Vaima Polynesian Bar and Restaurant
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Hours
Sun
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Mon
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wed
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thu
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Fri
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Sat
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travelers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Healthy, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Special occasions, Romantic, Scenic view, Large groups, Bar scene
Menu
Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Details
About
We are situated right on the beach. Imagine sitting on the beach with the sun setting, sipping your favourite cocktail and enjoying some of the best cuisine on the island - how romantic! We also offer a pizza take away service - forget the cooking - enjoy our pizza in your room/hotel or just sit on the beach with your feet in the water enjoying the food. We can cater for small private functions and weddings. Look forward to seeing you at the Vaima. We recommend that families book between 5.30 and 6.30 pm.
PRICE RANGE
$9.00 – $26.00
CUISINES
Healthy
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Waterfront, Beach
Contribute
4.5
1,674 reviews
Excellent
998
Very good
477
Average
123
Poor
45
Terrible
31
SesJ
Nelson81 contributions
Sep 2024 • family
We ordered takeaway pizza here as we had read good reviews. The restaurant was busy - people were being turned away if they didn’t have a booking - and the pizza took maybe 30 min to prepare. The staff made us feel very welcome and had some seating available for people who were waiting for takeout. We enjoyed a delicious cocktail and beer and our son loved his spider drink. Prices were reasonable and the pizza was good. Would definitely go back and have a meal at the restaurant.
Written September 12, 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.
BrentSelwyn
5 contributions
Jun 2023 • family
This was our second visit to Vaima ten years on from our wedding trip in July 2013 and the experience was once again lovely. The restaurant is set in a beautiful location right on the beach, the food and drinks were of a good standard and the service was great. It was a perfect setting for a family dinner for 9 people. We are happy to recommend Vaima highly to anyone wanting a perfect venue for a reasonably priced family dinner in Rarotonga.
Written July 16, 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.
familytravel4x4
Liphook725 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
We arrived before they had started dinner service (5 pm), but not a problem, we were invited in to wait, so we chose one of the tables on the beach. Drinks followed and we enjoyed a view which can’t be surpassed anywhere on the island. However the sea breeze finally took its toll and we retreated into the marquee section to enjoy our meal. The latter was excellent - fish curry, and a lemon coconut tuna dish - very well cooked and presented. We then shared a key lime pie which was also very good. Throw in some excellent local beer and lovely staff, with efficient service and the evening will long last in the memory…. We will definitely be back before we leave the island.
Written November 28, 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.
James C
3 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
Very nice atmosphere, very marginal food, with the exception of the wontons. They were extremely good will not go back there again for dinner. When the waitress told us they were serving frozen fish, that seemed almost unbelievable when so much good fresh fish is available.
Written October 22, 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.
Dorothy Robertson
We cannot understand why she said it was frozen! We have local fishermen who deliver our fish daily - obviously dependent on the weather. Will question the girls - it could have been a new girl who should not have been taking orders. Our apologies for any unpleasantness experienced.
Written October 25, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bob H
85 contributions
May 2024 • couples
Excellent meal in nice location served by smiling friendly staff. On arrival we were offered the choice of indoors or outdoor. We choose indoors due to the wind. Our orders were taken promptly and all of our interactions with the staff were warm and friendly. I had the beef Wellington which was excellent and my wife had fish and chips. For dessert we had the key lime pies and ice cream which was yummy. Our bill was not overly expensive particularly for the quality of food and service we received.
Written June 1, 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.
john
Bucklands Beach13 contributions
Dec 2024 • couples
We always look forward to returning to Vaima, hence our booking the tables whilst still in NZ.
We all ordered the pork belly as our main. $40 (slightly dearer than previous visits, but we knew it would be worth it).
All 4 of us were very disappointed when comparing to our many previous visits. The portion size of the pork belly was smaller and was accompanied with what looked like one half carrot diced into four pieces and five small quarters of potatoes, accompanied with a small bowl of apple sauce. There was little to "no" crackling on the top of the belly.
The Key Lime pie $15 was o.k.
There were very few people in the restaurant & this was on New Years Eve (on previous visits this would have been overflowing). A good half at least of the restaurant was empty.
They were packing up the tables as people were leaving after eating but while other clients were still eating.
Overall-- 4/10
The service was good but the food was a big disappointment.
Sorry but will not be returning.
Written January 1, 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.
TravelReviewer
Auckland151 contributions
Jul 2024 • family
We ordered the Fish and Chips and 2x Yellow Fish curries. If I had to get fish and chips again, I would get the kids versions as the classic fish and chips is way too much fish. It is also very oily and greasy. The only good thing I can say is that the fish was fresh. The Yellow Fish Curry was alright and the Roti was good. Unfortunately, the fish wasn't very fresh.
