I’m not sure we could put into word how much the Lemons’ crew LOVES Maui!  We’ve always said we’d live there in a heartbeat!  It’s small and has a beautiful island ‘feel,’ but is also large enough that there are great restaurants, places to shop, movie theaters, and FREE things to do!  We love all of the islands for different reasons, but Maui has definitely been the most entertaining for us; and in my opinion…their food is on point!  If I were taking my first Hawaii trip, I’d head to Maui.

I wanted to take a moment to share with you some of the free things we’ve found on the island, and some of our favorite places to grab the grub.  We’ll tackle some other things from Maui in a different post.  For now, here are a few of our favorite food stops.  This isn’t all of them, but you probably don’t have that much time anyways.

If you’ve followed any of our trips you know we are all about the food!  Well, Jared Lemons is all about the food, and since I plan the trips, we are all food people when we travel.  Maui is packed with great places to eat, but here are a few of our favorites:

The Gazebo – This one is always a huge family favorite.  We normally try to stop by the Gazebo for breakfast within the first few days on the island, and here’s why:  this tiny little ocean front restaurant gets packed.  When I say packed, I mean you’ll wait a solid hour on a good day for a table.  Since you usually wake up unrealistically early on your first few mornings (thank you jet lag), it’s a great time to take advantage of the best breakfast spots. 

The Gazebo opens at 7am, but we usually try to arrive about 6:30 to get towards the front of the line.  Yes there will be a line that starts around 6:15am.  However, when I say their pancakes and breakfast fried rice are worth the wait, I’m not exaggerating.  They have white chocolate macadamia nut pancakes that are the size of your head, and the butterscotch cream (trust me) that they put on it….imagine someone collected angel tears and put them on a pancake!  The half order of fried rice is enough for the family to share, and a short stack of pancakes has always been a mountain to climb, even for my appetite.  There are plenty of other things to choose from.  DON’T MISS THIS PLACE!

The Gazebo is located in Napili, at the Napili Shores resort.  You can type it into your smartphone app and it’ll take you straight there.  Parking fills up early so get there early to cut down on the walk.  Bring your snorkel gear with you in the car.  I’ll share more about that in a minute.

Slappy Cakes – Slappy Cakes is located in Honokowai Marketplace, not too far from the Gazebo.  This is actually my favorite breakfast spot because they serve banana nut bread French toast, and those are two of my favorite foods combined into one.  Imagine Benihana combined with a pancake restaurant and you can visualize Slappy Cakes.  It is a really fun place, and their pancakes are Amy’s favorite on the island!  Here are a few pictures of the make-your-own pancakes our family definitely didn’t make!

They have flat iron ovens built into the center of your table.  Your family can purchase a bottle of pancake batter for under $10 to create your own pancakes.  I’ve seen some pretty incredible creations!  If you outline your creation and let it sit a few seconds before filling it in you can make some pretty cool creations.  Their batter is SO good too!  Slappy Cakes opens at 7am as well and they get crowded too.  We usually arrive around 6:45am and are able to get a table right at 7.

Just a tip for anywhere you travel:  always try to ‘local’ spots.  Our family loves to get to know the culture of places we visit.  That is one of the best parts of traveling.  Appreciate the culture, taste the food, get to know the people….it makes traveling so much more rewarding!

CJ’s Deli – CJ’s is a small deli just outside of Lahaina on Kaanapali Beach inside a shopping center.  They have a lot of local plate lunches (big in Hawaii), and also a lot of sandwiches, burgers, and salads.  My favorite – Mochiko Chicken.  That plate comes with a stir fry chicken and sticky rice with chopped pineapple.  I crave it ALL.THE.TIME.

This is a pretty small deli with reasonable prices.  We usually stop in a few times for lunch between snorkeling and beach time.

Aloha Mixed Plate – This is in the heart of Lahaina as well, just off Front Street (the main shopping area).  This spot has a lot of local flavors, great seafood, and mochiko chicken (have I mentioned I love it).  They are open breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and we have yet to have a plate that disappointed.  This is also the restaurant that caters the Old Lahaina Luau that many people think has the best food on the island!

