Fiji is a tropical paradise in the South Pacific, renowned for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and warm Fijian hospitality. With over 300 islands featuring world-class diving, lush rainforests, and rich cultural heritage, Fiji offers unforgettable experiences for every type of traveler.
Fijian cuisine reflects the country's rich multicultural heritage - indigenous Fijian cooking based on root vegetables (cassava, taro), coconut cream, and fresh seafood sits alongside a strong Indo-Fijian tradition of curries, roti, and spiced dishes brought by indentured labourers in the 19th century. Resort menus blend these traditions with contemporary Pacific and international cooking, while Suva and Nadi town centres offer exceptional value at local markets and curry houses.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Fiji.
Kokoda
Fiji's signature dish consists of fresh raw fish (typically walu or mahi mahi) marinated in citrus juice until cured, then mixed with coconut cream, diced vegetables, and chilli. The result is a rich, refreshing ceviche-style dish that captures the essence of Pacific flavours.
Where to try: Any authentic Fijian restaurant; best at Nadina Restaurant in Suva or Isa Lei in Nadi
Price: $6-28 FJD depending on venue
Palusami
Taro leaves filled with corned beef (or fish) and coconut cream, then wrapped in more taro leaves and slow-baked or lovo-cooked. The result is a rich, earthy bundle of flavour that represents traditional Fijian village cooking at its finest.
Where to try: Local Fijian restaurants and market food stalls; commonly served at lovo feast evenings
Price: $8-18 FJD
Lovo-cooked Pork or Chicken
Meat slow-cooked for hours in a traditional earth oven lined with heated volcanic stones produces extraordinarily tender, slightly smoky results unlike any other cooking method. A genuine lovo feast is one of Fiji's essential food experiences.
Where to try: Resort cultural evenings and lovo feasts; Nadina Restaurant in Suva; village homestays
Price: $20-95 FJD (often part of a full feast)
Roti Wrap with Curry
The Indo-Fijian staple of flaky flatbread filled with vegetables, chicken, or fish curry is found at every market and street stall. Incredibly satisfying, cheap, and genuinely delicious - the most accessible introduction to Indo-Fijian cooking.
Where to try: Suva Municipal Market, Nadi Town Market, roadside curry stalls throughout Viti Levu
Price: $3-8 FJD
Fresh Grilled Walu (Spanish Mackerel)
Walu is Fiji's prized local fish - a large, rich-flavoured mackerel that grills beautifully and is found on almost every seafood restaurant menu. Freshness is exceptional in Fiji due to proximity to fishing grounds.
Where to try: Tiko's Floating Bar in Suva, Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Nadi, resort restaurants
Price: $28-45 FJD
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
La Bottega
Elegant Italian restaurant at Crowne Plaza Nadi featuring fresh pasta, gnocchi, premium steaks, New Zealand lamb, fresh oysters, and delectable desserts. Sophisticated ambiance with ocean views and extensive wine list.
Crowne Plaza Nadi Resort, Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi
Ocean Seafood Restaurant
Popular seafood restaurant in Jetpoint, Martintar offering fresh locally sourced seafood prepared in various styles. Known for generous seafood platters perfect for sharing, with casual atmosphere and reasonable prices.
Jetpoint, Martintar, Nadi
Isa Lei (Sweet Laisa's Kitchen)
Local favorite on Queens Road serving authentic Fijian staples including rourou (taro leaves), kokoda (coconut ceviche), and ika valolo (fish in coconut cream). Most dishes around FJ$15. Genuine home-style cooking.
Queens Road, Nadi
Suva Municipal Market Food Stalls
Authentic street food experience in Fiji's largest market. Try fresh tropical fruits, roti wraps, curry dishes, and local snacks from various vendors. Bustling atmosphere with genuine local flavors.
Usher Street, Suva
Lazy Beans Café
Delightful cafe at Jack's of Fiji in Suva with stunning views of historical Renwick Road. Excellent coffee, fresh pastries, breakfast items, and light lunches. Popular spot for meetings and casual dining.
Level 1, Jack's of Fiji, Renwick Road, Suva
Daikoku Restaurant
Authentic Japanese teppanyaki restaurant in Martintar offering theatrical cooking performances at your table. Features premium Australian beef, New Zealand lamb, and fresh Fiji seafood prepared with traditional Japanese techniques.
