Maui: Mama's Fish House

"People will travel anywhere for good food, it's crazy." -Rene Redzepi

Someone's excited for the food... 

 Lobster Guacamole

Wasabi Crusted Calamari

 Whole Opakapaka

 Grilled Ahi

 Mama's Stuffed Mahimahi & Lobster Tail

 Traditional Hawaiian Platter - Grilled Mahimahi, Wild Boar, Octopus Luau, Ahi Poke and Taro

 Fresh Coconut 

I like to do my research on restaurants and food before every trip and Mama's Fish House was the one restaurant I wanted to try in Maui. I tried to make reservations on Open Table but they were fully booked for the next 8 weeks, so I ended up emailing the restaurant and they were kind enough to book us an early dinner right before our flight back home. It worked out great since Mama's is located close to the airport. When we first arrived, I was already in awe of the beautiful beach property, which includes both a restaurant and hotel. The food was amazing! Definitely the best restaurant we visited in Maui. We ordered dishes such as Lobster Guacamole, Wasabi Crusted Calamari, Stuffed Mahimahi, the Traditional Hawaiian platter and a Whole Opakapaka. The food was expensive but it was well worth it. Couldn't picture a better way to end the trip!

Maui: Old Lahaina Luau

"You have to taste a culture to understand it." -Deborah Cater

Lei Greeting 

Imu Hawaiian Underground Oven

Open Bar all night

Ahi Poke

Pua’a Kalua

Traditional Hawaiian Feast 

Our first time in Hawaii, we obviously had to attend a luau. The Old Lahaina Luau is located on Front Street in Lahaina, and tends to be fully booked all year long, so I would recommend buying your tickets in advance. Upon arrival, we were greeted with leis and drinks from the lovely staff, then we were shown to our table. You can choose either Traditional (sitting on cushions on the floor with a low table) or a regular table and chairs. There were Island crafts and activities including the reveal of the Imu Hawaiian underground oven. The buffet had traditional Hawaiian food like Pua’a Kalua (roasted pork), Maui Style Fish, Ahi Poke and Poi (taro), and it was open bar all night. After dinner there was music, hula dancing and banana bread with guava butter. Mmmm you must try the guava butter!

Maui: Lahaina Fish Co.

"Not all those who wander are lost." -J.R.R. Tolkien

 Coconut Lobster Skewers with sweet chili pineapple-lime sauce

 Mac Nut Crusted Mahimahi with a coconut ginger beurre blanc and sweet chili drizzle over Molokai sweet potato mash

 Ahi Poke Tacos with edamame guacamole, grape tomato, cabbage and ancho chile crema

 Seared Pepper Scallops with mushrooms, soy sake butter sauce and tobiko

The Lahaina Fish Co. is one of many restaurants located on busy Front Street in Lahaina. The seafood is fresh and their view of the ocean and Maui sunset is absolutely gorgeous. Try the Coconut Lobster Skewers, Seared Pepper Scallops and Ahi Poke Tacos.

Maui: Sansei

 "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." -St. Augustine

Panko-Crusted Fresh Ahi Sashimi - ahi tuna wrapped with arugula and spinach, panko crusted and flash fried, served with a soy wasabi butter sauce

Ahi Poke - sweet Maui onions, wakame and kaiware sprouts in a spicy poke sauce

Mango Crab Salad Hand Roll - mango, blue crab, fresh greens & crunchy peanuts, wrapped in mamenori, with a sweet Thai chili vinaigrette

“69” Roll - California roll topped with broiled unagi, masago & unagi drizzle

We couldn't have asked for a better first meal in Maui than dining at Sansei. We stayed at the Kapalua Villas so this restaurant was conveniently located at our resort. The staff was friendly (for the record, so is everyone else in Maui) and the food was delicious. Highlight dishes included the Ahi Poke (a Hawaiian staple). Panko-Crusted Fresh Ahi Sashimi, Mango Crab Salad Hand Roll, the buttery-melt-in-your-mouth Cod and the "69" Roll.