14 Best Cafes on Rarotonga

Sip on tea in vintage teaware and browse the oddities of the "Vinyl Revival Club" at the quaint courtyard café of The Café. Set among the historic Beachcomber Building with the Bergman Gallery just behind, there's more than the smell of locally roasted coffee to entice you here.

Meet the friendly dog, Frieda, relax with a book from the book exchange, and chat with friends and loved ones over their signature "Smoked Marlin Bagel", a toasted bagel or homemade cake.

Owners Ian and Claire take pride in their homemade condiments, including chilli jam and pesto, and their specialty smoked marlin features across the menu in everything from bagels to salads. Fresh fruit smoothies are also a highlight.

The Café is open from 8:30 am to 2 pm, Monday to Friday, and 8:30 am to 12:30 pm on Saturday.

Location: Beachcomber Building, Main Road (Ara Tapu), eastern end of Avarua.

Get your contemporary cafe experience in the heart of Arorangi at the Beluga Cafe. This trendy spot not only does great coffee (and the best hot chocolate on the island) but has a creative menu of Pacific and international fusion cuisine. Their seafood plates and even their vegan platter are enough to make you go "wow", certainly elevating your lunchtimes.

Speaking of vegan food, check out more sustainable dining options in the Rarotonga & the Cook Islands for Vegans & Vegetarians + 10 Best Restaurants! Find the Beluga Cafe open from 2.30am to 2.30pm, Tuesday to Friday with reduced hours on Saturday.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Arorangi (between the Discover Marine Wildlife & Eco Centre and the Mormon Church).

Tucked inside a seven-acre organic garden in the heart of Rarotonga, Maire Nui Gardens Café is one of those rare spots where the setting is just as good as the food on the plate.

The café takes its cues from the gardens surrounding it, serving fresh, garden-inspired lunches made without sprays, chemicals or pesticides. Think "Tropical Salad" with chicken, banana, pawpaw and basil mayo, "Garden Tacos" with cajun seared tuna and guacamole, or the ever-popular "Garden Bowl of the Day" loaded with rice, quinoa and edamame.

But let's be honest: most people come for the "Famous Lemon Meringue Cheesecake", served with tropical fruits, vanilla ice cream and grated coconut. It has a reputation, and it earns it.

Guided garden tours are also available, taking you through lily ponds, bridges and local fruit trees on what is a genuinely lovely 100% organic property. For bookings and the full menu, visit the Maire Nui Gardens and Café website.

Lazy Trout Café is a laid-back garden café in Avarua that locals absolutely love. Open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 8 am to 2 pm, it serves all-day breakfast and lunch with a menu that leans into fresh island flavours paired with quality barista coffee, cocktails and mocktails.

The salads here are something else entirely. The coco salad with pork belly and the eggplant salad with fish are moist, flavourful and genuinely enormous; order them to share and you still might struggle. Think papaya in your salad, ika mata on the menu and pan-fried Pacific fish done just right.

Then there are the waffles. Made to order, photogenic and, frankly, massive, these signature desserts are worth the trip alone (we personally love the butterscotch). Again, share one if you can.

With indoor, outdoor and poolside dining options, it's the kind of place you settle into. Note that it's cashless only, and on your way out, don't forget to snap a photo with the famous trout and browse the branded merchandise.

Location: Main Road, Avarua, northern side of Rarotonga.

Soul Café is a vibrant all-day eatery in Rarotonga, known for its wholesome menu and relaxed atmosphere. Start your day with hearty breakfast favourites like avo toast, spinach omelette with rukau and feta, or the "Big Breakfast" complete with eggs, bacon, chorizo, baked beans and hash browns. For a lighter option, try the tropical papaya granola bowl or one of their filling tortilla wraps like the "Chicken Fix" or vegan-friendly "Plant Fix".

Lunch options include a range of salads, sharing boards, and veggie-friendly dishes. Wash it all down with their barista-made coffees, refreshing smoothies (we recommend the "Big Pawpaw"), or a fresh nu (coconut). From what we've experienced, their flexibility for vegetarians and lighter eaters is a real plus.

