15 Dishes Every Traveler to Maui Should Try

Maui is known for its natural wonders, from Wailea’s golden beaches to Haleakalā’s otherworldly terrain. While there’s plenty to see and do, there’s also lots to eat on the Valley Isle.

After all, one of the best ways to understand a new destination is through its local cuisine. From bakeries that have stood the test of time to top-notch food trucks, these eateries help paint Maui’s culinary landscape with their signature dishes. Whether you’re heading to the Valley Isle for the first time or the fifth, you’ll want a taste of these 15 iconic dishes from Maui.

1. Doughnut sticks from T. Komoda Store & Bakery

T. Komoda Store & Bakery is one of the oldest businesses on the island. The family-owned store opened in Makawao in 1916 just a few blocks away from its current location. Today, the bakery is popular for its cream puffs—which are filled with fluffy vanilla custard—but the glazed doughnuts and malasadas deserve just as much attention. They come on sticks, and you’ll pluck every one of them off before you know it. Pro tip: Go early in the morning because the bakery often sells out of its pastries.

3674 Baldwin Ave., Makawao

2. Colossal cookies from Maui Cookie Lady

Across the street from T. Komoda Store & Bakery is another sweet shop travelers need to visit. Before you even enter Maui Cookie Lady’s store, you’ll get a whiff of the warm aroma of sugary treats. She’s famous for her mammoth-size cookies with familiar and Island-inspired flavor combinations. The white chunk macadamia nut is a bestseller and so is Da Half Baked, an 8-ounce cookie stuffed with Oreo, Snickers and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. You’ll find seasonal specials in the shop, too.

3643 Baldwin Ave., Makawao, themauicookielady.com

3. Fresh loaves from Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread

Sure, you can find great banana bread across Hawaiʻi, but Maui has become a hot spot for these sweet loaves. And locals know that the best banana bread can be found at family-run farm stands like Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread. The stand is in Keʻanae, a peninsula just off the Road to Hāna. Visitors and locals make the detour because her bread is that delicious. Globe-trotting chef Gordan Ramsay even trekked to Keʻanae to see what the hype was about—and he wasn’t disappointed. Made with local bananas, the cakelike loaves are rich and buttery.

210 Keʻanae Road, Haʻikū, auntysandys.com

READ MORE: Gordan Ramsay Visited this Beloved Maui Banana Bread Stand

4. Creamy coconut ice cream from Coconut Glen’s

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Coconut Glen’s (@coconutglens)

On the famous winding Road to Hāna, you’ll pass dramatic cliffs and cascading waterfalls. And just after mile marker 27, you’ll pass Coconut Glen’s—another site that’s impossible to miss. In a van painted with bright orange and purple swirls, Coconut Glen’s serves (you guessed it!) coconut milk ice cream. The coconut milk base makes this vegan treat smooth and silky. With ample parking and places to sit, Coconut Glen’s makes a great pit stop on your way to Hāna.

1200 Hāna Highway, Haʻikū, coconutglens.com

5. Fresh poke bowl from Tobi’s Poke & Shave Ice

When this Pāʻia shop first opened it only specialized in shave ice, and it quickly gained popularity for its cones of ultrafine ice doused in flavorful syrups. But over the years, it expanded its offerings and has grown a cult following for something else altogether: its uber-fresh poke bowls. While Tobi’s Poke & Shave Ice still makes phenomenal shave ice—and it’s worth ordering one—the poke bowls are a must try. The poke is unbelievably fresh and dressed in sauces like spicy wasabi or classic shoyu.

127 Hāna Highway, Pāʻia, tobispokeandshaveice.com

6. Succulent kālua pork pizza from Flatbread Co.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Flatbread Company Paia, Maui (@flatbreadcompanypaia)

Just a few doors down from Tobi’s Poke & Shave Ice is Flatbread Co. Settle into a cozy booth at this pizzeria known for its wood-fired pizza. The Mopsy is a local favorite, a twist on the Hawaiian-style pizza. At the base is a sweet mango barbecue sauce, topped with kālua pork, Maui pineapple, onions, and a blend of goat and cow cheese. The combination of flavors melting onto the homemade dough is divine.

89 Hāna Highway, Pāʻia, flatbreadcompany.com/locations/paia-maui-hi

7. Next-level shave ice from Ululani’s Shave Ice

Like many of Hawaiʻi’s iconic dishes, this sweet treat’s origins trace back to the Islands’ plantation days. Japanese immigrants who worked on the sugarcane plantations in the mid-1800s introduced the concept of kakigori, meaning shaved ice. Since then, shave ice has become an emblematic part of the Islands’ cuisine, and like poke shops here, everyone debates who makes the best. (Syrup flavors are also a contentious topic.) Fortunately, you can’t go wrong at Ululani’s Shave Ice. The Maui-based company has 15 locations across the U.S. but a stop at one of the three locations on the Valley Isle is a must. Here, the ice comes in generous mounds, and it’s so finely shaved it’s  like powder. The shave ice is then topped with premium syrups. Pro tip: Order ice cream at the base and top it off with a snow cap (sweetened condensed milk) and mochi.

