23 BEST Restaurants in Tonga 👨‍🍳 2025

Last Updated: 11 December, 2025

The Best Places to Eat in Tonga

Expect to be well-fed in Tonga! Food means everything to Tongans, who put on some of the grandest feasts in the South Pacific. Even the portion sizes are staggering, taking the reward of tasting the abundance of the islands and surrounding oceans to the next level.

But whether you’re looking to try authentic Tongan cuisine, a new spin on international favourites, or simply grab a coffee as part of your morning routine, there are plenty of excellent cafes and restaurants in Tonga.

What’s more, each has its own unique identity, because no, you will not find a single McDonald’s in the whole country!

1. The TOP Restaurant & Lounge (Tongatapu)

Get amazing views of the Nuku’alofa CBD and the tops of the Royal Palace from The TOP Restaurant & Lounge. Easy to miss on Wellington and Taua’ahau Roads, the entrance is simply an elevator taking you to a large lounge and dining area.

Dine in or enjoy your drinks al fresco under the fairy lights as you gaze across the city as the sun goes down.

The menu features Western cuisine with creative twists alongside Mexican-inspired dishes. Choose from signature appetizers like buffalo wings and mini tacos, premium New Zealand sourced steaks, fresh seafood, chicken and pork selections, or house-made tacos.

Vegetarian options include a rajma masala wrap, honey ginger tofu, pasta primavera and vegetable curry.

When it comes to dessert, unique offerings like crème brûlée, lava cake and tiramisu set this place apart.

Opening hours: From 5:30 pm to 11 pm Monday to Saturday.
Location: Corner of Wellington and Taua’ahau Roads, Nuku’alofa city centre, Tongatapu.

The Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants in Tonga

2. Leleno ki Moana (Ha’apai)

Nestled among coconut palms of the beachfront approximately 400 m (440 yards) south of Hihifo, Leleno ki Moana (also known as Lelenoa Kimoana) meaning “Run to the Ocean”, is a quirky beach hut restaurant serving quality meals for an affordable price.

Delight in fresh fish and chips, beasty burgers, aromatic curries, Tongan dishes and more, all lovingly presented on timber boards and banana leaves. You can also tuck into pizzas available in mini, small, medium, large and party sizes, perfect for sharing with your crew! You’ll hardly get a more island vibe!

As one of the few restaurants in the Ha’apai island group, Leleno ki Moana is certainly one of the 10 Best Hidden Gems in Tonga.

Opening hours: From 9 am to 9 pm Monday to Saturday and 9 am to 4 pm Wednesday. Note that some menu items may not be available if there are food shortages on the island.
Location: Hala Holopeka Road, Hihifo (approximately 400 m/440 yards down the dirt road at the end of Hihifo villages), Lifuka Island, Ha’apai.

3. Basque Tavern (Vava’u)

More than your harbour town watering hole, Basque Tavern reinforces the social vibe by serving a range of sharing plates. The Spanish-inspired tapas bar in Neiafu, Vava’u has evolved beyond its tapas-only origins, though their creative tapas menu (which changes weekly) still gives you plenty of reasons to return.

According to the chef, fish is their true specialty, and whatever they prepare with locally sourced fresh fish turns out excellent.

They’ve also built a reputation for serving some of the best burgers on the island, with what’s probably the biggest burger menu around. For those not keen on sharing, there’s also steak and fish and chips on offer.

Open six days a week from 9 am, the rustic venue with its pool table transforms from restaurant to buzzing bar and nightclub atmosphere as the night goes on.

For more good eating in this island group, check out the 15 Best Cafés & Restaurants in Vava’u.

Location: Opposite the Small Boat Marina access road, Neiafu, Vava’u.

4. Friends Café (Tongatapu)

As one of the capital’s hotspots, Friends Café rarely needs an introduction. Learn about the history of the 100+-year-old building on the notices found on each table and treat yourself to diverse menu options spanning all-day breakfasts with tropical twists, hearty mains showcasing international and local flavours, fresh salads, house-made pasta and satisfying sandwiches on ciabatta.

