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Lahaina: Five Reasons to Dine Out
The town of Lahaina on Maui boasts numerous fine dining options. Here are five of our favorite restaurants in Lahaina.
Gerard's
French-born owner and top Lahaina chef Gerard Reversade honors the French tradition yet adds an island twist in such exquisite appetizers as shrimp sautéed in hazelnut oil, and ahi and smoked salmon carpaccio with lemon Chantilly. The rack of lamb Persillade offers a mint and lemon jus crust and is served with potatoes au gratin and stuffed tomatoes. You will be in heaven with the pineapple tart tatin à la mode. Located in the Plantation Inn, Gerard's resembles a country estate with balustrades and gingerbread latticework. Antique furnishings and wallpaper along with a wide veranda for dining make this perfect for special occasions. A first-class wine list and celebrity-spotting round out the experience.
Address: Plantation Inn, 174 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, HI, 96761
Phone: 808/661-8939
Price range: $$$$
Cuisine: French
Io
From its opening, this restaurant established itself as cutting edge in Lahaina, both for its theatrical interior designed by the artist Dado and for its contemporary Pacific Rim menu. A prized appetizer is the Silken Purse -- steamed wontons stuffed with roasted peppers, mushrooms, macadamia nuts, and tofu. Favorite dinners include lemongrass-coconut fish and nori-wrapped rare tuna, served with green-papaya salad. Desserts to savor are the Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate Mousse and the chocolate pâté with Kula strawberries. No lunch.
Address: 505 Front St., Lahaina, HI, 96761
Phone: 808/661-8422
Price range: $$$
Cuisine: Pacific Rim
Kimo’s
On a warm Lahaina day, it's a treat to relax at an umbrella-shaded table on this restaurant's lanai as you sip a mai tai and watch the tour boats glide in and out of nearby Lahaina Harbor. The deck area hangs directly over the water so you might even spot some of Maui's tropical fish swimming below. A good portion of the menu is devoted to fresh fish, with five or six varieties and preparations to choose from each night—a highlight is the panko-crusted catch with beurre blanc. Try the signature dessert, Hula Pie: vanilla-macadamia nut ice cream topped with chocolate fudge and whipped cream in an Oreo-cookie crust. Or pop in mid-afternoon to enjoy happy hour.
Address: 845 Front St., Lahaina, HI, 96761
Phone: 808/661-4811
Price range: $$
Cuisine: Seafood
Lahaina Grill
A culinary force since 1990, Lahaina Grill lost the "David Paul's" part of its name late in 2007, but under the latest owner Jurg Munch, executive chef at the Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong for years, the celebrated updated American food and the service remain consistent. Beautifully designed with stamped-tin ceilings, splashy artwork, and overhead fans, it is part of an elegant historic building and boasts a sommelier who rules over an extensive wine cellar and pastry chefs who do magic in the in-house bakery. Try the seared ahi with foie gras or the crispy-fried blue corn-crusted chile relleno filled with Hawaiian Big Island prawns, scallops, and Monterey Jack cheese. Save room for the scrumptious triple-berry pie. Smaller portions are available at the bar.
Address: 127 Lahainaluna Rd., Lahaina, HI, 96761
Phone: 808/667-5117
Price range: $$$$
Cuisine: American
Longhi's
A Lahaina landmark, Longhi's has been drawing in throngs of visitors since 1976. Its authentic Italian pastas, sandwiches, seafood, beef, and chicken dishes were created by owner Bob Longhi, "the man who loves to eat." The in-house bakery turns out breakfast pastries, desserts, and pizza bread, the latter complimentary with your meal. Definitely for two, the signature lobster Longhi includes two lobsters over linguine and pomodoro sauce with mussels, clams, and prawns. Another must try is the fillet Longhi, served with red and yellow bell peppers. There are two spacious, open-air levels from which to choose; and there's a second Maui restaurant on the South Shore, at the Shops at Wailea.
Address: 888 Front St., Lahaina, HI, 96761
Phone: 808/667-2288
Price range: $$$$
Cuisine: Italian