Maui's “Best Plate Lunch" and other Maui, HI Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Aloha Mixed Plate

Experience the traditional foods of the varied ethnic groups that call Hawaii home (the plate lunch...or mixed plate). In the early days of the Hawaiian sugar plantations, lunch was a simple affair. Plantation workers would get together in the fields for lunch and bring their specialities (the Japanese laborers would bring teriyaki beef with rice and pickled vegetables, the Filipinos would bring adobo or perhaps a pork or chicken stew, the Koreans had their kalbi or marinated ribs the Chinese a rice noodle and vegetable dish called chow fun and the Hawaiians were known for their kalua pig) It wasn’t long before they began to share their foods with one another and the “mixed plate” was born.

Favorite Dish: “Two scoops rice” and “one scoop macaroni salad” always accompany the traditional plate lunch. I would recommend the Kalbi Ribs (Korean style sesame teriyaki marinated short ribs) or the Aloha Mixed Plate (Shoyu chicken, teriyaki beef and Mahi Mahi combination plate). You have 3 sizes to choose from...mini plate, regular plate or jumbo plate.

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (808) 661-3322
Address: 1285 Front Street
Directions: Located on Front Street across from the Lahaina Cannery Mall and next to the Old Lahaina Luau (parking is available).
Website: http://www.alohamixedplate.com" target=_blank rel="nofollow">Aloha Mixed Plate
Other Contact: Fax: (808) 661-3087

Restaurant Name: Longhi's Restaurant

If you are looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner, then this is the place. The menu is verbal rather than written, the food is prepared with the freshest available ingredients, breads and pastries are prepared fresh daily...when looking for a spot to enjoy an intimate meal for two or a rip-roaring celebration for 200, Longhi's is the place!!!

Favorite Dish: Our trip package included a presentation on things to do while in Maui and a complimentary breakfast at Longhi's. At first, we thought that this was some sort of time-share presentation, but it wasn't. The presentation was very informative, but the breakfast is what made this visit great.

When we arrived, we were offered some Kona Coffee (tasty, rich and hearty), delicious pastries (awesome and sweet) and your choice of Pineapple or Papaya/Strawberry juice. After learning about Maui, our breakfast included a huge portion of bacon and eggs.

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Theme: Breakfast
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (808) 667-2288
Address: 888 Front Street
Directions: Located in Old Lahaina Town across from the ocean. Complimentary parking is available.
Website: http://www.longhi-maui.com" target=_blank rel="nofollow">Longhi's Restaurant
Other Contact: Fax: (808) 661-5795

Restaurant Name: The Sea Watch Restaurant at Wailea

When you walk into this restaurant, you are enticed by its inviting ambience. Several unique dining areas flow gently into each other and into the lush, tropical vistas that make up the Wailea coastline.

The interior is complemented by white-washed oak tables and chairs upholstered in soft pastels plus and beautiful lanai which offers stunning views of the islands of Molokini and Kaho'olawe, the rich green landscape that reaches up to Haleakala Crater and spectacular sunsets.

The dinner at Sea Watch provided a wonderful ending to our wedding day. The service is first-class, attentive and not intrusive. Our waiter provided excellent information regarding choices for the entree and champagne. On our way out the door, LJ performed on of her compositions for me on the piano.

Favorite Dish: The dinner starts off with a basket of delicious Sourdough Bread. For dinner, I would recommend one of the following: Miso-glazed Tiger Prawns (with balsamic mushrooms, jasmine rice, coriander ginger sauce), Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast (with cappelini pasta, fresh basil & Kula tomatoes) or the New York Strip (on garlic mashed potatoes, with balsamic mushrooms, sundried tomato butter sauce). This has to be one of the best meals we've ever had!!!

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: (808) 875-8080
Address: 100 Wailea Golf Club Drive
Directions: The Sea Watch Restaurant is located on the Gold Golf Course in Wailea. Ample parking is available to the left, and complimentary valet parking is offered nightly.
Website: http://www.seawatchrestaurant.com" target=_blank rel="nofollow">The Sea Watch Restaurant at Wailea
Other Contact: (808) 875-7462

Restaurant Name: Moose McGillycuddy's Pub & Cafe

If you are looking for a "happening" place, then Moose McGillycuddy's is the place to go. It's a nice place to go for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as "happy hour." While we were in Maui, we were able to watch the NCAA Basketball Tournament at the "Moose."

Favorite Dish: Before going over to Maui, we logged onto the internet and found some coupons. Moose McGillycuddy's provided a $5.00 discount for their Mega Mexican Madness (includes chicken fajitas, shredded beef enchiladas, mini-chimichangas, flautas, Spanish rice, black beans, chips, sour cream and salsa). This is a huge meal and will satisfy the hunger for two people. Oh, and since we were in Maui, we ordered a Mai Tai as well as a Blue Hawaiian.

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Theme: American
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (808) 667-7758
Address: 844 Front Street
Directions: Located in downtown Lahaina across from Cheeesburger in Paradise
Website: http://www.moosemcgillycuddys.com" target=_blank rel="nofollow">Moose McGillycuddy's Pub & Cafe
Other Contact: Fax: (808) 667-5168

Restaurant Name: Maui Coffee Roasters

This place beats Starbucks...hands down!!! The variety of choices and flavors makes this the place to go if you want coffee (sit-in, on the go or shipped home).


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Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (808) 877-2877
Address: 444 Hana Highway
Directions: Located in the strip mall on the southwest side of the intersection between Hana Highway and Dairy Road.
Website: http://www.alohacoffee.net

Restaurant Name: Pizza Paradiso

Voted the "Best Pizza and Dessert on Maui" by many international publications, Pizza Paradiso (and the Hula Scoop) is the place to go for dessert. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is happy and the service is first rate.

Favorite Dish: On our last evening in Maui, we decided to make dinner and have dessert. We went over to Pizza Paradiso and ordered Brownies with Macadamia Nut ice cream.

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Theme: Dessert
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (808) 667-2929
Directions: Located in the Honokowai Marketplace (there's also another location in the Whaler's Village food court).
Website: http://www.pizzaparadiso.com" target=_blank rel="nofollow">Pizza Paradiso