Laurent loves Mambo. From the food to the service, this place rocks. Had the tomatoe salad (Bomb), bolognese (supa Bomb), friends had the burgers (stoked) Service was excellent, so were the "Margs" :) Make it a stop while in Païa! read more

This restaurant is located right on the main road in Paia. I've heard it changed ownership within the last several years and that the restaurant has improved quite a bit since then. We had a reservation and the service was good when we first arrived. We ordered a couple of appetizers while waiting for everyone in our party and the starters ended up being my favorite part of the meal! We had the zucchini, tomato salad and the crudo. The tomato salad came with a VERY generous amount of goat cheese. We didn't finish all the cheese. The starters were really flavor. For my entrée, I had the Kanpachi. It was very peanut-forward with lots on the top of the plate. It was good and I love anywhere that serves mashed Okinawan sweet potato! Unfortunately, the timing of our entrées was pretty off. Mine came out first, and it was about 15-20 minutes before the other two meals (both chicken dishes) arrived. They did apologize and offered us a complimentary appetizer while we waited, which we appreciated. We ordered the truffle fries but they ended up arriving at the same time as the other entrées. The restaurant gets VERY loud as it fills up. By the time it was busy, it was difficult to hear everyone at our table of four. Overall, the food was flavorful and our starters were the highlight for me. read more

See all

Performance: 5 Staff was excellent, very competent, no problems with order at all, wait was nonexistent. Environment: 4 The location was a little bit weird, kinda hard to find in between the shops, very hot inside, close to a lot of other great stuff. Meals: 5 Amazing food, very well rounded meals, burger and BLT and salads were amazing, fries were top notch. Drinks: 3 Disappointing selection for non-alcoholic drinkers and kids, only legitimate drink was orange juice which was very tasty. Ambiance: 4 As I said, very hot inside, decor kind of bland, but peaceful vibes, not too loud and never too full. Space: 3 Decently sized, never ran out of space, bathroom very average, nothing super special, nice place. read more

The food is decent but we did have to wait for 30 mins for the chicken, the service is decent they did offer us free pupus during the wait, the atmosphere is friendly but at one point it was very loud. Reasonable price read more

Cafe Mambo - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Paia, Hawaii

See all

Came here for breakfast. Food and drinks were good. Nice service. Ambiance is clean and casual. We found the price a little high for the amount of food you get. Would recommend but check menu for pricing. read more

See all

This is a great little restaurant. Try this place instead of waiting in a huge line elsewhere.

Service was excellent and attentive, but the food did shine. The pasta dishes were excellent and my pesto pasta was cooked to perfection. Started with the warmed salad (have to love the delicata squash), followed by the pasta, then the goats milk ice cream with fruit compote, followed by the espresso. With a full bar, choice of cocktails, good wines, and beer plus more. I liked the feel of the inside as the windows were all open, raining outside, but temperature was great. Definitely try this place, you won't be disappointed. read more

See all

Stopped in to take a break after walking up and down the shopping strip. Looked like a great place to grab a beer. Love it when they have the happy hour and all its specials clearlposted for you Seasonal option was from Maui brewing company. It was pretty dang good! I loved their picks for glassware too!! The service was awesome, the ladies took care of us and answered our questions. The place setup well. Easy to move through, plenty of seating and space. Great experience! read more

Cafe Mambo - Deliciousness!!!! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Paia, Hawaii

See all

Paia, HI. I would say in terms of service and efficiency this establishment is outstanding. I was a bit disappointed that I was 15 minutes too early for Happy Hour prices with no leniency, but if it was that important I could have waited outside for a quarter of an hour. We were seated immediately, and our order came out quickly, The smash burger is unique in the flavor provided by their aioli sauce and a bunch of arugula. Other than that taste, the burger was an average size, the bun could use a bit more toasting, though it did hold up well throughout the entire devouration. While the patty did not exhibit any great flavor, it was cooked a perfect medium. It still came out as a non juicy puck, but thankfully not too dry. The toast special was a highlight, simply a wonderful and delicious creation. While I have not yet tried a cocktail here, they looked beautiful. The one bathroom is busy and features a waiting line. Also the toilet seat is broken and a bit hazardous to navigate. read more