Lahaina Pizza Co – This place is upstairs in downtown Lahaina.  If you’re staying near Kaanapali you’ll spend plenty of time on Front Street in Lahaina.  There are a lot of cool shops, and a few restaurants to try.  Lahaina Pizza reminds me a lot of BJ’s pizza here on the mainland.  If you’re looking for good pizza, they’re a great stop.  Be sure to call ahead as place on Front Street can get pretty crowded in the evenings.

Dukes – Two words – HULA PIE.  Dukes is a little more pricey.  It’s located inside the Honua Kai Resort, which is a really nice resort we have stayed at in the past.  You’ll probably spend around $30-45 on a plate here, but it’s oh so good!  The macadamia crusted Mahi is a party in your mouth if you like seafood.  I was leery of it, but gave it a try….shed a little tear over that meal.  It is so good. 

Forget the meal though.  Let’s talk about dessert! Dukes, as well as Kimo’s in Lahaina, have created the most fantastic piece of art I’ve ever laid eyes on.  Hula pie is an Oreo crust pie with macadamia (they like macadamia a lot on the islands) ice cream, topped with an unreal amount of fudge, and it’ll change your life!  A lot of nights we’ll go eat somewhere cheaper and then go grab a few Hula pie’s to go!

Julia’s Banana Bread – This place is a little different.  Julia has had this small little green trailer for a long time, and she sells banana nut bread, fresh lemonades, and a lot of other jams and candies she makes.  She always has a close friend or family member working with her, and we LOVE visiting!  Construction is causing her to move a bit, but it’ll play in your favor as she’s moving closer to Lahaina.

The drive to get to Julia’s is as incredible as her banana nut bread!  You’ll drive through the mountain overlooking Honolua Bay as well as the blow hole that everyone loves to go check out!

Ululani’s Shaved Ice – You’ll find this in downtown Lahaina on Front Street.  They have the smoothest shaved ice, and purest fruit syrups on the island in my opinion.  The best I’ve come up with so far – strawberry syrup with macadamia nut ice cream at the bottom.  The shaved ice comes in all sizes.  I’ve found that regardless of the size, we tend to finish them all the way every time.  SO GOOD!

Paia Fish Market – If you head to Haleakala, or a few of the beaches we’ll mention later, you’ll drive right by Paia.  Paia is a small little town that we love to visit.  There are a lot of great shops, and Paia Fish Market has always been good to us.  They have a ton of options from burgers, to fajitas, and of course, a lot of fish options.  I love the fried Mahi, but you probably already knew that.  It’s also more of a ‘local’ place so the prices aren’t outrageous at all.

Flatbread Company (Paia) – This pizza place is also found in Paia.  It’s a bit of a half hipster half hippy restaurant, which makes it a lot of fun.  They keep everything local and organic.  We stopped in one day by accident and fell in love with the place.  Every pizza we have had has been great.  They might even surprise you with some pretty awesome dessert as well!

Da Kitchen – This is a local place near the airport in Kahului.  Our flights usually land around lunch time so we stop in at Da Kitchen before we head to the hotel.  Their fish and chips are HUGE and really incredible.  They have a ton of different options but I found my first love and stick with the fish and chips.  Amy isn’t much of a seafood eater but has always found great plates here.  It’s quick, easy to get in, and a really great place for lunch or dinner.  I also love how casual it is!

I’ve always been determined to skip the crowded boats and find a way to snorkel/dive on my own away from the tours.  There are so many great tour operators in Maui, but I love to get my family to places that aren’t over crowded and haven’t been negatively affected by tourists kicking up the coral and scaring all of the wildlife away.  Here are a few spots I’ve found that are light on the wallet and big on the wildlife:

Napili Bay – If you head out early for the Gazebo pancakes be sure to bring your swimsuit and snorkel gear because Napili Bay is one of the most incredible snorkel sites I’ve ever been to!  Walk out of the Gazebo Restaurant, face the ocean, and head left.  You can walk out on the rocks past the point to your left, or follow a grassy walkway to a green chainlink fence.  The signs say private property so be prepared.  However, we have walked through this fence many many times, and as long as your respectful of the Napili Bay Resort you’ll be fine.  You’ll follow this all the way over to the bay area where there is a nice entrance for people who want to swim.

