SOUTH MAUI - Maui: Including Molokai and Lanai - page 329

Hawaiian Regional
Surrounded by boats in various stages of dry dock, Buzz's Wharf (Ma'alaea Harbor, 808/
244-5426, www.buzzswharf.com , 11am-9pm daily, $14-18 lunch, $18-46 dinner) is the
oldest restaurant in Ma'alaea. Don't let the outward appearance fool you. The atmosphere
inside is classy and the menu is laden with Pacific Rim classics. Start off with an appetizer
of Tahitian poisson cru, and either continue with the Tahitian theme or switch directions to
a wasabi crusted ahi steak or their signature shrimp scampi.
Coffee Shops
Although it dates back to 1910, the M Ma'alaea General Store and Café (132 Ma'alaea
Boat Harbor Rd., 808/242-8900, www.maalaeageneralstore.com , 6am-7pm daily, $6-10)
sat empty for years. Energetic new owners have breathed life into the old place. Pick up an
acai bowl or bagel melt for breakfast. Burgers and hot sandwiches are served until 3pm,
while cold deli sandwiches are available until 5pm. Nearly everything is made fresh on-
site.
KIHEI
Local Style
The only true local style plate lunch in Kihei is at M Da Kitchen (2439 S. Kihei Rd., 808/
875-7782, www.da-kitchen.com , 9am-9pm daily, $8-15), toward the back of the Rainbow
Mall in South Kihei. Although the restaurant itself isn't as large as its Kahului counterpart,
the portions are enormous, most large enough that you could split them and still walk away
full. This hole-in-the-wall, strip-mall special is one of the best deals in town. If you're
looking for a place where locals eat, this is it.
Mexican
For a proper Mexican meal, Kihei locals head to M Amigo's (1215 S. Kihei Rd., 808/
879-9952, www.amigosmaui.com , 8am-9pm daily, $8-12), in the Long's Shopping Center
in north-central Kihei. Like the locations in Lahaina and Kahului, Amigo's has a welcom-
ing and cold draft beer. The California burrito ordered “wet” combats even the strongest
hunger. The lively interior makes up for the mediocre view looking out onto South Kihei
Road.
Another authentic option is Taqueria Cruz (2395 S. Kihei Rd., 808/875-2910,
11am-8pm Mon.-Sat., $9-10), tucked in the back of South Kihei's Dolphin Plaza. It's re-
miniscent of a roadside taqueria on the back roads of Baja. Mexican music emanates from