The Food Guide to the Mamanuca Islands: Places to Eat & Food Resorts

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The Best Food Tours in the Mamanuca Islands

For those of us who like to experience different countries and cultures through tastes and textures, the Mamanuca Islands are a real treat. There are many ways to get hands-on foodie experiences, from traditional Fijian cooking classes to cocktail mixing classes. There are several fun day trips to be had, too, such as relaxing at a floating bar or trying authentic cuisine in a Fijian village.

Fijian Cooking Classes

Learn how to create your own island-style meals at one of the Mamanuca resorts’ fantastic cooking classes. At Plantation Island Resort, take some time out to learn how to cook traditional Fijian cuisine using tropical ingredients. Alternatively, Six Senses Fiji offers lessons in their very own dedicated cooking school, TeiTei. Learn culinary tricks with the resort’s chefs!

Cloud 9 and Seventh Heaven Floating Bars

Discover one of the Mamanucas’ most unique dining venues! Most resorts offer day trips out on the water to Cloud 9 – a floating bar serving up wood-fired pizzas and a wide range of local and international beverages. Floating above a coral reef, Cloud 9 is a stunning snorkelling location that gives you a great way to cool off in between lounging on the deck chairs and sipping on Fiji Gold. Alternatively, you can get to Cloud 9 from Port Denarau.

Alternatively, get ready for a taste sensation at Seventh Heaven, another floating paradise in the breathtaking Mamanuca Islands. This luxurious platform is the ultimate destination for those who love to indulge in gourmet bites while soaking up stunning ocean views. Feast on a delectable array of tapas, sink your teeth into juicy burgers, or savour crispy fish and chips – all while floating on crystal-clear waters. And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not dive in for a guided snorkelling session? It’s the perfect way to work up an appetite for your next culinary delight.

Fijian Village Visit and Kava Ceremony

Visiting a Fijian village is a must-do for any foodie. Visits usually start with a kava ceremony – a traditional welcoming ceremony where visitors drink kava (ground yaqona root) with the village chief and other villagers. Some visits, such as with Six Senses Fiji, include lunch, during which you’ll get to sample what Fijians really eat! It’s a truly authentic experience. Alternatively, kava ceremonies can be experienced one night a week at most resorts; for instance, for Malolo Island Resort, it’s on Wednesday evenings!

Cocktail Mixing Lessons

Tropical cocktails are almost the life and blood of a Fiji getaway! You’ll be surprised by the array of creative cocktails available as you explore the islands. Learn how to make these delicious creations yourself in a cocktail mixing lesson at the Beachcomber Island Resort!

More Things to Do in the Mamanuca Islands for Foodies

• Indulge in a private picnic lunch on the beach
• Escape to the Malamala Beach Club for a sun-drenched ambience that meets Pacific-inspired cuisine
• Dine under the stars in a private dining experience…

… Find out more about each of these experiences in our 10 Things to Do in the Mamanucas for Foodies.

© Brenda Fenton via FijiPocketGuide.com

About the Best Places to Eat in the Mamanuca Islands

Sure, a trip to Fiji is about snorkelling, lazy days by the pool and all-around R&R, but it’s not the true “Fiji experience” unless you have good food! Here are some restaurants with exceptional cuisine in the Mamanuca Islands.

The Best Mamanuca Restaurants for Day Trips

For those seeking a unique dining experience in the Mamanuca Islands, several floating bars and beach clubs offer mouth-watering options:

Indulge in the à la carte menu of Seventh Heaven, featuring a delightful array of small bites and hearty big plates. (Perfect for a leisurely lunch with a view!)

Alternatively, at Cloud 9, savour wood-fired pizzas while sipping on refreshing cocktails from their full bar. The combination of crispy crusts and ocean breeze is simply unbeatable.

And the private island paradise of Malamala Beach Club boasts an à la carte restaurant, a main bar, and an adults-only bar for those seeking a quieter atmosphere. For the ultimate luxury, book a private cabana with a personalised wait service. (Trust us, you’ll feel like royalty!)

Accessing these restaurants is done either from their boat transfers from Port Denarau or private boats usually have to pay an entry fee.

Where to Try Fijian Food in the Mamanuca Islands

Enjoy a romantic meal at the adult-only Flame Tree restaurant at the Lomani Island Resort. Indulge in Fijian specialities like kokoda, palusami, ika ni cakau and pork belly of local Vuda pork. The restaurant is also accessible from nearby resorts on Malolo Lailai Island.

More Fijian flavours await at the Black Coral restaurant at Plantation Island Resort, which serves a spectacular array of Fijian curries and kokoda.