The menu incorporates local ingredients like caramelised banana, taro leaves and fresh fish alongside classic preparations. Vegetarians will find plenty of options including egg dishes, seasonal vegan salads and plant-based preparations.

For the sweet tooth, ice cream and Italian-inspired tiramisu hit the spot! They’re open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening drinks with local beer on tap.

Check out more eateries in the area in the 20 Best Restaurants on Tongatapu.

Opening hours: From 7 am to 11 pm Monday to Saturday. Closed Sundays.
Location: Corner of Taufa’ahau Road and Salote Road, Nuku’alofa city centre, Tongatapu.

20 BEST Restaurants in Tonga ????‍???? [2023]

5. Little Italy Restaurant (Tongatapu)

Probably the most out-of-place restaurant in the islands of the South Pacific, Little Italy Restaurant transports you to Europe in its cuisine, decor and architecture. Everything about this restaurant in Nuku’alofa is charmingly Italian, including its darn-good pizzas.

Dine in or eat al fresco in a quiet location on the waterfront, a short walk from the west side of the Royal Palace. There’s a wonderful choice of creative pizzas, as well as safe favourites. Pasta, steak, lobster and fish are also on the menu.

Note that if you’re eating outside, you’re likely to eat your pizza to the sad eyes of a stray dog.

See more of the capital’s top dining establishments in the 20 Best Restaurants in Nuku’alofa.

Opening hours: From 3 pm to 9:30 pm Monday to Saturday.
Location: Vuna Road, Kolomotu’a, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.

6. Bula Chef (Tongatapu)

A relatively new family-owned gem on the island, Bula Chef brings a taste of Fiji to Tonga with its unique approach to dining. The owner, who was born in Fiji and studied culinary arts there, creates dishes that beautifully combine local Tongan ingredients with contemporary presentation and Fijian flair.

The colourful plating is a feast for the eyes, while standout dishes include the salmon with kumara mash and coconut beurre blanc sauce, and the ‘ota ‘ika. Don’t miss the lu Tonga purée served with coconut bread either. If you’re a curry lover, you’ll want to try their recommended curry dishes.

The restaurant offers live music entertainment Monday through Friday nights, creating a lively atmosphere to complement your meal. The drinks menu is impressively extensive, featuring creative cocktails, a solid selection of local and imported beers, and wines from New Zealand and Australia available by the glass or bottle.

Opening hours: From 12 pm to 2 pm and 6 pm to 10 pm Monday to Saturday, lunch only on Sunday
Location: Taufa’ahau Road, Fangaloto, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.

7. Momma’s Harbourview Restaurant (Tongatapu)

Just down the road from Bula Chef, Momma’s Harbourview Restaurant serves up another dining experience with stunning ocean views to match your meal.

The menu is wonderfully diverse, catering to health-conscious diners, those craving traditional island fare and anyone seeking hearty comfort food. Feast on fresh salads, island-style dishes like ota ika and poke paired with green banana, or tuck into sashimi offerings.

Homemade soups feature everything from beef to seafood, while grilled options include marinated chicken, sirloin beef, pork belly and lamb. If you’re after something more substantial, try the specialty platters, the Hangover Combination is packed with seafood, while the Meatlovers showcases various grilled proteins.

Opening hours: From 9 am to 10 pm Monday to Saturday
Location: Taufa’ahau Road, Popua, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu. Just down the road from Sky Lodge.

8. Tupu’anga Café (Tongatapu)

Worth the short trip out of Nuku’alofa town, Tupu’anga Café is a farm-to-table gem offering home-roasted coffee and house-made taro chips. They source their coffee on island, roast it on-site and grow their own taro.

When they’re not too busy, the café offers casual tours of their roasting area at no charge, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at their coffee production process.

