The Foodie Guide to the Pacific Harbour & Beqa© FijiPocketGuide.com
The Foodie Guide to the Pacific Harbour & Beqa

The Food Guide to the Pacific Harbour: Places to Eat & Food Tours

© FijiPocketGuide.com
Last Updated: 2 October, 2024

The Best Food Experiences and Places to Eat on the Pacific Harbour

Located just off the Beqa Lagoon, the Pacific Harbour has the freshest food source right off its shores. Needless to say, this region on the south coast of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu, is one of the best to try fresh seafood – Fiji style! Out on the Beqa Lagoon is Beqa Island, rich in culture with its own unique traditions, most famous for its “firewalking”, however, there are many cultural traditions to experience through food. We’ll guide you through the best accommodation, activities and restaurants for foodies in this food guide to the Pacific Harbour and Beqa.

Before we jump into the foodie guide to the Pacific Harbour, be sure to bookmark The Complete Guide to Food in Fiji, which has even more advice.

Table of Contents

5 Tips for Eating Out on the Pacific Harbour

When it comes to dining in the Pacific Harbour, there’s more to explore than just your resort’s restaurant. Here are some insider tips to enhance your culinary experience:

  • Venture beyond your resort for the best-value food. The towns of Pacific Harbour and Navua offer wallet-friendly options that’ll save you a few cents on meals
  • Be cautious with Indian cuisine – it can pack quite a punch! If you’re not used to spicy food, ask about the heat level before ordering
  • When staying on the outer islands, food is typically included in your room rates, making meal planning a breeze
  • Vegetarians might find limited options on most restaurant menus compared to other tourist hubs in Fiji
  • Remember, the legal drinking age in Fiji is 18 years old

Now that you’re armed with these dining tips, let’s dive deeper into the culinary delights that await you in the Pacific Harbour…

The Foodie Guide to the Pacific Harbour & Beqa© FijiPocketGuide.com

Food Activities on the Pacific Harbour

The Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island might be known for being the “adventure capital” of Fiji, but after seeing this extensive list of foodie experiences, we’re sure you’ll wonder why it isn’t the “food capital”! Here are just some of the ways you can discover the local culture through its food.

Fijian Cooking Lesson

One of the most immersive foodie experiences that’s not too hard to find on the Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island are Fijian cooking lessons. Guests at the Beqa Lagoon Resort have the opportunity to learn how to make kokoda – a traditional dish of fish marinated in coconut milk. Or learn how to cook kokoda using prawns cooked traditionally in bamboo, over an open fire at the Nanuku Resort. Other resorts which offer cooking lessons include the Royal Davui Resort and the Lalati Resort & Spa.

Medicine Nature Walk

Discover Fijian herbs and medicines on a medicinal walk through the native forest. This is a particularly popular foodie activity to do on Beqa Island where it has its own unique culture – the same culture that practices “firewalking” in Fiji. Join medicine walks with Beqa Island resorts such as Lalati Resort & Spa.

Traditional Lovo Feast

You can’t visit Fiji without trying the smokey melt-in-your-mouth flavours of a “lovo”. This traditional cooking method has been used for centuries, slow-cooking meat and tropical vegetables in an underground oven complete with a ceremonial unveiling. Catch a lovo feast once a week at resorts like Lalati and Nanuku Resort. Or experience a lovo as part of the Jewel of Fiji Tour. The Jewel of Fiji tour offers an immersive cultural experience that includes a scenic river cruise, a visit to a traditional Fijian village, and a delicious lovo feast, showcasing the authentic flavours and rich heritage of Fiji. Learn more about cultural activities in 10 Best Ways to Experience the Fijian Culture.

Fijian Food Safari

Guests staying at the Nanuku Resort will certainly get their foodie fix on an all-inclusive “Fijian Food Safari”. Your guide will teach you how to catch crabs in the mangroves like a local before taking you on a medicinal walk to learn about local herbs. The tour also includes a visit to a market and farm to buy fresh produce from the locals for a Fijian warrior to prepare for you back at the resort in a cooking demonstration. Learn more about this resort in our 5 Best Luxury Resorts on the Pacific Harbour.

More Things to Do on the Pacific Harbour for Foodies

  • Try moonlight prawning, crab catching and beekeeping
  • See a coconut demonstration
  • Experience “destination dining” with a beach picnic
  • Experience a traditional kava ceremony
  • Treat yourself to some fine dining.

For more information on each of these activities, see our 10 Things to Do on the Pacific Harbour for Foodies.

The Foodie Guide to the Pacific Harbour & Beqa© FijiPocketGuide.com

More About the Best Restaurants on the Pacific Harbour

Treat your tastebuds at some of the Pacific Harbour and Beqa Island’s best restaurants! Here’s a quick overview of the Fijian food, fine dining, cheap eats and unique dining experiences in the Pacific Harbour. For a full list of recommendations, head to our Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants on the Pacific Harbour & Beqa.

Where to Eat: Restaurants on the Pacific Harbour

Get your burger fix at Beach Bum Burgers (Beach Road) serving up an array of large gourmet burgers, from classics like bacon and cheeseburgers to island-style burgers with pineapple, all served with fries and a small salad.

The Establishment (Hibiscus Drive) is a vibrant Pacific Harbour hotspot offering a diverse menu in an attractive beer garden setting by the river. Open from 7 am to 9/10 pm daily, it caters to everyone with local favourites, international dishes, and popular events like the Sunday lunch buffet and seafood BBQ.

