Antipodes

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#2 of 18 Restaurants in AvaruaSeafood, International, $$$$

What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Antipodes

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About

Travellers' Choice

2024

Perched above the Pacific ocean in Blackrock, Rarotonga rests Antipodes. A beautiful quintessential Mediterranean style villa- which has opened its doors to the public for a la carte dining -accommodation-weddings and events. Enjoy dinner and watch the sunset, the whales or the boats cruise by, over the beautiful blue waters of Rarotonga

Features

CUISINES

Seafood, International, Mediterranean, European, Contemporary, Healthy

Meal types

Dinner, Drinks

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

Free off-street parking

Full Bar

Outdoor Seating

Parking Available

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Table Service

Waterfront

Location

Pokoinu Tapere, Nikao, Avarua Cook Islands

Free off-street parking, Parking Available

Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?

Yes

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Hours

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Closed now

• Opens at 5:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Wednesday

5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Thursday

5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Friday

5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Saturday

5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

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4.5

375 reviews

Excellent

295

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Yes

Devon P

2 contributions

Delicious food, sunset and whale views!

Aug 2023 • couples

Food was delicious, location was STUNNING, and watching the sunset with whales breaching was the most incredible experience. It is a bit more on the expensive side with main dishes being roughly $35-$45 each on average, some cost more and some less! But definitely worth the splurge. Just keep in mind that sparkling water costs $18! Was a bit disappointed I didn’t know it would cost that much extra. Would definitely eat here again.

Written 30 August 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kalijax

Auckland89 contributions

Make Antipodes ä priority

Feb 2025 • family

Best restaurant in Rarotonga and one of the best restaurants in which ï have eaten. Food and flavour 10/10. Service 10/10. Atmosphere 10/10. Menu selections 10/10. Care put into each dish 10/10. Do not pass up an opportunity to eat at Antipodes.

Written 26 February 2025

AuntieM

New Zealand13 contributions

Delicious Paradise

Oct 2024 • couples

Antipodes is such a special place. You are welcomed like VIPs and doted on by friendly and attentive staff. The sweeping views over the pacific are absolutely picture-worthy, especially at sunset. Cocktails are generous and creative. And the food! It’s the best on the island, hands down. We usually opt for one of their share platters for two and have never, ever been disappointed. Beautiful, fresh ingredients prepared by two truly talented chefs. For dessert, the Spanish custard with plum sorbet is gorgeous!

Written 23 October 2024

Nicholaprps

Auckland38 contributions

Would give zero stars if we could

Feb 2025 • couples

What started out as a beautiful impromptu night out soon descended into a disappointing case of non existent customer care. Antipodes is arguably the priciest of restaurants on offer in Rarotonga - but don’t be fooled by the high price tag. We enjoyed much better meals at the informal ‘beach shack’ style eateries - at a third of the price. Our evening at Antipodes was utterly ruined by an owner who seemed to think customer service was an optional extra. Her dismissive attitude, lack of basic empathy, and inability to address our concerns about the (average at best) food made it clear that she was more interested in collecting our money than providing a decent dining experience. We excitedly ordered the Antipodes Grand Seafood Platter ($195), expecting a fresh and delicious meal but were unfortunately left disappointed. Upon finding a dead fly in one of our oysters, we kindly informed the wait staff. This concern was met with empathy and concern on the servers behalf. Fast forward a few minutes to Jocelyn (the owner) barreling towards our table to confront us about ‘wanting a free oyster’. My initial response was to laugh at this ridiculousness, although I soon realised that she was being serious. What followed was the most unbelievable display of lack of customer service that we’ve ever experienced. We were basically lambasted for expecting a half decent meal on an island and rudely dismissed for just wanting a freebie. At no point did we request, nor expect another mediocre fly garnished oyster - proven by the fact that we left paying our bill ($277 for a couple of drinks and a platter) in full and not finishing the sub-par fare served up to us. Avoid this place at all cost unless you enjoy bland food and being treated like an inconvenience.

Written 23 February 2025

AA M

1 contribution

Terrible Service Overpriced Average Food

Jun 2024 • friends

We were really looking forward to dining here based on it’s reputation but our evening was ruined by really poor service, average food and a complete lack of care. Initially the wait staff were friendly, but after our entrees were served we completely ignored for the rest of the evening. So much so I had to leave our balcony table and go into the restaurant to find someone to ask where our mains were as we had been waiting an hour. While I appreciate not being rushed at a restaurant, an hour between entree clearing and mains being served is very poor service. We did raise the issue about the poor service as we left. But it was a waste of time, the manger (an English lady with short hair) made a poor excuse and we got the impression she really didn’t care. Seating Tips: If you want a balcony table with a nice view, ask to be seated on the right hand side of the balcony. The view from the left side of the balcony is ruined by a huge roofline. They’ve built another dining room on a lower level of the property and it’s roof is level with the balcony railing. The roof really overwhelms the view from these tables. It is such a shame. Best Seating; for best seating ask for a table on the patio area just outside the main dining room.

Written 9 August 2024

Caroline W

3 contributions

Overrated and overpriced.

Jul 2024 • friends

We were so looking forward to a lovely meal at this place and had expected something special after hearing all the hype around the place. After some fantastic meals elsewhere on the island we were so disappointed. Despite its lovely setting, the restaurant itself is completely overrated and overpriced. I had the garlic prawns and the dish I had at Muri night markets had more flavour. My friend’s salad was bland with barely any dressing. They also charged $30 dollars for their “special cocktail” which was basically a gin and tonic with a few petals on top which the waitress excitedly told us we could eat. Save your money and go elsewhere for a better meal and experience.

