The Best Cheap Eats on Maui in 2025

On an island known for its high prices, finding delicious cheap eats can feel like striking gold. Yet, many of Hawaiʻi’s iconic dishes are the result of creative cooking with humble ingredients. From the simple Spam musubi to no-frills saimin and shave ice (it’s literally just ice!), these foods prove that you don’t need to splurge to savor local flavor.

Let’s dig into our readers’ favorite cheap eats, as voted in HAWAIʻI Magazine’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards.

1. Cool Cat Café

Cool Cat Café is famous for its award-winning burgers.
Photo: Courtesy of Cool Cat Café

After losing its beloved Lahaina location in the August 2023 wildfires, Cool Cat Café was among the first West Side businesses to rise from the ashes—reopening in Kīhei within a year. The retro 1950s-style diner is once again dishing out its award-winning burgers and affordable comfort food to the Maui community. Fan favorites include the anything-but-basic Leader of the Pack burger and Boogie Woogie chicken sandwich (both $13.50), the vegetarian-friendly Patsy Klein grilled cheese ($11.50) and a classic 100% beef hot dog ($10.50). To sweeten the deal, a daily happy hour from 2 to 3 p.m. includes beer and seltzers for under $10. After saving on dinner and drinks, treat yourself to an adult milkshake (from $16), or opt for a virgin version (from $10). If you’re kamaʻāina, show your Hawaiʻi ID for a 20% discount.

1819 South Kīhei Road, Kīhei; 808-667-0908; coolcatcafe.com

2. 808 Deli

Locals know that one of the best places to pick up a sandwich on the Valley Isle is at 808 Deli. The eatery consistently delivers crowd-pleasing classics, such as the tuna salad sandwich ($12.50) and meatball sub ($14). A standout is the Belly Dancer—a hoagie stacked with succulent pork belly, creamy Boursin cheese, garlic aioli, onions and arugula ($14). Paninis range from the Hot Hawaiian stuffed with ham, pepper jack cheese, Maui pineapple and honey mustard ($13) to a spicy chicken ranch packed with chicken, bacon, pepperoni and avocado ($15). The cheapest lunch items are gourmet hot dogs—there are vegetarian dogs, too—for no more than $9. The biggest splurge on the menu is a loaded beet salad ($16). Be sure to check the deli’s social media pages for announcements about daily specials, including $6 to $8 sandwiches for locals. If you’re in need of a morning meal, breakfast options include a bagel with cream cheese for only $4 and a $5 fruit bowl. Keiki menu items are only $6.

2439 South Kīhei Road, Suite 107A, Kīhei; 808-879-1111

3. Tin Roof Maui

The menu at Tin Roof Maui is filled with elevated local grinds.
Photo: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA)/AJ Feducia

Owned and operated by local power couple Sheldon and Janice Simeon, Tin Roof Maui serves up high-end eats from a humble takeout spot. Here, it feels like you’re getting a plate straight from the Simeons’ kitchen window. The menu is filled with elevated local grinds, from house-made fat chow funn noodles with pork ($10) to a deep-fried pork belly rice bowl ($14). The eatery is best known for its spicy chicken sandwich with mochiko chicken marinated overnight in ginger-sake shoyu, double fried, then enveloped in a brioche bun with salted cabbage and spicy aioli ($10). Order it animal style to add pork belly and a 6-minute egg for just $3 more. Extras include kimchi and pickled onions by the single serving ($3) or 16-ounce jars ($12), plus local-style mac salad offered in 3-ounce ($2) or 1-pound ($10) portions. For dessert, indulge in chocolate butter mochi ($6) or Pono Pies made from local ingredients ($7).

360 Papa Pl., Suite 116, Kahului; 808-868-0753; tinroofmaui.com

READ MORE: Tin Roof is Maui’s Hottest Lunch Spot

4. Kalei’s Lunchbox

Kalei’s Lunchbox is known for its plate lunches.
Photo: Courtesy of Kalei’s Lunchbox

Serving fresh and affordable food is the mission at Kalei’s Lunchbox. The ‘ohana-owned eatery began as a food truck in 2016 and five years later, it expanded into a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Today, Kalei’s Lunchbox has two spots—one in Pukalani and one in Maui Lani—and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Favorites include an all-day breakfast sandwich with honey mayo (from $7), cheeseburger with two house-made beef patties ($10), noodle dishes (under $10), and renowned plate lunches (starting at $16)—options include breaded pork teriyaki, hamburger steak, and furikake mochiko chicken. The Maui Lani menu features exclusives like Kalei’s mini breakfast with two eggs, bacon or Spam, and a scoop of rice ($7); loco moco with mac salad ($18); and a panko-crusted shrimp sandwich ($11).

52 Maui Lani Parkway, Wailuku, 808-793-3104 and 55 Pukalani St., Makawao, 808-793-0151; foodtruckmaui.com

5. Sam Sato’s

Sam Sato’s is famous for its large portions of noodles, specifically its dry mein.
Photo: Catherine Toth Fox

This hidden gem doesn’t need an online presence to maintain a loyal following. A local staple since 1933, Sam Sato’s is known for its local-style comfort food and generous portions. Longtime diners return for best-sellers like dry mein (starting at $11.95 for a small) and manju, traditional Japanese pastries filled with lima or azuki beans ($1.25 each). Breakfast is served until 11 a.m., with offerings like a single pancake ($5.25), a two-egg platter with choice of protein and starch ($10.95), mini loco moco ($10.95), and omelets (from $11.50). Lunch is available all day, including small saimin ($10.50), small chow funn ($11.50), plate lunches ($16 and under), and small bites like chicken yakitori and kimchi (both under $7). Sandwiches top out at $6, and even the priciest item, a takeout noodle pan that feeds up to 60 people, is a steal at $95.

1750 Wili Pa Loop, Wailuku; 808-244-7124

READ MORE: The Story Behind Maui’s Favorite Noodle Dish, Sam Sato’s Dry Mein

See all of the winners of our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards in our latest issue, which you can buy here. Better yet, subscribe and get HAWAIʻI Magazine delivered to right to your mailbox.