12 Best Restaurants in Espiritu Santo

Perched high above Luganville on Espiritu Santo, Deco Stop Lodge offers not only some of the most breathtaking views across the Segond Channel to the outer islands, but one of the best dining options in the main town area.

This poolside restaurant, with ample seating and shabby chic decor, sits just a five-minute walk from Santo's main township, making it an accessible dining destination that welcomes day visitors as well as hotel guests.

The restaurant operates daily from 6:30 pm to 9 pm, featuring a menu that changes daily and is written on boards rather than printed menus. Popular dishes include panfried poulet fish with flaked almonds and couscous, scotch fillet steak with black pepper sauce, and slow-cooked pork belly in honey soya ginger sauce.

Special Friday offerings include tapas and gourmet pizzas, whilst the extensive cocktail menu features mudslides, frozen margaritas, piña coladas and espresso martinis. Happy hour runs from 5 pm to 7 pm with 100 VT off all alcoholic drinks, and local Tusker beers are available for 500 VT.

The Sandbar offers an unexpectedly delightful beach dining experience right in the heart of Luganville.

With sand beneath your feet and tables scattered both inside and out, this charming venue creates island vibes despite being next to the wharf in town.

Open daily from 3 pm to 10 pm, the restaurant serves up an impressive menu featuring fresh seafood dishes like grilled lobster with garlic butter sauce and coconut curry prawns. Their wood-fired pizza selection includes everything from pepperoni to Hawaiian, whilst the drink menu boasts tropical fruit juices, smoothies and local wines. As long as you leave plenty of time for your order to arrive, you're in for a treat.

The relaxed outdoor setting and traditional kava bar add to the Ni-Vanuatu experience. On Friday and Saturday nights, The Sandbar transforms into a nightclub operating until 2 am, though these evenings are primarily geared towards locals rather than tourists.

Chez Louis Restaurant offers a waterfront destination dining experience on the sands of Port Olry, where locally sourced ingredients take centre stage.

The restaurant's signature dish is their perfectly marinated fried fish, seasoned with aromatic local peppers that pack a delightful spicy punch.

Beyond the exceptional cuisine, Chez Louis doubles as an activity hub with kayak rentals available, volleyball facilities and snorkelling gear. The restaurant sources all ingredients from Santo itself, featuring locally grown produce and proteins with an emphasis on organic farming practices.

Their diverse menu spans from fresh lobster and coconut crab to hearty Santo beef steaks and burgers, all served with potato chips and fresh salad. The beachfront location provides the perfect setting for a leisurely lunch followed by water activities, with plans for massage services to complete the relaxation experience.

Opening hours are from approximately 9 am to 10 pm daily, though allow plenty of time for your order to arrive.

Escape the bustling streets of Luganville and discover this charming garden café oasis that brings a unique combination of Japanese and Pacific island flavours.

Natangora Café offers an attractive outdoor setting surrounded by tropical trees, creating a tranquil contrast to the urban surroundings. The extensive menu showcases everything from traditional Japanese dishes like authentic ramen, teriyaki bowls and Japanese curry to hearty Western breakfasts and gourmet burgers.

Highlights include the signature "MEGA Burger" (claiming to be the biggest in Santo town!), fresh local Santo eye-fillet steaks and the popular "Japanese SUMO Morning Plate" featuring grilled poulet fish.

Fresh fruit juices are made exclusively from local Santo fruits without artificial flavours, whilst the café also serves organic Tanna coffee and homemade cakes.

Attar Café stands out as a versatile and affordable local eatery offering an impressive all-day menu that caters to every craving.

From hearty breakfast options like the signature "Big Breakfast" featuring two eggs, two sausages, bacon and toast, to substantial lunch fare including the popular "Hamburger with the lot" and fresh fish and chips, this café delivers satisfying meals at reasonable prices.

The extensive beverage selection is particularly noteworthy, featuring fresh tropical juices like pawpaw, passionfruit and watermelon, alongside classic coffee options and indulgent milkshakes.

The breakfast menu shines, which is why we started our day here multiple times during our last visit to Santo, with options such as French toast with bananas, maple syrup and bacon, plus customisable toasties with various fillings.

Open seven days a week from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm (closing at 2 pm on weekends), the café provides consistent quality and friendly service.

Tucked away between swaying palms along the shoreline, Smugglers Seafood Restaurant & Bar offers both indoor and outdoor dining with a laid-back, locally owned charm.

The extensive menu showcases the best of the Pacific with specialties ranging from grilled lobster with lemon butter to their popular "Seafood Lovers" platter for six people featuring prawns, lobster, sea red crab, squid and fresh fish.

Fresh seafood takes centre stage with dishes like creamy lemon garlic prawns pasta, seafood chowder soup and Tahitian fish salad, while meat lovers can enjoy options like chicken carbonara and sizzling beef.

The restaurant also offers an impressive selection of fresh mocktails, including passion fruit juice, mango smoothies and chocolate milkshakes, perfect for cooling down in the tropical heat.

With prices ranging from budget-friendly soups to "treat yourself" sharing platters, there's something for every appetite and wallet (just remember to bring mosquito repellent for the outdoor seating!).

Smugglers Seafood Restaurant & Bar is open from 11 am to 10 pm, Monday to Saturday.

Just 9 km (5.6 mi) from Luganville town and 2 km (1.2 mi) from the Coolidge and Million Dollar Point, Bombua Beach House Restaurant strikes the perfect balance between casual dining with a flair of sophistication.

Open every day for lunch and dinner, this full-service establishment captures the relaxed island vibe whilst delivering consistently excellent food. The lunch menu (from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm Monday to Friday) keeps things beautifully simple with pizza, caesar salads, burgers and fish and chips.

