Makawao Restaurants 2021: What's Up, Upcountry?
The food industry has been one of the hardest hit with this seemingly everlasting COVID pandemic. Yes, there have been some casualties among the list of upcountry Maui restaurants, but most have made it through the shutdown and are ready for your visit!
The good news is, that there are plenty of places that have survived, thrived, or even opened recently, like Kama Hele, one of the many Maui food trucks to hit the scene with a bang—earning a 5-star rating on Yelp in the first month of being open.
These awesome upcountry Maui restaurants lining Makawao Ave. and Baldwin Ave. (and down on Haliʻimaile) will be happy to serve you a delicious bite if you ever find yourself in the area with a little growl in your tummy. We’re quite aware that not-so-nice COVID19 has changed the scene, but as far as we know, all these places are up and running as Maui restaurants open in 2021. Please check the most recent Maui County COVID guidelines before visiting and be prepared with masks, hand sanitizer, and your vaccination card (if you have one) at all times.
Here’s a comprehensive list of upcountry Maui restaurants and Maui food trucks in Makawao—where to eat when you’re hungry in Upcountry Maui.
We’ve separated the list into three categories to keep it simple:
Makawao Restaurants and Snacks: from inexpensive to “Maui prices,” these brick-and-mortar Maui restaurants are what literally make Makawao town.
Maui Food Trucks in Makawao: Driving the food scene, these makawao restaurants on wheels serve up some impressively good grub.
UPSCALE MAUI RESTAURANT: LET’S BE HONEST, THERE’S ONLY ONE MAKWAO RESTAURANT THAT BELONGS IN THIS CATEGORY—THE RENOWNED HALIʻIMAILE GENERAL STORE.
MAKAWAO RESTAURANTS AND SNACKS
Casanova: 1188 Makawao Ave, Makawao, HI 96768
Casanova
Makawao
An upcountry staple, this Italian joint never fails to provide a delicious meal.
This Makawao Italian favorite has been a staple for decades, but was recently bought (2019) by the owners of Flatbread Pizza in Paʻia (known for epically delicious, local-ingredient pizzas). A revamped, yet still-classic menu and familiar faces welcome you in to a newly-renovated space that feels lighter and more open than ever before.
Casanova website with full food and drink menu.
Stopwatch Bar and Grill: 1127 Makawao Ave
Stopwatch
Bar and Grill
Your classic dive bar, great for a burger and a beer
(assuming you’re 21 or older).
For that late-night bite that turns into a wild night out, check out Stopwatch Bar and Grill in Makawao. Right near the lively cross streets of Makawao and Baldwin Ave., this bar slowly gains volume as the night sky darkens. With karaoke nights, happy hour specials, sports nights, and impressively delicious bar food, we highly recommend stopping by this upcountry Maui restaurant.
Check out the Stopwatch website with menu and contact information.
Polli’s Mexican Restaurant: 1202 Makawao Ave
Polli’s Mexican Restaurant
If you’re just craving some fresh chips and
salsa after a hike at Haleakala, pop by Polli’s.
I love to come by Polli’s on a sunny afternoon for happy hour. After a margarita (or two) and a plate of piping hot nachos loaded high with toppings, I’m ready to take on the rest of the evening. They make their own chips at Polli’s, the only Mexican restaurant in Makawao, and they are worth the drive upcountry. This upcountry Maui restaurant definitely hits the spot if you’re craving beans, queso, corn, and a strong margarita.
Polli’s website with menu, hours, and beautiful photography.
Ohana Island Grindz: 3647 Baldwin Ave
New kid on the block, Ohana Island Grindz serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is Makawao’s only ice-cream shop. Serving panini’s, plate lunches, and arguably Upcountry’s best saimin, this new family owned and operated establishment is a great place to stop when you are hungry for a banana split or some local food. Open 6am-5pm, closed on Sundays.
Pizza Fresh: 1043 Makawao Ave (LOWER LEVEL)
Pizza Fresh
Craving a slice? This local stop hits the spot with slices, full pies, salads, sandwiches, and sweet treats.
If you want a simple slice of pizza or a surprisingly delicious vegetarian mushroom sandwich, stop at this little Makawao parking lot with a pizza place, a nail salon, an acupuncturist, and more in the cozy two floor complex that houses them all. The pizza is hot and delicious, the cookies are delectable, and the salads are hearty. Be sure to stop by for a slice if you’re looking for a meal in Makawao.
The Pizza Fresh website has a menu, phone number, and online ordering option.
Komoda Store and Bakery: 3674 Baldwin Ave
Komoda Store
and Bakery
This famous, family-owned bakery might be the oldest remaining artifact from the “good old days” of upcountry.
This long-running bakery somehow pumps out dozens upon dozens of insanely delicious, light and fluffy, creamy, sweet treats that delight young and old. The most popular item is probably the stick donuts – picture a handful of glazed donut holes shoved on a kebab stick, fried, and glazed for your devouring. It doesn’t disappoint. Also, get the butter rolls, guava malasadas, cream puffs…and one of everything else, just to try a bite. This kind of quality is hard to come by in baked goods these days, so stuff yourself and walk it off as you stroll through the quaint upcountry Maui town of Makawao.
Read the stellar reviews of Komoda Store and Bakery in Makawao right here.
