Location: Makawao
Top Restaurants in Makawao
Top Things to do in Makawao
Makawao Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Makawao
Makawao is a census-designated place (CDP) in Maui County, Hawaiʻi, United States. The population was 7,184 at the 2010 census. Located on the rural northwest slope of Haleakala on East Maui, the community is known for being the hub of the "Upcountry", a part of the island dominated by mostly agriculture and ranch land.
Things to do in Makawao
1. T Komoda Store & Bakery Incorporated
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 416 reviews
Reviewed By pudman43 - Vancouver, BC
This place doesn't look like much from the outside, but inside are baked treasures you won't soon forget. Get here long before closing (check their hours first), as the best of the baked items sell out fast. We had the little donuts on a stick (can't recall their name), but WOW they were amazing, left the whole family wishing we'd bought more!!!
2. Makawao Garden Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 151 reviews
Reviewed By Lydia G - Ojai, California
This charming cafe is usually open Mon-Sat from 11am - 3pm. You'll find it on Baldwin, but in between some shops. So it's off the street and offers cozy outdoor or indoor seating. They have sandwiches and salads with options of a half or whole-size. I had a half Curry Chicken Salad which was just right for a light lunch. Fresh greens and moist chicken breast chunks. Friendly, kind, sincere service. A sweet place.
3. Sip Me
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Organic Espresso, Coffee, Juice, Tea & Treats. Maui's premiere coffee shop, and community hangout, with 4 locations. Indulge in all organic treats from Sip Me's own Executive Chef Consuelo Bronick, that includes vegan and gluten-free options as well. Refresh yourself with Sip Me's own exclusive cold-press juice line, and get ready for your day with our award-winning bean blends that make up the perfect European style award-winning latte's, and cappuccino's, as well as a full espresso menu. Want wi-fi? Any Sip Me location is your place! //Maui Locations: Flagship @ 3617 Baldwin Ave. Makawao, HI 96768 Sip Me @ Consuelo's Kitchen 115 Baldwin Ave. Paia, HI 96779 Espresso Bar @ 106 Hana Hwy. Paia, HI 96779 Drive-through & Headquarters @ 7 E Kaahumanu Ave. Kahului, HI 96732 with 1500 sq feet of client seating. Serving up every cup with love, and pride! We hope to see you soon!
Reviewed By Sue R - Silverton, Oregon, United States
I almost don't want the world to know...because every time we are on the drive up to Makawao I think.."what if there are no more chocolate croissants"..and if I tell the world how good they are...there might not be. But...I love this coffee shop-the servers are so welcoming and friendly and it is so worth the drive (and worry!). We have been there twice since we got here and it will always be a stop when we are on Maui! The town is a fun place to shop and visit and this is a must (but please leave at least two croissants for us)!
4. Polli's Mexican Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 531 reviews
Reviewed By Krisinseattle - Seattle, Washington
We ducked in here after touring art studio tours in the Upcountry area of Maui. My chili relleno was just fair, and our chicken enchilada boring. Nothing a good dose of hot sauce couldn't enliven and the cold Modelo helped immensely! Portions were generous. Environment was lively and the service friendly.
5. Rodeo General Store
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By magicmomentfamily - Wyoming
We went into this little store because we wanted to try their homemade gelato. The nice lady there was very patient with us as she let us try all of their delicious varieties. The store was really nice and neat and on the main street of Makawao, so it is easy to find and a quick stop. They offer many different types of quick bites that are perfect if you are on your way to or from Haleakala.
6. Casanova Italian Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 490 reviews
Often rated Best Italian restaurant in the State of Hawaii, and consistently voted Best Italian in Maui, Casanova is a staple of the lifestyle of Upcountry Maui since 1986. From early morning breakfast thru lunch and dinner and to late night clubbing and dancing on selected nights of the week, Casanova is the ritual destination of Maui residents and of visitors on their way back from Haleakala Crater. The Casanova experience is much more than its awards winning sumptuous authentic Italian cuisine. It's meeting and mingling with Maui folks in the very spot where they like to dine, meet and mingle. A must do when in Upcountry Maui.
Reviewed By Mina P - Inverkip, United Kingdom
, various artistic features and colourful plants that create a rather retro atmosphere. I went with a group for lunch and the buffet was satisfactory and well organized. Italian pasta and pies were dominant.
I haven't tried pizza. There are different sections and corners that give some privacy to the customers.
7. Habibi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By tholmes15 - Washington DC, District of Columbia
Stopped here on impulse on the drive back from Haleakala National Park. We love shwarma, so decided to give it a try. It was a drizzly day, so not many folks were there, so we had a quiet late lunch. Open-air dining, but a nice canopy protected us from the elements. Tasty, portions just right for us. Friendly staff. After lunch, we went across the street and picked up some donuts-on-a-stick for the next day's breakfast. It was also interesting exploring the little businesses in "downtown" Makawao. Loved exploring the cool, green uplands of Maui.
8. Pukalani Superette
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By MauiWorldTravelers - Hawai'i
Yay, I finally made it in! Because I don't live anywhere near this place, I never had a reason to go in, but we were in Pukalani so in I went.
THE STORE:
There's a few parking stalls fronting the store, with a newly added parking lot on the south side. The store is stocked with the usual grocery store offerings, on a much smaller scale of course. Aside from being a convenient stop, they're also known for their catering services and bento/plate lunch offerings, which is what I went in to try. I saw chow fun, chili fried chicken, and chicken adobo among the numerous selections.
FOOD:
Roast Pork - For a little of $8, I got a deceiving looking tray (in a good way) of about 8-10 slices of slightly tender, slightly firm pork over rice and smothered in a light brown turkey-like gravy that actually tasted pretty good, with a tiny helping of buttered canned corn. Good sized portion for the price, but not the best I've had.
Shoyu Chicken - $7 and change bought my spouse 2 tender pieces of bone-in skin-on thighs, done in a classic Hawaii shoyu sauce which was more savory than sweet, rice, and corn. Good, simple, and cheap.
SERVICE:
The male cashier check out was fast, though I didn't receive a simple greeting or thank you, just a price announcement. Really, is "Hi" and "Thank you" so hard to say?
A female associate was still re-stocking the plate lunches at the 2pm hour. They do sell a lot I'm guessing.
OVERALL:
Tasty homemade food, great prices & portion sizes. I'd definitely try more if I'm in the area!
9. Makawao Steak House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 248 reviews
Reviewed By 1969ok - Pukalani, Hawaii
We have loved this restaurant for decades and we really hope that the new owners and their commitment to local sources succeeds... But: the service as it is currently configured is a disaster. All these people running around doing what? The server apologizes for the wait and then obviously forgets to log in the drink order (no time for the food order because when queried we're told, featured menu items are not available and "will never be offered again") because the idle bartender polishes wine glasses for the next 20 minutes... Passing by, the server blames the further wait on the kitchen (it's a drink order). We ended up passing on the food but please, new owners, hire service consultants! I remember once upon a time seeing three cattle baron families in the dining room and at the same time the bar lounge being a packed, live action can't miss scene... You could ride herd on a classic, iconic gold mine that locals will live for. Or you could die on this site like everyone else has.
10. Bev Gannon Restaurants
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By gapcmp - las vegas
The Hali'imaile General Store is simply a must for lunch or dinner while visiting Maui. We have dined here every visit to Maui for some years. Dinner, prior to our late flight from Kahului, was excellent. The trip to the airport is quite easy. The ribs and roasted duck coupled with the pineapple upside down cake were prepared and presented as one might expect from a fine restaurant. You will not go wrong at Bev Gannon's General Store.
