Try one of WCM's ocean side lunch suggestions in Kaanapali, Maui, HI

Lunch is one of the best things to do in Maui. Restaurant tabs can get out of control at dinner, so enjoying the best restaurants Maui has to offer during lunch can be a way to stretch your dollar without scrimping on experiences.

Here are our suggestions for lunch in Kaanapali. We’ve noted the most outstanding aspect of the recommendation whether prices($$$), views, food quality, selection.

Castaway Cafe VIEWS/PRICE
661-9091
Kaanapali $-$$
Location: West Maui, Kaanapali Villa Resort
Cuisine Type: American/Local
Hours of Operation: Open 7:30am – 9pm

Castaways is considered a hidden gem by locals and visitors alike. Located directly on the ocean at the Maui Kaanapali Villas, everyone loves it for casual, inexpensive, friendly service, beach side ocean views, great whale (and people!) watching and a menu packed with wonderful late breakfast choices and very decent versions of sandwich, burger, or salad lunches.

Castaway's lowkey decor gives way to a fabulous ocean view.

CJ’s Deli and Diner PRICE /SELECTION
667-0968
Kaanapali $-$$
Location: In the Fairway Shops near the entrance to Kaanapali
Cuisine: American/Local

Specializing in picnic baskets, meals to go, Road to Hana specials, catering, and casual café dining, CJs has an extremely varied menu consisting mostly of good old American favorites as well as island specialties like moco loco, saimen and fish and great pastries. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, you can get it all at CJs. Just wish they’d bring back the malasadas!

Hula Grill VIEWS/FOOD
667-6636
$-$$$
Location: On Kaanapali Beach at Whalers Village 2435 Kaanapali Parkway, Bldg. P Lahaina, HI 96761
Cuisine: Bar/Bistro/Fish/Island and American Specialties

What can we say beyond the fact this is the most idyllic lunch spot in West Maui? Hula Grill’s Barefoot Bar is an extension of Kaanapali’s famous sandy beach where diners are treated to alluring island style menu items and great aloha service. Fish tacos, fish and chips, pizza from the Kiawe oven, sashimi, ceviche (my favorite!), gado gado salad, flatbread BLT help round out the tempting menu. This is the place to indulge in an afternoon mai tai and forget about your cares and woes for a while or forever.

Basil Tomatoes            VIEWS/SELECTION
662-3210
$-$$$
Location: 2670 Kekaa Drive, on Kaanapali Golf Course

Now open for lunch! Located directly on the golf course in Kaanapali on the same road that leads to the Royal Lahaina Resort, Basil Tomatoes is one of the only restaurants in West Maui serving yummy Italian style pupus, pasta and entrees at lunch. Try the steamed clams, delicious carpaccio, fried mozzarella or bruchetta. Follow it up with Cioppino and delicious Mediterranean style salad or WCM’s favorite, Caprese. You can also order Johnny’s hamburger here – a real treat since Johnny’s burger was oft voted the best in West Maui until it unfortunately closed a while back. Return for the early bird dining and wine specials after 5 p.m!

Italian menu available for lunch at Basil Tomatoes, Kaanapali, Maui

Kaanapali Mixed Plate PRICES!
661-0011
$-$$
Location: Near the entrance to the Kaanapali Beach Hotel
Cuisine: Local style plate lunch and buffet

Hungry? I mean, really hungry? Kaanapali’s Beach Hotel’s Mixed Plate restaurant offers buffet style all-you-care-to eat dining at lunch. Find the wide assortment of choices bursting with local flavor and style with all the typical mixed plate fare including kalbi ribs, chow funn, shoyu chicken, rice, mac salad, and more. Prices are among the most reasonable in West Maui considering the giant portions available.

Leilani’s on the Beach VIEWS/FOOD
661-4495
$-$$$
Location: On Kaanapali Beach at Whalers Village 2435 Kaanapali Parkway, Bldg. J
Cuisine: Beach/Bar/American/Fish/Island Specialties

A surefire option for beach lovers, Leilani’s Beachside Grill is a perfectly concocted classic ocean side hang-out. Tops for both people and whale-watching, mixing and mingling while imbibing tropical cocktails and beverages, Leilani’s also serves tasty island-style food, the kind you want to eat while your toes are in the sand. Favorites include salad with light papaya dressing, ahi sashimi, burgers and fries, beach style nachos (with giant chucks of grilled chicken), fish and chips and ono fish tacos.

