Wine & Dine
Vanuatu has a range of restaurants, cafes and local eating options to keep even the most discerning palates happy. This list is not exhaustive, but here are a few of our favourites. If you are in Port Vila you really can eat anywhere along the waterfront and also at the resorts around town. All of the restaurants below we have tried for ourselves – enjoy!
Au Fare / Pizza Hot
Located right on the water’s edge with views over Port Vila Harbour, Au Faré restaurant is a great restaurant and pizza place, in fact, it is… Pizza Hot . Choose from a variety of pizza styles, eat in on the water front or take away. They also prepare delicious breakfast.
Opening hours: Open every day from 7.00am to 9.00pm
Back to Eden Bar & Restaurant
Located on the spectacular and often unheard of Mangalilu Reef just a few minutes south of Havannah, Back to Eden is situated perfectly if you want a tranquil and idyllic location for lunch, afternoon tea and a swim… a real hidden gem.
Drive down the dirt track at the turn off to Mangalilu just south of Havannah, and 5 minutes later you are in paradise! The only sounds are the gently cascading water from the nearby fresh water spring and the birds. You may also hear the gentle lapping of water on the nearby reef. Serving up delicious food in fabulous surroundings is just the beginning. They also offer snorkeling tours in crystal clear waters, can arrange local activities with the Mangalilu villagers, even take you for a ride in a traditional outrigger canoe. The turtle tour is a MUST. The hosts are friendly laid back and totally hospitable.
Book the cafe for your private function and enjoy dining in a relaxed atmosphere, watching the sun set over Havannah Harbour.
Opening hours: Open every day from 9.00am to 9.00pm
Banyan Beach Bar
The Banyan Beach Bar is a true ‘sand between your toes and drink in hand’ kinda place. The cocktails are the best in Port Vila (in our humble opinion!) and are reasonably priced too. The sunsets from the beachside fare are magical. Very relaxed and unassuming, the Banyan has quickly become a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike. The Banyan Bar also offer a range of nibbles and light snacks to compliment the drink selection. Conveniently located just north of the main strip in Port Vila, it is out of town enough to escape the noise and heat. Great spot for a pre or after dinner or movie drink or three. They now have pizzas cooked in a traditional fire wood oven.
Opening hours: Open from 3.00pm to 10.00pm – Closed on mondays
Breakas Beach Resort
Breakas resort is a child free haven of landscaped tropical gardens and a beautiful restaurant. Offering themed feasts every day of the week, their seafood banquet is sensational! Bookings are recommended. Located on the Pango Peninsula, just 10 minutes south of the CBD.
Opening hours: Open daily.
Cafe Vila
Cafe Vila on the Pango Peninsula does relaxed island dining very well indeed. Seriously good coffee and breakfast options, consistently tasty meal options. Being close to the water means you enjoy the cooling breezes while overlooking the resort grounds and the lagoon in the distance. Cafe Vila is a peaceful spot any time of the day. Live music on Sundays. Check out their Facebook page for current specials and entertainment information.
Opening hours: Open daily from 7.00am to 9.00pm
Chill Restaurant
Chill is located near the fruit and vegetable market in Port Vila. It has waterfront views and is famous for its pizza and fresh tasty menu, casual dining and great service. The extensive menu also includes seafood, light bites, soups, salads, meats and pasta. The weekly specials available both lunch and dinner are very popular. Chill are known for their generous serving sizes too!
