Maui’s vibrant mobile eatery scene is a gastronomic revelation, offering a range of delectable options that won’t break the bank. With the high cost of dining out on the island, these movable feasts provide an affordable, yet scrumptious alternative. 

Our in-depth guide will navigate you through notable selections, along with pertinent details like operational hours and must-try dishes.

2023 Update on Maui’s Mobile Eateries

The recent pandemic had a significant impact on Maui’s culinary-on-wheels ventures, affecting their operations and even resulting in some closures. We’ve updated our guide to reflect these changes for the most accurate and current information.

Operational Hours and Locations

Published hours and locations may vary. To avoid disappointment, it’s advised to verify operational details ahead of your visit to ensure they haven’t changed.

Near Kahului Airport

Bypass the airport dining options! Located less than five minutes away is an extraordinary assemblage of mobile eateries. Initial appearances can be misleading—a large barren parking area adjacent to a Costco gas station. However, a shaded picnic zone is tucked away to the left, housing these culinary gems.

Weather-Resistant Dining

Unexpected rainstorms are no obstacle, thanks to covered eating spaces that ensure you remain dry while enjoying your meal. Occasionally, you may even find local chickens nearby, hoping for some table scraps!

Diverse Muai Food Trucks

1. Thai Mee Up

Hours: 10 am – 8 pm daily

Recommended Dishes: The pad Thai here has been lauded as life-changing. Other menu highlights include satay chicken, lemongrass fried poultry, and curry-infused fowl. Complement your meal with a refreshing Thai iced coffee.

2. Kiawe Wood Fire Grill (CLOSED)

Former Hours: 11 am – 4:30 pm weekdays

Popular Choices: Renowned for their uniquely crafted burgers, featuring Cajun spices, aioli sauce, and pepper jack cheese among other ingredients.

3. Iine Ramen (CLOSED)

Former Hours: Varying throughout the week

Signature Bowls: Known for their authentic, deeply flavored ramen featuring plump noodles, bamboo shoots, and bean sprouts.

4. Like Poke

Hours: Varies

Must-try: Poke is a cornerstone of Native Hawaiian cuisine, and this establishment offers several styles, along with other island favorites like furikaki curly fries.

5. Dino’s Gourmet On-The-Go

Hours: 10:30 am – 7 pm Mon-Sat

Menu Highlights: From gyros to loco moco (a native dish featuring a burger, egg, and greens), this locale offers a varied palate of flavors.

6. Kalei’s Lunchbox (CLOSED)

Former Hours: 8 am – 8 pm daily

Fan Favorites: Well-loved for its meat-centric offerings, the culinary set offered generous portions in lunch boxes complemented by rice and salad.

7. Mo Ono Hawaii

Hours: Varying

Notable for: If acai bowls are your weakness, this is the place to indulge. Customize your bowl with an array of exotic toppings.

8. Brekkie Bowls

Hours: Tuesdays at the Wailea Farmer’s Market

Breakfast Treats: Specializing in handcrafted acai bowls, patrons can customize their bowls with a choice of nutritious toppings.

Finding Brekkie Bowls:

Situated near Makena Crossfit in an industrial zone, locating Brekkie Bowls can be a little tricky. Input “Makena Crossfit” in your navigation system to find your way to this morning treat spot.

9. Guadalajara Tacos

Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Tue-Thu; 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fri-Sun; Closed on Mondays

Recommended Dishes: Tacos are the star attraction. However, this isn’t just another Mexican eatery in Maui.

The culinary offerings at Guadalajara Tacos will transport your taste buds straight to Mexico. All ingredients are freshly sourced, offering an exceptional flavor profile. Additionally, the restaurant serves horchata, a traditional Mexican drink made from rice milk and flavored with cinnamon and vanilla. If you’ve never experienced this sweet, chilled beverage, it’s an absolute must-try.

A curated range of salsas allows diners to adjust the spiciness to their liking, but the standout is the unique avocado sauce. Not only does the location offer mouthwatering meals, but it also supports a good cause. Situated adjacent to a charming chapel, all profits from the taco shop are generously donated to support this community place of worship.

10. Vietnamese Cuisine to Go

Status: Currently Closed. Previous Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Recommended Dishes: While it might seem unexpected to crave Vietnamese pho in a tropical paradise like Maui, this dish becomes particularly comforting on chilly, rain-soaked evenings.

