Papua New Guinea is a land of extraordinary cultural diversity and pristine natural beauty in the Pacific. From the vibrant traditions of over 800 indigenous cultures to world-class diving sites and the legendary Kokoda Track, PNG offers adventurers an unparalleled experience in one of the world's last frontiers.
Papua New Guinea's cuisine reflects its extraordinary cultural diversity across 800+ language groups, ranging from Highland sweet potato-based diets to coastal coconut cream and seafood traditions. The staple foods - kaukau (sweet potato), taro, sago, banana, and pit-pit (highland cane shoots) - vary dramatically by region. Mumu, an underground earth oven feast with pork, sweet potato, and greens wrapped in banana leaves, is the defining celebration food. Coastal PNG excels at fresh barramundi, mud crab, and reef fish. PNG's highland-grown coffee is world-class and increasingly exported globally.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Papua New Guinea.
Barramundi
PNG's finest freshwater and estuarine fish, served grilled, steamed, or pan-fried at most hotel restaurants. The barramundi from Fly River and coastal PNG is particularly prized for its firm white flesh and clean flavour.
Where to try: Bacchus Restaurant (Airways Hotel), Rapala Restaurant (Grand Papua Hotel), Coastwatchers Hotel Madang
Price: $30-70
Kokoda
PNG's answer to ceviche - fresh raw fish marinated in coconut cream and citrus until cured, mixed with tomato, onion, and chilli. A cooling, tangy dish reflecting the abundant seafood of coastal communities.
Where to try: Hotel restaurants in Port Moresby and Madang, Madang Resort Hotel
Price: $15-30
Mumu (Underground Oven Feast)
The traditional feast prepared in a pit oven with hot stones - pork, sweet potato, taro, banana, and greens wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked for hours. Attending a genuine mumu feast is one of PNG's most memorable cultural experiences.
Where to try: Village cultural visits (arranged tours), cultural show venues during Goroka and Mt Hagen Shows
Price: $20-50 as part of cultural tour
Mud Crab
PNG's mud crabs from Milne Bay, Sepik Delta, and coastal mangrove systems are exceptionally large and flavourful. Best eaten steamed or cooked in coconut cream at coastal restaurants.
Where to try: Alotau International Hotel, Madang Resort Hotel, coastal restaurants
Price: $25-50
PNG Highland Coffee
Grown at altitude in the Highlands, PNG coffee (particularly Sigri Estate and Arona Valley beans) is world-class with a distinctive bright, clean flavour. Try a pour-over or espresso at Coffee Bean Port Moresby or the cafe at Port Moresby Nature Park.
Where to try: Coffee Bean Port Moresby, hotel cafes, airport shops
Price: $8-15
Kaukau (Sweet Potato)
The Highland staple - dense, sweet, and filling purple or orange-fleshed sweet potato roasted over coals by roadside vendors. Try it at 2 PGK (50 cents) from Mt Hagen market vendors for the most authentic Highland food experience.
Where to try: Mt Hagen and Goroka markets, roadside vendors throughout Highlands
Price: $0.50-2
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Bacchus Restaurant
Port Moresby's premier fine dining establishment offering contemporary international cuisine with French influences. Extensive wine list and sophisticated atmosphere. Popular for business dinners and special occasions.
Airways Hotel, Jackson Parade, Port Moresby
Asia Aromas Restaurant
Popular downtown lunch spot serving Thai, Chinese, and Malaysian dishes. Fresh ingredients and generous portions. Busy with office workers at lunchtime. Casual atmosphere with reliable quality.
Steamships Plaza, Champion Parade, Port Moresby
Kokonas Cafe
Popular cafe chain with locations throughout Port Moresby serving excellent coffee, sandwiches, salads, and pastries. Fast service and consistent quality. Good for quick breakfast or lunch.
Multiple locations, Port Moresby
Gordons Market Food Vendors
Morning market food stalls selling traditional PNG breakfast and snacks. Try sago pancakes, fried bananas, and fresh tropical fruits. Authentic local experience in safe market environment.
Gordons Market, Port Moresby
The Hideaway Cafe
Trendy Port Moresby cafe with excellent coffee, healthy breakfast and lunch options. Free wifi and comfortable seating popular with digital nomads and expats. Air-conditioned interior.
Waigani, Port Moresby
Dynasty Seafood Restaurant
Upscale Chinese restaurant specializing in fresh seafood prepared Cantonese style. Live seafood tanks ensure freshness. Elegant dining room popular with Port Moresby's business elite.
