Vanuatu for Vegans & Vegetarians + 10 Best Restaurants

As the most developed dining area in Vanuatu, Port Vila and Efate offer the country’s widest choice for vegans and vegetarians. While fully vegan or vegetarian restaurants are still rare, you’ll find plant-based dishes, vegetarian mains, smoothie bowls, dairy-free drinks and flexible kitchens across cafés, beach bars, resort restaurants and casual eateries.

The key is to check menus carefully and ask directly, as many restaurants can adjust dishes for dietary requirements even when vegan options are not heavily advertised. Better yet, several places now mark plant-friendly dishes clearly or include dedicated vegetarian and vegan sections, making dining out much less of a guessing game (and much more of a holiday).

Top 10 Restaurants in Port Vila & Efate for Vegans and Vegetarians

Here are our top picks of the best restaurants in Port Vila and Efate for both vegans and vegetarians.

1. Masala Magik at Eat Street

(Port Vila) – Masala Magik is one of the strongest choices for vegetarians, thanks to its dedicated "Veg" section. Expect Indian-inspired dishes such as "Dhal Tadka" with rice, rourou made with leaf taro and coconut milk, "Aloo Mattar" with potato and peas, and "Chickpea Curry".

Vegetarian samosas are also available, and the menu is a good example of how Indian vegetarian cooking can work beautifully with local Pacific ingredients.

2. Tamanu on the Beach

(White Sands Road, Teouma) – Tamanu on the Beach has an extensive dedicated vegetarian and vegan menu section, which instantly makes life easier for plant-based travellers.

Highlights include the "Coconut and Chickpea Curry" served in a fresh coconut, the "Nourish Bowl" with fresh market salad and mint corn fritters, and the "Peruvian Burrito Bowl" with seasoned vegetables and whipped black beans. Vegan-friendly options also include the "Falafel Wrap" and "Artichoke Fettuccini".

3. Three Pigs Restaurant

(Nasama Resort, Port Vila) – Three Pigs Restaurant offers creative vegetarian dishes, including their popular "Vegetarian Teriyaki Mushroom Tacos", served in soft tortillas with teriyaki-glazed mushrooms, rainbow slaw, cucumber, sesame and spring onion.

The restaurant leans into a Japanese-inspired menu with plant-based options alongside its regular dishes, making it a handy choice for vegetarians who still want something a little more exciting than a side salad pretending to be dinner.

4. Eratap Beach Resort

(Eratap, Port Vila) – Eratap Beach Resort is a strong option for vegan and vegetarian dining on Efate, especially if you like your plant-based meals with a beachfront view. Vegan choices include a wrap filled with grilled eggplant, hummus, beans, lettuce, tomato and aioli, as well as a generous vegan salad bowl with local greens, nuts, grains, seeds and fresh fruit.

Vegetarians also have options such as spiced aubergine pizza and vegetarian curry, giving this resort restaurant more than a token meat-free dish.

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5. Port Vila Burger Co.

(Independence Park, Port Vila) – Port Vila Burger Co. is a useful comfort-food stop for vegetarians, thanks to its house-made veggie burger crafted with black beans, fresh local peanuts and island cabbage.

The burger comes with mayo, lettuce, onion, red cabbage, carrot and homemade tomato-based dressing. Delivery service and extended opening hours make it especially convenient when you want something familiar, easy and filling.

6. Nambawan Café

(Port Vila Waterfront, Port Vila) – Nambawan Café caters well to dietary restrictions, with clearly marked dairy-free options across its menu. Vegans can look out for fresh fruit smoothies, locally made sorbets in tropical flavours and alternative milk options, including oat, soy and almond milk for Tanna coffee drinks.

It’s a particularly handy stop for a casual drink, light bite or something cool after wandering around town.

7. The Beach Bar

(Mele Bay, Port Vila) – The Beach Bar offers several plant-friendly options in a relaxed beachfront setting. Their signature "Vegetarian Burger" is made with grilled eggplant and a kumala chips stack, served with pesto, cucumber, lettuce, tomato and onion rings.

Vegetarians can also look out for the hearty vegetarian breakfast with sweet potato chip stack, wilted greens, tomato and eggs, as well as wood-fired pizzas such as the "Quattro" with mushrooms, capsicum, capers, onion and eggplant.

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8. Coco & Co

(Downtown Port Vila) – Coco & Co is a good pick for wholesome café-style meals, especially thanks to its "Buddha Bowl" packed with turmeric quinoa, cucumber, grated cabbage, avocado, edamame, seasonal greens, roasted dressing and homemade hummus.

