Where to Eat on Vanua Levu
Fiji’s second-largest island gives visitors a rare opportunity to visit Fijian towns and sample a variety of cuisine. Yes, on Vanua Levu, you are not restricted to the confines of your chosen resort or small island. There are a variety of people living on the island from a variety of cultures, therefore offering a variety of cuisine. From traditional Fijian flavours to Korean delights, there’s plenty to excite the tastebuds on the island of Vanua Levu. Check out some of our top recommendations in this guide to the best restaurants on Vanua Levu.
While you’re here, you might also be interested in The Foodie Guide to Vanua Levu.
7 Tips for Eating Out on Vanua Levu
- Try restaurants outside of your resort for cheaper prices
- Indian food can be pretty spicy on Vanua Levu, so be careful about what you order if you can’t handle it
- The drinking age in Fiji is 18 years old
- Make a trip to Savusavu or Labasa to visit the local markets selling delicious fresh fruit and vegetables
- Many resort restaurants are open to casual diners, so don’t be afraid to mix your dining options up a bit
- Your best town for vegetarian restaurants is Labasa, while most resorts will be able to cater to most dietary requirements with prior notice
- If you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion, try one of the private dining experiences, from sandbank picnics to candlelit sea caves. Check out our list of romantic activities on Vanua Levu for more information.
© Tourism FijiFijian Restaurants on Vanua Levu
Why try Fijian food? Well, when in Fiji… While you’re best options for trying traditional Fijian dishes lie in Vanua Levu’s resorts, there is also the option of the reasonably-priced Sea View Cafe (Hidden Paradise Guest House, Main Street, Savusavu) offering an ever-changing menu of seafood dishes, often with a Fijian or Indo-Fijian flair. They offer budget accommodation too, which you can find out more about in 10 Best Budget Accommodation on Vanua Levu.
If you want to try something off the list of 10 Unique Foods in Fiji You Have to Try, then stay at one of Vanua Levu’s fabulous resorts, such as Nukubati Private Island, Savasi Island Resort and The Remote Resort all have Fijian and South Pacific-influenced menus often with ingredients from their own gardens.
For affordable Fijian and Hindi cuisine, order from the menu of the Sigasiga Sands Resort where meals are delivered straight to your door (if you’re staying in the resort, of course).
For Fijian food experiences, such as traditional lovo dinners, cooking classes and more, see our 10 Things to Do on Vanua Levu for Foodies.
© Pixabay Asian Restaurants on Vanua Levu
Asian restaurants dominate the food scene on Vanua Levu, particularly in the town of Labasa. What’s more, it’s well-done and often the most affordable food to experience on the island. The Banana Leaf Restaurant (Nasekula Road, Labasa) is a good choice of Indian curries with Indo-Fijian rotis at an affordable price. If you’re looking for a slightly more “up-scale” dining experience in Labasa, check out Prestige Dining (Damanu Street) serving large portions of curries and wine which will only set you back around FJ$20 each.
For tasty treats and snacks in Labasa, turn to Rana’s Snack Bar (Nasekula Road). We’re talking bhajis, samosas and Indian sweets! Or how about Vanua Levu’s only vegetarian restaurant, Govinda Restaurant (Nasekula Road), with extremely affordable thalis, samosas and sweets? Our final Labasa mention is the Oriental Bar & Restaurant (Jaduram Street) which serves up plenty of Chinese cuisine with a few Fijian options to choose from.
Over in Savusavu, don’t miss Snowy House & Grace Road Kitchen (Main Street) for its tasty Korean food and dessert cafe just next door. Think spicy pork, wonton soup, fried rice, noodle stir-fry, bibimbap and fried dumplings! For dessert, indulge in waffles, pancakes, cakes and much more.
For those staying at the Koro Sun Resort, the Latitude 17 restaurant provides an adult-only retreat on the water’s edge. The restaurant serves up Asian-Fusion cuisine with fresh seafood.
Finally, if you’re looking for some of the cheapest eats on the island, head to the Taste of Hidden Paradise Restaurant (LTA Building, near Savusavu Wharf). They serve up Chinese stir-fries, Indian curries, burgers and Thai food all for between FJ$5-$10. Check out our full list of affordable recommendations in our Top Cheap Eats on Vanua Levu.
© Pixabay Western Restaurants on Vanua Levu
If you want to experience Europe or the Americas in the South Pacific (because why not?) then these are the restaurants to make it happen.
The Captain’s Cafe (Copra Shed Marina, Savusavu) is a popular option in Savusavu, mainly due to the fact that it does a bit of everything: curries, pasta dishes, pizzas, burgers, enchiladas and more. Plus, it’s a pleasant place to watch the boats come in and out of the marina.
Repeat visitors to Savusavu often rave about Surf ‘n’ Turf (Lesiaceva Road). The waterfront restaurant has a wide offering from pasta dishes to upscale seafood dishes to enjoy on their relaxed patio terrace.
In Labasa, you can get your Western fix at the Grand Eastern Hotel (Rosawa Street). Plus, the historical photos of Labasa on display in the restaurant make for interesting decor.
While there are some Western food options on the menus of Vanua Levu’s resorts, it doesn’t get more European than at La Dolce Vite Holiday Villas. The cuisine is one of the main drawcards to this alternative accommodation on Vanua Levu, with the Italian chef sprucing up crisp and bubbling piazzas from the resort’s wood-fired pizza oven.
© FijiPocketGuide.comBars on Vanua Levu
As Vanua Levu is home to a couple of Fiji’s larger towns, there are some excellent bars and even nightclubs to find outside of your resort. These are the bars to head to if you’re looking for a place to meet up with friends, sip cocktails or mingle with the locals.
The Savusavu Yacht Club ©pra Shed Marina) is a popular go-to for tourists and expats with happy hour between 5.50pm and 6.30pm. There are tables inside and out. Plus, you don’t have to be a member to enjoy a drink here.
A popular spot for yachties is at the Waitui Marina (Savusavu), which has a bar upstairs serving cheap food and drinks on Savusavu Bay. Another popular bar to try is the historic Planters’ Club (Lesiaceva Road), which is a private member’s club but tourists are welcome – just sign in with the bar staff.
On the other side of the island, Labasa has more of a nightclub scene with the Pontoon and Fusion nightclubs (Nasekula Road) blasting Bollywood tunes until 1am.
More About Restaurants on Vanua Levu
