At Tour Fiji, we’ve always believed the best way to understand this place we call home is through its food and its people. You can swim in the bluest water, watch a sunset from a resort deck, and still miss the real Fiji. But once you’ve stood beside a local mum scraping coconuts, laughed with kids while wrapping fish in banana leaves, and felt the smoke of a lovo rising into the island air that’s when you truly get it.

That’s what our Fijian Cooking & Cultural Experience is all about.

From Market to Table

The morning begins in the local produce market noisy, friendly, alive. You’ll see piles of taro and cassava stacked high, the smell of ripe pawpaw and pineapple drifting around, and plenty of “Bula!” from stallholders who love a good chat. Our guides walk you through it all, helping you pick what’s needed for the day’s cooking while sharing a few stories about how each ingredient fits into island life.

We like starting here because this is where Real Fijian food begins in the hands of the people who grow it.

Learning the Island Way

Back at our open-air kitchen, time slows down a bit. Shoes come off, laughter rolls easily, and everyone joins in. We show you how to scrape coconuts for fresh cream, how to season fish with lime and island herbs, and how to prepare vegetables the way our families have done for generations.

Then comes the big one the lovo. It’s Fiji’s earth oven, built with hot stones and covered with banana leaves. Together, we fill it with marinated meats, taro, and bundles of palusami (taro leaves with coconut cream). When the oven’s sealed, there’s nothing to do but wait and that’s when the real connection happens.

Someone might pull out a guitar, another starts a tune, and before long you’re clapping along or learning a few Fijian words between laughs.

Culture Served on the Side

No Fijian meal is complete without the kava ceremony, and we love sharing it with guests. You’ll sit cross-legged around the tanoa bowl, listening to the rhythm of the clap before the first sip. Kava isn’t just a drink here it’s about respect, friendship, and that quiet moment when everyone feels part of one family.

It’s these small moments that turn a tour into a memory.

A Feast to Remember

When the lovo is finally opened, the smell hits you first smoky, sweet, earthy. The food comes out tender and full of flavour. You’ll sit down with everyone, enjoy what you helped cook, and probably eat more than you planned. That’s the Fijian way.

There’s always music in the background, sometimes a dance if someone’s in the mood, and plenty of stories passed around the table. It’s not just lunch; it’s a celebration.

Why Choose Tour Fiji

We’re locals, and we love showing travellers what makes this place special. Our Cooking & Cultural Experience isn’t a show it’s genuine, run by families who live right here. Every guest is welcomed like a friend.

We keep the groups small so you can actually connect, ask questions, and have fun without feeling rushed. And yes, we take care of everything pick-ups, fresh ingredients, and that island-style hospitality that never feels forced.

If you’re the kind of traveller who wants more than just beaches and selfies, this day out will hit the spot. You’ll walk away full not just with food, but with stories, laughter, and maybe a few new friends.

Come Hungry. Leave as Family.

Fiji has a way of staying with you. The warmth, the smiles, the easy rhythm of life it’s all in this one experience. So come hungry, come curious, and let us share the flavour of our islands with you.

At Tour Fiji, we don’t just run tours. We share our home.