Fiji is Fiji's food is a multi-ethnic Pacific fusion built on three cultural foundations. The iTaukei (indigenous Melanesian, 56% of population) brought the traditional Pacific staples — taro (dalo), cassava (tavioka), breadfruit (uto), coconut cream (lolo), banana-leaf wrapped earth-oven cooking (lovo) — over 3,500 years of seafaring settlement. The Indo-Fijian community (38%, descended from 60,000+ British-imported sugarcane indentured laborers who arrived 1879-1916) brought curry, roti, dhal, biryani, samosas, and the Indo-Fijian roti-and-curry tradition that now defines everyday Fijian eating. Smaller waves of Chinese, European, Lebanese, and Pacific-island migrants layered in additional influences. The result is one of the world's most-distinctive island food cultures — kokoda + curry roti + lovo all valid 'Fijian food'.
The canonical Fiji food canon: Kokoda (Fiji's national dish — fresh white-fish ceviche lime-cured then mixed with coconut cream + chilli + spring onion + tomato + bell pepper, served in a coconut shell or martini glass, FJ$15-30 / $7-13 at any beachside restaurant or resort à la carte). Lovo (traditional Fijian earth-oven feast — banana-leaf-wrapped chicken, pork, fish, taro, cassava, slow-cooked over hot stones for 3 hours, FJ$60-130 / $27-58 per person at resort cultural-night events including kava ceremony + meke dance performance; the canonical Fijian heritage experience). Ika vakalolo (whole fish — typically walu, mahi-mahi, or red emperor — in coconut cream + ginger + onion + chilli, FJ$25-50 / $11-22 at sit-down restaurants). Rourou (taro leaves slow-cooked in coconut cream, a vibrant green side dish, FJ$8-15 / $4-7). Palusami (corned beef wrapped in taro leaves + coconut cream, baked, FJ$15-25 / $7-11). Curry roti (Indo-Fijian heritage — chicken curry roti, goat curry roti, fish curry roti, dal roti, FJ$8-15 / $4-7 at any Nadi or Suva roti shop). Chow mein (Chinese-Fijian fusion — stir-fried noodles with cabbage, carrot, chicken, FJ$10-20 / $4-9). Cassava cake + cassava chips (FJ$3-8 / $1-4 at markets — Fiji's everyday street snack). Peanut butter cookies (Indo-Fijian bakery canonical, FJ$2-5 / $1-2 a piece). Fresh tropical fruit (papaya, mango, pineapple, dragonfruit, soursop, breadfruit, vudi cooking banana — abundant at any market).
The drinks: Fiji Bitter (1957, 4.4% ABV lager, FJ$5-10 / $2-5 local + FJ$12-18 / $5-8 at resort bars — Fiji's canonical local beer, brewed by Foster's Group / Paradise Beverages Fiji). Fiji Gold (4.6% ABV — Fiji's everyman lager, slightly maltier than Bitter, FJ$5-10 local). Bounty Rum (Fiji's canonical local rum, made from Fijian sugarcane at Lautoka Distillery, FJ$8-15 / $4-7 a shot local; FJ$40-80 / $18-35 per 750ml bottle at duty-free — Bounty Premium Dark + Bounty Black Cask aged 4 years are the canonical sipping rums). Kava / yaqona (free or FJ$2-5 / $1-2 voluntary at village ceremonies; FJ$8-15 / $4-7 at resort cultural-night experiences — the South Pacific's traditional ceremonial drink, pounded Piper methysticum root mixed with water, mildly relaxing not psychoactive). Fiji Water (the canonical premium bottled water, sourced from the Yaqara Valley artesian aquifer on Viti Levu, FJ$3-8 / $1-4 per 1.5L at any store — the same Fiji Water sold globally). Coconut water (fresh from the husked coconut, FJ$3-8 / $1-4 at beachside stalls + markets — uniquely refreshing). Rourou-coconut-ginger smoothies + tropical-fruit juices abundant at resort breakfast buffets.
