The Food Guide to Savusavu & Vanua Levu: Places to Eat & Tours

© FijiPocketGuide.com

The Best Food Tours on Vanua Levu

Sharing food is an integral part of the Fijian culture so foodies will find a vast array of food-related activities on Vanua Levu. Here are just a few examples of what you could be experiencing.

KokoMana Chocolate Factory Tours

Delve into a unique farm experience at KokoMana, where you can indulge in a farm tour and chocolate tasting. This two-acre farm is home to 400 cocoa trees producing fine-flavoured chocolate that’ll make your taste buds dance! As you wander through the grounds, you’ll learn about their sustainable permaculture practices (think organic composting and herbal medicine – it’s pretty impressive stuff). The real treat comes when you discover the chocolate-making process. Using just two ingredients and no preservatives, Kokomana crafts exclusive chocolates that are only available in Savusavu. Trust us, you won’t want to miss out on tasting these delectable treats! Find the tour located at the back of the Daku Fiji Resort – Lot 11, Daku Estate, Lesiaceva Road, Savusavu.

Vuadomo Savu Experience with Muanivatu Trails

Get ready for a taste of authentic Fijian culture with the half-day Vuadomo Savu Experience! You’ll be welcomed with a traditional ceremony before embarking on a guided trek to a stunning waterfall. Watch in awe as locals demonstrate traditional food gathering and cooking techniques, then indulge in a mouthwatering Fijian lunch. The storytelling sessions will transport you deep into Fiji’s rich cultural heritage. What’s more, this village-run tourism operation ensures your visit directly benefits the local community. This activity takes place in Vuadomo Village, approximately 15 km (9 mi) from Savusavu town. Book your experience with Muanivatu Trails.

Fijian and Indo-Fijian Cooking Classes

A foodie favourite on the islands of Fiji, Fijian cooking classes are a must! Learn how to cook Fijian food as people have done for hundreds of years in a Fijian cooking class with Savasi Island Resort. They’ll teach you how to prepare banilolo (steamed coconut bread) or kokoda (fish marinated in coconut milk), as well as how to weave staple Fijian ingredients into your own cuisine. Or if you prefer to just watch, the chefs at The Remote Resort do Fijian cooking demonstrations at the bar every Monday. Alternatively, choose between Fijian and Hindi cooking with a cooking class at Sigasiga Sands Boutique Bungalows. Other resorts that offer Fijian cooking classes include Nukubati and Koro Sun.

Private Beach or Sandbank Picnic

For something especially romantic, treat your loved one to a private picnic on the beach or on a secluded sandbank. Nukubati Great Sea Reef‘s signature activity is their sandbank picnic where they’ll set up a Champagne lunch for you amidst the Great Sea Reef. Trips to secluded beaches complete with a private gourmet picnic can also be experienced with the Koro Sun Resort, Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort and Emaho Sekawa Resort. We also love the private destination dining experience of The Remote Resort included in each night of stay! For more activities like this, check out the 10 Romantic Activities in Vanua Levu.

Savusavu and Labasa Markets

Check out the fabulous array of tropical fruits and vegetables for sale at the Savusavu and Labasa markets. Vanua Levu specialities include cassia bark (cinnamon), wild honey, bush dhaniya (coriander), avocado, fresh mullet, cabacaba lobster, sici shells and some of the sweetest fruit. So pick up some ingredients if you’re staying in self-catering accommodation, such as what we list in the 10 Best Self-Catering Accommodations in Savusavu & Vanua Levu. The markets in Savusavu and Labasa are located by their town centre bus stations on the waterfront.

Coconut Demonstrations

Vanua Levu is Fiji’s coconut or “copra” capital, so it’s the perfect place to learn more about this versatile nut. Learn about the many uses of coconuts including for making coconut milk, oil, chutney, brooms, mats or snacks at the Sigasiga Sands Boutique Bungalows. Attend the Coconut 101 class at The Remote Resort to learn how to craft all sorts of objects with coconuts, as well as how to make pina coladas using fresh pineapple as an added extra. Similar experiences are also available at Koro Sun Resort, Savasi Island Resort and Nukubati Great Sea Reef.

More Things to Do on Vanua Levu for Foodies

• Indulge in a traditional Fijian lovo
• Learn about traditional medicinal plants on a medicine walk
• See how Fijians welcome each other in a kava ceremony
• Experience mud crabbing after dark
• Have a private dining experience on the beach, by a waterfall or on an overwater jetty
• Learn how to make pina colada with fresh pineapples.

For more information on each activity, head to our 10 Things to Do on Vanua Levu for Foodies.

© FijiPocketGuide.com

About the Best Places to Eat on Vanua Levu

Between Vanua Levu’s resorts and towns, there are some amazing and diverse eateries. From classic Fijian to Indian to Korean, flavours from all over the world can be sampled here. Check out some of your best options in our Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants on Vanua Levu.

Fijian Restaurants on Vanua Levu

Why try Fijian food? Well, when in Fiji… 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 Great Sea Reef, 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 Boutique Bungalows 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.

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 “upscale” dining experience in Labasa, check out Good Times Bar & Grill (Damanu Street) serving large portions of curries, stir-fries and beer in a light and air-conditioned setting.

For tasty treats and snacks in Labasa, turn to V 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 (Lesiaceva Road) 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 Arun’s 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.

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 Table & Cafe (Copra Shed Marina, Savusavu) is a popular option in Savusavu, mainly because 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 (bookings mandatory).

Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants on Vanua Levu

With a diverse population on Vanua Levu, vegetarian food is not too difficult to find. In Labasa, restaurants like Govinda Vegetarian Restaurant (Nasekula Road, Labasa) offer a full menu of Indian vegetarian cuisine. Alternatively, most resorts on Vanua Levu can cater to your dietary requirements when advised prior to your arrival. The Palm Grove Restaurant at the Koro Sun Resort, has a full vegetarian menu. For more recommendations, check out Fiji for Vegans & Vegetarians + 25 Best Restaurants.

Private Dining

Perhaps to celebrate a special occasion or “just because”, try a private dining experience during your stay on Vanua Levu. At the Namela Resort & Spa enjoy a romantic meal in some amazing locations around the resort, including beside a waterfall or a candlelit sea cave by the beach. Alternatively, dine under the stars with a private table set up on the beach at the Nukubati Private Island resort. A romantic set-up on the resort’s pier is also available at Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort and The Remote Resort.

Bars in Savusavu and Labasa

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 (Copra Shed Marina) is a popular go-to for yachties (members only) and expats with happy hour between 5.50 pm and 6.30 pm. There are tables inside and out. Yachties, learn more in our Guide to Port Savusavu.

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), with a pool table, a variety of drinks and one of the 10 Best Restaurants in Savusavu & Vanua Levu.

If a party atmosphere is what you’re looking for, House of Yes and Rebels (Lesiaceva Road) are two fantastic options. At House of Yes, you’ll find a multicultural vibe with DJs spinning a mix of reggae, pop, and everything in between. The security is tight, but you can wear anything you like. Rebels, on the other hand, offers a slightly different experience. While the security isn’t as tight, it’s still perfectly fine. They’re known for having the best music, with a resident DJ keeping the party going.

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 1 am.