The menu covers café favourites like omelettes, pancakes and eggs Benedict (complete with local touches like squid rings and potato fritters), plus distinctly Tongan offerings like beef nachos with manioke chips, ‘Ota Ika (raw fish with fresh coconut cream served alongside kumala or taro chips) and traditional fish and chips using their house-made taro varieties.

Learn more about this experience and others in the 10 Best Foodie Experiences in Tonga. They also have free WiFi and a children’s playground.

Opening hours: From 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday, 8 am to 1 pm Saturday and closed Sunday.
Location: Umusi Road, Ma’ufanga, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.

9. Chef Zero Restaurant (Tongatapu)

Another one a little out of town in Nuku’alofa, Chef Zero is well worth getting to for an upmarket dine-in experience in Tonga. The family-run restaurant specialises in fresh ingredients transformed into European-style cuisine.

Have steak with a wide choice of sauces, pork with tasty apple sauce, or fish (their most popular) cooked Polynesian style, mornay or blackened.

Try some of the freshest sashimi platters or keep things simple with pizza or garlic bread. What’s more, the restaurant is B.Y.O wine or beer!

Opening hours: From 10 am to 10 pm Monday to Friday.
Location: Tamakautonga Road, Popua, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.

10. The Harbourview (Vava’u)

For European and American-style food done well, head to The Harbourview in Toula village, Vava’u. With serene harbour views and an extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, it’s an easy pick for groups, even those with dietary needs.

They make everything from scratch, including hand-rolled tortillas, house-made sauces and fresh mayonnaise. Expect gourmet burgers on homemade buns, fresh mahimahi dishes, Italian-inspired pastas and soft tacos in lettuce cups. Sushi also makes regular appearances on the specials board.

Breakfast ranges from eggs Benedict and bacon-and-egg burgers to French toast and fresh fruit plates with chia pudding.

The kitchen caters to vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free diners, while the drinks menu offers speciality coffees, tropical smoothies, fresh coconut water and a solid wine selection (including vegan options).

Opening hours: From 6:30 am to 9 pm Monday to Saturday and 9 am to 9 pm Sunday (breakfast, lunch and dinner during peak season July to October; lunch and dinner only during low season).
Location: Toula village, approximately 2.5 km (1.6 mi) south of Neiafu town centre, ‘Utu Vava’u, Vava’u. Take the road towards the coast just south of the Toula Latter-Day Saints Church. The restaurant is signposted approximately 250 m (270 yards) down this road.

11. Matafonua Lodge (Ha’apai)

Mainly catering to their resort clientele, the restaurant at Matafonua Lodge is also open to non-guests throughout the year for lunch.

The diverse international menu blends comfort food with Pacific Island flavours, featuring signature toasties with homemade potato crisps (ranging from simple cheese to the loaded Super Toastie), fresh fish preparations including tacos, battered fish sandwiches, ota ika and fish and chips.

Pizza enthusiasts will love the hand-tossed, stone-baked options available in regular and family sizes. Vegetarians have plenty of creative dishes to choose from – think spinach pie, quiche, curry noodle bowls and a feta quinoa garden burger – see Tonga for Vegans & Vegetarians + 10 Best Restaurants for more on the subject.

Evening dining features Indian curry with rice and naan, though booking is essential for dinner (usually at a set time).

Opening hours: From 12 midday to 8 pm Monday to Sunday.
Location: Northern end of Loto Foa Road, Foa Island.

12. Talei’s Restaurant (‘Eua)

If you’re looking to eat out on ‘Eua, your options are few and far between yet Talei’s Restaurant is here to serve all your comfort classics and get a true taste of Tonga.

The rustic restaurant in ‘Eua’s central cluster of villages has a small but interesting menu, from ika kelevi (fish in sauce) to fish/sausage/chicken and chips/manioke, and all for a very very affordable price. Enjoy it all in the pleasant undercover seating area or order to takeaway.

They also run a well-appointed guesthouse and whale swimming tours which you can learn more about on the Talei’s Guest House website.

