The Foodie Guide to Tonga

(c) tongapocketguide.com

Foodie Holiday in Tongatapu

Tonga’s most populated island, Tongatapu is a hub for culture, which incidentally means it’s a hub for foodie experiences too. From eating out in the island’s small metropolis, Nuku’alofa, to going to Tongan feasts and floor shows, there are many ways to experience the food of Tonga in Tongatapu.

Tongatapu is the arrival island of Tonga and therefore, the cheapest island to get to, which ideal for foodies on a budget. To extend your budget further, you may want to consider staying in one of the hotels or self-catering accommodation in Nuku’alofa, making use of the local produce markets for an authentic locals experience. Alternatively, there are resorts on the western shores of Tongatapu, as well as some of the outer islands offering their own foodie drawcards, such as Polynesian barbecue nights and traditional Tongan feasts accompanied with cultural performances.

Learn more about planning a foodie getaway to the main island in The Foodie Guide to Tongatapu, as well as in the capital in The Foodie Guide to Nuku’alofa.

(c) Tonga Ministry of Tourism

Foodie Holiday in Ha’apai

The central island group of Tonga, Ha’apai is made up of 62 islands. This is where you’ll find your postcard islands with white sandy shores and swaying coconut palms. Of course, drinking straight from the coconut is the obvious way to enjoy these islands in a food-related way, but taking part in a village tour at Ha’ano island comes with a Tongan lunch feast shared with the locals, which is a memorable experience, to say the least.

The main town of the group is Pangai, which is on the island of Lifuka. Here, you can browse the waterfront produce market and pick up a Tongan doughnut called a “Keki” from the local bakery. The Mariner’s Cafe is the only official restaurant on the island excluding the resort restaurants and is well worth heading down for barbecue night.

For more on having a foodie experience in Ha’apai, take a look at The Foodie Guide to Ha’apai.

(c) tongapocketguide.com

Foodie Holiday in Vava’u

Where the main islands flourish in tropical plantations, Vava’u is an interesting destination for foodies. Learn about tropical crops, from vanilla to noni fruit, at the ‘Ene’io Botanical Gardens or take a vanilla plantation tour to dive deeper into the world’s most labour-intensive crop.

If you’d rather be out on the water, then consider jumping on a fishing tour to catch your own dinner. Be sure to state your intentions to the skipper, however, so that they can help you target fish that you can eat. You’ll be able to prepare the fish at your accommodation’s barbecue or if you want to skip the whole fishing part, enjoy seafood at the resorts or Neiafu’s restaurants.

Sundays might be a day of rest in Tonga, but after church, your accommodation is likely to organise an umu, a traditional underground oven, used to slow-cook meat and root crops.

Learn more about a foodie getaway to Vava’u in The Foodie Guide to Vava’u.