20 Best Foodie Experiences in Vanuatu

Start your culinary journey by understanding the source of one of Vanuatu’s most celebrated artisan products with Aelan Chocolate Makers.

This intimate bean-to-bar chocolate factory shows you exactly how handcrafted artisan chocolates come to life, using cocoa beans grown in Vanuatu's incredibly rich volcanic soil.

The 30-minute tour takes you through boardwalks amongst tropical gardens to different stations of the chocolate factory contained in shipping containers, covering every single step of chocolate production, from raw beans right through to those gorgeous finished bars.

During your visit, you'll discover the fascinating differences between island cacao varieties on the different islands of Vanuatu.

And yes, there is a generous tasting session at its conclusion, featuring their award-winning chocolates with local ingredients like coconut, chilli pepper, nangai, ginger, turmeric, kava, cocoa nibs, coffee and sea salt.

Tours run throughout the day from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday, and 8:30 am to 12 pm Saturday, and you can either book online in advance or simply walk in.

Don't even think about leaving without browsing their shop/café area – it's packed with not only their incredible chocolate bars but also local handicrafts, tamanu oil, kava and cocoa nibs. The café also serves coffee and showcases their chocolate creations in an intimate space celebrating Vanuatu's flavours.

Eden on the River, famous for its suspension bridge tours and swimming hole, also offers immersive foodie experiences.

The "Kava Plantation Guided Tour" takes you through stunning tropical gardens and Eden's kitchen garden whilst learning about kava's important place in Vanuatu kastom and culture; how historically only men could drink kava, but nowadays both men and women enjoy it at nakamals, though not children. You'll get to taste this traditional drink during your walking tour through the plantation before enjoying a refreshing swim in the beautiful Rentapau River.

The "Eden Cooking Guided Tour" introduces you to traditional food preparation, where you'll learn hands-on to make simboros LINK#TTD044, a beloved local delicacy. Using cooking bananas, cassava, and coconut cream, you'll roll these ingredients in island cabbage leaves before cooking them in a pot with coconut milk and salt.

Both tours last approximately 30 minutes and must be booked in advance. All experiences include a fresh fruit platter and conclude with a refreshing swim at Eden on the River's famous swimming hole.

Eden on the River is open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

For a true connection between food and heritage, a visit to the Jiarofa Agritourism Village on Efate is essential.

Experience hands-on learning through guided plantation tours showcasing traditional taro-farming methods, including the cultivation of unique varieties like mara (which we can best describe as "blue cheese bananas"). Participate in weaving and crafts workshops, traditional cooking classes, and witness mesmerising cultural dance performances where Futuna islanders use homemade instruments to create an uplifting ensemble!

The village also offers fascinating insights into traditional health practices, including frank talks on how women deal with their menstrual cycle in remote islands, as well as herbal medicine talks and ancient food preservation techniques.

One of the most spectacular experiences is witnessing Futuna's fearless fire walking ceremony on hot rocks!

An immersive garden and foodie experience on Santo, Serah Botanical Garden combines local agriculture with a sweet hidden swimming spot.

This one-hour cultural and botanical experience showcases traditional Ni-Vanuatu knowledge passed down through generations. You'll discover ancient medicinal plants still used today, learn about traditional food sources, and enjoy hands-on demonstrations, including kava preparation and juice making from seasonal fruits.

The garden extends to a pristine river where you can swim and enjoy a natural waterfall massage.

Your tour includes refreshments of fresh coconut juice and seasonal fruits grown on-site.

With a working chicken farm and aromatic night-blooming flowers, this authentic experience offers insight into traditional island living whilst supporting local community tourism. What's more, tours can be conducted in English or French.

Another fantastic garden tour, this one closer to Luganville and very affordable; M Garden is well worth discovering.

This charming garden showcases a delightful mix of tropical flowers, fruit trees and local plants, all lovingly tended by owner-operator, Mary, who doubles as your personal guide.

During your 20-minute guided tour, you'll discover fascinating growing techniques like orchids artfully attached to banyan trees, sample fresh star fruit juice, and learn about some more traditional gardening methods. The garden features a greenhouse displaying local plants for hire, a children's playground area with swings, and even a small fish pond.

What makes this experience special is the genuine passion of your host, who shares local knowledge and sustainable gardening practices whilst supporting community mamas by selling their flowers on-site.

M Garden is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 2 pm, weekends by arrangement for cruise passengers or accommodation guests (phone ahead).