More options for eating out on ‘Eua can be found in The Complete Travel Guide to ‘Eua.

Opening hours: From 9 am to 5 pm from Monday to Friday.
Location: Angaha village (the first road south of the Catholic Church), central ‘Eua.

13. MJ Seafood (Vava’u)

Other than experiencing an umu feast (see The Best Cultural Shows in Tonga), the dining scene in Vava’u doesn’t get more Tongan than the fabulous and locally run MJ Seafood.

As the name suggests, they only do seafood but they do it well, delighting diners with a range of traditional Tongan dishes featuring authentic local names like kelevi ika, mata’ika kelevi, kiate ika and feke.

For the ultimate experience, ask for their seafood tray mix, a sharing platter that showcases multiple traditional preparations in one generous serving. You’ll also find familiar favourites like fish and chips alongside more adventurous options.

Opening hours: From 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, 8 am to 2 pm Saturday, and closed Sundays.
Location: Halaevalu Wharf, Neiafu, ‘Utu Vava’u, Vava’u. Up the driveway behind the shipping containers.

14. Bellavista Cafe & Restaurant (Vava’u)

An eclectic array of meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as great views, can be found at the Bellavista Cafe & Restaurant in the Guttenbeil Plaza of Vava’u.

It’s your Italian flair in the South Pacific, serving up Italian-style pizzas and pasta alongside fresh seafood dishes featuring Vava’uan fish, the fish of the day remains the most popular choice. Breakfast covers everything from eggs and toast to pancakes, while lunch brings sandwiches on panini bread and classic burgers.

The kitchen takes orders right through until closing, and daily specials showcase upscale offerings like fresh sashimi, lamb shanks and steaks with homemade desserts to finish.

If you need to wet your whistle, Bellavista pours an impressive range of drinks including fresh juices and smoothies (the papaya and banana smoothie is a best-seller), espresso coffees, local and imported beers, wines and an extensive cocktail menu.

Opening hours: From 8 am to 9 pm Monday to Saturday.
Location: Guttenbeil Plaza, Fatafehi Road, Neiafu, ‘Utu Vava’u, Vava’u.

15. Waterfront Restaurant (Tongatapu)

Situated in a picturesque location on Nuku’alofa, Waterfront Restaurant is a must-visit dining destination emphasising fresh, locally sourced ingredients with seafood caught daily through trusted partnerships with export companies.

The menu showcases the best of Tongan waters, with mahimahi as the popular daily fish special alongside tuna prepared as sashimi, crudo, ‘ota ‘ika marinated fish and poke. Beyond seafood, you’ll find premium export steaks, lamb cutlets and various pasta dishes catering to all tastes.

Dietary requirements are well accommodated with extensive vegetarian options including tropical smoothie bowls, pesto mushrooms, loaded hummus, vegan burgers, chickpea curry, falafel health bowls and pesto pasta.

Opening hours: From 7 pm to 10 pm (kitchen closes at 10 pm, restaurant until 11 pm) Monday to Saturday. Sunday service operates exclusively for guests, with additional Sunday hours from 8 am to 2 pm for individuals without alternative dining options.
Location: Vuna Road, Ma’ufanga, Nuku’alofa.

16. Seaview Lodge & Restaurant (Tongatapu)

A little further along from Little Italy, Seaview Lodge & Restaurant offers an upmarket dining experience and cocktail deck overlooking Nuku’alofa‘s waterfront.

The menu spans from traditional Tongan dishes like ‘Ota ‘Ika and tuna poke to sophisticated European selections including New Zealand lamb rack and prime export steaks, with fresh catch of the day always on offer.

Try one of their award-winning pina coladas at happy hour from 4 pm to 6 pm daily, then settle into their nautical-themed dining room where the curated wine cellar features New Zealand, Australian and European selections.

The restaurant is also family-friendly with highchairs available, plus vegetarian and vegan options upon request. Cash and credit card are accepted.

