Travel Diary - Maui Dining Part Two
If you're staying on the west side of Maui, then Leilani's on the Beach on Ka'anipali Beach at Whaler's Village is a must dine-at restaurant. There is a beachside grill that is hopping all day with live music and yummy eats like fresh fish taco's, niihau lamb sliders and a wide variety of pupus (appetizers to us). I couldn't even snag a spot at the bar for a Mai Tai and fish taco when I went down to Whaler's Village for a little shopping one afternoon. A girl needs sustenance after all. Much to my chagrin I had to make do with an Island Vintage Coffee and cookie from Honolulu Cookie Company. Poor substitute for a Mai Tai, but hey - the shopping was still good.
We went to Leilani's for dinner on our last night in Maui. A reservation is a must if you want an incredible sunset view table. Once again, it was supreme seafood for me. Gorgeous lobster and the absolute yummiest coconut rice I've ever tasted. I've been dreaming about that rice since that night. And really, who dreams about rice?
Sunset from Leilani's
There's that coconut rice.
As far a hotel restaurant's go...we were lucky to have Pailolo at our's. Pailolo is fun food truck style food cooked in an actual food truck, and of course...I had fish taco's. Hey...when in Rome, or Maui in this case. They also had yummy nacho's, grilled chicken burgers with grilled pineapple (now my favourite addition to any type burger), and sweet n' spicy honey siracha wings - lunchtime faves. The half-price drink specials were not so bad either, my favourite being the Ka'anipaili Cooler on Thursday's. Coconut rum, pineapple and cranberry juice. I'll be making this one at home for sure - superb for hot summer days, or even warm spring days. :)
Mahi Mahi fish taco.
While on Maui we were lucky enough to have many friends and neighbours on the island at the same time (popular spot this year)...so here are some other fab dining suggestions:
Lahaina
Kapalua
Wailea
Paia
On my "must eat at" list for my next Maui visit is Mama's Fish House. So sad we missed it this time around, but my gf was kind enough to send me a pic of her daughter's fab desert - The Black Pearl. Rumour has it it's the most photographed desert in the world. Certainly looks Instagram ready, does't it? The ambiance and food are said to be absolutely magical at Mama's...but isn't all of Maui magic?