Hosted on Efate's southeast waterfront, Papaya Loco Cooking School's intimate cooking classes offer guests the opportunity to learn to cook a range of cuisines with Portuguese flair, led by your charismatic host Marcus, who brings decades of culinary expertise to every session.

These hands-on classes showcase a range of dishes from international fare to contemporary takes on local island cooking, with Marcus guiding small groups. (During our visit, we cooked traditional dishes like tuluk, island dolmades and fried plantains). His Portuguese heritage adds a unique dimension to the experience, incorporating techniques and flavors that reflect his background while celebrating Vanuatu ingredients and cooking methods.

Classes are deliberately kept intimate with a maximum of six participants, ensuring everyone receives personalised attention and can fully engage with the cooking process. Since the experience, of course, concludes with indulging in your creations, Marcus expertly caters to various dietary requirements, including vegetarian, pescatarian and gluten-free needs, though vegan options aren't available.

Cooking classes last approximately 3-4 hours with plenty of time to connect with your hosts and other guests throughout this hands-on experience.

Coffee lovers shouldn't miss a visit to the Tanna Coffee Factory in Port Vila.

This laid-back attraction housed inside a historical chapel built in 1903 offers an excellent opportunity to support local farmers whilst learning about Vanuatu's thriving coffee industry. Behind the roasting facility sits the oldest house in Vanuatu, built in 1901, adding to the site's rich historical significance.

Watch the beans transform before your eyes and breathe in the intoxicating aromas of different blends as you take a free tour to witness the roasting process of premium organic Arabica beans, sourced from over 500 small farmers on Tanna Island LINK#D071. This inclusive, sustainable industry empowers farming families and pays double world parity prices for the raw product, which is shipped up from their factory on Tanna via coastal traders.

The comprehensive on-site café serves everything from specialty coffee drinks and smoothies to hearty breakfast options, toasted sandwiches, and a variety of cakes - perfect for a mid-morning treat after your educational experience. Open seven days a week from 8 am to 5 pm, it's only closed on Christmas Day, making it accessible whenever you need that perfect coffee fix.

For one of Malekula’s most hands-on food experiences, stay or visit Lakatoro Palm Lodge, where cooking classes can be arranged with your host, Asunda.

The experience is flexible and refreshingly informal: sometimes the ingredients are already on hand, while other times you might join a trip to the local market to source fresh produce together.

Back at the lodge, you’ll learn how local ingredients are prepared in everyday island cooking, with dishes such as laplap or similar traditional meals often part of the experience. It’s not a staged cooking show so much as a genuine introduction to what people grow, buy and cook on Malekula.

For a hands-on food experience on Wala Island, Nawori Seaview Bungalow & Wala Day Tours offers a traditional cooking activity that starts long before anything reaches the fire.

Guests head into the property’s garden with their hosts to choose fresh ingredients, giving you a closer look at what grows locally and how it is used in everyday Malekula cooking.

After harvesting, you return to help prepare the meal together, learning how traditional dishes are made with the ingredients you just collected. The experience ends the best way possible: sitting down with your hosts to share the food you helped create.

For a food experience that focuses less on cooking and more on where island food comes from, Nanwut Bungalows on Uri Island offers guided nature and agriculture experiences.

The shorter jungle walk introduces native plants and trees around Uri Island, including breadfruit and other useful vegetation, with guides explaining traditional uses along the way.

The more food-focused option is the agricultural tour to neighbouring Uripiv Island. Because Uri Island is not suited to staple crops like taro, cassava and yam, the tour shows how nearby communities grow these essential foods elsewhere and work with the different conditions of each island.

You guide, Jack, demonstrates traditional cultivation methods for taro, cassava and yam, giving visitors a deeper understanding of Melanesian subsistence farming, island food security and the way local communities adapt to their environment. It’s a quiet but fascinating food experience for travellers who want to understand Malekula beyond the plate.

On the island of Espiritu Santo, the Fire Walks Cultural Village offers a sensory experience that combines adrenaline with ancient culinary arts.

Your engaging host Chief Bule serves as an excellent master of ceremonies, keeping audiences captivated with fascinating facts while being open to questions throughout the experience.

The experience begins with a traditional welcome dance before moving into the nakamal for weaving and cooking demonstrations, where you'll sample food cooked in a bamboo. You'll then experience freshly squeezed kava tasting, watch the art of sand drawing and witness a powerful dance where a young boy must show his courage as he relies on nothing but plants and vines to carry his weight.

The spectacular finale features the actual firewalk on scorching hot rocks with no foot protection whatsoever, including dancing on the heated stones.

Energetic dances accompanied by local drums and ankle-rattling navaranke nuts create an unforgettable atmosphere, concluding with refreshing local treats.

