5 money saving tips for dining in Maui, Hawaii
by Gudrun Enger, of Kitchen Gadget Girl
Beach in front of Mama
Traveling to Maui is expensive; first the airfare, then lodging, and finally food. However, there are ways to maximize your dining dollars while visiting this tropical paradise, and here are my 5 tips.
These tips are actually useful for all the Hawaiian islands (and perhaps your hometown as well); for purposes of this post, I have included West Maui specific restaurants.
1. Discount coupons
Every activity center along Front Street in Lahaina offers these little cards – discounts at local restaurants, including Roy’s and the Melting Pot. These coupons provide a free appetizer or dessert with purchase, or a percentage off your total bill.
2. Happy Hour, Happy Hour, Happy Hour
Hula Grill offers discounted drinks and pupus, and the Sheraton Maui, the Sundowner Bar has drink specials before 6pm. In Lahaina, Maui Brewing Company and Aloha Mixed Plate offer happy hour specials as well. If you are clever, you can make a meal of pupus and island cocktails!
Cocktails in Hawaii
3. Early bird dinner specials
And if eating early is good for you, you might save a couple bucks by checking out the early bird specials. These full-sized meals are offered at discount prices for customers who come in before the crowds. Leilani’s in Kaanapali offers a great special between 5:00 -6:00 p.m. – we had a lovely grilled Uku with Pineapple Salsa. And Moose McGillicuddy’s in Lahaina has a prime rib special that gets great reviews. The Sea Horse Restaurant at the Napili Kai also offers early bird specials for orders placed before 6:00 p.m. Don’t be afraid to call your restaurant of choice and inquire about early bird specials.
4. Stay in a condo
Kaanapali offers two condos (the Whaler and the Kaanapali Alii), as well as several hotels with efficiency kitchens. If you can get over the idea of making dinner while on vacation, you can really save loads of money. Eating out three meals a day can add up quickly!
5. Split an entrée
This is a classic trick that serves us well no matter where we go. We will order our own appetizers or salads, then split an entrée and share a dessert. A great way to keep the down the total cost.
What is your favorite food-related money saving idea for Hawaii? How do you have the vacation of your dreams while ensuring your pocketbook stays safe?
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8 Responses
These are great tips. Nothing is worse than worrying about money while on vacation!
We found a way to get a great deal at Leilani’s. My husband broke his kneecap a week before we left for Maui, and we put him in a wheelchair and drug him along anyhow. Our waiter at Leilani’s assumed he’d had a surfing accident — with his knee stuck out in a soft cast, it was a good guess — and felt so sorry for him, he brought us all free desserts.
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Julie, sorry your husband was hurt, but sounds like the Hula Pie might have made up for it!
And Alison, I agree with you – worrying about money on vacation is no fun. Being prepared can make all the difference….
Gudruns last blog post..Menu Plan Monday: Cauliflower and bean salad
Splitting an entree is one of the best ways I have learned how to save money. Most restaurants’ portions are to large anyway. Split an entree and a desert as well. Walk away satisfied, not stuffed and with more money in your pocket. Thanks for sharing.
agreed Lauren – the portions at some restaurants are enormous, I am almost tempted to ask for a “doggie bag” right up front and save 1/2 for later.
Sharing entrees does require a certain compatibility with your dining partner, however!
[...] Whaler is Whaler’s Village, an outdoor shopping center, which includes restaurants (Hula Grill, Leilani’s) as well as several boutiques and shops. The center also has an ABC Store, the Hawaiian version of [...]