We have made reservations for Mama's for our last lunch on Maui in a couple of weeks but continue to see comments on this board regarding the high price of the food--that other meals on Maui are actually just as good or even better for a much lower cost. For those who have been there fairly recently, what do you think? Is Mama's worth the high price?

I personally thought it was worth it. I'm glad you are going for lunch and not dinner--smart move! Sure, it's expensive, but the view, ambiance, and food are worth it in my opinion. I know there have been some negative reviews here, but I personally loved it. My strategy was to spilt an appetizer & order a salad as my lunch. Plenty of food and saved some $$.

We ate supper there the evening before Thanksgiving and thoroughly enjoyed it. They know how to treat children well(though they are not overrun with little cherubs) and my children, who know dining (and almost everything else), were impressed. Prices per person: the main courses ran $30-40, the appetizers and desserts $10-15 or so, drinks w/umbrellas $10 and the children's meals (3 courses) $15. Wine-a good selection-is wine. The prices are comparable to many higher-end establishments, e.g., Nick's, Sarrento's, Spago's... on Maui. The service and ambience were exceptional. The food was very good, though one could match or better it elsewhere. Not a bad table in the main dining area-all had good views of the water. In fact, the physical layout was almost too pat, well executed or contrived (check out the walkway stones) , depending on your frame of mind. My only complaint: the dining room was a little too warm. Arrive early and watch the surfers and sailboarders just up the road. Well worth one trip.

go for it! We stopped there for late afternoon pupus and thoroughly enjoyed it. The food was very good (try the ahi poke appetizer), the mai-tais EXCELLENT, and the views were great. It's an experience, and you are going the right time of day for it.

aloha!

aloha!

YES! Best fish we ever had.

Absolutely! If you're lucky, they'll even tell you who caught what you're eating. Now, that's service!

YES...YES..YES

Had shrimp won-ton appetizer. Had mahi-mahi for main course.

Great atmosphere. We had reservations for just at sunset.

Do not try and include this as part of a "road to Hana" trip.

Hi, please respond to "high price". Excluding wine, etc. what would be the cost of an average lunch choice compared to dinner choice?

I have been to Mama's Fishhouse for both lunch and dinner, and found lunch to be much more pleasant (late lunch, in particular, because it is less crowded). You can actually appreciate the ocean views and the flowers better during the day. The fish is very fresh, so I would say that the experience is worth the money if you like fish.

Without a doubt! Yes, it's a bit pricey - but my goodness! It's amazing food, gorgeous location - you are paying for perfection in every way and it's worth it!

I agree with all above posters.
Went for a sunset dinner & it was amazing. Requested a table by the window & got it which made the night even better.
We had 1 app, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 2 mixed drinks, and 1 bottle of wine - I think it ran us $185 including tax & tip. It was pricey but we thought it was totally worth it.
Plan in some time to walk along the beach there since you will be around during the day - so beautiful!

We were disappointed with the food, the service and the price. I would not go out of my way to go there again. You can better at other places in Maui.

In November 2003 we were at Mama's, first for a sunset dinner, and then for lunch. (We were staying at a private compound near Paia, so it was not out of our way to travel there). We thought lunch would have been much less expensive, but unless you order the salads for lunch, the fish entrees are not less in price. I am not a "salad for my main course" type, even at lunch, so the cost of both meals were pretty much the same.

Hi everyone. Just got back this afternoon. We did eat lunch at Mama's on the way to the airport yesterday. It was expensive ($150 for 1 planter's punch, 1 ice tea, a $19 appetizer of 3 tiny portions of what husband said was delicious sashimi and other fish, 1 green salad with heart of palm and a few cherry tomatoes, 2 fish entrees, 3 tiny scoops of sorbet (lime, berry, coconut) and the Big Island chocolate pie. Food was delicious, setting was beautiful and service was fine. If you want a big splurge meal then this is the place. If spending that much for a meal gives you heartburn, you will have many other options to try on Maui. You could also eat salad or sandwich for a little less than an entree ($25 instead of $31?), but why? By the way, I did not think that the Maalea Waterfront offered the same experience or food, but was about 1/3 less--it was $102 with tax and tip for dinner. Also, the manager and the waiter at the Waterfront erroneously informed us that they did not accept the Gold Card (which was supposed to give us a 25% discount). We called the Gold card folks the next day and will get our $30 back from the Gold Card folks.

Hi lacontessa,

We just had dinner at Mama's Fish House Christmas eve. It was our first visit to Mama's. The entire experience was exquisite. I left there thinking it was the best meal of my life. The ambiance was perfect for my hawaiian vacation. We ordered three appetizers, two meals, two drinks and one dessert. The bill came to $205.00 with tip. The service is impeccable.

My feeling now is Maui is not a complete trip without one visit to Mama's.

i live on maui and all of the restaurants are pricey to most people mamas is totally worth it!