Fiji Foods & Drinks

Indeed, the seafood, always locally caught, remains the centrepiece of the many delightful eating experiences to be had in Fiji.

For the traveler on Fiji holiday seeking a more standard restaurant experience, Fiji also offers plenty of traditional gourmet options. Ask for the kokoda, traditionally prepared mahi-mahi cooked in coconut milk, lime juice, and tomatoes, or try the delightfully Caribbean sweet potato and pineapple bake. In this dish, the acidity of the pineapples is subsumed in the rich depth of sweet potatoes, coconut and cheese sauce, giving a delightful zing to an otherwise heavy dish.

If you're on Fiji holiday, you can't leave Fiji without trying a traditional Fijian breakfast of tropical fruits, grown locally on the islands. Star fruits, guava, passion fruit, papayas, bananas, and of course mangoes can be eaten as fruits or drunk as juices.

A very popular drink in Fiji is yaqona ("yang-go-na"), also known as "kava " and sometimes referred to as "grog" by locals. Kava is a peppery, earthy tasting drink made from the root of the pepper plant (piper methysticum). Its effects include a numbed tongue and lips (usually lasting only about 5-10 minutes) and relaxed muscles. Kava is mildly intoxicating, especially when consumed in large quantities or on a regular basis and one should avoid taxi and other drivers who have recently partaken.

There is plenty of delicious seafood, including shrimps and local ocean fish. Tropical fruits include pineapple, coconuts, mangoes, limes, papaya, oranges and grapefruit.

Meat and chicken is good but sea-product-lovers will enjoy the great diversity of fish from lagoon or deep-sea fishing, prepared in dozen different ways.

People who don't care for fish or are vegetarian will also be pleasantly surprised by the dishes available to them.

The restaurants in Fiji are as legendary as The Island itself. The hotels have restaurants that offer gourmet dinning and service, with a magical view of the lagoon. Traditional evenings are often organized after dinner, when visitors are entertained by the most talented musicians and dancers on The Island.

The cost of a meals in the good restaurants is comparable to what you'd pay in a big city.

The choice of alcohols is endless and tropical cocktails are excellent as they are made with the local fruits.

Wines are widely available, both in supermarkets and restaurants. Good French wines can be found at reasonable prices.

In more up-market eateries, the chef produces a more authentic taste by using imported ingredients from the original country. In return you have to dig a little bit deeper in your pocket.

While your family trip to Fiji will give you the opportunity to sample this location's delicious cuisine, you need not worry that your children may not be so adventurous. If your children do not like the idea of trying new foods, they can have the all-American-style snacks, such as French fries, instead! Keeping all members of your family happy is the best feature of a Fiji vacation there is something for everyone!