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Food tours in Maui: what to eat and which tour to book
Food on Maui reflects Hawaii's history: Native Hawaiian staples such as kalua pig, laulau and poi, and the plantation-era mix of Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Portuguese and Korean cooking that became the 'local food' of plate lunches, saimin, spam musubi and malasadas. Fish is excellent, especially poke made from ahi (tuna). Upcountry slopes grow onions, lavender, coffee and produce, and the Road to Hana is lined with fruit and banana-bread stands. Resort areas in Wailea and Kaanapali are expensive; Kahului and Wailuku, where most residents live, are where to find cheap plate lunches. Lahaina was largely destroyed by the August 2023 wildfire and is rebuilding, so check what has reopened before planning around it.
Use this page to decide what to order and where: the dishes and areas below say what each part of the island does well. The tours shown are real GetYourGuide listings, with prices as seen when we checked; confirm the current price and details on the booking page.
What to eat in Maui
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poke | Cubes of raw fish, usually ahi tuna, seasoned with sea salt, seaweed (limu), inamona (roasted kukui nut), soy or sesame. Bought by the pound at supermarkets and fish counters, or in bowls over rice. | Fish markets and supermarket deli counters in Kahului, Kihei and Paia. | roughly USD 18–28 per pound; poke bowls USD 15–22 (about €14–20) |
| Plate lunch | Two scoops of white rice, a scoop of macaroni salad and a main such as chicken katsu, teriyaki beef, kalbi ribs or kalua pig. Plantation-era working lunch, still the everyday meal. | Lunch counters and drive-ins in Kahului, Wailuku and Kihei. | roughly USD 15–22 (about €14–20) |
| Kalua pig and laulau kālua puaʻa, laulau | Kalua pig is smoky shredded pork traditionally cooked in an underground oven (imu). Laulau is pork and salted fish wrapped in taro leaves and ti leaves and steamed. | Hawaiian food restaurants and plate-lunch counters; lū'au buffets. | roughly USD 18–25 for a Hawaiian plate (about €17–23) |
| Loco moco | Rice topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg and brown gravy; a local breakfast or lunch. | Diners and drive-ins across the island. | roughly USD 14–20 (about €13–18) |
| Saimin | Soft wheat egg noodles in a light dashi broth with green onions, fish cake and char siu; a Hawaii-born noodle soup from plantation days. | Old-style diners and saimin shops, especially in Wailuku and Kahului. | roughly USD 10–15 (about €9–14) |
| Shave ice | Finely shaved ice soaked in fruit syrups, often with ice cream or sweet azuki beans underneath and condensed milk on top. | Shave ice stands in Kihei, Paia, Kahului and resort areas. | roughly USD 7–12 (about €6.50–11) |
| Malasada | Portuguese-style fried dough, sugar-coated and sometimes filled with custard or haupia (coconut pudding); brought by Azorean and Madeiran immigrants. | Bakeries in Upcountry Maui, Kahului and Wailuku. | roughly USD 2–4 each |
| Banana bread on the Road to Hana banana bread | Loaves of moist banana bread sold at roadside stands along the Hana Highway; a traditional stop on the drive. | Stands around Keʻanae and other points along the highway; usually cash only. | roughly USD 8–14 a loaf |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Wailuku
The old county seat with long-running diners, saimin shops, bakeries and casual restaurants used by residents; Market Street is the main strip.
Kahului
Maui's commercial centre near the airport, full of plate-lunch counters, supermarkets with poke counters and the island's swap meet.
Paia
North-shore surf town on the way to Hana with fish restaurants, cafés, health-food stores and shave ice.
Upcountry (Makawao and Kula)
Ranching and farm country on the slopes of Haleakalā with a bakery tradition, farm stands, lavender and produce farms, and a Saturday-morning farmers' market.
Kihei
South-shore town with food truck parks, poke shops, plate lunch and casual bars; cheaper than the Wailea resorts just to the south.
Food tours in Maui compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Maui: Sunset Prime Rib or Island Fish Dinner Cruise | 2 hours | from €133 per person | — | Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark. | Check dates |
| Lahaina: Maui Ku'ia Estate Guided Cacao Farm Tour & Tasting | 1.5 hours | from €88 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Maui: Ka'anapali Luxury Sunset Dinner Sail | 2.5 hours | from €150 per person | — | Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark. | Check dates |
| From Ka'anapali: West Maui Half-Day Snorkel Tour w/ Food | 4.5 hours | from €157 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Maui: Road to Hana Waterfalls Tour with Lunch | 9 hours | from €231 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Maui: Road to Hana Tour with Lunch | 9 hours | from €222 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
South Maui: Sunset Prime Rib or Island Fish Dinner Cruise
On GetYourGuide · run by Calypso Molokini Charters
- Length
- 2 hours
- Price
- from €133 per person
- Rating
- 4.6 ★ from 260 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Suits
- Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark.
- Starts
- Depends on the selected option
Lahaina: Maui Ku'ia Estate Guided Cacao Farm Tour & Tasting
On GetYourGuide · run by Maui Chocolate Tour
- Length
- 1.5 hours
- Price
- from €88 per person
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ from 163 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Tour guide Transportation to private cacao estate 9-piece tasting of award-winning chocolate Tips
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- Maui Ku'ia Estate Chocolate
Maui: Ka'anapali Luxury Sunset Dinner Sail
On GetYourGuide · run by Teralani Sailing Adventures
- Length
- 2.5 hours
- Price
- from €150 per person
- Rating
- 4.8 ★ from 161 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Suits
- Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark.
