A good food experience gives you something to remember long after the plates are cleared. In Fiji, that might mean learning about a lovo, asking questions at a market or cooking alongside a local host. Choose the format that matches how involved you want to be.
Tourism Fiji describes lovo as cooking in an underground oven with heated stones. Its food guides also highlight ingredients such as coconut, root crops and seafood. Those are useful starting points, but every host's menu and approach can differ.
A lovo dinner: ask about the whole evening
If you mainly want to taste the food, a hosted meal may be the best fit. Ask whether the experience includes an explanation of the cooking process, a demonstration or simply the finished dinner. Check the meal time, transfer arrangements and any entertainment separately.
Tell the host about dietary requirements before paying. A dish's name is not a complete ingredient list, and a vegetarian option should be confirmed rather than assumed.
A market visit: go with curiosity
If you are interested in ingredients and everyday food shopping, ask whether a guide can explain what is in season and how it is used. Build in time for questions instead of treating the market as a quick photo stop.
Confirm whether tastings or purchases are included. Take the payment method your host recommends and ask before photographing people or their stalls.
A cooking experience: check how hands-on it is
Ask what guests actually do, how long the session runs and whether children can participate. Some experiences focus on preparation; others include shopping, cooking and eating together. Neither format is automatically better, but the difference matters when planning your day.
Our suggestion is to avoid stacking a substantial cooking session immediately before another timed activity. Leave room to enjoy the meal you helped create.
Explore FijiDude cultural experiences and ask about food-focused options. Include your preferred date, group size and dietary needs in the first enquiry so the host can respond with a useful proposal.
Sources and planning notes
Researched 20 September 2026. Tourism Fiji: all about lovo · Tourism Fiji: traditional food. Schedules, access and availability can change; confirm the details for your travel dates.