There are also açai-style bowls such as the "Chia Yogurt Bowl" and "Berries Bowl", plus superfood protein smoothies using local Santo vanilla, chia seeds and plant-based proteins.

9. Seasalt Bar + Dining

(Downtown Port Vila) – Seasalt Bar + Dining makes things easier by clearly marking vegetarian and vegan dishes with [v] symbols. The menu includes Asian-fusion plant-based options such as the "Miso Vegetarian Rice Bowl" with seared eggplant and tofu glazed in miso, served over rice with Asian greens and sesame seeds.

Other options include "Tofu Seaweed Salad" and "Miso Butter Spaghetti" with mushrooms, making this a useful spot when you want clearer menu guidance.

10. LaLaLa Restaurant & Bar

(Downtown Port Vila) – LaLaLa Restaurant typically accommodates vegetarians with dishes on its ever-changing menu, such as "Salade de Lentils", "Mediterranean Pasta" and "Vegetarian Risotto".

There are also vegetable sides, including polenta, lentils and green salads, which can help round out a meal if you’re dining with mixed dietary preferences.

For more about these restaurants, as well as non-vegetarian friends, check out the 20 Best Restaurants in Port Vila & Efate.

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Self-Catering as a Vegan or Vegetarian in Port Vila and Efate

Self-catering can be one of the easiest ways to eat vegan or vegetarian in Port Vila and Efate, especially if you focus on naturally plant-based ingredients rather than relying on substitute products. Think fresh tropical fruit, local vegetables, root crops, rice, noodles, beans, lentils, coconut milk, nuts and simple pantry staples.

That said, you may still find a few useful substitute foods in the larger supermarkets. Au Bon Marché and HXM Supermarket are two of the biggest supermarket chains to look out for, and they are usually your best bet for packaged goods, imported items and the occasional vegan or vegetarian-friendly alternative. For a fuller breakdown of where to shop, see A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Vanuatu LINK#TT020.

For fresh produce, Port Vila Central Market is the main place to go, with stalls selling fruit and vegetables that are ideal for building simple self-catering meals. There are also smaller markets on the outskirts of town, which can be handy if you are staying outside the centre or travelling around Efate. Learn more in the 10 Best Markets in Vanuatu.

Accommodation is the other thing to plan carefully. Self-catering facilities are not a given in standard hotel rooms, so check room descriptions before booking. However, there are apartments, villas and guesthouses around Port Vila and Efate that do offer kitchenettes or full kitchens, giving vegan and vegetarian travellers much more flexibility. See Where to Stay in Port Vila & Efate: The Best Accommodations for ideas on places to stay.

Espiritu Santo LINK#D053 has a smaller dining scene than Efate, so vegan and vegetarian travellers should expect fewer dedicated plant-based choices. That said, Luganville and a handful of resort restaurants around the island do offer useful options, from vegetarian curries and tofu dishes to salads, burgers, sushi rolls and simple café meals.

As with the rest of Vanuatu, it’s worth asking directly about dietary requirements, especially if you are vegan. Vegetarian dishes are easier to find, while vegan meals may need small adjustments, such as removing egg, cheese, mayonnaise or dairy-based sauces.

Top 6 Restaurants in Santo for Vegans and Vegetarians

Here are our top picks of the best restaurants in Santo for both vegans and vegetarians.

1. Waves Restaurant

(Barrier Beach Resort, Saraoutou) – Barrier Beach Resort offers one of Santo’s more extensive vegetarian selections at its "Waves" restaurant. Creative options include the "Barrier Beach Coconut and Chickpea Curry", "Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl" with grilled halloumi and "Sweet Potato Gnocchi" in creamy tomato basil pesto.

The menu also includes vegetarian spring rolls, Spanish vegetable croquettes and a veggie burger with a lentil patty, giving plant-based diners more variety than the usual fallback options.

2. The Tú Restaurant, Café and Bar

(The Espiritu, Luganville) – The Tú Restaurant specifically caters to dietary restrictions, with vegetarian-friendly, gluten-free and vegan options available.

The restaurant serves international and Western-style cuisine with dedicated plant-based menu items, making it one of the more accommodating dining choices for vegans and vegetarians in Santo.

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3. Natangora Café

(Luganville) – Natangora Café is a Japanese-inspired café with several vegetarian-friendly choices, including a "Vegetable Burger" with fried egg, tangy cheese and avocado.

Vegetarians can also look for omelette options and sushi rolls, including vegetarian and vegetable-and-cheese combinations. It’s a handy spot for a lighter meal with an Asian twist.

