3 Best Restaurants in Suva, Viti Levu

You get far more than you pay for at this Suva institution hidden behind shrubbery, one block east of the main drag. The menu is on a blackboard and the food is served cafeteria-style but don't be deterred: It's prepared fresh and tastes accordingly. Traditional Indian fare sits alongside local fish and vegetable dishes, all classically prepared. The staff will mix-and-match to your preference before you retreat to a booth or table and savor the city's finest. Authentic sweet dishes and cakes are served in the second room down the porch. It's a shame they're not open for dinner.

Of the many branches of this Suva staple, this one's upstairs seating—open 11–3—is the most relaxing place to enjoy one of the chain's 17 kinds of vegetarian curries. The corner real estate offers a fantastic view of the impressive Sacred Heart Cathedral from comfortable, cushioned wicker chairs. The air-conditioning doesn't hurt, but there are also plenty of cream and milk shake flavors to cool you down. Curries are served cafeteria-style by friendly, hair-netted staff, and there's a large array of toffees downstairs as well as all-day, un-air-conditioned seating.

Just across the street from the harbor, Sea salt Restaurant is the best place for steak in Suva. Fan-folded napkins (even if they are paper) and a few ol' boys' club–style booths set the tone for succulent cuts, a traditional English-style roast, and a renowned burger. The Chef's Nightmare (the steak of the day) is also popular as is the aptly named Death by Chocolate, the smaller size of which will satiate two. The service is professional—the way expats like it—and the restaurant's setting conveys a luxurious sense of space.