Cafe O'Lei

My daughter is a celiac and our experience here was amazing. The hostess was also a celiac and went over the menu before we even sat down. When our waitress came she had already been informed and made sure to tell the kitchen. My daughter had the macadamia nut crusted pork with rice. It was delicious and she rated it a 9/10. Definitely recommend

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

My husband had the Honey Macadamia Nut Roast Pork and I had the Seared Ahi Tuna. Both were marked GF on the menu and both were excellent. Our server also said that the steak could be prepared GF. He seemed knowledgeable and took our request for GF seriously. Good service, busy and comfortable atmosphere. Food and as well seasoned and flavorful without being super salty. We would definitely return!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Server was super knowledgeable- without asking before we ordered went to speak w the chef. Kids burger (no buns) and blackened mahi mahi.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Server was very nice and knowledgeable regarding GF options.

They were out of GF buns, I ran next door to moons and grabbed some GF buns they gladly prepared our GF burgers with the buns.

Food was excellent, kids GF options as well.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

The food was great, the staff was nice and knowledgeable. On top of that, the garden was beautiful, and I felt that whoever designed the area was creative because there was giant rusted cogs everywhere. What surprised me was that the burger buns were GF!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

This food was SOOOOOO good! I wish the items were marked on the menu (I hate asking a server to tell me what I can have), but that’s my only complaint. I got the shrimp and rice, my husband got the macadamia nut pork, and we shared the papaya salad. It was delicious!! The server (we sat at the bar) was knowledgeable enough, and double-checked with the kitchen when he wasn’t sure about something. Would go back!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Café ole at the Millhouse (not this location) is hands-down the safest place on the island for a celiac. I live here on Maui and can tell you firsthand that it’s really hard to eat out here. But Café O’Lei at the mill house has a dedicated fryer and take things very seriously… In fact the head chef‘s wife is also celiac!!! So far it’s the only dedicated fryer I’ve found on the island. I’m not sure how the Kihei location compares because I’ve never been there but I’m assuming it’s pretty similar

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— Gluten-free items are marked on the main menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

No GF menu, server was very knowledgeable and food was very good

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Safety Feature Ratings

• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Other Characteristics

• Good for lunch
• Offers outdoor seating

Menu wasn’t super GF friendly but the staff was great at checking to make sure my meal was safe. Decently priced, super fast service. Can’t really complain!

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Brianna was fantastic! No head chef tonight so she had to double check a lot of things. Felt bad, but she was a super star for me and the kiddos. No flatbread, no dedicated fryer, no gluten free hamburger buns. That said, sushi is good…lots of beef dishes good…mahi dishes good. Was hoping for burger or pizza, but got a great meal nonetheless.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Somewhat

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Good

Cafe O’Lei has GF hamburger buns, pizza crust, and a dedicated frier for GF fries. The GF options are not listed on the menu but our server was very knowledgeable and even understood cross contamination risks.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Very

Safety Feature Ratings

• Dedicated gluten-free fryer
• Staff is knowledgeable and can answer questions

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Some

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Excellent

Other Characteristics

• Good for kids
• Good for lunch
• Good selection of healthy options
• Offers outdoor seating

The first time I ate here was 2009. I told them I had Celiac and that they needed to be careful with my order. I ordered a shrimp dish over rice (instead of pasta). Once I got to the bottom of my dish, I found a noodle (gluten filled because they didn’t have gluten free pasta at the time). I alerted the staff but there wasn’t much that could be done at that point.

My parents really like this restaurant so they kept encouraging me to return. Over the years, I went several times and really did like their blackened mahi mahi dish. My son (who’s gluten free but not celiac like me) really liked their GF flatbread which has since been removed from their menu. My most recent trip (December 2020), in addition to the fish, we ordered 2 burgers, noted that there was a gluten allergy and needed to be gluten free and even specified “no bun”. When we went to pick them up we were told they were put on gluten free bread so we were excited. We returned to our condo, only to find that they were both sitting atop of thickly sliced sourdough bread and was certainly NOT gluten free. We went over the next night and told them about our experience and asked to see the packaging for their so called gluten free bread but they were unable to find any. I hate writing negative reviews but I’m disappointed in the experience and how it was handled after the fact. No real apologies or attempts to rectify it. My parents may still dine there but my family certainly won’t.

How confident are you that this establishment takes safety precautions against cross-contact?

— Not very

Is there a gluten-free menu?

— No gluten-free information on the menu

How much of the menu is available gluten-free?

— Not Much

How would you rate the taste and quality of the gluten-free food you tried?

— Average

Very knowledgeable and can also make alternatives. Enjoyed the food and service.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The pork shank could be done gluten free and was very good. Cute place

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Amazing food but limited selections

Celiac friendly?

Yes

AMAZING food! I am gluten intolerant, bordering on celiac as well as no dairy, and these guys really take care of you and GET IT. They knew which meals were not friendly for me, and if they weren't sure, they went and found out - even checking the ingredients listings. Don't miss this place!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Very limited options for lunch for GF. Staff was helpful and the pricing was good, though.

The lunchtime menu is incredibly reasonable in price, and their wait staff is very helpful when you ask about which menu items are GF. I ordered the blackened Mahi Mahi and it was SO good! Definitely make time to stop here when visiting Maui!

Celiac friendly?

Yes

Celiac friendly?

Yes

We went to Cafe O'Lei for a dinner and a lunch on our recent trip to Maui. We'd been there 3 years ago, and remembered the lunch being really good and less expensive than other places.

For dinner, I asked a bunch of questions, and our server was very knowledgeable and kind about all my questions. I ordered a glass of red wine, and the "Blackened Mahi-mahi (dorado) for $22.95 - "big island papaya salsa, chinese parsley, light ginger butter sauce, steamed rice." I actually got 2 filets of fish with mine, and I left most of the rice because I got so full with the salad and fish - a good, hearty portion.

For lunch a few days later, our server didn't have the answers to many of the questions. I felt a bit more uneasy, and ordered the same thing - the Blackened Mahi-Mahi with a salad and rice. This time, I got the dressing on the side, and I am so glad I did, because it wasn't the same dressing as I'd had for dinner. She said it was GF, but I didn't trust her, so I just ate the salad with my own Bragg's Liquid Aminos that I always travel with, and all was good. The lunch was still really yummy, but I didn't get that nice feeling this time. I think it was just a matter of training and knowledge. The dinner server knew what he was talking about, and you could tell. The lunch server didn't.

Celiac friendly?

Yes

The staff was very attentive and helpful with my numerous allergies. Very friendly place. Great food.

Celiac friendly?

No

Very affordable - tons of food. Split a lunch plate. Very accommodating about allergies. Not a whole lot of options - but why eat anything but fish when on the islands anyway?

Server was very knowledgeable and knew how to alter the dishes to make them gf. The restaurant has great seafood options and sorbet for dessert.

Celiac friendly?

Yes