Nauru is the world's smallest island nation and one of the least visited countries on Earth. This remote Pacific paradise offers pristine beaches, fascinating WWII history, unique phosphate mining landscapes, and an authentic off-the-beaten-path experience for adventurous travelers.
Nauruan cuisine reflects the island's Pacific heritage and heavy Australian and Asian influences from decades of imported workers and goods. Fresh Pacific seafood - particularly tuna, wahoo, barracuda, and reef fish - is the culinary highlight of any visit. Chinese restaurants dominate the dining scene due to historical immigration patterns, while the best restaurant (Bayview) offers international and Indian cuisine. Traditional Nauruan cooking uses coconut, breadfruit, pandanus fruit, and freshly caught fish.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Nauru.
Fresh Yellowfin Tuna Sashimi
Nauru sits in some of the world's richest tuna fishing grounds, making the fresh raw tuna sashimi at Bayview Restaurant extraordinary in quality. The fish is caught in local waters and served within hours of landing.
Where to try: Bayview Restaurant, Anabare District
Price: $25-30 AUD
Coconut Crab (when in season)
The coconut crab (Birgus latro) is a Nauruan delicacy and the world's largest land invertebrate. When available, it is prepared grilled or in a simple Pacific style to let the sweet, rich meat speak for itself. Availability is seasonal and limited - ask your hotel if it's available.
Where to try: Weekend Fish Market, Anibare; occasional local restaurants
Price: $35-50 AUD
Grilled Wahoo (Ono)
Wahoo is abundant in Nauruan waters and prized for its firm white flesh and mild flavor. Grilled simply over charcoal with coconut rice, it is the quintessential Nauruan fish dish. The Harbour Restaurant at Anibare prepares it with the freshest catch from the adjacent boats.
Where to try: Anibare Boat Harbour Restaurant, Bayview Restaurant
Price: $20-32 AUD
Fresh Drinking Coconut
The young green coconuts sold by vendors near Buada Lagoon on weekends are machete-split fresh and served immediately. Cold, sweet coconut water directly from the nut is the most authentically local refreshment available anywhere in Nauru.
Where to try: Coconut Vendor at Buada Lagoon (weekends), Meneng Morning Market
Price: $4-6 AUD
Coconut Bread
A uniquely local baked good made with shredded coconut incorporated into the bread dough, giving it a naturally sweet, tropical flavor. Freshly baked at Aiwo Bakery in the early morning, it is the authentic local breakfast food of Nauru.
Where to try: Aiwo Bakery (6 AM - 2 PM, Mon-Sat)
Price: $2-5 AUD
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Bayview Restaurant and Bar
Widely regarded as the best restaurant in Nauru, Bayview offers stunning ocean views and a diverse menu featuring Indian curries, fresh seafood, and Western dishes. The bar serves excellent cocktails and the atmosphere is relaxed yet refined. The only restaurant on the island that doesn't serve Chinese food.
Anabare District, Nauru
Anibare Boat Harbour Restaurant
Located at the fishing harbor, this restaurant serves what many consider the best Chinese food in Nauru. Extremely fresh seafood as fishing boats dock nearby. Casual atmosphere with harbor views.
Anibare Harbour, Anibare District, Nauru
Capelle Café
Located at the Capelle & Partner store in Aiwo, this café serves sandwiches, light meals, and beverages. Popular lunch spot for workers and convenient for quick meals while shopping.
Capelle & Partner, Aiwo District, Nauru
Weekend Fish Market
Informal weekend market near Anibare where local fishermen sell ultra-fresh fish, sometimes grilled on-site. Best on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Most authentic local food experience.
Near Anibare Harbour, Nauru
K-Bar at Menen Hotel
Upstairs bar at Menen Hotel with Pacific Ocean views. Serves coffee, cocktails, beer, and light snacks. Great sunset spot. More bar than café but serves coffee during the day.
