We are going to Hawaii in 2 weeks for our honeymoon and wanted to know if there are any "must try" and/or "don't bother "restaurants you can suggest.....

Also - has anyone ever attended the Food and Wine Festival?

thanks!

You absolutely have to go to Mama's Fish House near Paia. It is the best.

See their website: http://www.mamasfishhouse.com/aboutmamas.html

I second the suggestion of Mama's Fish House. I will remember that night forever. Our timing worked out great because we got there right around 5pm (we didn't have reservations) and we got a nice table overlooking the beach. The food and service is fabulous! Quite expensive, but definitely worth it. Best food and best atmosphere in my lifetime.

I'O at the 505 Front Street complex in Lahaina is my favorite restaurant on Maui. I thought their fish entrees were better than Mama's, although Mama's did have the best ahi poke I've ever tasted.

At the Four Seasons in Wailea, Ferraro's restaurant. We spent 2 weeks last month in Hawaii for our honeymoon and this was one of the most romantic restaurants of the trip. Outdoors above the ocean, great views, great food, and the topper was the classical guitarist and violinist playing love songs. Our reservation was for 8:30 and by 9:15 there was hardly anyone else there - very romantic. We didn't know it at the time, but apparently the Four Seasons also has a newish Spago, Wolfgang Puck's restaurant. have fun!

Ditto to Mama's Fish House and I'O. Both were faubulous! Was just there in late May, can't wait to go back!

Just honeymooned there in January. Try Nicks Fish Market In Wailea. The Waterfront in Maalea - you have to get there white chocolate blueberry cheesecake for dessert - I still think about that! I also recommend any restaurant at the Four Seasons.

Have a wonderful time!

Sansei in Kapalua is the best sushi in the USA. Incredibly priced happy hour, I think before 7 and after 10.

Don't eat at Bubba Gump's, food was terrible.

I disagree about Bubba Gumps--we had a great meal there (lunch) last week in Lahaina.

Second for Sansei, we ate there last week and not only great sushi but an outstanding Asian inspired menu. Two of their dishes won Best of Maui awards.

Thanks for the link to Mama's web site, I found it quite entertaining. Somehow, the term "Tropical Fish" makes me think of something swimming in an aquarium, not sitting on my plate. And I'm not sure if I would call their dishes "Polynesian cooking".

But the food IS good and that's all that matters...

Here are some of my favorites: I 've been to Maui 6 times ... and these restaurants can't be beat!

PACIFIC'O
505 Front St., Lahaina, HI, USA
Phone: 808/667-4341

This place is in downtown Lahaina, at the far end of all the shops. (Right across from I'0 mentioned above ... at 505 Front St.) We had a great meal there … it's more pricey … but the atmosphere is great, as is the food. This was one of our absolute favorite places. Try to sit outside on the terrace at Sunset. It's magical!

CASCADES
Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa Kaanapali, HI

An open-air steak, seafood and sushi garden restaurant and cocktail lounge overlooking both the Lahaina and Napili pools and the Pacific Ocean. Specialties include salads, sandwiches, fresh fish and other steak, seafood and sushi dishes.

This one is at the Hyatt and we had a great, great meal there. The bar is also kind of cool for drinks or appetzers before dinner. It sits overlooking the main pool and the ocean … ask if you can sit way out at one of the tables facing the ocean!

HULA GRILL
Whalers Village, 2435 Kaanapali Pkwy., Kaanapali, HI, USA
Phone: 808/667-6636

This place is just so fun. I think there are actually two parts to the restaurant … one is a little more formal … but the "Barefoot Bar" is more casual … where your table is in the sand … and they had a fun bar. It's in the Whaler's Village Shopping Center, sitting right on Kaanapali Beach.

Also, Sansei, mentioned above, is EXCELLENT for sushi lovers!