3 Best Restaurants in Samoa

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.