13 Best Foodie Experiences in the Mamanuca Islands

1. Mix Your Own Tropical Drinks in a Cocktail Mixing Class

Tropical cocktails are pretty much the life and blood of a Fiji getaway! A favourite pastime for foodies in Fiji is trying all the creative cocktails the islands have to offer. Beachcomber Island Resort teaches guests how to create their own delicious Fijian cocktail in a cocktail mixing class!

For cocktail inspiration, check out our 10 Drinks in Fiji You Have to Try.

Location: Beachcomber Resort – Beachcomber Island, eastern region of Mamanuca Islands. Transfers are available for resort stays and day trips from Port Denarau (Denarau Island, Nadi) and Anchorage Resort (Vuda, Nadi). See the Mamanuca Transport Guide for more information.

© Beachcomber Island Resort

2. Learn How to Cook Fijian Cuisine in a Cooking Class

Learn how to cook your own island-style meals at one of the Mamanuca resorts’ fantastic cooking classes. At the Plantation Island Resort, take some time out to learn how to cook traditional Fijian dishes using tropical ingredients.

Alternatively, Six Senses Fiji offers lessons in their very own dedicated cooking school, TeiTei, which is located within their herb and vegetable garden. For more great foodie resorts, take a look at our 10 Accommodations in Fiji for Foodies.

Location: Plantation Island – Malolo Lailai Island, the southwestern region of the Mamanuca Islands. Six Senses – Malolo Island, the southwestern region of the Mamanuca Islands.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

3. Visit a Fijian Village and Eat With the Locals

An authentic way of engaging with the Fijian culture is through a village visit. Many of the resorts in the Mamanuca Islands share their islands with local villagers who invite resort guests to see their way of life.

Some visits, such as with Six Senses Fiji, include lunch with the locals, so you’ll get to try real Fijian food during this cultural experience!

Location: Six Senses – Malolo Island, the southwestern region of the Mamanuca Islands.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

4. Try “Kava” in a Kava Ceremony

Kava is a drink of ground yaqona root mixed with water. The result is an earthy drink that makes the lips and tongue tingle. Many nights in Fiji are spent around the tanoa (kava bowl), but a top experience for foodies is to join a kava ceremony.

Kava ceremonies are usually performed when entering a new village, but many resorts will put on special kava nights for guests to experience the ceremony for themselves, for instance, at Malolo Island Resort on Wednesday evenings.

Learn more about kava ceremonies in our 10 Best Ways to Experience the Fijian Culture.

Location: Almost all resorts in the Mamanuca Islands host a weekly kava night!

© FijiPocketGuide.com

5. Indulge in a Private Picnic Lunch on the Beach

For foodie couples, don’t miss out on one of the most romantic dining experiences in the South Pacific. Treat yourselves to a private beach picnic, such as with the VOMO Island Resort or Nakelo Treasure Island Resort.

You’ll be whisked away to a private island or secluded sandbar where it’s just you, your loved one and a gourmet picnic to enjoy. For more romantic ideas, check out the 10 Romantic Things to Do in the Mamanuca Islands.

Location: Vomo – Vomo Island, the northern region of the Mamanuca Islands. Treasure Island – Nakelo Island, the eastern region of the Mamanuca Islands.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

6. Dine on Wood-Fired Pizzas at the Cloud 9 Floating Bar

Discover one of the Mamanucas’ most unique dining venues! Most resorts offer day trips out on the water to Cloud 9 – a floating bar serving up wood-fired pizzas and a wide range of local and international beverages.

Floating above a coral reef, Cloud 9 is a stunning snorkelling location that gives you a great way to cool off in between lounging on the deck chairs and sipping on Fiji Gold. Alternatively, you can get to Cloud 9 from Port Denarau.

Location: Tours depart from Port Denarau, Denarau Island, Nadi, west coast of Viti Levu. Alternatively, book directly with the reception of your resort if coming from an island so they can arrange transfers.

© Cloud 9

7. Treat Yourself to Small and Big Plates at Seventh Heaven

Get ready for a taste sensation at Seventh Heaven, another floating paradise in the breathtaking Mamanuca Islands. This luxurious platform is the ultimate destination for those who love to indulge in gourmet bites while soaking up stunning ocean views.

Feast on a delectable array of tapas, sink your teeth into juicy burgers, or savour crispy fish and chips – all while floating on crystal-clear waters. And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not dive in for a guided snorkelling session? It’s the perfect way to work up an appetite for your next culinary delight.

Location: Tours depart from Port Denarau, Denarau Island, Nadi, west coast of Viti Levu. Alternatively, book directly with the reception of your resort if coming from an island so they can arrange transfers.