Check out our 10 Unique Foods in Fiji You Have to Try for more information on Fijian dishes.

Unique Dining Experiences in the Mamanuca Islands

It’s incredible how one resort can create a new and intriguing dining experience for each night of your stay. The Tokoriki Island Resort has an array of luxurious dining options to always keep things fresh. As the adults-only resort is renowned for romance, the chefs can time your meals to have in various sunset locations. There’s also the option to have food prepared for you and your loved one in your private villa – complete with musicians and Champagne. Or how about watching the skilled chefs at the Oishii Teppanyaki restaurant?

More teppanyaki experiences can be found at the Nasu Teppanyaki of the Mana Island Resort, offering “Japanese-Fijian” fusion dishes. Alternatively, try Matasawa Teppanyaki at Nakelo Treasure Island Resort – just one of many dining options the resort has to offer.

Private Dining in the Mamanuca Islands

If you or your partner are looking for a romantic foodie experience, then consider one of the many private dining ventures available throughout the Mamanuca Islands. Dine under the stars with divine cuisine and your own personal butler. Treat yourselves to a private beach picnic at the VOMO Island Resort (which also boasts a reputable restaurant at their Reef Restaurant) or a sandbar picnic surrounded by the sparkling Pacific Ocean with Treasure Island Resort.

Try in-villa gourmet dining at the Tokoriki Island Resort or a private oceanview bure dinner with a personal butler at the Likuliku Lagoon Resort. We also like Lomani Island Resort‘s romantic private dining experience, where guests can enjoy a three-course meal set up along the beach, complete with a bottle of house wine, perfect for special occasions or intimate moments.

Finally on private dining, resorts like the Likuliku Lagoon Resort and Tokoriki Island Resort organise a picnic lunch for couples, transporting you by boat to a private island where you and your loved one will get to enjoy a picnic gourmet lunch and a bottle of sparkling wine in between exploring the island and snorkelling in the reefs off-shore.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in the Mamanuca Islands

Being a vegan or vegetarian can be difficult when travelling, especially when confined to the choices of one resort. With that in mind, we’ve put together a few ideas for vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the Mamanuca Islands, as well as the resorts where they are located.

Restaurants with Vegan and Vegetarian Options in the Mamanuca Islands

Being a vegan or vegetarian is made easy at the Malolo Island Resort. Let them know your dietary requirements prior to your arrival, and they may be able to produce an exclusive menu for you. Otherwise, vegetarian meals are well-marked on their menus. The best restaurant to try for vegetarians is the Terrace Restaurant, especially with its “build-your-own” speciality section. They also carry a range of dairy-free and egg-free products to spruce you up with something delicious on request.

Six Senses Fiji is renowned for providing a sustainable and healthy holiday with a focus on wellness. With that in mind, you can find a great deal of vegetarian and even some vegan options on their menus, whether you’re looking for healthy dining at the Tovolea or a mouthwatering pizza in their TeiTei Pizzeria surrounded by their herb garden.

Vegetarians are not left behind at the Dick’s Place Bar and Bistro on Malolo Lailai Island. Vegetarian meals, of which there are plenty, come straight from their island farm, including coconut pot pie, various salads, and pasta dishes. Find this restaurant at Musket Cove Resort, which is also accessible from other resorts on Malolo Lailai Island.

For more fantastic vegetarian and vegan options, take a look at our 5 Best Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in the Mamanuca Islands. Plus, check out more tips for navigating the dietary minefield that comes with dining on a remote island in The Gluten-Free Guide to Fiji and Fiji for Vegans & Vegetarians.

© Brenda Fenton via FijiPocketGuide.com

More Things to Know About Dining at Mamanuca Resort Restaurants

Every resort in the Mamanucas offers dining options for guests and day-trip visitors (if applicable). You’ll find a range of culinary experiences, from casual beachfront cafes to upscale fine dining establishments. Most resorts feature à la carte menus, allowing you to choose from a variety of dishes. Some smaller, more intimate resorts offer daily set menus, where you’ll need to order your meals a few hours in advance. Many resorts pride themselves on showcasing fresh, locally sourced ingredients, often incorporating traditional Fijian flavours into their dishes. You can expect to find plenty of seafood options, tropical fruits, and international cuisines with a Fijian twist. Some resorts even offer romantic private dining experiences on the beach – perfect for those special occasions!

Some resorts offer meal plans, which we usually recommend for those staying in the Mamanucas, as explained in our guide, Is it Worth Buying a Resort Meal Plan in Fiji?