Fiji Dining
When dining in Fiji, food reflects the dominant cultural groups in the Fiji Islands - traditional Fiji food and Fiji Indian restaurants.
Traditional Fiji food has generally simple flavours coming from the natural ingredients of fish and other seafood, vegetables such as taro, breadfruit, cassava and yams, meats such as chicken and pork and fruits such as bananas. Coconut plays an important part with most Fiji meals.
Fijian feasts or Magiti are regularly held in celebration of major events, with meals often cooked in the traditional lovus - or earth ovens. Meats and vegetables are wrapped in cloth or leaves, placed on hot rocks and covered in earth to bake outside in the hot Fiji weather. This results in succulent meals with a slightly smoky taste. Magiti are popular resort dining experiences.
If you are looking to sample traditional Fiji food, try the stalls near the markets at Suva, Nadi and Lautoka or visit one of the many Fiji villages.
Kava (yaqona) is the national drink in Fiji with ritualised ceremonies taking place in villages and resorts across the Fiji map. Families and villages regularly sit around a large wooden Kava bowl, drinking Kava from a half coconut shell. It is tradition to drink the cup in one go and not sip. Kava comes from the root of a plant from the pepper family and while not a narcotic it slightly tingles and numbs the mouth and tongue.
If looking for restaurants in Fiji, the most common are Indian, Chinese and seafood restaurants. Indian restaurants and stalls provide the most economical meals which cater for vegetarians as well as providing seafood, chicken and beef curries.
