Cinnamon Roll Place

Cinnamon Roll Place is a long-running Kīhei bakery-café that does exactly what its name promises, and then a little more. The cinnamon rolls are the anchor, but the stop also covers coffee, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and a compact lunch lineup, making it one of South Maui’s most useful early-day grab-and-go options. It has the easygoing practicality of a neighborhood bakery, with enough staying power and local history to feel like more than a tourist detour.

What it does best

This is a bakery first and foremost. The cinnamon rolls are the signature order, and the rest of the menu supports that sweet-center-of-gravity with breakfast items that are simple, filling, and well suited to a day that starts at the beach. Coffee is part of the routine here, and the savory side—bagel sandwiches, wraps, and a few breakfast plates—keeps the place from being just a sugar stop.

The business also has genuine local roots. It has been on Maui since 1981, and the current owners, Annie and Mickey Gautney, carry forward a “mom and pop” tradition that has changed hands over the years without losing its identity. That continuity gives the place personality: it feels established, not manufactured.

The feel of the experience

Expect a small, counter-service setup with limited seating and a fast-moving morning rhythm. This is a practical stop, not a linger-over-brunch destination. The format works especially well for travelers heading out early, since it opens before most of Kīhei and fits neatly into a beach morning or road-trip breakfast.

The overall mood is casual and no-frills. The appeal is the food, the speed, and the convenience, not a polished dining room or a long table-service meal. For many visitors, that is exactly the point.

Good fit, caveats, and what to order

Cinnamon Roll Place is best for early risers, cinnamon-roll devotees, and anyone who wants breakfast without losing time. It is also a smart choice for takeout. If the goal is a scenic sit-down brunch or a broad, savory menu, this is probably too narrow and too compact.

The main tradeoff is space: seating is limited, and mornings can bring a line. That said, the line tends to be part of the routine rather than a dealbreaker. One practical caution is that pickup timing may not always be perfect for preorders, so travelers depending on a strict schedule should confirm directly.

Start with the cinnamon roll, then consider one of the breakfast sandwiches if a more balanced meal is the goal.