The coconut crab is the largest land dwelling crustacean weighing in over 5 kg when fully grown and a metre wide from claw to claw. Adult crabs are adapted to life on land and may be found up to 4km inland scavenging anything they can eat, fruit, rotting leaves, other animals including their young or other crabs!

Did you know the coconut crab is not a staple food for local people? Did you know that coconuts are not the staple food for coconut crabs?

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Their massive claws (yes, they can chop off your fingers) open fallen coconuts, but they are not dependent on coconuts to survive. Due to slow growth and low reproduction, loss of their natural territory and ease of capture, coconut crab numbers are in serious decline on some islands. In response to the crab's plight, we initiated an awareness campaign in 2002 and the majority of restaurants have removed coconut crab from their menu. The flesh of the crab is bland, hence always served with thick garlic, tomato or other sauce.

Read about the Nicholls' successful Coconut Crab Conservation in Vanuatu and what went wrong with their Turtle Rescue scheme (link to:http://www.whl.travel/blog/?p=1291#more-1291)

Vanuatu Cuisine & Restaurants

Local Food

The coconut is the primary fruit eaten, drunk and used as a cooking ingredient in the South Pacific. When the nut is green, it is drunk (don't deny yourself, its delicious). When the nut turns yellow to light brown, it indicates the soft jelly like flesh has formed (exquisite flavour - mother nature at its best). As the nut goes totally light brown, it is time to break open and eat the semi hard flesh - a little juice will remain. After this stage, the flesh becomes hard and is either baked dry to produce copra or desiccated coconut. Coconut milk is widely used in cooking such as the traditional Tahitian Salad or the local 'lap lap' and other dishes. The milk is extracted by squeezing the rasped hard coconut flesh.

If left alone, the coconut will continue its growth and sprout. The flesh turns into its next stage, favoured by the locals as they believe it resembles coconut ice cream. We don't suggest you climb a coconut tree to obtain one. You're bound to hurt yourself in the process and it would be disrespectful to the land owner who would send one of his sons up the tree to get you one, costing you 20 to 40 vatu. If in town, they're cheap to buy at the markets.

Port Vila is well known for its culinary diversity due to the original dual influence of the traditional French and English cuisine styles. A subtle addition over the years has come from the Chinese and the Vietnamese population.

Throughout the last twenty odd years, much influence has come from individuals and talented chefs originating mostly from Australia, Italy and Germany. Naturally, all trying to outdo each other much to the benefit and delight of patrons.

Cheap Eats

You will find local women selling the traditional 'lap lap', 'tuluk' and 'nalot' at the market everyday except Sunday. It is worth trying the local food on your Vanuatu vacation, but it is made up of bland starchy ingredients with little taste or protein; usually not popular to the western palate.

A cheap eat alternative is to buy a well priced gourmet takeaway lunch from either Cafe Deli or Le peche Mignon in the centre of town, walk to the markets (3 min.) buy a fresh coconut to drink with some mangoes for dessert and enjoy your meal in the park with views on the bay. You may be fortunate enough to have a local string band playing in the park's rotunda at the time.

Here are most of the popular restaurants that await you in Port Vila.

Restaurants List

Au Peche Mignon

Exquisite cakes and chocolates. Open Monday to Saturday.

Type : French Patisserie and Snacks Cafe

Address : Across the road from the markets.

Phone : +(678) 27271

Fax : +(678) 27443

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 14:30

Anchor Inn

Local's watering hole, easy going on the water's edge.

Type : Beer Garden & Grill

Address : Next to Fung Kuei Duty Free in town.

Phone : +(678) 22435

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 22:00

Benjor Beach Club

Airy, great views and a touch of French Mediterranean.

Type : International

Address : Seaside overlooking Mele Bay, 15 mins drive from town.

Phone : +(678) 26078

Fax : +(678) 26073

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 22:00

Breakas Beach Resort

Good views on the surf beach with great beach pool bar. Adults only.

Type : International

Address : Breaka's Beach Resort, Pango (10 mins drive from town).

Phone : +(678) 23670

Fax : +(678) 24710

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 22:00

Bungalow:ATE Restaurant & Bar

Lovely décor. Discrete. Good food. Adults only.

Type : International

Address : Teouma Road, Emtem Lagoon (second lagoon). 5 mins drive from town. Sunset Bungalows Resort.

Phone : +(678) 29968

Fax : +(678) 29970

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 22:00

Café Deli

Modern gourmet snacks and cosmopolitan food. Air conditioned. Open Monday to Saturday.

For Blues lovers, get yourself down to Cafe Deli on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from 6:00pm to 10:00pm for live music. Best to get there by 5:00pm to grab a seat and great dinner with Vanuatu's only Blues Bar.

Hope to see you there!

Type : Modern

Address : Opposite the Pacific service station in town.

Phone : +(678) 27500

Fax : +(678) 26500

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 14:00

Café du Village

French Riviera décor on the water.

Type : International, French influenced

Address : On the waterfront next to the yet to be opened Casino Hotel in town.

Phone : +(678) 27789

Opening hours : 08:00 to to 22:00

Chill Restaurant & Bar

International contemporary. Good value.

