Top Restaurants in Rarotonga
Rarotonga Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Rarotonga
Sipping coconut milk while bargaining for handmade jewelry and swaying your hips to live music—just another Saturday morning in Rarotonga. After a few hours of checking out the wharf-side Punanga Nui Market, hit the beaches of this reef-protected volcanic island. There are plenty of picturesque lagoons that allow peaceful swimming or snorkeling, and moonlit strolls along the East Side sands are pure magic. Raro Safari Tours are a popular way to explore the island’s vivid rainforest.
Things to do in Rarotonga
1. Tamarind House Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
The exclusive, romantic and private restaurant venue on the island with delicious and world-renowned Pacific cuisine. Away from the crowds and the public eye, a fine dining evening with your loved ones or a wedding at Tamarind House is an extra special experience. Whether your requirements are large or small, we are eager to accommodate you with an event that you will long remember. Tamarind House is a versatile venue offering five different areas to suit any occasion. Tamarind House Restaurant on the island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands is situated on a large oceanfront property, with it's stately beautifully restored historic colonial house, huge verandas and french doors, and a lovely garden shaded by coconut palms and green lawns sweeping down to the ocean. It is just a 3 minute drive from the town centre, and the round the island bus stops just by the entrance. You can enjoy a feeling of nostalgia for a bygone era in the peaceful seclusion of our truly unique tropical setting..
Reviewed By bluegal - Auckland, New Zealand
Decided to come for lunch with my husband and the view was amazing on this gorgeous day. I ordered the lunch special which was fish curry with a chocolate fondant dessert. The curry was good but the dessert was absolutely horrible. A piece of small cake with chocolate icing poured over - like a childs birthday cake, but with way, way too much icing. The other meal was fish and chips which was just ok. The lunch special dessert was delivered without the server asking the other person whether he wanted dessert. We will not be back.
The meals are very expensive and think this place is resting on an their reputation from a few years ago. Supposed to be the best for on the island sadly no longer, time for a rethink guys.
2. Tuoro Restaurant & Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 356 reviews
Reviewed By krissylou - Bowral, Australia
We came for lunch and were not disappointed- lovely setting with great views. Friendly service, food was delicious. Loved the prawn twisters and KFC. My only suggestion would be not to offer a high chair if you only have one that is extremely mouldy, but other than that we loved it!
3. The Waterline Restaurant & Beach Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 881 reviews
Casual beach dining with all the frills.Open Tues-Sun for lunch and dinner. Enjoy one of our tasty cocktails and the breathtaking sunset before dining on Pacific style international cuisine. We have one of Raro's most extensive wine lists available.We can host both your wedding ceremony and reception on site either on the beach or our sunset deck.Experience romantic Rarotonga the Waterline way.Live music Wednesday nights. Bookings essential.
Reviewed By globaltraveller1950 - Lakedistrict
Lovely setting just above the beach for the sunsets....eclectic food selection...mostly fish but a good selection. Wine list fine and decent prices. Good service.
4. Vaima Polynesian Bar and Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
We are situated right on the beach. Imagine sitting on the beach with the sun setting, sipping your favourite cocktail and enjoying some of the best cuisine on the island - how romantic! We also offer a pizza take away service - forget the cooking - enjoy our pizza in your room/hotel or just sit on the beach with your feet in the water enjoying the food. We can cater for small private functions and weddings. Look forward to seeing you at the Vaima. We recommend that families book between 5.30 and 6.30 pm.
Reviewed By CR111 - Auckland, New Zealand
The food was delicious, once again, we went to Vaima twice in the one holiday. Both the Parrot fish, and the fish curry were standout dishes. The service was good, and the pickup and drop off service is very handy.
The prices appear to have gone up quite a bit, and I was going to rate a four instead of a five. However, I just remembered the music on the Sunday night which was fantastic. Can the musicians please learn "Puppet on a String" for our next visit :-)
5. Kikau Hut Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 986 reviews
A small intimate restaurant. The relaxed atmosphere, local art, beautiful Gardens combined with excellent service give it a special ambiance for all diners. European food with island flair, Coeliac Friendly, gluten free and vegetarian options along with a children's menu and free transfers by arrangement make Kikau Hut special. We are wheelchair accessible also.
Reviewed By Liam B
Before we even staryed eating we were blown away by the excellent customer service from the manager.
Then the food came out and and we were in heaven. The scallops were cooked in the chef's special sauce and were the best I've ever tasted. The dessert platter was incredible, highlight being the chocolate won tons.
