Moana Bakery & Cafe in Paia
Moana Cafe has recently been redecorated, repainted, and rearranged. There are sheer curtains on the windows and a new sushi bar. What was always the coolest little place in Paia is now even cooler.
Also new is the Tibetan & Indian food on Sunday & Monday evenings. You will not find such taste sensations anywhere else on the island. And the sushi bar is like having your own personal sushi chef waiting on you alone. The sushi bar is open every night except Tuesdays.
In contrast to many local restaurants, the staff at Moana Cafe maintain high standards in kitchen cleanliness and food safety. This is particularly important in the tropics. Wherever possible local produce is used and you can count on a healthy, nutritious meal. For a real taste of Maui, be sure to check out the Moana Cafe.
Frommer's Review
Moana gets high marks for its stylish concrete floors, high ceilings, booths and cafe tables, and fabulous food. Don Ritchey, formerly a chef at Haliimaile General Store, has created the perfect Paia eatery, a casual bakery-cafe that highlights his stellar skills. All the bases are covered: saimin, omelets, wraps, pancakes, and fresh-baked goods in the morning; soups, sandwiches, pasta, and satisfying salads for lunch; and for dinner, varied selections with Asian and European influences and fresh island ingredients. The lemon-grass-grilled prawns with green papaya salad are an explosion of flavors and textures, the roasted vegetable napoleon is gourmet fare, and the Thai red curry with coconut milk, served over vegetables, seafood, or tofu, comes atop jasmine rice with crisp rice noodles and fresh sprouts to cool the fire. Ritchey's Thai-style curries are richly spiced and intense. I also vouch for his special gift with fish: The nori-sesame-crusted mahimahi with miso garlic tapioca pearls is cooked, like the curry, to perfection. There's live jazz most Friday nights.
Hours: breakfast 8am to 3pm, dinner 3pm to 8pm
Type of Food: Local, European, Thai, Tibetan, Indian, Japanese
Price Range: Breakfast $7-$14; lunch $6-$13; dinner main courses $7-$38
Dress Style: Casual. Shoes and shirt required.
71 Baldwin Ave
Paia, HI USA 96779
Island Area: North Maui
Phone: 808-579-9999
Tibetan & Indian food Sundays & Mondays, sushi bar every day but Tuesday
