The Food Guide to Levuka & the Lomaiviti Islands

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Food Tours in the Lomaiviti Islands

Experience real island life through the flavours of the Lomaiviti Islands. Learn to gather food as the Fijians do, immerse in their traditional feasts and talk with real locals on how to prepare your own tropical dishes with the food-related activities available in the Lomaivitis.

Lovo Nights

A highlight of the week in any Lomaiviti resort or lodge is the lovo night! “Lovo” is a traditional method of slow-cooking food wrapped in banana leaves (or aluminium foil nowadays) in an underground oven.

The food is all cooked together for several hours and then enjoyed as a buffet-style dinner. Experience the delicious smokey flavours of the lovo for yourself at accommodations such as Kauwai Retreat and Leleuvia Island Resort.

Coconut Demonstrations

Ah, coconuts… They are a huge staple of the South Pacific and have many uses. Learn how to open a coconut with one swipe of a blade and how to scrape a coconut and make crafts from its husk and leaves.

It will come in handy if you’re ever marooned on an island! Toberua Island Resort and Ovalau Holiday Resort both offer formal coconut demonstrations for their guests. Otherwise, most resort staff are eager to show you how to open a coconut if you ask.

Fish for Your Own Dinner

Fishing is a way of life in Fiji, and you’ll notice that most of the Fijian dishes incorporate seafood, often marinated in coconut milk. An exciting part of preparing Fijian food is going out and catching your own fish. Make it an easy-going trip for small reef fish with Bobo’s Farm and Kauwai Retreat.

Alternatively, amp up the experience by targeting large game fish like mahimahi, giant trevally, yellowfin tuna and much more on a sports fishing charter available with Toberua Island Resort or Wakaya Club & Spa.

Enjoy a Plantation Walk with Nox

Any foodie should stay at the Levuka Homestay simply for their magnificent breakfasts but also to meet Nox. He is a local guide who offers various walking tours around Ovalau, including a Plantation Walk.

This walk is ideal for foodies, where you’ll be introduced to local plants and learn about their medicinal uses, as well as how they are used for food, drink and decorations. Whether you’re staying at the Levuka Homestay or not, tours with Nox can be organised with the homestay’s owners.

More Things to Do in the Lomaiviti Islands for Foodies

• Try a Fijian lovo
• Browse the produce at the Levuka Municipal Market
• Drink kava with the locals
• Enjoy a private dining experience
• Check out the restaurants in Levuka.

Find out more about each activity in the 10 Best Things to Do in the Lomaiviti Islands for Foodies.

© Merbabu on Wikipedia

About The Best Restaurants in the Lomaiviti Islands

The Lomaiviti Islands’ restaurant scene is a small selection of eateries in the town of Levuka, as well as the home-cooked meals or restaurant menu of your chosen accommodation.

Dining at Guesthouses and Resorts

Savour authentic Fijian cuisine at affordable guesthouses and homestays like The Baystay and Bobo’s Farm. Levuka Homestay includes breakfast, while Old Capital Inn and New Mavida Hotel offer reasonably priced homemade lunch and dinner options. These local accommodations provide a delicious taste of Fiji without breaking the bank (unlike some pricier resorts).

Those staying at island resorts will only have the choice of the resort’s restaurant, where meal plans are often compulsory. At budget resorts such as Leleuvia Island Resort, meals are presented buffet style, while Toberua Island Resort offers set but diverse multi-course meals.

At the luxury Wakaya Club & Spa, meals are also generally set, with meals often announced by the beating of a Fijian drum. Learn more about what to expect from meal plans in our guide, Is it Worth Buying a Resort Meal Plan in Fiji?

Special Diets

It’s crucial that you inform your resort/guesthouse of any dietary requirements prior to arrival, as they have very limited access to resources that you might used to and, therefore, will need time and effort to prepare.

We have some tips for dining in Fiji with special diets in The Gluten-Free Guide to Fiji and Fiji for Vegans & Vegetarians.