Would eat here every night if we could.
6. Little Polynesian Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 412 reviews
Little Polynesian Restaurant offers casual poolside dining in an open air setting with the most spectacular views on the Titikaveka lagoon. Enjoy a tropical island breakfast, lunch and dinner with a fusion of classic fare with Polynesian cuisine. To complete your dining experience, indulge in one of our tropical dessert delights, a coffee, or perhaps a cocktail or two!
Reviewed By nzlilibet - nz
We were so pleased that the improvements we’d found here last year (after some years of going downhill) had continued. This is yet again a first-class restaurant with great food and service. We ate there twice and they were the best meals we had on this trip.
As usual, we booked a table in one of the gazebos. There are now 2 tables in each, but still enough room for privacy from other diners. We were delighted that our favourite waiter, Judah, was still there from last year and were impressed that he really did remember us.
For our first meal we decided to forego starters and went straight to the mains. I had the Ruby Rare Tuna which was truly delicious and was prepared differently than many of the Tuna dishes on offer in restaurants. He ordered the Braised Lamb Shanks which he devoured with relish.
I then had the Vanilla Bean Brulee and he the Chocolate Mud Cake. Delicious!
On our second visit we shared a starter of Smoked Marlin Fish Cakes which were enjoyable but not exceptional.
For mains I again ordered the Tuna which I’d enjoyed so much the first time. And he ordered the Lamb Rack Special which he enjoyed, but found a little overcooked for his taste which was a pity.
Again we indulged in desserts – I had the Cheesecake Special and he the Vanilla Brulee.
The menu is small, but has regularly changing specials. The wine list is good and well priced. It’s not the cheapest restaurant but we believe it offers good value for both the quality of food and the service provided.
We really enjoyed both our meals and were pleased that on each occasion it was busy so obviously other people are now impressed with its reputation. We look forward to our next visit and hope that Judah will again be there to greet us!
7. The Hidden Spirit Cafe & Grill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 296 reviews
The Hidden Spirit Cafe & Grill is on the site of the old Maire Nui Cafe set within the luxurious grounds of the Maire Nui Botanical Gardens. Now incorporating a stainless 'outside' Kitchen for night time, The Hidden Spirit offers holiday makers and locals alike a dining experience with a real point of difference on the island of Rarotonga. Specialising in fresh local produce (especially seafood) cooked in a local style but with a subtle influence of the Orient.Open:Monday-Friday 10am-4.30pmSaturday: Midday-4.30pmNights: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 6.30pm- 11.00pmBooking essential for night time grill.
Reviewed By Fiona B - Budgewoi, Australia
We stopped by to enjoy the Gardens and Cafe (which was closed ,best Cheesecake in Raro I,m told ) but we wandered around and the different plants ,flowers , reclining coconut tree , fan palms just lovely. I took some lovely photos of some of the flowers. Great spot for a wedding as area is shaped like a heart with 2 small Bridges
8. The Mooring
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Codiak! - British Columbia, Canada
Come anytime to enjoy their delicious FOB sandwiches (which stands for Fresh Off the Boat.) But make a Sunday visit a priority as when everything else is shut down on the island they encourage you to join them for a party between Noon and 4:00 p.m. Same great food, but they have a couple of talented fisherman playing and singing for the crowd. Also note they have Bring Your Own Booze (BYOB) right on their sign should you like to have a beer or some wine with your meal.
9. Deli-Licious Cafe Limited
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 438 reviews
Deli-Licious Cafe Limited, Muri, Rarotonga 20858 listed in phone book Muri, Rarotonga, home to the BEST COFFEE!!
Reviewed By Priscilla S
Enjoyed the food and atmosphere here, great choices had the blt very yummy great choice of bread to use. The animal table numbers are a cool touch, kids enjoyed that the most ?
10. Cafe Salsa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 647 reviews
Popular bistro & meeting place. All-day breakfast and lunch. Serving a wide range of fresh and healthy options as well as homemade breads and wood fired pizzas. Open 7.30am - 3pm, Mon-Fri, 7.30am - 2pm on Sat. Downtown Avarua, next to CITC Shopping Centre & Pharmacy. Punanga Nui Market within walking distance.
Reviewed By Melanie_and_Carsten - Vancouver, Canada
We stopped at Cafe Salsa when we had a car rented for the day as we were staying over at the Muri beach side. We loved it so much we purposely took the bus back there twice to go to Salsa. Our favorite dish was the bacon banana bread and we had the egg marlin fish (can't remember the name of it), Also really good.
