Stopwatch Bar & Grill - Makawao Restaurant Image
#4 of 25 Restaurants in Makawao American

Stopwatch Bar & Grill

3.8(171 community reviews)
Moderate ($$)

About

Discover Stopwatch Bar & Grill, offering the best American experience in Makawao. Enjoy Moderate ($$) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

An Upcountry Institution

Perched in the heart of Makawao town, Stopwatch Bar & Grill serves as the unofficial living room for Maui’s paniolo country. The atmosphere here is unapologetically local; expect worn wood floors that have seen decades of cowboy boots and a steady hum of conversation that rises during game nights. It is the kind of place where the television is always tuned to sports, and the draft beer is poured with a heavy hand.

Pub Grub with a Local Twist

The kitchen focuses on straightforward, hearty fare designed to soak up a few cold ones after a chilly day in the mountains. Locals swear by the thick, juicy burgers and the plate lunches that highlight classic island comfort food. If you are lucky, you might catch one of their daily specials featuring fresh catch from North Shore waters. The menu is simple, predictable, and consistently hits the mark for those craving honest pub food.

The Makawao Vibe

Stepping inside this tavern offers a refreshing break from the polished resort scenes found closer to the coast. It is a no-frills environment where your neighbors are likely to be local ranchers or hikers coming down from the slopes of Haleakala. Be aware that parking in town can be a bit of a scramble during busy evenings, so finding a spot along the main road might require a short walk. The noise level tends to pick up as the evening progresses, making it a lively spot for meeting new people rather than a destination for a quiet, intimate dinner. Whether you are grabbing a quick lunch while exploring the shops of Makawao or settling in for a long night of football, the Stopwatch provides an authentic look at life in Maui’s interior.

Photos

Stopwatch Bar & Grill - Makawao Restaurant Image

Location

1127 Makawao Ave, Makawao, Hawaii, 96768-9447

Directions

Reviews

Showing 10 of 171 community reviews
K

Kristin DebnarGoogle Maps

Recently

We loved this place! We are staying about a mile outside of Makawao and drove past a few times before my son suggested we try it for dinner. We were so glad he did. The food was fantastic - we had pizza, chicken Parmesan and 3 different types of pasta (all pasta is made in house!). Everything was great. The ambiance is so nice and welcoming and the service was wonderful. What a treat! We will be back.

O

oli stastnyGoogle Maps

Recently

The food was excellent! Fresh house made pasta made me feel like being home in Italy! We tried all starters and even a Tomahawk steak - off the charts! We will be back soon

S

S. A.Google Maps

Recently

Absolutely outstanding experience. The food here is exceptional, but the pizza deserves its own paragraph. This is, without exaggeration, the best pizza I’ve ever had. Perfectly balanced in every way — the flavors, the texture, everything. The dough is incredibly fresh: soft and airy on the inside, yet beautifully fire-baked on the outside. It has a crust, but it’s not hard or dry — it stays soft and melts as you eat it. Truly something special. I actually asked our server who makes the pizza — and it’s Doug. You can tell there’s real skill and care behind it. It’s not just good — it’s memorable. Drinks are also excellent, and the overall vibe of the place is relaxed, warm, and inviting. If you’re in Hawaii, this place is a must.

A

Ashley PaganGoogle Maps

Recently

I had the lamb chops, my husband had the steak, Both were under seasoned. The kids had the Americano pizza which actually was pretty good. The price for the entrées was not worth what we got, but I would come here again to try the pasta menu.

N

Nathalie De ClercqGoogle Maps

Recently

Casanova is a really fun spot with a great atmosphere. The night we went they had karaoke going, which made the whole place lively and entertaining. The food was very good, especially the pizza, and the wine selection was solid. The waiters were friendly and attentive, and everything felt relaxed and welcoming. It was also easy to park, which is always a plus. A great place for a casual night out with good food and good energy.