Type : International Contemporary

Address : On the water's edge next to the markets, view on the bay.

Phone : +(678) 22578

Fax : +(678) 22572

Email : chillrestaurant@vanuatu.com.vu

Opening hours : 11:00

Club Vanuatu

Good value, pokies, cinema and bar. Open Monday to Saturday.

Type : Club food (cheap eats)

Address : Behind the Drug Store in town.

Phone : +(678) 22615

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 22:00

Coconut Palms Resort

A lively place, ideal for meeting with tasty affordable meals.

Type : Light International

Address : Rue Cornwall, Port Vila Coconut Palms Resort (5 mins walk from the Cultural Museum and 10 mins from town).

Phone : +(678) 23696

Fax : +(678) 22160

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 21:30

El Gecko Café & Restaurant

Relaxing, friendly locals meeting place. Dinners: Friday and Saturday only.

Type : All round light meals

Address : Behind Top Shots (Kodak) in town.

Phone : +(678) 25597

Fax : +(678) 23841

Opening hours : 06:30 to to 18:00

Flaming Bull

An institution previously known as 'the Office Pub'. Open every day.

Type : Beer Garden & Grill

Address : Near the Telecom Building in town.

Phone : +(678) 27716

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 22:00

Gino's

Friendly and excellent value.

Type : Italian Pizza, Pasta & International

Address : The Melanesian Hotel.

Phone : +(678) 22150

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 22:00

Harbour View Chinese Restaurant

Very popular. Air conditioned.

Type : Chinese & Cantonese

Address : On the hill just out of the city centre. Opening Hours: 11am - 2pm; 6pm - 10pm.

Phone : +(678) 23668

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 22:00

Hideaway Island

Sun drenched; feet in the sand affair. Take your swimmers.

Type : International

Address : On the Beach, Hideaway Island Resort & Marine Sanctuary. 10 mins by car from town followed by 10min. boat ride.

Phone : +(678) 22963

Fax : +(678) 23867

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 22:00

Island Chicken Takeaway

Good food, good prices, on a busy sidewalk environment. Open Monday to Saturday.

Type : Chickens & Takeaway Food (cheap eats)

Address : Opposite the markets in town.

Phone : +(678) 24736

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 17:00

Jill's Café

Hearty portions, great meeting place, always busy.

Type : American Breakfast, Hamburgers, Salads

Address : Near the Westpac Bank in town.

Phone : +(678) 25125

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 18:00

Kanpai Bar & Sushi Japanese Restaurant

Informal and friendly. Great authentic Japanese food. Views over the bay. Opening Hours: 11am - 2pm; 6:30pm - 10pm (Monday to Saturday)

Type : Japanese

Address : Wharf Road.

Phone : +(678) 26687

Fax : +(678) 26689

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 22:00

Lagoon Terrace

Excellent value for the family; kids' paradise.

Type : International

Address : Le Lagon Resort.

Phone : +(678) 22313

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 22:00

Le Verandah

Superb location with views of Erakor Lagoon.

Type : International

Address : Le Meridien Hotel, Tassiriki Park, 5 mins out of town.

Phone : +(678) 22040

Fax : +(678) 23340

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 22:00

Les Alizes

As the address suggests, fantastic views especially for lunch.

Type : Traditional French

Address : Les Alizes Resort on the summit of Bellevue (10 mins drive from town).

Phone : +(678) 24306

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 21:00

Le Rendez Vous

Open 7 days a week from 11am till late, and Sundays for breakfast.

Type : International Contemporary Cuisine

Address : Lini Highway, opposite The Melanesian Hotel

Phone : +(678) 22375

Opening hours : 11:00

L'Houstalet

Very laid back with different exotic dishes available. House speciality is flying fox.

Type : Pizzeria & French

Address : 5 mins walk from The Melanesian Hotel.

Phone : +(678) 22303

Fax : +(678) 24608

Opening hours : 17:00 to to 22:00

Mangoes

Popular good cuisine.

Type : International

Address : Mangoes Resort behind the Central Hospital.

Phone : +(678) 24923

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 21:30

Mitchener's

Good food, good wines, good view; adults only.

Type : International

Address : Iririki Island Resort.

Phone : +(678) 23388

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 22:00

Moo's Bar & Grill

Moos Bar & Grill is an open air al-fresco, laid back restaurant in the heart of The Moorings Port Vila Hotel with views of the swimming pool and Port Vila Bay.

Type : International Cuisine

Address : Lini Highway, Port Vila

Phone : +678 26800

Fax : +678 22172

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 22:00

Nambanga Restaurant

Affordable dishes.

Type : Light Meals

Address : Vanuatu Institute of Technology (10 mins drive from town). Bookings essential. Opening Hours: Lunch - Tuesday & Wednesday - 11:30 - 2pm; Dinner - Thursday - 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Phone : +(678) 45746

Nambawan Cafe

Great Meeting place, always busy. Facing Port Vila Harbour on the promenade in town.

Type : Light Meals

Address : Port Vila promenade looking out at Port Vila Harbour.

