Mama's Fish House

In 1960, Doris and Floyd Christenson—the husband-and-wife duo behind this revered Maui landmark—boarded a 38-foot, two-masted ketch with their 2 ½ year-old son, Keith, embarking on a multi-thousand-mile voyage through the Pacific Islands. Their years of adventures spent braving hurricanes along the equator, savoring fresh fish marinated in coconut milk and lime juice with Marquesan families, and hunting freshwater prawns in moonlight on the island of Nuka Hiva inspired every ounce of their now first-class restaurant. With a deep reverence for local fishermen and farmers, Mama’s Fish House has highlighted the hard work of these men and women since day one. Family owned and operated since 1973, Mama’s is now operated by the Christenson’s daughter, Karen, (with help from the up-and-coming third generation) and has cultivated a legacy of Pacific cuisine that demands you reserve your prized spot three to six months in advance—don’t miss the boat.