Cafe Mambo - Smash Burger - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Paia, Hawaii

See all

We ordered the breakfast burrito, sandwich and cold latte! The food was incredible! Shoutout to the habanero jam, super spicy and super tasty! Cute cozy cafe and a warm and welcoming ambiance !! Would visit again ! read more

Wow!! It takes a lot for me to write a review...Super excited to have found this little treasure! We spent half a day seeing beautiful waterfalls on the road to Hana and stopped in Paia for a bite. We heard about the Fish Market but the line was down the block so we popped in to Cafe Mambo. Looooved it!! We had the kale salad and the Mahi Mahi sandwich and shared both. The sandwich was literally my favorite fish sandwich ever. It was very fresh and had a sesame aioli and much was subtle and beautifully balanced. The kale salad was also amazing with a delicious balsamic, feta, pickled onion and candied walnuts. Literally lick the plate good. Absolutely put this on your list! read more

We had an evening meal here recently. The food was terrific. I had pasta Bolognese and my wife had a pesto pasta. We shared a burrata appetizer. We would've liked a little more bread with it. I particularly liked the Pinot Grigio from Slovenia, which you could get by the glass or bottle. under the downside, Service was a little sluggish. Ambiance is quite informal with almost all the diners wearing shorts and a T-shirt. read more

Smash burger was terrible, frozen patty was very very disappointing. Ricotta pancakes were delicious. Warm water at the table should have been my first clue this lunch would be a fail. Service isn't great, staff is too busy chatting to notice you needing a refill, napkins, etc. Don't recommend-Won't be back read more

Happy New Year from Hawaii Yelpers!!! I'm starting this year off with an Hawaiian review in Maui..at the CafeMambo. This place was fantastic. Great ambiance, tip top service and the food was delicious. I dined in with my homie for a quick bite to eat and some whiskey. The steak fries were off the hook and so were the shots! Our server kept us happy and hydrated..lol Thanks a million Cafe M!!! Happy New Year!!! read more

See all

Wow! Took a bite and knew this is the best burger I've have had in the state of Hawaii... We started our meal with delicious marinated olives, sour dough and whipped feta. Yeah, whipped feta! It was amazing. The burgers were perfect and definitely go for the truffle fries. Finished up with cheesecake which was really good but made even better with the added mango - yum. The staff were all super full of aloha and made the whole meal/experience even that much better. Great food, great atmosphere, great people. Super Aloha. Can't say enough. 1000% recommend. read more

See all

Nice service. Got some appetizers for happy hour and the service was good. Coffee was a bit on the sour side because the beans weren't so fresh but still the coffee did what it needed to do. Overall pop buy for either a quick meal or a coffee if your in paia read more

Cafe Mambo - Flat white - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Paia, Hawaii

See all

We go out to eat a ton. Probably too often. I rarely write reviews. I had to for this one. This is probably one of the best places I've been in a long time. The food is fresh, local and the chef cooks things perfectly. You don't normally expect something like that from a small breakfast/lunch place. If I lived here, I would be here 2-3 times a week. read more

This was our last breakfast in Hawaii so we stopped by this cafe before heading to the airport. Immediately upon walking in, you notice the "clean" aesthetic & the bar was visually appealing. It was a bit busy but luckily we were able to be seated right away. I got "The Modern" without chives, it was alright in flavor. Actually the salad was probably what stood out the most surprisingly. My partner on the other hand ordered the "Breakfast Burrito" which was super yummy and also very filling as I had to help finish it lol. Their coffee menu didn't have much to offer outside of the basics so we opted with getting lattes nearby instead once we were done. Overall, it was an average experience read more

