Everything We Ate in Hawaii 🌺
and what we did in between
Last summer, I went on a girls trip with my mom and sister to Maui, Hawaii. We had such a great time that we decided to go back—this time with the whole family—just last week!
This was our first real vacation without Baby Joshy. It was still a lot of fun, but definitely bittersweet—we missed him so much and kept wishing he could’ve been there. I know he would’ve loved it.
Last year, I was actually pregnant with him, but I didn’t find out until the day after we got back. It was surreal being in some of the exact same places this year, thinking about how, last year, he was right there with me—and I didn’t even know it.
Still, it was special being in Maui with my family—a last hurrah before Josh starts medical school next week!
I shared a lot of what we ate and did on Instagram, and got tons of questions about where we stayed, what we ate, and what we’d recommend. You can find lots of pictures of what we did and pictures of our food in my Instagram highlight bubble called “Hawaii!”
In the meantime, here’s the full recap!
Where We Stayed
Both times we've been to Maui, we’ve stayed in or around Lahaina.
Last year, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency Resort. This time, we rented a house at Kapalua Bay Villas. Both were incredible, each with their own pros and cons, but ultimately we all preferred the house. That said, you're in Hawaii—so wherever you stay, you really can’t go wrong. It just depends on your preferences!
What I loved about the Hyatt: it had a gym, and it was super close to our favorite restaurants. But it was definitely more crowded, and we didn’t get to see the beach quite as often. The Kapalua Bay Villas, on the other hand, were much quieter. Every villa had stunning ocean views, and there was a beautiful coastal trail and boardwalk right outside. You could even walk out to the cliffs, which made morning walks absolutely breathtaking as the sun rose over the water.
The villas were about a 5–10 minute walk from Kapalua Bay, which is a secluded area right outside the Montage. It had nice and calm waters—perfect for paddle boarding, snorkeling, fishing, or just relaxing on the beach. You could go on similar walks at the hotel, but it felt so much more peaceful and relaxing at the house.
What We Ate
Almost all of our family trips revolve around food—because let’s be honest, good food really does make or break a trip! Now, on to one of the best parts (and best meals) of our vacation!
Breakfast
Last year, we went to Duke’s Beach House almost every morning—it’s that good. The standout for me was the Farmer’s Breakfast with Portuguese Sausage—a poached egg dish I still dream about. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever had.
We also loved The Gazebo Restaurant—a charming little spot that’s popular for a reason! My mom and sister shared the fried rice and macadamia nut pancakes, which are a must-try in Hawaii. According to them, these were the best. I had an omelet with a side of ham and tomatoes—simple, but so tasty.
This time around, we did something different though: we stocked up at Safeway and a local market to make our own breakfasts. One of my favorite things about staying in a house was having a full kitchen. It meant I could eat a higher protein breakfasts and everyone had snacks to eat in between meals. A win-win!
P.S. whatever you do, please please please go get a fresh pineapple! I’ve never had something so sweet, crisp, and juicy. You’ll thank me later!
Lunch & Dinner
Duke’s
We’d only been for breakfast before, but this time we tried lunch—and it did not disappoint. The Macadamia Nut Hummus appetizer was unreal. I got the Duke’s Style Lunch Plate every time and it was honestly one of the best pieces of fish I’ve ever had. I’m already planning on recreating it at home.
Josh loved the fish tacos, my brother couldn’t stop talking about the fish sandwich, and my dad raved about the Kalua Pork Nachos. Make sure you watch out for the birds—one of them tried to steal my rice!
If you have room for dessert, get the Hula Pie—a giant mountain of ice cream on a cookie crust, covered in fudge, whipped cream, and macadamia nuts. Everyone loved it!
For dinner, I recommend the Farm to Fork Chicken—it’s the only dinner dish I tried, but it was amazing. And no matter when you go, make a reservation ahead of time. They book up weeks in advance. If you don’t have one, try showing up right when the next meal service starts—they might be able to seat you quickly (I overheard this from the hostess!).
Joey’s Kitchen
Hands down, the best food we had on this trip. Guy Fieri even went here—so you know it’s good.
