Cafe Mambo

We ended up here because the restaurant we wanted to eat at was closed for the day due to a water main break. ATMOSPHERE: It's a nonchalant open air older restaurant. The only view is of Baldwin Avenue and people walking by. MENU: Salads, burgers, American entrees, and fajitas. BEVERAGE: Strawberry Daiquiri Very refreshing, nice thickness and not overly sweet. FOOD: Nachos We added kalua pork to the mix. The chips were mainstream but good, and came topped with black beans, jalapeños, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cheese. The kalua pork had a BBQ flavor and was too sweet, which is a total turn off to me. The black beans could've been eliminated as they had a weird, ocean/salty taste that reminded me of opihi (limpets) lol. Pass on this. SERVICE: Our female server was very friendly and professional. OVERALL: Good prices. Some of the other dishes on the menu sound tasty, but I won't be back to try them as nothing really stands out.

Breakfast burrito is the best one I’ve ever had. Recommend adding sausage. We came here twice on our trip to Maui even when we weren’t staying in Paia to get this burrito. The pancakes and strawberry matcha are also delicious.

Coffee and food were good, service could be better. Our server came to greet us and just said “so guys what’s the plan”, we were a bit confused. The two girls working there were nice, the guy looked a bit out of it, maybe he had a bad day but looked like he did not want to be there. Lemon berry pancakes were good, there is some anise or other spice to it but we have no idea what, he never explained.

My wife and I, came in for dinner and were so pleased we had to leave a review. We ordered the burrata, warm winter salad, half chicken, and kampachi. Everything was delicious and fresh. You can tell the establishment really cares about sourcing good ingredients. Even the cocktails were on point, not too sweet and perfectly strong. Our server was polite and attentive. All in all a great experience, we’ll be back.

Cafe Mambo makes the best toast special for someone who wants a protein-rich brunch alternative to eggs or yogurt. In fact, each dish at our table was a hit. We came across this restaurant after passing a few others and our patience was rewarded. The menu delivers, the service is personable, and the space is beautiful. We enjoyed it so much that we came back for breakfast before our flight.

We had an amazing dinner at Café Mambo! We started with the Burrata, which came with gluten-free bread (they were super accommodating) and a delicious mix of preserved lemons and peppers — so unique and flavorful. For dinner, we ordered the Half Roasted Chicken, Warm Winter Salad, Broccolini, and Potatoes, and had everything served together as one big spread. The chicken was tender with a tasty harissa seasoning, the salad was perfectly balanced with squash, beets, and feta, and both sides were incredible — the broccolini had a nice chili crisp kick, and the potatoes were melt-in-your-mouth soft with a light herb aioli. They also have great mocktails, which is so nice for anyone who doesn’t drink — all super refreshing and thoughtfully made. Service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is classy, modern, and welcoming. Definitely a place we’ll be coming back to!

What an awesome breakfast and lunch spot in the heart of Paia town! Stumbled upon here looking for a gluten free establishment and we were not disappointed! They have gluten free toast that can be a substitute for their many sandwiches or as a side to their egg platters. Definitely recommend it here for those seeking a healthy, fresh, and tasty meal!

Café Mambo is a GEM! We stopped in for a quick bite and left completely wowed. The vanilla oat milk latte was the best I’ve ever had—smooth, perfectly balanced, and just the right touch of sweetness. As for the food, we both had the fish sandwich which we thoroughly enjoyed, the fries were crispy, and side salad also delicious. Very friendly servers. Highly recommend! 🌟

I am updating this review to announce that the original restaurant had been permanently closed for a few months. It has now reopened as an entirely different sort of place. Cafe Mambo in Paia was a wonderful place, it truly felt like a nice restaurant to sit down, grab some 'ono grindz and relax on a warm Maui day. The menu consisted of house made items such as burgers, loco mocos, and fresh fish dishes. They had all of the Hawaiian Sun and the Aloha Made beverages, and a hand written chalk menu. It was wonderful. And all for an affordable price and wonderful atmosphere. However, the state health department discovered some undesirable things about this restaurant, german and american cockroaches, food improperly handled and stored, many bad violations which caused them to fail a safety check and subsequently close for retraining and cleaning purposes. It appears that the owners took the time to completely restructure and reinvent themselves. First glance now suggests this place has turned into some kind of medium-upscale restaurant with everything from a wine and spirit tasting menu to an espresso bar and limited menu, and all for much higher prices that necessary. Gone are the days of Cafe Mambo being a great place in Paia. Too sad its original state is gone.