Makawao Garden Café: 3669 Baldwin Ave
Makawao
Garden Café
Tucked in the alley next to Sherri Reeve Studio, is a quaint little lunch spot.
Your basic, run-of-the-mill sandwich-and-chips lunch place that hits the spot when you’re looking for a quick meal. With plenty of options (though not TOO many), it’s easy to pick out something that looks good, like the Snowcrab and Avocado sandwich served on focaccia or the curry chicken salad. Servings are enough to fill you up, but not get stuffed, which is perfect when you’re on the run. Enjoy the local wildlife, too—chickens are pretty much a guaranteed sighting. This little café is conveniently located by the Makawao public restroom for easy access!
Get more details about Makawao Garden Cafe, including a menu, at their website.
Freshies Maui: 3620 Baldwin Ave
Freshies Maui
A light, healthy, and locally
sourced breakfast and lunch place
with yummy options.
This hidden gem offers healthy and hearty meals for people looking for simple, delicious, and organic food. Located in lower Makawao behind the old Makawao Steak House by the glass blowing shop. This Makawao restaurant’s name (Freshies) is well-chosen since the food here is fresh, local, and delicious. From loaded omelets and huevo rancheros to French toast and hearty burgers, fish tacos, and delicious salads, Freshie’s has something to satisfy everyone in the family.
Check out the Freshies menu, hours, and contact info here.
Rodeo General Store: 3661 Baldwin Ave
Rodeo
General Store
More of a convenience store PLUS than a restaurant—with fresh, organic meals, local produce, drinks, coffee, and a deli.
Trying to rehydrate after a hike near Makawao? This spot is like a local 7-11 and small grocery, with plenty of coffee, coconut water, cold beer, a tasty deli with giant focaccia sandwiches and healthy salads.. A great spot to stock up on your way up to a hike or to stop by after to grab a cold one (or two). With super friendly staff (and not-as-friendly-prices), you’re bound to walk out with a smile on your face…and a lighter wallet.
MAUI FOOD TRUCKS: MAKAWAO
Pakamon Thai Food: 3654 Baldwin Ave
Pakamon
Farm Fresh
A simple Thai food truck ready to make
you a meal that will tickle your tastebuds.
The reviews for this Thai Maui food truck are mixed, but mostly positive. The pulled pork spring rolls come highly recommended, as well as a variety of curry and noodle dishes. Conveniently located on a gravel lot equipped with picnic tables, you have a place to eat and watch chickens as they circle your table, waiting for fallen scraps. A great place to stop for lunch on a gorgeous Maui day.
Pakamon doesn't have a website yet, but you can peep some Yelp reviews here.
Satori Sushi: 3655 Baldwin Ave
Satori Sushi
A somewhat new, delicious, unique, and fun Maui sushi food truck that has vegan and vegetarian options.
This delightful sushi food cart sits smack in the middle of Makawao in a gravel lot by the Rodeo General store. If you want a spicy tuna roll, you can get one, but it will have a but of lilikoi (passion fruit) on it for a tropical twist, like many of the rolls on this impressive menu. if you take advantage of the playful menu by Satori’s owner, your mouth will be dancing. With creative (fish, vegan, and vegetarian) rolls like “Roots on Fire” with jalapeño pickled beets, local radishes, and fried garlic, this Maui food truck stands out as one of the most unique places on Maui to get sushi. Be sure to try the torched scallops, too…holy delicious. Looking for something more hearty? Satori’s bowls are a great choice. Grab a meal and either head to nearby Eddie Tam park for a nice green background or head to Baldwin beach to catch some waves as you savor each Satori Sushi bite.
See Satori’s stunning sushi (and more) menu here.
Kama Hele CafÉ: 903 Haliimaile Rd
Kama Hele Café
One of the newest upcountry spots for
coffee, a tropical lemonade, shave ice, or a quick bite.
Located by the Haliimaile General Store, this is the newest Maui food truck to join in on the Makawao fun. Kama Hele focuses on liquid deliciousness from coffee to lemonade (that you can flavor with mango, strawberry, or passion fruit), to shave ice. If you need a little something else, the menu also lists a turkey sandwich that comes with some chips. And at just under $10, it may be the most inexpensive sandwich on Maui (well, besides Costco). With an already 5-star rating on Yelp, we’d say it’s worth a visit for lunch or an afternoon treat on a hot Maui day.
UPSCALE MAKAWAO RESTAURANT
Haliʻimaile General Store: 900 Haliimaile Rd
Haliʻimaile
General Store
This destination is known for upscale Hawaiian food in an elevated plantation-style restaurant.
If you’re looking to get all gussied up for a fancy night out, make sure you’re going to the CORRECT general store—you’ll be disappointed if you’re expecting a 4-star meal at the Rodeo General Store. This one (vs its convenience store counterpart) is a fancy restaurant run by the island-famous Bev Gannon, the owner of three delicious and classy local Maui restaurants. Be sure to try the famous crab dip, it’s a staple for a reason. Every drink, food item, and staff member will be nothing but top-notch at this upscale Maui restaurant.
Check the Haliʻimaile General Store website for menu and more.
We hope we’ve satisfied your cravings for upcountry Maui restaurants and that you found a way to visit some of these local favorites. If you’re looking at moving to Maui, be sure to ask Li Hay about real estate, restaurants, hikes, or what “Maui Living” is like.