Mama’s Fish House, Lahaina Grill Make Trip Advisor List

The Buffala Salad looks like a teenager going through an emo phase, but tastes like magic. Photo by Vanessa Wolf

By Wendy Osher

Mama’s Fish House in Pāʻia and the Lahaina Grill in West Maui were ranked 13 and 14 respectively on Trip Advisor’s list for Traveler’s Favorite Fine Dining Restaurants in the United States.

The publication released a list that included 25 restaurants across the nation that were selected based on millions of reviews and opinions on the travel website.

Coming in at number one on the list was Chicago’s Alinea restaurant that features international cuisine.

“The Travelers’ Choice restaurant winners have won over the TripAdvisor community with their outstanding food, service and ambiance – the perfect ingredients for a memorable fine dining experience,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor in a company press release.

Mama’s Fish House in Pāʻia, Maui. Photo by Wendy Osher.

“TripAdvisor is raising a glass to these top restaurants in the world that have delighted our community and their appetites,” she said.

According to the TripAdvisor announcement, award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews for restaurants, gathered over a 12-month period.

This is the second year in a row that Mama’s Fish House was selected, dropping three spots from number 10 in 2013.   Situated just West of Hoʻokipa Beach Park, the restaurant offers picturesque views and a menu of fresh fish sourced locally from the boats of island fishermen.

The Lahaina Grill has a menu selection that includes American, seafood, steakhouse, and Pacific Rim options.  The Buffala Salad (pictured above) is a favorite among critics and website reviews.  The restaurant was founded in 1990 and “just keeps getting better with age,” according to Maui Now’s own food review specialist, Vanessa Wolf.