Where to Eat in the Yasawa Islands: Guide for Yachties

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The Best Restaurants in the Yasawa Islands (with Anchorages)

Which resorts offer the best restaurants in the Yasawa Islands with anchorages nearby? Here are some of our top picks!

Paradise Cove Resort

Enjoy impeccably presented plates at the Black Rock restaurant of the yacht-friendly Paradise Cove Resort.

The menu offers a creative range of Fijian-international fusion: think island burgers with cassava fries, fish tacos, fresh fish salad and more! Anchorage is available at the resort on Naukacuvu Island.

Nanuya Island Resort and Boathouse Nanuya

Nanuya Island Resort and Boathouse Nanuya‘s Tabau Restaurant offers a limited à la carte menu, typically featuring two to five options per course. During our last visit, we savoured a soup entrée followed by either twice-cooked lamb ragu over spaghetti or vegetarian stuffed zucchini.

Another night showcased Nanuya chicken curry with traditional sides and pan-fried marinated fish fillet. Vegetarian options and fresh crabs are available. Meals are served at set times, creating a social atmosphere with fellow guests.

The resort’s bar menu offers a variety of drinks to complement your meal. The closest anchorage is on a sandy bottom at 16° 56.58′ S, 177° 22.10′ E.

Barefoot Manta Resort

Experience the flavours of Fiji at the Barefoot Manta Resort, where local fresh fish and mouthwatering curries take centre stage. Be sure to attend their weekly cultural night, featuring a mesmerising meke dance and traditional kava ceremony, followed by a feast of Fijian delicacies.

Dining options vary with occupancy – enjoy buffet-style meals during busy periods or savour à la carte dishes when it’s quieter. The main restaurant offers a tempting snack menu throughout the day.

For a perfect end to your day, head to the Sunset Bar perched at one of their three stunning beaches.

Anchorage is located off Drawaqa Island.

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Lo’s Tea House

Aside from resort restaurants, independent cafes and restaurants in the Yasawa Islands are extremely scarce. One notable exception, however, is Lo’s Tea House in Matacawalevu Village on Nanuya Lailai Island.

Lo’s unique tea-making process is a treat for the senses. She plucks a fresh kaffir lime leaf, adds a slice of ginger root, muddles them together, and pours in boiling water. The result? A fragrant, invigorating brew that pairs perfectly with her freshly baked banana cake. Try Lo’s special crab dish if it’s available!

The closest resorts are Gold Coast Inn, Sunrise Lagoon Homestay, and Nanuya Island Resort. The closest anchorage is located on a sandy bottom at 16° 56.58′ S, 177° 22.10′ E.

Mantaray Island Resort

Indulge in a diverse culinary experience at Mantaray Island Resort. The Main Bure offers daily meals with stunning hillside views, featuring hearty breakfasts and vibrant lunch options like poke bowls and fish tacos. Dietary inclusivity is a focus, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices available.

Be sure to try the pizza at Manta Shack and explore the extensive cocktail menu at the Main Bure Bar. With its casual venues and diverse menus, you’ll want to stay just for the food.

© Nix and Sera's Home F&B

Nix and Sera’s Home F&B

Nix and Sera’s Home F&B offers authentic Fijian dining experiences designed specifically for cruisers and yachties visiting the Yasawa Islands. Feast on traditional dishes featuring breadfruit, cooked taro and fresh coconut cream preparations, alongside seasonal island bounty and tropical fruit. Better yet, you have the flexibility of dining locations; enjoy your meal on a table set up on white sandy beaches or experience traditional Fijian hospitality seated on woven mats inside a local home, family-style.

Pricing averages FJ$30 per person, and you can find Nix and Sera in Yasawairara Village on Yasawa Island or on WhatsApp at +6799045698.

Octopus Resort

Located in Likuliku Bay on Waya Island, Octopus Resort is accessible for yachties seeking anchorage. Octopus Resort provides a communal dining experience.

Lunch and dinner are à la carte, featuring dishes like seafood platters, Thai curries, and pizzas. The resort can cater to various dietary needs upon request.

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Unique Dining Experiences in the Yasawa Islands

For something a little different, whether you’re dropping anchor for a quick stopover or planning an extended voyage, these alternative dining experiences will help you make the most of Fiji’s culture and culinary scene.

Fijian Cooking Lessons

For yachties with a passion for culinary arts, learning to cook Fijian cuisine is an absolute must-do while cruising the Yasawas.