Phone : 44826

Email : cafe@nambawan.com

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 16:00

Nirvana Restaurant

Asian style cuisine

Type : Asian Fusion

Address : Rue Bouganville, Port Vila, Vanuatu Tel: +678 22510

Phone : 22510

Email : nirvana@vanuatu.com.vu

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 22:00

Paradise Cove

A relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere, perfect for the family. Good for long lunches and swimming.

Paradise Cove Restaurant features the largest local style roof on the island. You can also dine on the waterfront beach hut facing Port Vila Bay and the beautiful sunsets.

The Beach Hut can be booked for a private romantic evening with oil lanterna and a personal waiter.

An a la carte menu with international and local dishes includes lobster, prawns, chicken, lamb, beef, and a selection of traditional Italian pastas and wines.

Menu Prices:
Pasta from 1,400 to 1,900 vatu
Main Course from 1,800 to 3,500 vatu
Dessert from 600 to 900 vatu

Type : Italian

Address : Seaside, Pango Point (15 mins drive from town).

Phone : +(678) 22701

Fax : +(678) 22693

Email : paradisecove@vanuatu.com.vu

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 22:00

Refresh Café & Wine Bar

Great meeting place, always busy with local expats.

Type : Light Meals

Address : Near the BDO Building in town.

Phone : +(678) 22428

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 17:00

Roxy's

Definitely worth the trip. Timber deck restaurant over the lagoon; romantic facing sunsets.

Type : International

Address : Erakor Island Resort & Spa (5 mins by car from town; 5 min boat ride).

Phone : +(678) 26983

Fax : +(678) 22983

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 22:00

Tamanu Beach

Boutique restaurant. Excellent food, worth the drive, great for long lunch.

Type : International

Address : On the beach towards Whitesands (15 mins by car from town).

Phone : +(678) 27279

Fax : +(678) 24470

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 22:00

The Barge

Great for dinner as the barge takes you around the beautiful lagoon. Dinner: minimum 10 pax required; booking essential. Sunset finger food cruise - 4:30pm - 7pm

Type : International

Address : Scenic restaurant floating barge on Erakor Lagoon.

Phone : +(678) 23103

Opening hours : 16:30 to to 19:00

The Thai

Real taste of Thailand. Situated at the ex Gino's Restaurant.

Opening Hours: 11am till 1:30pm; 6pm till 11pm 7 days a week

Takeaway and Delivery: 11am - 1:30pm for Thai Delivery.

Type : Thai

Address : The Melanesian Port Vila

Phone : +678 22150

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 23:00

Tilly's

Top cuisine, great sunsets from the terrace.

Type : Tapas & International

Address : In Chantillys on the Bay Hotel in town.

Phone : +(678) 27079

Fax : +(678) 28111

Opening hours : 07:00 to to 22:00

Tsang Restaurant

Informal and friendly. Open 7 days a week. Opening Hours: 10am - 1pm; 5:30pm - 9:30pm

Type : Chinese

Address : Near the Parisienne Bakery (2 mins drive from town).

Phone : +(678) 25160

Opening hours : 10:00 to to 21:30

Vila Chaumierès

Romantic restaurant over the water.

Type : International

Address : Over the water on second lagoon, 10 mins drive from town.

Phone : +(678) 22866

Fax : +(678) 24238

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 22:00

Waterfront Bar & Grill

Friendly, South Seas atmosphere, yachties bar, live music. Home of the Seven Seas Brewery.

Type : Seafood, Tex-Mexican & BBQ Ribs

Address : On the water opposite Iririki Island Resort.

Phone : +(678) 23490

Opening hours : 11:00 to to 22:00

Watermark Restaurant

International

Type : International

Address : Iririki Island Resort

Phone : +(678) 23388

Opening hours : 07:30 to to 22:00

Wild Ginger

Asian Fusion Restaurant

Type : Asian Fusion Restaurant

Address : Le Lagon Resort

Phone : +(678) 22313

Opening hours : 06:30 to to 22:00

Restaurants in Vanuatu

Did you know the coconut crab is not a staple food for local people? Did you know that coconuts are not the staple food for coconut crabs?

Vanuatu Cuisine & Restaurants

Local Food

Cheap Eats

Restaurants List

Au Peche Mignon

Anchor Inn

Benjor Beach Club

Breakas Beach Resort

Bungalow:ATE Restaurant & Bar

Café Deli

Café du Village

Chill Restaurant & Bar

Club Vanuatu

Coconut Palms Resort

El Gecko Café & Restaurant

Flaming Bull

Gino's

Harbour View Chinese Restaurant

Hideaway Island

Island Chicken Takeaway

Jill's Café

Kanpai Bar & Sushi Japanese Restaurant

Lagoon Terrace

Le Verandah

Les Alizes

Le Rendez Vous

L'Houstalet

Mangoes

Mitchener's

Moo's Bar & Grill

Nambanga Restaurant

Nambawan Cafe

Nirvana Restaurant

Paradise Cove

Refresh Café & Wine Bar

Roxy's

Tamanu Beach

The Barge

The Thai

Tilly's

Tsang Restaurant

Vila Chaumierès

Waterfront Bar & Grill

Watermark Restaurant

Wild Ginger

Local time: 01:20:57 AM

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