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like Paia has been getting outrageously more trendy lately. It always had that feel, but now it almost feels like a parody of a trendy town. Come 6pm-9pm every restraint is packed with traditionally beautiful people with more beautiful people waiting in massive lines outside. My time in Moloka'i and Maui was coming to an end, and I just wanted some good food without all the try-hard pomp and circumstance. This place look like a cool, eclectic college-town eatery and...that's exactly what it felt like! The tap selection was small and focused. I got a pilsner (fav) from Maui Brewing. For food, I go ahi fajitas and...I'm usually not very into fish and Mexican. Not because it's inauthentic (it's not, lots of COAST in Mexico y'all), but because I'm just not big into fish. Except ahi, I am very into Ahi. These fajitas. Wow, they were a site to behold. The little fajita-making kit they give you is as functional as it is adorable. The blackened ahi was generously portioned and perfectly cooked! (rare/media rare, as the goddess intended). The bartender was a bit standoffish but she eventually warmed up. Definitely come here if you're looking for a grounded spot to drink beer and eat good food in Paia! I was going to make some sort of Mamo #5 joke, but I forgot, sorry.

Overall, the food was tasty service was adequate. In recent the past we've been turned away because we got there at or before 745 even though the restaurant says it's open until 8 o'clock. I had some Ahi fajitas which were tasty had but ask for extra tortillas, which was OK. I would not been bad if they just gave them to me to begin with. The fixing were good. the the crispy duck quesadillas are worth try Its a restaurant favorite. they've upgraded the lighting and it's all easier to see. They do you have a small sit down bar.

Food was good although it's not authentic Mexican. The service seemed uninterested to be there. I did enjoy the ambiance of the place.

This place used to be one of the best on Maui now it is a $hit hole... with no more crispy duck fajitas A bunch of boring food. It went from its colorful art inspired ambience to a boring blah black-and-white concept that doesn't belong on Maui. Go back to LA or Australia wherever you think you're from. New ownership, don't support this. I have been sending friends tourists and everyone here for the last 20 years... So disappointing Will never come again

New owners Isabella and Kody have done an exceptional job with the ambiance, the staff and the incredibly delicious food. If you're looking for an Australian/New Zealand inspired coffee this is your place!!! Amazing NEW MAMBO!!!!

Yum! Fun island vibe. Casual. Friendly service. Got the fish tacos, onion rings and BLT. Fam loved it. My fav was the housemade dressing with the fresh greens. If they sold the dressing I would have bought it! Glad we stopped for lunch!

I have been a resident of Paia for 26 years and the new Mambo is a great change from the old one! The new owners are local young folks who grew up here on Maui and have done a great job of redesigning the old place that was well past its prime. The menu has some great imaginative choices that are served all day. Try the breakfast bowl or the pancakes... I have not tried the dinner yet, but will do so soon. BTW, whoever "Tripp J" is, he needs to go home to Kailua, or more likely some sad place on the mainland. He obviously does not know a local spot run by local folks when he sees it!

Visited here high expectations. Friendly staff , 80s musics, all around good vibe. Order a burger and ago sandwich. Both orders came out wrong. Food was over salted and not very much of it. Maybe off night? Plenty of other places to visit in the neighborhood.

Pleasantly surprised by Cafe Mambo. Didn't have much expectations walking in but the food was actually very good. Ordered the mambo fries , duck quesadilla, and onion rings. The fries were my favorite. The shredded pork on the fries was perfectly crispy. And their sauce was a good compliment to the meat and fries. Crispy duck Quesadilla was good. However, I think because it was in a quesadilla style the meat was not as crispy. I would definitely come back and try the crispy duck fajitas instead. Onion rings were on point. Like how onion rings should taste. My friend also ordered the lilikoi margarita, she said it was not strong enough and was a bit watery. I'll have to try it next time myself during happy hour But all in all, i will be coming back to try the crispy duck on its own- fajita style. One of my new favorite places in Paia! Portion size was pretty big.

Good and quick service. Food was good, duck was cooked well! Cool and eclectic spot in Paia Town. Don't leave here w/o ordering one of the duck dishes!!! Eat what you want and get the quack quack!! It's worth it. #Yum

News owners completely gutted old dive and it's now fresh clean with a modern menu. Breakfast burrito with jalapeño jelly and sour cream a new favorite.

The service here is excellent, super friendly and personable staff. I highly highly recommend the spinach & mushroom fajitas for 2. Guac is delicious. The local beer is also great.