Multiple locations, ululanishawaiianshaveice.com

8. Fruity guri-guri from Tasaka Guri Guri Shop

This family-owned shop has been churning out its frozen dessert called guri-guri for more than a century. Many locals and visitors share memories of sitting outside Tasaka Guri Guri’s pink shop at the Maui Mall, its home for the past 50 years, scooping bites of guri-guri from Dixie cups with a wooden spoon. The dessert, a unique hybrid of ice cream and sherbet, is not too heavy and perfectly melts in your mouth. The shop only offers two flavors: strawberry and pineapple. Both are delicious alone but complement each other just right when combined.

70 E. Kaʻahumanu Ave. #C13, Kahului

READ MORE: The Story Behind Maui’s Famous Guri Guri Dessert

9. Mouthwatering mochiko chicken from Tin Roof

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tin Roof, Maui (@tinroofmaui)

This eatery is a convenient 10-minute drive from the airport and should be everyone’s first stop landing on the island. “Top Chef” alum Sheldon Simeon opened this spot in an industrial pocket of Kahului. Around lunchtime, you’ll see a line of bankers, construction workers, dentists, surfers and visitors all waiting to order a kau kau tin of Simeon’s popular juicy mochiko chicken, fried pork belly or dry mein noodles. While all of the options on the menu are satisfying, the flavorful chicken is a favorite. Most dishes are under $20, rare for an establishment started by a James Beard Award nominee.

360 Papa Place, Kahului, tinroofmaui.com

10. Comforting dry mein from Sam Sato’s

If you love ramen or saimin, this hole in the wall is worth the search. Located in Wailuku, Sam Sato’s is an old-school institution on the island. The no-frills restaurant is famous for its large portions of noodles, specifically its dry mein. Served with dashi (broth) on the side, these thicker saimin noodles are mixed with a savory seasoning, char siu pork, bean sprouts and green onions. While you’ll likely end up with leftovers, you should still order the barbecue beef skewer, which is a great side dish for dry mein.

1750 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku

READ MORE: How Hawaiʻi-Style Saimin is Making a Comeback

11. Ultra buttery butter rolls from Four Sisters Bakery & Catering

Four Sisters Bakery & Catering is an unassuming business that probably wasn’t on your radar—but it should be. In a quaint yellow building on Vineyard Street in Wailuku, you’ll find fresh pastries served piping hot. The highlight here is the melt-in-your-mouth butter rolls: One bite into the warm bread, and the butter gushes out. The gooey cinnamon rolls and sugar-coated malasadas are also delicious treats. Just be sure to arrive early; the bakery often sells out by afternoon.

1968 E. Vineyard St., Wailuku, foursisterskitchen.com

12. Delectable coconut cream pie from Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop

Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop has made the quiet town of Olowalu a top destination for foodies on Maui. The eatery has been drawing crowds of locals and visitors for its delicious pies and sandwiches (prepared on homemade bread). The sweet and savory pies are made daily; among the more popular choices is the coconut cream. Made with graham cracker crust, the filling includes toasted coconut cream, and it’s topped with fresh whipped cream.

820 Olowalu Village Road, Lahaina leodas.com

READ MORE: Your Guide to Olowalu, Maui

13. Spicy chili chicken from Pukalani Superette

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Pukalani Superette (@pukalanisuperette)

This family-run grocery store has been serving the Upcountry community since 1955. From fresh produce to animal feed, Upcountry residents have long relied on Pukalani Superette for everyday needs. It’s also a go-to spot to pick up local snacks and bentos. Pukalani Superette is known for its chili chicken, and its juicy fried chicken thighs have just the right kick of spice.

15 Makawao Ave., Makawao, pukalanisuperette.com

READ MORE: Visit Maui’s True Mom-and-Pop Grocery Shop

14. Crunchy deep-fried Spam musubi from Da Kitchen

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Da Kitchen Cafe (@dakitchen)

After closing its Kahului restaurant in 2020, Da Kitchen reopened at a new spot in Kīhei. The news was exciting for residents and visitors alike since the restaurant is known for its large portions of local comfort food. Here, the fried Spam musubi is just a pūpū but it’s still a standout that you won’t find on many other menus. With a crunchy exterior, the Spam to rice ratio hits the spot.

1215 S. Kīhei Road, Suite E, Kīhei, dakitchenkihei.com

15. Crispy ʻahi katsu from Kahiau’s Poke Truck

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kalei Kaaumoana (@kahiaus_poke_truck)

The food truck scene on Maui continues to grow, adding to the high-quality array of food you can enjoy on the island. Kahiau’s Poke Truck is a top player, with fresh poke bowls and ʻahi katsu plates. The ʻahi katsu is perfectly crispy and not overcooked. It’s also served with a flavorful Okinawan sweet potato mash.

520 Keolani Place, Kahului,  kahiauspoketruck.com