Aina Gourmet VIEWS/FOOD/SELECTION
662-2832
$-$$
Location: Honua Kai Resort Cuisine: Sandwich/Salad/Wraps/Gelato
- see WCM’s recent feature on Aina Market and Cafe –

Grab grocery items to make your own picnic or lunch, order a wrap to go, or sit a spell in the luxurious surroundings of Kaanapali’s newest resort condo development. Chef James McDonald infuses simple fare with haute flavors using locally grown ingredients with healthfulness in mind. Saunter down to the beach with lunch in hand (you’ll likely have it to yourself) or take on the miles-long stretch of walkway that leads all the way back to the Hyatt while munching your nutritious and delicious lunch.

`Aina at Honua Kai Resort

Ono Bar and Grill VIEWS/AMBIANCE/SELECTION
866-716-8112
$-$$$
Location: Poolside at the Westin, Maui, Kaanapali 2365 Ka’anapali Parkway Lahaina, Hawaii 96761
Cuisine: Everything under the Sun

Amid the hustle and bustle of this extremely active resort, settle in poolside at the Ono Bar and Grill and indulge in classic lunch favorites with a twist. There’s pizzas, sandwiches, wraps, salads, stir-fry, chicken soup, grilled tomato and cheese salad, surf salad (tossed with grilled chicken, feta cheese, tropical fruits, avocado, roasted peppers, baked chicken nachos, California rolls – just about anything and everything to suit the whole family. Right next door, the popular Sea Dogs serves crowd-pleasing shave ice, popcorn, hot dogs. The energy and action at this place always reminds me more of Waikiki than Maui. In a good way…

Rusty Harpoon SELECTION/PRICES
661-3123
$-$$
Location: At the entrance to Kaanapali Resort above the Golf Pro Shop Cuisine: Regional American/Island Fare

A sports-bar atmosphere where drinks are the thing at the self-proclaimed “Daiquiri Capital of the World.” As for food, regional specialties including Cajun, curry, Philly cheese steak, and Rueben sandwiches infuse the menu with considerable mainland pizzazz, while fish and chips, avocado rolls and seared ahi bring it home again for the island set. Lunch is served 11-5 and an extended happy hour begins promptly at 2 p.m.

Lagoon Bar/Sundowners Bar VIEWS
662-8053
$-$$
Location: Oceanfront, Sheraton Maui Kaanapali
Cuisine: American, Bistro, Island Favorites

No need to change out of your swim wear when lunching at these two Oceanside resort eateries. However, if you show up in street wear fresh out of the morning meeting, that’s fine too.

Royal Lahaina Resort VIEWS/PRICES/FOOD
281-8155
$-$$
Location: Ocean and Poolside, Royal Lahaina Resort, Kaanapali, Maui, HI Cuisine: Island, Bistro, American

Oft overlooked (since it’s off the beaten track) but exceptional place to park yourself for a few hours while ogling whales and fellow beach lovers at the far end of Kaanapali Resort. Surprisingly great appetizers like Ahi and Avocado Salad or Kula Tomato Gazpacho served both at the quaint little beach shack bar and the indoor/outdoor bar near the main pool.  Main courses include Keka`a Fish Tacos, Kalua Quesadilla, Pulehu Bar-b-q Ribs or choice rustic grilled Pizzas. Try the delightful Kau Wela Rolls, with shrimp, asian noodles, mint, lettuce and cilantro, a refreshing and light lunch option favored by WCM staff. Add Garlic Parmesean or Sweet Potato Fries for dessert.

Lunch poolside/oceanside at Royal Lahaina's Ocean Terrace Cafe

Round Table Pizza PRICE
662-0777
$-$$
Location: Fairway Shops, Kaanapali, and Kihei Cuisine: Pizza Relative newcomer to West Maui, Round Table offers enticing specials on their yummy but conventional pizzas and a surprisingly good salad bar. Ideal family-style dining in a pizza parlor environment or convenient carry-out and delivery.

