At Sale Pepe, we invite you into our modern, trans-continental family, La Famiglia Di Bari. Our story starts with food, as most of the good ones do. We met at a restaurant, one of his, in Brooklyn. I'm Qiana, a native New Yorker, from Red Hook, Brooklyn. My husband, Michele, is from Rozzano, Milan by way of southern Italy.
From vastly different worlds and cultures, we bonded over a love of cuisine, family, and travel. On one such trip to Maui, overcome by the magic of the island, we married on a whim, and kept coming back. Eventually, the pull that Maui held on our hearts could no longer be denied. We sold our Brooklyn restaurant and moved to Lahaina, eager to share our vision, philosophy, and love of Italian food and culture with the community.
From vastly different worlds and cultures, we bonded over a love of cuisine, family, and travel. On one such trip to Maui, overcome by the magic of the island, we married on a whim, and kept coming back. Eventually, the pull that Maui held on our hearts could no longer be denied. We sold our Brooklyn restaurant and moved to Lahaina, eager to share our vision, philosophy, and love of Italian food and culture with the community.
Reviews (23)
P. Ms.
Feb 01, 2022
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Gwen H.
Jan 28, 2022
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We cannot say enough about how much we enjoyed our dinner here! Cozy, intimate, fun, interesting, delicious - if I use any more adjectives, my high school English teacher would scold me. From appetizer, to house-baked bread, to exquisite rabbit and guancale fresh pasta dishes, we thoroughly enjoyed every bite.
Debi Raymond
Jan 23, 2022
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If you're in the mood for some amazing Italian food while on Maui, you have to check out Sale Pepe!!! Make reservations and be prepared to enjoy a wonderful meal. If Spaghetti al Tartufo Nero is on the menu, DO NOT PASS IT UP!!!! The Black Truffles are insanely good!!! My husband had the Polpette and I'm not a big meat eater, but they were some amazing Meatballs. This is a wonderful place worth the visit while in Lahaina!!
Suzy S.
Jan 23, 2022
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I've never heard of anyone going to Hawaii and raving about Italian food they've eaten there. Well let me be the first! I dined with friends who come here often and I wasn't disappointed.
I was a bit put off by the QR code menu. It is hard to read, especially if you didn't bring you cheaters. The special board is in Italian but I guessed at most and our server filled in the blanks.
We started with a Lemon Basil Martini. The basil was muddled. Enough to give it a great favor. Moving on to the special appetizer. I don't remember the name, but it was basically soft gooey
I was a bit put off by the QR code menu. It is hard to read, especially if you didn't bring you cheaters. The special board is in Italian but I guessed at most and our server filled in the blanks.
We started with a Lemon Basil Martini. The basil was muddled. Enough to give it a great favor. Moving on to the special appetizer. I don't remember the name, but it was basically soft gooey
Naz Khorram
Jan 14, 2022
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MUST VISIT SPOT. My partner’s Italian and even with his expectation, this place is hands down one of the best Italian foods we had. My partner called the Arancini the best in years, and we are from San Francisco, so we already have great Italian food and high standards. And we got the Calabrese Pizza and the Rigatoni which both felt super homey, fresh and tasty. Staff was nice and knowledgeable.
TheMcGrews
Jan 14, 2022
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Excellent. Italian Uber driver told us to come here as did 2 other locals. He was right. The salad dressing, lemon parmesan, was fantastic. Had Pizza Margarita which was very good (can you tell we asked for EXTRA basil). We then went all out to try the spaghetti carbonara and the lasagna. Hey, we knew we were ordering enough for the next days condo lunch! Carbonara was very good (and we have had it many times in Italy). The lasagna was great too. We rolled out of there and passed on desert for obvious reasons.
Alfred L.
Jan 13, 2022
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Me and my wife wanted some pizza and this place was amazing. The pizza is Italian style with the mozzarella melted in balls. We also decided to try their risotto which I was surprised to see. It was a truffle risotto and was amazing. If they have it on the menu, try this! Trust me ! The only thing I can say is that I wish the risotto came with bread. Anyway, amazing food and great service.
Michelle O.
Jan 02, 2022
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You haven't had real Italian food until you've been to @salepepemaui - this is hands down the best Italian food I've ever had. Hand made pasta topped off with shaved black truffle, crispy thin pizza with prosciutto/olives/mushrooms, aranchini with perfectly cooked risotto and a crispy outer shell, creamy variety of cheese. Say no more, this place is amazing. Service was also great!
FYI the truffle fettuccini was a special, it does change so always check before you go but anything here will be delicious!!
