Top 10 Best Breakfasts in West Maui

Whether you’re looking for oceanfront brunch with waves crashing at your feet, a cozy local café serving macadamia nut pancakes, or a family-friendly place where you make pancakes right at the table, West Maui has unforgettable breakfast options for every traveler.

Each restaurant below includes:

• Quick highlight section
• What to order
• Parking + reservations
• Everything You Need to Know

Let’s dive in.

1. Mala Ocean Tavern - Lahaina

Best for: Oceanfront brunch where the waves literally splash the wall
Vibe: Upscale casual • Locals + visitors
Must-try: Lemon ricotta pancakes • Eggs Benedict • Avocado toast

Quick Glance

• Breakfast and Brunch: 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM
• Reservations: opentable.com
• Parking: Limited onsite + street + Lahaina Cannery Mall

You simply cannot enjoy a better breakfast this close to the ocean anywhere on Maui! A brunch-style menu is served daily, with marvelous choices like decadent malasadas (a Hawaiian staple), lemon ricotta buttermilk pancakes, and phenomenal eggs benedict — traditional or with lamb sausage. Their unique serving of avocado toast comes with a heaping pile of baby arugula (locally sourced from sustainable farms), with Parmesan and a lemon balsamic dressing. Build your own omelet or go for a traditional breakfast plate.  They serve a wide variety of hot and cold drinks to suit everyone. For a mouth-tingling experience, try the hibiscus refresher — if you’ve never eaten a hibiscus flower, you must try this delectably edible drink!  There’s also a menu for your keiki (children). Mala Ocean Tavern has been a favorite of locals and visitors alike since 2004, and year after year, morning, noon and night, their most popular menu item is the fresh-caught Mahi Bruschetta.

2. Slappy Cakes - Lahaina

Best for: Make-your-own pancake adventure (kids LOVE it)
Vibe: Casual • Fun • Playful
Must-try: DIY pancakes • Mushroom scramble • Slappy Moco

Quick Glance

• Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Walk-in only
• Parking: Times Supermarket center (abundant)

A casual, fun and laid-back spot for the pancake lover in everyone, Slappy Cakes serves up a limitless variety of choices to create your very own pancake with your favorite toppings — right at your table!  Every month they offer a ‘seasonal’ pancake — like pumpkin in November and gingerbread in December. They also offer gluten-free and vegan options. There’s a great selection of traditional breakfast items, from their mushroom scramble to country fried steak. Eat like a local and try a side of spam or Slappy Moco (their version of Hawaii’s traditional Loco Moco), or their housemade biscuits with sausage and gravy. With a Hawaiian spin on Mimosas, treat yourself to one with dragonfruit or POG. This delightful diner-style breakfast spot is very kid-friendly (and for the big kids too!).

3. Duke’s Beach House - Ka'anapali (Honua Kai Resort)

Best for: Hawaiian breakfast classics with a beachfront boardwalk
Vibe: Iconic • Hawaiian nostalgia
Must-try: Molokai sweet bread French toast • Duke’s Loco Moco

Quick Glance

• Breakfast: 7:30 AM – 11 AM
• Reservations: opentable.com
• Parking: Honua Kai guest lot across from the Hokulani Tower

Oceanfront on North Ka’anapali Beach, Duke’s serves a sensational oceanfront breakfast. Start your day with Molokai Sweet Bread French Toast covered in lilikoi lava butter and a side of homemade macadamia nut granola served with fresh Hawaiian fruit. Or try their upscale version of Loco Moco, made with a blend of Angus chuck and brisket, with Lahaina eggs, Maui onions and an Ali’i demi glacé, atop a heaping serving of white rice. There’s a wide selection of traditional choices from bacon and eggs to the Beach Boy Burrito, and an assortment of hot and cold drinks made with local fruits — or a little extra something to spice up your day! After breakfast, walk right out onto the beach boardwalk for a leisurely stroll. But before you go, be sure to check out the wonderful photos and surf boards of the restaurant’s namesake and Hawaiian legend, Duke Kahanamoku.

