If there’s a seafood restaurant in heaven it would be this one. Mama’s Fish House is THAT good. From the awe-inspiring panoramic views of the ocean from your table to the printed daily fresh catch menus, this iconic restaurant located on the North Shore of Maui checks all the boxes. No wonder you have to book a table here months in advance! Trust me though, it’s worth it to dine at a restaurant rated 2nd best in the entire United States.

When you first pull up to Mama’s you’re greeted by a valet attendant. All the parking on-site is valet, so have cash ready to tip after your meal. When you get out of your car you’re immediately distracted by the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Silhouettes of palm trees dance on the sand beneath your feet. You can usually see local women with their children playing in the tide pools near the shoreline. I recommend arriving early for your reservation for this reason, so you can enjoy all the beauty the grounds of this restaurant has to offer.

If you’re dining at Mama’s for a special occasion be sure to notate this on your reservation or let them know ahead of time. If you do so you’ll have a custom card welcoming you to your table, which is the perfect keepsake to remember your dining experience. I saved the menu as a memento as well, since it’s printed daily with the date and that day’s local catches.

As a wedding gift, my aunt and uncle gifted Brian and I with a gift certificate to Mama’s Fish House. It was such an amazing and thoughtful gift, as it really treated us to an experience we won’t forget. I ordered “Mama’s Fish Curry” that had Ono, Mahi Mahi and Monchong in it. My husband ordered the lobster tails. The seafood is all so fresh that the menu tells you where off the island it was caught that day and the name of the fisherman who caught it.

The staff was gracious in working with our dietary requests too. We’re pescatarian and don’t eat dairy or eggs, so they kept this in mind while suggesting which menu items to try. We were beyond satisfied with everything and there was no shortage of flavor in any of the dishes. Plenty of people were enjoying cocktails, but we skipped this since we were driving to the Nakalele Blow Hole after. I look forward to going back though and ordering the “Mai Tai Roa Ae”. Just keep in mind that each cocktail runs around $20, so that’s a very easy way to rack up a high tab quickly. Although, the views that come with the drink are priceless…so #treatyoself!

Spotted some familiar faces on the way out. Celebrities make a point to stop at Mama’s to eat and be added to their “Wall of Fame,” which is now so expansive it fills an entire gazebo.

Don’t forget to book in advance! Mama’s allows you to book a reservation up to a year ahead of time, although you can always keep an eye out for last minute cancellations too. If you’re traveling around the holidays though, I would definitely recommend booking as soon as you book your trip.

Have you been to Mama’s Fish House or are you planning to visit in the future? If so, please let me know in the comments below. Until next time, Aloha!