Food was excellent; fish tacos were on point. Highly recommend the onion rings and their curry sauce. For vegetarians: one of the best vegetarian-friendly burgers - not dry at all. Service was chill, friendly, and laid back. We had amazing food and everything was delicious, great portions, and relaxing. Would highly recommend especially for families as there is a nice ice cream and fresh cookies spot next door too.

Nice cafe in Paia. Located about a block just off the Hana hwy you will find Cafe Mambo. They serve burgers, quesadillas, anything that goes with beer basically. I had a beyond burger with a nice blond beer. The ahi burger and the ahi quesadilla looked really good too. Special orders are no problem here. Service is fast and friendly. Park where you can, but there is a municipal lot around the block on the Hana hwy where you can park for free. Recommend.

Great vibe food and service! Our favorite casual dining in Paia town. Love the fresh fish tacos or burger and a beer. Definitely worth checking out!

We were back on island after two years. We visited for breakfast this time. The place has charm from the moment you walk in. The open feel is wonderful. The staff are friendly and attentive. My son and I split the breakfast burrito as it is huge. My wife/daughter split the veg burrito as well. Both were spot on. Out the door with drinks, I think we were around $50-60. Par for the course and a must visit when your in the area. If do visit this area, go early. The later you wait, the more packed this area is. There is limited public parking to the right as you enter the town.

When decisions on eating here we were looking at Yelp reviews and we were worried because there were a lot of 5 stars and a lot of 1 stars. But we decided to try it anyway and I am so glad! Really amazing food! I got the fish tacos special. You could tell it was fresh caught fish and didn't come out of a freezer bag. The tartar sauce that came with it was so good. We also tried the crispy duck burger, and it was amazing!! We went during happy hour and they do $5 cocktails which is a total steal! Not to mention they were delish and had all sorts of flavors: mango, passion fruit etc.

We were drawn to Cafe Mambo's colorful exterior and airy, open dining area. We were a little too early for happy hour, but ordered a Mai Tai and Pina Colada. The cocktails tasted like they were made with fresh ingredients and super refreshing post beach. However, the service was lacking. The server wasn't extremely friendly and seemed overworked. Also, they kept playing the Grease soundtrack which was just weird. Not sure I would come back to Cafe Mambo but glad we tried it out.

garbage food. servers are too busy gossiping amongst themselves and not paying attention to customers. the old menu was great. the burger was tiny and over priced absolute rip off garbage will never go there again. perfect example of how maui is getting taken over by greedy trendy wannabes. can't believe this place sucks so bad.

FINALLY made it here and was not at all disappointed. A short wait outside as the have minimal seating due to COVID restrictions. Great service and even better food/drinks. Food: I ordered the local maui cattle steak salad. It seemed a bit small and simple at first (I like BIG salads) but I have to admit I was pleasantly full by the end. Great dressing and a perfect portion of steak. The hubby ordered the duck burger. Amazing (and tbh I am not much of a duck fan but I make a habit of Atleast trying everything)- this was really good! Drinks: Do NOT pass up the Lillikoi beverages. We ended up ordering 2 rounds cause they were so good... bonus; the second round was during happy hour (really good HH prices) Ambiance: The music was at a perfect volume and great tunes. Large windows were open at the front & we got a nice breeze through out our meal. I cannot wait to visit again!

We enjoyed a quick happy hour at cafe mambo. There full menu looks delicious but we stopped in for a quick drink and snacks and it hit the spot. Very chill vibes and friendly staff

Food was so so so good!!!! Duck and ahi, especially the duck was a must try. The girl keeny.. not sure how to spell, like zucchini is the absolute sweetest!! Would come back just for how sweet and great of a waitress she was. Her, the whole restaurant all had really good energy. Definitely a must try for anyone in the area!! Thank you for such good food and even better experience!!!

We have eaten here a few times already so I was surprised to find that I have not reviewed Cafe Mambo yet. They have table service so just take a seat. The menu is on the back wall and they also have a menu for the table. They have great breakfast and lunch options. There is also Happy Hour from 3pm - 6pm. We have been here for breakfast and lunch but have not tried the happy hour yet. I had the Maui grass-fed burger and fries today because I was really craving a good burger. Not disappointed! I've had their specialty, crispy duck! Delicious! I really wanted to try their coconut creme brûlée but as usual I didn't have room. Maybe I'll have to eat then go shopping and come back for dessert!

