5 Best Restaurants in Samoa

Sitting pretty on a jetty that stretches out into the lagoon, this restaurant at Sinalei Reef Resort, on the island's south coast, is one of the most romantic places to dine in Samoa. The restaurant describes its cuisine as "modern Samoan" and features the freshest catch of the day and produce from local farms. Naturally, seafood is a must—consider the pan-fried coconut snapper served with fresh organic salad and the seared tuna on laupele pasta, the latter made from local spinach and served with a plum, tomato, and coconut cream sauce. American guests might like to finish off with a Polynesian version of pumpkin pie—the local pumpkin-and- pine nut tart madeleine, or the papaya-coconut cheesecake.

Located near the Apia market, Bistro Tatau is Samoa's finest special-occasion restaurant. A popular lunch spot turns into an elegant evening venue, with white-linen napery gracing the tables. While the prices are higher than many local eateries, they are less than what you'd pay at a comparable restaurant in the United States or Australia. Dishes have a Pacific fusion twist and might include delicious salt-and-pepper squid, or to-die-for-sashimi with high-grade yellowfin tuna; the cheese soufflé also gets rave reviews. For a tasty lunchtime treat, try the coconut toast with grilled banana and honeycomb butter.

Set in a luxuriant garden within the Orator Hotel, Le Taupou Restaurant is a soothing and delicious dining experience. Modern Pacific Rim–inspirited cuisine is presented artfully and accompanied by white napery, and the emphasis is on local seafood and fresh produce. Lighter eaters appreciate the simpler tapas menu, of smaller plates, available in the evening. And the friendly, enthusiastic service makes for a relaxing meal.

It's not hard to understand why Paddles at the Marina is one of Apia's most popular haunts. The views across the lagoon are wonderful, and soaking up the sunset with a cold Vailima (local beer) is the perfect start to an evening meal. Regulars rave about the oka (marinated raw fish), which is best accompanied by the Samoa twist on French fries, either taro chips or breadfruit chips. Owned by the Rossi family, who turn on a warm and friendly Italian welcome, the restaurant also has fine-tuned traditional Italian dishes prepared with fresh local produce, including delicious fish lasagna. Here you can also sip the best espresso on the island.

If all that sun and surf has you hankering for a delicious Italian meal, this is the place to go. Owners Joe and Amanda Lam ran a restaurant by the same name in Auckland before moving to Samoa in 2009 and opening this popular lunch and dinner spot just out of Apia on the Cross Island Road. Start with a classic bruschetta or seafood antipasto for two, before savoring the delicious lobster ravioli. Another favorite is pollo di pesto (oven-roasted chicken breast with a basil and pine-nut crust, served inside spinach and pumpkin cannelloni).