Bars and Cafes in South Maui (Kihei)

Margarita's Beach Cantina

This restaurant is a local favorite—and for good reason. It offers Mexican specialties spiced up with a little island flavor. The beachfront location is ideal—look out over the blue Maui waters while you sip a strawberry or mango margarita and ponder how good life can be. The menu includes all sorts of Mexican dishes. Fresh local seafood is another option. Try the USD12.99 lobster special on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Order the restaurant's namesake in a variety of fresh fruit blends, mixed with top-shelf, premium or rough grade tequila.

Coffee Store -- Azeka Place

Coffee lovers, start your day off right! This local favorite fresh roasts its own beans daily. Pick up a pound of prime or dark-roasted Kona coffee. Sit inside or outside at this cozy, comfy café. Enjoy a fresh-brewed cup of the day or a delicious Banana Mocha Cooler, espresso shake or blended mocha. The friendly counter helpers will make a sandwich or salad to order. Try the turkey, tuna, ham or veggie wrap. This place has a casual cafe atmosphere with indoor or outdoor seating as well as counter service.

Life's A Beach

This shop is located just across the street from Kihei's popular Kamaole Beach Park. You can literally wander in wearing a swimsuit and flip-flops. Chances are, you'll fit right in. There is a fairly extensive menu of specialty cocktails and alcohol-free juices. The burgers are delicious, if a little pricey considering the beach-shack atmosphere. But the live music is really the key here.

Kai Ku Ono

This restaurant has the Maui formula for success perfected. It offers delicious Pacific Rim specialties, a balmy outdoor patio and gorgeous views. Indoor seating is comfortable; there are tables, bar seats, red leather couches and a few armchairs. Have a drink at the bar, ask about specialty cocktails or enjoy a full meal. The dishes come in sample portions so it is best to order a few. Try the Kalua Pig or the fresh fish. Live entertainment is featured weekly. Call for times.

The Bad Ass Coffee Company

The legend of this company dates back to the early days of Hawaiian colonization, when some truly "bad" donkeys were used to haul backbreaking amounts of beans up and down the treacherous mountain trails. This establishment is not just a cafe. It is a souvenir store and retailer in its own right, offering an impressive selection of cigars, logo shirts, hats and of course, rich Kona blends. Stop in if you need to buy a gift for the folks back home, or if you just want a cup o' joe to get your day started right.

The Sports Page Bar & Grill

A long-time favorite meeting spot for sports fans, this place features nine televisions and four pool tables. From nine televisions, it broadcasts NFL Sunday Ticket, NHL Hockey, basketball, college football and all the other beer-swilling spectator sports. Video games, football and an Internet station are also provided. Bar food is served in baskets. There is an impressive selection of bottled beer, both domestic and imported.

Joe's Bar & Grill

Anyone who is familiar with Maui has heard of the Hali'imaile General Store. This restaurant is owned by the same powerhouse team and offers the same quality. If you are looking for a sloppy, cheap burger and a Bud, go somewhere else. But if you crave fresh-out-of-the-Pacific seafood, a juicy, flavorful steak or one-of-a-kind pasta, this is your place. The Wailea location is lovely, and the dining area is open and bright with hardwood floors.

Kahale's Beach Club

Although it is in an extremely touristy part of Kihei, this bar seems to attract a mainly local crowd. Perhaps this is due to its half-hidden location in the Kalama Village, perhaps to its dim, somewhat seedy atmosphere. The place provides a welcome change from the overpriced, crowded bars of South Kihei. Kick back at a plastic table and order a Bud or a Miller from the harassed waitress. For about $4, you can get oyster shooters or wings to go with your drink.

Beach 'n Bagelz

Just about every item on the menu at this comfortable neighborhood cafe is named after one beach or another. Seeing as how the cafe is located just across the street from one of the Kamaole Beach Parks, on South Kihei Road, the theme is appropriate. Standard bagels (with butter and jam or cream cheese) fall under the Kam I and II categories. More creative bagels are Little Beach (with jalapenos and cream cheese) and White Rock (bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado).

Wailea Steak & Seafood

Thick, juicy steaks and fresh-caught local fish are the stars of the culinary show at this new Wailea restaurant. The menu is fairly standard for the area, serving classics such as Ahi sashimi, prime rib and prawns. Island fish such as opah and mahi mahi are prepared in various ways each night. Prices range from $17.95-42.95, the most expensive item being the grilled lobster tail. Vintages from a number of different countries and regions are featured on the sizeable wine list. This is one of the only restaurants in Wailea that is appropriate for families.

Cafe Navaca

Located in the heart of the booming beach town of Kihei, this is a cozy yet lively establishment. The margaritas are hefty and refreshing, and the food is a blend of Mexican, tropical and southwestern styles. The restaurant is attractively decorated in warm gold and orange hues, with a giant rendering of a yellow lemon slice hanging from a rafter in the main dining room. Standout menu items include Tequila Lime Chicken and creatively seasoned Southwestern Crab Cakes. Entree prices range from $15-25.

South Shore Tiki Lounge

Hawaii is the place to revel and party any time of the year. This eatery, set in the tiny town of Kihei, is the perfect illustration of the laidback and party-crazy life. A restaurant-cum-bar during the day, it doubles as a rocking night club once the sun sets. The menu comprises of the usual American grub like fries and burgers, and smooth cocktails are offered in bulk. If you don't want to feel out of place, make sure you are not over-dressed. Locals and casual tourists, who don't give a damn about matching shoes and Louis Vuitton clutches are seen here!