Menen Hotel, Meneng District, Nauru
Menen Hotel Restaurant
The main restaurant at Menen Hotel offers the most comprehensive menu on the island with fresh seafood, international dishes, and local specialties. Recently improved with renovations. Good for formal dinners and special occasions.
Menen Hotel, Meneng District, Nauru
Reynaldo's Restaurant
Conveniently located next to Nauru International Airport, Reynaldo's serves Chinese cuisine with alcohol. Ideal for pre-flight or post-flight meals. Reliable quality and generous portions.
Near Airport, Yaren District, Nauru
Menen Convenience Store Café
The convenience store at Menen Hotel has a small café area serving hot meals, sandwiches, and snacks. Good for quick, affordable meals. Open to non-hotel guests.
Menen Hotel, Meneng District, Nauru
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Chinese
Antina's Restaurant
One of Nauru's most upscale dining spots, Antina's in Yaren serves quality Chinese and international cuisine with alcohol service. Popular with government officials and business visitors. Elegant atmosphere for the island.
Yaren District, Nauru
Od-N-Aiwo Hotel Restaurant
The restaurant at Od-N-Aiwo Hotel offers decent international and Chinese food in a comfortable setting. Good for business lunches and casual dinners. Centrally located in Aiwo.
Od-N-Aiwo Hotel, Aiwo District, Nauru
Yaren Takeaway
Quick service Chinese takeaway in Yaren offering affordable meals for takeout. Popular with locals for quick lunch or dinner. Simple but filling.
Yaren District, Nauru
Meneng Seafood House
Casual Chinese seafood restaurant in Meneng district, popular with hotel guests and workers. Fresh catch prepared in a variety of Chinese styles. Known for generous portions and reliable quality. Good choice for lunch near the Menen Hotel.
Meneng District, Nauru
Boe Chinese Restaurant
Down-to-earth Chinese restaurant in residential Boe district, popular with locals and long-term expats. Serves honest, hearty Chinese food at fair prices. Known for big portions, cold beer, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Boe District, Nauru
Coffee
Airport Café
Small café at Nauru International Airport serving coffee, tea, pastries, and light meals. Limited hours based on flight schedule. Only option at the airport.
Nauru International Airport, Yaren, Nauru
Nauru Morning Coffee Stall
Informal morning coffee and breakfast stall operated from a family home in Aiwo, serving strong coffee, fresh fruit, and simple breakfast items. One of the few places to get early morning food outside hotel restaurants.
Aiwo District, Ring Road, Nauru
Seafood
Anabare Restaurant
Located opposite the bay where locals swim, this casual restaurant offers fresh sashimi, grilled fish, and cold beverages. Known for fresh seafood and relaxed beachside atmosphere.
Anabare District, Nauru
Harbour Fish and Chips
No-frills takeaway stand near Anibare Harbour serving freshly fried fish, chips, and other simple fare. Uses freshly caught local fish. Perfect post-beach food with views of the working fishing harbour.
Anibare Harbour area, Nauru
Australian
Aiwo Sports Club Bistro
Casual bistro attached to the local sports club in Aiwo, serving Australian-style pub food including pies, chips, grilled meats, and cold beer. Popular with the expat worker community and locals after sports matches. Relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Aiwo District, Nauru
Baked Goods
Aiwo Bakery and Snack Bar
Small bakery in Aiwo district producing fresh bread, pastries, and simple hot snacks daily. Locals queue for fresh-baked goods in the morning. One of the few places with genuine baked-from-scratch food on the island.
Main Road, Aiwo District, Nauru
Drinks
Reef Bar at Menen Hotel
Downstairs lobby bar at Menen Hotel serving coffee, alcoholic beverages, and light snacks. Casual atmosphere, good for meeting locals and other travelers.
Menen Hotel, Meneng District, Nauru
Fresh Coconut
Coconut Vendor at Buada
Local resident who sells fresh drinking coconuts and young coconut flesh near Buada Lagoon on weekends. Machete-split fresh coconuts served on the spot are a perfect tropical refreshment and authentic local experience.
