Must-see restaurants in Papua New Guinea

  • Rapala

    Port Moresby

    One of Moresby’s best restaurants is an elegant, well-dressed, yet somewhat old-fashioned affair inside the Crowne Plaza. The dishes are cutting-edge,…

  • Duffy's

    Port Moresby

    Raising Moresby's cafe culture to international levels by its very existence, Duffy's wouldn't look out of place in any Western capital. The decor? Three…

  • Emma's Restaurant

    New Britain

    The Gazelle International's restaurant may not win any design awards but the food is top notch. There are tropical seafood dishes: start with Peruvian…

  • Jeff's Bar & Grill

    Papua New Guinea

    Jeff's is where it's at, particularly on weekends, when well-heeled locals haunt the bar decked out with indigenous artefacts. Have your meal cooked in…

  • Fusion Bistro

    Port Moresby

    Ambitiously promising you offerings from several Asian cuisines, Fusion does Chinese dishes best, though their pandan chicken and sambal fish are well…

  • Seoul House

    Port Moresby

    Skip the so-so Thai food at this refined, minimalist Korean restaurant that overplays its hand, and go straight for the superlative Korean dishes…

  • Vanilla Room

    The Sepik

    The Vanilla Room is hands down the best restaurant in town, serving such culinary delights as seared yellow-fin tuna or chicken in green coconut curry…

  • Deck Bistro

    The Highlands

    The Bird’s Deck Bistro overlooking the pool is the place to rendezvous and central to the social life of Goroka’s well heeled. There’s a nightly themed…

  • Kofi Kave

    The Highlands

    If you’re wondering where the expat community hangs out, you’ll find them sipping coffee and nibbling cheesecake (K12) in this uber trendy cafe. Turn…

  • Napatana Bar

    Papua New Guinea

    Beautifully decorated with a war canoe in the rafters and Sepik carvings, Napatana Bar is the place to rub shoulders with expats and nationals alike. The…

  • Palmuri Restaurant

    The Highlands

    The Palmuri is Hagen’s most upmarket restaurant. It offers delectable delicacies such as Mt Wilhelm trout, pasta, steaks, triple-stacked pancakes, a…

  • Cellar

    Port Moresby

    At the Shady Rest hotel, this refined spot serves authentic Indian dishes. Popular picks include tandoori chicken and vegetable samosas, and the…

  • Ocean Restaurant

    Papua New Guinea

    Get here early to secure a table on the small harbourside veranda at lunch – for our money, the most atmospheric dining in town. The menu is dominated by…

  • San Remo Club

    New Britain

    We love this place – it feels so anachronistic. It's the most 'happening' spot in town, not far from Liamo Reef Resort. A mix of locals and expats gather…

  • Eden Restaurant

    Papua New Guinea

    Admittedly, this restaurant doesn’t make much of an impression; it’s right on the foreshore but designed to have no views and be stiflingly hot. People…

  • Haus Win

    New Britain

    Inside the Kokopo Beach Bungalow Resort, Haus Win serves up some of the city’s best dishes. The Asian-influenced menu showcases regional delicacies such…

  • Daikoku

    Port Moresby

    This long-running spot with a village-y vibe serves up Moresby’s best Japanese fare, with fresh sushi, sashimi, katsu-don, onigiri and other Japanese…

  • City Point

    Port Moresby

    Tucked away off the main street, this low-key Chinese restaurant does an excellent value lunchtime menu (K21 to K25) of chicken and rice and other simple…

  • Asia Aromas

    Port Moresby

    Tucked away inside Steamships Plaza and with embroidered dragons and elephants representing its twin cuisines, this low-key restaurant cooks up good, if…

  • Nusa Island Retreat

    New Ireland Province

    Nonguests are welcome at Nusa Island Retreat (call ahead to arrange transfers). Indeed, it would be a shame to miss out on its dinner buffet (K77; by…

