Cook Islands cuisine is dominated by local produce such as fish, exotic vegetables and tropical fruits which are used for dessert. The food and cuisine of Cook Islands uses a combination of the flavours and cooking traditions from neighbouring cuisines to develop authentic Cook Islands dishes. Nowadays, as the Cook Islands has become a tourist hub, you can find a wide range of restaurants that offer the different cuisines of the world such as Italian, Chinese, Indian and more where you can eat at if you don't want to try the local dishes.

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In Cook Islands join the locals at the ‘Umukai' a traditional feast that involves baking food in an underground oven accompanied by dancing!

After shopping all day all you'll want to do is sit down somewhere and enjoy a nice meal at a place with great food and atmosphere. Our Cook Islands Restaurant guide below provides you with some options that you can explore when looking for that special place where you can kick back and relax.

Food & Cuisine in Cook Islands

Coconut

No tree can be as versatile as the coconut palm. The coconut palm is also called the ‘tree of life' because not a single part of the tree goes to waste. The tree itself provides natural shade and shelter; the trunk of the tree can be used to make bowls or parts of a ‘vaka' or canoe. The husk is turned into fibre and the leaves can be woven to make baskets or matted together for roofing. Once you learn how, the trees are easy to climb. There are two different kinds of liquids which are obtained from coconuts - the fresh coconut water from the green ones (which is so pure that it can be substituted for a saline drip in an emergency!) and coconut milk which is extracted from the flesh of full grown coconuts. This is often sold in cans labelled as coconut cream. The real gem of the coconut tree is the ‘heart of the palm'. This is a delicacy here in the form of a salad, also called ‘millionaire's salad' since you have to cut the tree to get to its heart. In some Cook Island weddings, couples seal their vows by planting small coconut trees called ‘otu'.

‘Ika Mata'

‘Ika mata' is a delicious dish made from raw fish and popular in the South Pacific. It is also known by other names such as ‘coconut ceviche', ‘Tahitian fish salad' and ‘kokoda' pronounced as ‘kokonda' in Fiji. The fish, which is marinated in lime juice, is served cold along with coconut cream. It just takes ten minutes to whip up this dish. The best choice of fish for this dish is fresh tuna; however, calamari is also a good alternative.

Eating Out

Rarotonga

Eating out in Cook Island restaurants is highly recommended for tourists. On Rarotonga, it is easy to dine out owing to its small size, and those who are willing to experiment outside their resorts will be rewarded greatly. ‘Trader Jack's' in Avarua has some excellent food and is strategically located as well. For people looking for a drink, there are the ‘Staircase Bar and Restaurant' and ‘Banana Court' nearby. Even after 15 years, the ‘Portofino' restaurant is still popular in Avarua for its good food. You can dine here or pack your food. ‘Lotus China' has a nice garden seating and is a good place for Chinese food. However, there is a lot of noise due to the traffic and you will be greeted by the occasional rooster crowing at any time of the day! Roosters on Cook Islands seem to be oblivious to the time of day! If you are looking for an inexpensive meal, head for ‘Mama's Café' next to Foodland or try ‘Aramoana Fish ‘N' Chips' by the port.

Arorangi

In Arorangi, try ‘Windjammer' at Edgewater Resort which is popular with the locals. Also try ‘The Spaghetti House' or ‘Hopsing's' for Chinese cuisine. In Moana Sands, try ‘Paw Paw Patch' which has a relaxing ambience and an interesting menu. Near Muri Lagoon, both ‘The Flame Tree' and ‘Sails' are excellent. At Sails, you can try a classic chowder or a Thai beef salad.

Aitutaki

In Aitutaki, if you leave the resort, a good place to try some excellent local Cook Islands cuisine is ‘Café Tupuna'. The ‘Samade Bar' can be very entertaining.

Atiu

In Atiu, restaurants have begun flourishing recently, so while visiting make sure you ask the locals for any new eating joints which may have come up. ‘Kura's Kitchen and Bar' located at Atiu Villas is worth trying. It is open on all days except Sunday. A local custom in which you can join in is drinking ‘bush beer' called Tumanu. It is a local beer made from imported yeast, malt and sugar hops.

Muri

In Muri, a good place to eat pasta is ‘Stefano's Italian Cuisine'. Prior to 2005, it was known as ‘That's Pasta'. You won't miss it, just look for the yellow sign which shows a big plate of spaghetti on it.