Near Buada Lagoon, Nauru
Grilled Meats
Roadside BBQ Stands
Occasional roadside stands selling grilled chicken, fish, and pork, usually appearing on weekends. Locations vary. Look for smoke and crowds. Very casual and local.
Various locations, mainly in Aiwo and Meneng
International
Parliament House Canteen
The canteen within the Parliament House compound serves government workers and occasional visitors. Simple but decent meals at subsidized prices. Provides a unique experience of dining alongside Nauruan politicians and civil servants in this micro-nation government setting.
Parliament House, Yaren District, Nauru
Local
Meneng Morning Market Stalls
Informal cluster of food stalls near the Meneng district that operate in the morning hours, selling fresh coconut, tropical fruits, cooked rice dishes, and local snacks. The best place to buy fresh produce and eat like a local at the lowest prices on the island.
Meneng District, Ring Road, Nauru
Nauruan
Local Canteen - Aiwo
Small local canteen serving simple, ready-to-eat meals featuring rice with meat or fish, noodle dishes, and local favorites. Very affordable and authentic local experience.
Main Road, Aiwo District, Nauru
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Weekend Fish Market Grilled Fish
At the Anibare Harbour weekend fish market, vendors sometimes grill fresh tuna or reef fish over charcoal directly at the market stalls. Eating freshly grilled Pacific fish with rice in the harbour atmosphere is the most authentic street food experience in Nauru.
Find it at: Anibare Harbour, Saturday-Sunday 7 AM - 12 PM
Roadside BBQ Stands
On weekend evenings, informal roadside BBQ stalls appear in Aiwo and Meneng, selling grilled chicken, fish skewers, and pork ribs. These mobile setups run by local families offer the best cheap eating on the island. Look for smoke and gathered locals.
Find it at: Various locations Aiwo and Meneng, mainly weekends after 5 PM
Sticky Rice with Coconut
A popular local snack sold at morning market stalls, sticky rice is prepared with coconut cream and wrapped in banana leaves. Simple, filling, and genuinely local Pacific island comfort food.
Find it at: Meneng Morning Market (Mon-Sat, 6:30-11 AM)
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Anibare Harbour Fish Market
Nauru's most important food market where local fishermen sell ultra-fresh catches directly from their boats. Tuna, wahoo, barracuda, reef fish, and occasionally coconut crab are available. Sometimes vendors grill fish on-site. The best place to buy the freshest, cheapest seafood on the island.
Hours: Saturday-Sunday, 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Meneng Morning Market Stalls
Informal cluster of local vendors along the Meneng ring road selling fresh tropical fruits, vegetables, coconuts, and home-cooked foods. Papaya, bananas, pineapple, and local produce at the island's cheapest prices. Best arrived at before 9 AM for the freshest selection.
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Aiwo Community Market
The largest market gathering in Nauru operating on Friday and Saturday, with produce, cooked foods, basic crafts, and household goods. The widest variety of fresh and prepared foods available in one location, drawing vendors from across all 14 districts.
Hours: Friday-Saturday, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Chinese restaurants make up the majority of Nauru's dining options - don't avoid them as they serve the freshest local seafood in Chinese preparations
Bayview Restaurant should be visited at least once - it is significantly better than other options and worth the price
Book dinner at Bayview Restaurant and Menen Hotel Restaurant in advance especially for Friday-Saturday evenings
Most restaurants do not take credit cards - carry Australian Dollar cash
Saturday morning is the best time for food experiences - the fish market, morning stalls, and bakeries are all at their most active
Ask restaurants if they can prepare your fresh-caught fish from that day's fishing charter - many will accommodate
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $15-30 AUD/day | Self-catering from markets and convenience store plus canteen meals |
| Mid-range | $50-80 AUD/day | Mix of casual restaurants and one nicer meal daily |
| Upscale | $100-150 AUD/day | Dining at Bayview Restaurant and Menen Hotel Restaurant |