Palau is a pristine Pacific paradise featuring the legendary Rock Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 200 limestone and coral islands covered in lush greenery. This small nation offers world-class diving, the famous Jellyfish Lake where you can swim among millions of harmless jellyfish, and some of the most biodiverse marine environments on Earth.
Top food tours
Guided experiences that show you Palau through its food.
Koror Morning Market Food Walk
Early morning guided walk through Koror Public Market sampling fresh tropical fruits, traditional taro dishes, freshly caught local fish, and Palauan sweet snacks. A local guide explains the cultural significance of each food and recommends the best vendors.
Dive District Food Crawl
Evening food crawl through Malakal Island's dive district and downtown Koror sampling dishes at Dropz Bar & Grill, Malakal food trucks, and the Filipino food stalls frequented by the island's large dive community. Showcases Palau's multicultural food culture.
Palau Seafood Restaurant Journey
Curated tasting experience across three of Koror's best seafood restaurants, sampling signature dishes at each. The tour covers fresh sashimi at Palau Umi, creative fusion at Elilai Terrace, and traditional preparations at Koror Seafood House.
Tour formats
Different ways to experience Palau's food scene.
Street food tours
Food truck and market stall crawls focusing on Palauan, Filipino, and Asian street food served from the Malakal dive district and Koror Public Market
Market tours
Guided morning walks through Koror Public Market with vendors, local food sampling, and cultural context about traditional Palauan ingredients
Restaurant tours
Multi-venue dining experiences visiting 3-4 of Koror's best restaurants for signature dishes representing Palau's diverse culinary scene
Specialty tours
Seafood-focused tours built around the fresh catch, including visits to the fish market at dawn and traditional preparation demonstrations
Cooking classes
Take a piece of Palau home with you.
Palauan Home Cooking Experience
Cook traditional Palauan dishes alongside a local family in their home kitchen. Learn to prepare coconut milk taro, grilled fish with traditional spices, and fresh tropical fruit desserts using techniques passed down through generations.
Koror Fresh Catch Cooking Class
Choose your fish from the morning market then learn to prepare it three ways: Japanese sashimi style, traditional Pacific grilling, and a simple ceviche. Class is held at a local restaurant kitchen and includes the meal and drinks.
DIY self-guided food tour
Self-guided food route through central Koror covering Palau's diverse culinary landscape in an afternoon and evening
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1
Stop 1: Koror Public Market (6-8 AM) for fresh tropical fruit, coconut, and taro porridge breakfast
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2
Stop 2: Carp Island Cafe on Main Street for mid-morning coffee and fresh pastries
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3
Stop 3: Malakal Island Food Trucks (11 AM-2 PM) for Filipino and Asian lunch specialties
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4
Stop 4: Java Juice Cafe in downtown for fresh fruit smoothie and acai bowl afternoon snack
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5
Stop 5: Palau Umi Korean and Japanese Cuisine for fresh sashimi pre-dinner aperitif
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6
Stop 6: Dropz Bar & Grill for fish tacos and cold Budweiser watching the harbor sunset
Foodie tips
Get more out of every meal.
Koror Public Market is busiest and freshest before 8 AM - arrive early for best selection of local tropical produce and catch of the day
Filipino food is everywhere in Palau due to the large Filipino worker community - look for adobo, sinigang, and pancit at budget-friendly local spots
Fresh tuna from Palau's waters is among the best in the Pacific - Palau Umi and Elilai both excel in tuna preparations
The Milky Way Lagoon provides local limestone (not edible!) but the seafood from these waters is exceptional - mangrove clams from Koror are a delicacy
Monday is the most reliable day for fresh fish at Koror market as the weekend fishing boats return early Monday morning
Most restaurants accept US dollars only - no credit cards at market stalls and food trucks
Vegetarians are well served at The Taj Indian restaurant; options are otherwise limited so communicate dietary needs clearly
Palauan coconut taro is the most authentic local dish to try - prepared with coconut milk and often served as a side dish at local restaurants