The drinks were good. I especially recommend the Virgin Mojito but I'd stay away from the overpriced Sun Breaker which is just a really expensive blend of juices.
The staff were very friendly and happy to have us there and seemed really enthusiastic about their job. The view of the ocean was superb.
Written July 4, 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.
John H
Milford14 contributions
Nov 2022 • none
Dinner on the beach with the sun setting, great location and even a hermit crab came for a visit and scuttled across in front of us. Family dinner and everyone happy with their choices, garlicky garlic prawns for me was a good start and super tasty yellow curry main course, finished off with a perfect creme brulee, washed down with reasonably priced Aussie red wine. Relaxed service with a smile made for a lovely evening.
Written November 19, 2022
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.
Lime_green_paddler
Vernon31 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
Lovely location right on the beach.
Good friendly service, the server was very careful to make sure our orders were prepared as we requested. I ordered the catch of the day and it was delicious, tuna medium rare with roasted veg and a tasty fruit salsa. My partner had the seafood Curry, very little seafood which was disappointing. A few dollars more than some of the surrounding restaurants but being seated by the water for dinner with your toes in the sand was very nice.
Written February 9, 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.
Barry H
Murrieta823 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
Our travel agent recommended this restaurant due to its location near our resort, the fantasies food, and situated on the beach. She did not disappoint, and neither did the restaurant. We were seated immediately at a table on the beach. It was quite windy that afternoon, so our waiter lent her jacket to Shelly. Made all the difference in the world. Since it was our anniversary, I ordered a Sands of Vaima cocktail (Shelly had a Shirley Temple). For dinner. I ordered the Vaima Yellow Seafood Curry entrée (local fish, scallops, and prawns in a yellow curry sauce served with roti and jasmine rice) while Shelly had the Ribeye Steak (green beans, carrots, zucchini, and potatoes). Fantastic meal, service, and location.
Written October 20, 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.
Kylie B
Palmerston North26 contributions
Feb 2023 • family
We visited Vaima during our recent stay in Rarotonga and it was the best dining experience we had during our stay. My husband visited there over 10 years ago and still talked about the pork belly to this day, so we returned as a family and the pork belly and the rest of the menu was equally delicious. Fantastic location for families as well as you can dine right on the beach (so the kids can play), and the kids menu, even though it was a little on the pricey side, was well worth it and it was the first meal our four year old had eaten in full during our holiday. We can’t wait to visit again next time we’re on the island.
Written March 4, 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.
holidaysmakelifex
Palmerston North93 contributions
Jan 2024 • friends
Enjoyed a meal with a large group of friends for a 50th, the hosts were very friendly and efficient ( compared to other places on the island). Everyone enjoyed the food and cocktails came flowing.
The evening was made extra special because the servers were incredibly friendly and funny xx
Written January 11, 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.
Gardengirl212
Sydney1751 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
Despite not having a reservation, and being happy to wait for an available table, we ended up, in our opinion, at the best table - right on the beach!
If I compare this restaurant to others we dined at, Vaima comes up a little short when it comes to 3 things: portion size, price and flavour.
We ordered 2 entrees, 1 main, 2 beers and 1 cocktail for $108. Ouch.
The entree of scallops with a roast pumpkin and turmeric quenelle was nice with the scallops cooked perfectly - but there were only 3 scallops. 5 would have been nice.
Chicken and spring onion wontons (5 pieces) with sweet chilli and lime caramel was OK.
The Vaima Yellow Seafood Curry for main comprising of fish, scallops and prawns was quite insipid. The colour was great but the depth of flavour was missing. I make a better tasting curry at home.
A shame really, because it's situated on a lovely beach setting.
Written November 6, 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.
Bugsy13
95 contributions
Apr 2022 • none
Table of four for dinner. Very excited to be back eating at Vaima again.
Service was excellent đź‘Ś
Pork Belly just as remembered pre covid
Seafood pasta 10/10
Chicken delight not the first choice as the pasta had all gone, but very delicious
Desserts were all top notch.
Total bill including drinks for four people $268-00
Excellent value for money and we will be returning for another dinner before our holiday ends.
Written April 21, 2022
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.
Peter B
1 contribution
Sep 2024 • couples
Can't speak more highly of this restaurant, first came here 2 yrs ago and probably had about 4 dinners here then. We were extremely impressed with the standard of food, (compliments to the chef) great menu and catered for allergies. Amazing setting and fantastic friendly and accommodating staff. Came again recently and again visited 4 more times whilst here and would definitely recommend.Best Iki Mata on the island!
Written October 20, 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.
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