20 Best Restaurants in Port Vila & Efate

Discover the unique dining experience at Regenerative Vanua, where two complementary businesses share one powerful philosophy: regenerative local food sourcing.

My Aelan Cuisine serves wholesome breakfast and lunch featuring traditional island foods, whilst Tricolor Bar offers health-focused beverages including speciality wellness tonics and locally roasted coffee.

Set in an open-air yet cool covered garden setting, this collective champions locally-sourced ingredients exclusively from Vanuatu, including everything from root vegetables to free-range chicken. The breakfast menu (7 am to 11 am) features nutritious island staples, whilst lunch offers grilled seafood, meats and traditional sides like kumala mash and steamed taro.

At the bar, try concentrated wellness shots packed with vitamins and antioxidants. Choose from six different tonic varieties, including the "Gintum Tonic" with ginger, turmeric and cayenne pepper, or the vibrant "Butterfly Tonic" featuring butterfly pea flower.

Step into LaLaLa Restaurant & Bar at Le Petit Village for one of Port Vila's most upscale Mediterranean dining experiences, showcasing the finest local ingredients from Vanuatu's waters and surrounding islands.

The restaurant's signature dish is their fresh coconut crab, sourced seasonally from various islands around Vanuatu, including Efate and northern islands, with deliveries arriving weekly to ensure peak freshness. Beyond the world's largest arthropods, the extensive menu features classic Mediterranean favourites like "Steak Frites", "Osso Bucco" and "Seafood Risotto", alongside premium local catches including fresh marlin, baby octopus and creamy garlic prawns.

The bar serves two signature cocktails that guests can't get enough of: the "LaLaLa Lady" made with rum, Cointreau and a dash of lime, plus the tropical "Rainbow in Paradise".

And with prime waterfront position, guests have the treat of watching boats whiz around in the harbour by day and the twinkling lights of Iririki Island by night.

Find LaLaLa Restaurant & Bar open from 10 am to 9:30 pm Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays (except when cruise ships are in port).

Open from 7 am until 9 pm daily, this intimate dining destination welcomes both resort guests and outside diners to experience bold flavours in the intimate setting of the Mangoes Resort restaurant.

Under the culinary direction of a talented African executive chef, Chef Taku, Mangoes serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, complemented by themed special events that showcase international influences and local island ingredients.

The restaurant's signature experience is the acclaimed "Trust the Chef", a pre-bookable four-course culinary journey where the chef crafts a personalised menu based on dietary preferences, paired with wines and sparkling wine. This interactive dining concept exemplifies the venue's philosophy: while the setting may be intimate, the flavours are undeniably big.

Menu highlights include the playful Melanesian Fish Salad "Our Ceviche" served dramatically in half a coconut, Asian-style Grilled Red Snapper with wasabi potato purée, and the tantalising Herbed polenta discs served with smoked paprika aioli and shaved parmesan. The kitchen celebrates both international techniques and local ingredients, from Santo beef tenderloin to fresh Vanuatu red snapper topped with tropical fruit salsa.

Themed dining events add excitement throughout the year, such as the popular African-themed evenings that have drawn capacity crowds of 120 diners over multiple nights. The restaurant maintains a weekly specials program alongside its regular breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, ensuring return visitors always discover something new.

If that wasn't enough, Happy Hour runs from 4 pm to 6 pm, featuring cocktails of the day, house wines and premium Tusker beer. Otherwise, the extensive drinks menu spans tropical cocktails like Island Tropper and Grapefruit Negroni to premium wines from New Zealand, France and Australia, perfectly complementing the playful yet sophisticated dining experience.

Amoremio brings a delightfully French touch to Vanuatu's café scene, offering an impressive menu that goes far beyond typical coffee shop fare.

This French-owned establishment serves up authentic crêpes, waffles, churros and artisanal ice cream in a family-friendly atmosphere complete with a huge children's playground.

The café's most unique feature is its innovative coffee stencil art experience, where you can upload a photo of your face via QR code to create personalised latte art. Their signature sweet and savoury crêpes range from the popular "Complete" (cheese, egg and ham) to decadent specialty options like "Martiniquaise" (banana with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream).

