Reader Question: Babies, Smoking, and Thanksgiving
Submit your Maui restaurant questions via the contact us page, and Molly will try to answer them!
Mark F. Asked Molly Several Questions
We are traveling with our new grandson, but still want to enjoy island food with our family. I was wondering if you can take infants into bars/restaurants on Maui? Is smoking allowed? Also is there any place you would recommend for a Thanksgiving dinner on the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving, as we are traveling on Thanksgiving Day. Mahalo, Mark
And Molly Answered Them
Aloha, Mark!
There is no outright ban on children or infants in any restaurant I can think of, but there are some that I wouldn’t take an infant. When you flip through Top Maui Restaurants, you’ll see plenty of restaurants marked with the “kid-friendly” mark. Some of our favorites that serve the kind of food you’re probably thinking of when you say “island food” include:
There are plenty of others, including some that are less pricey but that’s at least a place for you to start.
As for smoking, no, there is no smoking in bars or restaurants on Maui. In fact, Hawaii has pretty strict no-smoking law, and it is hard to find a smoker’s zone in most public places. For us non-smokers, of course, that’s fantastic – but I know it can be difficult for smokers. Plan on getting your fix outside of your hotel room, and check with places to see if they have a designated smoking area.
As for a Thanksgiving-type meal the day on Wednesday night, I don’t think anyone is doing a full turkey dinner until Thanksgiving itself. However, I definitely recommend checking with restaurants that bring in seasonal foods as part of their regular menu. You’ll be more likely to have a pumpkin soup, a hearty leg of lamb, or a warming sweet potato dish at David Paul’s Island Grill and the always-great I’O in Lahaina, or at Capische? in Wailea.
Hopefully that will catch you somewhere close to where you’re staying on Maui. Happy Thanksgiving!
For more Thanksgiving meal ideas check out my post about Turkey Day.
November 21, 2010 @ 2:05 pm
Cafe O’Lei has fantastic food, reasonably priced, and is kid-friendly. I would strongly suggest that as a South Maui option.
November 12, 2010 @ 7:05 am
It was a few years back, six, I believe. We were on Maui with 2 of our sons, our daughter-in-law, 1 1/2 year old grandson and our son’s, then friend since wed. We weren’t sure what to do for Thanksgiving and we had not been to a Luau on this visit. So, we decided to do something special and went to the Old Lahina Luau. As well as the usually wonderful Hawaiian sounds, Island dancing and Island food, they also served roast turkey, dressing and cranberries. Who knew we would be able to have the island experience as well as the traditional Thanksgiving meal. It’s worth a call to see if this is still available.
Susan from Michigan