From Ka'anapali: West Maui Half-Day Snorkel Tour w/ Food
On GetYourGuide · run by Sea Maui
- Length
- 4.5 hours
- Price
- from €157 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 144 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- Whalers Village
Maui: Road to Hana Waterfalls Tour with Lunch
On GetYourGuide · run by Stardust Hawaii, LLC
- Length
- 9 hours
- Price
- from €231 per person
- Rating
- 4.7 ★ from 31 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Transportation aboard air-conditioned vehicle Driver Live commentary on board Breakfast Lunch Pineapple and snacks Soft drinks Swimming stop Tips
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
Maui: Road to Hana Tour with Lunch
On GetYourGuide · run by Epic Maui Hikes
- Length
- 9 hours
- Price
- from €222 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 10 reviews (on 3 Oct 2026)
- Included
- GoPro photography Water Snacks Local lunch Raw Love Sunscreen
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- 88 Pulehu Pl, Kahului, HI 96732, USA
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
Maui's street food comes from food trucks, plate-lunch counters and roadside stands rather than night markets. Food truck parks in Kihei and Kahului, and fruit and banana-bread stands on the Road to Hana (often cash only), are the cheapest good eating on the island.
Sit-down meals
Resort restaurants in Wailea and Kaanapali are expensive and often fully booked in high season; reserve ahead. Local diners serve early: many open for breakfast and close by mid-afternoon. A lū'au (Hawaiian feast with a show) is a pricey evening out; book well in advance.
Cooking classes
Farm visits and tastings are more common than cooking classes: coffee, pineapple, lavender, goat cheese and distillery tours in Upcountry. Some lū'au and culinary programmes include poke or lei-making demonstrations.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | USD 60–80 (about €55–75; bakery breakfast, plate lunch or poke, food-truck dinner) |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | USD 120–180 (about €110–165; two sit-down meals with a drink, tax and tip) |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | USD 300+ (about €275+; resort fine dining or a premium lū'au) |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Fine in Paia, Makawao and the resort areas, where vegetarian and vegan dishes are common. Traditional local plates are meat- or fish-heavy; poi, rice, taro and fresh fruit are naturally vegetarian. Plate-lunch macaroni salad is vegetarian but made with mayonnaise.
Halal: Very limited on Maui; there are few, if any, certified halal restaurants. Fish and seafood are the easiest option. Pork is in kalua pig, laulau, spam musubi and many plate lunches; ask about cooking fats.
Gluten-free: US-style awareness is good and many menus mark GF dishes. Poke can contain soy sauce (with wheat), and teriyaki, katsu and gravy-based dishes usually contain gluten; ask for poke seasoned only with salt and limu.
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- Timeshare presentations offered with 'free' lū'au tickets, breakfasts or activity discounts. Turn down offers from activity desks that require attending a sales presentation; book the lū'au directly.
- 'Kona blend' coffee that contains as little as 10% Kona or Hawaii-grown beans. Read the label; buy 100% Maui-grown or 100% Kona coffee if you want the real thing.
- Resort and hotel restaurant bills that add service charges, resort fees and high drink prices on top of already high menu prices. Check the menu and bill for service charges; eat lunch at local counters in Kahului, Wailuku or Kihei.
Top tours & activities in Maui
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Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
How much should I tip on Maui?
Tipping works as on the US mainland: about 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, and optional at counter service. Some resort restaurants add an automatic service charge, so check the bill. On food tours and farm tours, 15–20% of the price is a common tip for the guide.
Is Lahaina open for visitors to eat?
Much of historic Lahaina, including Front Street, was destroyed in the August 2023 wildfire, and rebuilding is ongoing. Some businesses in the wider Lahaina and Kaanapali area have reopened. Check current local guidance before you go, and treat the burn zone with respect; avoid sightseeing there.
Where can I eat cheaply on Maui?
Plate-lunch counters and drive-ins in Kahului and Wailuku are the best value, along with supermarket poke counters and food truck parks in Kihei and Kahului. A plate lunch is roughly USD 15–22 and fills you for the day. Upcountry bakeries and roadside stands on the Road to Hana are also good.
Is a lū'au worth the money?
A lū'au typically costs roughly USD 150–250+ per adult and combines a buffet or set menu (kalua pig, poi, fish, haupia) with a Polynesian show and drinks. It's more of an evening show than the best Hawaiian food on the island. Book weeks ahead in high season, and choose one with good reviews for its food.
How much should I budget for food per day?
Maui is expensive. On a budget, about USD 60–80 covers a bakery breakfast, a plate lunch or poke and a food-truck dinner. A mid-range day with two sit-down meals, tax and tip is roughly USD 120–180. Resort dining easily exceeds USD 300 per person.
What should I buy to eat on the Road to Hana?
Stock up in Paia or Kahului before you go, as options thin out. Along the way, roadside stands sell banana bread, fresh fruit, coconuts and smoothies, and some sell grilled food; many take cash only and keep irregular hours. Bring water, and expect fewer choices after mid-afternoon.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.