Not a good value for the money. I ordered the Hummus appetizer plate, shrimp special and crispy duck fajitas. The weren't crispy. The guacamole was off. An hour later I'm fighting off stomach cramps and diarrhea. I only had one bite of the duck, but keep burping it back up. I'm guessing that was the culprit. While it is hard to accuse a restaurant of food poisoning, suffice it to say, I was well going in. Sick hours later. Proceed at your own risk.

I came here three times and ordered the following: cheeseburger, tuna melt sandwich, shrimp special, onion rings, and the "fresh fish fajitas". To get to the point the fish and tuna didn't taste like what it's supposed to taste. The fresh fish fajitas were sadly disappointing. The fish tasted rubbery and bland. The beans were a little cold and they tasted more like canned beans. The guacamole was the worst! My favorite dishes from here were the burger (it was pretty decent), and the shrimp special (very tasty, fresh, and juicy). The onion rings were crispy and good. The service was decent too. One of the girl was super nice though. I would suggest the owner to reconsider the name for their fajita dishes. The name is extremely misleading.

Wow what a great addition to Paia's downtown experience! Such a feminine vibe to this newly renovated establishment. Love the open air concept with light walls, modern, but beautiful flowers at the bar warm it up with a cozy feel. A gorgeous display of wine bottles on the back wall. Excellent customer service from Ashley, could not have found a sweeter, happier local server. Mambo is different from other places in Paia as it has a woman's touch and feel to it. Very clean great breakfast and coffee, little gem.

The food was delicious and well presented. We both had the eggs benedict special on a Sunday morning. It was delicately seasoned with a very fresh taste and the potatos on the side were delicious. Good coffee too!

We stopped in for some happy hour drinks and snacks and were not disappointed. Our server was great - he recommended some great drinks (the spicy lilikoi margarita and anything with duck were both recommended and both delicious!) We order Mambo Fries which are savory and sweet and delicious, and onion rings which were fat and came with a tasty curry mayo. We also ordered a duck quesadilla which came with house made salsa. The duck was juicy and flavorful and the salsa was sweet and such a good addition to the savory duck. Our server also gave us some hot sauce (which he makes) and it was awesome with the quesadilla. We loved our food and had a great time here. Thanks!

I had sizzling hot dreams for two of my favorite love affairs pairing up: crispy duck and fajitas. Unfortunately those dreams turned into a soggy messy reality. The duck may have been crispy at one point but the preparation of the many onions underneath (not a typical fajita preparation) led to a pool of soggy onions and duck. Coupled with liquidy black beans, salsa and you have a bit of a mess. There will likely be splatter all of over, you will likely need more napkins and other patrons may watch it all go down. Loco Moco was solid. Cool place and good service. Lilikoi margarita was really good!

I REALLY enjoyed their crispy duck fajitas. The rest of the family had very good dishes, too. But the duck... And the service was great. We arrived near the end of the day and got treated well and didn't feel rushed. I recommend sitting next to the large open windows at the front of the restaurant. It was great for watching the crowds walk around on Saturday night.

It's hot. You've been busy out of doors. You are hungry. You want a crispy duck fajita. Yes, this is a thing. And it's found here at Cafe Mondo. People drive from all over Maui just to tuck into these babies. And even though I happened upon them completely by accident, I can see why. Moist while being crispy, not too greasy in that way duck so often is, kind of richly seasoned, surrounded with goodies to wrap inside your tortilla, these fajitas are worth a try. My dinner mates went with the happy hour cheeseburgers, which were thick, juicy burgs, according to them. They arrived with perfectly golden, salted just enough but not too much, fresh from the fryer fries. Pair with a G and T or Mai Tai and live the Maui moment.

We had a brief wait to be seated; settling on a table for two in the middle of the dining room. It was a comfortable temperature in a well lit, brightly colored room. All of the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful. Our server deftly guided us through the menu. We settled on the Loco Moco and duck burger. Both were enjoyable; The gravy on the Loco Moco the best I've had in a long time - maybe even better if they added mushrooms and onions?? We did not have room for dessert, but made room because of the highly recommended tiramisu - made from scratch by the owner. Highly recommend Cafe Mambo!

We've stopped in here two times in the past couple of years, and have always been very pleased with their food, beverages and service. The atmosphere is light, colorful and vibrant. Fun local art, that is reasonably priced, hangs on the wall - we bought our second piece today. Food here is yummy high-end Hawaiian pub food. Their crispy duck is absolutely delicious! Drinks and beer selections are fun with lots of options. Service is always super friendly. Great place to visit while seeing the darling town of Pa'ia!