© Brenda Fenton via FijiPocketGuide.com

8. Escape and Dine at Malamala Beach Club

Indulge in a delightful culinary experience at Malamala Beach Club, where the sun-drenched ambience meets Pacific-inspired cuisine. The à-la-carte menu, crafted by chefs with rich South Pacific experiences, offers a tempting array of dishes using fresh, local ingredients.

From light bites to hearty meals, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Don’t miss the chance to sip on their handcrafted cocktails (we recommend trying the “Drunken Coconut”!) or choose from their extensive selection of wines and beers.

Whether you’re lounging by the pool or enjoying the ocean breeze, Malamala’s dining experience is sure to be a highlight of your Fiji adventure.

Location: Tours depart from Port Denarau, Denarau Island, Nadi, west coast of Viti Levu. Alternatively, book directly with the reception of your resort if coming from an island so they can arrange transfers.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

9. Indulge in Your Day Cruise’s Island Buffet

Treat your taste buds to a delightful culinary adventure as part of your day cruise experience in Fiji! Several tour operators offer mouthwatering buffets and meals as part of their island excursions. Captain Cook Cruises includes a sumptuous buffet on their “Kadavu Lailai day tour”, perfect for refuelling after a morning of snorkelling and sunbathing.

For those sailing with Cruisin Fiji to Modriki Island, you’ll have the chance to savour a traditional Fijian lovo lunch – a feast cooked underground that’s sure to impress! If you’re aboard the Whale’s Tale sailing yacht, you’ll start your day with a delicious breakfast on board before indulging in lunch on a private island.

Meanwhile, the impressive sailing catamaran of South Sea Sailing keeps you well-fed with both morning tea and lunch included in your journey.

Location: Tours depart from Port Denarau, Denarau Island, Nadi, west coast of Viti Levu. Alternatively, book directly with the reception of your resort if coming from an island so they can arrange transfers.

© Brenda Fenton via FijiPocketGuide.com

10. Try Fijian Cuisine at the Flame Tree or Black Coral Restaurant

Only in Fiji can you try real Fijian cuisine, so at least spend one evening sampling local dishes in the Mamanuca Islands. A great option is the adults-only Flame Tree restaurant at the Lomani Island Resort. Indulge in Fijian specialities like kokoda, palusami, ika ni cakau and Vuda pork belly.

Alternatively, you might want to sit down at the Black Coral restaurant at the Plantation Island Resort which serves a spectacular array of Fijian curries and kokoda. Take a look at our 10 Unique Foods in Fiji You Have to Try for more information on Fijian dishes.

Location: Lomani & Plantation Island – Malolo Lailai Island, the southwestern region of the Mamanuca Islands.

© Lomani Island Resort

11. Enjoy a Teppanyaki Dining Experience

Perhaps Fiji isn’t the first place you would think of sitting down to a teppanyaki dinner but trust us, it’s definitely worth doing! One of the most prestigious options on the Mamanuca Islands is at Oishii Teppanyaki at the luxury adults-only Tokoriki Island Resort.

Another option is at Nasu Teppanyaki of the Mana Island Resort offering Japanese cuisine combined with Fijian flavours. Alternatively, try Matasawa Teppanyaki at the Nakelo Treasure Island Resort – just one of many MANY dining options the resort has to offer.

Location: Tokoriki – Tokoriki Island, the central region of the Mamanuca Islands. Mana Resort – Mana Island, the western region of the Mamanuca Islands. Treasure Island – Nakelo Island, the eastern region of the Mamanuca Islands.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

12. Dine Under the Stars in a Private Dining Experience

Perfect for a special occasion, dine under the stars on your own private deck overlooking the ocean. Private dining packages usually include a gourmet three-course dinner, a personal butler and sometimes serenaders and a bottle of sparkling wine.

Malolo Island Resort offers this experience on the island’s jetty or on the beach; Nakelo Treasure Island has beautiful “Sunset Bures”, and Musket Cove offers a romantic set-up on their private jetty.

Location: See private dining experiences and their locations in The Food Guide to the Mamanuca Islands.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

13. Get Your Health Fix at the Tovolea Restaurant

A holiday in Fiji doesn’t mean you have to give up on the diet or eat unhealthy foods. Resorts like Six Senses Fiji are renowned for providing a sustainable and healthy holiday. Their Tovolea restaurant has a fabulous array of superfoods, but not at the expense of great taste.

Another option for healthy eating is at the Kura Spa of the Mana Island Resort, which serves up stir-fries, sushi and other health foods.

Location: Six Senses – Malolo Island, the southwestern region of the Mamanuca Islands. Mana Resort – Mana Island, the western region of the Mamanuca Islands.

© Six Senses Fiji