With a heartwarming broth and rice noodles, pho serves as a Vietnamese comfort dish that can be customized with various meat options. Steak pho comes highly recommended. Operated by a hospitable family, the eatery also features delectable summer rolls that are not to be missed.

11. The Outrigger Pizza Company

Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Mon-Sat; Closed on Sundays

Recommended Dishes: Don’t miss the lilikoi pork pizza, an unconventional but delectable treat.

Initially, a pizza topped with a “drizzle of lilikoi,” or passion fruit, may raise eyebrows, but skepticism often turns to delight upon the first bite. Endorsed by its owner, Kevin Laut, the pizza has even received attention from the Food Network. Diners are strongly encouraged to savor their pizzas on-site to fully enjoy the culinary experience that only a wood-fired oven can offer.

12. Da Nani Pirates

Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Daily

Recommended Dishes: This dining locale is renowned for its seafood offerings, particularly fish and chips and fish tacos. The uniqueness here comes from the passion fruit-infused tartar sauce.

Those who enjoy Hawaiian BBQ will find the smoky Hawaiian BBQ pork sliders to be an exceptional alternative to seafood. Given the experience with the lilikoi pizza at Outrigger Pizza, it’s safe to say that the passion fruit tartar sauce is likely just as revelatory.

13. Earth Aloha Eats

Operating Hours: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wed-Mon; Closed on Tuesdays

Recommended Dishes: A haven for vegans, Earth Aloha Eats has been a local favorite since it started serving in 2019.

All their plant-based protein dishes are homemade, featuring “meat” alternatives made from scratch with Seitan. Popular vegan renditions of classic dishes include BBQ “pulled pork” and “Thai chicken” tacos. Their avocado toast is another highlight, adorned with sprouts, toasted sesame seeds, chili flakes, and a drizzle of citrus juice. Patrons also give high marks to their dessert offerings, which include sumptuous vegan ice cream and crème brûlée.

14. Kraken Coffee

Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sun-Fri; 6 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. Sat

Recommended Dishes: Coffee is the primary offering, but Kraken Coffee goes beyond the typical brew.

As you approach the venue, let the pulsating dance music guide you to this drive-through coffee haven. For those who prefer non-traditional coffee, Kraken Coffee offers nitro cold brew and kombucha as well. What sets this coffee spot apart is its unique blend, designed to be gentle on the stomach without compromising on rich flavor.

15. Ohana Burger

Status: Currently Closed. Previous Operating Hours: Not Available

Recommended Dishes: The burgers here are an absolute must-try, served on a brioche bun.

Guests have the liberty to select from the Papa, Mama, or Baby burger sizes, based on their appetite, and customize their burger with a variety of toppings like eggs, bacon, or avocado. A dining experience at Ohana Burger wouldn’t be complete without indulging in one of their creamy milkshakes. What makes this spot even more special is the welcoming atmosphere, highlighted by their amiable staff.

16. TaquerEATa

Hours: Open every day from 8 am to 3 pm

What to Order:

• Migas Tacos: A sumptuous breakfast delight featuring scrambled eggs mingled with fragments of corn tortillas, a medley of vegetables like tomatoes and onions, and accented with jalapeno peppers, all topped off with cheddar cheese;
• Three-Alarm Tacos: For those who love their morning meals with a kick, this variant features scrambled eggs, pickled jalapenos, potatoes, and a smoldering chipotle sauce.

Additional Information:

• Six different kinds of salsa to complement your meal;
• An option to customize your taco according to your preference;
• The establishment prides itself on offering an authentic Mexican breakfast experience

17. Kusina Ni Jayboy

Hours: Operates from 11 am to 7 pm daily, closed on Saturdays. Cash transactions only.

What to Order:

• Filipino Cuisine: This culinary haven specializes in mouth-watering Filipino dishes. From its grilled pork belly to its tantalizing seafood recipes, it offers a gastronomic journey through the Filipino archipelago.

Additional Information:

• Prepare cash as credit cards are not accepted;
• Freshly cooked meals may require some wait time but are lauded for their generous portions and unbeatable flavors.

Maui Mobile Eateries on the Road to Hana

For those traversing the scenic Road to Hana, several mobile eateries provide nourishment for the journey, located near the private tropical oasis known as the Maui Garden of Eden. This garden might not rival the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden but still offers an enchanting experience, complete with fanning peacocks in the parking lot.