Budget guide: $30-60/day backpacker (Nadi/Lautoka roti shops + Beachcomber Island Resort dorm meals + tap water + Fiji Bitter at local bars + market fruit). $80-200/day mid-range (Denarau Sheraton/Westin half-board + Port Denarau Marina dinner + 1 resort lovo cultural night + Bounty Rum cocktails). $400-1,500+/day luxury (Likuliku Lagoon overwater bure all-inclusive + Tokoriki signature dining + Royal Davui Beqa Lagoon dining + private chef dinners + Bounty Black Cask + 21-year rum tasting + spa cuisine). Tap water at major resorts (Denarau, Mamanucas, Yasawas premium tier) is safe + filtered; outer-island eco-lodges + village stays stick to bottled (FJ$3-8 per 1.5L). Service charge 5-10% sometimes added to resort + Port Denarau bills + 15% VAT often shown separately — verify before tipping again (Fiji's no-tipping culture means staff-Christmas-fund contribution is the canonical thank-you, not table tips). We've organized 20 restaurants across 6 categories. Each entry includes prices, hours, local tips, and a Google Maps link so you can plan straight from the page.
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1
Tu's Place Restaurant (Nadi — canonical traditional Fijian)
Kokoda, lovo earth-oven feast, ika vakalolo, rourou, palusami — the iTaukei canon. Resort cultural nights + Tu's Place Nadi + village visits.
Tu's Place Restaurant (Nadi — canonical traditional Fijian)
Tu's Place · Nadi Town
1
#1
MUST TRY
Kokoda lime-cured fish ceviche + ika vakalolo whole fish in coconut cream + rourou taro leaves + lovo combo platter + Bounty Rum cocktail
Nadi's most-recommended independent traditional Fijian restaurant — owner-chef Tu Tubuna serves authentic iTaukei cooking in a friendly downtown setting. Kokoda (Fiji's national dish, lime-cured fish ceviche + coconut cream + chilli + spring onion + tomato, FJ$20-30) is the must-order. The lovo combo platter (chicken + pork + fish + taro + cassava + rourou) at FJ$45 / $20 gives you the resort cultural-night experience at half the price.
$11-22
(FJ$25-50)
11:00-22:00 daily
Local tip: Cash + card. Air-conditioned dining room. Open daily for lunch + dinner. Walk-in OK weekdays; book ahead Friday-Saturday dinner. Bula! greeting from Tu personally on busy nights is part of the experience. The kokoda is the canonical Nadi food memory.
Castaway Island Fiji's weekly lovo + meke cultural night is the canonical Mamanucas heritage experience. The traditional earth-oven feast (banana-leaf-wrapped meats + taro + cassava slow-cooked over hot stones for 3 hours) is served beachfront with a full kava welcome ceremony, traditional iTaukei meke dance + chant performance, and Bounty Rum cocktails. Cultural staff explain each dish + tradition. The 2000 Tom Hanks film location adds the photographic backdrop.
$45-90
(FJ$100-200)
Cultural nights Wed + Sat 18:00-21:30
Local tip: Resort guest exclusive; non-guests via the Mamanucas day-trip combo with overnight stay or via South Sea Cruises Cultural Day package. The Wednesday + Saturday cultural nights are the canonical timing. Vegetarian options available with advance notice.
Traditional lovo earth-oven feast + kava welcome ceremony + meke dance + warrior fire dance + Pacific tasting flight
Sheraton Fiji Resort's weekly Fijian cultural night is Denarau's canonical lovo + meke experience for non-resort-guests. Traditional lovo feast (chicken, pork, fish, taro, cassava, rourou) + kava welcome + full meke performance + warrior fire dance + Pacific seafood tasting. The Sheraton has run this cultural night since 1973 — among Fiji's longest-running heritage dinners.
$50-100
(FJ$110-220)
Cultural nights Wed + Sat 18:30-22:00
Local tip: Resort guests + non-guests welcome with advance booking (concierge or hotel reservations 1-3 days ahead). Wednesday + Saturday nights are the canonical timing. Smart-casual; no swimwear. Children half-price; under-6 free.
Nadi's most-loved roti shop, family-run since 1985. The roti (Indo-Fijian flatbread, made fresh on a tava griddle) wraps generous curry portions — chicken curry roti is the classic order ($8/FJ$8). The goat curry has the deepest flavor. Samosas straight from the fryer at FJ$2 each. Counter-service + plastic-table seating + the smell of cumin + ginger + chilli hitting you from the doorway. The canonical Nadi everyday meal.