4. Island Vibes Cafe (Kahana/Napili)

Best for: Quick breakfast before the beach
Vibe: Chill • Surf videos • Local hangout
Must-try: Acai bowls • Breakfast burritos • Chocolate tuxedo cake

Quick Glance

• Breakfast & Lunch: 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• islandvibescafe.com
• Parking: Roadside + beach access lot

This casual beachy cafe lives up to its name with cool vibes and a great selection of food. It’s the perfect place to stop for a quick breakfast or grab some takeout for your day at the beach or exploring the island. The breakfast burritos and açaí bowls are their most popular items, and they also do paninis and sandwiches made with premium Boars Head meats and cheeses. Their rich coffees bursting with deep flavor are guaranteed to be the freshest on the island, and once you taste their unique blend, you may just take a bag of exotic beans with you. But don’t stop there… for something sweet, try the chocolate tuxedo cake, a rich and creamy treat that is simply divine! They also have shave ice made with natural flavors. Eat in and enjoy the vibes while watching epic surfing on the ginormous TV while perusing their gorgeous selection of island-made jewelry and other crafts. They have adorable water-wear and t-shirts for your wee ones too! For tea-lovers, they offer a selection of organic and herbal botanical teas, crafted right here on the West side of Maui — take home a tin of Hula Girl Hibiscus or Haleakala Sunrise. Oh, and if you were planning on doing some SUP boarding, you can rent your board and paddle right here! The staff are incredibly friendly, and the service is quick and easy. Island Vibes offers the best of Maui’s casual-cafe experience!

5. Castaway Cafe - Ka'anapali (Maui Ka’anapali Villas)

Best for: Hidden-gem breakfast steps from the beach
Vibe: Breezy • Under-the-radar classic
Must-try: Short Rib Benedict • Sweet Bread French Toast

Quick Glance

• Breakfast: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM
• cohnrestaurants.com
• Parking: Roadside + Maui Ka’anapali Villa lot (ask front desk for a parking pass)

Follow the aloha to Castaway Cafe, Maui’s best kept (and well-known!) secret. Located oceanfront of Maui Ka’anapali Villas, this delightful restaurant started as a pool shack more than 50 years ago, and now offers indoor, open-air dining with ocean breezes, and an outside patio area with lush greenery. With a wide variety of breakfast selections, including homemade banana bread with lilikoi butter, and homemade sweet bread french toast, you couldn’t ask for a more sweet and breezy breakfast. A very popular dish is the Braised Short Rib Benedict, with meat so tender and moist it’ll bring tears to your eyes, along with a generous splash of rich hollandaise sauce, and crispy country potatoes. After breakfast, relax with a coffee or drink, and let the kids play in the surrounding grassy-area, or take a leisurely walk along North Ka’anapali Beach. The easy ambience, great service and breezy oceanfront location can’t be beat!

6. Ulu Kitchen by Merriman - Ka’anapali (Westin Resort)

Best for: Upscale breakfast with exceptional local ingredients
Vibe: Refined • Modern • Beachfront
Must-try: Brown butter flapjacks • “The Cure” ramen

Quick Glance

• Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Reservations: opentable.com
• Parking: Westin lot, bring your parking voucher for validation, valet parking available

With lovely views of Ka’anapali Beach, Ulu serves up a blissful and appealing, upscale breakfast to meet every taste. Their flapjacks are made with brown butter, which gives them a crispy edge, are lavishly served with organic blueberries, ricotta, and house-made lilikoi butter, or, kula rum butter syrup, honey lilikoi foam, and maui pineapple. Truly a sensational treat for the pancake connoisseur.  Feeling poorly? Too many mai tai's and fun in the sun? Then try The Cure. This exotic ramen dish is served with sun noodles, kalua pork, poached egg, red chili chicken broth, ginger, bok choy, lapa’au farms mushrooms, red onion, carrots, and bean sprouts. You’re guaranteed to feel, well, cured! and ready for another spectacular Maui day. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, try the Big Island Bees Honey Wheat Toast, a house-made multigrain bread and seeded crust, with whipped butter and their house-made jam of the day, along with a bowl of fresh-from-the-island, fruits. They have a great choice of other classics like eggs benedict, omelets, apple-smoked bacon, hash, and Keiki pancakes for your little ones.  For something spicy, try the Hawaiian Chilaquiles served with kalua pork, fried egg, tortilla chips, house-made ancho chile salsa, pinto beans, jalapeño, white cheddar, greek yogurt, avocado, onion, cilantro.  For outstanding service in a wonderful atmosphere with stunning beach and ocean views, try Ulu Kitchen. 

