Planning a trip to Maui on a budget? Scroll to find the best cheap Maui meals that taste amazing!
This list of cheap Maup food and restaurants on Maui on a budget contains affiliate links. So if you buy something through one of my affiliate links, I may receive a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
If you're looking for cheap restaurants in Maui for a more affordable Hawaii vacation, don't worry.
There are many inexpensive restaurants on Maui where you can find great food without breaking the bank.
This is your ultimate guide to finding the best cheap restaurants in Maui, plus some tips on finding the best grocery deals.
Whether you're on a tight budget or just want to save some money, here are the best restaurants in Maui on a budget!
Don't have time to read some Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top tips for visiting Maui on a budget.
- Glass bottom boat(this is cheaper than the submarine ride and still really cool)
- 90-minute whale watching tour(This is a short and affordable boat tour during the winter months)
- Molokini-Schnorcheltour(this is one of the cheapest snorkeling tours on Maui)
- Shaka Fahr-App(it's like an island tour (including Road to Hana) at a fraction of the price)
The best Maui budget hotels
- Aina Nalu Resort(This is in the heart of downtown Lahaina, within walking distance to shops and restaurants.)
- Maui-Strandhotel(this is in Kahului and easy to access all areas of the island)
- Paia condominium(amazing location on the North Shore right at the start of the Road to Hana)
Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Maui itinerary, complete with daily plans, fun activities, and travel tips? Click the button below.
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The best cheap restaurants in Maui
If you're traveling to Maui on a budget, here are the best cheap restaurants in Maui! Here you'll find some of the best affordable restaurants in Maui, along with other great cheap Maui restaurants that are both delicious and good for your budget.
1. L&L Hawaiianisches Barbecue
L&L Hawaiianisches Barbecueis one of the best cheap places to eatKihei Maui, but there are also many L&Ls all over the island! This restaurant specializes in Hawaiian-style grilled dishes.
Here you can snag succulent meat and delicious fish for a quick meal on the go. Prices are very reasonable, making it an excellent choice for those looking to stay on a budget.
2. Zippys
You can findZippysRestaurants throughout the island and it's another of the best inexpensive restaurants in Maui!
This chain restaurant is known for its lunch specials, which come with your choice of meat, two scoops of rice, and macaroni or green salad. You can also find soups, sandwiches, chili, and even traditional foods found on the mainland.
3. Food Country
food countryis another great option for grabbing a cheap meal during your trip to Maui. This grocery store offers a wide range of ready meals including bento boxes, sandwiches, salads and more.
The prices are very affordable and the quality of the food is excellent. Foodland is also known for having some of the best poke bowls, with a variety of choices so you can find your favorite type of poke. You can also grab a plain, hot musubi if you're not too hungry.
4. The kitchen
And the kitchenis a popular place for tourists and locals looking for affordable meals. This restaurant serves hearty portions of Hawaiian comfort food like kalua pork, loco moco and chicken long rice. The plate lunches are around $13-18 and will definitely fill you up!
You can find Da Kitchen in Kihei. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
5. Cool cat cafe
One of the best cheap places to eat in Lahaina, Maui is thisCool cat cafe. They have great burgers and all kinds of sandwiches ranging from $8 to $15. This place has a wide variety so everyone can find something they know they will like here!
The Cool Cat Cafe is open daily from 10:30am to 9:00pm, so you can enjoy any meal here throughout the day, depending on your plans.
6. Fork & Salad
Fork & Saladis a new restaurant that is quickly becoming a favorite among tourists looking to enjoy healthy, delicious food. They have a build-your-own salad concept where you can choose from over 50 different toppings - all for under $12! They also have cereal bowls, soups and sandwiches.
This restaurant is located in Kihei in the Pu'unene Shopping Center and is open daily from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.
7. Late Late Chicken
In Hana, you'll find Huli Huli Chicken, a popular Maui restaurant that offers delicious chicken dishes that cost either $15 or $18 each. It's by no means a fancy place, but it will probably be the best chicken you've ever had. Gordon Ramsey even ate here once!
You can buy this delicious chicken every day of the week from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
8. Joey's kitchen
Joey's kitchenis another popular Maui restaurant that offers a variety of dishes for lunch and dinner. Most of them range from $10-18. Try their kalua pork sandwich, loco moco, or Joey's famous garlic chicken. You can find this amazing cheap place to eatLahaina.
This affordable Maui eatery is open all day, every day of the week for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
9. Outrigger pizza
Another great place to eat cheaply in Kihei isOutrigger pizza. Here you can get delicious handmade pizza with a variety of flavors. Each pizza costs between $9 and $15 and they are amazing!
Outriggers Pizza is open every day except Sunday from 11am to 8:30pm. You can find this place in Kukui Mall.
10. Blechdach
At Tin Roof everything is under $20, most under $15! You can findBlechdachin Kahului, Maui.
You'll find incredible garlic shrimp, pork belly, and a flavorful chicken sandwich that will fill you up so you can enjoy other fun things to do in Maui on a budget!
11. Leodas Kitchen & Pie Shop
Another of the best places to eat cheaply in Maui is atLeodas Kitchen & Pie Shopin Lahaina.
