Must-see restaurants in Tonga

  • Bellavista Cafe & Restaurant

    Vava'u Group

    Quiz a local about their favourite Neiafu eatery, and they'll most likely point you towards Bellavista – a romantic, top-floor Italian restaurant,…

  • Friends Cafe

    Tongatapu

    With a breezy charm, conversation, laughter and dependably good food, Friends is an irresistible social and culinary magnet for visitors and locals alike…

  • Mariner’s Cafe

    Tonga

    Pangai's prime dining option, cheery Mariner’s is just off the main street. The menu, chalked up on little blackboards, features burgers, soups, stews and…

  • Tiger Inn

    Tongatapu

    One of four quick-fire, perennially busy eateries on the ocean side of the Tonga Post building, Tiger Inn eschews the Western sausage-and-chips offerings…

  • Aquarium Café

    Vava'u Group

    You can get it all at airy Aquarium: generous meals, fully stocked bar, free wi-fi, switched-on service, classic rock soundtrack, even the occasional live…

  • Mango Cafe

    Vava'u Group

    This curvy-roofed, clubby cafe is right on the water (literally – you can see the sea through floorboards!) and is a fave with yachties who tie up their…

  • Café Tropicana

    Vava'u Group

    Nab a seat in the shady interior or slouch into a deckchair on the terrace at this troppo-bohemian haunt. The menu wafts from burgers to wraps, pies and…

  • Café Escape

    Tongatapu

    Slick Café Escape could be anywhere, but provides a refined air-conditioned retreat from the street and infuses the tropics into its mixed menu. Order the…

  • Marco's Pizza & Pasta

    Tongatapu

    Explore Nuku'alofa's back streets and you'll find plenty of places to eat: Korean, Singaporean, Indian, and Marco's – an unassuming little pizza and pasta…

  • Lunarossa Restaurant

    Tongatapu

    You’ll need a car or taxi to get to the 'Red Moon', but it makes for a reasonably classy experience. The vibe is intimate with authentic Italian cuisine,…

  • Cottage Breeze Restaurant

    Tongatapu

    Earning a glowing reputation, this place on Vuna Rd west of the palace offers cheery service and consistently good food: everything from pork ribs to…

  • Waterfront Café

    Tongatapu

    Downstairs at the Waterfront Lodge, soak up the breezy South Seas vibes and chase a few sundowners with some Italian-style pasta, steak, lobster, lamb or…

  • Emerald Chinese Restaurant

    Tongatapu

    Part of the Emerald Hotel, this place gets the nod for top Chinese restaurant in town. Good value, it’s licensed, takeaway is available and (best of all)…

  • Matuku-ae-tau Bakery

    Tonga

    This basic bakery has two ovens to keep the island in bread, jam-filled rolls and keki (similar to doughnuts). There’s a mad rush on Sunday afternoon.

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