The Port Vila Central Market (Mama’s Market) is the ultimate foodie destination for those looking to experience the authentic daily life of the islands.

This bustling marketplace showcases an incredible variety of fresh produce, from tropical fruits like dragon fruit, soursop and custard apples to traditional root vegetables such as taro, yam and breadfruit.

Wander through the vibrant stalls where local vendors sell everything from aromatic spices like turmeric, ginger and wild chillies to exotic nuts including nangai, natapoa and navele. The market is particularly famous for its affordable, high-quality tropical fruits and traditional ingredients used in local dishes like laplap, of which the local mamas are always selling, should you want to try some traditional dishes for yourself.

Beyond the fresh produce, you'll discover unique island specialities such as green coconuts for drinking, ready-to-eat snacks like banana chips and peanuts. There's also a mini-restaurant set-up at the back where you sample real island meals.

The friendly atmosphere and authentic local interactions make this much more than just a shopping experience.

For a more modern take on Vanuatu’s natural bounty, a visit to the 83 Islands Distillery in Port Vila offers a sophisticated journey through the world of craft spirits.

Join their immersive one-hour "Distillery Experience" tour that takes you through the complete rum-making journey, from crushing freshly harvested sugarcane to the final distillation process.

Working with 50 local farmers across the islands, 83 Islands Distillery showcases traditional fermentation and distillation techniques, with most bottling and labelling still done by hand. You'll witness the distillation process in action, explore ageing barrels where samples are drawn using traditional drilling methods, and learn about the craftsmanship behind each bottle. Needless to say, the tour concludes as expected with tastings of their signature rums!

For those preferring just the tasting experience, the "Cellar Door Tasting" option is available, where tasting trays can easily be shared between guests. Choose from two distinct tasting journeys: the Rum Tasting featuring six 15 ml samples tracing the evolution from unaged cane spirits to aged rums with complex notes of spice, fruit and smoke, or the Liqueur & Flavoured Rum Tasting showcasing local ingredients like citrus from Efate, cacao from Malekula, and coffee from Tanna.

Tours accommodate up to 20 people and operate Monday to Friday, with weekend availability for cruise ship passengers. French tours are also available, subject to availability.

For one of Vanuatu’s most distinctive drink experiences, spend an evening at a nakamal, the local name for a kava bar. These are social gathering places where people meet after work to drink freshly prepared kava, a traditional drink made from ground kava root. Most nakamals open around 3 pm or 4 pm after preparing the day’s batch, and you can usually spot them by the coloured lights outside.

The experience is simple but full of local etiquette. Start with a small shell, often around 100 VT for visitors, pour a little kava onto the ground as a gesture to the earth, then drink it at the designated tap or draining area. Go slowly, especially if it’s your first time.

Food comes into the experience too. Many nakamals sell snacks known as wos-em mout, or “wash your mouth”, to help take away the earthy aftertaste of kava. Depending on the place, this might be anything from small barbecued snacks to more filling options like sausages, curries, chicken drumsticks or other simple local eats. Some nakamals, such as those listed in the 10 Best Kava Bars (Nakamals) in Vanuatu, are recommended as safer and more traveller-friendly options for first-timers.

This isn’t fine dining, but it is one of the most authentic food-and-drink experiences in Vanuatu: earthy, social, affordable and deeply connected to local life.

Another gastrotastic culture village in Santo, the Leweton Cultural Village dedicates a good portion of the experience on kava tasting and local cooking techniques over an open fire.

This remarkable faux-village has been constructed using only traditional methods; no nails or modern tools in sight, to give you an example of authentic Ni-Vanuatu architecture.

You'll witness captivating traditional dancing, participate in a genuine kava ceremony with the opportunity to taste freshly squeezed kava, and be mesmerised by the famous water music performed by talented ladies from the Banks Islands.

The experience features an authentic fire-making demonstration where your hosts, wearing vibrant traditional costumes, showcase traditional cooking methods over open flames. You'll have the chance to taste fire-cooked foods like roasted banana, bringing you closer to the authentic flavours of island life.

Throughout your visit, you'll be comfortably seated under the shade of traditionally thatched roofs while singing and cultural performances bring the distinct culture of the outer northern islands to Santo.

Booking in advance is essential as the village needs time to prepare for guests, with a minimum of two people required for the experience. You can find them through their Facebook page to arrange your cultural immersion.

Wala Island Yacht Club offers a tranquil anchoring spot where sailors can enjoy excellent snorkelling right off the shore.

