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Destination: Maui Article Source: Copyright © 2012 by Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House Inc. All rights reserved.
This is Central Maui's hidden jewel for reasonably priced, local-style lunches that are good for you. The menu is not only diabetic-friendly, it's also high in fiber; low in salt, sugar, and fat; and seasoned with fresh herbs under the expert guidance of chef Joe Wilkinson. Besides veggie options, local favorites include ground turkey chow fun, hot-and-sour soup, and baked fish with ginger lime sauce. All entrées come with sweet potatoes, brown rice, taro, and salad or any combination of the above. Simply Healthy can be hard to find; ask for the Cameron Center building between Maui Memorial Hospital and the main Wailuku police station. www.huinomaui.org. No credit cards. No dinner. Closed weekends and holidays.
Built in the 1960s at the Napili Kai Beach Resort before there were laws forbidding construction so close to the beach, this restaurant is, literally, just footsteps away from gorgeous Napili Bay. Wear your beach wrap to breakfast and enjoy the signature oven-baked pancakes or Molokai sweet potato egg frittata. For dinner, start with the award-winning poke (raw fish) nachos and move on to the taro-crusted sea bass. Several entrées are offered in both "lite" and regular-size portions. www.napilikai.com. Credit cards accepted.
A good choice for a seafood lunch, the Maui Ocean Center's signature restaurant (aquarium admission is not required to dine here) offers harbor views from its open-air perch. The restaurant promotes heart-healthy cuisine, using sustainable seafood and trans-fat-free items. Lunch-size salads, sandwiches, burgers, fish tacos, teriyaki tofu, fish-and-chips, chicken, ribs, and a full kids' menu are on offer. There's something for everyone here, and the view isn't bad either. www.mauioceancenter.com. Credit cards accepted. No dinner.
This upscale Italian restaurant's setting right on spectacular Keawakapu Beach, with views of Molokini and Kahoolawe, is irresistible. And, to be honest, the spectacular setting is the best thing about Sarento's. The menu has a decidedly Italian bent, with offerings like linguine with clam sauce, seafood fra diavolo (in a tomato sauce spiced with chilies), and portobello napoleon with local eggplant, mozzarella, tomatoes, and arugula pesto. The food is good, if a bit old-fashioned, and the portions may be a bit too big for some. www.sarentosonthebeachcom. Credit cards accepted. No lunch.
Every island has its noodle shrine and this is Maui's. Dry mein, saimin, chow fun—they all come in different- size portions and with add-ins to satisfy every noodle craving. While you wait for your bowl, chow down on a teriyaki beef stick or two. Save room for the popular turnovers—pineapple, coconut, apple, or peach. At busy times, which are most of the opening hours, you will likely have to wait for a table or a stool at the counter. Be sure to write your name on the little yellow pad or you'll miss your "next." No credit cards. No dinner. Closed Sun.
The satays, Panang curry, and crispy mahimahi are all reason to make your way to Saeng's. Other reliable menu choices include the angel wings (chicken wings stuffed with carrots and bean-thread noodles), fresh summer rolls, and any of the chicken entrées. The dining room is a bit dark but there's a courtyard with a pond and foliage, and open-air tables. Take note: service can be slow. But it's Maui, so who's in a hurry? Credit cards accepted. No lunch on weekends.
Roy Yamaguchi is a James Beard award-winning chef and the granddaddy of East-meets-West cuisine. He has restaurants all over the world, but his eponymous Maui restaurant was one of the first, and it's still one of the best. It's loud and brassy with a young vibe, but come for the great food, even if the atmosphere isn't quite your thing. Signatures like fire-grilled, Szechuan-spiced baby back pork ribs, Roy's original blackened ahi tuna, hibachi-style grilled salmon, and the to-die-for hot chocolate soufflé have been on the menu from the beginning, and with good reason. Roy's wine list is exceptionally user-friendly. The service here is welcoming and professional. www.roysrestaurant.com. Credit cards accepted.
It's a bit of a drive to the restaurant, but chef-partner Alex Stanislaw's skills—especially with fresh fish—make it worth the trip. Here you'll find a beautiful and comfortable restaurant with expansive views of the ocean below and the majestic mountains above. Chef Alex sources the best of the island's bounty; much of the produce he uses is grown within a few miles of the kitchen. The fish preparations commonly reflect his Mediterranean heritage; think pistachio-crusted Hawaiian catch served on herbed couscous with extra virgin olive oil. Breakfast is glorious here, too. www.theplantationhouse.com. Credit cards accepted.
Part of a Japanese chain, this outpost in a mall is the first and only location in Maui. All of the ramen dishes are slurp-worthy, and the gyoza (dumplings) are reason enough to dine here. If you're not that hungry or just have a small appetite, you can order kid-size portions. The service is quick and friendly, and the prices are right. Credit cards accepted.
When it opened in 1995, this was an over-the-counter pizza place. It has evolved over the years into a local favorite serving pasta, Mediterranean comfort food and still, of course, pizza. The pies are so popular because of the top ingredients—100% pure Italian olive oil, Maui produce whenever possible, and Maui Cattle Company beef. The menu also features gyros, falafel, grilled fish, rotisserie chicken, and tiramisu. www.pizzaparadiso.com. Credit cards accepted.
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