Umalu VIEW/SELECTION/FOOD
$-$$$
Location: Hyatt Kaanapali pool and ocean side
Cuisine: American and Contemporary Hawaiian

Umalu opened with a splash last year at the Hyatt Kaanapali. Since then the cafe has caught on big time with locals and visitors by offering hearty portions at decent prices in a great setting with interesting and appealing menu options. Favorites include the ahi poke nachos on taro chips, kobe beef sliders, and kalua pork quesadillas. Terrific salads, pizza and big plates such as kurobuta pork chops offer something for everyone with both traditional and adventuresome tastes. The piece de resistance are the garlic furikake stiks, delectably seasoned french fries with wasabi aioli.

Umalu offers great food, shaded dining and ocean views at the Hyatt, Kaanapali Maui

Approach to Umalu from the Hyatt Kaanapali Maui

David Paul's Island Grill Bar

David Paul’s Island Grill

Whoa, this place is pretty! Besides the chic decor, dimly lit bar, exhibition kitchen, there are lots of lovely wines by the glass for under $10, amazing appetizers for under $10 and small versions of entrees for under $20. If you’re like me, content with smaller portions of delicious food, this is the place for you! Even hearty eaters will be delighted to find many full sized entrees under $30.

Chef David Paul Johnson has been granting interviews galore these past few months, hailing the arrival of his new venture. WCM will give him a little more time to settle into his new digs and bring the staff up to speed before running a full feature. For now, suffice to say we stopped in and tried the “Tasting Menu,” a bargain for $45/pp. Having done that, we all concluded it’s not really this restaurants’ forte or focus. We’ll save the six course meals for fancy wine dinners. At David Paul’s, might be best to try some of unique and delicious small plates instead. After all, that’s what will set this restaurant apart.

Merriman’s Kapalua

We hadn’t stopped in for a month or so, having been off island for about that long, so when the trades finally kicked back up we breathed in the VOG free breezes and plunked ourselves down at the bar for a nosh or two at Merriman’s. After our ono-licious salads (spinach and goat cheese; beets and greens) I lost all sense of control when I spied a platter of grilled steak and truffle/parmesan fries being delivered across the bar. I had to have it; and I’m glad I did. That was seriously one of the best steaks I’ve ever had the pleasure of devouring. Seeing our delight, the server reiterated Peter Merriman’s pledge to use local ingredients as much as possible. To wit, the menu vaguely references “steak” but it depends on the cut of the day which one you’ll score. This night we did good! How shall I describe it? Succulent, with almost crunchy slightly spicy seared surface giving way to a buttery tender core… in a word – perfect.

Pineapple Grill

For a low-key late lunch after a low-key round on Kapalua’s practice course, WCM staff stopped in for a bite at the bar in Pineapple Grill. We shared my favorite, the luxury cobb salad. I add “luxury” to the title since it’s all natural ingredients, including apple dices unlike cobb salads filled with processed meats and cheeses. We also shared the delicious pork quesadillas which come with a small Caesar salad. It was HUGE but somehow we managed to finish it.

Did you know Pineapple Grill offers kama`aina 15% at lunch? Sure you did; we’ve told you a million times.

Umalu at the Hyatt

Cirque Performers Greet Guests Post-show

After watching spellbound the new heart-thumping, death defying show, Cirque Polynesia at the Hyatt Kaanapali, we needed to calm our nerves and quick! Thankfully, Umalu serves perfect island style comfort food nearby, especially the seared ahi salad, kalua pork quesadillas, and one of the best appetizers on the island – ahi nachos. (Cheese free, the ahi nachos are a jumbo serving of ahi tartare/poke accented with avocado and crème fraiche served with taro chips.)

Approach to Umalu

Once we came down from the thrill show’s after effects, we lingered long into the evening while enjoying Umalu’s ideal Oceanside setting, attentive service and terrific appetizers. All this and a 15% kama`aina discount to boot!

Dis and Dat:

We discovered last week that Santa Fe Cantina has the best nacho platter we’ve tried so far.

China Boat has been closed temporarily due to renovations, which made us realize there’s a shortage of carry-out options between Napili and Kapalua. We’ll be reporting on the new upgrades soon.

Every night the Honolua Store, famous for their plate lunches, offers two entrée specials – one fish, one meat. Too bad they had closed the kitchen early the night we’d stopped in to try the New York Rib Eye and Salmon in Cream Sauce specials for $12.95 each. They redeemed themselves after I discovered freshly baked baquettes in a bin near the coffee bar! Like finding a buried treasure on Maui!

You are what you eat so dine hearty and be happy! A hui hou until next time!