We went three times and I ordered the Braised Beef Short Ribs every single time. Crispy, tender, juicy—served in a ginger soy sauce with veggies. It was so good, I kept saying, “My life is better because I ate this!” 😂 Can you tell I like food?! I need to learn how to make it at home!
My mom and brother loved the pork fried rice, and the Teriyaki Beef special was a hit with everyone. Even the pulled pork I tasted was delicious. It’s casual, easy, and perfect for dine-in or takeout.
Hula Grill
I tried this place for takeout last year and honestly wasn’t very impressed. It’s always busy, so maybe I just ordered the wrong thing? It was fine, just not great.
Monkeypod
Okay, I’m not totally sure how to write about this one because everyone had a different experience with the food.
Both times I’ve been, I ordered the Ahi Steak—and it’s amazing. Perfectly seared fresh tuna served over a savory onion soy sauce with jalapeño mashed potatoes? And yes, order the jalapeño mashed potatoes! I was hesitant too—but what’s not to love?! It was the perfect balance of sweet and a little bit of spice—absolutely delicious.
I’ve only had a few Ahi Steaks before, but this one easily ranks in my top two (the other being from Leilani’s). My husband and dad tried both of them too, and they agreed. And they’ve had a lot more tuna than I have! I’ve definitely been spoiled with good fish.
Last summer, my mom and sister shared the fish and chips and some Korean tacos, and they loved them! But this time around, things were a little different. While I still loved my tuna (it tasted just as good as the first time), the rest of the table wasn’t super impressed with their meals.
We also couldn’t figure out whether they take reservations. Their website doesn’t give much info, but we walked in both times and were seated right away—so that was a plus! If you’re looking for good Tuna, I’d say it’s worth it, otherwise, I’d skip this restaurant.
Leilani’s on the Beach
A nicer spot that’s incredible! Everyone couldn’t stop talking about their food. We started with the crab cakes, and they were incredible—pure crab, no filler. If you go, the crab cakes are a must! I asked for mine to be fried in EVOO and they were super accommodating.
Last year, I got a fish and veggie dish that was delicious and I was going to get it again, but the Tuna caught my eye. It was amazing! It was Sashimi grade Tuna. I had no idea what that meant haha, but I’m a huge fan of tuna and couldn’t resist! It was incredibly tender and came with the most delicious soy butter with mushrooms. I replaced the rice with extra veggies—and wow! So so good.
Highly recommend!
Acai Bowls
And you can’t go to Hawaii without getting get an acai bowl!
A’a Roots
I’ve been here several times and love their bowls. Not too sweet, all organic, and they even have one with extra protein. The toppings-to-base ratio is perfect, and they always make them cute—but more importantly, every bite is delicious. My go-to topping is always peanut butter!
Baya Bowls
Also a great option, especially if you want to grab a bowl and sit by the beach. The base was a little thinner and sweeter than I prefer, and the toppings weren’t as generous as A’a Roots—but it was still good.
What We Did
It can feel overwhelming trying to decide what to do in Hawaii—there are so many fun options and activities!
On both trips, we dedicated a full day to the Road to Hana—and if you're visiting Maui, it's an absolute must. Just be sure to start early, pack plenty of snacks, and book a reservation for Black Sand Beach ahead of time.
If you go, look out for a little stand called East Maui Chocolate. The guy working there is so cool and let’s you sample all the chocolate he makes. The cacao nibs were amazing and the dark chocolate was so rich and smooth. My favorite was his roasted whole cacao beans. I've never seen or tasted anything like it and want to find them on the mainland!
Aside from that, both trips were really relaxed and low-key. We spent a lot of time just hanging out at the beach, snorkeling, paddle boarding, fishing, and exploring the island. We’re a pretty easygoing family and tend to play things by ear. We love good food, so finding the best local restaurants was always a priority—but honestly, our favorite part was just being together with beautiful views.
Stay tuned for my monthly update on the month of June (coming next week!).
Until then—Happy 4th of July weekend! I love you all.