FYI the truffle fettuccini was a special, it does change so always check before you go but anything here will be delicious!!
LeeAnn O.
Dec 07, 2021
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We wanted to switch it up after eating so much seafood, and this place hit the spot. We got a margarita pizza for a starter and the dough was really good, thin and crispy. My husband got the pasta with the guanciale which was delicious, very rich sauce. I got the carbonara which was creamy and balanced and the crispy pancetta kicked it up a notch. Very friendly staff who helped with wine suggestions as it was all Italian wines we weren't familiar with. Overall a great spot, definitely recommend.
Hannah Risheq
Dec 02, 2021
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Rob M.
Nov 18, 2021
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We had a great dinner at Sale Pepe. In addition to indoor dining they have four (maybe five?) tables outside. Perfect for dinner, shaded from the late afternoon sun. Since I am not vaxxed this was important as current HI law restricts me from dining indoors at restaurants.
Our friends really enjoyed the crostini with cheese and prosciutto. My wife's romaine salad was very good with a very nice house-made dressing, kind of a creamy Italian dressing. I started with a bowl of green olives, served warm in a fresh rosemary brine.
I had the spaghetti carbonara for dinner. Excellent! My wife
Our friends really enjoyed the crostini with cheese and prosciutto. My wife's romaine salad was very good with a very nice house-made dressing, kind of a creamy Italian dressing. I started with a bowl of green olives, served warm in a fresh rosemary brine.
I had the spaghetti carbonara for dinner. Excellent! My wife
Justin Snider
Oct 12, 2021
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Absolutely delicious! Pasta is homemade and tastes like it. Meat balls are so juicy with a great tomato sauce (I normally don't like tomato sauces). We got a pizza to go and my God was it great. Pizza Bianca. It made for a great lunch the next day. The Caesar salad was a bit underwhelming but the other mixed salad was very good. Shrimp were incredible and I wish I had an order to take home. Highly recommend!
Edit: Cosign other reviews about the hostess not being friendly. Idk what her deal was but she just had bad vibes and didn't come across friendly. We had a res and showed up and were told
Edit: Cosign other reviews about the hostess not being friendly. Idk what her deal was but she just had bad vibes and didn't come across friendly. We had a res and showed up and were told
Theresa R.
Sep 27, 2021
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This place is still a 10 on our list of must visit at least twice in Maui (Lahaina). After a year of not traveling due to COVID we were more then thrilled to make this our first stop after a long travel day and it did not disappoint. This restaurant is clean and has adapted well to the COVID rules with a bang up take out business. The staff make you feel welcome and are the most friendly and courteous on the island. Once I am here we know we are in our Maui Italy. Menu remains diverse with long standing favorites and specials per the chalkboard. We love the pizza a true neopolitan style to start
Karen Jahns
Sep 13, 2021
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Nice restaurant and very friendly staff. My husband had booked a reservation for later in the evening but we happened to be in the area earlier and inquired with the hostess if we could switch our reservation to earlier. Thankfully they did have another reservation slot open earlier and we were able to dine in. If you cancel your reservation there is a $30 charge.
Upon arrival we were asked to provide ID with our vaccination cards. Safe dining experience.
I tried the Margerita pizza which was delicious. It's about a 12 inch pizza. Very light crust with tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella and fresh
Upon arrival we were asked to provide ID with our vaccination cards. Safe dining experience.
I tried the Margerita pizza which was delicious. It's about a 12 inch pizza. Very light crust with tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella and fresh
Kait
Sep 04, 2021
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Let me begin by saying I very rarely write reviews. Especially negative ones. However, our experience here was abysmal.
Last night we ordered takeout pizza. I attempted to place my order online, but the order was not going through. As directed, I called the restaurant directly to place my order and whom ever answered told me I can’t take phone orders. I politely explained the site was down to which she said “oh I’m sorry, ok thank you, bye I’ll let them know” and hung up on me.
That should have been it but due to frustration with trying to find a place to order and my husband wanting
Last night we ordered takeout pizza. I attempted to place my order online, but the order was not going through. As directed, I called the restaurant directly to place my order and whom ever answered told me I can’t take phone orders. I politely explained the site was down to which she said “oh I’m sorry, ok thank you, bye I’ll let them know” and hung up on me.
That should have been it but due to frustration with trying to find a place to order and my husband wanting
A. W.
Sep 02, 2021
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Incredible food here on Maui. Once we got past the hostess (not super friendly, but then switched it on when talking to another person she thought was important from Pacifico) we got to our table and our server was great. Extremely attentive and knowledgeable of the menu. We got appetizers, entrees, and dessert. All of it was fantastic. Clearly using top notch ingredients and made with care. The pizza was among the best Italian I’ve had. Would definitely recommend heading to this place. If you’re greeted by a not so welcoming hostess don’t let that spoil your experience. Loved it!