Opening hours: Open daily from 11.00am to 9.00pm – Closed on sundays
Divi's
Divi’s is at Mangaliliu, about 45 minutes from Port Vila, in the North West of Efate. It’s the perfect spot to finish of a round-island drive, or head there for the afternoon and enjoy the sunset with a drink or three. Divi’s is a low-key tapas bar and restaurant, presenting beautiful food cooked simply and to perfection. Taking inspiration from their local garden, the menu changes with the seasons. The service is great all year round though, and it’s fantastic to see new businesses flourishing in the North West corner of Efate. There is lots to see and do around Divi’s, so make it a must-stop. Guests over 15 years only. And on Sundays, they crank up the wood fired Pizza Oven…Yum
Opening hours: Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday – from 11.00am to 9.00pm
Francescas
Located at Havannah Harbour, Francesca’s is Vila’s only Italian restaurant, and it is just perfect! Fresh local product cooked in a traditional Italian way is so easy to enjoy at the iconic Francesca’s.The bar and beach club are sublime, a decadent way to treat yourself to a very special day. Spend a divine afternoon being wowed by Francesca’s degustation menu with perfectly paired wines. Smart casual beach bar and restaurant serving lobsters and oysters many ways and delicious Italian food using local fresh ingredients, best international and Italian wines, cold beers, cocktails, premium spirits and much more! Live music every Sunday from 2 pm with Vanuatu celebrities Philip & Jimmy,
Opening hours: Open daily – from 11.00am to 7.00pm
Grand Hotel
With a relaxed yet sophisticated waterfront setting, Grand Hotel and Casino offers a great range of dining options. Enjoy cocktails and tapas by the pool, dine alfresco on the balcony or in air conditioned comfort from the extensive menu. Check out the weekly lunch special! Free Wi-Fi. The Grand Casino offers the very best in gaming facilities with multiple gaming options to cater for everyone, from the novice to the high roller. Open to the general public over 18 years of age.
Opening hours: Open daily
Harbour View Chinese Restaurant
With dine in and take away options available, the Harbour View Chinese Restaurant is a Port Vila institution. The extensive menu means there is something for everyone, dishes are tasty, and prices very reasonable.
Opening hours: Open Daily – 10.00am to 2.00pm and 5.30pm to 10.00pm
Jill's Cafe
Jill’s is an institution in Port Vila known for great breakfasts and generous sized burgers and fresh tortillas. American style food with a Mexican flavour, huge ice coffees and spiders and very friendly service. Great relaxed place to eat with kids, as the playground is just across the road. Open for Breakfast and Lunch.
Opening hours: Open Monday to Friday (7.00am to 5.00pm), Saturday (7.00am tà 1.30pm) – Closed on Sundays
Jungle Cafe
You can’t miss the Jungle Cafe in the main street of Port Vila, it is bright green façade catches your eye every time! Great English breakfast and lunch options, air conditioning at the rear of the café, good prices and excellent coffee. Also has some take away options for lunch on the go. Open 6 days for breakfast and lunch.
Opening hours: Open Daily from 06.30am to 5.30pm
Kesorn Exotic Thai Restaurant
Come and experience a local legend among long-standing restaurants in Port Vila. Kesorn offers you freshly cooked Thai meals with a South Pacific twist. Sit back and watch the sun set over Fatumaru Bay and enjoy the traquil garden setting while you dine. Open 7 days for dinner, thursday night is a buffet meal, great value.
Opening hours: Open Monday to Sunday (10.30am to 2.30pm and 5.00pm to 10.00pm) , Sunday ( 5.00pm to 10.00pm)
Le Café du Village
Mediterranean inspired casual dining in Port Vila. Absolutely delicious fresh breads served with every meal, and the ice cream sandwich is a doosey! The restaurant is open for breakfast, light lunch on the grill, A la carte dinner, or simply call in and enjoy a coffee or a drink at the bar.
Opening hours: Open Daily from 7.00am to 10.00pm
L'Houstalet Restaurant
L’Houstalet is a French restaurant in the Nambatu area in Port Vila. The deco is a little dated, but the French chef is a local legend and his steak is seriously the best! Potato Gratin to die for, and very good pizzas and a full range of French dishes, including local delicacies with a French twist! Smoking and non-smoking areas available.
Opening hours: Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday – from 11.00am to 9.00pm
Moorings Hotel
Mooring offers good food at great prices and has generous serving sizes. Moorings is right on Port Vila Bay and is an excellent spot to watch the sun go down. Casual dining with a fresh and tasty menu perfect for families. Restaurant open daily.
Opening hours: Open daily from 7.00am to 9.00pm
Paradise Cove Resort
Paradise Cove at sunset is a magic place to be. Enjoy a cocktail on the private wharf or stroll the garden around the huge central Nakamal. A wonderful menu with attentive staff and a casual but elegant dining area, candle lit dining at its best! Excellent cocktails and consistently good food, it is worth the drive for a special night out.