$2-7
(FJ$5-15)
07:00-21:00 daily
Local tip: Cash + card. Open daily including Sundays. Lunch peak 12:00-14:00 — go just before or after. Take-out OK. Pair with masala chai FJ$3 + Indo-Fijian sweet barfi FJ$2-3 for the full experience. Vegetarian dal roti + okra curry options excellent.
Port Denarau Marina's most-respected Indo-Fijian restaurant — modern Indo-Fijian-Mughlai-Pacific menu with tandoor-grilled options + butter chicken + biryani + rogan josh + tandoor naan. Air-conditioned + bar seating + marina terrace. The most-accessible Indo-Fijian experience for resort guests who don't want to taxi into Nadi.
$13-30
(FJ$30-70)
11:30-22:30 daily
Local tip: Book 1-2 days ahead Friday-Saturday. Smart-casual. The marina terrace seating is the prized booking. Vegetarian thali options strong. Kingfisher + Fiji Bitter on tap. Open daily for lunch + dinner.
Suva's most-recommended North Indian restaurant — Punjabi-style dhaba menu in a downtown setting frequented by local Indo-Fijian families, diplomats, and the Suva business crowd. Butter chicken, chicken biryani, lamb rogan josh, paneer tikka, garlic naan all FJ$15-35. Open kitchen + tandoor station + air-conditioned dining. The canonical Suva Indian dinner.
$7-16
(FJ$15-35)
11:00-22:30 daily
Local tip: Cash + card. No reservations needed except Friday-Saturday dinner peak. Lunch buffet FJ$25 per person (12:00-15:00) is the value option. Vegetarian options strong. Open daily.
Likuliku Lagoon · Malolo Lailai Island (Mamanucas)
7
#1
MUST TRY
Modern Pacific tasting menu + day-boat-caught walu (Spanish mackerel) + dalo (taro) and coconut foam + Bounty Rum dessert + overwater dining + the canonical Fiji honeymoon dinner
Fiji's only resort with true overwater bures — the restaurant matches the address with modern Pacific tasting menus emphasizing day-boat-caught fish + local taro + coconut + ginger + lime. The 5-course tasting flight ($120-180 plus wine pairings) is the canonical Fiji honeymoon dinner experience. The wine list emphasizes New Zealand + Australian estates with selective European labels. Adults-only resort.
Local tip: Resort guest exclusive (non-guest reservations rarely accepted). Smart-casual to smart; no swimwear. Wine pairings add $40-80. Multiple seatings 18:30-20:30. The overwater bure deck dining add-on (private dinner on your bure's deck, $200-350 per couple supplement) is the ultimate honeymoon-night upgrade.
Tokoriki Island Resort's adults-only fine-dining experience — Pacific-Asian fusion menu emphasizing fresh-caught fish + Mamanuca-grown produce + Indo-Pacific ingredients (yuzu + miso + coconut). Beachfront restaurant with sunset terrace seating. The wine list is among Fiji's best, with reserve New Zealand + Australian + selective Burgundy.
Local tip: Resort guest exclusive. Smart-casual evening. The wine cellar dinner experience ($200-300 per person, by reservation) includes a 5-course tasting with the sommelier. Adults-only — no children at the resort.
Vale Ni Kana at Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort (Coral Coast overwater)
Vale Ni Kana · Korotogo (Coral Coast)
9
#3
MUST TRY
Modern Pacific seafood tasting + day-boat-caught fish + dalo + coconut + ginger + Pacific Rim wine flight + overwater dining over the Coral Coast lagoon
Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort's signature overwater restaurant on the Coral Coast (90 min east of Nadi) — Vale Ni Kana ('house of food' in Fijian) serves modern Pacific seafood in an over-the-lagoon setting. The day-boat-caught walu, mahi-mahi, red emperor are highlights. Pacific Rim wine flight pairs New Zealand + Australian + Pacific island wines.