Beyond the extensive crêpe menu, Amoremio crafts their own kombucha, serves seasonal sorbets made from fresh local fruit, and offers everything from breakfast dishes to cocktails. You'll also find organic paradise spices and apparel for sale.

Step into Jill's Café, a beloved Port Vila institution that's been serving up American-style comfort food and legendary ice cream sundaes for over 30 years.

This charming café, which has changed locations over the years, is in a comfortable and spacious base on the harbour waterfront, offering a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle while remaining conveniently located in town.

The team make as much as possible from scratch, from rolling their own flour tortillas to baking fresh muffins daily using local organic ingredients. The extensive menu spans hearty American breakfasts, gourmet burgers made with organic local beef, authentic Mexican fare and an impressive array of ice cream creations featuring local Switi ice cream.

The café's unique touches include complimentary WiFi, shower facilities on a funky surfboard, and direct swimming access via steps down to the water.

With dietary options clearly marked (vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free available), plus their famous challenge, "The San Diego Zoo" sundae served in an elephant's trough, there's something to delight every palate.

Find Jill's Cafe open from 7 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Saturday.

For characterful waterfront dining in Port Vila, look no further than Banyan Beach Bar!

This characterful beachfront restaurant creates a magical atmosphere with fairy lights twinkling among tropical plants, a beach bar right on the sand, and cosy nooks under trees perfect for drinks and conversation.

The extensive menu showcases Italian-inspired cuisine alongside Pacific flavours, featuring everything from classic pizzas and fresh seafood risotto to hearty burgers and authentic pasta dishes.

Saturday evenings bring a fire show from the acclaimed Vanua Fire to add extra excitement to your dining experience, while the comprehensive wine and cocktail menu perfectly complements the funky beachside destination.

Find Banyan Beach Bar open from 11 am to 11 pm Monday to Friday and 11 am to 10 pm on weekends.

Seasalt Bar + Dining brings a modern Asian-fusion twist to Port Vila's dining scene, specialising in wood-fired pizzas and an impressive array of tropical smoothies.

Tucked away in a small mall off the main street of Port Vila, this contemporary restaurant offers everything from Korean fried chicken and beef rendang to creative cocktails like the signature "Pango Sour" and "Black Sands". The extensive menu features Asian-inspired dishes, including bulgogi beef bowls, miso-glazed fish, and Korean BBQ pizzas, alongside classic options like Caesar salad and margherita pizza.

With three attractive seating areas, Seasalt provides a sophisticated atmosphere perfect for everything from late lunches to evening cocktails. The restaurant also boasts an impressive wine selection featuring French champagnes and Australian wines, plus a full bar with premium spirits and creative signature cocktails.

Coco & Co delivers a delightful modern café experience that perfectly combines contemporary comfort with tropical charm.

The cosy, air-conditioned interior features intimate seating and an integrated gift store, whilst the charming garden courtyard provides an outdoor dining option for those who prefer the heat.

The main focus is its impressive array of fresh seafood dishes, including ultra-fresh tuna prepared three ways in the popular "Tuna Trio": sashimi, tataki and tartare. Poke bowls feature prominently with tuna or teriyaki chicken options, whilst health-conscious diners will appreciate the nutritious "Buddha Bowl" with turmeric quinoa and seasonal greens.

The café's quality extends to their coffee program, offering everything from classic espressos to trendy matcha lattes and superfood protein smoothies. Breakfast options range from simple toasts to indulgent "Eggs Benedict", whilst lunch features everything from gourmet sandwiches to hearty surf and turf combinations.

What's more, the dedicated kids' menu includes child-friendly favourites like mini burgers, fish and chips, and pancakes, ensuring even the pickiest eaters are satisfied.

Enjoying a prime position on the Port Vila Harbour, Waterfront Bar & Grill is a beloved Port Vila restaurant that has been serving exceptional seafood to both marina guests and local diners for years.

The star of the show is undoubtedly their famous seafood chowder, a longtime speciality that locals have cherished since childhood and continues to draw visitors from across the island.

The extensive menu features fresh daily catches, local organic beef steaks and their impressive "Seafood Platter for Two" with lobster. From salt and pepper calamari starters to Asian stir fry mains, there's something for every palate, including dedicated children's options and wood-fired pizzas.

