Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [277]
Smokehouse BBQ Grill ( 667-7005; 930 Waine′e St; mains $7-20; 11:30am-9pm Mon-Fri, 3-9pm Sat & Sun) Kiawe-smoked meats slow-cooked to perfection are the specialty at this family-run joint. Everybody orders the tender, meaty baby-back ribs, but the kalua (cooked in an underground pit) pork sandwiches are also excellent and the cornbread served warm with mac-nut honey is not to be missed.
Kahuna Kabobs ( 661-9999; 884 Front St; mains $8-15; 9am-9:30pm) Tucked into a courtyard off Front St, this hole-in-the-wall eatery rakes in the surfers with its killer blackened-ahi kebabs. There’s lots of other options for both carnivores and vegetarians ranging from kalua pork to ‘veggie hipster’ falafel wraps.
Penne Pasta Café ( 661-6633; 180 Dickenson St; mains $8-17; 11am-9:30pm Mon-Fri, 5-9pm Sat & Sun) There’s no view, and that’s the key. To keep it affordable, chef Mark Ellman of Mala fame chose a side street location for this one and streamlined the menu. That said, the food’s anything but boring: garlic ahi atop pesto linguine, roasted beets with sesame butter and, of course, creamy tiramisu for dessert.
Thai Chef ( 667-2814; Old Lahaina Center, 880 Front St; mains $10-16; 11am-2pm Mon-Fri & 5-9pm daily) It may look like a dive from the outside, but this little place at the back of a shopping center has incredible food. Start with the crispy spring rolls served with pineapple dipping sauce and then move on to savory curries that explode with flavor. No alcohol on the menu but you can BYOB – pick up a bottle from the nearby Foodland.
Foodland ( 661-0975; Old Lahaina Center, 880 Front St; 6am-midnight) and Safeway ( 667-4392; Lahaina Cannery Mall, 1221 Honoapi′ilani Hwy; 24hr) supermarkets both have delis stocking all you need for a picnic lunch.
Midrange
Mala Ocean Tavern ( 667-9394; 1307 Front St; mains $15-30; 11am-10pm Mon-Fri, 9am-10pm Sat, 9am-9pm Sun) Pacific and Mediterranean influences fuse lusciously at this seaside bistro. Tapas like spiced lamb tzatziki and the crispy calamari steal the stage. Anything with fish is a sure pleaser, and the decadent ‘caramel miranda’ makes a sweet finale fit for two. Best time to come is at sunset, when you can watch turtles feeding and tiki torches light the lanai.
Lahaina Fish Co ( 661-3472; 831 Front St; lunch $9-15, dinner $16-30; 11am-10pm) Perched on a balcony above the surf you could practically drop a line and catch your own fish. But why wait for a bite? Just sit back and order. The seafood is fresh, the servings generous, so it’s little wonder this place packs a crowd. Come early for a good table at sunset.
Kimo’s ( 661-4811; 845 Front St; lunch $10-13, dinner $20-30; 11am-10:30pm) At this Hawaiian-style standby, you’ll find reliable food, a superb water view and a family-friendly setting. Dishes include fresh fish, oversized prime ribs and good ol’ teriyaki chicken. And you get your money’s worth: all dinners come with Caesar salad and warm carrot muffins. Lunch ranges far and wide, from salads and sandwiches to seafood specials.
Top End
Pacific’O ( 667-4341; 505 Front St; lunch $13-16, dinner $26-38; 11:30am-4pm & 5:30-10pm) Contemporary regional cuisine with added bling jumps off the menu at this chic seaside restaurant. The dishes are bold and innovative – where else can you try a crispy coconut roll with seared scallops and arugula-lime pesto? Lunch is a tamer affair, with salads and sandwiches, but the same in-your-face ocean view. Live dinnertime jazz on the weekends cranks the hip atmosphere up a notch.
I’O ( 661-8422; 505 Front St; mains $28-38; 5:30-10pm) If you’re looking for Lahaina’s best waterfront fine dining, stop the search here. The handiwork of chef James McDonald features Hawaii Regional Cuisine with scrumptious creations like seared fresh catch in mango cream, island-raised filet mignon with tempura Maui onions and guava-glazed coconut cheesecake. McDonald is so obsessed with freshness