14 Best Foodie Experiences on Rarotonga

Last Updated: 11 June, 2025

The Best Things to Do on Rarotonga for Foodies

For the traveller who prefers to experience a new place and a culture through its cuisine, Rarotonga certainly provides. Far from the typical “holiday hotspot” with unimaginative tourist food, Rarotonga incorporates authentic Cook Island flavours into its tours and activities. From elaborate dinners like gourmet platters on the beach to more hands-on experiences like preparing your own traditional “umu”, the food tours and activities here are vast and varied. See for yourself with this list of the best foodie experiences on Rarotonga.

While you’re here, don’t forget to open The Food Guide to Rarotonga: Places to Eat & Food Tours – it’s pretty darn handy for foodies.

1. Delight in a Degustation Garden Tour

Immerse yourself in a unique culinary experience with Arataki Organic Garden Tours. This intimate tour, led by Mirella and Katoa in their own backyard, offers a delightful journey through tropical flavours.

You’ll be greeted with a fresh local seasonal drink before embarking on a hands-on adventure with various fruits and vegetables. As you explore, you’ll gain insights into local traditions and medicinal plant uses. Try your hand at coconut husking and savour the marshmallow-like uto (young coconut).

Multiple tasting stations showcase garden-grown delights, culminating in a refreshing sample of sugar cane. The tour wraps up with light refreshments, including photo-worthy fruit platters and coconut drinks – so come with an appetite!

Ready to tantalise your taste buds? Book your spot on the Arataki Organic Garden Tours for a flavourful journey through Rarotonga’s organic bounty.

Location: Ara Metua (Back Road), Avarua, Rarotonga. Look for the sign on the road behind the airport runway.

10 Best Foodie Experiences in the Cook Islands 🥭 [2025]

2. Join the Locals for a Progressive Dinner Tour

A must-do for foodies on Rarotonga, the Progressive Dinner Tour breaks down the barrier between tourists and locals for an evening of authentic cuisine. Join Cook Islands Tours as they transport you across the island for a three-course dinner with each course in a different local home.

It’s your chance to experience the authentic flavours of Rarotonga and enjoy the generous hospitality of its locals.

Location: Transfers are included from anywhere on Rarotonga.

3. Watch a Cultural Show Complete with an “Umu” Buffet

The energetic dancing from the island’s warriors and princesses is only part of the experience of a cultural show, also known as an “island night.” The other part is devouring plate after plate of all kinds of traditional Cook Islands dishes from the buffet prepared in an umu, i.e. a Polynesian underground oven.

Rarotonga’s cultural shows can be found in various resorts, at the historical site of Highland Paradise or at the overwater venue of Te Vara Nui Village. Te Vara Nui accepts both cash and credit card payments at the table.

Bar tabs can also be arranged with management approval by leaving a credit card at the bar. That said, we found it easiest to bring enough cash for drinks. See the 8 Best Island Nights in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands to compare your options.

Location: See the link above for locations.

4. Prepare Your Own Umu with Tumutoa Tours

Experience the ultimate Cook Islands culinary adventure with Tumutoa Tours‘ most immersive offering: the “Umu Feast Stringband & Fireshow”. This 4 hrs 30 mins journey into traditional cooking methods takes place on Mondays and Thursdays from 3 pm to 7:30 pm.

You’ll learn to prepare an umu (earth oven) feast, weave your own food basket, and master the art of husking and grating coconuts to create luscious coconut cream for ikamata.

As your feast cooks, enjoy the melodic tunes of a string band. The evening culminates in a shared meal and a mesmerising fire show. It’s a hands-on experience that will leave you with newfound skills and unforgettable memories. (A minimum of 20 people is required, so book early!)

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Arorangi, western side of Rarotonga. Well signposted off the main road.

5. Experience the Punanga Nui Market

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Punanga Nui Market, a feast for all senses every Saturday from 7 am to 12 pm. Wander through colourful stalls offering an array of tropical fruits, refreshing smoothies, and mouthwatering street eats. You’ll find pareu (sarongs), island shirts, and stunning black pearls in abundance.

Don’t miss the food sheds on the market’s east side, home to local favourites like The Waffle Shack.

For more market experiences, check out the 5 Best Markets in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), west end of Avarua, Rarotonga.

6. Make Some “Fruitful” Discoveries on an Inland Walk with Ariimoana

In addition to fascinating eco-tours that take you exploring the reef, Ariimoana offers the opportunity to join a local family, the Kura, Jacapo, and their daughter Mahi, as they discover the inland wonders of their village, Vaimaanga.

Kura will take you on a guided hike inland, with a strong emphasis on finding tropical fruit and providing an authentic insight into island life. To top it all off, the hike leads to a rewarding viewpoint with breathtaking lagoon and island vistas.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Vaimaanga.

7. Have a Romantic Private Dinner on the Beach

A must for couples celebrating a special occasion or “just ’cause”, private dining experiences are a speciality of the resorts on Rarotonga. The adults-only Crown Beach Resort & Spa offers private dining under a gorgeous decorated gazebo on the beach.

You can also inquire about private dining options at On The Beach (OTB), Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach, The Rarotongan Resort & Lagoonarium, Pacific Resort Rarotonga, and more. Dining areas are typically decorated with torches and tropical flowers, and, of course, complete with fine dining cuisine. Check out more endearing activities in the 15 Most Romantic Things to Do on Rarotonga.

