The Food Guide to Denarau: Places to Eat & Food Tours [2025]

© Brenda Fenton via FijiPocketGuide.com

Food Activities in Denarau

From hands-on cooking classes to traditional culinary events, there are many ways to experience Fiji through the activities available in and around Denarau Island.

Fijian Food Tours

While not directly in Denarau, Bulaccino offers a delightful farm tour in a Nadi valley that’s well worth the short trip. You’ll love picking your own fruit, interacting with farm animals, and learning about traditional Fijian cooking.

The tour highlights organic farming practices and showcases the connection between the farm’s produce and the café’s menu. Join the guided walk along the farm’s organic pathway, where you will discover over 120 varieties of trees, highlighting the farm’s biodiversity.

It’s a fantastic way to experience Fiji’s agricultural side and gain insights into sustainable farming practices. Transfer from Denarau resorts can be arranged.

Alternatively, the “Great Taste of Fiji” tour with Tourist Transport Fiji (TTF) whisks you from your Denarau hotel to the remote Navilawa Village in Koroyanitu National Heritage Park. There, you’ll experience a cooking lesson to create an authentic Fijian meal, as well as experience a kava ceremony. Kava is a ceremonial drink made from ground yaqona root – a must-try in Fiji!

You can also satisfy your sweet tooth with Fijiana Cacao Factory Tour, where locally grown cacao is transformed into delectable chocolate. You’ll love the experience, which includes a visit to the processing rooms and a hands-on chocolate-making session in the Chocolate Lab. Be sure to try their vanilla chocolates and chocolate-covered almonds!

Learn more about our 10 Unique Foods in Fiji!

Try a Traditional Fijian Lovo

A cooking method used for hundreds of years, a lovo is food slow-cooked in an underground oven. The result is a smokey melt-in-your-mouth meal of succulent meats and tropical vegetables.

Many resorts on Denarau offer lovo nights, featuring the unveiling of the lovo before a traditional lovo buffet feast. Try the “Lovo Night” at Mamacita’s Mexican Restaurant (Wyndham, Resort Drive), which involves a traditional Fijian feast cooked in an authentic earth oven, accompanied by a Fijian meke performance.

Alternatively, tours to the Fiji Culture Village offer an immersive night of culture as you visit a traditional-style village and watch fire dancing and meke cultural performances, concluding with a lovo feast. Transfers from Denarau Island resorts are available.

Visit the Nadi Produce Markets

A Fijian produce market is not just about browsing the incredible array of tropical fruits and vegetables; it’s a cultural experience. Stallholders are keen to share recipe ideas for preparing their produce, where you can cook your purchases back at your kitchen-equipped apartment.

Either take the bus/taxi into Nadi to explore the markets independently or join a “Wonders of Nadi” sightseeing tour with Excite Tours & Travel.

More Things to Do in Denarau for Foodies

• Experience an in-the-water restaurant at the Radisson Blu Resort
• Enjoy a private waterfront dinner at the Sofitel Fiji Resort
• Do an island excursion cruise complete with a barbecue lunch with South Sea Cruises or Captain Cook Cruises
• Experience fine dining at Sails Restaurant
• Dine on the floating bar of Seventh Heaven
• Embark on a sunset cruise with a barbecue or lobster dinner with Captain Cook Cruises
• Get your health fix at the Waitui Beach Club.

For more food-oriented experiences, check out our complete 10 Things to Do in Denarau for Foodies.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

Best Restaurants in Denarau

Denarau Island offers a wealth of international flavours to please every palate. Fijian restaurants, Indo-Fijian restaurants, Thai, Italian and American: you can find it all here in Denarau – just check out our Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants in Denarau. For foodies, here are some of the culinary highlights in Denarau.

Fijian Restaurants in Denarau

When in Fiji, eat Fijian food! Fijian food consists of fresh seafood from the surrounding waters prepared in many mouthwatering ways, from smoked fish to creamy coconut-marinated delights. Expect to see a few tropical vegetables that you might not be familiar with, but it’s definitely worth educating your palate.

