Ahi (yellowfin tuna), aku (skipjack tuna), and mahimahi are just a few of the fresh fish caught daily in the beautiful blue waters around Hawaii. So while you’re visiting, why not enjoy locally caught fish? Here’s a hand selected list of restaurants that are rolling up some of Maui’s finest sushi.
But wait, there’s more. We’re here to help demystify some of the unusual words you might see on menus like furikake, laulau and lilikoi — and explain which meat is being served and why. And possibly most importantly of all, provide the fun facts on the origins of local dishes.
If you’re happy with your meal, tag us @HawaiiIslander on Instagram to share the love.
Sushi on Maui's South Shore
5 Palms Restaurant
An open air, casual fine dining experience, with views that will make you want to dine slowly and savor it all. The locally sourced menu focuses on fish, fruits and veggies, and there’s a daily “happy sushi menu” from 3pm to 9pm. This is the perfect place to enjoy a fresh ahi tuna roll after a beautiful day in the sun. Open daily 8am to 10pm. 5palmsrestaurant.com
Koiso
Trip Advisor’s #1 Sushi Bar on Maui, this is an intimate, authentic little sushi joint. Seating is limited and reservations are required — there are currently two seating times, 6pm and 7:30pm. If you can’t dine in, there are takeout options like The Chef’s Selection Sushi Platters. Check out what Chef Hiro is cooking up, and see if he makes it to #1 on your list. Open Tuesday through Saturday 6pm to 8pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. facebook.com/Koiso-Sushi-Bar
Miso Phat
This family-owned-and-operated sushi bar offers delicious and freshly caught local fish as well as excellent service. Owners Shawn and Joy Steadman also captain the “Shiso Phat” boat which provides fresh fish for the restaurant’s specialty sushi rolls, sashimi, and nigiri. Open daily 11:30am to 8:30pm to serve you sushi and aloha. misophat.com
Morimoto Maui
The vibe here is “modern open-air Japanese beach house” with a menu featuring fresh local fish that’s artistically rolled, expertly sliced, and perfectly paired. Keep the sake flowing, because you’ll want to stick around and catch the Maui sunset — it’s always epic. Open daily for lunch from 12pm to 2:30pm and for dinner from 5pm to 8pm. morimotomaui.com
Sansei
Sansei is part of the DK Restaurant group, which has a small fleet of restaurants throughout Hawaii. They are known for delicious sushi and their Sushi Early Bird Special is where it’s at, with 50% off select sushi and drinks. There’s a nice selection of rolls, but if you want some other bites as well, their menu has you covered. Open Thursday through Saturday 5pm and 9 pm and Sunday and Monday 4:45pm to 9pm. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. dkrestaurants.com/sansei
Sushi on Maui's West Side
The community of West Maui is recovering from the wildfires that devastated Lāhainā. Many restaurants are no longer in business or are temporarily closed. Please check their websites for the most recent information.
Japengo
Temporarily Closed
Japengo’s been winning all the awards: 2019 ‘Aipono Best New Restaurant, 2020 ‘Aipono Gold Best Pacific Rim, 2020 ‘Aipono Silver Best Sushi. The views are stunning, the dining room is beautiful, the service is great, and as we already noted, the sushi is award-winning. If you’re in Lahaina, be sure to drop by and see if they win you over as well. Open Thursday through Saturday 5pm to 9pm with a Thursday 5pm to 6pm happy hour and is grateful for your business. hyatt.com/japengo
Miso Phat
This family-owned-and-operated sushi bar offers delicious and freshly caught local fish as well as excellent service. Owners Shawn and Joy Steadman also captain the “Shiso Phat” boat which provides fresh fish for the restaurant’s specialty sushi rolls, sashimi, and nigiri. Open daily 11:30 to 8:30pm to serve you sushi and aloha. misophat.com
Roy's
Renowned chef Roy Yamaguchi is at the helm of Roy’s, one of Hawaii’s most famous restaurants. The menu offers many different dishes and flavors, plus daily specials and a few sushi options. It’s best to come with a group so you can order an array of menu items. We recommended the Yamaguchi spicy ahi sushi roll, the short rib loco moco, and the “Sunset Prix Fixe Menu.” Open daily 11am to 8pm with happy hour daily 2pm to 4pm. royyamaguchi.com
Sushi in Haiku and Paia
Nuka
780 Haiku Rd., Haiku
808.575.2939
This intimate, 50-seat contemporary Japanese izakaya and sushi bar is tucked away in one of the small towns on Maui’s North Shore. Their menu offers a wide array of small plates, hand rolls, specialty rolls, noodles, and salads — everything your need for a great meal on Maui. No reservations required. Open Monday through Friday 10:30am to 2pm and open daily 4:30pm to 10pm. nukamaui.com
Vana Paia
93 Hana Hwy., Paia
808.344.7569
The bartenders at this hipster restaurant in downtown Paia are stirring up delicious cocktails to go with the artistically rolled sushi. The lights are dim here, so you may just want to go for the cocktails and ambiance — but a few fresh sushi bites are always a good idea. Open Wednesday to Saturday 5pm to 10pm and happy hour Thursday through Sunday 5pm to 6pm. vanapaia.com
Sushi in Wailuku
M Sushi
1063 Lower Main St., Wailuku
808.243.5333
This little sushi spot has been earn rave reviews. They have the basics covered, but you’ll want to try the wonderfully named specialty rolls like the “Superman Burrito Hand Roll” and the “Marilyn Mon Roll.” Chopsticks up, there’s sushi to eat! Open Tuesday through Sunday 5pm to 9pm. Closed Monday. facebook.com/M-Sushi-Maui
Umi Maui
1951 E. Vineyard St., Wailuku
808.633.2502
It’s BYOB here at Umi, a relaxed, really good sushi kinda joint. Some of our favorite rolls includes the Special Opaka with fried calamari steak topped with opakaka and a lemon caper aioli, the Shiso Dragon, a spicy tuna roll topped with tuna, avo, truffle oil and potato chips, and the Garlic Tiger, a shrimp tempura roll topped with spicy tuna and tempura flakes. Open Monday through Saturday 5pm to 9pm. Closed Sunday. umisushimaui.com
Did we miss your favorite restaurant?
Our always-hungry team of foodies have compiled this list.
Please let us know if we’ve missed your favorite eat@localgetaway2.wpengine.com.
