The Best Things to Do on Atiu for Foodies
Spoiler alert: Most of the things to do on Atiu are ideal for foodies, well, at least all of the cultural tours anyway! With two coffee roasters and plantations on the island, as well as traditions surrounding food and potent beverages, Atiu certainly provides a gastronomical journey. Discover the best food tours and activities, right here, in the best foodie experiences on Atiu.
Need more help planning your trip to this isolated island? Check out The Complete Travel Guide to Atiu, as well as all of your dining options in The Food Guide to Atiu: Places to Eat & Food Tours.
Table of Contents
1. Enjoy a Sunrise Breakfast or Sunset Dinner by the Beach
Experience the magic of Atiu’s coastline with a Sunrise Breakfast and Sunset Dinner. Start your day with a breathtaking sunrise at one of the island’s prime coastal spots. You’ll be treated to a beautifully set table adorned with fresh fruit, fluffy pancakes, and Atiu’s renowned coffee – the perfect way to greet the day! The tour is provided by two Atiuans: Vito and Lucy.
For a memorable evening, join Vito for a “Sunset Dinner” by the beach, where you’ll savour local delicacies, including food cooked in the traditional umu.
Both experiences offer a unique way to connect with Atiu’s natural beauty and culinary traditions. These intimate tours require a minimum of two people, ensuring a personalised experience. Accommodation transfers are included, allowing you to relax and take in the stunning views.
Location: Best beaches for sunrise and sunset, locations vary, Atiu. To book your Sunrise Breakfast experience, visit Sunrise Breakfast with Vito.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com2. Living Like an Atiuan Culture Tour
Step into the vibrant rhythms of island life with the Living Like an Atiuan Culture Tour, a hands-on cultural experience that offers a warm and personal glimpse into the traditions that shape everyday life in this peaceful corner of the Cook Islands.
Led by young local entrepreneurs, this intimate afternoon adventure combines fishing, food, and storytelling, providing an authentic off-the-beaten-path immersion.
Try your hand at local-style reef fishing on a remote beach, then cook your catch using traditional Atiuan methods.
Learn the art of plate weaving using coconut leaves, and savour fresh local refreshments as you share stories and insights about island customs with your friendly hosts.
Location: Tours depart from your Atiu accommodation, often visiting Taunganui Harbour, weather permitting.
© Sunrise Breakfast with Vito3. Take a Coffee Tour with Mata Arai
Discover a unique coffee experience on this tiny South Pacific island with Atiu Island Coffee. Join Mata Arai for a hands-on tour that showcases traditional Atiuan coffee-making methods. You’ll explore the entire process, from cultivating coffee trees to roasting and preparing the beans.
The highlight? Witnessing Mata’s traditional technique of roasting and pasting coffee in coconut cream – a method passed down from her grandmother.
This reasonably priced tour concludes with a delightful tasting of freshly roasted coffee served with coconut cream and pikelets. It’s a perfect blend of culture, tradition, and flavour that coffee enthusiasts won’t want to miss!
Please note that the coffee-picking season typically runs from February to May, so tour availability may be limited during this time. You can arrange a tour through your host or contact Mata directly by phone.
Location: Mapumai, north of the Air Rarotonga office and Centre Store and south of Akai Bakery.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com4. Join a Tumunu Bush Beer Session
Tumunu is a key cultural experience on Atiu, considered essential for understanding the island. This 200-year-old tradition originated when English whalers taught Atiuan warriors to brew ale from oranges as a substitute for kava. After years of opposition from the Church, Police, and local women, tumunu was finally legalized in 1987.
You’ll find yourself in a shabby beer hut on the outskirts of Atiu’s villages, sitting on a tree stump and passing around home-brewed orange or banana “bush beer”. Some sessions even feature music played by a local string band. Be warned, it’s strong stuff!
Session times vary unpredictably, so check with your hosts. Generally, they occur from 6 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Visitors are expected to contribute around NZ$10 towards the next brew, which also allows them to return. Escorted tours typically cost NZ$20-$25 per person. Guided tours are available through Atiu Villas, Anatakitaki Cave Tours, and Kia Orana Bungalows.
There are three main tumunus on the island: Vaimaata, Rising Sun, and Tukumu/Tu Kura. Some popular ones are Tepooni Tumunu, Aretou Tumunu and Vanilla Tumunu.
Find out more in The Food Guide to Atiu: Places to Eat & Food Tours.
Location: All over Atiu!
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com5. Fish for Dinner
Nothing beats the rewarding experience of gathering your own dinner. On Atiu, that usually means fishing on the reef! Ask at your accommodation for reef fishing tours with Andrew Matapakia.
