Kimo's

Indulge your tropical fantasies at this Lahaina landmark. Ask for an oceanside table downstairs to the left, where the tide laps beneath the lanai seating and torches flicker across the water. Share a steamed artichoke with your date, then move onto a lobster-stuffed mahi or the thirty-two-ounce cut of prime rib. Kimo’s Mai Tai, served in a kitschy glass tiki, is arguably the best on the island—not too sweet and plenty strong.

The Banyan Tree Ritz Carlton

The Banyan Tree’s menu is an elegant tour de force, employing molecular gastronomy techniques that reveal the exultant essence of each flavor. Explore the lobster atop a carrot-orange risotto cake, or local kampachi, fragranced with lemongrass and served with a tantalizing mango “sphere.”

Wokstar

This new open-air café on the South Kihei strip is a godsend to both early risers and the late-night crowd. Local comfort foods include fried rice, saimin, and simple noodle dishes from around the Pacific: Thai curry, Indo peanut stir-fry, and teriyaki udon, served with your choice of protein. Relax to the upbeat lounge music, and watch the sun-tanned crowds pass by. You’ll be equally comfortable in your swimsuit or clubbing clothes at this new instant-favorite hangout, generously open until midnight. For now, it’s BYOB.

Hali‘imaile General Store

Beverly Gannon provides an elegant yet unpretentious lunch and dinner menu in a stylish refurbished plantation store setting, using only fresh island ingredients.