Check out 10 Unique Foods in Fiji You Have to Try.

Nadina Authentic Fijian Restaurant (Port Denarau Marina) is exactly that! It’s your opportunity to try the raw fish salad – “kokoda” or any other staple Fijian seafood dish. Check them out for lunch or dinner and enjoy the regular serenading and kava tastings too!

There’s more seafood on the menu at Bonefish Seafood Restaurant (Port Denarau Marina). Sample the freshest fish from the surrounding South Pacific Ocean for a real Fijian experience. We recommend sharing the gigantic seafood platter with grilled tuna steak, prawns, calamari rings, tempura fish, and spiced mahimahi. Delicious!

The Radisson Blu Resort‘s cultural dining experience is at the Lomani Wai (Resort Drive) – meaning “in the water”. Yes, you will dine in refreshing knee-high water as you watch cultural performers and indulge in a three-course barbecue meal. It’s certainly a unique way of dining in Fiji!

Although primarily a Mexican restaurant, Mamacita Mexican Restaurant (Wyndham, Resort Drive) serves amazing “Kokoda” and “Ika Vakalolo” on its everyday menu. Tuesdays feature a traditional Fijian Lovo Buffet with meke performances, and Fridays offer an International Buffet with Polynesian entertainment.

Indulge in a culinary adventure at Vasaqa (pronounced Vas-an-ga), where Fijian and international flavours collide in a casual setting. This dining hotspot is renowned for its top-notch meats and seafood. Start with the “Palusami Chicken Pot Stickers”. For mains, sink your teeth into the “Sticky Beef Short Ribs”. If you’re dining as a group, the “Vasaga Feast” is a must-try, featuring a delectable spread of roast pork, ribs, and chicken.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

Asian Restaurants in Denarau

Thanks to the Asian influence, particularly Indian and Chinese, in Fiji, you can bet that you’re going to find some divine Asian cuisine. That’s certainly the case in Denarau, so whether you prefer Indian, Thai or Asian fusion, you’re bound to find something to liven your palette in Denarau’s marina and resorts.

Spice up your life at the Indigo Indian Restaurant (Port Denarau Marina). The menu is full of Info-Fijian specialities, such as “Crab Masala” and “Lamb Roganjosh”, as well as Indian classics. Wash it all down with their unique “Indigo Spice” cocktail, a gin-based concoction that captures the essence of India in a glass. Cantina is frequently chosen as a venue for various functions.

Go on a culinary journey at the Chantara Thai Restaurant (Resort Drive) at the Radisson Blu Resort. Breakfast starts with an à la carte breakfast menu, followed by an authentic Thai lunch and dinner menu from the speciality Thai chef.

On the waterfront, Maravu (Resort Drive) at the Hilton Resort spruces up tantalising Asian dishes. Apart from the irresistible “Pad Thai”, we also recommend it for its super laidback atmosphere.

International Restaurants in Denarau

Flavours from all over the world can be sampled in Denarau, both in and out of the resorts. Here are some of your best options for international restaurants in Denarau…

Take your taste buds to Italy at Amalfi Italian Restaurant (Port Denarau Marina). With an Italian chef and management, you know you’re getting almost the complete Italian experience (well, they use some fresh Fijian produce, too, so it’s not quite Italy).

Sometimes, you just can’t resist a hearty meal with a view. Cardo’s Steakhouse (Port Denarau Marina) is a laid-back grillhouse offering generous portions and a diverse menu. Known for its prime NZ beef cuts, seafood, and pizzas, it’s also a go-to for pub-style favourites like schnitzel and nachos. Daily specials adorn blackboards, and desserts come with ice cream. But its biggest appeal? The stunning waterfront location on the marina’s edge.

Cantina Bar & Grill (Port Denarau Marina) is the only air-conditioned restaurant on the Denarau Marina, offering a cool retreat from the tropical heat. This vibrant eatery serves up a fiesta of authentic Mexican flavours, from mouthwatering tacos to hearty burritos. Try their famous cocktails – we recommend the Kavarita, a unique blend of traditional Fijian kava and tequila! Popular for both casual dining and functions, Cantina promises a memorable culinary experience in Fiji.