See all

What went well? Everything! Our group of 11 had breakfast there this morning and you can imagine the chaos that many people ordering espresso drinks, plus breakfast can be. Our server, Javie, was amazing.....great service with a smile. I had the most perfect vanilla latte I've ever had in my life. In fact, everyone's lattes were delicious and beautiful. I think our group order just about everything on the menu, which was beautifully presented and delicious. So many nice touches. All 11 in our group gave it a "thumbs up". The new owners, Kody and Isabell, transformed the tired, old Mambo into a chic, comfortable space.....one that is now on our "favorite" list. read more

See all

From start to finish soooo good!!! Highly recommend!! Not going anywhere else to eat in Paia now. Our server, Jacob, was everything, kind, informative, accommodating, attentive, but not intrusive, showed up just when needed, smooth! The cocktails were perfection, Lychee Up & Rosemary margarita, then appetizers, focaccia w/honey and the Crudo was epic! Lemon pasta was delish, and the absolute, "didn't expect it" flavor explosion, tomato salad was amazing!! If you get one thing on the menu the tomato salad is a must. I will be back for sure! read more

The place was nice and airy. The girls working yeaterday were very attentive and helpful. The food was delicious. We have eaten all over the Island for years, this is on the newer side. We ordered the grilled chicken sandwich, a smash burger with fries, and the IPA on draft. It was excellent food. The burger and sandwich were perfectly prepared. The fries were perfectly cooked. The IPA was cold. Overall 100% recommend. Come follow my Island food posts for the next week. Eating is enjoyable and great food with service is priceless. read more

See all

We came here for breakfast before starting our Road to Hana. Such a cute town and cute little place. The eggs are very fresh! I wasn't initially impressed by the small breakfast menu but wow. Everything is just perfectly done. Orange juice is indeed freshly squeezed. Very good. Bacon very crispy. I ordered the house made jam on top of the regular breakfast and it was yum - pieces of strawberries in it. I dipped my sourdough toast in it. The pancakes were amazing - the rosemary flavor was so good. Awesome place to get a great start to your day. They serve breakfast all day. read more

See all

I used to love this place and have recommended it to many people, which makes this visit especially disappointing. I asked for no cheese on my burger, but it still came with cheese. My Gilda, which should have been an appetizer, didn't arrive until well after my burger. I was the only customer at the time, so it wasn't as though the staff was overwhelmed. Service here is very hit or miss depending on who's working. I've noticed staff spending more time chatting behind the bar than checking on customers. I was also never told there would be an extra charge for paying by card. The server simply asked whether I was paying with cash or card without mentioning the fee. While I understand that some businesses choose to pass along credit card processing costs, it should be disclosed upfront. Regardless, I find this practice to be unrefined and not particularly customer-friendly. It's a shame because this used to be one of my favorite spots, but the inconsistent service and lack of attention to detail make it hard to recommend anymore. read more

The chicken sandwich was one of the best I've ever had and the burger was juicy and fresh. Fries were really good. I had a great Bloody Mary. Very cute interior, bright and clean. Service was excellent. read more

Tasty quaint spot for brunch or lunch. Service was prompt and friendly. Would love to see ice water - our water was room temp and it seemed that was the standard. Not so refreshing. Seating was a bit squished...best to sit on one of the sides so you don't feel surrounded. Didn't see any lemonade or other non-coffee drinks available. All in all a good spot in Paia while shopping. read more

See all

A $25 cheeseburger with fries should come with as much free dipping sauce as someone could want. I cannot rationalize in any way shape or form why ranch or similar (aïoli) would be an extra multiple dollar charge with such an expensive dish that includes fries. read more

Cafe Mambo - Burger and fries - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Paia, Hawaii

See all

Great little spot in the heart of the town. We made our way here after going to the beach. We got extremely lucky with a window seat. This was nice as it was hot. This place is small and can get busy. Service can be a little slow but our waiter was very nice. We got the classic breakfast, BLT, and a chicken sandwich. Sides are extra but the portions are very generous. My wife loved her coffee too. Definitely go here if your hungry and driving the Paia. read more

