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Best Restaurants To Find Traditional Fijian Food
They say the best way to get to the heart of a culture is through its belly. Influenced by the land and sea traditional Fijian cuisine leans heavily on seafood, coconut, leafy vegetables and starchy root roots like cassava, dalo and sweet potato.
Most large hotels in Fiji host a lovo night, showcasing a traditional underground method of cooking using hot stones. But there’s more to Fijian food than the ever-popular lovo and raw-fish delicacy kokoda.
Here are a few of the best local restaurants to feast on authentic Fijian food.
Most large hotels in Fiji host a lovo night, showcasing a traditional underground method of cooking using hot stones. But there’s more to Fijian food than the ever-popular lovo and raw-fish delicacy kokoda.
Here are a few of the best local restaurants to feast on authentic Fijian food.
Nadina Restaurant
Seaside Dining at Port Denarau
The seaside Port Denarau location of this laidback spot makes it easy to stop in for a homecooked-style meal before hopping to other islands. The seafood is so fresh it tastes as if it slipped straight from the sea and onto the dish, with seasonal slipper lobster and fresh mud crab served with coconut curry sauce and Kokoda accompanied with ota (freshwater fern) and kakana dina (root crops). As well as rourou soup and rourou balls (dumpling-like parcels made with dalo leaves and coconut milk) the venue also gets top points for their hospitality, live band and local rum.
The Bar-Belle
Local Gem at National Fitness Centre
If the name didn’t already give it away, the location surely will. This local gem can be found next to a gym at the National Fitness Centre in Suva’s Laucala Bay.
The vibe is ultra-casual, you pay and order at the counter and diners gather around tables set with plastic tablecloths and folding chairs to devour hearty Fijian fare.
Saturdays are always buzzing, so get there early to snag a seafood platter, which often comes with nama (sea grapes), fresh lobster and prawns, as well as a pitcher of cold kumquat juice. Meanwhile, the jumbo platter includes kokoda and crispy eggplant and cassava.
Kanalevu Kitchen
Laucala Bay Sports Hub Eatery
A simple Fijian bure housed inside a carpark in the heart of the Laucala Bay Sports Hub, this eatery is one of Suva’s finest for local fare.
Owned by former bankers Frank and Vui Saketa, this open-air venue offers elevated comfort food, salads and cocktails in a breezy setting.
Specials change regularly, from lovo to rourou vakautona, creamy kai (river mussels), fish salad, roast pork belly, whole fish ‘ika platters, authentic Indian beef curry, or a local spin on tuna tartare, served with guacamole and local root crisps. Visit for lunch on a Friday or Saturday and you might get a free side of live music.
Sweet Laisa’s Kitchen
Laisa's Authentic Fijian Cuisine
Sui moca (meaty bone soup), chargrilled fish and kuita vakalolo (boiled octopus in coconut cream) are some of the Fijian hits at this authentic little spot in Nadi’s Martintar.
With a bamboo façade covered by a green shade tarpaulin, this casual venue is one of Nadi’s best kept secrets. Sensational fresh seafood dishes star alongside more regional specialities, such as vakasakera, a Lauan seafood casserole layered with coconut and cassava or moringa leaves.
Laisa is also a bit of a sweet tooth, with homemade mango candy and pancakes with chunky banana syrup occasionally gracing the menu.
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