11 Best Foodie Experiences on the Coral Coast

Last Updated: 18 August, 2024

The Top Food Activities on the Coral Coast

If you love to explore a country through its culinary delights, then this is the list for you! The Coral Coast of Fiji is a top tourist destination boasting stunning white sandy beaches, swaying palms and vibrant waters. Mixed with that is the rich island culture of the local Fijians and Indo-Fijians living on this south coastal area of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. Discover how you can experience the culture through food-oriented activities with this list of things to do on the Coral Coast for foodies.

While you’re here, don’t miss our Food Guide to the Coral Coast and see where to stay in our list of the 20 Best Resorts on the Coral Coast. Plus, bookmark The Complete Guide to Food in Fiji for even more tips!

1. Embark on the Sigatoka Coffee Experience with Bula Coffee

Get ready for a brew-tiful adventure at Bula Coffee! This immersive coffee tour takes you on a journey from bean to cup, where you’ll discover the fascinating world of coffee production in Fiji. As you stroll through the lush plantation, you’ll see coffee plants up close and learn about their growth stages and harvesting techniques. But it’s not just about watching; you’ll get hands-on experience too! Try your hand at picking coffee beans and witness the intricate processing methods that give each cup its distinct flavour. The highlight? A delightful coffee-tasting session where you’ll sample various brews and learn to appreciate the subtle nuances in aroma and taste. Your guide will also regale you with stories about coffee’s role in local life and its impact on the economy.

Location: Signposted along the Queens Road, Yadua, Sigatoka, Coral Coast.

10 Things to Do on the Coral Coast for Foodies

2. Learn to Cook Fijian Food in a Fijian Cooking Class

Learn how to create tasty Fijian dishes in a Fijian cooking class on the Coral Coast! Use traditional cooking methods, such as coconut fires and wrapping food in leaves, as well as cooking with tropical ingredients found around the Fiji islands. Cooking classes are available at resorts like the Fiji Hideaway Resort and Likuri (Robinson Crusoe) Island Resort.

Location: Fiji Hideaway – Queens Road, Korolevu. Likuri Island – Access to the island is from Natadola.

3. Experience a Lovo Feast

Lovo is a traditional method of cooking in Fiji where meat and vegetables are slow-cooked in an underground oven. The result is a delectable meal of melt-in-your-mouth textures and smokey flavours! While traditionally, lovo are saved for special occasions, resorts put on “lovo nights” at least once a week for guests to try. Find lovo nights at Outrigger, Fiji Hideaway, Likuri (Robinson Crusoe) Island and many more! Note that Robinson Crusoe Island Tours also offers this experience as part of an island day trip.

Location: Outrigger – Queens Road, Korotogo. Fiji Hideaway – Queens Road, Korolevu. Robinson Crusoe (Likuri) Island – Robinson Crusoe Island Jetty, Natadola, or resort transfers can be arranged.

4. Have Lunch in a Fijian Village

Ok, so jet boat tours are not the obvious foodie go-to. However, the Sigatoka River Safari combines a scenic thrill ride down the Sigatoka River with traditional Fijian food (thankfully, not at the same time). The jet boat tour departing from Sigatoka takes you through the fertile lands of the Sigatoka valley to a Fijian village where you’ll sit down with the chief for a kava ceremony (see below) and enjoy a Fijian lunch.

Location: Tours depart from Tappoo Sigatoka, Corner of Mission Road and Sigatoka Valley Road. Resort transfers are available.

5. Take Part in the Kava Ceremony

A must-do on the Coral Coast, and in the whole of Fiji for that matter, is experiencing a kava ceremony. Kava is a narcotic drink made from ground yaqona root mixed with water in a special kava bowl known as a tanoa. This drink is typically shared in Fijian tradition when someone new visits a village, but the experience is replicated for resort guests on certain nights of the week or part of the Robinson Crusoe Island Tours day trip, while a more authentic experience is part of the Sigatoka River Safari and Off-Road Cave Safari! You’ll get to try the drink for yourself and learn more about the rituals of the kava ceremony.

