Where to Go for Breakfast in West Maui
I'm a person who loves to go out for breakfast, linger over my coffee and read. I favor places with good food, ambience and people watching, though all three are not necessary to become a favorite place of mine. Here are my recommendations:
Longhi's
Located in Lahaina Town at 888 Front Street, Lahaina, HI 96761. Phone: 808-667-2288. Website: http://www.longhi-maui.com
This classic, open-air restaurant has been serving residents and tourists since 1976. The building has balconies (lanais), shutters, ceiling fans and an uncompromising view of the ocean. It reminds me of an old plantation house built to capture the ocean breezes. Its location on Front Street in the heart of Lahaina makes it the perfect spot for people watching. Or if you prefer gazing out to sea, the sea wall kitty corner across the street affords an amazing view of Molokai.
Longhi's has long had a reputation for good food. While there, you can purchase a copy of their cookbook. The menu consists of classic brunch dishes (eggs, fruit, pancakes, omelettes, fritata, quiche) with the Longhi's special touch added. I highly recommend one of their Eggs Benedict variations: Traditional, Florentine, Sauteed Vegetable, Crab, Lobster. The portions are large; the bowl of fruit is a meal in itself.
Ratings: PRICES - High; FOOD - Excellent; AMBIENCE - Old Hawaiian Plantation House; PEOPLE WATCHING - Excellent; VIEW - Gorgeous
Lahaina Coolers
Located in Lahaina Town at 180 Dickenson Street, Lahaina, HI 96761. Phone: 808-661-7082. Website: http://www.lahainacoolers.com
Also located in a white, open air building complete with ceiling fans, Lahaina Coolers has a very different ambience than Longhi's as suggested by the surfboards and 995 pound marlin hanging from the ceiling. The patio has sun protection via a canvas triangle awning and a few trees. The restaurant has an aura of a locals hang out even though it does a brisk tourist trade. The abundance of locals makes for good people watching.
Coolers serves good, hearty fare with an emphasis on local favorites. Breakfast choices include omelettes, pancakes (banana, macadamia nut, fruit), french toast, corned beef hash, huevos rancheros, eggs benedict (classic, veggie and portuguese sausage), and fruit. My favorite dishes are the Local Benedict and the Fried Rice Plate.
Ratings: PRICES - Moderate; FOOD - Very good, hearty, large portions; AMBIENCE - Beach Bistro; PEOPLE WATCHING - surfers and locals frequent the restaurant; VIEW - none
The Gazebo Restaurant at Napili Shores
Located in Napili at 5315 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Lahaina, HI 96761. Phone: 808-669-8061.
There is no restaurant in all of Maui with better views than what you find at the Gazebo. This open-air cafe is located on a point next to the ocean and is all about the view and the food; the decor is romantic beach shack, plain and simple. This small restaurant is usually busy with a line waiting to get in (no reservations taken) so you rarely get to choose a table next to a window.
Any wait is well worth it once you taste the food. The Gazebo's specialty is pancakes: macadamia nut, banana, pineapple all with coconut or maple syrup. I've yet to find a place that does them better. They also offer good selection of omelettes, sausage, bacon, toast, potatoes, etc plus local fare such as Portugese sausage and rice. Breakfast is served from 7:30-2:00.
Though there is limited people watching at The Gazebo, the view is mesmerizing and the birds will keep you entertained as they flirt with you enticing you to give them a taste. Some are brazen enough to steal tidbits from your plate. Somehow they know enough not to bother those who will not welcome them; one shew with a hand will send them to a more sympathetic patron.
Ratings: PRICES - Very Reasonable; FOOD - Very good. Best Macadamia Nut pancakes I've ever tasted; AMBIENCE - Casually romantic (You are eating at the edge of the ocean); PEOPLE WATCHING - none; VIEW - Specatular, you are at the water's edge with the ocean and Molokai right before your eyes.
Soup Nutz /Java Jazz
Located in Honokowai at 3350 Lower Honoapiilani Road, Lahaina, HI 96761. Phone: 808-667-0787. Website: http://www.javajazz.net
The name Java Jazz reflects it's coffee house origins and the background music. It is a cross between a casbah and a Berkeley coffee house with a casual, bohemian style. Interesting collections decorate the walls and ceilings. The room is decorated with such items as an Indonesian wood sofa overflowing with pillows, waterfalls stocked with live fish, statues and carvings. Much of the art is the product of the owner. The cafe is frequented by the local residents and the young that tend to be a staple of Honokowai. The cafe's "cool" atmosphere fits its Honokowai location.
Java Jazz has the best coffee in West Maui, possibly all of Maui. The rest of the menu consists of eggs, omelettes, pancakes, bagels, and breakfast burritos. All are good. Breakfast is served all day.
Ratings: PRICES - Very Reasonable; FOOD - Good. Best coffee in West Maui; AMBIENCE - Bohemian casbah; PEOPLE WATCHING - none; VIEW - none (You don't need a view; you will be entranced by the decor.)
The Plantation House
Located in the Kapalua Resort at 2000 Plantation Club Drive, Lahaina, HI 96761 Phone: 808-669-6299 Website: http://www.theplantationhouse.com
The Plantation House is located high on the hill above the Kapalua Resort and its Plantation Golf Course. The restaurant has lovely down-island views of the valley below and the entire West Maui coastline. The decor reminds me of an old-fashioned, elegant plantation house with carved wood furniture. I tend to breakfast in the late morning and often find the restaurant deserted. That's fine with me as I have my pick of tables and can enjoy the view at my leisure.
The food at the Plantation House is fine dining on island cuisine yet the prices are quite reasonable. The menu offers several unique variations of eggs benedict (Mediterranean with roasted vegetables, Blackstone, Crab cake with roasted pepper hollandaise, salmon lox with capers, Cajun sashimi ahi with wasabi hollandaise), eggs and egg dishes, pancakes, fruit and breads. My favorite is the Molokai Sweet Bread French Toast. Breakfast is served from 8:00am until 3:00pm daily.
Ratings: PRICES - Moderate; FOOD - Excellent Island Cuisine. Several variations on Eggs Benedict; AMBIENCE - Elegant Plantation House; PEOPLE WATCHING - limited, mostly golfers; VIEW - of the entire valley and West Maui coastline
