We are leaving for Maui on Thursday (yay!!) and have a couple questions about the restaurants there. Should we make reservations at the nicer restaurants (like Pacific'O and Mama's Fish House), and what time is the best time for the best views? It seems like everything we look at that has to do with the "sunset" goes from 4-6 pm, which is a bit earlier than I am used to.

Also, we are going to be driving up Haleakala for the sunrise and then doing a Haleakala zipline tour on the way back to the hotel. Is there any place near there to eat lunch afterwards? The zipline starts at 12:30, and we will going on Saturday. At least from my map, the Haliimaile General Store appears to be close, but it apparently isn't open on Saturdays.

Thanks!!

Three suggestions close to the ride to Haleakala. In Pukalani, try the Pukalani Country Club. The clubhouse dining room is open to the public. The food is good and inexpensive. The other two are in Makawao. One is the Stopwatch Bar and Grill. It's a sports bar with terrific food. Last is the Makawao Steak House. fabulous food, with medium-high prices.

If you're planning to dine at Mama's for sunset or evening, yes make a reservation.

I enjoyed the views more at lunch and no reservation was necessary.

Thanks for your suggestions!

What time would be the best to go to eat and watch the sunset?

Try: sunrisesunset.com for sunset times.

While 4-6:00 p.m. may be early locally, your circadium clock may tell you it's much later, if you are from the mainland, especially the east coast. Amusing to see east coasters walking the beach at 2:00 a.m. local time in Hawaii.

If you can you should go to Wailea and eat at one of the nice restaurants in one of the hotels. At the Grand Wailea there is a seafood restaurant that is built on their lagoon..so you kinda feel like you are eating on the ocean in a little hut.

Also, the four seasons next door has an AWESOME restaurant on the 2nd floor. I will try and find out the names but it shouldnt be too hard to find.

Since Mama's is on the east side is there really a sunset to watch? I have no idea, just wondering.

We had a terrific dinner at Cafe O'Lei on Front Street in Lahaina. If it's still there you'd have a pretty good sunset view.

Believe you'll find Mama's Fishhouse on the north side of Maui, east of the airport.

the poster who mentioned the Four Seasons - the restaurant on the 2nd floor is Spago , and I agree it is awesome - probably the best on Maui
(I live in South Maui)
also Ferraro's at the Four Seasons is great too!

have a great time!

Sunset is just after 7 PM local time on Maui. BTW, if you like seafood, next door to Pacific'O (same ownership) is I'o ( www.iomaui.com ) We thought better than Pacific'O.