My husband and I recently returned from a restorative and inspiring couples-only getaway in Maui. We joined more than 350 other couples for the Love Song Couples Getaway, enjoyed performances by Christian artists like MercyMe, and attended sessions with marriage counselor and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. It truly felt like the best of all worlds.
(This post was written by Jill — a former member of the Eating Gluten and Dairy Free team)
Best of all, it was a stress-free food week — which, if you follow a gluten- and dairy-free diet, hardly ever happens. Maui turned out to be a surprisingly friendly destination for those of us with food allergies. There were so many safe options.
The secret was researching ahead of time. I spent hours on Pinterest, emailed a few restaurants ahead of our trip, and explored the Find Me Gluten Free app. Arriving with a shortlist of grocery stores and restaurant options made planning simple and kept both of us happy.
After landing in Kahului, we headed straight to Whole Foods Market to pick up essentials for dinner and breakfast before their 9:00 pm closing. The Maui Whole Foods is smaller than mainland locations but still stocked with a solid selection of gluten- and dairy-free items. They responded quickly when I emailed to confirm availability, which made that first stop worth it.
Prep Properly
- Do your research before you go.
- Email restaurants and grocery stores when needed to confirm options.
- Bring TSA-approved snacks for travel and any gaps between meals.
- Plan logistics — know how long it will take to reach your first safe place after landing.
- Check what your hotel offers and where it’s located relative to events and safe restaurants.
We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, on the west side of the island. It was about an hour from the airport and Whole Foods, but within walking distance was a budget-friendly convenience store called Honolua. For quick, affordable breakfast and lunch options, Honolua was a lifesaver. It offered a variety of ready-to-eat options and a couple of grills serving breakfast items, sandwiches, and fries.
While my husband happily grabbed meals from the grills, I avoided potential cross-contamination and stuck to fresh fruit and salads. The fruit was unbelievably fresh — it made me wish I’d had time to visit a local farmer’s market.
Food Highlights from Maui
My go-to breakfast every single morning was a gluten- and dairy-free smoothie from the Ritz-Carlton café. They were a bit pricey — $13–$15 each — but absolutely worth it for the fresh taste and convenience. Pomegranate in a smoothie was a new favorite, though the seeds sometimes clogged my paper straw. My top pick ended up being the Wow-Kapalua smoothie.
Three’s Bar and Grill in Kihei
For lunch one afternoon we went to Three’s Bar and Grill in Kihei. If possible, request outdoor patio seating — the patio is relaxed, with a local musician playing guitar and singing, which created a lovely atmosphere. The restaurant offers a gluten-free menu, and our server, Mama J, was knowledgeable about food allergies and very helpful with my requests.
My husband had been to this same restaurant the year before and raved about the pineapple-topped hamburgers. I was skeptical at first, but by the time we sat down I was starving — and the pineapple burger turned out to be amazing. We’ll definitely try to recreate that one at home.
Feast at Lele, Lahaina
We attended the Feast at Lele luau in Lahaina and noted our gluten and dairy allergies on the reservation form. I recommend reviewing the menu online before you go; each course included multiple dishes, and planning ahead helped me know what to expect. If you have a sweet tooth, consider bringing your own dessert: they offer a gluten-free dessert, but it contained dairy. The luau itself is gorgeous and often sells out — book early if you want seats closer to the stage, and arrive early for sunset photos on the beach.
Acai at Choice Health Bar
One of my favorite meals was an acai bowl from Choice Health Bar in Lahaina. I ordered the Ka’anapali Point bowl with gluten-free oats — the small size was surprisingly filling and refreshing on a hot, humid day. I also grabbed a cold-pressed juice to take with me the next day. If we’d stayed longer I would have gone back for more.
Dinner at Maui Brick Oven
On our last night we dined at Maui Brick Oven in Kihei. This restaurant was 100% gluten free, making it a dream for anyone avoiding gluten. They offered gluten-free pizza crusts and a variety of toppings and salads — we ordered the Hawaiian pizza to lean into the island spirit. Sadly, we learned the restaurant has since closed permanently, which is heartbreaking.
Overall, I was pleased with the variety of gluten- and dairy-free options across west Maui. Fresh fruit accompanied many dishes and was consistently excellent. Exploring the island meant I almost always had safe choices available.
Traveling with Kids
If we’d traveled with our kids, I would have packed additional snacks and breakfast items for them. For families visiting Lahaina or Kapalua, two highly recommended, free attractions are the Banyan Tree — which is truly impressive — and a short hike to the Nakalele Blowhole and the now-famous Heart-Shaped Rock. Wear sturdy shoes rather than flip-flops for the lava rock paths.
Maui belongs on anyone’s travel bucket list, especially if you need allergen-friendly dining. There were several excellent options in Lahaina with beautiful views, and even a bakery I hope to visit on a future trip. Please share your Maui experiences in the comments — bonus if your tips are gluten- and dairy-free suggestions. I plan to return and would love recommendations.
This trip inspired some new recipes I’m developing, including a gluten- and dairy-free Hawaiian BBQ chicken pizza and a Kalua pork recipe coming soon. For more gluten- and dairy-free travel guides and recipes, check my website for guides to cities like New York City and Miami and many allergy-friendly recipes for all occasions.