Taste Of Vanuatu
Vanuatu is known for simple, flavour packed food built around fresh local ingredients. On Santo you will find tender Santo beef, rich coconut based curries, island dishes like tuluk and lap lap, plenty of grilled or pan fried seafood and more tropical fruit than you could ever finish in one trip. Meals are relaxed and generous, with most menus offering a mix of local favourites and familiar, Western friendly options.
During your stay at Deco Stop Lodge you can enjoy this easy island style of dining at the onsite Club Narcosis Restaurant & Bar, then venture out to discover some of Santo’s much loved local hotspots as you explore the island.
Club Narcosis Restaurant & Bar
With panoramic views over Luganville Harbour and warm, friendly service, Club Narcosis is the heart of Deco Stop Lodge. The kitchen focuses on fresh local ingredients, showcasing standout Santo beef, seasonal seafood and produce sourced from the local market. Guests can linger over dinner on the deck, enjoy a relaxed drink by the pool or finish the evening with a tropical cocktail at the bar.
Local Dishes And Drinks To Try
While you are in Santo, it is worth looking out for a few local specialities that appear on menus and at markets:
- Santo beef
Famous for its flavour and tenderness, often served as grilled steaks or in hearty dishes. - Lap lap
A traditional baked dish made from grated root vegetables, coconut cream and sometimes meat or fish, wrapped and cooked in banana leaves. - Tuluk
A filling snack or meal of cassava dough wrapped around seasoned meat, usually cooked in banana leaves. - Local seafood
Fresh fish, prawns and lobster are common on island menus, usually grilled, baked, or served in coconut based sauces. - Coconut crab
A delicacy that may appear on some restaurant menus. It is not available everywhere and is best enjoyed only where it is served responsibly and within local regulations. - Kava
Vanuatu’s traditional drink, made from the root of the kava plant and served in small shells at kava bars known as nakamals. The taste is earthy and the effect gently relaxing, so it is best tried slowly and respectfully. - Tanna Coffee
Locally grown and roasted coffee that you will often see in cafés and restaurants across Santo, ideal for your morning cup.
Island And Waterfront Favourites
Freshwater Plantation, Aore Island
Set on nearby Aore Island, Freshwater Plantation combines local food, coffee and chocolate tastings with a peaceful island setting. It is a popular stop on day trips to Aore, where you can enjoy a relaxed meal, wander the grounds and soak up views across the water.
Bombua Beach House
Bombua Beach House offers a laid back beachfront setting that suits long lunches and slow afternoons. Expect simple, fresh food, easy access to the beach and a very relaxed island atmosphere.
Smugglers Seafood
Smugglers Seafood is known for its focus on fresh fish and ocean inspired dishes. It is a good choice for travellers keen to enjoy local seafood in a casual setting near the water.
Million Dollar View: Natongtong Restaurant
Set high in the hills, Million Dollar View lives up to its name. Guests often head here for a drink or a meal with sweeping outlooks over the coast and surrounding islands, particularly around sunset.
The Sandbar
The Sandbar is a relaxed spot to enjoy a drink and a bite close to the water. It suits casual evenings and easy catch ups after a day of exploring beaches, blue holes or dive sites.
Cafés, In Town Dining And Local Institutions
The Tu Restaurant & Bar
The Tu Restaurant & Bar provides a comfortable in town option for lunch or dinner, with a menu that typically blends local flavours and Western style dishes. It is a convenient choice before or after tours.
Natangora Cafe
Natangora Cafe is one of Santo’s oldest and best known cafés. It is a popular place to stop for Tanna Coffee, light meals and a simple, familiar lunch in the centre of Luganville.
Chez Louis
Chez Louis is a long running favourite for visitors and locals alike. Expect generous portions, hearty plates and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that works well for groups and families.
Luganvilla Hotel Chinese restaurant
Luganvilla offers another handy in town option for a relaxed meal or drink. It suits guests who want to stay close to shops and services while still enjoying a comfortable, friendly environment.
Starfish Beach Bar
Starfish Beach Bar is a relaxed, toes-in-the-sand spot where you can enjoy cold drinks, simple island dishes and a laid back beachfront atmosphere. It is a great choice for casual lunches or sunset drinks after a day exploring Santo’s coastline.
Markets, Mama’s Kitchens And Everyday Flavours
Markets In The Village
Local markets are a big part of daily life in Santo. Around the stalls you will often find small “mama’s restaurants” serving home style meals made with fresh vegetables, root crops, rice and island favourites. It is an excellent way to try real Vanuatu food in a very casual, low key setting.
Tanna Coffee and other local products are often available at these markets and smaller cafés, giving you a taste of locally grown and made goods.
Kava Bars In Luganville
Kava is central to social life in Vanuatu, and kava bars, or nakamals, are found in and around Luganville. Some are simple shelters used mainly by locals, while others are more used to welcoming visitors.
Our team at Deco Stop Lodge can point you towards visitor friendly kava bars and explain what to expect if you would like to try this part of local culture.
Cave Kava Bar and Coconut Crab Sanctuary
Cave Kava Bar and Coconut Crab Sanctuary offers a unique mix of culture and conservation. Visitors can try fresh kava in a relaxed, atmospheric setting, then learn about the protection and lifecycle of coconut crabs through the onsite sanctuary. It is an interesting place to unwind, meet locals and gain a deeper understanding of Santo’s wildlife and traditions.
Nature Talks Kava Bar
Nature Talks Kava Bar is a relaxed, open air spot known for its friendly local crowd and smooth, well prepared kava. It is a comfortable place for visitors to experience kava culture, share a quiet evening drink and enjoy conversations with Santo locals.
Groundation Kava Bar
Groundation Kava Bar offers a welcoming setting for both regulars and first time drinkers. The kava here is known for its quality, and the atmosphere is calm and sociable, making it a great place to unwind at the end of the day.
Dining Tips For Santo
- Most venues are casual, so there is no need for formal dress
- Cash is useful for markets, kava bars and smaller restaurants
- Menus often change with what is available at the market
- Some venues may close on Sundays or have limited hours, so it is worth checking ahead
- Let staff know about any dietary requirements as options can be flexible but not always written on menus
Let Us Help You Eat Like A Local
From relaxed dinners at Club Narcosis to beachfront lunches, village markets, cafés and evening kava bars, Santo has plenty of ways to taste island life. Ask our team at Deco Stop Lodge for up to date recommendations, directions and help planning food stops around your day trips and tours.