Haliimaile General Store is a more upscale restaurant nestled in the pineapple fields in central Maui. This restaurant specializes in farm-to-table meals, sourcing much of its ingredients from the surrounding areas and using them to craft eclectic Pacific American cuisine with some Asian overtones. If you appreciate fine food in a comfortable, historic setting, then you will appreciate a table at Haliimaile General Store
When you drive up to the Haliimaile General Store, you might feel yourself being transported back into time. That’s because the building this restaurant is housed in looks very much like the old western and plantation-style buildings of the early 20th century. And that’s because it is. This building was once a plantation store for field hands who worked the upcountry pineapple farms. Today, everyone is welcome to come on in and enjoy a plate of food. Inside the building, the wooden floors and country farm decor further accentuate the building, and thus this restaurant’s new aim: To bring you local cuisines.
The chef, owner, and founder behind the Haliimaile General Store is Bev Gannon. Gannon is one of Hawaii’s most heralded and awarded chefs. She moved to Maui in 1980 with her husband and started the popular catering company, Fresh Approach, and that catering company went on to be the longest-running catering company on the entire island. In 1987, she took over the lease for the Haliimaile General Store and re-opened it as the restaurant it is known as today. Now, for over 30 years, Gannon and her team have served up delicious meals and have earned international recognition for many of their culinary creations.
A few reliable favorites on the menu at Haliimaile General Store include:
Roasted Meyer Lemon Half-Chicken
This is a mouth-watering dish that is glazed with a lemon citronette and comes with a side of sautéed green beans with mushrooms and frites.
Bev’s Famous Crab Pizza
This appetizer from the Haliimaile General Store has earned its moniker for good reason, being that it was one of the first and most beloved dishes that Gannon made as part of the catering business that launched her career. This stone-fired flatbread is an ideal treat to start your meal with.
Duck Pasta
Duck confit matched with a crispy poached egg as well as pistachio, mushroom sugo, and a dried cherry condiment. What more of a delectable delight could you ask for?
Note, prices here do run high and Haliimaile General Store itself does cater more towards the tourist scene and so a few may feel the dining experience a bit too commercialized. That said, their meals are often highly praised for being consistent, delicious, and served in an inviting and hospitable atmosphere.
Insider Tips:
-Remember, while the prices here are on the higher side, the inside ambiance is not what you’d likely expect out of most fine dining. This is more a casual-chic setting, but with upscale food and drink offerings.
-If you have a small group that enjoys cocktails, consider sitting at the bar. The bartenders here are some of the best on the island, serving up delicious signature cocktails to compliment the whole of your dining experience.