My husband was born and raised in Hawaii and now frequently commutes between Los Angeles and Maui for work. Whenever my schedule allows, I’m happy to come along.

Usually that means every minute we’re not working, we’re scoping out new eats. After more than a half dozen trips and over fifty restaurants, read on for my favorites!

Let’s start with breakfast, shall we?

In West Maui, Duke’s offers a lush, open-air dining experience to start the day. If you dine early or during the off season, it’s pretty easy to secure a table via walkup otherwise plan ahead with a reservation.

They make a great Duke’s Eggs Benedict served delightfully on a fluffy biscuit. Also, don’t miss the Portuguese Sausage available as a side. Order some for the table!

Pack your patience for any trip to Kihei Caffe. Whether you visit the original in Kihei or their newer outpost in Lahaina, the lines will inevitably be long (the wait can be upward of an hour) and there are no reservations.

The menu here is extensive and varied. For the adventurous, try their Irish Benedict featuring corned beef or the beloved Pork Fried Rice + Eggs. Want to stay full all day? Fill up on their Chicken Fried Steak + Eggs smothered in country gravy.

The breakfast at Lahaina’s Castaway Cafe is missable but the view is not so I recommend a trip anyway. Wait for a table on or near the patio, order light, and enjoy a fresh juice while you take in the view.

For a crowd pleaser, make your way to Slappy Cakes in Kaanapali. The exterior looks like an unassuming diner but don’t let that fool you. Inside, you’ll find tables fitted with flat top griddles and a make-your-own pancake extravaganza!

Order from a selection of classic or flavored batters as the base followed by your choice of toppings. For a balanced meal, consider perusing the sides for a protein.

If a caffeine fix and light bite is more your speed, enjoy the posh vibes at Kai Cafe tucked inside Kapalua’s Ritz-Carlton.

Peruse their grab-n-go and pastry cases then settle in for this view. If you stay til every last drop of coffee is gone, I won’t blame you.

Keeping with the posh theme, splurge at Duo Steak + Seafood situated in the Four Seasons. If it looks familiar, the first season of White Lotus was filmed on location!

We skipped the buffet and ordered à la carte opting for the Ulupalakua Ranch Breakfast and the Egg White Quesadilla.

This meal was fresh and high quality but portion sizes were a bit lacking. However, if you enjoy a view and snooping through a film location, bookmark this spot!

When I travel, I tend to prioritize brunch and dinner meaning I often skip lunch. In light of this, I dive into my lunch recommendations less extensively than dinner.

Of course, change things up as you prefer – visit a dinner spot for lunch or vice versa!

Residing in Southern California, we’re spoiled when it comes to tacos. Because of this, I rarely seek out tacos when we travel out of state. But even I was convinced of the hype when I had my first bite at Coconut’s Fish Cafe in South Maui.

Even when staying elsewhere on the island, this is worth a drive!

As it happens, our flights always seem to be timed such that we arrive ravenous. Thus, I’ve acquired a few favorite spots around Kahului. The first of these is Bamboo Grille. Completely unfussy and cash only, this hidden gem is worth a short trek.

My husband has sampled a few different dishes but I only come for one thing: their perfect Chicken Katsu Curry.

If I’m not enjoying their curry, it’s likely I’ve opted for Tin Roof. This postage sized, takeout only restaurant in a strip mall is known to garner some pretty long lines.

We haven’t tried every dish but I get the sense it’s hard to go wrong with this menu.

Lastly in the Kahului trio, there’s a food truck park close to the airport serving up outstanding Thai cuisine cheekily named Thai Mee Up.

I highly recommend their Pad See Ew!

There are a handful of Pa’ia Fish Markets across the islands although their Lahania location on Front Street was tragically lost to the wildfire.

On Maui, you can still find them in Paia and Kihei. This is a great spot for freshly caught seafood. The atmosphere is casual but the fish is market price so be prepared to spend a little.

The first repeat on this list is Duke’s. I think we’ve been for lunch more than any other meal.

We’ve nibbled through most of the pupus (appetizers) including their Poke Tacos, Panko Crusted Calamari, Crab + Macadamia Wontons, Coconut Shrimp, and Korean Sticky Ribs.

But there’s one real reason we keep coming back (okay, two reasons). The first is their Black Bean Nachos. It is imperative you order them with kalua pork.