$50-100
(FJ$110-220)
18:30-22:30 daily
Local tip: Book 2-3 days ahead. Smart-casual; no shorts after 18:00. Tasting menu $80 + wine pairings $50. The over-water deck seating is the prized booking — request when reserving. Resort guests + non-guests with reservation.
Marriott Resort Momi Bay's signature all-day restaurant — Pacific-Asian fusion menu with open kitchen + tandoor + wagyu steak grill + raw bar. Open-air lagoon-side dining 15 min south of Nadi/Denarau. The Asian street-food sections + Pacific seafood + tandoor breads all strong. The most-accessible high-end Marriott dining in the Nadi area.
$40-85
(FJ$90-190)
06:30-23:00 daily
Local tip: Book 1-2 days ahead Friday-Saturday. Smart-casual. The lagoon-terrace seating is the prized booking. Wine list extensive. Open daily for breakfast + lunch + dinner.
Six Senses Fiji restaurant (Malolo Island sustainability-luxury)
Six Senses Fiji · Malolo Island (Mamanucas)
11
#5
MUST TRY
Plant-forward Pacific tasting + organic Fijian garden produce + dalo + coconut + raw bar + wellness-focused fine dining
Six Senses Fiji on Malolo Island runs Fiji's most sustainability-focused fine-dining — plant-forward Pacific tasting menu emphasizing organic Fijian garden produce + Mamanuca-caught fish + dalo + coconut + chilli. The wellness focus appeals to honeymoon couples wanting healthier dining at the resort fine-dining level. Wine list emphasizes biodynamic + organic estates.
Local tip: Resort guest exclusive. Smart-casual evening. The wellness-focused approach is genuinely different from standard Pacific resort fine-dining. Plant-based + raw + gluten-free menu options strongest in Fiji.
Port Denarau Marina's most-popular casual seafood restaurant — kokoda + fish + chips + grilled mahi-mahi + Pacific seafood menu in an open-air marina-terrace setting. Bounty Rum cocktails + Fiji Bitter on tap. The canonical Denarau pre-dinner sunset cocktail spot + casual dinner.
$13-35
(FJ$30-80)
11:00-23:00 daily
Local tip: Cash + card. Happy hour 17:00-19:00 (FJ$10 cocktails). No reservations except Friday-Saturday dinner peak. Marina terrace seating is the prized spot. Open daily.
Classic burger FJ$40 + BBQ ribs FJ$55 + Hard Rock cocktails + live music Fri-Sat nights + the canonical international-chain comfort food
Port Denarau Marina's American-chain comfort-food restaurant — classic burgers, BBQ ribs, salads, Hard Rock cocktails, rock-memorabilia décor. Live music Friday + Saturday nights 21:00-00:00. The canonical 'just want familiar comfort food after a day of Fijian curry' option for resort guests.
$13-30
(FJ$30-70)
11:00-23:30 daily
Local tip: Cash + card. No reservations needed. Family-friendly. Open daily including lunch.
Nadi's central public market — the heart of everyday Nadi food shopping. Fresh fruit (papaya, mango, pineapple, dragonfruit, breadfruit), curry-roti food stalls, samosa stands, fresh kokoda vendors, traditional masi (bark cloth) handicrafts, kava root bundles (the canonical village-visit gift). The cheapest authentic Fijian + Indo-Fijian eating in Nadi. Market days Tuesday + Saturday peak (full vendor capacity).
$2-7
(FJ$5-15)
07:00-17:00 Mon-Sat (closed Sun)
Local tip: Cash only at most stalls. Open Mon-Sat 07:00-17:00 (Sunday quiet/closed). Tuesday + Saturday market days are peak vendor capacity. The kava root vendors at the back are where to buy your village-visit gift. Bargain politely on handicrafts; food prices fixed.
Thali plate FJ$18 (4 curries + dal + rice + roti + dessert) + samosa FJ$3 + masala chai FJ$3 + the canonical Indo-Fijian vegetarian lunch
The canonical Indo-Fijian Hare Krishna-affiliated vegetarian restaurant chain — pure vegetarian thali plates (4 curries + dal + rice + roti + dessert) for FJ$18 / $8, samosas, masala chai, lassi. Suva (downtown) + Nadi (downtown) branches. Air-conditioned + simple counter-service + the cheapest filling vegetarian meal in Fiji.