He’ll take you out during the day to catch a variety of reef fish. Even octopus or crayfish could be on the cards. Alternatively, night fishing allows the exciting opportunity to catch flying fish!
Location: Ask your accommodation or the Atiu Visitor Centre (Main road, Teenui) to arrange an experience.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com6. Join a Local Hunting Tour
Experience the thrill of traditional hunting with Punarea Culture Tours on Atiu. Available on Saturday mornings, this rugged three-hour adventure takes you deep into the island’s lush rainforest.
You’ll learn about traditional pig hunting methods and might even get hands-on with traps, dogs, and knives (weather and resources permitting). Don’t forget your sturdy tramping shoes!
After the hunt, savour the fruits of your labour (successful or not) with an umu feast – a slow-cooked underground oven experience that’s quintessentially Polynesian. This hands-on cultural immersion is best suited for adults looking for an authentic Cook Islands experience.
Location: Transfers are included.
© Daniel Fisher - Cook Islands Tourism7. See a Tuki Poi Demonstration and Indulge in an Umu Feast
Punarea Cultural Tours on Atiu offers an authentic glimpse into island life with their signature “Culture Tour”. Led by Joshua and Daisy, this fascinating experience operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, starting at 3:30 pm and lasting up to three hours.
You’ll discover traditional practices passed down through generations, including the preparation of tuki poi and the art of umu cooking. It’s not your typical coconut demonstration; instead, you’ll get hands-on experience helping to plate up the slowly cooked local meats and vegetables from the umu. This cultural immersion is a must-do for anyone visiting Atiu!
Location: Transfers are included.
© Daniel Fisher - Cook Islands Tourism8. Dine at Atiu’s Only Restaurant
Kura’s Kitchen, located at Atiu Villas, is the only dine-in restaurant on Atiu. Open nightly at 7 pm (except Sundays), it welcomes both villa guests and visitors. The two-course meals are served family-style at long tables, creating a warm, communal atmosphere.
Booking before 1 pm is essential, and early birds might even influence the menu! For a unique experience, join a Stringband Night (minimum 10 people) or arrange a private show. The licensed bar opens 30 minutes before dinner, perfect for pre-dinner drinks.
Learn more about the Cook Islands’ cultural shows in the 10 Best Island Nights in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
Location: Atiu Villas, on the road between the villages and Matai Landing. Atiu Villas can usually arrange transfers to their restaurant.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.com9. Enjoy a meal at Areora Café
Areora Café is a charming local spot just a stone’s throw from Atiu Villas. This casual eatery serves up tasty meals from 8 am to 2 pm daily, with dinner available Monday to Saturday (but remember to book before midday!).
For breakfast, tuck into eggs on toast or a veggie omelette. Lunchtime brings tempting toasties, such as ham or the tropical “Hawaiian” with cheese and pineapple. Pizza lovers can indulge in BBQ chicken or vegetarian options.
Dinner is where Areora Café really shines. Pre-order delights like steak with mushroom sauce, pan-fried fish with Atiu taro, or butter chicken. Finish off with homey desserts such as fruit salad and ice cream or steamed pudding with custard.
With its relaxed vibe and proximity to accommodation, Areora Café is perfect for travellers seeking an easy local meal. Just remember to book ahead for dinner – supplies can be limited on this charming island!
Location: 500 m (547 yards) from Atiu Villas, across the road from Kia Orana Bungalows, Areora, Atiu.
© CookIslandsPocketGuide.comMore Foodie Experiences on Atiu
That’s it for the best foodie experiences on Atiu, but if you want more, note that some eco-tours on the island also include food, while there are some stellar spots to take a picnic. Find out more in the following guides:
Finally, if there’s any part of the Cook Islands excursion that you haven’t planned, you’re likely to find all the advice you need in The Best Cook Islands Travel Guide and 30 Tips for Travelling in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across the Cook Islands and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Cook Islands Tourism Corporation (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Atiu Tourism Industry Council (Regional tourism website)
- Cook Islands Tourism Industry Council (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- SPTO (Pacific tourism advice - Updated [2025])
- Cook Islands Meteorological Service (Weather forecast and warnings - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (Border restrictions advice - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Agriculture (Biosecurity advice - Updated [2025])
- Cook Islands Statistics Office (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2025])
- Ministry of Transport (Transport operators and licenses - Updated [2025])
- Safe Travel (New Zealand travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
- Smart Traveller (Australia travel advisory for the Cook Islands - Updated [2025])
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