Restaurants in Levuka

A long-standing favourite in Levuka is Paak Kum Long/Naova’ke Uptown Cafe (Westpac Building, Beach Street). This well-priced restaurant with a colonial façade offers a delightful variety of Asian-inspired dishes that will satisfy your taste buds. You’ll love their focus on stir-fries, curries, and fried rice options featuring chicken, pork, beef, and seafood. Many dishes incorporate flavourful sauces like oyster, black bean, and sweet and sour. Don’t miss their vegetarian options, making it a versatile spot for different dietary preferences.

For authentic Indo-Fijian food, head to the Ovalau Holiday Resort (Ovalau Road, Vatukalo). While it’s a little out of town, you can easily call ahead for a transfer if you want to dine at the restaurant. Enjoy a range of delicious options, including seafood, European, Indian, and traditional Fijian-style meals in a friendly atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to sip a cool beer at the bar or even sample some kava, all while taking in the breathtaking views of Wakaya Island as the sun sets.

Craving more excellent seafood? Look no further than the Horizon Restaurant (Beach Street). Indian curries are also a staple here, offering a delightful fusion of flavours. For those looking to mingle with the locals, pop into the attached Koromakawa bar – it’s quite popular among Levuka residents and offers a great opportunity to experience the local vibe.

Kumar’s Kozy Kafe (Beach Street), open from 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Saturday, offers a diverse menu featuring seafood, chicken, lamb, and vegetarian dishes. Enjoy curries, fried rice, chow mein, and specialities like lobster and crab. With pizza options and both savoury and sweet choices, it’s a versatile dining spot you’ll love!

Kara’s BBQ Stand (Hennings Street) is your go-to spot for quick, hot barbecue meals when other eateries have closed their doors. Open three nights a week from 5 pm to 6 am; this late-night gem also offers food deliveries upon request. Simply give them a ring, and they’ll bring the smoky goodness right to your doorstep!

Self-Catering in the Lomaiviti Islands

Stick to a budget and enjoy the pleasures of preparing meals using local ingredients by staying in one of the self-catering accommodations and making use of the abundance of grocery stores in Levuka. There are a few guesthouses with kitchens in Levuka, which we list in the 5 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Levuka.

More information on the shops available in Levuka can be found in our guide, Information, Shops & Services in Levuka.

© Wakaya Club & Spa

Where to Stay: Accommodations in the Lomaiviti Islands for Foodies

When it comes to gastronomical experiences at your accommodation, the Lomaiviti Islands have a choice of resorts with fabulous restaurants or self-catering accommodation, should you want to spruce something up with local ingredients.

Although we outline all your options in the 10 Best Hotels & Places to Stay in Levuka & the Lomaiviti Islands and 10 Best Accommodations in Fiji for Foodies, here are some of our top picks for foodies.

Toberua Island Resort – Private Island Bures with Relaxed Fijian Charm

Feel complete harmony at the Toberua Island Resort. Harmony in the contemporary interiors of the beachfront bures with a combination of traditional materials; harmony in the range of active experiences and the places to relax and soak up the Fiji sun.

The Toberua Island Resort is set on a private island with 16 bures in four different styles. Each bure has enough space for families while offering some freestanding options to give couples privacy.

Those staying at the resort will only have the choice of the resort’s restaurant, where meal plans are often compulsory.

Find out what makes Toberua Island Resort perfect for foodies, and reserve your stay through Booking.com!

Wakaya Club & Spa – Ultra-Exclusive Luxury in the Lomaiviti Islands

A private island resort located on 2,200 acres (810 ha) of virtually untouched island, no wonder the Wakaya Club & Spa has earned itself a reputation for attracting the rich and famous. The luxury resort in the lesser-visited Lomaiviti Islands is boutique only holding five bures and two private villas.

Bures on Wakaya Island are built from fallen trees, harmonizing with the natural surroundings and immersing you in the island’s ambiance. Each bure has a rock outdoor shower, living area, outdoor deck and reading garden, while the “Governor’s Bure” and “Ambassador’s Bure” offer added extras, such as a private plunge pool and spa bathtubs.

Meals are also generally set, with meals often announced by the beating of a Fijian drum.

Discover why Wakaya Club & Spa is ideal for foodies, and book your stay via Expedia!