Open seven days a week, the restaurant serves lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and dinner from 5:30 pm to 9 pm. The bar remains open between services, perfect for enjoying local Tanna coffee or cocktails whilst watching the harbour activity.

Eat Street brings the street eats energy of container food parks to Port Vila, offering an exciting collection of international cuisines all in one convenient location.

This innovative dining destination features multiple shipping containers transformed into food outlets, each serving something special from different corners of the world.

From wood-fired pizzas at Pizza 83 to authentic Korean fare at Yumi K-food, the variety is impressive. The pizza selection includes popular local favourites like "BBQ Chicken" and "Hawaiian" (available with either ham or chicken), while the Korean container serves everything from traditional bibimbap to Korean fried chicken. Masala Magik brings Indian and Pacific fusion to the mix with curries, naan bread and local specialties like rourou.

What sets Eat Street apart is its community atmosphere, featuring live music and kava sessions every Sunday from 4 pm. The social dining experience, where visitors can sample multiple cuisines, gives plenty of reason to make more than one visit during your time in the capital.

Mali Beach Club offers a relaxed, Bali-inspired beachfront dining experience that perfectly captures Vanuatu's laid-back island vibe.

This family-friendly venue features an extensive menu of wood-fired pizzas, from classic "Hawaiian" and "Pepperoni" to unique local creations like "Three Cheese & Kumala Dream" and "Spicy Island Chicken", alongside hearty mains including tender eye fillet steak.

The club boasts an impressive drinks selection with premium wines, local Tusker beers and expertly crafted cocktails, all enhanced by their popular happy hour from 4 pm to 6 pm daily, featuring buy-one-get-one cocktails.

With live music every Sunday, games areas, free WiFi throughout, it's designed as a place where everyone can unwind from 11 am to 10 pm daily.

Wahoo Seafood & Grill brings fresh waterfront dining to Havannah with its signature seafood-focused menu and relaxed island atmosphere.

The restaurant's standout dish is their whole coral trout, expertly deep-fried with herbs and spices to create a perfectly crunchy exterior whilst keeping the fish tender and flavourful inside, available in portions for one or two people.

The menu features an impressive selection of fresh seafood, including the popular "Seafood Delight" combining crumbed fish, calamari, scallops and prawns, alongside wood-fired pizzas made with their secret in-house base recipe.

The establishment operates with flexible hours from 11 am until the last guest leaves, creating a welcoming environment for expats, tourists and locals alike.

What sets Wahoo Seafood & Grill apart is its convenient jetty access, allowing visitors from all around the Havannah Harbour to arrive directly by boat for their dining experience.

The Beach Bar in Mele Bay combines spectacular fire dancing entertainment with exceptional dining in a beachfront setting that captures the true spirit of the islands.

Every Friday at 7:30 pm, witness the mesmerising Vanua Fire show featuring up to 30 fire dancers in what locals consider the most spectacular performance of the week (advance booking essential).

Throughout the week, the extensive menu showcases both international favourites and Pacific-inspired dishes, from wood-fired pizzas to the signature "Beach Bar Curry" with its distinctive Pacific taste. Start your day with the special blended mango and coconut toasted muesli, then return for fresh seafood platters, grass-fed Vanuatu beef burgers, or innovative creations like "The Melanesian" pizza topped with Pacific sponge coconut, banana and bacon.

Happy hour runs from 5 pm to 6 pm with 100 VT off all beers, basic spirits and wine by the glass, whilst the cocktail menu features tropical favourites alongside creative concoctions like the "Mele Breeze" and "Tanna Volcano Adult Edition" dessert.

When you need a break from island cuisine, Port Vila Burger Co. serves up gourmet burgers that have become a guilty pleasure for locals and tourists alike since 1981.

This beloved food truck burger joint stands out with their signature "Vanuatu Burger" featuring pickled susut and homemade island sauce, alongside creative options like the tropical pulled pork special with local ingredients including pawpaw, mango, coconut and peanuts.

The menu caters to all tastes with beef, chicken and veggie options, plus indulgent double burgers for hearty appetites. What's more, many burgers feature homemade sauces and, when in season, fresh tomatoes and other local produce.

They offer convenient combo meals pairing burgers with chips and drinks, and they're one of the few restaurants in Port Vila that provide delivery service.

Find Port Vila Burger Co. open from Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm.

