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10 BEST Cafes in Apia & Upolu ☕ [2023]
10 BEST Cafes in Apia & Upolu ☕ [2023]

10 BEST Cafes in Apia & Upolu ☕ [2024]

© SamoaPocketGuide.com

Where to Get the Best Coffee, Breakfast and Lunch in Apia and Upolu

There is no lack of quaint cafes serving all sorts of tempting treats, creative smoothies and aromatic coffee in Samoa’s cosmopolitan hub of Apia. In fact, the capital on the country’s most populated island is where almost all of Upolu‘s cafes are located, apart from the odd hidden gem we mention on this list of the best cafes on Upolu! When you inevitably find yourself in Samoa’s cool little capital, treat yourself to breakfast, lunch or coffee and cakes at Apia’s best cafes.

And, don’t finish this list without opening The Food Guide to Upolu: Places to Eat & Food Tours for more of your foodie must-dos.

1. Nourish Cafe

Offering respite from Upolu’s fascination for deep-fried food, Nourish Cafe is aptly named and will likely give you the health boost you need to see you through your Samoa stay – even if you’re vegetarian, dairy- or gluten-free. That’s not to say that there’s nothing naughty on the menu; we’re looking at you, “raspberry cheesecake waffles”, should you want to indulge in your holiday time. Either way, the creative menu of international favourites uses mostly local ingredients and puts a pleasingly Samoan spin on some of your faves; go on, have a side of plantain with your “Nourish Supo” instead of rice. Barista coffee, herbal teas, slushies, juices and smoothies are all good too. Enjoy either the air-conditioned indoor setting or sit among the plants in the shaded patio area. The establishment is also wheelchair friendly.

Opening hours: 7.30 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday and 8 am to 2 pm Saturday.
Location: Convent Street, behind the Australian High Commission and Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Apia.

10 BEST Cafes in Apia & Upolu ☕ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

2. RiVaiv Cafe

Famous across Samoa for its turmeric juice that Samoans swear by to provide all sorts of health benefits, RiVaiv Cafe also happens to be a darn good place to stop for breakfast or lunch. Try a turmeric kick in a latte or lemonade if you’re intrigued. Otherwise, the two cafes in the chain with an attractive clothes boutique (Tanugamanono only) and garden setting are best known for their fresh poke, teriyaki and steak bowls, as well as pad Thai, seafood sushi tacos and vegan tempura sushi tacos. You might also like their pesto panini or burgers. We can certainly vouch for their koko Samoa milkshake, made with Samoa’s very own cocoa beans, if you crave something sweet – learn more about koko Samoa in the 10 Drinks in Samoa You Have to Try.

Opening hours: Rivaiv Tanugamanono – 11 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday. Rivaiv Vaitele – 8 am to 3.30 pm Monday to Saturday.
Location: Cross Island Road, Tanugamanono and Moso’oi Street, Vaitele, Apia.

10 BEST Cafes in Apia & Upolu ☕ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

3. Coffee Roaster

Anyone who’s anyone knows to meet up at Apia‘s trendiest cafe, simply called Coffee Roaster. Get out of the sun at this indoor establishment but still revel in the natural materials of exposed timber intertwined with faux vines and coffee cups dangling from every wall space available. Needless to say, the in-house roasted coffee is a big deal here. But if you want to take a seat and sit shoulder-to-shoulder with locals and expats, there are breakfast meals and sandwiches to order.

Opening hours: 7 am to 1.30 pm Monday to Sunday.
Location: Corner of Togafu’afu’a Road and Atanae Street, Apia.

10 BEST Cafes in Apia & Upolu ☕ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

4. Cornwall Cafe

There’s space for everyone at this rooftop cafe and bar in Apia. Boasting a large indoor space and a slightly smaller outdoor deck where you can watch the Apia traffic below, the Cornwall Cafe is a good go-to for meetings or relaxing with friends and family. Drinks are done superbly here between the barista coffee and refreshingly creative fruit smoothies, all made with coconut cream instead of dairy milk for a true taste of the islands – we recommend the “Tropical Tornado”. All the usual breakfast and lunch suspects are here, between pancakes, omelettes, fish of the day, chicken salad and popcorn chicken. What’s more, it’s just about the only cafe in Apia with free WiFi! See the rest of them in the 10 Places with Free WiFi in Samoa.

Opening hours: 7 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday + 5 pm to 10 pm Thursday and Friday, 7 am to 1.30 pm Saturday and 8 am to 12 pm Sunday.
Location: Corner of Vaea Street and Atenae Street, Apia.

10 BEST Cafes in Apia & Upolu ☕ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

5. Milani Caffe & Cakes

A popular spot right in the heart of Apia town, Milani Caffe & Cakes is an Italian-inspired cafe, of course, with a Samoan twist. Sip on Italian coffee and revel in an ungodly choice of cakes, loaves, biscuits and pastries. You can also stop by for lunch in their large air-conditioned cafe where their menu lurches from tuna sushi burritos to pork belly boa buns to plant-based bowls and then spaghetti meatballs with Napoli sauce and parmesan…

Opening hours: 7.30 am to 2 pm Monday to Friday and 7.30 am to 1 pm Saturday.
Location: Corner of Convent Street and the Mall, Apia.