Harbour City, Port Moresby
Fusion Bistro
Contemporary bistro blending Asian cooking techniques with local ingredients. Famous for signature salt-and-pepper crab. Relaxed atmosphere with modern decor. Popular dinner destination.
Boroko, Port Moresby
Tasty Bites
Local fast food chain offering burgers, fried chicken, and sandwiches. Clean, air-conditioned outlets throughout Port Moresby. Reliable quality at budget-friendly prices.
Multiple locations, Port Moresby
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
International Fine Dining
Bacchus Restaurant
Pan-Asian
Asia Aromas Restaurant
Cafe
Kokonas Cafe
The Hideaway Cafe
Coffee Bean Port Moresby
Airways Cafe
Cafe Aquarius
Beach Club Cafe Madang
Kokopo Beach Cafe
Goroka Coffee Shop
Plateau Coffee House
Island Coffee Kavieng
Highland Brew Goroka
Local Street Food
Gordons Market Food Vendors
Koki Market Food Stalls
Boroko Market Food Section
Madang Main Market
Rabaul Market Food Vendors
Cantonese Seafood
Dynasty Seafood Restaurant
Asian Fusion
Fusion Bistro
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Grilled Fish on Stick
Fresh fish from the morning catch, skewered and grilled over coals at Koki Market. Quick, cheap, and genuinely delicious when fresh. Select vendors near the boat landing for freshest catch.
Find it at: Koki Market waterfront, Port Moresby (5AM-11AM)
Sago Pancakes
Flat pancakes made from sago starch, the staple food of coastal and Sepik communities. Sold at Koki Market and roadside stalls, often eaten with coconut cream or sugar.
Find it at: Koki Market, roadside stalls in coastal areas
Fresh Coconut Water
Vendors with machetes open fresh green coconuts to order throughout PNG. A 3-5 PGK drink that is also the most hydrating option in the tropical heat - far preferable to bottled drinks.
Find it at: Koki Market, Gordons Market, roadside stalls throughout Port Moresby and coastal towns
Roasted Kaukau
Sweet potato roasted over coals by roadside vendors throughout the Highlands. A filling and authentic Highland food available from dawn at Mt Hagen market and most Highlands towns.
Find it at: Mt Hagen market, Goroka market, Highlands roadside vendors
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Koki Market
Port Moresby's most atmospheric market on the waterfront where fishing boats unload directly to vendors. Tropical fish, fruit, vegetables, bilum bags, and betel nut in a genuinely local environment. Best at dawn when the freshest produce arrives.
Hours: 5AM-2PM daily
Gordons Market
The largest produce market in Port Moresby with hundreds of vendors selling kaukau, taro, banana varieties, smoked fish, tropical fruits, and handicrafts. Busy and vibrant - visit with a guide or security arrangement from your hotel.
Hours: 5AM-3PM daily
Mt Hagen Market
Western Highlands' main market drawing vendors from surrounding villages with fresh produce, bilums, traditional foods, and the unique diet of the Highlands - kaukau, greens, pit-pit, and local root vegetables.
Hours: 6AM-4PM daily
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Always eat at hotel restaurants or established venues during your first days in PNG - market food safety requires local guidance and an experienced companion
The best value quality meals in Port Moresby are at the hotel restaurant lunch specials - Airways, Hilton, and Grand Papua all offer good-value lunch menus from $25-40
Friday lunch at hotel restaurants is the most social dining event in Port Moresby - the expat and business community gathers making it lively and interesting
PNG's best seafood is not in Port Moresby - travel to Madang, Milne Bay, or Kavieng for fresh reef fish, mud crab, and coconut cream-based coastal cooking
Vegetarian options are limited at most restaurants - rely on tropical fruit, vegetable market produce, and hotel menus that often have pasta or vegetable curry options
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $15-25/meal (market food with guide, cheap cafe, basic lunch) | Market fruit and cooked food with local guidance, cafe sandwiches, Vision City Mall food court |
| Mid-range | $30-60/meal (hotel restaurant, mid-range dining) | Hotel restaurant lunch specials, mid-range dining at Kokonas Cafe or Asia Aromas, fresh seafood restaurants |
| Upscale | $80-150+/meal | Bacchus at Airways Hotel, Rapala at Grand Papua Hotel, full fine dining with wine pairing |