$4-11
(FJ$10-25)
11:00-21:00 daily
Local tip: Cash + card. Open daily. Lunch buffet 12:00-15:00 is the value-peak. Vegan options widely available. Family-friendly. The thali is genuinely substantial.
Suva's most-loved everyday café for the canonical Fijian-Indo-European-Chinese fusion plate — kokoda + chicken curry + roti + chow mein + fresh juices all on a single menu. The most-deeply-fused Fiji cuisine experience for travelers who want a single restaurant covering Fiji's multi-ethnic food culture. Air-conditioned + busy + locals-favored.
$7-15
(FJ$15-35)
08:00-20:00 Mon-Sat (closed Sun)
Local tip: Cash + card. Lunch peak 12:00-14:00. Take-out OK. Open Mon-Sat; closed Sundays. Family-run; service is personal and friendly.
Cloud 9 · Mamanuca reef (90 min boat from Port Denarau)
18
#1
MUST TRY
Cloud 9 Day Pass (FJ$420 / $185 — 2-story floating bar + wood-fired pizza + open water + 2 hours on the reef + DJ + Bounty Rum cocktails)
The canonical Mamanucas social experience — a two-story floating bar permanently moored on the Cloud 9 reef. Wood-fired pizza + Bounty Rum cocktails + DJ + open-water swimming + paddleboard rentals. South Sea Cruises Day Pass (FJ$420 / $185) includes boat from Port Denarau + 4 hours at Cloud 9 + lunch + drinks. The most-photographed Mamanucas activity.
Local tip: Pre-book through South Sea Cruises (sails 09:00 Port Denarau, returns 16:30). Open bar package available. Cash + card. Best in dry season (May-Oct) — wet season the boat can cancel for swell. Bring reef-safe SPF 50, sun hat, dry bag.
Bounty Rum Distillery + South Pacific Distilleries (Lautoka)
Bounty Rum Distillery · Lautoka (35 min north of Nadi)
19
#2
MUST TRY
Bounty Premium Dark + Bounty Black Cask 4-year + Bati Vodka tasting + tour of the Lautoka sugar-cane distillery + complimentary bottle
Bounty Rum is made at South Pacific Distilleries in Lautoka — Fiji's main rum production facility, using local Fijian sugarcane. Tour the distillery (35 min north of Nadi), see the molasses-to-rum production process, and taste through the range (Bounty Premium Dark, Bounty Black Cask aged 4 years in American oak, Bounty Spiced, Bati Vodka). The canonical Fijian-rum heritage experience.
Local tip: Cash + card. Book direct via South Pacific Distilleries website or via Nadi tour operators 1-3 days ahead. 35-min drive each way from Nadi/Denarau (taxi FJ$80-110 / $35-50 round-trip or organized tour FJ$130-180 / $58-80 including transport + tasting + lunch). Bottles cheaper at the distillery than at Nadi Airport duty-free.
Kava ceremony · All major Fiji resorts (Denarau, Mamanucas, Yasawas, Coral Coast)
20
#3
MUST TRY
Yaqona / kava root bowl (pounded Piper methysticum + water, served in bilo half-coconut-shell cup) + sevusevu ceremony explanation + iTaukei welcome + mildly relaxing earthy peppery taste
Kava (yaqona in Fijian) is the South Pacific's traditional ceremonial drink. The pounded root of Piper methysticum mixed with water in a carved wooden tanoa bowl, served in individual bilo cups (half coconut shells). Etiquette: clap once before receiving, drink the entire bilo in one go, clap three times after returning the empty cup. The taste is earthy + mildly peppery; the effect is mildly relaxing + numbing of the tongue (not psychoactive). Two strengths — 'low tide' (mild) or 'high tide' (stronger).
$4-13 voluntary or included
(FJ$8-30)
Cultural nights at most resorts 18:00-21:00 (varies)
Local tip: Every 4-5 star Fiji resort runs kava ceremonies during cultural nights (often included; sometimes FJ$10-30 / $5-13 voluntary). Village visits include kava ceremony as part of sevusevu protocol (resort + tour operator arranged). Don't drive after drinking kava — it causes drowsiness. Bring a small kava root bundle (FJ$15-30 / $7-13 at Nadi Municipal Market) as the canonical village-visit gift.