A few things to remember:  1.  Do not leave your personal items on the grass.  The grass is private property so put your beach bag and anything you’re leaving behind on the rocks somewhere.  ALL beaches in Hawaii, by law, are public.  If you’ll leave your clothes, towels, etc on the rocks, they’ll be fine.  You’re not actually snorkeling at Napili Bay.  Napili Bay is the public beach to the right of the Gazebo.  You want to swim in Honokeana Cove.  You may see 1-2 turtles on the beach, but in the cove you’ll likely see 15-20 monster turtles!

2.  Make sure you have a plan of how to get in and out of the water.  The ocean is dangerous when you do not pay attention.  If the water looks to rough, or you have issues getting in, it’s better to come back a different day, or head to another spot.  This year we went in and out off the ledge at the end of the rocks and it was very easy.  However, plenty of people come out scraped and bruised because they were not paying attention, so pay attention and be cautious!

Locals call the entry point the ‘Maui slide.’  If you’re not a confident swimmer, just head to the beach.  Just off the rocks there are multiple places you can enter the water into the cove.  However, there are no lifeguards, and sea urchins are everywhere.  We have been in the water multiple times with no issues, but our first year to travel with Wade and Hope, Hope was certain she was a gone-er!   Swim there at your own risk, but do travel over there to check things out either way.  This cove is a place turtles come in for shelter under the huge coral.  You’ll see them gliding through the water, and they’ll likely come right up to you.  Do not touch though!  Turtles are protected in Hawaii….and they don’t play about it!

If you’re not a strong/confident swimmer, you can still walk over and likely see great sea turtles popping out of the water everywhere for air!

Honolua Bay – Honolua Bay is beautiful!  Most of the tour companies bring their boats to Honolua to snorkel and dive, but tourists get pretty frustrated when they realize they could have just swam from the beach.  If you have a float, or are a good swimmer, it’s pretty simple.  Follow your Google Maps to Honolua Bay, park on the street (PLEASE lock your car doors and hide your belonging), and head down to the rocky beach.  You can swim to the reef about 50-60 yards out, and you won’t be alone.  You’ll also see multiple boats in the bay, full of people that paid $100 per person to do what you’re doing for free. 

After your snorkel is a GREAT time to visit Julia’s Banana Bread shop for a quick snack before heading back to the resort.

Kahekili Beach (Old Airport Beach) – This beach is right next to the Westin on Kaanapali Beach.  I love it because there is a huge reef, and Amy loves it because there are public restrooms and a lot of grass to set your beach chairs on.

When you’re looking at the water, the reef is mainly to the right of where the restrooms are.  You’ll likely see people entering the water around the restrooms where there is a nice sandy entry, free of rocks.  The reef is HUGE.  Joelle and I actually went scuba diving here and loved every second of it.  Israel played in the sand and Amy set up her chair with a good book on the grass, just off the beach.  She stayed clean, Israel got dirty, and Joelle and I saw tons of sea life.  That’s a perfect day in the Lemons’ household!

Ho’okipa Beach – No need to bring snorkel gear to see turtles here!  In the early morning, and later in the afternoons, HUGE Hawaiian Sea Turtles rest on the beach here.  Do your best to give them space!  If you drive this way for lunch or dinner one day, this is a great place to stop and check out the wildlife.  A few years back we saw a few turtles bigger than me, and a Hawaiian monk seal resting on the beach.  It was a pretty incredible sight and we didn’t even have to get wet.  This is also on the way to Paia so it’s a great place to stop before you try out one of their local food spots.  Ho’okipa is also known for kite surfers….pretty fun to watch!

Check out our other posts about Maui below: