Best Food on Aitutaki
I ate at Cafe Tupuna and what a great experience. It was so good that we ate there every night. You must book though as you will not get a table. Tupuna cooks and comes out and is very hospitable.    [16 Oct 2002 23:11:58]

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Recommended Dishes: Oceans Trio

     ­David Jonathan   david at olivermarine dot co dot nz

Marvelous
Absolutely fantastic!!! AND very affordable transfers are offered.    [23 Jan 2004 09:49:42]

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     ­tjk   

Passion for Food
Been in the hospitality industry for over 15 years and it's great too see the chef (Tupuna) serve up fantastic dishes night after night and enjoying her craft. Best cuisine in the Cooks!    [26 Jul 2004 04:55:10]

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Recommended Dishes: All local seafood dishes- best chilli crab anywhere.

     ­Anonymous   

Scrumptious & Five Star
You simply must try the Spicy Fish Curry! Hints of cinnamon and nutmeg with mint paw paw chutney! I thought I'd gone to heaven! Large portions too! Reserve your table in advance as this is truly the best restaurant in Aitutaki!    [14 Apr 2005 14:33:51]

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     ­Shully   

Simply a must!
Being in the food industry, we are always on the lookout for a unique and 'real' food experience when we travel. We originally only heard about this cafe from this web site when researching where to eat on Aitutaki - and thought we'd give it a go in May this year. This is one of those places you would probably only try if you were lucky enough to hear about it on the grapevine - as I don't recall seeing it advertised anywhere locally. Of all the places we ate in the Cook Islands(and yes there were many) this was our most memorable meal without a doubt. No it's not waterfront dining as you may expect - inland via transport (immaculate vintage Land Rover) provided by the cafe for a minimal charge. This is a genuine fresh food experience. Tupuna and her team are obviously very passionate foodies. Casual dining in a relaxed atmosphere. No production line hotel food here.

After your first glass of wine you'll be kicking off your shoes and rubbing the sand (from the cafe floor) between your toes awaiting your first course that smells sooooo good wafting through the open kitchen. We honestly sat there wondering if Tupuna really knew what a treasure of a place she had created. We shared an enormous chilli mud crab for starters and then went on to squeeze in some seafood skewers and a delicious fish dish. There was no room for dessert. We were relieved to learn that we had only just sneaked our crab order in time as two other crabs had managed to lift the lid on their storage container and make a run for it off into the night!

You can't be in a hurry here - relax and enjoy the experience while you can. It's a long way to go back for seconds!    [15 Aug 2006 06:27:37]

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Recommended Dishes: Chilli Mud Crab

     ­Sophie-Australia