Open Monday to Saturday from 7 am to 2 pm for breakfast and lunch, and Thursday to Saturday from 6 pm to 9 pm for dinner. (You'll find more details about their evening menu in our guide to Rarotonga's best restaurants).

Location: Main Road, Avarua, northern side of Rarotonga.

A popular spot in Rarotonga, Lucky Rooster Eatery is open Monday to Friday from morning until early afternoon, and on Saturday mornings. They start takeaway coffee service bright and early, perfect for those early risers! With free WiFi and an accessible, casual setting, it's a great place to relax and enjoy a meal.

The menu caters to a wide range of dietary needs, including vegetarian, dairy-free and gluten-free options. Breakfast is served all day, featuring hearty dishes like "Coconut Pancakes", "Falafel Delight" and "Gone Fishing" (smoked local fish with poached eggs and homemade hollandaise). For lunch, try the "Poke Bowl", "Drunken Prawns" or "Chicken Shroom Spaghetti".

Beyond food, the drinks menu is impressive. Sip on a "Vitamin Sea Smoothie" made with fresh local seasonal fruit, or go for a fresh young drinking coconut (niu). There's also a solid wine list, classic cocktails like a "Frozen Daiquiri" or "Hugo", beers, juices and a full coffee menu with iced options. Lucky Rooster truly has something for everyone.

Check out more things to do while you're in town in the 10 Best Things to Do in Avarua.

Location: CITC Shopping Centre, Main Road (Ara Tapu), Avarua.

TLC Café is a charming daytime spot in Rarotonga, known for its creative coffee, home baking, and popular food truck-style offerings. You'll love their full suite of hot drinks with plant-based milk alternatives and flavoured syrups. Don't miss their iced drinks like "Tim Tam Slams", "Bounty" shakes, and fizzy iced teas with tropical flavours such as lychee, watermelon, and passionfruit.

We personally recommend trying their standout savoury offering - the Tumutoa range. It includes umu pies (chicken, pork, rukau, or maniota & kuru varieties), burgers, and bacon & egg rolls. For a refreshing treat, go for their signature "Coconut Toa Delite" from the Toa Delite drinks line.

TLC Café is open Tuesday to Friday from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm. You'll also find them at the Punanga Nui Market on Saturdays from 8:30 am, where their umu pies are a crowd-pleaser.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Arorangi, west coast of Rarotonga. (Just across the road from Manuia Beach Resort).

Charlie's is a vibrant beachfront eatery that captures the essence of Rarotonga's laid-back charm. Known for its casual atmosphere and live music, it's a hotspot for both locals and tourists. The extensive menu caters to all tastes, featuring oversized sandwiches, burgers, seafood, pizzas, and island-style platters.

Quench your thirst with their varied drinks menu, ranging from smoothies and milkshakes to plunger coffee and mocktails. For those seeking something stronger, there's a full bar offering bottled and tap beers, wines, and an impressive cocktail list.

The fun, family-friendly vibe extends from the indoor-outdoor seating to the darts area. Don't miss the chance for a photo op at the iconic coconut tree hanging across the beach. With its lagoon views and relaxed atmosphere, Charlie's is the perfect spot to while away an afternoon or evening in paradise.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Titikaveka, southern side of Rarotonga.

Kai & Co. offers a fresh and lively menu focusing on casual dining favourites. You'll love their signature "Apollo" chicken salad, pairing juicy schnitzel with a modern Greek salad. Don't miss their tempting cabinet treats, including banana bread, macaroons, and a range of cookies and desserts. We personally recommend trying their popular Biscoff Ice Latte or one of their tropical smoothies like "Master Mango" or "Berry Bebe".

For lunch, their famous "Boujee Burgers" are a must-try, with options like "The Klassic", "The Americano", and "Fillay-O-Fush". Kai & Co. is also a great choice for breakfast, which runs from 8 am to 11 am. They are open from 8 am to 2 pm, Tuesday to Friday, and until 1 pm on Saturday.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Avarua.