My family and I stopped in this cute little town to kill some time prior to heading to the airport. We visited Cafe Mambo for lunch and are so glad we did! We sat at the table closest to the window so were able to feel the breeze and people watch a bit. We each ordered a burger, salad or sandwich. Everything was fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. The service was great. The restaurant is pretty small and sometimes you may have to wait but it is worth it!

I had high really hopes for the place when I read the reviews. Perhaps we caught them on a bad night but, having now eaten there, I don't understand all the rave reviews. The place was near empty at 630p on a Friday, while the other restaurants nearby were busy. That should have been a clue but we sat down anyway based on prior good reviews. The floors and seats were littered with a variety of french fries and other debris, presumably from lunch. The server was pleasant but not particularly welcoming or friendly. I ordered the duck burger, which tasted pretty good but the portion of duck on the sandwich was comically small. The two kids in our party ordered beef burgers and both were bland and dry; they tasted like inexpensive overdone fast food burgers. Each uncharacteristically left more than half a burger uneaten. My wife had fajitas, which were tasty enough but not especially so. Particularly given the price point, we expected more. If we got them on a bad day that's a shame because we won't be back.

The duck burger was a solid choice and better to be shared, as it was a large portion. The pinchos platter was looking real tasty on the table over and so we opted for one as well. Interesting combo of appetizers: shrimp in a cream sauce, seared steak, grilled chicken, chips and salsa, and a really unique curry sauce. We dipped everything in that curry sauce, and licked our fingers afterwards. Not a smear was left of that curry sauce. Magical. Unfortunately the meats were over cooked. The passion fruit iced tea was really good. Casual beachy ambiance. Felt more of a locals vibe than touristy which is always a positive.

In a busy day, the two big restaurants on the corner get big crowds. Instead of waiting in an interminable lines, walk a block or two up Baldwin Ave to Cafe Mambo. Great menu and drink selection including a number of local beers. I had the Ahi Tacos and my wife had the daily fish tacos which were marlin on that day. Friendly and attentive service too.

Great "hidden" gem in Paia! Home of the crispy duck but I love the burgers! Happy Hour specials are always great! I've also had the loco moco several times and it does NOT disappoint! Maui Cattle beef used in the burgers and it's sooooo ono! Dropped in today for a mid day snack and went with the nachos with pork. Staff is super friendly and speedy service. Grab a table if you can and enjoy the vibes and grindz!

Friendly, casual, and delicious! The Duck burger was so tasty, savory, and a touch of sweetness from the orange glaze. The only downside is parking in Paia. Would definitely go back on our next trip.

Got there and no one took our order after they sat us, by pointing to where we should sit from behind the bar (not sure if it's a Covid thing) Took our order and a person who ordered after us got their drinks firsts (they had 1 mixed drink and a beer draft same as us) Food came and my burger (15$) literally was bare (in the pictures) 2 slices of onion, 1 slice tomato, and 1 piece of small lettuce. The sauce itself was a joke! Had a small dab which is pictured as well. Small plus food was quick but obviously premade.

Excellent! We ordered the fish tacos and every ingredient was fresh and flavorful. The pulled pork sandwich was crispy which I've never experienced before but gave it a wonderful texture along with the bold bbq sauce. The duck burger was very good as well. Recommend any oth these and a fresh mojito to go with it!

Absolutely amazing food and service! The onion rings, and the burgers are to die for.

Awesome! Inviting atmosphere and delicious food. I had the pork special. Delicious & savory. My wife and kids all had the duck burger. Crispy and tantalizingly yummy! The coconut stout was a delicious follow-up. Highly recommend.

Unbelievable crispy duck Fajitas and happy hour $4.50 beers if in Piaia and hungry definitely recommend I'll be back! Mahalo

We stumbled upon this cafe and I am glad we did! Service was excellent and food was really good! I tried the tuna tacos and a fun drink! I would recommend going off the main street and try this gem!

We've been coming here for almost 10 years, always consistently great food and friendly service. I got the crispy duck sandwich, delicious duck with a savory soy glaze in a sweet brioche bun. Hubby got the cheeseburger and fries, he was content. Mambo has a variety of lunch items from salads, fajita platters, sandwiches, burgers, coffee beverages, beer and wine. Such a sweet spot

Excellent service nice atmosphere my wife and I had tacos that we Shared and they were superb . Drinks are also excellent. We will definitely come back.

Don't go here for coffee as the cream is coffee mate but it is a yummy local spot for grub. Choose Huevos or burrito for breakfast and lunch options are legendary - just voted best lunch on Maui.