Indulge in a culinary adventure at The Pearl Resort (Queens Road), where you’ll find a range of delicious dining options to suit every palate. The Deli is your go-to spot for casual bites and light meals. Tuck into fresh salads, sandwiches, and local favourites like Fijian kokoda. Don’t miss their mouthwatering pizzas – we recommend trying the Tandoori Chicken Pizza for a fusion of flavours! For an all-day dining experience with a Pacific twist, head to the Riviera Restaurant. Feast on international cuisine with a local flair, from the Classic Caesar Salad to the catch of the day.

For a delightful farm-to-table dining experience in Pacific Harbour, head to Grace Garden (Nakaulevu Road). This light and airy restaurant is part of the Grace Road True Mart Complex. You’ll be spoilt for choice with their extensive menu featuring pizzas, pasta, Korean dishes, vegan options, a kids’ menu, and even sushi.

Where to Eat: Cafes on the Pacific Harbour

For lunch, stop by the Skinny Bean Cafe (Arts Village) for cabinet food, such as wraps, sandwiches, pies and large slabs of cake! Additionally, the cafe serves up scrumptious burgers, pizzas and steak sandwiches. Of course, their shakes and coffees are a must-try too!

Where to Eat: Takeaways on the Pacific Harbour

A popular stop on the Queens Road for locals is Kevis Fish On Chips (Lot 1 Waidradra Highway)! This fish and chips restaurant serves up fresh and affordable battered fish and fries. Great for a quick dinner on the cheap under and attraction open-air bure.

Vakia Restaurant (Queens Road, opposite The Pearl Resort) offers a diverse menu to tantalise your taste buds. From hearty breakfasts and local specialities like kokoda to familiar burgers and mouthwatering desserts, this restaurant provides a delightful dining experience for all palates.

For a quick and tasty pit stop on your Fiji adventure, look no further than the Chicken and Ice-Cream Shack (Queens Road, Navua). Sink your teeth into their well-prepared and flavourful chicken dishes, or cool off with a scoop (or two!) of their delicious ice cream.

Find out more in our Top Cheap Eats on the Pacific Harbour.

The Foodie Guide to the Pacific Harbour & Beqa© FijiPocketGuide.com

Alternative Dining Experiences in the Pacific Harbour and Beqa

For those seeking a culinary adventure beyond the ordinary, the Pacific Harbour and Beqa region offer a diverse range of dining experiences that cater to all tastes and preferences.

Fine Dining on the Pacific Harbour

Although Fiji is more about island-style dining – eating on the floor with your hands if you’re staying in a Fijian village – there is at least one fine dining experience to be had on the Pacific Harbour should you want to spoil yourself. Guests of Nanuku are in for a treat with its signature restaurant, Kanavata Restaurant and Lounge, showcasing the fresh Beqa Lagoon seafood prepared into an internationally-influenced menu.

Unique Dining Experiences on the Pacific Harbour

Eating out doesn’t necessarily mean eating at a restaurant when you’re on the Pacific Harbour. Romantics can whisk lovers away to private sand cays for a beach picnic with resorts such as Lalati, Royal Davui, Beqa Lagoon and Nanuku. Alternatively, have a private dinner with a personal butler on the pier of the Lalati Resort. Or there’s always the option to enjoy in-residence dining in your resort. For more romance, see our 10 Romantic Activities on the Pacific Harbour.

The Tropic Magic Floating Bar, known as Lailai Lounge, is a floating oasis located in Beqa Lagoon. This floating bar features a bar, toilet facilities, and an upstairs deck, offering a unique and relaxing environment where guests can lounge on bean bags and enjoy a tropical buffet. Transfers depart with Tropic Magic, Pearl Resort Marina.

Vegetarian and Special Diets on the Pacific Harbour

On the Pacific Harbour, it’s all about the seafood. So unless you are a pescatarian, then you should have no trouble finding a wealth of options when it comes to vegetarian food. However, those keeping meat and fish out of their diet will find very limited options in comparison to the larger tourist hubs of Fiji. There will, however, always be at least one vegetarian item on the menu.

When staying at one of the off-shore islands, your dining options are limited to your resort’s restaurant. Wherever you stay, it’s best to let the resort know your dietary requirements before booking to see if they will be able to accommodate you. Resorts such as the Beqa Lagoon Resort and Royal Davui Island Resort are known to be particularly accommodating to different diets.

For more advice to help negotiate a dietary minefield, check out Fiji for Vegans & Vegetarians + 25 Best Restaurants and The Gluten-Free Guide to Fiji.

Self-Catering on the Pacific Harbour

If you’re looking to prepare your own meals during your stay on the Pacific Harbour, you’ll find plenty of options to suit your needs. We recommend exploring our Information, Shops & Services on the Pacific Harbour guide for details on local supermarkets and grocery stores. For accommodation that allows you to cook your own meals, check out our 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations on the Pacific Harbour. And for tips on navigating Fijian supermarkets and local markets, don’t miss our comprehensive Guide to Food Shopping in Fiji.

More About Food in the Pacific Harbour, Beqa and Fiji

That’s it for our guide to food in the Pacific Harbour and Beqa. For more great eateries, head down the coast to the Coral Coast or to the capital city, Suva! Get more recommendations in our Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants on the Coral Coast and our Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants in Suva. 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 A Foodie’s Guide to 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:

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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