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.
Avatea Cafe
Review
About
Travellers' Choice
2024
Features
CUISINES
Cafe, Seafood, Fusion, Polynesian
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Cash Only
Delivery
Highchairs Available
Live Music
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Wine and Beer
Location
Parking Available
Does this restaurant offer delivery?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 10:00 AM
Sunday
Closed
Monday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Tuesday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Wednesday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Thursday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Friday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Saturday
10:00 am - 2:00 pm5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
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4.8
134 reviews
Excellent
119
Good
12
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
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AvgMom2Travel
Long Island353 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
My husband and I had lunch here while staying in Aitutaki. We enjoyed the food and the ambiance, but were greatly bothered by A LOT of flies! Trying to eat while shooing away flies took away the enjoyment of our meal. The service and food were great, however. Maybe the owner can install netting around the open seating area.
They took VISA, which was great, because we spent all our NZD on taxi getting here. FYI - there were limited number of taxi on the island (4 at the time we were there), so unless you can ride a bike, you need taxi to get here. We paid 60 NZD ($36) for r/t transportation and 70 NZD ($42) for lunch – the cost for both was about the same. The café is surrounded by beautiful scenery and worth it if you if you can get here on your own.
Written 26 November 2024
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.
Nicniggi
Bremen93 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
We stayed 2x at Avatea Cafe and can highly recommend a visit there. The fact that it has no beach location makes up for it with exceptionally friendly service and a very loving ambience.
We were there for lunch and dinner. The food is excellent. It comes to the table extremely fresh and wonderfully arranged. A must: The fish tacos! The fish was juicy, with exciting fresh salad combo, great sauce and homemade tacos of the burners!!!
On the 2nd evening there was even live music - a very atmospheric accompaniment to dinner. By the way, the cocktails are also very delicious and the price-performance ratio is right.
Predicate: recommended!
Automatically translated
Written 20 November 2024
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.
Julianne H
Nelson Bay273 contributions
Mar 2025 • couples
You need a car or taxi to get here, but what a great restaurant in the middle of Aitutaki! We kept going back for snacks, lunch and dinners. The food was great and very reasonably priced, the staff were very friendly and chatty and we loved going there. On a previous trip to Aitutaki, two years prior, we also went there and it's as good now as it was then.
Written 23 March 2025
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.
1811027Scott
Auckland183 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
This cafe is located at the southern end of the island and only accessible by bicycle or car. It is open air and relies on the breeze for cooling. It is quite well advertised to visit but our experience was nothing like the posters. We ordered cool drinks which came very quickly and fish wraps. They took an age to come and on arrival I took one bite and realised that they fish hadn't been gutted. I opened up the wrap and was extremely disappointed at what I saw, it was inedible. My husbands one was slightly better but we decided that we would not eat either dish. We mentioned it to the waitress and she asked if we wanted to try something else but we declined , not wanting to cause offence we left soon after. We did not enjoy the experience and cannot in all honestly recommend it to other travellers. We may of course have hit them on a bad day but a lot of improvement in their meals is clearly needed.
Written 1 November 2024
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.
BZONCE
Auckland989 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
Avatea Cafe has a cute little set up and garden and they also offer delivery for an extra $15 which is helpful if you have a scooter and it’s pouring down with rain!
We received good customer service while dining at the cafe and the delivery was ok except a little mix up with when our food was being delivered and then when we followed up it felt like too much of a hassle for the girl to correct her mistake and no apology either. Delivery lady was lovely though.
Food
- kuki burger was nice and filling
- chicken wrap was really yummy with heaps of flavour
- butter chicken pizza when it arrived confused us as it looked like a vegetarian pizza or something but it was actually really nice and the base was nice too
Overall good food but our black coffees tasted like plunger coffee but that’s just our taste!
All in all we would say go give it try but would probably recommend going into the cafe and eating the food nice and hot and fresh!
Written 7 October 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.
R K
10 contributions
Dec 2024 • couples
Service was excellent, food was very delicious, coffee was great and their local craft beer was very satisfying. This is a must visit if you come to Atutaki - does breakfast, lunch and dinner - use local taxi ( only one taxi on the island and very accommodating) to get there and back.The setting is very local and reminds you of Luke’s Kitchen in Coromandel, NZ. The kitchen has their own chili plants so it’s great if you like fresh heat with your meals or a spicy condiment. It’s a hidden gem.
Written 14 December 2024
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.
sydneysider48
Sydney1201 contributions
Aug 2023 • couples
In a rural setting with pleasant surroundings this little restaurant is a gem. With a good selection of dishes and reasonable prices for food and drinks we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here. Our meals were delicious, interesting and well presented, with good serving sizes and the best food we experienced on the island. The service was impressive, with only one very friendly, happy and efficient waitress serving all tables on quite busy evening.
