Maui's best sushi and sashimi is served at this small but acclaimed restaurant, which is also one of Maui's most difficult spot to get into. Like many of the top sushi bars in Tokyo and Los Angeles, Koiso is tucked in the back of a non-descript shopping plaza in Kihei, and the well-lit dining room is nothing special. But the super-fresh, beautifully presented, traditionally prepared fish here is nothing short of extraordinary, and the rice alone will make sushi lovers weep. A white board behind chef Hiro-san lists the day's offerings but it is best to trust his picks and indulge in the omakase here, letting the chef decide on a combination of dishes. Koiso can seat about 15 people, so follow the advice of the locals who told me before my recent trip: "Call as soon as you know your dates on island and take whatever night and time they offer. It's that good."

Open only for dinner, this long-established classic gets high marks for consistently delicious food, including many Hawaiian specialties. The main dining room has very bright works of art lining the walls; small groups can also reserve the Chef's Table, set in a slightly more elegant, subdued room of its own. The seafood dishes are particularly renowned (including lots of local options, like ahi and mahi-mahi) and a slice of Triple Berry Pie is a must for dessert. Alongside Mama's Fish House, Lahaina Grill is one of the pricier dining options on Maui, so this restaurant is perfect for a big night out to celebrate the beginning or conclusion of a trip.

One mom-and-pop place that hasn’t vanished is the thirty-three-year-old Mama’s Fish House, a landmark restaurant with an outrageous setting right on the beach. Founded by the Christenson family as a little beach haunt, Mama’s is now run by Karen Christenson Marshall, who has turned it into a giant surf shack, albeit one with food so good, guests staying elsewhere on the island regularly make the trek to eat there. At the helm is Perry Bateman, who has been with the restaurant seventeen years and whose specialty is a coconut ono cooked Polynesian style.

There is always a catch of the day, named after whichever fisherman brings it in, an incentive for them to offer Mama’s a sort of first-refusal right. Asking for a table with an ocean view is a must. The restaurant overlooks a prime windsurfing site, so entertaining water action is invariably happening only yards away. For happy hour, make the rowdy bar scene and indulge in drinks such as the Scorpion: four rums, the juices of tropical fruits, and exotic toppings. If you can’t get enough of Mama’s, you can always rent one of the Christensons’ four retro-Hawaiian-style beachside cottages, with flat-screen televisions and other upscale amenities.)

The homemade noodles, steamed pork buns and other pan-Asian specialties have made this a Maui hot spot. The location might be strange (on the edge of an industrial park near Lahaina), but the light-wood space with a large communal table running through its center is congenial and modern. Make a reservation or be prepared to wait, even at lunch. Pre-dinner wait time is made happier with sake cocktails.