On several occasions, we’ve split an order and called it lunch. However, if you insist on ordering other dishes at least be sure to order one for the table.

The other reason we make regular stops at Duke’s is Hula Pie. It’s worth noting that Duke’s is actually part of a small restaurant group, TS Restaurants, and hula pie is so immensely popular it is served at all of their locations.

A toweringly tall slice of mac nut ice cream pie with chocolate cookie crust is served with hot fudge and whipped cream. Trust me, you’ll want to save room. This ice cream pie is such a phenomenon it is served on its own dedicated plate and yes, you can buy a plate to take home.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I get very excited about dinner. After a busy day, there is nothing quite like unwinding with the people you love over food. If that dinner happens to have the sun setting over the ocean as its backdrop, no complaints!

For a spectacular ambience and somehow even better food, Morimoto Maui is the perfect date night. Then again, if you’re on vacation, maybe every night is date night!

The restaurant is nestled poolside with wicker chairs and no tablecloths but make no mistake, this is fine dining. Start with the Hamachi Tacos and Rock Shrimp Tempura.

Any sushi or maki will be exemplary so choose on a whim. For a treat, pair with the Morimoto Premium Sake Flight. If you’ve saved room, enjoy malasadas for dessert.

A classic Hawaiian donut, this version is served with a signature mango lilikoi. Ours also came with chocolate though the current menu now lists caramel ganache.

On the North Shore you’ll find Mama’s Fish House which is quite possibly Maui’s most talked about restaurant. The waitlist is notorious often requiring up to 6 months advanced planning. Dining here requires effort but the payoff is a restaurant which has carefully carved out and preserved its own little slice of paradise.

The service and food are fine dining but the experience is set in a retro kitschy, tiki forward kind of atmosphere. The menu changes seasonally and regularly but rest assured there will be some top notch seafood dishes.

We were incredibly lucky that our dinner timed so perfectly with sunset and ended with the glow of tiki torches dancing under palm trees.

In the ever popular shopping destination Whaler’s Village you’ll find Hula Grill, another offering from TS Restaurants (yes, they have hula pie).

Don’t sleep on the Housemade Focaccia served with a garlic-chili pepper water. Hula Grill sources lots of fresh ingredients so it’s a great place for a soup or salad course.

My entree of choice is the Kiawe Roasted Chicken which is also ideal for sharing if you’re saving room for pie!

Maui has a thriving food truck culture with several parks scattered across the island. Situated in Kaanapali is the Honoapiilani Food Truck Park, home of Da Best Pho.

Despite the name, I’ve never actually had pho here but they do have an incredible Spicy Lemongrass Chicken rice dish. The spice level is serious so I recommend pairing it with a cooling order of Avocado Rolls.

The lines are long, the cooking times are long, and the mosquitoes stay busy during the inevitable forty-five minute wait. But somehow, it’s always worth it.

Returning to the Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua, cross the expansive property to enjoy The Banyan Tree.

As with many island restaurants, the menu changes frequently to reflect what’s in season. On a recent visit, standout dishes included the maui onion dip and an upscale but surprisingly tantalizing interpretation of local dish Loco Moco.

On another occasion we enjoyed an incredible Burrata + Tomato Salad to start.

If the mood strikes for a really indulgent burger (the kind you won’t tell your diet about) look no further than Teddy’s Bigger Burgers in Lahaina.

My review for this burger is short and sweet: extra napkins needed. You know the type!

If you book dinner at Japengo, be sure to give yourself a few extra moments to soak in the property of the Hyatt Regency.

And its esteemed residents.

When your appetite peaks, wander over and settle in for an amazing meal.

Top picks include Crispy Pork Belly Bao Buns, Japengo Fried Rice, and Cajun Seared Hamachi Sashimi but every dish we tried we liked.

Shave ice is always a good idea at literally any time or after any meal. For the best, visit one of Ululani’s locations.

There are so many flavors and combinations but if you’ll indulge me, this is the best order: mac nut ice cream base, strawberry and pickled mango syrups, fresh mochi.

What I love (and sometimes hate) about travel is that the dining landscape is ever changing. These are my favorites for now but sightseeing wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t keep trying new places and finding new picks.

If I’ve missed one of your favorites, let me know in the comments so I can try it soon.

Until then, happy travels!