Nadi + Lautoka roti shops ($3-7 curry roti) + Nadi Municipal Market lunch ($5-10) + Beachcomber Island Resort dorm meals + Fiji Bitter at local bars + tropical fruit. The backpacker Fiji value tier.
Mid-Range
$80-200/day
Denarau Sheraton/Westin/Sofitel half-board + Port Denarau Marina sit-down dinner + 1 resort lovo cultural night + Tu's Place traditional Fijian + Bounty Rum cocktails
Luxury
$400-1,500/day
Likuliku Lagoon overwater bure all-inclusive + Tokoriki Island Resort signature dining + Royal Davui Beqa Lagoon + Vatulele private chef + Bounty Black Cask 21-year + spa cuisine + multi-course Pacific tasting menus
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about food and restaurants in Fiji.
What's Fiji's national dish?
Kokoda — lime-cured raw fish ceviche + coconut cream + chilli + spring onion + tomato + bell pepper, served in a coconut shell or martini glass. FJ$15-30 / $7-13 at any beachside restaurant. Eaten as appetizer or light lunch. Tu's Place Nadi + Lulu Bar Port Denarau + all 4-5 star resort lunch menus serve it. The fish is typically walu (Spanish mackerel) or mahi-mahi or red emperor — fresh white-fleshed Pacific fish that holds up to the lime-acid cure. The dish has indigenous iTaukei roots dating back centuries — pre-dating European arrival. Eat it within hours of preparation; not a dish that holds well overnight.
What's lovo and how do you eat it?
Lovo is Fiji's traditional earth-oven cooking method — banana-leaf-wrapped chicken, pork, fish, taro (dalo), cassava (tavioka), and sometimes palusami (corned beef in taro leaves) all slow-cooked over hot stones in an underground pit for 2-3 hours. The result: deeply smoky, tender, lightly sweet meat + carbohydrates with a distinctive earthy aroma. The lovo is canonical for iTaukei celebrations and resort cultural nights. Most 4-5 star Fiji resorts run weekly lovo + meke (traditional dance) cultural night events: Castaway Island, Tokoriki, Sheraton Fiji Resort Denarau, Sofitel Fiji Resort, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, Mana Island Resort — FJ$60-130 / $27-58 per person including the full ceremony + meal + drinks + meke dance performance + kava ceremony. The Wednesday + Saturday cultural nights are the canonical timing.
Where do locals eat?
Mamta's Roti Shop Nadi for the canonical Indo-Fijian curry roti (FJ$5-15 / $2-7 — Fiji's everyday meal across all ethnicities). Tu's Place Restaurant Nadi for sit-down traditional Fijian. Nadi Municipal Market for kokoda + curry stalls + cassava chips. Govinda's Vegetarian (Suva + Nadi branches) for Indo-Fijian vegetarian thali. Cousins Café Suva for the multi-ethnic Fijian-Indo-Chinese-European fusion plate. Maya Dhaba Suva for upscale North Indian. Suva Municipal Market for fresh kokoda + breadfruit chips + market eats. The Port Denarau Marina restaurants (Lulu Bar, Bonefish, Hard Rock) are tourist-favored but locals also visit on weekends.
Best resort fine-dining restaurants in Fiji?
Fiji doesn't have Michelin coverage but has serious resort fine-dining. Likuliku Lagoon Resort restaurant (the canonical overwater honeymoon dining — modern Pacific tasting in Fiji's only overwater bure resort, $80-150 per person, resort guests only). Tokoriki Island Resort fine-dining ($60-120 — adults-only Pacific-Asian fusion). Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort signature restaurants — Vale Ni Kana overwater Pacific ($50-100) + Ivi Indian fine-dining ($40-80). Six Senses Fiji on Malolo ($70-130 — plant-forward Pacific wellness fine-dining). Marriott Resort Momi Bay Goji Kitchen + Bar ($40-85 — Pacific-Asian fusion). Sheraton Fiji Resort Feast modern Pacific tasting ($50-100). The Vatulele + Royal Davui all-inclusive top-tier honeymoon resorts include fine-dining in headline pricing ($1,200-2,500/person/night).
