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…
Must-see restaurants in The Cook Islands
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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Rarotonga
The biggest fish sandwiches on the island, fruit smoothies, and freshly baked muffins are all available at this family-run beachside shipping container…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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Rarotonga
Set in the verdant surroundings of the Maire Nui Gardens, this cafe offers delicious cakes and desserts – try the lemon meringue pie (NZ$16) – and healthy…
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The Cook Islands
Fresh-baked bread is ready for the milling crowd by about 10.30am each day. Saturday is the Seventh-Day Adventist Sabbath and the baking doesn’t begin…
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The Cook Islands
Kato’s Store is well stocked and is also the island’s only bakery. Kato’s also hosts a takeaway bar turning out good burgers, fish and chips and…
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The Cook Islands
The lovely Parua Tavioni offers a two-course dinner every night, but you'll need to book by noon, either by popping in to her small shop selling local…
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Aitutaki
Stock up on groceries at this Amuri store with a Heineken sign out the front. Unfortunately it’s not a bar, but it does have a pretty good selection of…
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Rarotonga
Near the airport, Café Jireh does excellent coffee and homestyle baking including creamy custard squares. It’s also a popular spot for a lazy brunch.
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Rarotonga
Halfway to the airport from Avarua, the huge CITC Supermarket is great for tinned and packaged produce. There’s also a liquor store attached.
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Rarotonga
Super Brown is Raro’s only all-night convenience store and petrol station, with a fair selection of beer, wine, groceries and takeaway food.