At Naqalia Lodge (Wayasewa Island), maritime enthusiasts can drop anchor and learn traditional Fijian cooking methods, such as preparing meals on an open fire using local ingredients like leaves and coconuts.

Or why not moor at the all-inclusive Yasawa Island Resort for a cooking demonstration using freshly caught seafood?

Sailing gastronomes can also find cooking lessons at Paradise Cove Resort, Blue Lagoon Resort, Barefoot Manta Resort, Mantaray Island Resort and many of the Homestays in the Yasawa Islands.

Lovo Feasts

What Fijians usually reserve for special occasions, visitors to the Yasawa Islands have the privilege of savouring the smoky flavours of a traditional lovo feast.

Lovo is a culinary treasure where food is slow-cooked in an underground oven, perfect for those seeking an authentic taste of the islands.

Watch the unveiling of the lovo, then weigh anchor at the feast table to indulge in mouthwatering meat, fish and vegetables.

Barefoot Manta Resort offers a unique cultural experience with a weekly night featuring meke dance and kava ceremony, followed by traditional Fijian cuisine.

Lovo feasts can also be experienced at Yasawa Island Resort & Spa, accompanied by a meke performance, which you can learn more about in the 10 Best Ways to Experience the Fijian Culture.

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Private Dining

For those seeking to celebrate a special occasion or simply indulge in a romantic evening ashore, treat your first mate to an intimate dinner for two.

Dock your yacht and enjoy a gourmet three-course meal at your own secluded private table on the beach while watching the sunset paint the sky. This maritime-inspired experience can be savoured at resorts such as Mantaray Island and Barefoot Manta.

Similarly, some resorts in the Yasawa Islands can arrange a beach picnic fit for a captain and crew. Resort chefs will prepare a picnic basket before you and your lucky companion are transported to a secluded beach.

This romantic dining experience is available at resorts such as the Yasawa Island Resort, Barefoot Manta, Navutu Stars and Turtle Island Fiji. For more experiences like this, chart a course to the 10 Romantic Activities in the Yasawa Islands.

Village Homestays

For the most authentic Fijian dining experience, it’s worth dropping anchor for a night or two in a village homestay. Fijian families open their homes to international guests, allowing you to experience their way of living and, most importantly, share their food!

The fare is simple yet flavoursome and steeped in tradition, making it an eye-opening and honouring experience for any sea-faring foodie.

Organic Ice Cream Nanuya offers a delightful treat in the eastern village of Nanuya Sewa (Nanuya Lailai) Island. Enjoy seasonal fruit and coconut cream ice cream on the beach or in their charming village seating area. It’s FJ$5 each, so bring cash! The owner also runs Voyager Retreat Homestay.

Navigate your way to our 10 Best Homestays in the Yasawa Islands to chart a course for this unique culinary adventure.

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What You Need to Know About Dining in the Yasawa Islands

When it comes to dining in the Yasawa Islands, options are confined to the restaurant of your resort or perhaps meals provided by village homestays.

Meal Plans and All-Inclusive Resorts

The difference in the way dining works in the Yasawas lies in the way guests purchase the food, with some resorts like Mantaray Island Resort and Naqalia Lodge requiring compulsory meal packages. On the other hand, Nanuya Island Resort keeps things strictly a la carte, giving guests a choice to suit their tastes and budgets.

Luxury resorts like the Yasawa Island Resort & Spa and Turtle Island Fiji include all food and snacks at their all-inclusive rates.

Finally, in the Yasawa Islands homestays, families will offer an affordable meal package where you will be served a set breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

To learn more about meal plans, check out our guide, Is it Worth Buying a Resort Meal Plan in Fiji? For more information about all-inclusive resorts, we list them in the 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Fiji.

Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Diets

If you have a special diet, you don’t need to worry about eating in the Yasawa Islands as long as you give resorts advanced notice.

Resorts are happy to cater to special diets, whether it’s vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or something else.

If you are doing a homestay, you should contact your host before booking to see if they can cater to your diet.

Learn more about how to handle special diets in the Yasawas with The Gluten-Free Guide to Fiji and Fiji for Vegans & Vegetarians.

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Supermarkets, Groceries and Provisioning in the Yasawa Islands

The Yasawa Islands lack general stores or supermarkets. Visitors rely on resort restaurants or village homestays for meals.

Bring essential snacks or stock up on the mainland before exploring. Some resorts offer basic items, and village food stalls exist but aren’t reliable for groceries.

For more details on provisioning and shopping options in the Yasawas, check out our article on Yacht Provisioning: Shops & Services in the Yasawa Islands.