When dinner rolls around, the kitchen really shows its versatility. Standout dishes include their signature smoked Atlantic salmon spaghetti in cream sauce with capers and parmesan, and the popular Bombua beef burger featuring a house-made patty. The menu spans from light appetisers like seared scallops to hearty surf and turf combinations, with everything from curries and fresh fish to premium steaks that require 30-45 minutes preparation time.

The pizza selection offers both traditional favourites and their special Bombua creation loaded with capsicum, onion, olives, salami, mushrooms, pineapple and mozzarella. Gluten-free bases LINK#TTD056 are available for those who need them.

What we particularly love about this place is how thoughtfully they cater to everyone; there's a dedicated kids' menu for the little ones, clearly marked vegetarian options throughout, and an impressive selection of sauces to complement your main course. The beverage programme doesn't disappoint either, featuring New Zealand whites, Australian reds from renowned regions like Barossa Valley, and both classic cocktails and creative mocktails like the intriguingly named "banana thunderstorm."

Whether you're after a quick lunch between dive sites or a proper dinner to cap off your day exploring, Bombua Beach House Restaurant delivers that perfect island dining experience we're always searching for.

Nestled on the pristine shores of the Million Dollar Point area, the locally owned Million Dollar View Restaurant offers the perfect retreat after exploring the famous underwater attractions nearby.

The entire dining area is under cover, providing a comfortable setting to savour authentic local "mama cooking" while taking in coastal views of this historically rich area.

The menu celebrates fresh local ingredients with dishes like ocean-fresh fish fillet with rice, organic grass-fed steak served with sweet potato and taro mash, and even "Mama's Vegan Curry", their signature dish made with local organic produce. From hearty breakfast favourites like egg and rice to island BBQ chicken baskets, there's something for every palate.

The relaxed pace means service isn't rushed, giving you time to properly unwind. With an extensive drinks menu featuring local beers like Tusker and fresh seasonal fruit salads, it's an ideal spot to refuel between diving adventures at the nearby President Coolidge wreck or snorkelling excursions.

Tú Restaurant, Café and Bar is absolutely the crown jewel of dining at The Espiritu hotel, and we can't get enough of what they've created here in Luganville.

You'll love the relaxed atmosphere on their open-air deck right on the streets of Luganville, beautifully enclosed by lush tropical plants that give you that perfect island dining vibe. The digital menus make ordering a breeze, and with free WiFi available, you can share those stunning food photos instantly (trust us, you'll want to).

The restaurant specialises in international and Western cuisines, and they've really thought about everyone's needs with vegetarian-friendly LINK#TTD054, gluten-free LINK#TTD056 and vegan options available. From what we've experienced, the chefs and food attendants are genuinely dedicated to giving you an outstanding dining experience, whether you're grabbing a casual bite or celebrating something special.

Operating as a full-service restaurant, café and bar, making it perfect for everything from your morning coffee fix to those well-deserved evening cocktails.

What's more, with space for over 160 guests, Tú has become the go-to venue for private functions, wedding banquets and birthday parties.

Hotel Santo stands as Vanuatu's oldest continuously operating hotel, serving home-style food since 1975 in a setting that's as authentic as it gets.

The restaurant operates on a carefully curated set menu each evening, ensuring every dish is executed to perfection with fresh, local ingredients.

The menu showcases the best of Santo's local produce, from pan-fried fish with local lime to fragrant coconut curries and perfectly grilled steaks. The President Coolidge Bar serves ice-cold Tuskers alongside authentic relics, creating the perfect gathering spot where divers share tales from the legendary wreck nearby.

This historic establishment itself has weathered decades of cyclones and earthquakes whilst maintaining its unique character, inspired by the beautiful Murex shell found at river mouths. The artistic soul of the property shines through original artwork by Mutu, a Vietnamese artist born in Vanuatu who also created the mural at Santo-Pekoa Airport, whilst handwoven lampshades crafted by ladies from the Banks Islands add authentic local touches throughout.

This local favourite combines laid-back island dining with impressive culinary variety, making it a standout destination for both day visitors and overnight guests.

Mataweli Café serves everything from hearty "Big Breakfast" platters and "Hong Kong Style French Toast" to fresh seafood specialties like market-price Santo lobster and seasonal yellowfin tuna sashimi.

The extensive menu caters to all appetites, featuring wood-fired pizzas (including their signature "Mataweli Special"), homemade pasta dishes, and daily specials like "Cheap Tuesday" pizza deals and weekday lunch combos.

While the spot aims to use fresh, local ingredients, some items on the menu may not be available if the ingredients are not, so be prepared to be flexible.

Open daily from 7 am to 9 pm, the café offers everything from quality coffee and smoothies to full three-course meals in a chilled atmosphere.

Waves restaurant and bar at Barrier Beach Resort delivers an exceptional farm-to-table dining experience showcasing the very best of Santo's organic and sustainable produce.

From breakfast at 7 am through to dinner service until 10 pm, this oceanfront restaurant champions local ingredients with dishes like Santo grass-fed beef fillets, fresh daily fish dishes, and their signature "Barrier Beach Coconut Curry" featuring Melanesian coconut curry with organic vegetables.

The comprehensive menu caters to all tastes with crispy coconut prawns, island spring rolls, and Vanuatu fish cakes amongst the starters, whilst mains include seafood marinara with locally caught poulet fish, sweet potato gnocchi, and their famous gourmet burger.

The restaurant excels with vegetarian options like Mediterranean quinoa bowls and traditional Melanesian coconut and chickpea curry, plus accommodates dietary requirements with gluten-free choices available upon request.