9 Best Cafes & Takeaways on Aitutaki

Koru Café is a popular casual eatery open daily from 7 am to 2 pm, offering a delicious range of meals across breakfast, lunch and drinks. You'll love their hearty breakfast options like the "Ootu Eggs Benedict", "Big Koru Breakfast" and "Brioche French Toast", as well as lunch favourites such as the "Araura Fresh" salad, "Amuri Pulled Pork or Crispy Chicken Burger" and "Koru Poke Bowl".

There's also a great selection from the Koru Bakehouse display, including pies, sausage rolls, croissants and cakes. Don't miss their extensive drinks menu, featuring espresso coffees, smoothies, cocktails and alcoholic beverages (served from 11 am Monday to Saturday). Keep an eye on the specials board for daily offerings too.

Location: Ootu Beach.

Tucked away in a secluded inland garden near the village of Tautu, Avatea Café & Pearls Bar is a casual dining gem well worth seeking out. This charming spot is a café, bar and gift shop in one. The owner crafts her eclectic, travel-inspired menu based on countries she has personally visited, adapting dishes using locally available produce. Expect contemporary fusion food with a genuine island twist, perfect for brunch, lunch or dinner.

Don't miss their extensive drinks selection, including barista coffee using Cook Islands Coffee Company beans, refreshing real fruit smoothies and house-brewed craft beer from the on-site Aitutaki Brewing Company.

The café is open from 10 am Monday to Saturday, with dinner served from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The bar opens Thursday to Saturday, with happy hour from 5 pm to 7 pm.

See more recommendations for vegetarians in The Cook Islands for Vegans & Vegetarians + 10 Best Restaurants.

Location: Tautu. On the inland road near Gina's Garden Lodges.

One of the best (and only) cafes in Aitutaki's main town, Arutanga, Mouarii Cafe is a great place to go for a feed on generous portions that will keep you going all day.

Try local dishes like ika mata served with fried tropical vegetables or indulge in a hearty cooked breakfast. Some even argue that Mouarri Cafe brews some of the best coffee on the island.

Location: Arutanga. Up the inland road at the crossroads in the centre of town.

The first of our recommendations of takeaways with a great local vibe and pleasing food to match, Aquila Takeaway offers plenty of burgers, salads, curries and wraps for under NZ$15.

All of which use fresh salad ingredients and irresistibly naughty fried favourites. The takeaway is impossible to miss, set in front of a grocery store adorning pink and purple stripes.

Location: Amuri.

For a truly local experience, head to Aunty Odee'z Takeaway on Amuri Beach. This unassuming restaurant feels ultra-casual and ultra-local, but the food will take you by surprise with great taste and tempting presentation. The menu features a big burger selection, including a "Moana Prawn Burger" and "Bacon and Egg Burger".

For heartier appetites, try the whole snapper with rice and salad or the seafood plate. Kids have their own menu, while breakfast options include a "Big Breakfast" with all the trimmings. Wash it all down with a fresh coconut or milkshake. Open daily for lunch from 10 am to 1 pm and dinner from 6 pm to 9 pm, with slightly reduced hours on Saturdays.

Location: Amuri Beach, Aitutaki

A worthy takeaway or dine-in option in the town centre of Arutanga, MVA's Tunu2nu is one of the top cheap eats on Aitutaki. Dine on the garden picnic tables under the shade or inside the open-air cafe that serves the likes of burgers, fish and chips, fries and more hearty steak meals.

Although their choice of ingredients is not as good as other cafes and takeaways on Aitutaki, their convenient location, friendly service and cheap prices leave not much else to complain about.

Location: Arutanga town centre.

Easy to miss but you'll be glad to spot it on your drive through Amuri, Kai Tari Takeaway offers affordable meals on their blackboard menu. Burgers, fish and chicken meals make up the majority of their menu but more local delights like ika mata, fried fish and coconut cream and sashimi sometimes make an appearance.

They are open Sunday to Friday from 10am to 2pm then 6pm to 9pm. They are also one of the limited cafes/takeaways open for breakfast on Sunday morning.

Location: Ureia. On the inland side of the main road.

Just about your only option for takeaway food on the eastern side of the island, Neibaa's Store has a takeaway window at the entrance with picnic tables to dine under the verandah.

Choose from affordable hot dogs, burgers, fish and chips, hot pies, slushies and ice cream. Neibaa's is also one of the limited takeaways and stores open on a Sunday.

Location: Vaipae.

And for the weirdest breakfast you’ll ever likely have, head to the Mongolian Barbecue on a Sunday morning located next door to Naibaa’s Store north of Vaipae village (unless they have moved to the airport already).

Your takeaway container will be packed to the brim with a choice of three meals (yes, all in the same container) and rice – all for NZ$10. Get there early because they usually sell out by 10am!

Location: Vaipae, next door to Neibaa's Store.