  • Lae Yacht Club

    Lae

    The airy, informal ‘Yachty’ is in a prime position on the harbour and is good for both drinking and eating. Its Tuesday- and Friday-night barbecues are…

  • Bunga Raya Restaurant

    Lae

    One of the most popular restaurants in Lae, the Bunga Raya draws a faithful crowd who come for the large selection of Chinese and Malay stir-fried…

  • Andersons Foodland

    New Britain

    This higher-end supermarket is well stocked, with a selection of Australian imports. There’s a kai (takeaway) bar near the entrance, as well as a bakery…

  • Steak House

    New Britain

    The Queen Emma Lodge serves up sizzling rump, eye fillet, T-Bone steaks and less beefy options, like sweet-and-sour pork, crumbed fish of the day, seafood…

  • Shakers Coffee

    Port Moresby

    With picnic-style wooden benches and tables, this unusual cafe serves equally unusual sandwiches (tuna mornay with pesto, smoky sausage…) alongside good…

  • Breezeway Restaurant

    New Britain

    Kokopo Village Resort’s restaurant has an uninspiring interior, but if you dine out on the veranda you can enjoy superb views over the bay. Highlights…

  • Mandarin Restaurant

    The Highlands

    Opposite the Bird, and a popular lunch spot for hotel guests, the Mandarin serves tasty, veggie-packed dishes that would do the home country proud. Meals…

  • Cafe

    Port Moresby

    Slightly cheaper and more casual than neighbouring Rapala, this Crowne Plaza gem serves grilled barramundi, Thai chicken curry and other multifarious fare…

  • Stargate Food Bar

    Lae

    One of the more popular kai bars (cheap takeaway food bar) around town with a few tables and chairs. A greasy plate of kaukau (sweet potato), aibika …

  • Dynasty

    Port Moresby

    Popular with the local Chinese community, this well-regarded restaurant may serve the odd unorthodox dish (Marmite chicken, y'all?) but claypot noodles…

  • Rapopo Plantation Resort

    New Britain

    One of Kokopo’s best dining options is a beautifully designed, open-sided affair serving an array of expertly prepared dishes using fresh ingredients,…

  • Vanda Restaurant

    Lae

    A classy seafood buffet is served on Friday evenings and an equally scrumptious brunch buffet (10:00 to 14:00) on Sunday. Otherwise the mix of well…

  • Reasons Bar & Grill

    Papua New Guinea

    Buka's top dining and drinking spot is this elevated restaurant with a great deck overlooking the passage. As well as chilled beer there are dishes of…

  • Hagen Club

    The Highlands

    Serves cold beer and good pub-style light meals during lunch, and cold beer and European dishes during dinner. The Mt Hagen Ball is held here to coincide…

  • Hog’s Breath

    Port Moresby

    This well-known Aussie diner chain sates the meaty fantasies of the carnivorously inclined with the rib-and-steak combos, lamb cutlets, burgers and more…

  • Joe's Kitchen

    Port Moresby

    While the sheep's tongue stew at this friendly kai bar is likely to appeal to gourmets inclined to live dangerously, the roast chicken and chips (K12 for…

  • By the Bay Restaurant

    Papua New Guinea

    The International Hotel's restaurant serves a consistently tasty, surprisingly inexpensive and eclectic mix of dishes, from lobster thermidor and seafood…

  • Mr B Coffee Shoppe

    Port Moresby

    This tiny local favourite inside the Brian Bell Plaza is a fine refuge from Boroko’s chaotic streets. It serves sandwiches, savoury pies (K5), pastries,…

  • Tasty Bite

    Port Moresby

    This tiny place has a score of loyal expat fans, including a healthy contingent of resident Indians. Expect decent portions of northern Indian dishes;…

  • Beachside Brasserie

    Port Moresby

    Aswirl with psychedelic paintings by a local artist, this light, bright brasserie in Ela Beach Hotel serves excellent gourmet pizzas as well as chilli…

More destinations you need to see