10 Best Foodie Experiences on Kadavu

Last Updated: 23 October, 2024

The Best Things to Do on Kadavu for Foodies

Scuba diving in the Great Astrolabe Reef, hiking to giant waterfalls in Kadavu village and surfing King Kong Left might take all the glory on the island of Kadavu, but be sure to spare some time for the foodie experiences. An integral part of the cultural immersion on this Fijian island is sampling the cuisine and trying some traditional hunting and gathering methods for yourself. Check out this list of things to do on Kadavu for foodies to excite your taste buds and experience this Fiji island in an alternative way.

While you’re here, don’t miss The Food Guide to Kadavu. Plus, bookmark The Complete Guide to Food in Fiji for even more tips!

1. Try a Traditional Fijian Lovo

An absolute must-do for foodies visiting Kadavu, a Fijian lovo is a traditional cooking method where food is wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked in a hot-rock oven. The result is a smokey melt-in-your-mouth feast and a very social experience usually accompanied by drinking kava (a narcotic drink) and singing Fijian songs. A lovo night takes place at least once a week at Oneta Resort and Papageno Resort.

Location: Oneta Resort and Papageno Resort.

2. Tour an Organic Farm

Resorts on Kadavu work with the local community to grow their own fruit and vegetables for guests (that’s why the food tastes so fresh)! An informal tour of the farms may be available to guests who inquire, for instance, Matava Eco Adventure Resort has a fabulous organic garden shared with and maintained by the local village. For a more formal guided tour, choose the farm tour on Kokomo Private Island where you’ll learn about the mechanisms for growing fruit and vegetables and looking after their bees and chickens.

Location: Matava Eco Adventure Lodge and Kokomo Private Island.

3. Browse the Vunisea Market

For a taste of local life on Kadavu, head to the bustling Vunisea Market. This vibrant marketplace is the heart of commerce on the island, offering a fantastic opportunity to mingle with locals and sample authentic Fijian produce. Outside, you’ll find an array of colourful stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and other local goods. Don’t miss the chance to pick up some juicy pineapples or sweet papayas – they’re simply delicious! Inside the market building, sample home-cooked Fijian meals prepared by friendly locals. It’s a great way to try traditional dishes like kokoda (raw fish marinated in coconut cream) or lovo-cooked meats. We recommend arriving with an empty stomach and an open mind – you’re sure to discover some new favourite flavours!

Location: Vunisea waterfront main road, Vunisea. Carrier drivers and locals can direct you if needed.

4. Catch Dinner on a Fishing Trip

Not only is Fiji a popular fishing destination for sports fishermen, but fishing is a way of life for locals. Combine a foodie experience with adventure and tradition in a spearfishing trip with Papageno Resort, where your catch will be prepared to serve for dinner. Additionally, Kokomo Private Island offers reef fishing charters where you either choose the latest gear or try traditional handline fishing. Learn more about spearfishing in The Complete Guide to Spearfishing in Fiji or other fishing methods in The Complete Guide to Fishing in Fiji.

Location: Kokomo Private Island and Papageno Resort.

5. Indulge in a Private Gourmet Beach Picnic

For a romantic foodie experience with a hint of adventure, try a private beach picnic. Resorts such as Papageno Resort take a boat to an isolated beach where you’ll be geared with fishing supplies, a picnic and a cooler full of beverages for a real Fiji foodie experience. See more romantic experiences like this in The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to Kadavu.

Location: Papageno Resort.

6. Try Wellness Cuisine on a Private Island Retreat

Healthy and nutritious cuisine is all part of the experience at the wellness retreats on Kokomo Private Island. Food is served as close to its natural state as possible aiming to enhance nutrition absorption, restore cellular function and encourage energy and endurance. During one of their wellness treatments, you’ll have an “Arrival Wellness Consultation” with the island’s health practitioner to plan the most appropriate meals for your stay.

Location: Kokomo Private Island.

foodie-things-to-do-kadavu-Credit-Kokomo-Private-Island-Fiji

7. Join a Herbal and Medicine Tour

Learn about traditional medicinal remedies found in the vegetation around Fiji with a cultural herbal tour with Kokomo Private Island. This insightful walking tour will show you how the South Pacific Islanders have been harnessing the land for herbs with medicinal properties for centuries. The tour also includes the history of the island.

Location: Kokomo Private Island

8. Sample “Sea-to-Table” and “Farm-to-Table” Dining

Mealtimes are an event at the resorts in Kadavu. All food is sourced from local fishermen and the resorts’ own gardens, providing a real “sea-to-table” and “farm-to-table” experience. At resorts such as Matava Eco Adventure Resort, meals are served at certain times of the day in a “feast” style with long tables for guests to socialise. The luxury resort of Kokomo Private Island is one of the few resorts with actual restaurants, including pizzas and smoothies served throughout the day at the Kokocabana and Asian-style food served at Walker D’Plank.

Location: All Kadavu resorts.

9. Combine Kayaking and Fijian Flavours with Tamarillo

Experience the best of Kadavu’s waterways and local cuisine with the Tamarillo Active Travel. As you paddle through pristine waters, you’ll be treated to refreshing coconuts to keep you hydrated and energised. The tour’s highlight is undoubtedly the traditional Fijian lunch, featuring delicious local specialities. Savour root crops like taro and cassava, try the unique vaka vavulava (baked cassava in coconut milk), indulge in flavourful pumpkin curries, and enjoy healthy baked spinach (bele). This eco-friendly adventure is available year-round, with options ranging from day trips to multi-day excursions. It’s a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Fijian culture and natural beauty.

Location: Tours depart from multiple resorts in Kadavu, including Matava, Oneta, and Papageno.

10. Treat Your Loved One to a Private Dining Experience

Aside from the family-style feasts experienced in the Kadavu resorts, there’s also the opportunity to have a more intimate experience with a private dinner. At Matava, enjoy a private dining set-up on your bure’s private deck overlooking the ocean. On Kokomo Private Island, choose one of the unique dining destinations, such as the island’s helipad for the spectacular 360-degree views. See more activities like this in the 10 Romantic Things to Do on Kadavu.

Location: Matava Eco Adventure Lodge and Kokomo Private Island.

More About Foodie Experiences on Kadavu

That’s it for our guide to foodie experiences on Kadavu. For more information about Fijian cuisine and dining, check out the following articles:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Kadavu and the 10 Best Foodie Experiences in Fiji.

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:

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 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])
Fiji Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])

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

About The Author

Laura (Lora) S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Fiji. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Fiji’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

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