🍔 Rarotonga - Budget Food Guide 🍍

🥪 Cafe Ariki

📍 Location: Avarua town.

🍛 Why Go: Popular with locals for generous portions at affordable prices. A great place for a hearty dinner without spending big. This is our go-to restaurant!

🍔 Palace Burgers

📍 Location: Avarua waterfront.

🍟 Why Go: Legendary cheap burgers in Raro! Even better, every Wednesday they have $3.50 all day burgers (and often Fridays too). We can't count how many burgers we've had from here!

🚚 The Food Caravans

📍 Location: Scattered mostly around Avarua.

🍽️ Why Go: These little roadside food trucks serve up mostly yummy fresh (fish) burgers, fries etc and you can find other types of food also in caravans.

🌮 Muri Night Markets

📍 Location: Muri Beach.

🥘 Why Go: A must-do for budget travelers. You’ll find everything from island-style curries to fresh seafood, desserts, and smoothies—all reasonably priced and full of flavor

🍉 Punanga Nui Market

📍 Location: Avarua, Saturday mornings.

🥥 Why Go: Beyond crafts and souvenirs, you’ll find stalls selling affordable local food like coconut donuts, poke bowls, tropical fruit smoothies, and more.

🍗 Annie’s Fried Chicken

📍 Location: In town near Avatiu.

🍗 Why Go: A no-frills small locals shop, tucked away on a side road. Very popular with the locals. Their chicken is fresh & cheap! and their Vietnamese dishes are the best!! We went almost everyday once we discovered it.

🍕 Trader Jack’s

📍 Location: Avarua Harbour.

🍕 Why Go: Great value for generous pizzas. Ideal for sharing with friends—big portions for a budget-friendly price and all with a beautiful view.

🐟 The Pacific Fish & Chip Shop

• 📍 Location: Arorangi, Rarotonga.

• 🍽️ Why Go: The locals fish & chip shop - so you know it's good! The menu has all your normal go-to's and offers unique island-style sides such as taro and cassava fries, and indulgent treats like deep-fried Moro bars and our favourite banana donut. yum!

🥖 Affordable Bakeries We personally like

🥐 Rima’s Bakery Cafe: Great value pies, sandwiches and cheap meals.

🍞 Bread and Butter Bakery Shop: A reliable local spot for fresh bread, pastries, and local pies

🥖 Rarotonga Bakery: Affordable, simple baked goods that hit the spot when you need an easy snack or picnic supplies.

🛒 Grocery Shopping Tips

🥑 Support Local Where You Can: You can bring food from New Zealand (following biosecurity rules), but buying locally supports the island and gives you a real taste of the tropics.

🧀 Dairy is Expensive: Cheese, milk, yogurt, and other dairy products are imported and cost noticeably more—budget a little extra if you need them.

🍭 Sugar Tax: Sugary snacks and drinks are taxed, so processed treats are pricier than you might expect.

🛍️ Smart Shopping: Main supermarkets like CITC, Prime Foods, and Wigmore’s are well stocked, but roadside produce stalls and Punanga Nui Market often have cheaper and fresher fruits and veggies.