Written 31 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.
Karin Wilson
love it rural lol thanking you for your review
Written 28 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
spraggbj
Christchurch160 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
We loved this place last time we visited Aitutaki so we headed straight there for opening time on our return. We enjoyed sensational coffees and a delicious mango cream sponge for morning tea. It was so good that we returned for lunch two hours later. We tucked into the most divine, fresh, tasty fish tacos you could ever wish for. Every mouthful was a treat. Exciting to note that they’re also open for dinner now. Avatea, you are an absolute gem! Meitaki!
Written 1 October 2024
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.
Simon C
Darwin141 contributions
Apr 2024 • couples
We came for lunch once after reading reviews and went back two more times. Twice for lunch and once for breakfast. The Big Breakfast is superb and I loved the cooked banana which is not noted on the menu but a fantastic addition. The Green Curry is to die for and the Fish Taco’s, well I’m with everyone else - World Class. Just Yum. The Loaded Fries are insane and whilst ordered as an accompaniment to lunch, it was close to a meal. Nothing disappointed here.
Don’t be in a hurry when you get there, enjoy the atmosphere as the meals are definitely worth the wait.
Written 3 May 2024
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.
woganmog
London138 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
I think this cafe is the best on the island - considering it is quite challenging to get food in the Cooks, the owners really are sourcing some of the best ingredients. We visited three times for lunch and had pizza, burger, tacos, curry, marlin bruschetta and prawn bruschetta (not all in one go obviously)!
The cafe was recommended by the hosts of our accommodation and we were able to scooter to it, as it was quite far from where we were staying. I would 100% recommend it.
Written 2 April 2024
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.
Shawna W
Santa Clara49 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
Such an adorable little cafe with excellent food and service. We asked about 3 dishes we were thinking, she recommend the Te Renga and garlic seafood and rice, both were amazing. Bonus, there is also a shop with local art and hand painted clothing. Highly recommend a trip inland for this cafe.
Written 20 September 2024
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.
SambaSydney
Brisbane153 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
The Avatea Cafe, in Aitutaki (Cook islands) is well worth a visit …. we were recommended by locals, resort staff & trip advisor reviews …….. so we did lunch.
A taxi to the cafe/restaurant and a relaxed time followed ….. a few drinks and their “famous” fish tacos …… beautiful! So, now we know why they are famous!!!! Great experience with great food and in a relaxed environment.
Don’t miss this experience when in Aitutaki. Believe me ….. this is a top spot! Check the reviews! We had a most enjoyable lunch and at a very reasonable cost. What are you waiting for?
Written 23 October 2024
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.
jjluke
Calgary2046 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
The Avatea Café felt like a bit fancier fare for a non-hotel offering in Aitutaki but not to the point of being overly pretentious. I had the Supreme Pizza which was loaded with many fresh and tasty ingredients (and we had to take half home as it was massive), and my wife had chicken wings as a meal with fries and salad. We also shared a fruit smoothie which was among the better ones we’ve had over our trip. Admittedly, the menu is a bit on the pricey side but the value proposition is great with the flavors and attention to detail. Really love the vibe with live music when we visited as well. As one of the most well-reviewed places in Aitutaki, we can see why Avatea Café is quite popular – it is up to the hype and is thus recommended. Please indicate if you found this review to be helpful as it would be greatly appreciated!
Written 25 February 2024
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.
Mats B
Nynashamn52 contributions
Jan 2023 • couples
Wonderful local menue and friendly staff. Try the Ika Mata (raw tuna in coconut milk). Nice setting in Tauto village on the eastern side of Aitutaki. Exellent drinks and whatch out for huge desserts, feeds two easily. If you go all in with cocktail, starter, mains, dessert, coffie and a bottle of wine, you pay around NZD180 per couple. Good value.
Written 17 January 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.
Karin Wilson
thank you for highlighting the value as i feel it’s not cheap but it’s not expensive you get what you pay for and i love that
meitaki for your time
Written 28 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steve S
Terrigal216 contributions
Nov 2023 • family
This restaurant was a ‘find’ in the green interior of the island. Open-air, well-set tables, and a pleasant contemporary sound track. Not a lot of dishes on offer, and prices are the same as in the resort restaurants, but each meal we tried was excellent, especially the Te Renga: seafood or chicken curry in a coconut sauce. Try the cheaper local beer and cocktails. The pleasant drive along the narrow road back to our resort was uneventful, there being little night traffic in Aitutaki.
Written 22 November 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.
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