Bite Time Café is a colourful and casual spot on Punanganui Road, just before the Punanga Nui Market. This local favourite offers an all-day breakfast menu featuring classics like eggs on toast, a big breakfast plate, and pancakes with grilled banana and bacon.

For lunch, try their gourmet sandwiches, wraps, or the popular ika mata (fresh fish marinated in lime juice and coconut cream). Seafood lovers will enjoy the Fisherman's Platter, combining sashimi, ika mata, carpaccio, cold seafood salad and rice.

Don't miss their fresh cabinet treats and range of hot and cold beverages. Open all week except Sundays, it's a convenient spot for a quick but filling meal at ultra-affordable prices.

Location: Punanganui Road, Avarua, northern side of Rarotonga. Near the Punanga Nui Market.

A good pitstop while road tripping around Rarotonga, Love Café is a container café with an undercover deck on the east side of the island. A favourite with locals thanks to its convenient location, it's where to get your coffee-kart style beverages, with beans sourced from Papua New Guinea.

The menu covers all the classics: flat whites, lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, chai lattes, iced teas, smoothies and iced drinks. Flavoured shots in vanilla, hazelnut, caramel and salted caramel let you customise your order, and non-dairy milk options are available too. If you're feeling peckish, build-your-own toasties round out the menu nicely. Free WiFi is available on-site.

Love Café is open from 7 am to 2 pm, Monday to Saturday, and closed on Sundays.

Location: Ara Tapu (Main Road), Matavera, east side of Rarotonga.

Tiare's is a charming café and dinner spot among tropical gardens at the scenic Kauvai Homestead in the heart of Muri, and it's the kind of place you'll want to return to once you've figured out their opening hours.

Mornings and lunchtimes are all about great coffee (double shot as standard), premium Cook Island teas made with local moringa, milkshakes, smoothies and a relaxed garden atmosphere that makes it easy to linger longer than planned.

On Monday and Friday evenings, the kitchen opens for dinner with a menu that leans heavily into fresh seafood, from tuna carpaccio and oysters to the showstopping kai moana share platter, alongside pasta, pizza, grills and vegetarian options.

Friday nights also bring live music to the garden, and Coco Brush runs their popular "Ei-making" and "Sip & Paint" sessions here too. There's even a playground out the back for little ones.

And for those pesky opening hours, last time we checked, they were from 7:30 am to 12 pm, Monday and Friday; from 7:30 am to 1 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; dinner from 5 pm to 8 pm, Monday and Friday.

Café Puretu is a delightful local eatery nestled on Rarotonga's southern coast, overlooking the tranquil Tikioki Beach. Formerly known as Fruits of Rarotonga, this charming spot has been renamed in honour of the original owner's mother, Puretu.

Open from Monday to Thursday (9:30 am to 4:30 pm) and Sunday (12 pm to 5 pm), it's the perfect place for a relaxed mid-day meal. Whether you prefer to dine in or grab a takeaway to enjoy by the beach, Café Puretu has got you covered.

The menu features hearty home-style cooking with a Pacific twist. You'll love their delicious fish burgers, freshly made toasties, and classic fish and chips. It's the ideal spot to savour local flavours while soaking in the stunning beachside views.

From what we've experienced, it's a must-visit for anyone looking for a taste of authentic Rarotongan meals in a laid-back setting.

Location: Tikioki Beach, southern side of Rarotonga.

Kota'a Studio is part café, part art gallery and part creative hub, run by husband-and-wife duo Totaea and Grace. Although the café isn't the main focus, they make one hell of a good coffee.

Pull up a couch or on the garden deck, order a flat white and settle in; the coffee here is seriously good, and the laid-back vibe, curated playlist and shelf of reference books make it easy to linger far longer than you planned.

Beyond the coffee, the studio showcases original artwork and clothing, almost entirely made by Totaea and Grace themselves, with a strong contemporary Polynesian aesthetic.

Totaea's retro-style Pacific travel poster series is a standout, so popular that the Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort has been buying the pieces for their rooms.

Quality is clearly everything here; the screen printing is handled through their New Zealand workshop to ensure the standard stays high, and it shows.

Open from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday and Sunday (they're at the market on Saturdays).