Tonga Foodie Itinerary: 5 Days

(c) tongapocketguide.com

Day 1 – Tongatapu to Vava’u

Travel time: 5-minute taxi, 1-hour flight, 15-50-minutes airport transfer

Unless you’re travelling into Tonga from Samoa or Fiji, chances are that you’re arriving in Tonga through Fua’amotu International Airport in Tongatapu. You’ll explore more of Tongatapu later. After arrival, get a taxi to the domestic terminal where you’ll jump on a scenic flight to Vava’u!

Vava’u is Tonga’s second northernmost island group and is a huge producer of tropical crops, from vanilla to kava, making an interesting first stop for foodies. Before we get into the food-related experiences, you’re going to need to get a transfer to your accommodation on ‘Utu Vava’u (the main island) or one of the causeway-connected islands, so that you have easy access to the foodie activities.

Once settled, treat yourself at one of the restaurants listed in the Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants in Vava’u!

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Day 2 – Neiafu and Vava’u

Neiafu and the mainland of Vava’u makes a great base for doing some of the island group’s top food-related activities. We’re talking about the ‘Ene’io Botanical Gardens, which is not just a botanist’s dream but provides all sorts of interesting insights into the food grown on the islands. They even sell their own natural health foods. Alternatively, join one of the guided land tours around Vava’u to learn more about the crops grown on the islands. Or if it’s a Sunday, you could check out one of the amazing Tongan feasts made with an “umu” and a spitroast pig.

Don’t forget to check out the Neiafu Market where you’ll be able to pick up some fresh tropical produce to prepare in your self-catering accommodation.

Foodie Activities in Vava’u

• Check out the Neiafu Market (‘Utakalongalu Market)
• Learn about tropical plants, browse natural health products and indulge in a Tongan buffet at the ‘Ene’io Botanical Gardens
• Do an informal tour of a vanilla plantation
• Catch your own dinner on a fishing charter
• Experience a Sunday Tongan umu feast
• Indulge at one of the many restaurants across Neiafu and Vava’u
• Learn about kava and taro on a guided island land tour

Get more details on each experience in our 7 Things to Do in Vava’u for Foodies.

(c) tongapocketguide.com

Day 3 – Vava’u to Nuku’alofa

Travel time: 15-50minutes airport transfer, 1-hour flight, 30-minutes airport transfer

It’s time to head back to Tonga’s main island, Tongatapu, where you’ll find the most diverse range of foodie experience in the Kingdom!

Arrange with your Vava’u accommodation to give you an airport transfer to Lupepauʻu Airport or get a taxi. Once you arrive at the airport in Tongatapu, you can either get a taxi or get an accommodation transfer that you have arranged with your chosen guest house/hotel. We recommend that you stay in the capital, Nuku’alofa so that you’re near most of the foodie experiences and restaurants on the island.

For your first evening, you can start scouting out the best eats in the city, where we list our recommendations in the Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants in Nuku’alofa. Otherwise, pick up some produce from one of the roadside stalls or the Talamahu Market to spruce something up in your self-catering accommodation – Tongan style!

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Day 4 – Nuku’alofa

Nuku’alofa allows you to discover more of the tastes of Tonga! For instance, head to the Tupu’Anga Cafe where you’ll be able to tour a coffee roastery and watch how they make a favourite Tongan snack, “Manioke Chips”. You can also indulge in Tongan treats, from pawpaw scones to lu (taro leaf and corned beef) pies at the cafe. Plus, spend some time in the city centre, browsing the impressive array of produce at the Talamahu Market or seeing the briny array of goods at the Tu’imatamoana Fish Market. You could even go catch dinner yourself on one of the fishing charters. Be sure to say that you want to catch and eat the fish, as some fish that are targeted are “catch and release” only.

Foodie Activities in Tongatapu

• Take a tour of a coffee roaster at Tupu’Anga Cafe
• Browse the bustling hub of the city, Talamahu Market
• Learn how to prepare a traditional umu at Ancient Tonga (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor)
• Taste kava at an organised kava circle at your guesthouse
• Drink and be merry at one of Nuku’alofa’s  bars
• Browse the Tu’imatamoana Fish Market at Faua Wharf
• Try Tongan and international foods at the city’s restaurants
• Experience a Tongan buffet and a cultural show

Get more details on each experience in our 8 Things to Do in Nuku’alofa for Foodies.

(c) tongapocketguide.com

Day 5 – Nuku’alofa to Fua’amotu International Airport

Travel time: 30-minutes airport transfer

Damn, it’s time to leave already?! If your flight out of Tonga is in the evening, you’ll definitely have time to complete the list of the 8 Things to Do in Nuku’alofa for Foodies. Otherwise, head down to one of the city cafes, such as the Friends Cafe, Cafe Escape or Coffee Post, for breakfast. That way, you’ll be full enough to not be tempted by the disappointing airline and airport food! Then get a taxi to Fua’amotu International Airport for your flight to your next destination!