Opening hours: Open daily
Reefers Restaurant and Rum Bar
Reefers, at the northern end of the restaurant strip in Port Vila, is nestled down on the waterfront and has fantastic sunset views. Port Vila’s only Rum Bar, Reefers boasts restaurant quality food with a relaxed atmosphere. Full bar service, top food and well trained and attentive staff make Reefers stand out from the crowd. Go and see Mick and his crew for a great afternoon or night out – check out Facebook for current performance/entertainment information.
Opening hours: Open daily from 10.00am to 10.00pm
Stonegrill Dining
Located on the Wharf Road. The Stone Grill is a novel and tasty way to enjoy the best of Vanuatu fresh seafood and grass fed beef. Main meals come with a choice of two sides included in the price. The seafood medley is very tasty and sooooo fresh!
Opening hours: Open daily from 10.00am to 9.00pm
Tamanu on the Beach
Tamanu on the Beach at White Sands is a beautiful and relaxed yet refined dining experience. For me it’s a ‘special occasion’ kind of place, and when you are on holidays, it is a special occasion, so please book a table here and enjoy one of Vila’s best restaurants. Not only is the location devine, the food is outstanding. Prepared from fresh local ingredients, the menu is complimented by French, Australian and New Zealand Wines. Their chapel dining room is perfect for special occasions too. Special dietary requirements can be catered for. Return transfers from your Private Villa can be arranged by their staff. Enjoy!
Opening hours: Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday – from 11.00am to 9.00pm
The Beach Bar
The best beach bar in Vila, the Beach Bar in Mele is relaxed and welcoming and has great specials. Tuesday night is wood fired pizza night and a movie is shown on the large screen right on the beach. Friday night is Vanua Fire Dance, not to be missed, and Sunday is Circus night, fantastic for younger children. Great atmosphere, friendly local staff, relaxed right on the beach dining and entertainment. Bookings are recommended for Vanua Fire on Fridays. My kids highly recommend this one – Come for the day and swim and snorkel on the beach at the front of the bar, so relaxing and the whole family will be happy.
Opening hours: Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday – from 11.00am to 9.00pm
The Blue Marlin Club
The restaurant is Open for Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week and features top class Seasonal menus, We also have all day Tapas and Drinks options.
They have one of the best views in town and have recently completed our brand new outdoor Dining and entertainment area, we also have ample secure parking.
Come for a Cocktail, Coffee or a Beautiful meal prepared with the freshest local ingredients, we pride ourselves on our great friendly service and attention to detail.
We Welcome Kids and have a Special Menu for them.
Opening hours: Open daily from 11.00am to 10.00pm
The Havannah Resort
The Havannah has been designed as a child free haven and is the perfect romantic destination. Situated on the beautiful Havannah Harbour, overlooking Lelepa Island, you will sit in perfect peace and tranquillity, sipping cocktails as the sun sets over the South Pacific. The food is exquisite, and a generous range of wine, beer, spirits and cocktails await you. The 25 minute drive to and from Havannah only adds to the experience, the views from the top of Klem’s Hill overlooking Vila and Mele Bay are spectacular! You can also access the near by and stunningly beautiful Havannah Beach from the resort grounds.
Opening hours: Open daily from 08.30am to 09.00pm
The Moso
Moso Island is just a few hundred metres off the north western corner of Efate. Moso Island is an untouched tropical paradise with reefs, white sand beaches and turquoise waters, and it now also boasts a modern yet very relaxed resort, The Moso.
The ideal spot for a relaxing and retreating from everything, all you need is on hand.
Opening hours: Open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday – from 10.00am to 4.00pm
Wahoo Bar
Located at Havannah, the Wahoo Bar lives up to its name as it serves beautiful fresh seafood in a relaxed outdoor dining area with waterfront views. Enjoy a casual beer with exquisite seafood, a definite must on a trip around Efate.
Opening hours: Open daily from 11.00am to 07.00pm
War Horse Saloon & Restaurant
The Warhorse Saloon is a sports bar and restaurant located on the wharf road in Port Vila, Vanuatu. With the best BBQ pork and beef ribs, delicious burgers, a Mexican inspired menu, fab cocktails and a daily happy hour from 4.30 – 6.30pm daily, who doesn’t like the War Horse? A traditional ‘watering hole’ with craft beer and ciders on tap. Warhorse Saloon is the place for watching or playing sports and competitions in Port Vila.
Opening hours: Open daily from 10.00am to 11.00pm