Kelley B.
Aug 24, 2021
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Surprisingly authentic and delicious Italian food tucked into this strip mall restaurant. Indoor tables had extra space between them because of the pandemic which was nice. All of the food that we had was delicious! The crostini was a nice light start, then we got several pastas all of which were homemade and had unique sauces, and the pizza was surprisingly big and equally tasty. This was a great place to break from the usual seafood restaurants in Maui, and I highly recommend it!
Simon C.
Aug 15, 2021
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A very authentic Italian restaurant, this place is very popular and reservation is a must. We got seated promptly, and were lucky enough to sit right next to the pizza oven where we were looking at the pizza chef taking pizzas in and out of the oven, it was fun to watch.
Arancini Classici: A
It's actually my first time having arancini, this fried rice ball dish looks simple to make but I'm sure it's not to make it so perfect, the texture and the sauce was everything, great start of the night.
Pizza Bianca: A
It tasted exceptional! The meat, veggie and cheese were all perfect, it
Arancini Classici: A
It's actually my first time having arancini, this fried rice ball dish looks simple to make but I'm sure it's not to make it so perfect, the texture and the sauce was everything, great start of the night.
Pizza Bianca: A
It tasted exceptional! The meat, veggie and cheese were all perfect, it
Tiana G.
Aug 10, 2021
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Great Italian place tucked away from the noise and hustle and bustle of the main road of shops and restaurants. It's on the other side. Loved everything we ordered. We were hungry, so the waitress recommended the appetizer. I don't remember what it was; it was very unique and tasty. Some kind of meatballs, but a ton of ingredients in it. Fresh ingredients. The only thing we didn't like is the ants crawling all over the planter right next to our table on the patio area in the front. They thankfully didn't bother us, but it was appealing to be near that when eating. The service
Janki P.
Jul 27, 2021
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Amazing!! Went there at closing to order take out, but were lucky enough to get seated. Best Italian food here! The Spaghetti with black truffles was AMAZING!! Great texture & full of flavor! The Pizza had large chunks of delicious roasted garlic & tasted great with a side of marinara. The pizza sauce was to dieeee for! Susie was our waitress & she she was so kind and friendly and extremely helpful!
Shantala A.
Jul 16, 2021
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This place is the best for authentic Italian food. The Roman Holiday is a MUST try. The waitress was very friendly and offered lots of substitutions in the wood fired pizzas to make them vegetarian friendly. We got the eggplant rigatoni, the risotto and the Bianca with modifications. Pizza was Neapolitan style, very delicious. Risotto was like comfort food. And the rigatoni was good too. Overall, a great meal and we loved it!
Jonathan C.
Jun 10, 2021
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Hearing that the owners were from Brooklyn and Italy, I was super looking forward to having some great pizza and pasta. Unfortunately, the food didn't taste as good as they looked, which was a bit disappointing.
We started off with the romaine and lemon-parmiggiano vinaigrette salad. For $10, it was a very simple salad with a fresh half head of romaine lettuce with some oil and cheese. Nice flavors, but a bit pricey for what they serve.
Strozzapreti Kale and Malama Farms Sausage: The hand-twisted pasta was very delicious and had the perfect chewy texture. Unfortunately, I was a bit surprised
We started off with the romaine and lemon-parmiggiano vinaigrette salad. For $10, it was a very simple salad with a fresh half head of romaine lettuce with some oil and cheese. Nice flavors, but a bit pricey for what they serve.
Strozzapreti Kale and Malama Farms Sausage: The hand-twisted pasta was very delicious and had the perfect chewy texture. Unfortunately, I was a bit surprised
Lucy H.
Mar 25, 2021
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We liked our visit so much the last time that we tried to go back again tonight. Sadly, we could not get seated, no surprise - very glad for them. We like Sale Pepe so much that we've recommended it to a lot of people and also bought a $200 gift card for friend's birthday.
I am in the industry and I have never taxed gift card purchases. I was very very disappointed and upset that we are being taxed on the $200 gift card purchase and incensed that our friend will be taxed on his use of this same gift card! Absurd, sketchy and I would dare say, illegal?
The poor hostess did try
I am in the industry and I have never taxed gift card purchases. I was very very disappointed and upset that we are being taxed on the $200 gift card purchase and incensed that our friend will be taxed on his use of this same gift card! Absurd, sketchy and I would dare say, illegal?
The poor hostess did try
