Places to eat in Tonga

By now, Friend’s Cafe is a Tongan institution. For visitors to the island it acts as a cafe, restaurant, travel agent and souvenir shop. Apart from the Vistor’s Bureau on Vuna Rd. Friends is one of the only sources of tourist information in Nuku’alofa.
Apart from being a good place to suss out travel arrangements, Friends is a good place to grab some breakfast or lunch. The food is a little overpriced but is very good. We had bagels with cream cheese and jam served with good coffee here one day for breakfast and had a tasty lunch of fish cakes another day. The cafe opens out onto a nice outdoor patio area where you can sit back with a coffee and soak up the sun and atmosphere which, while not being distinctly Tongan, does have a nice vibe and is a great place to get chatting to other travellers and expats.

While spending the day relaxing at Keleti Beach we ate luch at Keleti International Resort. Like most places on Tongatapu the menu here is pretty limited and we went for the safe bet with fish and chips. As you’d expect the dish was good and tasty if nothing special and washed down with a cold Mata Maka beer filled the gap. At $15 the dish wasn’t unreasonably priced and with nothing else available in the immediate area we were happy with the food.

We didn’t actually stay at Keleti but we met a couple who were staying here and they gave us a quick peek into their room which seemed to be clean and comfortable. We did consider staying here for a night as the location was so spectacular but as we were on a tight budget and already conveniently located closer to Nuku’alofa at Toni’s guesthouse we decided against the move. It would be a good option for those looking for peaceful and quiet accommodation at one of Tongatapu’s most scenic locations with access straight onto Keleti beach.

The restaurant at Big Mama’s Yacht Club on Pangaimotu island gets mixed reviews from many people and also gets mixed feelings from us. We loved our time on the island and would go back again but there is a much publicised rat problem on the island. You will read about this again and again when researching trips to the island. People who say there is no rat problem on the island just hasn’t been unlucky enough to see one...they are there. We saw two and where there are two you can be sure there are a hell of a lot more elsewhere. Having said that this is a problem caused by visitors bringing food to the island and I feel sorry for Ana (owner of the bar/restaurant and accommodation) who is trying to run a small business in the face of this never ending problem. We could get over the rat issue and really enjoyed our stay on the island especially when the day trippers left and we had this whole beautiful island to ourselves. Ana Aka ‘Big Mama’ herself is an extremely pleasant and friendly woman who made us feel very welcome on the island.

The food at Big Mama’s is a little overpriced for what you get, but considering transport costs and the fact that they have a monopoly on the island it could be worse. The fish dishes were good but I would steer clear of the chicken. Had it one day for lunch and it wasn’t great. Serves me right for eating chicken when surrounded by fish filled water! The tuna steak for dinner was much better as was the fish and chips. Nothing special but was tasty and filling.

I have tried all the Italian Restaurant in Nuku'alofa (being an French and Italian cuisine lover).
The absolutely best I went to, was the Two Sisters', where they make wonderful home made pastas and pizzas.
But also snacks, fresh fish, lobster, meat and beautiful fresh salads. Unique cakes (not even paragonable with the good but simple Australian and New Zealand muffins).
Here I also found the real French (like me) Saint Honore' and strong and tasty coffee like in Parisian Cafe'.
It's a restaurant for real gourmet and also every budget. The Italian restaurant are expensive, usually.
Don't miss this tasty island in the Island!!!

Favorite Dish: Home made pasta carbonara, tasty but not dry
Tuna pate' delicious
Sandwiches fabulous
Pizza substantial and crispy, real Italian style
The dressing of the salad perfect
Profiteroles and Saint honore' gourmet cakes

Hi,
I'm italian but I live in Sidney. I'm in Tonga at the moment (one conference) and I'm vegetarian.
This place is the best in town, clean, friendly and real italian style food.
Sea view from the balcony.
The pizza and the home made pasta are incredible.

Favorite Dish: My favorite dish are the pizza and the pasta, but the fish grilled are fresh and tasty.

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This is an amazing restaurant, with a big menu and a big heart.
Pizza, home made pasta, fish, meat, sea food, lobster, home made pastries, wine and cocktails.
In the heart of the capital, near the Post Office in the first floor with a balcony sea view.
The service is friendly and careful.
The big menu offer price from 5 USD for one toast ham and cheese to 20 USD for lobster.
DON'T MISS THIS RESTAURANT.
katy

Favorite Dish: PIZZA and pasta. Substantial and tasty.

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This is a strangely grand sort of Hotel with a huge (empty ) lobby. Lots of marble . The food was very good , but the service was a bit mised up . They didn't seem to understand that there is an order that food is ususally served. As soon as a dish was ready it was delivered. We had the fish before the soup!! Oh well it was all good and very inexpensive. The most important thing is they were open on Sunday!

The setting couldn't be more beautiful ...overlooking crystal clear tourqoise waters and white sand. However the food was a bit disappointing . The servings were small and expensive. We had a choice of stirfry or fish and chips for lunch. We wondered if we were staying here how boring the food would be and if we'd be hungry.