Written 25 July 2024

Cartney

Wellington116 contributions

Beautiful setting, average food and drinks and expensive

Mar 2024 • couples

Expensive and didn’t really live up to the hype. We had a waitress who was quite new and didn’t really know the menu so couldn’t recommend much for us. We chose to get individual plates but I think the platters might have been a better plan as they are a bit more interesting (I think we were struggling with the fact they were $150-$180 Per platter for the ones we liked). The meal was fine but not worth what we paid, the cocktails were expensive and not as nice as what we had at the pacific resort. Overall average and wouldn’t return.

Written 23 July 2024

Andrew S

Auckland41 contributions

Disappointing experience this time

Jul 2024 • couples

We dined here last year and had a great experience but this time were left disappointed. The setting is excellent and the food was pretty good although expensive compared with other good restaurants on the island...the service was a real let down. We waited over 40 minutes before we were offered a food menu - it seems their strategy might be to 'wait you out' and sell more drinks - there was a hard push to sell the 'special' cocktail. The service or lack thereof was so slow that we didn't dare look at the dessert menu. As one of the top restaurants on the island they really need to lift their game - we will not be back when we return to Rarotonga next year.

Written 30 August 2024

motborn

5 contributions

Disappointment plus

Mar 2025 • friends

Biggest disappointment ever. $165 for the philistine platter, lamb was so overcooked you couldn't cut it with a knife and ribs were inedible. Sent it back and the second time around the lamb was better but ribs still inedible. For these prices we expected perfection and this wasn't even close.. Staff a little over attentive. Entree we ordered were great and so was the location but won't go back.

Written 8 March 2025

Odyssey12131526847

1 contribution

Birthday dinner

Mar 2025 • friends

Lovely setting. Staff were a little over the top but·nice. It was my birthday, I had the tippled oysters. They were great. Then we got the philistine platter. Unfortunately the lamb was overcooked, and the ribs were inedible. We sent it back, the lamb was better but the ribs were still inedible. For $160 I would expect perfection. There was no discount on the bill, pretty disappointing.

Written 8 March 2025

Matt G

Sydney146 contributions

Possibly the best restaurant on island and most world wide destinations

Jul 2023 • family

In my view the #1 restaurant on the island. Exceptional service and food. Great view of the sea. Wonderful mediterranean style dishes as well as local and worldwide cuisine. Seafood platter for 2 (3 of us managed it with a salad side) is to die for. Full bar. Can't say enough about this experience. Book early and if you want a great seafood platter (about $200) book well in advance otherwise you will not get in here.

Written 14 July 2023

Andrew-N1531

Hobart3 contributions

Spectacular venue with food and service to match

Jun 2024 • couples

Dined at Antipodes this visit after missing out last time in Rarotonga. Venue is impressive from the entrance and just gets better as the view of the lagoon, reef and ocean unfolds. The staff were obviously well trained and attentive without being intrusive. The food was a standout - we chose a seafood platter which was delicious and more than adequate for two. Our diner was disrupted right in the midst of service by an extended electricity blackout and the professionalism of the front of house staff and the kitchen was obvious in the way that they calmly dealt with the problem and ensured the evening continued with minimal disruption. After dining in other "high end" restaurants on Rarotonga, our impression is that Antipodes is a clear class above anything else we have experienced on the island and would be hard to beat anywhere

Written 29 June 2024

TheTravellingFerret

142 contributions

Fantastic food, stunning view, awesome staff

Nov 2024 • couples

Antipodes is easily the best restaurant we've been to in Rarotonga. From the minute you arrive at the beautiful Mediterranean style venue and are greeted and taken to your table, to being introduced to your server (ours was the lovely Nancy) and then presented the huge drinks menu, this place radiates fine dining. The time you are given to order and enjoy your drinks is such nice change to the usual feeling of bring rushed to have your drinks with your dinner. The view over Black Rock is superb and having your leisurely cocktail or champagne while watching the sunset is a great way to wait for your meal to arrive, and the wait is well worth it. The menu is vast and has some excellent sharing platters. If you enjoy seafood, you will be spoilt for choice. Even though I don't eat seafood, I still had a difficult time trying to decide between the plentiful non-seafod options. My only regret is that we went in November so we missed the chance to hear the "Whale Bell", which is rung if whales are sighted, which during the whale season often are. I cannot recommend Antipodes enough. Take the time, set aside an entire night and make the most of the beautiful Cook Island evening. You won't regret it.

Written 18 December 2024

albanesen

San Martino in Rio113 contributions

TOP restaurant

Aug 2023 • friends

A place of the highest level in terms of structure (breathtaking terrace), location, service and quality of food and preparations. There were 4 of us and we spaced out but nothing was less than excellent. Even the ravioli are such that they are difficult to find even in Italy (they are handmade by the blonde cook!!). The bill goes accordingly: without holding back too much we spent €80 each (drinking a cocktail each is a bottle of Chardonnay) but they are well spent for an experience to remember

Written 26 August 2023

Murray H

Brisbane227 contributions

Excellent Fine Dining Experience

Jun 2024 • couples

My wife and I enjoyed an amazing meal and fine dining experience at Antipodes while celebrating our wedding anniversary. From the moment we walked in, we were extremely well looked after and our waiter, Ida, was very helpful, welcoming and friendly. We were seated outside on the balcony and enjoyed watching the lagoon as the sun went down. Food was brilliant with generous servings and we enjoyed a few well made cocktails from their extensive list. Our view was that the prices are definitely reasonable for the high quality of the food and the overall experience. I have no hesitation in recommending a night out at Antipodes while you are in Raro.