Originally Posted June 2023, Updated February 2026
West Maui is a coastline full of small towns, resort areas, historic sites, and incredible Maui beaches. When visiting Maui, many travelers choose to stay in the Kaʻanapali Beach area for its unbeatable convenience, offering easy access to world-class beaches, ocean activities, boat tours, and an exceptional array of dining options.
Without previous experience visiting West Maui, how will you know where to eat? If you’re on Maui for your honeymoon, where is the best fine dining restaurant to celebrate your love? Or, if you’re headed out for a beach day, where is the best place to order takeout from?
Enjoy the Ka’anapali and West Maui areas, and be prepared to savor some of the tastiest menus and island-grown foods on the island. Whether you’re looking for a casual eatery, places with a kids' menu, or a fancy spot for a Maui dinner date, this list has you covered.
1. Duke’s Beach House
Maui’s Duke’s Beach House is located oceanfront at the Honua Kai Resort in Kaʻanapali. The restaurant is a complete homage to “Hawaii’s Favorite Son,” late surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku. He was a world-famous Olympic athlete, an innovator of modern-day surfing, and a man who always exuded the true essence of Aloha.
At Duke’s on Kaʻanapali Beach, guests enjoy dining and relaxing with gorgeous ocean and outer island views while learning more about Hawaii’s cultural history. The vibes are always positive, the bar is fun, the menu offers something for everyone, and daily entertainment features local Hawaii musicians.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner daily. On Saturdays and Sundays, guests can also indulge in the restaurant’s delightful weekend brunch. If you’re looking for a casual spot with reasonably priced food, tasty cocktails, and a gorgeous Maui sunset, look no further than Duke’s Beach House in Kaʻanapali.
5 Favorite Items: Poke Tacos, Crab and Macadamia Nut Wontons, Chef’s 1/2 lb. Cheeseburger, Banana Leaf Steamed Island Fish and Chips, and Seafood Risotto
2. Japengo
Japengo is an amazing Asian fusion restaurant located beachfront at the Hyatt Regency Resort in Kaʻanapali. The restaurant is Hawaii-famous for its distinct menu that blends Asian cuisine with island-grown ingredients and flavors. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor dining areas, boasting beautiful views of the West Maui coastline and the outer Island of Lanai. Their dining room and sushi bar are open for happy hour and dinner service daily.
The menu at Japengo is as diverse as can be, with starters, tengu specials, wok-fired and roasted items, sushi rolls, sashimi, and many palatable side dishes. Throughout the menu, guests can also find ‘special items’ that can be ordered as half-plates. This is an amazing advantage for diners who would like to taste a full spectrum of Japengo’s menu in one visit.
Another great aspect of the Japengo menu is that ingredients are sourced from local Maui farms like Simpli-Fresh Farm, Surfing Goat Dairy, Kula Farms, and Maui Prime Fine Foods.
5 Favorite Items: Sashimi Style Hamachi and Watermelon, Lobster Dynamite, Rising Sun Roll, Miso Glazed Salmon, and Makai-Mauka
3. Hula Grill & Barefoot Bar
Located at Whalers Village on Kaʻanapali Beach, guests can enjoy true island comfort food at both Hula Grill’s Dining Room and Hula Grill’s Barefoot Bar (literally situated on the sand). The menus at the two locations are different, but both include their most popular items.
The restaurant is well-remembered for its celebration of Hawaiian culture through aloha, design, and its menus, crafted by Chef Peter Merriman, a pioneer of Pacific Rim cuisine. Not only does Hula Grill’s menu allow you to explore the flavors of Polynesia, but it also showcases the freshness of Maui’s local farms, including Kumu Farms, Kula Country Farms, Manu, and more.
Hula Grill’s Dining Room is a great place for a date night, family dinner, or birthday party. The Barefoot Bar is convenient and easily approached after a sunset stroll or walk on Kaʻanapali Beach. It’s a perfect spot to cozy up with appetizers, cocktails, and friends.
5 Favorite Items: Coconut Calamari, Ahi Katsu, Surfing Goat Cheese Flatbread, Hawaiian Salt and Pepper Ribeye, and Whole Crispy Hawaiian Snapper
4. Roy’s
Over 27 years ago, Roy’s in Kaʻanapali was opened by restaurateur Roy Yamaguchi. To say that it’s an iconic Maui restaurant is an understatement. Located at the Kaʻanapali Resort, the restaurant offers a legendary Asian and island fusion menu with views of the West Maui Mountains and the 18th hole at the Kaʻanapali Golf Course.
With an upscale dining environment, restaurant-goers travel from around the world for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Maui’s Roy’s location. The menu is full of options for everyone with savory selections throughout the day, and it's an ideal Maui restaurant for a dinner date or anniversary celebration.
If you’re visiting Roy’s with a larger group, we highly recommend ordering from the ‘family-style appetizer’ menu. The appetizers are wonderful and robust with flavor, the sushi rolls are delicious, and the dinner menu is broken down by well-designed entrees that are ‘From the Sea’ and ‘From the Land.’
5 Favorite Items: Szechuan Baby Back Pork Ribs, Confit Duck Lumpia, Surf & Turf, Flying Dragon Roll, and Misoyaki Butterfish
5. Monkeypod Kitchen
West Maui’s Monkeypod Kitchen is located at the Whalers Village Shopping Center at Kaʻanapali Beach. It’s the third restaurant in the Monkeypod family, and offers a singular menu compared to its sister locations throughout Hawaii.
One of the best things about dining at Monkeypod is that culinary aptitude and sustainably sourced ingredients are a priority. There’s live music throughout the day, and lunch and dinner menus are offered seven days a week.