For more about these restaurants, as well as non-vegetarian friends, check out the 10 Best Restaurants in Espiritu Santo.

4. Million Dollar View Restaurant

(Million Dollar Point, Luganville) – Million Dollar View Restaurant is a worthwhile stop for vegan travellers exploring the famous Million Dollar Point WW2 site, thanks to its dedicated "Mama’s Vegan Curry".

The curry is made fresh with local organic ingredients, showcasing island flavours in a plant-based dish that feels more intentional than improvised. The restaurant also offers a "Seasonal Salad" with local organic produce from Vanuatu, which may suit vegan diners looking for something lighter.

5. Hotel Santo

(Luganville) – Hotel Santo offers clearly marked vegetarian dishes in its retro 1970s-style setting. They typically have a vegetarian option on their set menu, such as the "Santo Kumala Boat", featuring local sweet potato baked with coconut vegetables and served with fresh salad.

They typically also serve the "Santo Market Salad" made with fresh seasonal produce and French vinaigrette, along with French chips for something simple and satisfying.

6. Luganvilla Business Hotel and Restaurant

(Luganville) – Luganvilla is a good option for vegetarians looking for Asian flavours, thanks to several tofu-based dishes. Options include fried tofu with vegetables, soy tofu with special chilli sauce and seafood tofu stew.

Vegetarians can also look for egg dishes such as steamed egg and egg with Chinese chives, as well as vegetable stir-fries. Vegan travellers should check sauces and ask about seafood or egg-based ingredients before ordering.

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Self-Catering as a Vegan or Vegetarian in Santo

Self-catering as a vegan or vegetarian in Santo works much like it does in Port Vila and Efate, but with fewer substitute products and imported speciality foods. Rather than relying on vegan cheese, meat alternatives or niche health-food items, it’s usually easier to build meals around naturally plant-based staples such as rice, pasta, bread, cereals, peanut butter, fresh fruit, vegetables and local root crops.

For supermarket shopping, LCM Supermarket offers the most varied grocery selection for vegetarian and vegan cooking in Luganville. Plant-based staples may include rice, pasta, bread, cereals and peanut butter, while fresh produce can include items such as red apples, capsicum, carrots, spring onions and cauliflower.

Other Chinese supermarkets in Luganville include Daming and Sunshine, although opening hours and product ranges vary. Sunshine has a more limited grocery selection compared with LCM and Daming, so it’s best treated as a top-up stop rather than your main shop.

For fresh produce, Luganville Market is the main place to go. This traditional island market operates 24 hours Monday to Saturday and sells locally grown fruits and vegetables, often at reasonable prices. Depending on what’s available, you might find large bananas, lady finger bananas, avocados, watermelons, cooked peanuts, ginger and chillies, all useful for simple vegan and vegetarian meals. Learn more in the 10 Best Markets in Vanuatu.

When it comes to accommodation, Santo does have self-catering options, but check carefully before booking. Budget stays listed as “motels” often have private or shared cooking facilities, which can be especially useful for plant-based travellers. For more accommodation ideas, see Where to Stay in Espiritu Santo, and for shopping details, check out A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Vanuatu LINK#TT020.

Dining on Vanuatu’s outer islands is a very different experience from Port Vila, Efate and Santo. Restaurants are limited, menus are rare and meals are often arranged through your accommodation, especially if you’re staying in local bungalows or guesthouses.

For many travellers, that’s part of the appeal. Your host might prepare meals using local produce, fresh fruit, root crops, rice, coconut, island greens or whatever has been caught, harvested or bought nearby that day. It’s not always predictable, but it can be one of the most memorable food experiences in Vanuatu.

For vegans and vegetarians, communication is essential. Don’t just say “vegan” or “vegetarian” and assume everyone will understand what that means, as these diets are not always familiar concepts in more remote communities. Explain clearly what you can and can’t eat, such as no meat, fish, chicken, seafood, eggs, dairy, butter or mayonnaise, depending on your diet.

It’s best to contact your accommodation before you arrive, then remind your host again when you check in. This gives them time to plan meals, source ingredients and avoid any awkward surprises at dinner (for both you and the poor chicken).

If you rely on specific foods, bring them with you. Plant-based milk, protein bars, vegan spreads, meat substitutes, nutritional yeast, speciality snacks and other dietary staples are unlikely to be available outside the main centres. Small convenience stores and markets exist on some islands, but they are best for basics rather than specialist vegan or vegetarian products.

Start learning more about what’s available on the outer islands in our information guides:

• Information, Shops & Services on Tanna LINK#D072
• Information, Shops & Services on Malekula LINK#D036