18. The Food Truck

Hours: Open daily from 9 am to 4 pm (currently closed)

What to Order:

• Taro Chips and Banana Bread: Immerse yourself in island flavors with freshly made taro chips and banana bread, both of which are heated in coconut oil for that extra tropical touch.

Additional Information:

• Conveniently situated near the Maui Garden of Eden, thus accessible for those skipping the garden visit.

19. Coconut Cafe

Hours: Operates from 8:30 am to 4 pm daily (currently closed)

What to Order:

• Smoothies: A delightful array of tropical smoothies featuring pineapple, banana, coconut, and lime are the highlight here.

Additional Information:

• Acai bowls and a variety of local fish dishes are also available;
• If you’re not visiting the garden, you can still stop by for a refreshment before resuming your journey.

20. Aloha BBQ Grill

Hours: Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

What to Order:

• Hawaiian BBQ Special: A local favorite that features succulent grilled meats basted in an authentic Hawaiian BBQ sauce, served with a side of pineapple coleslaw.

Additional Information:

• This eatery has garnered local admiration for its fusion of traditional Hawaiian flavors with barbecue cooking techniques.

Other Engaging Outdoor Activities in Maui

Apart from its culinary adventures and luaus, Maui is a haven for those keen on enjoying the great outdoors. Those who find themselves in Maui during the winter months should take advantage of the humpback whale-watching season that kicks off in mid-December. Opt for an eco-raft tour for a more intimate experience of observing these majestic marine mammals.

• Humpback Whale Watching: A myriad of tours are available, but eco-raft options provide a closer, more personal encounter.
• Snorkeling at Molokini Crater: Located just offshore, this partially submerged volcanic crater is home to some of the clearest waters for snorkeling. Smaller catamaran tours are recommended for a less crowded experience.
• The Road to Hana: This scenic drive is an adventure in itself. Either drive yourself or take one of the numerous guided tours available. The route offers numerous opportunities for stopping at waterfalls and enjoying breathtaking coastlines.
• Haleakala National Park: A trip to this national park is often made for the sunrise view from its summit. Due to its popularity, early morning visits now require a reservation.

Maui’s Hidden Culinary Gems: Off-the-Beaten-Path Food Experiences

While Maui is replete with popular dining establishments and mobile culinary ventures, the island also harbors some lesser-known but equally delightful food experiences that are off the beaten path. These venues may not have the grandeur of a fine dining establishment or the recognition of top-tier eateries, but they bring their unique flavors and atmospheres that encapsulate Maui’s local charm.

• Farm-to-Table Dining: A number of secluded farms offer intimate, reservation-only dining experiences. Imagine enjoying a sumptuous, locally sourced meal while surrounded by lush fields and picturesque hills.
• Island Specialty Markets: Skip the mainstream grocery stores and head to local markets where you can find an array of island delicacies. From freshly caught fish to home-grown taro, these markets offer ingredients that allow you to prepare a meal as authentic as any local eatery.
• Artisanal Bakeries: Nestled in small towns around the island, these bakeries offer tropical takes on classic pastries. Try the lilikoi-filled croissants or coconut mochi for an unexpected flavor burst.
• Seaside Cafés: Often overlooked, some of the island’s tiny cafes offer unparalleled ocean views along with their simple yet delectable menu items. Sipping a cup of Maui-grown coffee while watching surfers ride the waves can be as fulfilling as any high-end meal.
• Pop-up Culinary Events: Keep an eye on local bulletin boards or social media platforms for announcements about pop-up dinners or culinary events featuring local or visiting chefs. These events are a unique way to experience cutting-edge island cuisine.

By diversifying your culinary experiences, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Maui’s food scene, one that goes beyond the well-advertised restaurants and eateries. These hidden gems offer a unique take on island flavors and showcase the diversity and creativity that make Maui’s culinary landscape so rich and rewarding.

Conclusion

Maui serves as a captivating blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and vibrant culinary scenes. Whether you’re yearning for a culturally rich luau experience at Old Lahaina, aiming to come face-to-face with humpback whales, or are eager to explore the scenic landscapes via the Road to Hana, the island has something for every traveler. 

Additionally, the destination offers a variety of overlooked culinary experiences that invite guests to deepen their understanding of local flavors and cooking techniques. Remember, some of the most popular activities require advance booking due to their high demand. So plan carefully and immerse yourself fully to experience the multifaceted wonders that Maui has to offer.

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