Location: Many Coral Coast resorts. Robinson Crusoe (Likuri) Island – Robinson Crusoe Island Jetty, Natadola, or resort transfers can be arranged. Sigatoka River Safari and Off-Road Cave Safari – Tours depart from Tappoo Sigatoka, Corner of Mission Road and Sigatoka Valley Road. Resort transfers are available.

6. Check Out the Sigatoka Market

Sigatoka, the hub of the Coral Coast, is a foodie’s paradise. Wander the produce markets to see a wonderful array of Fijian fruit and vegetables for sale. Talk to the stallholders who are often eager to share recipe ideas. There are also homecooked meals available to purchase for just a couple of bucks! And while you’re in town, stick around for lunch or dinner with an amazing array of authentic cuisine. Take a look at our Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants on the Coral Coast.

Location: Market Road, Sigatoka.

7. Do a Tropical Garden Tour

Fijian gardens are always a pleasure to explore with an array of banana and coconut palms! Coconut husking demonstrations are a staple of any Coral Coast resort, and resort staff are more than happy to demonstrate how to open a coconut with one swipe of a blade! One of our favourite gardens to explore is the Wellesley Resort, but all of the Coral Coast resorts have their charms.

Location: Any Coral Coast resort!

8. Enjoy a Cultural Dinner Show

Ok, so the “food” aspect of a cultural dinner show is perhaps not the main focus, but it’s still a spectacular activity worth putting on the list! Resorts like Likuri (Robinson Crusoe) Island Resort and Gecko’s Resort put on cultural shows on certain nights of the week, suitable for day-trippers as well as resort guests. Watch fire dancers, traditional South Pacific dancing, fire walking and much more!

Location: Robinson Crusoe (Likuri) Island – Robinson Crusoe Island Jetty, Natadola, or resort transfers can be arranged through Viator. Gecko’s Resort – Queens Road, Cuvu.

9. Try Fijian Dishes like Kokoda and Ika Vakaklolo

Adventurous foodies should educate their palette with one of the amazing Fijian dishes. The Ocean Terrace Restaurant at the Bedarra Beach Inn, for instance, serves up a killer ika vakalolo of local fish marinated in coconut milk and vegetables. Flying Fin Restaurant n’ Bar serves up amazing kokoda and ika vakalolo to go along with their Fijian-themed bar. For more restaurants serving Fijian food, take a look at our Restaurant Guide to the Coral Coast.

Location: Both of these restaurants are located on the Sunset Strip in Korotogo.

10. Experience Fine Dining at Navo, Wicked Walu and More

If you’re looking for a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion or “just because” then the fine dining restaurants on the Coral Coast are well worth considering. The Navo Restaurant at the five-star InterContinental Resort is a spectacular fine dining option with views of Navo Island and a tranquil lagoon, as well as a window into the kitchen to watch the chefs in action. More options can be found at The Warwick Fiji at their Wicked Walu Seafood Restaurant and the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort‘s Goldie Cowrie Coastal Italian Restaurant. Find out more in our list of the 5 Best Fine Dining Restaurants on the Coral Coast.

Location: See the link above for recommendations and their locations.

11. Try Indo-Fijian Curries at a Curry House

Whether you’re on a budget or not, it’s always worth getting outside the confines of your resort to discover the “real” flavours of Fiji. We’re thinking about the Indo-Fijian curry houses like Naidu’s South Indian Restaurant and the Halal Food Stall for flavoursome curries! What’s more, Indian food in Fiji’s towns and cities is always well-priced. Take a look at our Top Cheap Eats on the Coral Coast for more recommendations.

Location: Naidu’s South Indian Restaurant – Queens Road, Sigatoka. Halal Food Stall – Queens Road, Olosara.

More About Coral Coast Restaurants

That’s it for our guide to Coral Coast restaurants, for more information about dining in Fiji, check out the following articles:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in our Complete Guide to the Coral Coast.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Fiji and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Coral Coast Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Regional tourism website)
Sigatoka Town Council (Local council website)
Tourism Fiji (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (Customs and visitor taxes - Updated [2025])
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Fiji Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Fiji Bureau of Statistics (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (Tourism statistics - Updated [2025])
Land Transport Authority (Road safety advice - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Fiji - Updated [2025])
Coral Coast Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (Regional tourism website)

Our editorial standards: At Fiji Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Robin (Ruveni) C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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