10 BEST Cafes in Apia & Upolu ☕ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

6. Pacific Jewell Gift Shop & Garden Cafe

Once you’re done perusing the intriguing array of handcrafted clothes, carvings, jewellery and homeware, sit down in the lush setting of Pacific Jewell’s Garden Cafe. With tables scattered in their own private nooks of the garden and patio, the place never feels too crowded. Delight in a choice of light bagels, tempting crepes or one of the more hearty all-day breakfasts. As for drinks, choose from coffee, fresh herbal teas, frappes, smoothies and iced drinks. Learn more about shopping here in The Best Places to Buy Souvenirs in Samoa.

Opening hours: 9 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday and 7.30 am to 2 pm Saturday.
Location: Levili Boulevard, Apia.

10 BEST Cafes in Apia & Upolu ☕ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

7. Forest Cafe

The wildest cafe on Upolu, literally, Forest Cafe can only be accessed down a steep 4WD road on the highlands off the Cross Island Road. What you could get for breakfast or dinner can be pretty wild too, as the chef herself “doesn’t taste her own food”. But with toasted sandwiches and paninis dominating the menu, you have plenty of safe options, or you could opt for a more substantial lasagna, Samoan souvlaki, curry or pancakes. Enjoy all the usual hot beverages, as well as a small selection of smoothies, juices and drinks from the cooler. The setting, nevertheless, is unbeatable; high in the forest with the sound of a nearby stream as your soundtrack. Ask about the walk to the secret waterfalls.

Opening hours: 8 am to 2 pm Wednesday to Friday and 8 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday.
Location: Cross Island Road, signposted opposite the Baha’i Temple, approximately 9 km (5.6 mi) south of Apia. 4WD access only.

10 BEST Cafes in Apia & Upolu ☕ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

8. All Things Sweet Cafe

Renowned across the island for its cakes featured in many-a-Samoan-wedding, All Things Sweet Cafe also happens to be worth popping in for breakfast or lunch for freshly prepared tuna sashimi, vegetarian frittatas, paninis, wraps and sandwiches. Of course, a coffee or smoothie combined with one of the many tempting treats is mainly what this cafe stands for. They also sell a range of local jams, chutneys and pickles should you want to take some of the flavours of Samoa home with you.

Opening hours: 7 am to 2 pm Monday to Friday and 7 am to 1 pm Saturday.
Location: Fugalei Road, Savalalo, Apia.

10 BEST Cafes in Apia & Upolu ☕ [2023]© Samoa Tourism Authority

9. Kofe Hous

A popular one with the locals, mainly because the prices are much better than the cafes in town, Kofe Hous is well worth popping into on your way in or out of Apia. Plates might not be as lovingly presented as the ones in town either, but when you’re served with a smile and have such a huge choice of meals, who’s complaining? Sushi, kebabs, nachos, burgers, supo povi, fish and chips, seafood chowder, platters, honey mustard chicken, spaghetti carbonara, salads, omelettes… There’s got to be something you like! They also do a lamb curry special on a Wednesday, just in case… For more cheap eats, check out The Top Cheap Eats on Upolu.

Opening hours: 7 am to 7 pm Monday to Saturday.
Location: Down the street from Farmer Joe’s Vaitele, Vaitele, Apia.

10 BEST Cafes in Apia & Upolu ☕ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

10. Style Avenue & Fashion Cafe

Finally, if you’re just taking away, perhaps to relax at Friendship Park, check out this unique wee joint inside the Lotemau Mall in Apia. Style Avenue & Fashion Cafe is a Filipino cafe takeaway and clothes store; need we say more?! Browse the boutique and grab a quick coffee, Filipino rice cake, cookie or cake to go. They also do tasty milkshakes and frappes, while tuna rolls and Filipino spicy chicken and rice are also usually on the cards.

Opening hours: 7 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Friday and 7.30 am to 1 pm Saturday.
Location: Lotemau Mall on the corner of Vaea Street and Convent Street, Apia.

10 BEST Cafes in Apia & Upolu ☕ [2023]© SamoaPocketGuide.com

More of Upolu and Apia’s Best Cafes

That’s it for the best cafes in Apia and Upolu, but there are a lot more lunch stops around the islands, so check them out in the following guides:

Finally, don’t forget to peruse the entire bible on food in Samoa in The Food Guide to Samoa: Places to Eat & Food Tours.

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across Samoa and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At Samoa Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Samoa Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in the South Pacific over 10 years ago with nothing but a backpack and a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to explore a paradise such as Samoa. She knows the islands inside out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience Upolu and Savai’i’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also the editor of several other South Pacific travel guides.

Contact Laura via our contact page

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