Grab a delicious Reuben sandwich, blue cheese burger, cheesesteak, or other delicious sandwiches and salads. This is another place where everything is under $18. Be sure to try the chocolate Haupia cake; it's incredible!
12. Acevedos Hawaiian Coffee
If you're in the mood for cheap Mexican food, give it a tryAcevedos Hawaiian Coffee. Here you can get many great Mexican plates for $16 each. The plates are packed with food so you can probably share a plate for two!
13. Ramen Ya
If you fancy some ramen during your trip to Maui, stop byRamen Yain Kahului. While they have a huge selection of ramen, they also have delicious curries, fried rice dishes, and side dishes that make for a great meal. Everything here is under $14 and will give you plenty to eat!
14. 808 Grindz Cafe
If you want good Hawaiian food, you should stop by the808 Grindz Cafeon the north shore of Maui. There's a variety of Loco Mocos to experience, as well as a few other great choices. Locals love this place to eat and most platters are between $10 and $15.
The 808 Grindz Cafe is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. You can find it in the Foodland Shopping Center. This is the cheapest place for breakfast in Maui!
15th Thai Meeting
Thai meetingis a great place to eat cheaply in Maui. The food is delicious and the prices are very reasonable. This place has some great Thai dishes including curry, panang chicken and garlic prawns among others.
You can find Thai Mee Up in Kahului and is open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. If you want some Thai food during your trip to Maui, this is the best place for you!
16. Eat local
Eating Local is another great place to eat cheaply in Lahaina, Maui. Everything here is under $15 and is delicious local food that you will want to try. Try their daily specials to save even more money!
Enjoy chicken katsu, loco moco, teriyaki beef or their ribs. This restaurant is open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You can find Eating Local in the Lahaina Square mall.
17. Das Sunrise-Café
If you're looking for a cute little place to eat, give this a tryDas Sunrise-Caféin Lahaina. It's another great place to eat cheaply in Maui that's family-owned. The cafe offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.
All of their food is affordable and delicious, with many choices. As this is a small place to eat, it may take some time for your meal to be ready. So go here only if you don't need to rush somewhere quickly.
18. Tasty Crispy Restaurant
If you want to eat both local Hawaiian food and American comfort food, visit thisDelicious crispy restaurantin Wailuku. From fresh seafood to chicken, steaks and more, you can find almost anything here for under $12!
This is definitely a place to try at least once during your trip to Maui! The Tasty Crusty Restaurant is open every day except Monday from 6am to 8pm.
19. Farmers markets
There areMaui Farmers MarketsThere are some fairly cheap restaurants all over the island. The markets offer a wide variety of foods from around the world at very low prices, making them ideal for budget tourists.
Here you will find local fresh produce, seafood, meat, pasta and so many other great dishes! It's a great place to find some cheap souvenirs and good food while supporting small business owners and local Maui farms.
20. CJs Deli & Diner
CJs Deli & Dineroffers breakfast, lunch and dinner and is open every day of the week from 10:00 to 19:00. You'll find options ranging from $10 to $18 including BBQ Ribs, Fish Tacos, Kalua Pork, Mochiko Chicken and more!
Located in Lahaina, this cheap place to eat in Maui is a great option for those who want to stay on a budget and still eat delicious, fresh food.
21. Da Fischhütte
AtDa Fischhütte, located in Hana, you will find locally caught fish that is absolutely delicious. Grab a Cajun fish burger, grilled shrimp tacos, island mix grill, or the paniolo burger for a lunch plate you'll love!
Prices here range from $16 to $23. There are also specials every day so you can enjoy an affordable meal.
22. Paia Fish Market
Stop by to see some of the best fish on MauiPaia Fish Market. Almost everything on the menu is under $16 making it very budget friendly! Choose from a wide variety of plates for lunch and dinner including shrimp and fries, ahi burgers, fish tacos, sashimi and more!
At the Paia Fish Market you will find a wide variety of fish, from ahi to mahi mahi, salmon, opah, ono and snapper. There are three different Paia Fish Markets located throughout Maui, each open from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Frequently asked questions about the best restaurants in Maui on a budget
How can I eat cheaply on Maui?
One of the best ways to eat on a budget in Maui is to go where the locals eat. Usually these are the cheapest places, but they are also the best places! Skip the fancy restaurants and try these cheap Maui restaurants below.
How much does it cost to eat out in Maui?
The cost of eating out in Maui depends on where you eat. For fancier restaurants you can spend around $50+ per person. You can typically spend between $8 and $20 per person at cheap restaurants on Maui.
Tips for finding cheap restaurants on Maui
There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for cheap restaurants on Maui.
- Always check the menu for special offers and discounts first. Many restaurants offer cheaper lunch prices or early bird specials.
- Happy hour is also a great time to snag some cheap snacks and drinks!
- Try the keiki sized meal! Portions are often huge, so the kid-sized meal will fill you up, but also save you money!
- Don't be afraid to ask locals for recommendations. Locals always know where to find the best and cheapest food.
- Some of the smaller restaurants and food trucks only accept cash. Make sure you always have some cash on hand.
Cheap eats on Maui Wrap Up
If you're looking for the best cheap restaurants in Maui, each one will be delicious and budget-friendly. Remember, there are many other great restaurants on Maui that didn't make this list, so don't be afraid to explore!