Location: Crown Beach Resort & Spa, On The Beach (OTB) at Manuia Beach Resort, Sanctuary Rarotonga on the Beach and The Rarotongan Resort & Lagoonarium – all on Main Road (Ara Tapu), Arorangi. Pacific Resort Rarotonga – Main Road (Ara Tapu), Muri.

8. Experience Cacao Culture at the Cook Islands Chocolate Factory

For a unique hands-on experience, head to the Cook Islands Chocolate Factory on Rarotonga’s southeast coast. This grassroots venture offers a genuine farm-to-bar chocolate journey, focusing on the process rather than polished presentations.

Choose from three tour options: an affordable tasting tour featuring 12 items, a tour that combines tastings with cacao tree education, or the comprehensive farm tour, which covers agriculture, business aspects, and includes tastings.

The casual and interactive tours emphasise the entire chocolate-making process, from growing cacao trees to crafting dark chocolate. It’s a true paddock-to-plate experience with no packaged products involved. Children join for free, and most seniors can participate at no cost or make a donation if they wish.

Tours run Monday to Saturday during business hours, weather permitting (they’re cancelled on rainy days). Book your spot at the market or via their Facebook page for a delicious insight into Rarotonga’s cacao culture.

Location: Vaii Drive, Muri, southeast coast of Rarotonga.

9. Indulge in a Gourmet Island Platter… Anywhere on the Island!

Segwaying from “dining on the beach”, an alternative way to dine on the beach – or dine pretty much anywhere, for that matter – is with Island Platters. Get a gourmet platter delivered to you, whether you want an extra special breakfast on your villa’s deck or a romantic picnic on the beach.

Island Platters can curate a stunningly presented and tasty platter right in front of you using fresh local ingredients. For more “treat yourself” endeavours, check out the 10 Best Luxury Experiences on Rarotonga.

Location: Anywhere – platters are delivered to you.

10. Take a Ride (and a Bite) with Storytellers Eco Cycle Tours

Discover Rarotonga’s hidden gems and tantalise your taste buds with Storytellers Eco Cycle Tours. This unique sightseeing experience combines cycling, history, and local flavours.

Choose between the “Discover” tour, designed for beginners, and the “Explore” tour, suitable for more experienced cyclists. As you pedal past quaint villages and along the ancient Ara Metua coral road, your guide will share fascinating historical insights. The real treat, however, is the opportunity to sample delicious local fruits found along the way.

Whether you’re a history buff, foodie, or culture enthusiast, Storytellers caters to all interests. Don’t forget to mention your preference for food tasting during the pre-tour briefing – you’ll be in for a treat! The adventure concludes with a mouthwatering local lunch, the perfect reward after an exhilarating ride.

Location: Tours depart from various locations, eastern side of Rarotonga. Transfers are included.

11. Do a Tasting or a Tour at Rarotonga Brewery

Brewed right here on Rarotonga, Cook Islands Lager is the signature brew of the Rarotonga Brewery. Just across the road from the Edgewater Resort, the brewery is open Monday through Saturday for free beer tastings and Monday through Friday for brewery tours.

Enjoy a casual affair with a local brewer, who will show you how they craft their signature brews, as well as the ones they’re currently working on.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Arorangi – across the road from Edgewater Resort.

12. Have the Ultimate Street Food Experience at the Muri Night Market

The Muri Night Market is a vibrant culinary hotspot in Muri Beach Village, open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings from 5 pm. It’s where food trucks gather to offer a whirlwind of tastes, ensuring you’re sorted for dinner and dessert.

Mingle with locals and fellow travellers at this buzzing event, savouring the island’s diverse flavours. Remember, stalls are cash only, so come prepared. For more market experiences, check out the 5 Best Markets in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), Muri Beach Village, eastern side of Rarotonga.

13. Join an Umu Cooking Class with Umu Experience

Another amazing option for cooking your own traditional Cook Islands food is the Umu Experience, which offers morning umu cooking classes from Monday to Saturday at their cultural centre.

The crew also put on a stellar umu experience and dinner show on Monday and Thursday nights, complete with island-style performances and a platter of “umu kai” for your table!

Location: Main Road (Ara Tapu), between Tapae and Tupapa.

14. Treat the Tastebuds at Rarotonga’s Cafes, Food Trucks and Restaurants

We’ll conclude this list of the top foodie experiences on Rarotonga with, indeed, the most obvious experience, but an experience nonetheless! You can’t call yourself a foodie and not sample the surprisingly vibrant dining scene that Rarotonga has to offer.

Whatever your vibe and budget, Raro has cafes, food trucks, and fine dining restaurants to suit.

The list is too extensive to go through here, but you can check out recommendations in The Food Guide to Rarotonga: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

Location: See the links above for locations.

More Foodie Experiences on Rarotonga

That’s it for our official list of the best foodie experiences on Rarotonga, but you will find more foodie highlights among the following guides:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Food Guide to the Cook Islands: Places to Eat, Food Tours & Best Resorts for Food.

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])
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])

At Cook Islands Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About the Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Cook Islands Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, a local government body representing the tourism industry. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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