Maui Airport Food: Best Places To Eat

what to eat in maui airport

Maui Airport, also known as Kahului Airport, has a few options for hungry travellers. The airport's central food court is home to Sammy's, the airport's only full-service restaurant, which has a full menu, waiters and a bar. The Old Plantation Store, California Pizza Kitchen and Burger King are also located in the food court. For those looking for a quick bite, there are several fast-food chains nearby, including McDonald's, Taco Bell, Wendy's, and Starbucks. If you're willing to venture a little further, Paia is just a 10-15 minute drive away and offers a range of tasty and affordable food options, including the Paia Fish Market and Flatbread Pizza Company.

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Maui Airport's central food court

Maui Airport (OGG) in Kahului offers a variety of dining options for travellers. The central food court, located on the second floor, is home to several restaurants, including the full-service Sammy's, owned by and named after singer Sammy Hagar of Van Halen. Sammy's is the only sit-down restaurant in the airport, offering a full menu, wait service, and a bar.

For those seeking a quick bite, national chain fast-food restaurants are also available in the food court, such as Burger King and California Pizza Kitchen (CPK). These counter-service options provide convenient choices for travellers on the go.

Outside the airport, a short drive down Dairy Road leads to additional dining choices. Denny's, McDonald's, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, and another Burger King can be found in the Maui Mall Marketplace. These familiar chains offer late-night dining options for travellers arriving at unconventional hours.

For those willing to venture a little further, the town of Paia, just a 10- to 15-minute drive from the airport, boasts a vibrant and affordable food scene. Highlights include the Paia Fish Market for delicious fish burgers, Flatbread Pizza Company for thin-crust pizzas, and Cafe Mambo for its famous crispy duck.

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Local food in Paia

Paia, a short drive from Kahului Airport, is known for its tasty and affordable food scene. Here are some of the best local spots to check out:

Paia Fish Market is a bustling seafood spot located on the corner of Hana Highway and Baldwin Avenue. This casual eatery offers communal bench seating and a variety of fresh fish options, including ono, ahi, snapper, opah, and mahi-mahi. The fish burgers are a must-try, and the line to order is worth the wait.

Milagros Food Company, located across the street from Paia Fish Market, serves Southwest-inspired dishes like fish tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, and quesadillas. It's a great spot for people-watching and offers a daily happy hour from 3pm to 6pm.

Vana is a sushi bar known for its fresh fish and handcrafted cocktails. Indulge in classic Japanese dishes like sushi rolls, nigiri, and sashimi.

Cafe Mambo, located on Baldwin Avenue, offers a variety of dishes, including crispy duck.

Moana Bakery & Cafe is praised for its great service, delicious food, and casual atmosphere. They offer a wide range of options, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, pastries, and even sushi and Indian cuisine.

Mana Foods is a great spot to pick up local produce and groceries. They also have a selection of fresh wraps, sandwiches, meats, pastries, and a salad and hot food bar.

For dessert, Ono Gelato offers a variety of fresh, locally made gelatos and sorbets, with options ranging from fruity to chocolatey flavors.

Lastly, Anthony's Coffee Co. is a local favorite for coffee, tea, and baked goods. It's a perfect spot to start your morning or recharge in the afternoon.

These restaurants offer a range of culinary delights, from fresh seafood to international cuisine, all within a short distance of the Maui Airport.

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Fast-food chains

Maui's Kahului Airport offers a variety of dining options, with hours of operation based on flight schedules. If you're looking for fast-food chains, there are several options located near the airport. Here are some popular choices:

Maui Mall Marketplace

The Maui Mall Marketplace is home to several fast-food chains, including Starbucks, Jamba Juice, and Burger King. These chains typically remain open late at night, making them convenient options for travellers arriving at odd hours.

Denny's and McDonald's

If you turn right after exiting the airport and then left into the back parking lot, you'll find a Denny's. Alternatively, if you cross through the Alamaha intersection, you'll spot a McDonald's on your left.

Ba-Le

Located near the airport at the Maui Marketplace, Ba-Le is perfect for those who crave a quick pho fix or delicious banh mi sandwiches. They also offer vegetable dishes and are a popular choice for travellers looking to grab a bite before their flight.

Pearl's Korean BBQ

With two locations in Kahului, Pearl's Korean BBQ is known for its generous portions and mouth-watering kalbi ribs. While it may be a bit slower than your typical fast-food joint, the wait is worth it for their delicious food and sides like potato salad, crisp corn, and kimchee.

Maui Tacos

With five locations across Maui, Maui Tacos takes pride in its salsa bar, featuring six different types of salsa. They serve Mexican-inspired dishes like fish tacos, big fish burritos, grilled prawn tacos, and traditional options such as soft and hard tacos, nachos, chimichangas, burritos, and quesadillas. They also have a large vegetarian selection.

