Fiji North Best Restaurants

Copra Shed

The Copra Shed is the main expat hangout spot in the North. They serve everything from fajitas to burgers, but the highlights are pizza and breakfast. They have the best breakfast I have found for a reasonable price on Vanua Levu. It's not great, admittedly, but it is good, and it is better than anywhere else outside of the resorts. The omelet is my go-to.

Their pizza is the second best I have found in the north, the best being at Palmlea, outside of Labasa. The “Dina” pizza is my favorite. The sausage topping on it is delectable. The large pizza will easily feed three hungry adults, or four if you don't mind having just a few slices each.

This spot also has an amazing view of Savusavu bay and it owns the marina, so all the yachties hang out on the deck drinking Fiji Gold and Fiji Bitter beers. The bar has a TV with decent channels and its a nice place to go to meet expats who can tell you about some of the must-see places in Fiji's “Hidden Paradise”.

Coconut Grove

This is a small, out-of-the-way restaurant on Taveuni. It is owned by an American expat and she has always been good to us Peace Corps Volunteers, offering a discount whenever possible. The best thing to get here is the burger. The extra cost for cheese and bacon is well worth it. It's the second best burger in Fiji, first being at Surf 'n' Turf. This burger, however, is more consistent, whereas the one at Surf 'n' Turf can be great or just okay, depending on the chef's mood.

Surf 'n' Turf

Surf 'n' Turf is my overall favorite restaurant in the North. It is a small, family-run restaurant in Savusavu, with a beautiful view of the bay from the outdoor eating deck. They serve the most amazing seafood I've eaten in Fiji, and they also have the best burger. During avocado season (January-February) ask them to add their homemade avocado salsa to your beef burger. It's to die for.

Other favorites include the seafood pasta, which is full of lobster chunks, shrimp, fish, etc. The snapper burger is my number one choice when they have fresh snapper. The kokoda (like seviche) is excellent. Just about everything on the menu is good.

This is one of the pricier restaurants on this list. The burger is only FJD $15, which is not bad if you are converting from U.S. Dollars, as it is only about USD $7. Everything else is FJD $20-$50, which still isn't bad when converting.

During the day, go here and get a double scoop of homemade ice-cream. You won't regret it. It is the best ice-cream in Fiji, hands down. They have three flavors: chocolate, coconut, and coffee. All of them are excellent. A double-scoop cone is FJD $7.

Chinese Wok

Chinese expatriates make up the third largest ethnic population in Fiji. This is one of two main Chinese restaurants on Vanua Levu, and the only one in Savusavu. It is absolutely delicious and offers the cheapest beer in the area. It also has air conditioning, so it is a great spot to eat when you need to get out of the burning Fiji sun. Everything I have ordered has been great, but the Mongolian eggplant is to die for.

Grand Eastern

This is a go to for Northern volunteers near Labasa due to its friendly staff, well stocked bar, great food, and gorgeous ambiance. There is an open-air indoor dining area, as well as picnic tables on the patio surrounding the pool. At night the surrounding torches are lit and the light of the flames dance over the palm leaves. It really is beautiful.

Unfortunately, they have a mosquito problem, so ask the server for a mosquito coil to place under the table and keep them from dining on your ankles while you dine on delicious fish and chips with mashed potatoes. Other favorites are the pizza (not comparable to American pizza, or to Copra Shed, but decent), the stuffed chicken breast, and the kokoda.

Mum's Kitchen

A tiny hole in the wall across from the Savusavu bus stand, Mum's Kitchen serves the best curry in Fiji. The best option for value and taste is the vegetable curry, only FJD $6. Get it with roti, a mix between tortilla and naan common in Fiji. It will fill you up, satisfy your taste buds, and go easy on your wallet. Don't miss this one.

Banana Leaf

Banana Leaf is a small restaurant in the middle of Labasa town. It is upstairs and has a small outdoor eating area overlooking the street, as well as an indoor area with air conditioning. Most menu items are cheap and it is my number one choice for lunch. They have a few lunch specials, the best of which is chicken fried rice for FJD $5. The waitstaff is also very friendly.

Koro Sun

Koro Sun is a resort. I believe the dining area is open to the public, though I'm not completely sure. It is on the pricey side, but if you want some good Western food, it is well worth it. The Americans who own the resort are also very nice and they are often roaming around so you may get a chance to meet them. There is a well stocked bar and a live band most nights.

Palmlea

This is a hidden gem just twenty minutes outside of Labasa. If you take the bus to the junction they will drive down and pick you up. It is owned by a very friendly couple and the dining area is open to the public, so you can enjoy their food even if you are staying in town.

They have a large menu, but the spotlight falls on the wood-fired pizza and sangria pitchers. Ask for the white wine sangria, made with citrus and pineapple—it is phenomenal. The red is also very good. The sangria, unlike that at just about every other restaurant, is not cut with soda or sparkling water. It is straight wine and liqueur with some fruit to flavor. Do not miss this one if you are near Labasa.

Eating at Home

While grocery options are limited, Western staples are limited, and cooking is a hassle, it is still a great option. Things like cream cheese are a bit on the pricey side, but if you are willing to shell out the cash and get your hands dirty making some dough, bagels and cinnamon rolls can be had. With the right oven you could make a rotisserie chicken or homemade pizza. With paste from Suva you could whip up some Thai green curry. Vegetables are cheap at the market, provided they are in season. Besides the cleaning up, I prefer to save some money and cook great food rather than spend a lot and eat an average meal.