Opening hours: From 11 am to 10 pm Wednesday to Friday and 7 am to 10 pm Saturday and Sunday.
Location: Vuna Road, Tolosia, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.

17. Moli Green Cafe (Tongatapu)

Pop in for a sit-down or use the drive-thru at Moli Green Cafe. The café close to Nuku’alofa city centre provides a healthier breakfast and lunch option, specialising in fresh fruit smoothies (try the tropical blends with pawpaw and orange, or opt for the green smoothie with spinach and cucumber), toasties and paninis made with homebaked wholemeal bread, and hearty cooked breakfasts.

Menu highlights include bacon lettuce tomato paninis, tuna sandwiches packed with veggies, omelettes served with toast, and their signature Banana Buzz coffee smoothie. If you can’t kick the caffeine then at least they have locally-roasted Kingdom Koffie beans.

Moli Green also has many of your café favourites among contemporary industrial-style interiors. Cash only.

Opening hours: From 7 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday and 7 am to 1 pm Saturday.
Location: Corner of Fatafehi Road and Laifone Road, Kolofo’ou, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.

18. Lunarossa Deli (Tongatapu)

Lunarossa Deli proves that a fine dining takeaway is a thing with their eatery in Nuku’alofa. What used to be a reputable restaurant is now exclusively open as a deli and takeaway with just four seats to dine in!

Most choose to take home/back to their accommodation, however, to indulge in Italian cuisine with seafood highlights.

The menu features steak selections (beef, pork and chicken) served with your choice of mushroom, garlic butter, pizzaiola or ginger creamy sauces, alongside seafood dishes of fish and prawns prepared with specialty sauces including Lunarossa lemon garlic, pizzaiola tomato capers, Calcutta ginger creamy and Mornay cheese creamy.

Whatever you choose for mains, a must-try as an appetiser is their super fresh and beautifully seasoned sashimi, which has been a long-standing menu highlight! If you’re lucky, you might even catch the occasional homemade lasagna prepared by the owner’s husband. Cash and credit card are accepted.

Opening hours: From 5 pm to 8:30 pm (last kitchen order) Monday to Friday.
Location: Salote Road (across the road from the Fa’onelua Convention Center), Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.

19. Humpback Lodge (Vava’u)

This one is a little out of town but that’s no excuse; Humpback Lodge provides complimentary shuttles/will organise a taxi from Neiafu to their restaurant poised over the inlet between Pangaimotu Island and ‘Utu Vava’u (the main island of Vava’u).

Open seven days a week from breakfast through to dinner, the menu changes weekly while keeping the crowd-pleasers you’ll love, think wood-fired pizzas, homemade pasta in classic Italian preparations like carbonara and bolognese, fresh local fish and premium steak cuts.

Yachties can reach them on 26 VHF, making it a popular spot for sailors.

Speaking of Tongan food, book on Saturday night for their “Tongan night” featuring local staples, live bands, traditional dance performances and kava ceremonies to the relaxing sounds of a string band. Oh, and bring something to wrap up in, as it can get pretty breezy up here.

Learn more about local food in the 10 Unique Foods in Tonga You Have to Try.

Opening hours: From 6 am to 10 pm from Monday to Sunday.
Location: Just across the causeway south of Toula village, Pangaimotu Island, approximately 2.8 km (1.7 mi) south of Neiafu, Vava’u.

20. Builder’s Burger (Tongatapu)

Sure, there are a lot of burgers in Nuku’alofa. But nowhere else builds a burger like Builder’s Burger. They handcraft their own patties (or swap to fish for the same price) and stack them for all walks of life visiting them at their secluded waterfront location right by Nuku’alofa’s ocean swimming pool.

Needless to say, the “Builder’s Burger” is their most popular with double patties, double cheese, pineapple, eggs, bacon onion, lettuce, pickle and BBQ and white sauce! Wash it all down with a fresh coconut or a smoothie and let the kids loose at the pool or playground.