Indulge in a culinary adventure at Sails Restaurant, where seafood lovers will relish the Captain’s Lobster Seafood Platter. For a taste of local spices, try the hearty “Festive Goat Curry” or the exotic “Mama Rau’s Signature Mud Crab Curry”. Vegetarians aren’t left out, with delicious options like the “Filo Parcel” filled with creamy wild spinach. See more like this in the 5 Best Fine Dining Restaurants on Denarau Island.

Be sure to check out Mama’s Pizza (Port Denarau Shopping Centre). Famous for their wood-fired delights (which aren’t just limited to pizza), Mama’s Pizza is a great option for the whole family for lunch or dinner. Plus, they do takeaways and delivery!

If you can’t decide what you want (or the family wants different things), head to Lulu Bar Restaurant and Cafe (Port Denarau Marina). They have something for everyone: curry, pasta, steak, sushi, burgers, pizzas and more. The bar downstairs serves drinks all night long, then big breakfasts the next morning to nurse the hangover.

Nestled in the heart of Port Denarau, Grills Restaurant & Bar (Port Denarau Marina) offers a laid-back dining experience that’s perfect for those craving hearty, flavourful meals. The menu is a carnivore’s dream, featuring a mouthwatering array of grilled meats and seafood.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

Cafes in Denarau

Need somewhere awesome to meet someone, craving a coffee, or just want some sweet treats? Denarau has a great selection of cafes around Denarau. You’re likely to stumble upon one on your morning walk.

Situated in front of the fountain area at Port Denarau, The Bilo Lounge (Port Denarau Shopping Centre) is open for breakfast, lunch and early dinner. Grab yourself a coffee or choose one of their fresh fruit smoothies or milkshakes from their juice bar. They have a classic Western-style cafe menu, but it’s also a great place to pick up a cake for a special occasion – even birthday cakes!

Not so much a cafe, The Hot Bread Kitchen (Port Denarau Shopping Centre) is more of a must-try bakery selling fresh and affordable pies, sausage rolls, bread and sweet treats! It’s a great option for a quick snack or lunch. We also list this one in The Top Cheap Eats in Denarau.

Lulu Bar Restaurant and Cafe (Port Denarau Marina) is a good way to kick-start your day with their freshly roasted coffee.

For something quick to grab before catching your ferry to the Mamanuca Islands, stop by the Lazy Beans Cafe (Port Denarau Marina) for sandwiches, wraps, cakes, coffee, smoothies and more.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Denarau

Denarau Island is a holiday destination serving travellers from all over the world. With that in mind, a wide range of diets is taken into consideration when creating Denarau’s restaurant menus.

Vegetarians and vegans will not be hard-pressed to find delicious meat-free meals on any menu. However, you won’t find any dedicated vegetarian restaurants in Denarau… yet. Until then, here are some of your best options for vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Denarau.

Restaurants with Vegan and Vegetarian Options in Denarau

Vegetarian and gluten-free options are well-marked on the menu of Chantara Thai Restaurant (Resort Drive) at the Radisson Blu Resort. Highlights include the phad Thai, khaw phad sub pa roo and sizzling plates of tofu.

On a similar Asian theme, you might also want to try the Indigo Indian Restaurant (Port Denarau Marina) for their extensive range of vegetarian curries and Indo-Fijian cuisine.

For light snacks, you can always count on cafes with vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, and that’s certainly the case for the Lazy Beans Cafe, with a good selection of vegetarian and vegan wraps to takeaway.

Finally, get your health fix at the KORO complex (Resort Drive) at the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and the Waitui Beach Club (Resort Drive) at the Sofitel Fiji Resort. The adult-only areas include restaurants with healthy meals to suit a range of diets: vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free!

For more vegetarian options, check out our 10 Best Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Denarau and Fiji for Vegans & Vegetarians + 25 Best Restaurants.