7. The Gazebo - Napili

Best for: Iconic pancakes worth waiting for
Vibe: Cozy • Cliffside • Maui institution
Must-try: Macadamia nut pancakes • Loaded fried rice

Quick Glance

• Breakfast: 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM
• Walk-in only
• Parking: Napili Shores lot (follow signs for “restaurant parking” off Lower Honoapiilani Road), street parking on Napili Place

Just above the cliffs between Honokeana Cove and Napili Bay, The Gazebo has been serving breakfast in West Maui since 1975. They don’t take reservations and the early morning lines can be long, but waiting in this breezy, tropical atmosphere is well worth the wait. They also provide big sun umbrellas so you can wait in the shade while admiring the beautiful blue Pacific right in front of you. Macadamia nut pancakes are a signature dish, as well, they serve generous portions of all the traditional breakfast favorites. Another popular choice is the loaded fried rice, an enormous dish able to serve several hungry folks. For veggie lovers, they have vegetarian and vegan options too. After breakfast it’s a short and scenic stroll to Napili Bay, or to sit cliff side over Honokeana Cove. This cozy, unique little breakfast gazebo shouldn’t be missed!

8. Kihei Caffe - Lahaina

Best for: Fast service + big portions
Vibe: Colorful • Energetic • Local favorite
Must-try: Cinnamon rolls • French toast • Whale/turtle pancakes for kids

Quick Glance

• Breakfast: 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• kiheicaffelahaina.com
• Parking: Lahaina Gateway shopping center

This bright and colorful little spot is the perfect place for a casual breakfast, inside with air-conditioning or outside on the deck. If you’re wanting something light like a coffee and pastry, Kihei Caffe Lahaina bakes up their own delicious cinnamon rolls and muffins! Their French toast is one of their most popular dishes, and for your keiki (children), they’ll be as happy as a clam to gobble up a whale- or turtle-shaped pancake, with or without chocolate chips. Kihei Caffe is also known for its loco moco, and corned beef hash, both big favorites of Maui’s locals.

9. Captain Jack’s Island Grill - Kahana

Best for: Family breakfast with breezy, open-air views
Vibe: Casual • Ocean + pool views
Must-try: Pineapple boat • Benedict variations • Breakfast burger

Quick Glance

• Breakfast: 7:00 AM – 10:45 AM
• Walk-in only
• Parking: Sands of Kahana Resort (unmarked spots)

For a family-friendly oceanfront breakfast, check out Captain Jack’s on Kahana Beach. With several large flat screen TV’s (no satellite, yet), enjoy your breakfast while watching epic surfing, your favorite sports, or just gazing at the blue Pacific. This open-air restaurant adjacent to a swimming pool and the ocean is a breath of fresh air that serves up traditional breakfasts, and a wide assortment of drinks.  From açaí bowls to benedicts with five choices of meat or spinach toppings, to omelets, huevos rancheros, as well as gluten free options, there’s something for everyone. Their local favorites include country fried steak and eggs, and their breakfast burger. For a sweet taste of Hawaii, try the pineapple boat with fruit, served with honey-cinnamon sour cream. For an island-easy experience, haul yer booty into Captain Jack’s!

10. 808 Grindz Cafe Food Truck - Lahaina

Best for: Affordable + outstanding breakfast
Vibe: Chill • Outdoor picnic tables
Must-try: Coconut-macadamia vanilla sauce pancakes • Eggs Benedict

Quick Glance

• Breakfast: 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM, closed Monday
• http://www.808grindzcafe.store/
• Parking: Behind Lahaina Gateway plaza

For you food truckies, 808 Grindz is the perfect place for a super-casual, and onolicious breakfast! They offer daily specials, and are famous for their pancakes served with a sweet cream coconut-vanilla, or macadamia-vanilla homemade sauce. Choose from eight different ways to have your loco moco! The kawabanga breakfast and da kanak attack are very large portions of traditional breakfast items, with a Hawaiian spin. They also offer gluten free pancakes and waffles. Their eggs benedict is comparable to any high-end restaurant for half the price. Take it away or enjoy your breakfast at the shaded picnic tables. 808 Grindz Food Truck delivers an outstanding breakfast in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

From oceanfront classics to cozy cafés and beloved local gems, West Maui’s breakfast scene offers the perfect way to start each island morning. Whether you’re digging into macadamia nut pancakes, savoring fresh-made malasadas, or grabbing a quick açaí bowl before a day of adventure, these top spots serve up the kind of flavors and aloha spirit that make Maui feel like home.

At Maui Resort Rentals, we believe that every great vacation begins with memorable moments, and sharing breakfast together is one of the simplest, sweetest ways to connect before another day in paradise unfolds. We take pride in helping our guests discover the best of West Maui, from iconic brunch favorites to hidden gems just steps from your villa.

When you're ready to plan your next getaway, we’d love to help you find the perfect home base, whether it’s an oceanfront studio for two or a spacious family retreat with room for everyone. Contact Maui Resort Rentals and let us help you create the Maui vacation you’ve been dreaming of. We can’t wait to welcome you to the island!