Night Life

In Avarua, Rarotonga, live music and discos can be enjoyed at ‘Trader Jack's', ‘The Staircase Bar and Restaurant', ‘Banana Court', ‘TJ's Nightclub' and at larger resorts. Generally, Friday nights are the loudest of the week and Sunday nights are the most quiet.

An ‘island night' is lively, colourful and sensuous and should be on the must do list of every tourist. It is hard to believe that the same dancers attend church on Sundays. In Avarua, a lot of Cook Islands resorts offer island nights all through the week. At ‘The Staircase Restaurant', island night is on Thursdays. In Aitutaki, island night is celebrated on Tuesdays at ‘Samade Bar', Thursdays at ‘Crushers' and Fridays at ‘The Pacific Resort'.

Tipping

Tips are contradictory to Polynesian custom. Tips are seen as getting money for nothing and the person receiving it then feels that he owes something in return. On the Cook Islands, ‘maetaki mata' or ‘thank you' will suffice.

Restaurants List

Trader Jacks

Trader Jacks is the No. 1 for seafood. In the centre of town overlooking the Avarua harbour it is open for lunch and dinner. Outside of regular eating time Trader Jacks is almost always open for Kati Kati (bar snacks). There is live entertainment and major credit cards accepted.

Type : Restaurant & Bar

Address : Avarua Harbour, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 26464

Fax : +682 27464

Email : info@traderjacks.co.ck

Website : http://www.traderjackscookislands.com

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 22:00

Sails Restaurant & Bar

Located on Muri Beach overlooking the Magical Muri Lagoon. Sails Restaurant and Bar is open 7 days for lunch and dinner. All major credit cards are accepted and reservations are recommended.

Type : Restaurant & Bar

Address : Muri Beach, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 27349

Fax : +682 27106

Email : dine@sailsrestaurant.co.ck

Website : http://www.sailsrestaurant.co.ck

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 22:00

Café Salsa

Café Salsa offers creative cuisine at affordable prices. Located downtown Avarua next door to CITC they have the best wood fired pizzas in the Pacific!! Great coffee and service is available Monday - Saturday for breakfast and lunch, and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for dinner from 17:30.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Avarua, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 22215

Email : tony21@oyster.net.ck

Website : http://www.salsa.co.ck

Opening hours : 09:00 to to 22:00

The Edgewater Resort Brasserie

Edgewater Brasserie offers a treat every night with the extra special famous Island Nights (Buffet and Show) every Tuesday and Saturday night. There is live poolside entertainment and full a la carte dining. Reservations recommended.

Type : Restaurant & Bar

Address : Arorangi, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 25435

Email : stay@edgewater.co.ck

Website : http://www.edgewater.co.ck

Opening hours : 06:00 to to 22:00

Pawpaw Patch

Pawpaw Patch is without peer! There is a Sunday BBQ on the beach (weather permitting) and live entertainment. Reservations recommended.

Breakfast 7 days - 08:00 to 10.30
Dinner Mondays through Saturdays - 18:00 to 21:00

Type : Restaurant & Bar

Address : Titikaveka, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 27189

Fax : +682 27199

Email : jennings@oyster.net.ck

Website : http://www.pawpawpatchrestaurant.com

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 22:00

Deli~licious

Located on the roadside in Muri Beach Village, Deli~licious is open 7 days a week serving coffee, cakes, and breakfast and lunch.

Type : Cafe

Address : Muri Beach, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 20858

Email : reka@delilicious.net

Website : http://www.delilicious.net

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 14:00

The Portofino Restaurant

Featuring gourmet cuisine on one of Rarotonga's most extensive menus savour you lunch and/or dinner at Portofino. The air-conditioned indoor dining is a comfort and the outdoor garden area a delight for the senses. Nibble on pizza, pasta, steaks, ribs, seafood and fabulous desserts.

Reservations recommended. All major credit cards accepted.

Type : Italian Restaurant

Address : Avarua, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 26480

Fax : +682 20300

Email : parrot@oyster.net.ck

Website : http://www.portofino.co.ck

Opening hours : 11:30 to to 22:00

Tamarind House

Only three minutes from the centre of Avarua and situated in a unique heritage colonial house, set in a large and tranquil garden overlooking the ocean, Tamarind House is picturesque and relaxing.

