Old Mill Cottage

Lonely Planet review

Housed (as the name suggests) in a gracious old timber cottage, this Suva institution is the city's best spot for adventurous gastronomes to dabble in authentic Fijian fare. Exotic dishes including palusami (meat, onion and lolo wrapped in dalo leaves and baked in a lovo), curried shellfish, and seaweed or fish stewed in lolo assemble themselves underneath the front counter alongside Indian curries and vegetarian dishes. You can also dig into a traditional roast.

Addicted office workers cram into the joint for lunch, parking themselves at tables on the front veranda or at the large booth seating inside. The spacious interior is filled with a pleasant cross-breeze (which may be of assistance with some of the curries) thanks to open doors at both ends and ceiling fans. Helpings are huge.