What's kava and how do you drink it?
Kava (yaqona in Fijian, also called grog) is the South Pacific's traditional ceremonial drink, made from the pounded root of Piper methysticum (a relative of black pepper). The dried root is pounded into a powder, mixed with water in a large carved wooden tanoa bowl, and strained through cloth into individual bilo cups (half coconut shells). The taste is earthy + mildly peppery + slightly bitter; the effect is mildly relaxing + numbing of the tongue and lips (not psychoactive, not intoxicating). Drink etiquette: clap once before receiving the bilo, drink the entire cup in one go, clap three times after returning the empty bilo. Two strengths — 'low tide' (mild) or 'high tide' (stronger). Don't drink + drive — kava causes drowsiness. Buy a small kava root bundle at Nadi Municipal Market (FJ$15-30 / $7-13) as the canonical village-visit sevusevu gift.
How is Fiji restaurant pricing?
Roti shop curry roti: FJ$5-12 / $2-5. Nadi Municipal Market lunch: FJ$5-15 / $2-7. Tu's Place traditional Fijian dinner: FJ$25-50 / $11-22. Port Denarau Marina dinner: FJ$30-80 / $13-35 entrées + 15% VAT + 5% service. Resort à la carte dinner: FJ$50-130 / $22-58 entrées. Resort all-inclusive overwater bure pricing: $800-1,500/person/night double-occupancy (Likuliku, Vatulele, Royal Davui — meals + drinks + most activities included). Lovo cultural night: FJ$60-130 / $27-58 per person. Fiji Bitter beer: FJ$5-10 / $2-5 local; FJ$12-18 / $5-8 resort. Bounty Rum shot: FJ$8-15 / $4-7 local; FJ$15-25 / $7-11 resort. Kava bowl: free at village ceremonies; FJ$2-15 / $1-7 at resort cultural experiences. Tap water at major resorts safe; outer islands bottled FJ$3-8 / $1-4 per 1.5L.
What about Bounty Rum?
Bounty Rum is Fiji's canonical local rum, made from Fijian sugarcane at South Pacific Distilleries in Lautoka (35 min north of Nadi). The range: Bounty Premium Dark (the everyman sipping rum, ~40% ABV, FJ$40-60 / $18-27 per 750ml at duty-free), Bounty Black Cask aged 4 years in American oak (the connoisseur's sipping rum, FJ$60-90 / $27-40 per 750ml), Bounty Spiced (with vanilla + tropical spices, FJ$40-60 / $18-27). South Pacific Distilleries also produces Bati Vodka and Ratu Rum. Distillery tours run 09:00 + 11:00 + 14:00 Mon-Fri (book ahead) — FJ$30-70 / $13-31 entry depending on tasting package. Bottles cheaper at the distillery than at Nadi Airport duty-free. The most-iconic Fijian liquor souvenir.
Top 5 things to eat in Fiji?
1) Kokoda (Fiji's national dish — lime-cured fish ceviche + coconut cream + chilli, FJ$15-30 / $7-13 at any beachside restaurant or Tu's Place Nadi). 2) Lovo + meke cultural night at any 4-5 star resort (FJ$60-130 / $27-58 per person including traditional earth-oven feast + kava ceremony + meke dance + drinks). 3) Curry roti at Mamta's Roti Shop Nadi (FJ$5-12 / $2-5 — the canonical Indo-Fijian everyday meal). 4) Ika vakalolo whole fish in coconut cream at Tu's Place Nadi or any resort fine-dining (FJ$25-50 / $11-22 — the canonical Pacific seafood dish). 5) Bounty Rum tasting flight at South Pacific Distilleries Lautoka (FJ$30-70 / $13-31 — Fiji's heritage rum) or kava ceremony at any resort cultural night (FJ$2-15 or free — the South Pacific's traditional ceremonial drink). Add rourou taro leaves in coconut cream + cassava chips + Fiji Water for the everyday rhythm.
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Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
30+ countries visited
Live exchange rate verified
Fiji