for a place with this much appeal.
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Maui Tacos

5095 Napilihau St, Napili Plaza, Napili, HI 96761 808-665-0222

Description: NAPILI. This local chain, founded on Maui, redefines fast food with its well-priced, flavorful fare. The hip, beach-shack decor is as appealing as the food, which consists largely of burritos and tacos with a variety of fillings. Named after towns and beaches on Maui, these hefty rolls come stuffed with beans, cheese, steak, chicken, marinated seafood, and guacamole. They're accented with island spices and, along with the salads and quesadillas, offer lively alternatives to tired fast food standards. It's obviously a formula that's working, because there are locations across the island, and the business has even expanded onto the mainland. Great for a quick bite.
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Paia Fish Market

110 Hana Hwy, Paia, HI 96779 808-579-8030

Description: PAIA. Casual and affordable, this North Shore eatery, as its name indicates, sells fresh seafood. It also takes the goods and transforms them into a variety of tasty dishes for folks to enjoy on the premises or take along with them. The selection of fresh fish is impressive, and you can have it cooked Cajun style, charbroiled, or sauteed. They'll also tuck it into tacos and quesadillas, fry it up as fish-and-chips, or serve it cool and refreshing as sashimi. Burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pastas are also available, and everything is happily well-priced. The surroundings aren't elaborate, and there isn't a lot of table space, but for a clientele of surfers and visitors, does it really matter?
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Penne Pasta

180 Dickenson St, Dickenson Square, Lahaina, HI 96761 808-661-6633

Description: LAHAINA. Who says that vacation dining has to be budget-breaking? Certainly not Mark Ellman, the chef and owner of this appealing little cafe. Daily, he treats diners to fresh, flavor-packed Italian fare in generous portions, and folks can't get enough of Penne. Place your order at the counter, take a seat, and wait for pastas, salads, sandwiches, and thin-crust pizzas to be delivered in all their glory. Daily specials increase dinner options and include fresh island fish and lamb osso bucco. A handful of scrumptious desserts and heart-healthy options offer even more reason to go.
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