Open for Brunch/Lunch from 09:00 - 14:30 and dinner from 18:00. Light meals available all day.

Type : Fine Pacific Cuisine

Address : Avarua, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 26487

Fax : +682 26485

Email : tamarind@cookislands.co.ck

Website : http://www.tamarind.co.ck

Opening hours : 09:00 to to 23:00

The Spaghetti House

How can you refuse authentic Italian cuisine served in air-conditioned comfort? Spaghetti House is located next to the Edgewater Resort.

Type : Restaurant & Bar

Address : Arorangi, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 25441

Website : http://www.edgewater.co.ck

Opening hours : 05:00 to to 23:00

The Flame Tree

Located in Muri, The Flame Tree Restaurant is open 7 days from 17:00. Reservations recommended.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Muri, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 25123

Email : theflametree@cookislands.co.ck

Website : http://www.flametreerestaurant.com

Opening hours : 17:00 to to 22:00

Mae-Jo's Cafe & Takeaway

Mae-Jo's is located in the Cooks Corner Arcade in downtown Avarua and also on Aitutaki. Open for lunch and dinner and serving Chinese, Mexican, Indian and Mongolian cuisine.

Type : Cafe & Takeaway

Address : Avarua, Rarotonga & Aitutaki

Phone : +682 26621

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 22:00

Aro'a Beachside Inn

Join the 'Shipwreck Hut' crew for their weekly Sunset Kati Kati and Seafood BBQs with live entertainment, right on the beach on the western sunset shores. Reservations recommended.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Arorangi, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 22166

Fax : +682 22169

Email : aroa@cookislands.co.ck

Website : http://www.aroabeach.com

Opening hours : 17:30 to to 22:00

Sandals Restaurant & Barefoot Bar

Dine with your feet in the sand, feel the beat of the island night drums. Sandals is located at Pacific Resort Rarotonga. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with Island Nights Mondays and Fridays and happy hour from 17:00 to 18:00.

Type : Restaurant & Bar

Address : Muri Beach, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 20427

Fax : +682 21427

Email : rarotonga@pacificresort.co.ck

Website : http://www.pacificresort.com

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 21:30

Oceans Beachside Restaurant & Bar

Brasserie style dining right on the beach, located at the Crown Beach Resort. Island Night is Tuesdays and Seafood Night is Thursdays. Reservations recommended.

Type : Restaurant & Bar

Address : Arorangi, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 23953

Fax : +682 23951

Email : info@crownbeach.com

Website : http://www.crownbeach.com

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 20:00

The Point Restaurant & Bar

Point Restaurant & Bar at Muri Beach Club Hotel is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Reservations recommended. Adults only 18 years and over.

Type : Restaurant & Bar

Address : Muri Beach, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 23000

Fax : +682 23001

Email : info@muribeachclubhotel.com

Website : http://www.muribeachclubhotel.com

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 21:30

Club Raro

Club Raro offers friendly Polynesian hospitality and a great range of affordable food. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with the menu specials and tropical cocktails ready to be devoured.

Type : Restaurant

Address : Avarua, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 22415

Fax : +682 24415

Email : holiday@clubraro.co.ck

Website : http://www.clubraro.co.ck

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 22:00

The Yellow Hibiscus

Located at Palm Grove in Titikaveka, The Yellow Hibiscus Restaurant & Bar serve breakfast and dinner daily. Reservations recommended.

Type : Restaurant & Bar

Address : Titikaveka, Rarotonga

Phone : +682 20002

Fax : +682 21998

Email : beach@palmgrove.co.ck

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 22:00

Restaurants in Cook Islands

Food & Cuisine in Cook Islands

Coconut

‘Ika Mata'

Eating Out

Rarotonga

Arorangi

Aitutaki

Atiu

Muri

Night Life

Tipping

Restaurants List

Trader Jacks

Sails Restaurant & Bar

Café Salsa

The Edgewater Resort Brasserie

Pawpaw Patch

Deli~licious

The Portofino Restaurant

Tamarind House

The Spaghetti House

The Flame Tree

Mae-Jo's Cafe & Takeaway

Aro'a Beachside Inn

Sandals Restaurant & Barefoot Bar

Oceans Beachside Restaurant & Bar

The Point Restaurant & Bar

Club Raro

The Yellow Hibiscus

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