Monkeypod’s menu is broken down by creative Craft Cocktails, Wines, Craft Beers, Appetizers, Pizzas, Salads, Burgers, Fish and Taco Plates, Noodles, Makai (from the ocean), and Upcountry (from the farms, fields, and ranches) entrées. We love that they have a kids' menu, and the daily happy hour menu offers 50% off a selection of craft cocktails and appetizers.
5 Favorite Items: Garlic Truffle Oil Fries, Rosemary Roasted Chicken Wings, Hamakua Wild Mushroom & Truffle Oil Pizza, Banh Mi Burger, and Organic Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi
6. Maui Brewing Company
Located in the Outrigger Ka’anapali Beach Resort, Maui Brewing Company (MBC) features an expansive open-air interior with a family-friendly vibe. Perpetuating our Maui roots, they provide plenty of room for soaking in the view of the world’s #1 beach while enjoying handcrafted food and drink
Their dedication to sourcing the finest fresh, locally grown produce is reinforced with an artisanal, natural, island-inspired cuisine. The bar features locally-crafted beers on tap, including Maui Brewing year-round and special releases, Kupu spirit cocktails, sloshies, wines, Maui Hard Seltzer, and more. Come for the beer, stay for the food!
5 Favorite Items: MBC Steak Frites - NY Steak, MBC Steak Frites - Filet Mignon, Guava BBQ Ribs, Kabayakiu Butterfish, and Slow Braised Short Ribs
7. Joey’s Kitchen
Joey’s Kitchen at Whalers Village is certainly the most casual restaurant on this list, but should not be overlooked. Owned by a local Maui family, Joey’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week.
At Joey’s, diners will find that the menu is full of ‘Maui-style soul food’ options. Savor local-style Hawaiian cuisine thoughtfully blended with global influences, including Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese, Mexican, American, and more.
Popular local-style plates are throughout the menu with iconic items like Macadamia Nut Pancakes, Ahi Poke, Adobo Fried Rice, Kalua Pork, and more Hawaiian-style lunch plate varieties. More great things about eating at Joey’s Kitchen are that price points are reasonable, and they offer both a kids and a vegetarian menu.
5 Favorite Items: Curly Kale Caesar, Ahi Poke, Coconut Shrimp & Chips, Huli Huli Chicken Plate, and Classic BBQ Kalbi Beef Short Ribs
8. Ulu Kitchen
Oceanfront on Ka’anapali Beach, Ulu Kitchen blends old-fashioned Hawaiian hospitality with carefully crafted food and beverages to deliver an experience that celebrates our island and is guaranteed to exceed expectations.
Their chef-driven concept is led by award-winning Chef Peter Merriman, who has maintained an unfaltering commitment to showcasing Hawaii’s breadth of local offerings with palate-pleasing, mouth-watering, and simply unforgettable food. Their fish is sourced directly from island fishers, and their beef and coffee come from neighboring ranches. Incorporating local fruits and vegetables whenever possible, they delight in finding new and innovative ways to use our local resources.
An exceptional dinner, with a world-class view, awaits you at Ulu Kitchen. They also serve up one of the best breakfasts in Maui! Explore our blog featuring the Top 10 Breakfasts in West Maui for insider tips on where to enjoy the best first meal of the day while on the island.
5 Favorite Items: Ahi Tuna Sashimi, Waipoli Farm Caesar Salad, Diver Sea Scallops, Steak Frites, and Coconut Créme Brûlée
9. The Fish Market
The Fish Market in Honokowai is certainly one of West Maui’s secret gems! It’s tucked into a strip mall on Lower Honoapiilani Highway, and steps away from a variety of North Kaʻanapali resort and vacation rental accommodations. Across the island of Maui, guests can experience vibrant flavors and savor an array of fresh seafood at a variety of local favorites. At Honokowai’s Fish Market, guests can dine in or order takeout from a menu full of fresh fish caught daily by local Maui fishers.
It’s a casual restaurant and offers a streamlined menu of fish tacos, fish sandwiches, chowders, burgers, and more. For those looking to buy seafood for dinner at home or for a large party, The Fish Market also sells fresh cuts of ahi, mahi mahi, opakapaka, ono, live lobsters, and cocktail platters for gatherings with friends and family.
5 Favorite Items: Ono Fish Burger, Two Fish Taco Plate, Panko Crusted Fish & Chips, Baja Fish Sandwich, and Coconut Shrimp & Fries
10. Leilani’s Beachside Grill
Leilani’s is located oceanfront on Kaʻanapali Beach at Whalers Village. We love this restaurant for the obviously beautiful setting, and because they support over 40 family-owned Maui farmers throughout their menus.
When visiting this iconic West Maui restaurant establishment, guests can eat in the dining room or at the beachside grill. The dining room is more formal, and although the two menus have crossover selections, they are different, and suggest two separate visits.
Leilani’s menus are broken down by Pupus (appetizers), Fresh Greens & Veggies, Seafood, Off the Hook, From the Aina (land), and Desserts.
If you’re eating in their dining room, we highly suggest their Chef’s Tasting Menu when available. The Aloha Hour at the beachside grill is a super deal with live music, appetizer and drink specials every day. If you’re visiting with kids, you’ll be pleased to know that their Kids Menu (12 years and under) offers a variety of tasty selections that are more like smaller portions of their regular menu items.
5 Favorite Items: Ahi Poke Bowl, Sriracha-Guava Chicken Wings, Fresh Fish Tacos, Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich, and Chef’s Fresh Hawaiian Catch
For more information about our recommendations of things to do in Maui, read more of our articles on the Maui Resort Rentals Blog