Two restaurants not to miss while in Kihei are the Kihei Cafe and Da Kitchen. Look for the colorful Kihei Cafe on South Kihei Road. Wherever you are staying in Kihei- someone can direct you to the Kihei Cafe. Sitting is outside but also limited so get there early! Kihei Cafe mainly serves breakfast and lunches- but it is the breakfasts that are super! Two dishes that should not be overlooked are the Kihei Cafe Fried Rice and the Loco Moco. Both are addicting! There are markets located next to Kihei cafe and are a must to explore later in the day. Try the Local Boy snack shop for the best shave ice on Maui. Skip the ordinary flavors and try the pineapple, mango, papaya and kiwi flavors!

Da Kitchen serves up local food and lots of it for the price. It is somewhat hidden in a strip mall at 2439 South Kihei Road. Look for the coffee/Shave Ice shack in the parking lot near the drive way where Da Kitchen is located. If you are looking for fast, affordable local food then Da Kitchen is a must for you.

If you've had your fill of plate lunch and shave ice, Peggy Sue's at 1279 S. Kihei Road (in Azeka Place) is a great place to get a burger and fries.  Decorated with 1950s rock and roll memorabilia, eating at Peggy Sue's is NOT a typical tropical experience.  However, their burgers are excellent.  My favorite is the Blue Moon Burger, which features bacon and a mountain of crumbly blue cheese on a wheat roll.  We like coming to Peggy Sue's after spending 14 hours on Hana Highway - the staff doesn't sniff at our muddy hiking boots, and the food is the perfect way to recharge exhausted bodies.

Located next to a laundromat in a strip mall, Horhito's Mexican Cantina looks like ... well... a dump.  But give Horhito's a chance, open the door, and prepare to be amazed.  Stepping into Horhito's is like venturing into the plaza of a Mexican village.  Whoever was in charge of decorating was an expert in trompe l'oeil painting, and you'll instantly forget that you're in Maui, not Mazatlan.  This place is always busy and full of locals, and would be a hidden gem in any city.  It just happens to be in Kihei, at 41 E Lipoa St.