Opening hours: From 7 am to 9 pm Monday to Friday and 7 am to 3 pm Saturday.
Location: Taufa’ahau Road (at Touliki Ocean Pool, approximately 200 m/220 yards east of Villa Ishadora), Touliki, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu.

21. Lucky Pot Restaurant (Ha’apai)

Located in Ha’apai‘s Market Building with attractive outdoor and indoor seating, Lucky Pot Restaurant offers another fantastic dining option on Pangai‘s waterfront.

They specialise in traditional Tongan dishes like pele pulu masima and lū pulu masima made with local spinach, alongside international favourites including Kentucky-style chicken, fish curry and lamb preparations.

Their chicken menu features stir fry, wings and various preparations served with or without chips, while fish lovers can enjoy everything from raw fish to classic fish and chips.

Don’t miss their popular Friday night pizza tradition, where you can grab a slice of Hawaiian, Meat Lover, Seafood or Margherita pizza alongside chicken and fish burgers!

For more like this, check out The Top Cheap Eats in Tonga.

Opening hours: From 8:30 am to 5 pm Monday to Saturday.
Location: Waterfront Road, Pangai, Lifuka Island, Ha’apai.

22. The Kraken (Vava’u)

Basking in the maritime theme like nothing else (especially as yachties get a small marina outside to ditch their dingies while landlubbers get the butt of the bar’s sailing boat centrepiece to hit their head on at the entrance), The Kraken is certainly an experience for its quirky design!

The blackboard menu showcases fresh seafood including coconut snapper with creamy lime butter and homemade lobster tortellini, alongside comfort classics like pork belly and chicken parmigiana.

Asian-inspired dishes such as butter chicken and chilli chicken are also available, while pizzas range from traditional meatlovers to unique chilli tuna varieties.

Dietary needs are well catered for with gluten-free pasta options, vegan ravioli and sesame toasted tofu.

Don’t miss their signature cocktails, The Kraken made with spiced rum and ginger beer, or the Kraken Pina Colada, while local Maka beer and premium spirits round out the well-stocked bar.

Opening hours: Seasonal establishment – from 3 pm to 9 pm Monday to Saturday and 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday.
Location: Signposted down some steps off Fatafehi Road (just across from Basque Tavern), Neiafu, ‘Utu Vava’u.

20 BEST Restaurants in Tonga ????‍???? [2025]

23. Siva’s Dream Cafe (Tongatapu)

If you have plenty of time on your hands and want to get out of Nuku’alofa, escape to Siva’s Dream Cafe.

Food is made with love at this locally run cafe in the village of Te’ekiu, which can take a little bit of time but is well worth the wait for the “Waimanalo Burger” marinated in honey soy sauce or the creamy chicken pasta.

Look out for one of their floor shows between November and December, as described in The 10 Best Cultural Shows in Tonga.

Opening hours: From 8 am to 8 pm Tuesday to Saturday.
Location: Signposted off Hihifo Road, Te’ekiu village, west side of Tongatapu.

More About Restaurants in Tonga

That’s it for our list of the best restaurants in Tonga. For more about dining in The Kingdom, take a look at the following guides:

Finally, plan your trip around dining experiences in the Tonga Food Itinerary: 14 Days, Tonga Food Itinerary: 7 Days and Tonga Food Itinerary: 5 Days.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Tonga and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tonga Tourism Authority (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
Tonga Ministry of Tourism (FAQs about visiting Tonga - Updated [2025])
SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Revenue & Customs (Customs and immigration contacts - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Agriculture & Food, Forests and Fisheries (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
Ministry of Infrastructure (Land and aviation transport info - Updated [2025])
Tonga Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
Tonga Statistics Department (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])
Travel.State.Gov (U.S. travel advisory for Tonga - Updated [2025])

Our editorial standards: At Tonga Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura (Lola) S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Tonga. She knows the islands inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Tonga’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

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