G

Gary greenGoogle Maps

Recently

Something’s only get better with time. If you haven’t been to Casanova’s Italian Restaurant in Makawao, what are you waiting for? An invitation. Well now you have one, from me. This has always been one of my favorite restaurants on Maui. Now even though they have new owners and a really great renovation to the restaurant the old charm and great local Makawao vibe remains the same. Guess what? The food is Better Than Ever! As our fantastic server Chris described to us, you can go somewhere else for a dash and dine or sit down in the back of dining room and enjoy a “buffet delay”. You say what is that? A slow leisurely dinner orchestrated in courses at the speed of Island time. Start with an Aperol spritzer and the best homemade focaccia bread , straight out of their wood fired brick oven. Relax and enjoy. Then a great garlicky Caesar salad and make sure to have the anchovies. Now try and choose wisely for the next course. We went with the good old standby of Bucatini Bolognese and the world’s best meatballs and pasta Carbonara. Creamy delicious with prosciutto and maui onions. We were now delaying and Chris remembered we were still celebrating my wife’s birthday and BAMM. Madagascar vanilla ice cream with homemade sauces and a cool striped cookie. After Chris lead the restaurant in a boisterous Happy Birthday to my wife we remembered why we always come up to Makawao to eat at Casanovas. Grazie

M

Maui World TravelersGoogle Maps

Recently

This original location has better, more authentic dishes than the restaurant in Kahului of similar name. ATMOSPHERE: The open-air restaurant is plain and simple. Old interior that's a mixup of tavern, bistro and patio, but clean, which is what matters. The place turns into teeny bopper heaven on certain nights, sans the stage, dance floor, and stadium-style seating off to the side. The parking lot is tiny, but there are quite a few street parking along Baldwin Ave. BEVERAGE: Moscow Mule Textbook version. FOOD: House Bread Soft and chewy Focaccia with olive oil & vinegar. Delish! And comp with any entree or pasta dish upon request. Kaesar I absolutely hate kale but not here! How does it work so well as a "caesar" salad?! Highly recommended. Calamari Fritti I'm not a fan of steak cuts but these we an exception. Linguine Pescatore Great choice for seafood lovers. Black squid ink linguine with mussels, scallops, calamari, shrimp and kalamata olives in a tomato-based sauce. The flavor was very good and the pasta cooked al dente. The amount of seafood was good but could've used more pasta (usually it's the other way around). Filet Mignon Fettuccine The dish simply needed more seasoning. Rigatoni Chicken Vodka Beverly Hills Excellent recipe with notes of broccoli. SERVICE: Our server was awesome. At first I thought she was just okay as she didn't really check on us, but when it came time to split the bill (at her suggestion), she did it snap, crackle, pop! Some places make it sound like rocket science (ahem, Polli's.) OVERALL: Good food and really good pricing.

J

J. V. RychmanGoogle Maps

Recently

Just came down from sunset at Haliakala. This place is recommended by the daughter of our friend from highschool. So here we came. Called ahead for a table. When we got there we were seated in 5 min. Wait staff very helpful. Soon we were eating bread and talking story. When our orders came, so much food! When you call to place your reservation, Tell Em' Joe sent you...they will say Joe Who... that's me 😁

N

Nicole AlbanoGoogle Maps

Recently

We stayed in Makawao for a few nights on our trip to Maui and decided to try this place for dinner. I ordered the rigatoni vodka chicken pasta and my husband got the carbonara. We also split meatballs and their homemade focaccia bread. It was all delicious and the portions were huge! We each got another meal out of our leftovers. Highly recommend trying!

R

Ruben PerfettoGoogle Maps

Recently

Food was good, fresh and served as we ordered. The sweet onion burger with fries and Paniolo burger with fries. Server was friendly and smiling. Unfortunately this place are closing permanently this month of June in Sat 15😢😢😢 Sorry no picture, after we place the order we got the notice about closing and I feel bad for the workers and owner and I didn’t think on he pictures when the food arrived.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Stopwatch Bar & Grill

Common questions from diners about Stopwatch Bar & Grill in Makawao.

The restaurant is open for lunch, dinner, and late night dining.

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