The best bars, beer gardens and restaurants to try on your next trip to Maui

Photo courtesy of Dana Rebmann

With three miles of soft, white sand and brilliant blue water, it’s easy to understand what draws visitors to Kaanapali Beach Resort. Everything you need is at your fingertips on this stretch of Maui’s west shore – from posh accommodations and outdoor activities to shopping and delicious dining.

A long list of new eateries are serving up everything from Hawaiian specialties to mouthwatering burgers, so when you come, be sure to pack your appetite.

Photo courtesy of Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

Sip with a view of the surf

Kaanapali’s one and only lobby bar, The Sandbar at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa boasts oceanfront views and what could be the best seat in town to watch the nightly cliff dive ceremony at Puu Kekaa or Black Rock.

Along with beer and wine, choose from a selection of festive craft cocktails with fun names such as Swirling Turbulence (La Marca Prosecco, Valley Isle kombucha, peach bursting pearls and mango puree) and Rip Current (Tanteo Jalapeno Tequila, Cointreau, strawberry and papaya puree, lime juice and cilantro with a sea salt rim). Live nightly entertainment makes it easy to linger longer.

Photo courtesy of Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

Pupus with a view

By definition, pupus are appetizers or snacks, but the pupu selections at The Sandbar mix easily to create a delicious meal. I'a Ekolu (or fish three ways) includes poisson cru, ahi poke and mahi ceviche, served with taro and sweet potato chips.

Not in the mood for fish? How about huli huli chicken, beef tenderloin sliders or pepperoni flatbread. The Sandbar’s casual lobby setting also makes it an attractive option for traveling families.

Photo courtesy of Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

Breakfast by the beach

Along with more than a dozen ways to get that morning caffeine fix, The Sandbar's breakfast menu offers quick and tasty breakfast bites such as grilled Brie cheese with bacon, apple and egg on a Brioche bun; a ham, egg and cheese croissant; or fresh fruit.

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, try a lilikoi (passionfruit) caramel cinnamon roll or toasted coconut ube (purple sweet potato) scone.

Photo courtesy of Da Nani Pirates

Fresh food truck eats

Da Nani Pirates food truck is one of two new eateries at beachside mall, Whalers Village. Founded as a single food truck in 2007, its menu includes a range of tasty options along the lines of seared ahi tacos, wraps, salads, sandwiches and burgers. In addition to Whalers Village, Da Nani Pirates have food trucks in Kahului and Kihei.

Photo courtesy of Maui Poke

Build your own poke bowl

Newcomer Maui Poke has gained a following since opening at Whalers Village, thanks in part to its create-your-own poke bowl option. Bases like rice, quinoa and even zucchini noodles can be topped with everything from ahi and smoked salmon to lemon honey shrimp. The menu also includes salads, tempura and musubi.

Maui Poke even features close to a dozen flavors of bubble tea. Think flavors like Maui pineapple, fresh passionfruit, Maui mango, and Kula honey dew melon.

Photo courtesy of The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali

Bites to pick up and share

Mahele Market & Eatery is one of a handful of new dining options at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali, following a $130 million property renovation.

"Mahele" means divided but shared in Hawaiian, and with all the options available at the market, sharing is the best way to taste a little bit of everything. Along with a smoothie and juice bar, there are acai bowls, poke and breakfast bowls. You’ll also find pizza, salads and sandwiches along with muffins, cake and pie.

Photo courtesy of The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali

Lunch with a view

Located steps from the adults-only pool deck at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali, the stellar ocean and pool views might make it hard to concentrate on the menu at Hale ʻĀ. Meaning "House of Sparkle" in Hawaiian, the pool bar mixes nearly a dozen signature cocktails along with pouring beer and wine.

Choose from menu options like a seared ahi banh mi, kalua pork tacos, and sweet and hot chicken wings with guava buffalo sauce while you soak in the views.

Photo courtesy of The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali

Dinner around a fire

Hale Moʻolelo is a relaxed, beachfront bar at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali. Enjoy oceanfront views or sit by a fire pit after the sun sets while dining on the likes of kalbi Korean short ribs, vegetable yakisoba noodles and filet mignon. There’s live music nightly from 5 pm to 9 pm. Hale Moʻolelo does not take reservations.

Photo courtesy of Dana Rebmann

Freshly baked beauties

You know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why skimp on vacation? The pastry chef at waicoco bakes muffins, breads and other tasty treats every day. And they’re almost too pretty to eat. Set oceanfront at The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali, main dish selections include eggs Benedict, Kiawe smoked shakshuka and Hawaiian lemon pancakes.

Photo courtesy of The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaanapali

Satisfy your seafood craving

Come dinnertime, the menu at waicoco offers seafood lovers a plethora of selections. From poached Kauai prawn cocktails and Kusshi oysters to a pair of seafood towers, be sure to come hungry. Land lovers won’t feel neglected with options like smoked volcano spiced chicken and yellow curry cauliflower to choose from.

Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa

Maui brews meet Maui views

The recently renovated Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa is celebrating summer with a pop-up beer garden. The Halona Kai Beer Garden serves craft beer and seltzers from Maui Brewing Co., along with burgers, hot dogs, pizza, Asian noodle salad and more. Maui Brewing Co. craft beer and seltzers are brewed in Maui.

The beer garden is open select nights through September.

Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa

Local brews are a great introduction to the island

The name for the Halona Kai Beer Garden comes from the Hawaiian words "halona," meaning a place from which to peer or lookout, and "kai," which means sea. Fun for the whole family, there’s lawn games, and Island Root Beer by Maui Brewing Co., brewed with sugar cane, local honey and Hawaiian vanilla.

The beer garden pops up just steps outside the open-air lobby of the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa.

Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa

Luau from your lanai

Guests at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa can now watch the Drums of the Pacific Lu’au from the glass lanais in their rooms. Along with the award-winning performance, guests can indulge in a traditional Hawaiian dinner with options including huli huli chicken, kalua Pork or Pacific ahi poke.

To complete the experience, cocktails and Hawaiian leis are also delivered to guestrooms.

Photo courtesy of Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa

Luau feast

Visitors can also attend the Drums of the Pacific Lu’au and be seated on the Sunset Terrace surrounding the stage. A three-course dinner is plated and served at private tables. Said to be the longest-running show on the islands, the luau has entertained more than two million people since 1980.

Photo courtesy of Kaanapali Beach Hotel

Hawaiian classics with a twist

Huihui is one of two new dining spots at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, following a $75 million property renovation. Meaning "star constellation" or "to join or mix," the oceanfront dining space offers a flavorful twist on many Hawaiian dishes, including Molokai venison poke, luhe‘ e chopped salad (pictured) and poke holokai. Making brilliant use of its beachside space, the area below the spacious restaurant is used to store the hotel’s outrigger canoes.

Welowelo – the property's new poolside eatery – serves classic fare like pizzas, sandwiches and burgers along with some Hawaiian favorites.