My favorite place to have breakfast in Maui is at the Gazebo Restaurant at the Outrigger Napili Shores resort in Napili Bay (just above the bustling resort area of Ka’anapali). I first ate there almost 10 years ago when working for the travel industry and it is still as busy today as it was back then. According to TripAdvisor.com, the Gazebo Restaurant has been voted by travelers as #1 out of 125 restaurants in Lahaina. Wow, I am surprised that a breakfast and lunch place beat out numerous high-end dinner restaurants. What makes this place so popular? It is a combination of the oceanfront view (and a direct view of Moloka’i), generous portions, great pancakes, fast and friendly service and great prices – after all, in a place as expensive as Maui, a bargain is hard to find when it comes to dining out.
Let me warn you that no matter what time you arrive to eat, there will be a long line to get in but I’ve never waited any longer than 30 minutes (although I’ve heard some people waiting longer than an hour). If you go to Maui during whale season, you will most likely see whales and/or dolphins breaching while waiting in line. There is even a large bell that the hotel encourage that you ring to notify everyone else that you have spotted a whale. The hotel is also nice enough to provide a large urn of coffee for the hotel guests and people standing in line for the Gazebo free of charge. Hey but you’re on vacation so waiting shouldn’t be a huge deal right? If you hate waiting, bring a good book.
I love ordering the macadamia pancakes because they are so fluffy and they are very generous with the nuts. They also top the fluffy pancakes with a very light whipped butter and there are several syrups available to eat with the pancakes. This time I went to the restaurant with my mother and we decided to share a short stack of the macadamia, banana and pineapple pancakes (which is one large pancake with the three toppings placed on top) and a half-order of the fried rice and a large pineapple juice all for under $20. If we ordered full sizes, we would have been able to feed four people – not kidding. The fried rice was flavored lightly with soy sauce, onions, lots of black pepper and full of tasty meats – ham, Portuguese sausage, bacon and Spam, topped with some scrabbled egg and green onions (scallions), yum! The fried rice was very fulfilling and it was nice to have the sweet and salty together at breakfast.
Beware of the smart little sparrows though if you order the fried rice! They sit on the glass window panes above the tables and wait to attack your plate and according to the servers, the sparrows love to hone in on the eggs on top the fried rice. I was so surprised when a sparrow grabbed a large piece of egg (mid-air) and did it so quickly that I barely had time to react before the rest of the sparrow gang devoured it on the ground next to me. It was amazing! Never in my life have I seen such smart little birdies…see, even they like the breakfasts there.
Wow… from Sydney to Maui… . ❤ lychees, hate the price. And yes, I was confident till I met Mr. Puff Pastry. ^^
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Niiice! My family used to vacation in Maui – we stayed at the Napili Village. I wonder if that place is still around!
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thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂 drooling over all the good food you had in Maui!! actually it is making me homesick….
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Hey Gastronomer, looks like the Napili Village is still around. That’s cool that your family vacationed there. It is one of my most favorite beaches in Maui – especially during whale season!
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Hi limmyfox, actually I live in Adelaide, not Sydney. Keep up the work with puff pastry!
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I don’t suppose you’ve had the Monte Cristo with the coconut syrup? Outstanding!
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What is the deal with that? I find more than any other time of day, more people are willing to wait in line for BREAKFAST at a popular restaurant than any other meal of the day.
In Waikiki, they do this at Egg’s N’ Things, Duke’s and Wailana Coffee Shop.
In aiea, they do this at Anna Millers. And I’m sure wherever else it happens. As Cartman (South Park) says, “Lines! I hate lines!”
It sound like what makes this place so special to eat is the ambiance. You could probably have the exact same food served at some hole-in-wall in Kalihi, and not enjoy nearly as much as looking over the ocean at Molokai at a resort hotel in Napili.
Next time you visit Oahu, you should try Duke’s all-you-can-eat breakfast. Just $15, and you also sit right on the oceanfront, overlooking Waikiki beach. It’s gorgeous. Not as gorgeous as Napili, but close enough. The food is great.
I heard a story once where someone felt totally ripped off eating breakfast at Denny’s in Kihei, Maui. They said the prices were absurd.. and this is just Denny’s!
You know who you overlooked though, is Tasty Crust in Wailuku, know for their “World Famous Pancakes”.
http://tastycrust.com/
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Thanks Pomai for the link to Tasty Crust. I will definitely try it next time I go to Maui! Wished I found out about it a few months ago.
You are right, why is it that people will line up for breakfast more than any other meal of the day. Someone should do a study on it because I agree with you, it’s a bit bizarre. I have to admit, I did do it at Egg’s N Things but not that long because we got there on a weekday and later in the morning. Never been to Duke’s for breakfast (or as the Aussie say “brekkie”) only for drinks, will try it next time I’m home and will bring the family.
The food is still good at the Gazebo but you’re right, it’s the ambience that makes it’s it amazing. 🙂 Especially during whale season! Aloha!
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We stayed at Napili Shores and it was totally awesome!
http://www.vancouvertohawaii.ca
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