Pe’ahi Farms – to Table

Pe´ahi Farms – to Table

The North Shore has a delectable range of places to eat to satisfy every taste—and you’ll find it all just a short distance away from Pe‘ahi Farms. I’ve listed a few of the best neighborhood bets for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and everything in between). 

Pā‘ia Town

Pā‘ia is packed to the gills with small-town charm. Here, you’ll find an eclectic assortment of art galleries, boutiques, yoga studios, salons, tattoo parlors, and plenty of culinary hotspots. Here are just a few to choose from: 

From its claim-to-fame wood-fired pizzas (made with organic ingredients and free-range meats) to its handcrafted cocktails, Flatbread Company is a perennial crowd favorite. In fact, don’t be surprised if you have to wait for a table, especially during happy hour or dinnertime. (Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; 808.579.8989.) 

Conspicuously located on the corner of Hana Highway and Baldwin Avenue, Milagros Food Company is a family-run restaurant that serves up Southwestern cuisine combined with Maui-inspired flavors. Known for its generous portion sizes, happy hour margaritas, and al fresco dining, Milagros is always a safe bet for a laidback lunch or dinner. And it’s arguably one of the best people-watching spots on Maui. (Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; 808.579.8755.) 

It’s easy to see why Charley’s Restaurant & Saloon is one of Maui’s best breakfast hangouts. For one thing, it has a sprawling menu, and they never skimp on the portion sizes. There’s also a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar. And on any given night, you can grab a meal and catch some live music—and possibly a glimpse of Willie Nelson, who gives impromptu performances on the main stage. (Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., Friday and Saturday; 808.579.8085.) 

If you’re craving dessert, you’re in luck. Pā‘ia has several sweet tooth-satisfying options to choose from: Paia Gelato, Tobi’s Shave Ice (where you’ll also find some of the island’s best ahi poke plates) and Café Des Amis, which serves mouth-watering crepes (along with Mediterranean and Indian cuisine). As for coffee, check out Paia Bay Coffee & Bar, an outdoor café, bar, and restaurant tucked away in the heart of town, or Sip Me, which has two locations—one on Hana Highway, the other on Baldwin Avenue. 

Mana Foods is Pā‘ia Town’s iconic grocery store, bakery, and deli. The store has a variety of natural and organic items, and it carries products from 400 local vendors. In the produce aisle, you’ll find an average of 50 percent locally grown and 90 percent certified organic or unsprayed items. The grab-and-go deli has an impressive selection of hot entrées, fresh fish and meat, vegetarian lunch specialties, handmade pasta, salads, soups, pizzas, desserts, and more. (Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; 808.579.8078.)

Just on the outskirts of Pā‘ia Town is the North Shore’s culinary crown jewel, Mama’s Fish House. There’s a reason why Mama’s was named one of the Top 10 fine dining restaurants in the U.S. by TripAdvisor and the second most popular restaurant in the U.S. by OpenTable. Apart from its top-notch service and ambiance, the menu features fresh fish reeled in daily by local fishermen (in fact, the menu lists the names of the fishermen and where they caught their fish). Given the restaurant’s popularity, reservations for lunch or dinner are strongly encouraged. (Open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; 808.579.8488.) 

Ha’ikū

Ha‘ikū has its share of hidden gems—and one of the most dazzling is Nuka, an Izakaya-style Japanese sushi restaurant. The dining room is intentionally small and the restaurant does not take reservations; guests are served on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s a good idea to get there early and be patient—because Nuka’s sushi rolls, bowls, poke and daily specials are worth the wait. (Open for lunch 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; dinner is served daily from 4:30 to 10 p.m.; 808.575.2939.) 

If you’re not in the mood for sushi, head across the street to Colleen’s at the Cannery, a casual dining restaurant with a wide-ranging menu—from eggs benedict to fish burgers to pizza to filet mignon. Pizzas and all dinner items are available for take-out. (Breakfast is served from 6 to 11 a.m.; lunch from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; happy hour from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.; and dinner from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.; 808.575.9211.)

Just a scenic, 30-minute drive from Pe‘ahi Farms, the Upcountry Farmers Market in Pukalani has it all, from soup to nuts. Literally. Every Saturday morning, you can stock up on locally harvested produce, fruits, nuts, and more. You’ll also find a variety of prepared items, including pastries, baked goods, Indian food, Thai food, fresh miso, fermented foods, raw and vegan foods, juices, kombucha, dehydrated goods, and raw nut cheeses. The farmers market is open from 7 to 11 a.m. at the Kula Malu Town Center football field parking lot next to the Long’s Drug Store. Just follow the signs—you can’t miss it.

More Information

To learn more about Pe’ahi Farms or the North Shore of Maui, contact Josh Jerman, R(B) at Josh@HawaiiLife.com or 808.283.2222.