Eric, who manages the club, ensures visiting yachties have everything they need during their stay.

The highlight of any visit is the traditional island night experience, available by request during yacht season. For a very affordable rate, guests can enjoy authentic island cuisine cooked over open fires and traditional underground ovens, creating an unforgettable cultural dining experience.

While there are no formal moorings, yachts can safely anchor in the protected waters. The club operates on a relaxed, informal basis—simply speak with Eric directly to arrange your island night or discuss your needs during your stay.

Not an actual cafe (unfortunately), but a pretty cool factory where you can pick up local organic snacks and food items, Lapita Cafe is well worth stopping by while exploring Port Vila.

Browse their impressive range of locally-made goods, including their signature nagae (canarium) nuts available in various sizes and flavours: dried, sugar-coated, salted and roasted. Their gluten-free cassava flour comes in 250 g (9 oz), 500 g (1.1 lbs) and 1 kg (2.2 lbs) packages, perfect for those with dietary restrictions.

The store also features handmade cookies, local jams and chutneys, plus a unique sunscreen made from nagae oil and coconut oil that provides skin protection and rejuvenation at 20 SPF. Visitors can request tours of their on-site processing facility to see how these traditional products are made from farm to shelf. Otherwise, interpretation panels on the walls show the process.

All products meet HACCP certification standards and are suitable for international travel when properly declared at customs.

Open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, Lapita products are also available at Holiday Inn in Port Vila and Turtle Bay Lodge on Santo.

Stonegrill offers a truly unique dining experience perched on a hillside with stunning views of Port Vila's harbour and lagoon.

The restaurant's signature hot stone experience allows diners to cook premium Vanuatu beef and fresh seafood to their exact preference right at their table, creating an interactive and memorable meal.

The menu showcases the best of local Vanuatu ingredients, with grass-fed beef taking centre stage alongside fresh seafood including prawns, calamari, mussels and daily fish selections. From premium wagyu to surf-and-turf combinations, the hot stone cooking method ensures every bite is perfectly prepared to your liking.

Beyond the theatrical cooking experience, Stonegrill boasts an impressive selection of raw dishes, including French beef tartare, Korean beef tartare and fresh sashimi. Meanwhile, the extensive wine list features French champagnes and local spirits from the 83 Islands Distillery, whilst creative cocktails showcase Vanuatu's own rum and vodka.

Stonegrill gets sizzling from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm, seven days a week!

For those who want a comprehensive taste of the archipelago in a single day, Port Vila Tours offers the "Guided Food Experience" tour.

We absolutely love this seven-hour culinary adventure that takes you deep into Vanuatu's incredible food scene. You'll explore bustling local markets, get behind-the-scenes access at the famous Aelan Chocolate Factory and 83 Islands Distillery, and learn traditional cooking techniques in authentic Mele Village.

The tastings alone are worth the trip. Think premium Vanuatu chocolate, locally roasted coffee, handcrafted spirits and tender local beef. Plus, you'll enjoy a delicious lunch at a charming café and experience the cultural significance of kava at traditional bars (something we've found adds real depth to understanding Melanesian culture).

What we particularly love is how well-organised everything is. Air-conditioned transport picks you up from your Port Vila hotel, expert local guides share insider knowledge throughout the day, and the small group size means you get personalised attention at every stop.

For foodies who like their meals with a side of adventure, fishing in Vanuatu is about as fresh as it gets. The islands’ deep offshore drop-offs, reefs, seamounts and productive coastal waters are known for species such as yellowfin tuna, mahimahi, wahoo, trevally and dogtooth tuna, giving visitors everything from relaxed reef fishing to serious sportfishing charters.

The experiences vary widely depending on where you go. Around Port Vila and Efate, you’ll find fishing trips that combine boat time with island scenery, including shorter adventures around offshore islands, reef areas and local fishing spots. These are great for travellers who want a half-day on the water rather than a full-on trophy-fishing mission.

On Santo, the fishing scene gets more specialised, with charters heading to seamounts, coral bommies, reef ledges and Fish Aggregating Devices in search of bigger pelagic species. Some operators focus on techniques such as trolling, jigging and topwater fishing, with half-day and full-day options for anglers chasing a more hands-on experience.

There are also simpler, more local-style fishing trips in the outer islands and village stays, where the experience may be less about high-powered gear and more about understanding how fish fits into everyday island life. Whether you’re casting for dinner, chasing a trophy catch or just enjoying time on the water, fishing is one of Vanuatu’s most rewarding foodie experiences. For more options, see 10 Best Fishing Charters in Vanuatu.