Nambawan Café stands as Port Vila's beloved waterfront dining destination, perfectly positioned in the heart of town where locals and tourists gather for breakfast, lunch or an early dinner with stunning harbour views.

The extensive menu showcases fresh local ingredients whenever possible, from coconut water served straight from the shell to tropical smoothies blending real pawpaw, mango and passionfruit. We're particularly drawn to their support of local producers, featuring Tanna Coffee and house-made ice creams and sorbets. The establishment also runs entirely on solar power and operates electric vehicles, making it a more sustainable choice.

Beyond beverages, the café offers comprehensive dining options from hearty breakfast dishes like the "Bacon & Egg Burrito" to gourmet pizzas on homemade thin-crust bases. The children's menu caters thoughtfully to families, whilst the wine selection and happy hour specials make Nambawan a worthwhile spot for sundowners.

Find this popular cafe open daily from 6 am to 7:30/8 pm.

Three Pigs Restaurant at Nasama Resort delivers an unexpected fusion of Japanese specialities and international comfort food in an open-air restaurant easily spotted along the Pango main road.

This unique dining spot combines the best of East meets West with standout dishes like karaage chicken bao, chicken katsu sando and teriyaki chicken pizza alongside hearty craft burgers, loaded fries and wood-fired pizzas.

The restaurant's signature "Three Pigs' Filthy Fries" and creative cocktails complement an extensive menu that caters to all tastes, plus gluten-free options and dietary accommodations.

For families, the diverse menu ensures even the pickiest eaters will find something they love, from wood-fired pizzas to creative milkshakes like "Funky Monkey" and "Tim Tam Slam". Couples and adult groups meeting friends typically enjoy the sophisticated cocktail menu.

Operating from 7:30 am to 11 am for breakfast and 5:30 pm to 9 pm for dinner (closed Mondays for lunch and dinner), the restaurant welcomes both resort guests and external diners.

Le Founil de Vila Downtown and Tana Russet Plaza serve up authentic French-style bakery delights that transport you straight to a Parisian café.

These charming bakeries specialise in large baguette sandwiches packed with fresh ingredients, alongside traditional French cakes and pastries that are simply irresistible.

While the seating area is quite small, this actually works in your favour if you're looking to grab something delicious to take with you whilst exploring the island.

The authentic French techniques and recipes ensure that every bite delivers that unmistakable European bakery experience, something quite special to find in this tropical paradise.

They are open from 7 am to 4 pm Monday to Saturday, 7 am to 12 pm Sunday.

We can't talk about dining in Port Vila and Efate without talking about L'Houstalet, a legendary French restaurant that has been serving the city since 1973, making it one of Vanuatu's most storied dining institutions.

This historic establishment is more than just a restaurant; it's a living monument to the nation's independence, where politicians, church representatives and chiefs celebrated the drafting of Vanuatu's constitution in 1979.

The restaurant features multiple dining areas, including a casual pub section with a pool table, a charming garden area and an elegant dining room adorned with striking local artwork.

Under the passionate ownership of Clément Martinez, the menu combines French culinary traditions with Pacific flavours, showcasing specialities like the famous civet de roussette (flying fox marinated in red wine) and fresh coconut crab dishes alongside classic French comfort food.

L'Houstalet is open daily from 4 pm to 9/10 pm.

Want to try your hand at cooking? Head down to Stonegrill for your ultimate carnivorous experience, where you sizzle your choice of meat on a hot stone.

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!

Rossi Restaurant has been serving visitors to Port Vila since 1929 from its distinctive hexagonal waterfront building.

The restaurant's greatest asset is undoubtedly its prime location with stunning ocean views, making it a popular spot for tourists seeking a scenic dining experience.

The extensive menu covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, featuring everything from traditional eggs benedict and hearty burgers to fresh coconut crab sourced from local waters. Asian-inspired dishes include stir-fried noodles, nasi goreng and various seafood options, while Western favourites range from chicken parmigiana to grilled steaks. However, whilst the menu is impressively large, items aren't always available.

The restaurant operates from 7 am to 9 pm daily, with breakfast served until 11 am and lunch from 11 am to 3 pm. A small playground outside provides entertainment for younger guests, though it's worth noting that cleanliness standards can be inconsistent throughout the establishment.