Avarua
Head here for fresh fruit and vegetables, fish and seafood, barbecued snacks, and stalls selling fresh bread and traditional Polynesian food. Foodie…
Must-see restaurants in The Cook Islands
Rarotonga
Perched near a sandy beach on the island’s south coast, Vaima is one of Rarotonga’s best eateries and bookings are essential. The stylish dining room…
Rarotonga
Tuck into tuna and mahi mahi sandwiches on grilled Turkish bread at this funky blue shipping container on the edge of Avana Lagoon. Variations include…
Avarua
Trader Jacks is one of Rarotonga’s iconic watering holes, and panoramic sea views and good food also make it a great place to eat. The front bar has top…
Aitutaki
Tauono’s is a delight, a tiny garden cafe run by one-time Canadian-Austrian Sonja and her occasional team of travellers and WWOOFers (Willing Workers on…
Rarotonga
Come for a morning combo of an espresso and a cinnamon doughnut or chocolate brioche – LBV is the best bakery for many miles – and then return for a more…
Rarotonga
This roadside eatery on the south coast at Titikaveka is a great place for lunch or a cold drink. The menu includes pad Thai and garlic prawns, and there…
Aitutaki
Open to outside diners, the daytime restaurant at the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort has quite possibly the most stunning location in all of the Cooks. Lagoon…
Aitutaki
With a sandy floor and a thatched roof, this easygoing eatery at the Aitutaki Village resort is a cool and rustic place for a beer, lunch by the lagoon,…
Aitutaki
Koru is a spacious and breezy Aitutaki spin on a trendy New Zealand cafe. All-day cooked breakfasts and lunches – including Caesar salad, steak sandwiches…
Rarotonga
The most elegant place to dine on Rarotonga is this colonial building on the island’s north shore. Book a table on the grand verandah and enjoy the cool…
Rarotonga
Eat your way around the island during this progressive dinner held in locals’ homes. The relaxed, easygoing occasions run to three courses across four to…
Aitutaki
A sprawling array of maritime memorabilia and classic country music makes the Boatshed a very laid-back spot. Try to secure a space on the deck for reef…
Aitutaki
In a lovely rural setting in the hills behind Arutanga, Café Tupuna is Aitutaki's only independent restaurant offering fine dining. The menu features…
Rarotonga
Overlooking the sands and sea of Muri Lagoon, breezy Sails is an open-air bistro-bar serving light breakfast and lunchtime fare, and heartier evening…
Rarotonga
Variations on dishes you enjoyed in Bangkok and Hanoi feature at this pan-Asian eatery. Reserve a spot on the breezy deck and feast on beef rendang,…
Avarua
In downtown Avarua, Café Salsa is more Auckland-chic than Polynesian-rustic. The diverse menu combines Mediterranean and Asian flavours with local produce…
Aitutaki
The breezy, thatched-roof, open-sided restaurant of the Tamanu Beach hotel is also open to outside guests. Here’s your chance to dine at sunset on Pacific…
Rarotonga
The biggest fish sandwiches on the island, fruit smoothies, and freshly baked muffins are all available at this family-run beachside shipping container…
The Cook Islands
Kura at Atiu Villas cooks up evening vittles whenever there’s a quorum, and sometimes there’s an informal Island Night that kicks off in the thatched…
Aitutaki
With a circular bar built around a coconut tree, and plenty of absolute beachfront tables and chairs, the Coconut Shack at Paradise Cove fulfills every…
Rarotonga
Homemade jams and tropical chutneys are divine at this shop opposite Tikioki beach, but it’s good for cakes and fruit juices too. Kayaks are available for…
Rarotonga
Colourful outdoor tables, winning smiles from the kitchen team, and rocking Pacific ukulele beats combine at this humble spot on Muri's main drag. The…
Rarotonga
Tuck into Raro’s best fish and chips at this funky reconfigured fishing boat. The lagoon’s waters are just metres away, and cheap-as-chips drinks are…
Rarotonga
Asian-inspired tapas – try the steamed pork dumplings – combine with fish, chicken and steak lunch dishes at this welcoming elevated spot on Raro's…
Rarotonga
Welcome to the South Pacific restaurant of your dreams with a rustic beachfront pavilion and absolute waterfront tables and chairs. Book in for around 30…
Avarua
Located in a quiet courtyard, Rob's offers expertly barbecued chickens, either served with a plate full of salad and taro chips, or doused with spicy peri…
Rarotonga
Welcome to the biggest game in Muri for four nights a week. There's occasional live music to partner seafood curries, garlic prawns, and tuna with papaya…
Rarotonga
Candles and dim lighting make this circular restaurant in ‘Arorangi a great place for an evening meal. The international cuisine is well prepared and the…
Avarua
The best place to buy fresh fish if you're looking to barbecue up a storm or prepare your own sashimi. Fish could include wahoo, mahi mahi, tuna,…
Rarotonga
Combining Tex-Mex (burritos, quesadillas and enchiladas) with Italian (pizza and pasta) La Casita is a bustling and colourful spot that's a reliable…
Avarua
Kiwi expat Neil Dearlove blends and roasts gourmet coffee at his home in Matavera. Many locals stop in for their fix on the way into work or pick up a few…
Avarua
Tucked away inland behind Avarua township, this good-value cafe and bar is a big favourite with locals. Sashimi, ika mata and huge burgers and salads for…
Rarotonga
Right in the heart of the Muri, Deli-licious serves up cooked breakfasts, and salads and sandwiches for lunch. Excellent coffee is served along with…
Avarua
Specialising in fresh fish, this Monday-to-Saturday market stall has great ika mata, brilliant tuna carpaccio, and a stonking seafood platter (NZ$18)…
Aitutaki
The Pacific Resort's more casual daytime restaurant is a stunner. The lagoon is just a cocktail shake away, towering palms shade the swimming pool, and…
Aitutaki
The island’s standout resort restaurant is in Pacific Resort. It offers superb Pacific fusion cuisine in a brilliant split-level patio setting. Look…
Rarotonga
Wood-fired pizza is served from a colourful shipping container. Order the Hawaiian one with ham and pineapple, and celebrate all things Polynesian and…
The Cook Islands
Drop in for burgers, toasted sandwiches and fish and chips at this friendly spot in Areora village. You can even have a cold beer while you wait. There's…
Rarotonga
The south coast’s only proper grocery store is more expensive than Avarua’s supermarkets. It’s the only large supermarket that trades on Sunday though,…
