The Best Food In Vanuatu (12 Local Delicacies To Try!)
While some pople learn about a culture through museums or guidebooks, I learn through my stomach, and Vanuatu has some of the best local cuisine I’ve tasted in the Pacific!
From fresh seafood spreads to sweet tooth-satisfying desserts, Vanuatu’s cuisine truly reflect the island’s history, geography, and traditions.
In this post, I’ll share what I reckon is the best food in Vanuatu to try when you holiday in the area (and my recommended eateries to try the meals too!). If you’re looking for spots to eat, the checkout my favourite 7 restaurants in Vanuatu in this article.
🍛Recommendation: I always love to do food tours when arriving in a new country and it’s even better when they include a visit to a working distillery! If you have a chance, checkout Port Vila’s Guided Food Experience (You can book it through Viator here) and let Ray and Manai take you to all the best spots on the island!
Table of Contents
1. Coconut Fish Curry
Vanuatu’s abundance of fish means you’ll find a variety of seafood dishes to savor. And one that doesn’t fall short of tasty is the hearty coconut fish curry. It’s prepared with fresh fish folded in a curry sauce made of coconut milk, onion, garlic, and a medley of spices. The fish is cooked until tender and flaky, and the sauce is thick and creamy. It’s best enjoyed with rice and a side of salad or vegetables.
You can order a generous portion at The Waterfront Bar & Grill in downtown Port Vila
2. Laplap
A national dish of Vanuatu, laplap is one of the most exciting foods you’ll ever try. It’s a type of pudding made with grated taro or yam, breadfruit, coconut milk, and meat, poultry, or fish. This combination is wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in an underground oven for several hours. The result is a soft and moist cake-like dish with a smoky flavor.
You’ll find Laplap all over, and in abundance at the Port Vila local markets – Just ask around! Alternativly, visit Lapita Cafe.
3. Tuluk
Tuluk is similar to laplap, only with a twist. It’s made with grated cassava, minced meat, and some spices. The mixture is individually wrapped in banana leaves and steamed for several hours. It serves as a great snack for any time of day.
Where to try it
The dish is widely available in street stalls and markets across Vanuatu. I also recommend you visit Mele Village in Efate. Their version is bound to keep you coming back for more.
4. Beef Fillet
Vanuatu is famous for its grass-fed beef. This means you’ll get to savor the most tender, juicy, and flavorful meat. It’s prepared in different ways, but one of the best ways to enjoy it is as a beef fillet. You can eat it with fries or vegetables and top it with a sauce of your choice.
Where to try it
- Cafe Vila
- Stone Grill
- Wild Ginger
- Flaming bull steakhouse
- K2 kitchen
5. Poulet Fish
Poulet fish has a firm white flesh and is mildly flavored. It derives its name from the fact that its texture resembles both poultry and fish. It’s prepared in different ways, but I tried the grilled over charcoal version, moderately marinated with lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper. The dish pairs well with traditional breadfruit and coconut sauce. Alternatively, for a safe bet, enjoy it with rice.
Where to try it
- Aqua on Erakor
- Tamanu on the Beach
- The Beach Bar
- K2 kitchen
6. Vanuatu Coconut Cake
This moist and rich coconut-flavored cake is a must-try if you have a sweet tooth. It’s made with minimal ingredients–shredded coconut, sugar, eggs, butter, and vanilla–and then baked until golden brown. It’s a simple but satisfying treat you can enjoy with a beverage of your choice.
You’ll find this cake all over town, but I reccommend getting it from one of the local patisserie/bakeries like Au Peche Mignon or Le Fournil De Vila
7. Coconut Crab
Coconut crab is a delicacy unique to Vanuatu and some other Pacific islands. It can weigh up to 4 kilograms and one feature I found fascinating was that it has large claws that can crack open coconuts. The fish can be either boiled, roasted, or fried, and its meat is sweet and succulent and tastes like a combination of crab and lobster.
Where to try it
- Vila Chaumieres
- Tamanu on the Beach
- Port Olry Beach Resort (Pey Seriniti Restaurant or Harbour View Restaurant)
- Chez Louis Restaurant
8. Cassava Pudding
This soft, sweet, and nutty-flavored pudding is made with grated cassava, coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla. It’s then baked and makes a great dessert to wrap up any meal you’ve had.
Several vendors and locals in the markets and villages prepare the pudding. But if you want to dine in, you can try Nambawan Cafe down by the waterfront
9. Simboro
Similar to laplap, only with a different shape and texture, Simboro is made with grated taro, coconut milk, and meat or fish. The mixture is rolled into long tubes and wrapped in banana leaves and then boiled or steamed until cooked. It has a chewy texture, is mildly flavored, and is easily enjoyable as a snack.
The best (and most authentic) Simboro can be found at the Port Vila local markets – Just ask around. Alternativly, visit Lapita Cafe
10. Baked Fish in Coconut Cream
Baked fish in coconut cream uses snapper or tuna as a base, coconut cream, onion, and a few spices. It’s creamy and delicious and served with rice or breadfruit, and sometimes with a side of salad or vegetables.