Martintar, Nadi
Eden Bistro & Bar
Popular Suva restaurant renowned for fresh Fijian seafood alongside Western and Indian meals. Local favorite with quality food, generous portions, and welcoming atmosphere. Known for authentic local flavors.
11 Bureta Street, Suva
Singh's Curry House
Suva's go-to spot for mouthwatering South Indian food. Known for dosas, curries, and thalis at great prices. Open Sundays when many restaurants close. Authentic flavors and generous portions.
Gordon Street, Suva
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Seafood
Tiko's Floating Bar
Unique floating restaurant on Suva's waterfront specializing in fresh local fish including walu (Spanish mackerel) and pakapaka. Features premium New Zealand steaks, waterfront views, and relaxed atmosphere with quality dining.
Stinson Parade, Suva
Bonefish Seafood Restaurant & Grill
Port Denarau restaurant offering fresh seafood, steaks, and grilled specialties. Marina views, casual atmosphere, and consistent quality. Popular pre or post-island trip dining spot.
Port Denarau Marina, Nadi
Outer Reef Seafood Cafe
Sandbar restaurant with widest array of seafood in the area. Casual beachfront setting with fresh catches prepared simply to highlight quality. Popular with locals and tourists for consistent quality.
Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi
Indian
Maya Dhaba
Suva's most sophisticated Indian restaurant offering authentic North and South Indian cuisine at extraordinarily reasonable prices. Known for excellent curries, tandoori specialties, and vegetarian options in refined setting.
281 Victoria Parade, Suva
Hare Krishna Restaurant
Clean, casual vegetarian restaurant in Suva with cafeteria-style presentation. Affordable Indian vegetarian dishes, thalis, and fresh juices. Simple, healthy food in welcoming environment.
16 Pratt Street, Suva
Cafe & Bar
The Bounty Bar & Restaurant
Nadi waterfront cafe and bar offering breakfast, lunch, and evening drinks. Relaxed beach vibe with good coffee, fresh food, and sunset views. Popular with travelers and locals.
Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi
Cafe & International
Bulaccino Café
High-quality cafe in Nadi Plaza offering delicious coffee, fresh pastries, sandwiches, salads, and international dishes. Features private dining options and comfortable atmosphere perfect for breakfast or lunch.
Nadi Plaza, Nadi Town
Cafe & Light Meals
Tu's Place
Cozy Nadi cafe known for excellent coffee, breakfast, and light lunches. Friendly service, comfortable seating, and good WiFi. Popular with digital nomads and expats.
Queens Road, Martintar, Nadi
Cantonese Tapas
Small Plates Bar
Martintar restaurant serving tapas-style Cantonese food with delightful garden seating area. Creative small plates perfect for sharing. Unique fusion concept with quality ingredients and relaxed atmosphere.
Queens Road, Martintar, Nadi
Chinese
Sentai Seafood
Nadi Town restaurant using freshest Fijian seafood with authentic Chinese recipes. Commitment to sustainable ingredients and traditional cooking methods. Known for generous portions and flavorful dishes.
Sagayam Road, Nadi Town
Contemporary Cafe
Cafe O
Trendy Suva cafe known for quality coffee, healthy bowls, smoothies, and Instagram-worthy presentations. Popular with young professionals and digital nomads. Excellent WiFi and workspace.
Knolly Street, Suva
Contemporary Pacific
Ports O' Call
Elegant restaurant at The Westin Denarau offering contemporary Pacific cuisine with Asian influences. Features fresh seafood, premium meats, and innovative presentations with ocean views and romantic atmosphere.
Westin Denarau Island Resort, Nadi
Indo
Lautoka Market Food Section
Lautoka's bustling market with food section offering curry dishes, roti, samosas, and fresh juices. Strong Indo-Fijian influence with authentic flavors and low prices.
Tukani Street, Lautoka
International Buffet
Bazaar Kitchen and Bar
Premium buffet restaurant at Sofitel featuring six interactive live cooking stations serving Fijian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and American cuisine. Extensive selection with show kitchens and oceanfront setting.
Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau Island
International Street Food
Denarau Food Trucks
Rotating selection of food trucks at Port Denarau offering burgers, tacos, BBQ, and Asian fusion. Casual waterfront dining with variety of options. Great for quick meals before island trips.
Port Denarau Marina, Nadi
Local Fijian
Nadi Market Food Vendors
Local market with food stalls offering authentic Fijian breakfast and lunch. Fresh kokoda, cassava, roti, and tropical fruits. Experience where locals eat.
Nadi Town Market, Nadi
Thai
Chantara Thai Restaurant
Authentic Thai restaurant in Nadi offering traditional dishes with proper spice levels. Known for pad thai, curries, and tom yum soup. Reasonably priced with generous portions.
Martintar, Nadi
Traditional Fijian
Nadina Authentic Fijian Restaurant
Authentic Fijian dining experience in Suva offering traditional lovo-cooked meals, fresh seafood, and local specialties. Cultural atmosphere with warm hospitality and home-style cooking.
Victoria Parade, Suva
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Roti with Curry (Curry Wrap)
Flaky freshly-made flatbread filled with vegetable, chicken, or fish curry from Indo-Fijian market stalls. The definitive Fijian street food available at every market and bus station from $3-5 FJD.
Find it at: All markets (Suva, Nadi, Lautoka), bus stations, roadside stalls
Fresh Coconut
Green drinking coconuts opened with a machete and served with a straw, then split open for the jelly-like flesh inside. Available at market stalls and from vendors near tourist sites for $2-3 FJD.
Find it at: Suva Municipal Market, Nadi Market, roadside vendors on Queens Road
Samosa (Fijian-Indian style)
Crispy deep-fried pastry triangles filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes chicken. The Indo-Fijian version is slightly larger than Indian samosas with a more robust pastry shell. Three for $3 FJD at market stalls.
Find it at: Nadi Town Market, Lautoka Market, Indian bakeries throughout Viti Levu
Sugarcane Juice
Freshly pressed sugarcane juice squeezed by hand-cranked or motorised presses is a refreshing Fiji staple, particularly around Lautoka (Fiji's sugar city). Served over ice in a cup for $1-2 FJD.
Find it at: Lautoka Market, Nadi Town Market, roadside stalls along Queens Road
Cassava Chips (Tapioca Crisps)
Thinly sliced cassava deep-fried into light, crispy chips seasoned with salt or chilli, sold in bags at market stalls and petrol stations. A uniquely Fijian snack for $1-3 FJD per bag.
Find it at: Markets, convenience stores, petrol stations throughout Viti Levu
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Suva Municipal Market
Fiji's largest and most vibrant market on three floors in central Suva, selling everything from fresh tropical produce and root vegetables to handicrafts and live kava root. The food stall section on the upper floors serves hot meals from 7AM.
Hours: 6:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday-Saturday
Nadi Municipal Market
Nadi's main covered market in town centre with produce stalls, flower sellers, and a busy food section serving roti, curry, fresh fruit, and local snacks. Less overwhelming than Suva and ideal for first-time market visitors.
Hours: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM Monday-Saturday
Lautoka Market
The market in Fiji's second city has a strong Indo-Fijian flavour with excellent spice stalls, fresh vegetables, and cheap food vendors. The freshest sugarcane juice in Fiji is available here near the market entrance.
Hours: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch is the main meal in local Fijian culture - market food stalls and curry houses are cheapest and freshest between 11AM and 1PM
Sunday is challenging for eating out in local Fijian communities - many local restaurants close; stick to resort dining or hotels on Sundays
Always try the daily special at local curry houses - these fresh-made dishes are far better than anything on the printed menu
Fijian service is warm but unhurried - do not expect quick service at local restaurants; this is part of the culture, not negligence
Vegetarians are well-served by Indo-Fijian cuisine available throughout Fiji; dedicated vegetarian restaurants exist in Suva (Hare Krishna) and many casual eateries offer excellent veggie options
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15 FJD per meal | Market food stalls, roti wraps, curry houses in town - excellent quality at genuinely low prices |
| Mid-range | $25-60 FJD per meal | Mid-range seafood restaurants, resort casual dining, Japanese and Thai restaurants |
| Upscale | $80-200+ FJD per meal | Resort fine dining, teppanyaki, premium seafood restaurants at Denarau and on private islands |