Sprout Vegan Cafe

Located in the Wailea Gateway Center, Sprout Vegan Cafe offers a unique take on fast food with healthy, delicious, and fresh options. Their menu includes burgers, sandwiches, wraps, burritos, bowls, sushi, smoothies, juices, and sweets.

In addition to these options, Maui also has standard fast-food chains like Taco Bell, Wendy's, and more, ensuring that you have a variety of choices to satisfy your hunger during your time at Kahului Airport.

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Top Chef's Sheldon Simeon's Tin Roof

Top Chef finalist and fan favourite, Chef Sheldon Simeon, is the proud owner of Tin Roof, a lunch spot located less than five minutes from Maui Airport. Chef Sheldon, who was born and raised in Hilo on Hawaii's Big Island, met his wife, Janice, at Disney, and the pair now co-own the restaurant.

Tin Roof serves local Hawai'ian dishes with a twist, crafted with ingredients sourced from local farmers, fishermen, ranchers, artisans, and purveyors. The menu features uncomplicated, flavour-forward recipes that showcase the many cultures that have influenced Hawai'ian cuisine. Native Hawaiian traditions, Japanese influences, Chinese cooking techniques, and dynamic Korean, Portuguese, and Filipino flavours come together to create mouthwatering dishes.

Some of the dishes you can expect to find at Tin Roof include wok-fried poke, pork dumplings made with biscuit dough, crispy cauliflower katsu, and charred huli-huli chicken with a sweet-savory butter glaze. The mochiko chicken is also a popular choice, along with the garlic shrimp kau kau tin and pork belly kau kau tin. Nearly everything on the menu is served carry-out style, making it perfect for a quick bite before or after your flight.

Tin Roof is a great option for those seeking an elevated version of Hawai'i's cultural grab-and-go eats. It offers reasonably priced, delicious food that you can enjoy on the beach, in your car, or at your accommodation. With its proximity to the airport, Tin Roof is an excellent choice for a tasty meal on the go.

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Maui Airport's full-service restaurant

Maui's Kahului Airport (OGG) has a variety of dining options, but only one full-service restaurant: Sammy's. Named after its owner, rock legend and former Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar, Sammy's is a sit-down grill with a full bar and wait staff. It shares an open space with more casual eateries like Burger King and California Pizza Kitchen.

Sammy's offers a full menu of local and fresh food, including grilled chicken, pico de gallo, and salad. The restaurant is located in the central food court on the second floor, inside security, where all the hallways meet, connecting the departure and arrival gates.

While Sammy's is the only full-service restaurant inside the airport, there are several other dining options nearby. For those looking for a quick bite, fast-food chains like McDonald's, Taco Bell, Wendy's, and Burger King are located on Dairy Road, which is one of the main roads in Kahului. Denny's, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, and Krispy Kreme are also in the area, though their hours may vary.

For those willing to venture a little further, the town of Paia is just a 10-15 minute drive from the airport and offers a variety of tasty and inexpensive dining options. Flatbread Pizza Company, Cafe Mambo, and Paia Fish Market are all recommended for their delicious food and late opening hours.

For those looking for a unique, local experience, Tin Roof, a lunch joint by Top Chef finalist Sheldon Simeon, is located just 5 minutes from the airport. Serving up local food with signature twists, Tin Roof is a favourite among foodies in the area.

So whether you're looking for a full-service restaurant inside the airport or something a little different, Maui's Kahului Airport and its surrounding area have plenty of dining options to choose from.

Frequently asked questions

There are a variety of dining options near Maui Airport, including Denny's, McDonald's, Starbucks, Jamba Juice, and Burger King. If you're looking for local food, try Paia Fish Market, Flatbread Pizza Company, or Cafe Mambo in Paia, a town just 10-15 minutes away from the airport.

Yes, there are a few restaurants inside the Maui Airport in Kahului (OGG). The central food court on the second floor houses national chain fast-food restaurants like Burger King and California Pizza Kitchen, as well as the full-service restaurant Sammy's.

Sammy's is a full-service sit-down grill with a full bar, named after the rock legend Sammy Hagar. The menu includes items like a giant beach salad with mixed greens, jicama, sliced hard-boiled eggs, fresh pico de gallo, corn salsa, avocado, and lime wedges.

Yes, if you're a fan of poke, there are several places within 10 minutes of the airport where you can pick up a pound of poke, including the Like Poke? food truck, Foodland, Poi by the Pound, and Tamura's. There's also a food truck roundup near Costco that offers a variety of cuisines, including poke, garlic shrimp, Thai food, tacos, barbecue, and local foods.

Yes, if you're looking for a quick bite, Tin Roof, located just five minutes from the airport, serves local food with signature twists by Top Chef finalist Sheldon Simeon. Most items on the menu are priced under $10 and are carry-out, making it perfect for eating at the airport or on the plane.

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