You’ll find a modest baked fish at the Port Vila market, or get a more upmarket rendition at The Waterfront Bar & Grill or at The Blue Marlin Club
11. Kava
Not technically a food, Kava is a drink that’s an integral part of the island’s culture and is meant to be consumed for social, ceremonial, or medicinal purposes – but you’ll find a lot of the locals tucking into their Kava 8 days a week!!
It’s made from the roots of the kava plant, which are pounded into a powder and mixed with water. It has a peppery bitter taste and a muddy appearance.
Unlike Fijian kava, the Ni-Vanuatu prefer to use the fresh root and pride themselves on making the most potent Kava in the pacific!
You can try the drink at any of the kava bars scattered around Port Vila. Some of my recommendations are; Chiefs Nakamal, Bamboo Nakamal and The Kava Lounge.
12. Poisson Cru
This refreshing and light dish is perfect for a hot day. It’s prepared with raw fish, lime juice, coconut milk, onion, tomato, and cucumber. The fish is cut into small pieces, marinated in lime juice, and mixed with the coconut milk and the other ingredients.
This is Vanuatu’s take on the south american ceviche, or Fiji’s kokodo.. but I reckon the Vanuatu version is the best!
Try it at Orovy Beach Restaurant or The Beach Bar, Mele.
Vanuatu Travel Planning Cheatsheet
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for Vanuatu?
100% YES! — Vanuatu’s healthcare system faces challenges, with limited hospital and medical facilities, and treatment costs, including pharmaceuticals, being expensive, often requiring immediate cash payment.
If anything serious happens to you, medical evacuation may be the only option and that’s EXPENSIVE.
If you DO get insurance, also be aware many policies won’t cover adventure activities like diving, climbing active volcanos, or scooter riding (as it’s a high risk activity)!
(that’s right, check the t&c’s)
I highly recommend World Nomads as you can get specific add-ons for these activities (Which are some of the main reasons I went to Vanuatu!)
🎫 Do I need a visa for Vanuatu?
Probably not! Many countries are entitled to 30 day tourist ‘visa on arrival’. However, some other countries do need a pre-approved Visa. Check the list of Visa exempt countries here
💉Do I need any vaccinations for Vanuatu?
YES! Make sure you are up-to-date with all your vaccines. Common travel vaccines include Hep A/B + Typhoid, and Diphtheria + Tetanus.
As always, talk to your GP or specialized travel doctor a few weeks BEFORE you leave.
💸How do you pay for things in Vanuatu?
Cash is king in Vanuatu, but electronic payments have come a long way. You’ll want to get some folding tender out from an ATM when you land.
Generally, street food stalls, mum-and-dad shops and small businesses will only take cash, whereas larger bars, restaurants, hotels and resorts will be perfectly happy taking card.
I personally use a Wise debit card for all my international money needs as they only convert the funds when you make a payment, plus they offer a much better spread (margin on the true exchange rate) than the banks do. They work in all the ATMs I tried (although the ATMs do charge a fee of 700VUV to withdraw from a foreign card – around $6 USD) which is annoying but unavoidable. Taking out larger sums at once will minimise the hit.
🚌 What’s the public transport like in Vanuatu?
In short – basic!
Local buses are just dudes in minivans who operate in the grey area between a bus and a taxi. Get in, say where you’re going and they’ll take you as far as they want, provided there are enough other people on board to make the trip worthwhile.
Domestic flights from Port Vila to the outer islands are irregular and unreliable. Even more so since Air Vanuatu went into receivership.
Unfortunately, hiring a car is your most effective way to get around, but it’s waay overpriced for what you get.
📲 How do I get internet/data/wifi in Vanuatu?
Prepaid SIM cards are cheap and available to tourists and locals alike (You don’t need a pricey tourist SIM!) but they can be a little hard to come by. Your best bet is actually to buy a Vodafone or Digicell SIM at the Airport – yep, I can’t believe I’m saying that!). The sales assistant will get the SIM all set up and activated for you.
Another (better) option is the Saily eSIM. This is a little more expensive but works from the moment you land is is SOOOOO much easier than the in person verification process required for a local sim.
TIP: I used to use Airalo but now find Saily a much better product – you can get 5% off with code SPECIAL5
✈️ What’s the best site to buy flights to Vanuatu?
For finding cheap flights, I recommend Skyscanner. Once you find the flight you’re looking for, I’d then suggest booking directly with the carrier (even if it costs a few $$ more than with one of the aggregators/agencies).
💧Can you drink the water in Vanuatu?
Safest not to — tap water in Vanuatu may be OK (the locals drink it) but is generally untreated and not recommended for tourists. Purchase bottled water for drinking and teeth brushing, or get water purification tablets.
I always use these Aquatabs and also recommend a Brita Water Bottle for as some of the tab water wasn’t exactly clear either!
it looks good can we eat it please thank you if you say yes send it to us at flagstone state school. Queensland Australia