Efate’s Top Tastes: A Food & Drink Lover’s Guide

Efate, the main island of Vanuatu, is often a total feast for the senses, and that’s really not just its incredible views and sandy shores, either, no. The island’s food scene tends to be seriously brimming with fresh, local ingredients and also seriously vibrant flavors that mirror its culture. You know, you could be wanting fancy restaurant meals, maybe casual beachside eats, or like authentic market fare, there is truly a plate to please basically every traveler. That is to say, here are the spots you absolutely should not miss during your time checking out this South Pacific gem.

1. Mangoes Resort Restaurant: Tropical Elegance

Mangoes Resort Restaurant, tucked within a beautiful adults-only resort, that really is more or less serving a dining experience that balances local fare and really international techniques. Basically, the setting here truly adds a touch of romanticism, too, it’s almost surrounded by lush gardens and like, overlooks the sparkling waters, so, it’s certainly making it ideal for couples and like, those special celebrations. Their menu, actually, it showcases the freshest seafood you could find from the Pacific Ocean as well as incorporating locally sourced fruits and vegetables from Efate’s rich soils. It’s often, just to dine here is just simply experiencing the peak of Vanuatu’s hospitality and food artistry.

We could start with appetizers like their Tahitian raw fish salad which is typically marinated in fresh lime and coconut cream – or like, the grilled prawns served alongside a chili-mango salsa, that could be like an opener. Next we could progress, basically, to more hearty mains, there is usually the local lobster prepared with garlic butter, there’s the tender eye fillet topped by some of that Vanuatu coffee rub – sounds interesting right? Vegetarian selections are often abundant and, obviously, so well presented: vegetable curries filled with all manner of garden veggies. They’re also known for exotic tropical desserts: think coconut crème brûlée with like, passion fruit coulis; the warm chocolate lava cake enhanced thanks to tangy local fruits. Like your evening winds down you could select a dessert wine, that usually will pair perfectly against your selected desert. Mangoes are more or less capturing elegance through food – so really, take note, fellow travelers.

Read our full review: Mangoes Resort Restaurant Efate Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Mangoes Resort Restaurant)

2. The Waterfront Bar & Grill: Casual Dining with a View

Maybe for something way more casual, yet quite flavorful, there’s also The Waterfront Bar & Grill that sits pretty in downtown Port Vila so, it provides harbor views alongside tasty food. This spot could be seen to appeal to people who like relaxed settings coupled by a lively atmosphere alongside an appealing drinks list – especially come sun-set.

Seafood features prominently: grilled fish sandwiches, fresh-shucked oysters alongside light dressings. Their beef burgers could satisfy people craving familiar comforts though, too; all that before you notice a selection that often features slow roasted pork, coleslaw or maybe other sides typical of barbecue fare. Besides that the bartenders whip out interesting cocktail creations using exotic juices squeezed out right from island vegetation along, in fact, a full spread beers wines plus sodas satisfying drinkers through late hours. It’s usually here you can get a little rowdy because you might see DJs spinning hits or maybe people even spontaneously burst straight into dancing right under stars; It sounds great honestly!

Read our full review: Waterfront Bar and Grill Efate Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Waterfront Bar and Grill)

3. Au Fare: Authentic Melanesian Flavors

When we talk Melanesian food we should definitely discuss Au Fare, actually, it’s positioned itself around being one very solid keeper concerning cultural food offerings down in Efate, more or less. Here is the point that culinary custom might meet like modern times which creates an actually intimate, local feel so; in essence, Au Fare displays like generational passed cooking knowledge from family kitchens from all around Vanuatu.

Start through trying their ‘lap lap,’ Vanuatu’s emblematic dish made through grated taro roots being pounded prior layered next into banana leaf wrapping alongside chicken or perhaps pork after that of which the combination gets steamed perfectly on a makeshift earthen oven otherwise labeled “umu,” it can come in two varieties. There’s “nalot,” ground pudding comprised from bananas versus ‘lap lap’ recipes. Or like maybe sample pumpkin soup, seasoned through coconuts versus spices! Vegetarians shall usually take kindly to such a menu through various stews plus platters centered only round available greens too: the sort with breadfruit potatoes yams plus lots more tropical plants all locally sourced throughout Efate gardens.

Read our full review: Au Fare Restaurant Efate Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Au Fare Restaurant)

4. Jill’s Cafe: Breakfast and Lunch Delights

For anyone trying something simple and still pleasing for breakfasts even light lunches too Jills Cafe is that place – a spot with warm tones along chilled surrounds near downtown areas from Port Vila; Jill makes delicious pastries sandwiches juices smoothie bowls also great caffeine shot beverages there, obviously. A total brunch spot indeed!

Pastries may possibly catch sight among showcases each daytime so freshly cooked bread buns brownies all are there while toast options showcase numerous topping types also local Vanuatu jam choices together perhaps along avocado then scrambled eggs or something meaty like sausage, really delicious options all the same. Smoothies combine seasonal vegetation against usual fruit favorites too creating refreshing energy drinks suited hot days; their smoothie selection is often colorful.

Read our full review: Jills Cafe Efate Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Jills Cafe)

5. Port Vila Market: A Taste of Local Life

Those really curious regarding food as more lifestyle interaction then the biggest tip that may change such knowledge definitely revolves from visiting Port Vila marketplace because of course such marketplaces tend bringing island inhabitants coupled farmers who bring produce also meals sold quite directly everyday aside some selected hours, usually you are in a great spot there.

Look carefully at different pile of produce – tropical plants root based foods alongside spices all coming down village cultivations; also observe prepped dish vendors, people using their grandmother passed traditions like that tasty food vendor. You will find kava bars close somewhere there – try small amount. The market sounds very engaging given haggling which commonly appears together with language exchange. Overall experience at Port Vila local is really what will stick. This is just to capture essence by savor. Read our full review: Port Vila Market Efate Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Port Vila Market)