Healthy restaurants in Maui haven’t been as easy to come by as I thought they would be.
Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of amazing restaurants on Maui–but many times the plant-based options are limited to one or two dishes, or I’ll have no choice but to modify something on the existing menu to accommodate my vegetarian lifestyle.
My many vegan friends have an even harder time finding places to get reliably delicious vegan fare!
Which is why I was prettttty stoked to find a fabulous healthy cafe in Kihei called That’s A Wrap!
That’s A Wrap is a cozy, charming, and TOTALLY Instagrammable cafe located in South Kihei, literally steps from some of Maui’s most beautiful south shore beaches.
They specialize in food that’s nutritious and delicious; there’s something for everyone (vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters included), and they’ve made sure to offer plenty of gluten-free options as well.
I visited That’s A Wrap with my friend and fellow photographer, Meigan, and we had a chance to meet the cafe’s lovely owners, Gina and Josh, and sample some of their delicious and inventive dishes.
Gina and Josh have been in the restaurant industry for many years, but when they found themselves disappointed with the poor selection of fresh, healthy food in Kihei, they decided to take matters into their own hands and I am SO glad they did!
The cafe is open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday, so if you’re staying in the Kihei area or visiting for the day, it’s a great place to stop off for breakfast or lunch before you head out exploring or when you need a break from the midday heat.
I always appreciate a simple menu–it shows me that instead of trying to do everything under the sun, they make a handful of dishes to perfection. But they keep things interesting with a Buddha Bowl that changes daily, a fresh Maui Salad that changes daily, and a Wrap of the Day as well.
Oh, and did I mention they locally source as many ingredients as possible? Maui is abundant with amazing organic produce, and it helps me rest a little easier knowing there are business like That’s A Wrap doing everything they can to minimize their impact on Mama Earth.
You won’t find plastic forks or plastic takeaway containers, either. If you want to minimize your impact while traveling in Maui, supporting eco-conscious businesses is one really powerful way to do so.
Supporting the local artist community is another top priority for Gina and Josh, which is why the cafe is always decorated with art by local artists, which is available for purchase and 100% of the profits go directly to the artists.
But now I know you’re probably thinking…WHAT ABOUT THE FOOD!?! Just tell us about the food, Leah.
Let me preface this by saying:
I LOVE food. I don’t go around calling myself a “foodie” or anything, but I have a rather discerning palate and a sneaking suspicion that I may have been a chef or a baker in a past life, maybe both (and probably a sommelier, too).
Point is, I’m not easily impressed! And That’s A Wrap impressed the pants right off me, from the food to the drinks to the sweet treats. Everything we tried was simply divine.
Meigan, being a vegan, opted for the Wrap of the Day, a vegan version of a Reuben made with jackfruit in place of corned beef, complete with sauerkraut and lots of other yummy ingredients.
I nearly ordered the very same thing for myself, until Gina began describing that day’s Buddha Bowl, a menu option that is always vegan and always gluten-free. That day it was made with white beans, quinoa, greens, avocado, and a delightful sauce with a curry-like zest, among many other plant-based ingredients.
Our meals were hearty and filling–I didn’t end up finishing my whole bowl and took a portion of it home with me to enjoy later.
The drink menu consists of coffee, an assortment of imaginative lattes, teas, fresh lemonades, and locally-brewed Big Wave Kombucha.
Meigan chose the Red Velvet Latte–doesn’t the name alone make you want one!? Beets give it its sweet flavor and red color, and to be honest I can’t remember what else was in the thing but suffice it to say it was DELICIOUS and tasted very much like red velvet as promised.
They have several nut milk options for anyone who doesn’t drink dairy.
It was a hot hot day though, so I went for a cold glass of kombucha and had absolutely zero regrets.
And then, on our way out, I ordered an iced Red Velvet Latte too, because I just had to have one of my own.
Oh, and I beg of you, don’t overlook the baked goods! We tried one of their Banana Churro mini donuts (also vegan and gluten-free, by the way) and were blown away by how moist and flavorful it was. When I visit again, I’m trying every flavor they have!
All in all we couldn’t have been more stoked to find this place. It’s a real gem in Kihei, where fresh and healthy restaurant meals are limited.
The location is super convenient–you can find That’s A Wrap in Kihei’s Dolphin Plaza, right across the street from the popular Kamaole Beach Park 1 (also known simply as Kam 1). This shopping center is also next door to Hawaiian Moons Natural Foods, one of the best health food stores in the area.
It’s within walking distance of many resorts, hotels and condos, or a short drive away. If you don’t feel like driving or walking, skip the Uber and call up Turtle Tracks instead for a $3 ride anywhere along South Kihei Road.
For healthy food in Kihei, you really can’t go wrong with That’s A Wrap and I hope you’ll pay them a visit on your next trip to Maui.
Contact:
That’s A Wrap Maui
2395 S Kihei Rd #118, Kihei, HI 96753
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: (808) 868-4582
This post was written in collaboration with That’s A Wrap Cafe. Mahalo nui loa for hosting us!