We popped in for lunch, without knowing much - we were extremely impressed. We each had a mahi sandwich that was perfectly seasoned. Our bottle of wine was a quality compliment. I also commented on how perfect the wine glass/stemware was. It all felt upscale and elevated without being stuffy. Fair prices as well. Excellent ambiance, great staff. Stop in! read more

The food, service, and ambiance were all perfect for our last dinner in Maui. We had the olives to start, the fish, chicken, the pasta limone, and the pesto pasta. Everything was so amazing and this is the best food spot in Paia. 11/10 recommend! read more

The food was delicious! The service was ok. I wanted a warmer greeting upon arrival. The menu I just couldn't get over! It was kinda gross. It was basically a crumpled piece of paper. Super tacky for such a modern place. I also walked back to the bathroom and you can see behind the bar/register. It looked disorganized and didn't match the vibe they want to create. I'd definitely recommend it for the food. Just coming from 20+ years of restaurant experience, I think if they made an effort to remedy those two things, it would be solid. read more

The Sweet Potato Bowl was amazing. Quite disappointed in the smash burger, really tasted like a premade frozen burger. The customer Service was Blah, they had us pay before we even got our food and never checked on us again. read more

Cafe Mambo - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Paia, Hawaii

Wonderful!!! Great Ambiance. Our server, Ashley, was an angel! The food wasn't blowing me away but it was a good experience! My favorite was the lemon ricotta pancakes. AND my drink had a cute pumpkin on it :) read more

See all

I ate there for the 2nd and last time yesterday. i ordered a fish sandwich. the piece of fish was the size of a half piece of bacon. I mentioned it to the waitress. She shrugged her shoulders and gave me the bill. staff is very snotty too. they're too busy talking to each other. read more

I'm uncertain about what changes they made to the soft scramble in their contemporary dish. Now, it tastes like rubber, paired with brown avocado. Initially, I thought it might have been a bad day for the chef, but upon trying it again, the once remarkable dish was elusive. Relying on corner-cutting isn't the way to maintain quality. Considering its steep $20 price, this isn't a recommendation I can make. I was once ready to pay that amount, but not for what it's turned into recently. read more

So glad there's a new and good restaurant in Paia! I guess it's not technically new, but totally revamped maybe? Loved the tomato salad and the crudo appetizer. And my burger was excellent. Oh - ask about the focaccia! Seems like they always have it but it's off-menu? Perfect for sopping up that crudo marinade . . . read more

Cafe Mambo is an absolute Paia gem--the kind of place that ruins other restaurants for you. Every time we come here, we swear we'll order something different... and every time we panic because choosing between the Wagyu burger, the fresh catch, and the venison pasta feels impossible. (Pro tip: there is no wrong answer, only delicious consequences and always ask for extra sauces.) The quality is always on point, the staff is beyond friendly and accommodating, and it somehow feels both elevated and totally relaxed at the same time. Extra love to Kendra, our favorite server, who always leaves us smiling and makes the whole experience even better--honestly, seeing her is part of the reason we keep coming back. If you're in Paia and you don't eat here... that one's on you. Must try. read more

The food here is consistently tasty and the portions are very generous. Easy parking, friendly staff, reasonable prices.

We walked in because of the esthetic of the restaurant clean white fresh feeling. We ordered the chicken sandwich with fries and a side salad it all tasted very good. The service was friendly and they work as a team which is nice . We give this place high ratings. read more

Perfect place to stop and get a snack and cappuccino in Paia. The Italian sandwich brought us back to Italy trying to guess the region. Update thought about this place while we walked around town and wound up back here for dinner. Zucchini to start and both pastas were excellent. (Bolognese and al Limone) read more

Cafe Mambo - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Paia, Hawaii

See all

Don't waste your money Very rude and disrespectful, walked in for coffee. Put my shopping bags on the table to order coffee and the first words out the workers mouth was sorry we don't allow outside food. I didn't have food just a shopping bag. No welcome just straight to hateful rudeness. read more