The Food Guide to Majuro: Places to Eat & Food Tours

While Majuro has plenty of restaurants to keep foodies busy, some of its best food experiences take you beyond simply sitting down for a meal. Think coconut-processing tours, local markets, early-morning tōñut, pandanus drinks and island-grown spirits.

Dedicated food tours are, admittedly, limited, so discovering Majuro’s food scene usually involves combining an organised visit with a few self-guided stops. Luckily, the atoll’s narrow layout makes it relatively easy to taste your way through the capital.

Tobolar Copra Processing Authority

Start with one of Majuro’s few organised food-related tours at the Tobolar Copra Processing Authority (Delap Dock, Delap). This working facility processes dried coconut kernel, known as copra, into products such as crude coconut oil and copra cake.

During the approximately 30-minute tour, you can follow the process through the storage areas, grinders, cookers and expellers. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the islands’ most familiar ingredients becomes an important local product and export.

Tours should be arranged directly in advance. Wutilomar Tours can also include a stop at the facility during a guided journey towards Laura.

Take a Self-Guided Marshallese Food Crawl

Some of Majuro’s most interesting local food is found at petrol stations, convenience stores and small takeaway counters rather than conventional restaurants.

Start early along Rita Back Road, where Anmarwut Gas Station and Mon LiSaitem sell freshly made tōñut, the Marshallese take on the doughnut. Continue with a creamy pandanus bōbshake or intensely sweet jekaro, which is fresh coconut sap collected from an unopened flowering stalk.

For something more filling, look for local barbecue stalls and affordable plate lunches around Delap and Uliga. These casual meals are an easy way to try fish, chicken, rice and changing local sides without putting your wallet through an endurance test.

Browse Majuro’s Local Markets

The small local market outside Marshall Islands Resort (Lagoon Road, Delap) is an easy place to browse fruit, prepared snacks and whatever produce vendors have brought in that day.

For seafood, head to the MIMRA Outer Islands Fish Market at Uliga Dock (Uliga). Fresh catches transported from the outer atolls are displayed on ice, with whole fish, fillets and fish jerky commonly available.

Visit in the morning for the best selection. Even when you are not self-catering, the market gives you a useful look at the fish that later appears grilled, sautéed or sliced into sashimi across Majuro.

Try Majuro-Made Pandanus Spirit

For something stronger, seek out Bōb Whisky, a locally produced pandanus spirit made by Divine Tree Distillery, also known as the Marshall Islands Pandanus Co.

Despite the name, it is not technically whisky because it is made from fermented pandanus juice rather than grain. Pick up a bottle from the producer on Uliga Back Road or try it in a cocktail at Jittak Likatu Bar & Grill or Toeak Bar & Grill.

The distillery also produces breadfruit vodka, proving that Majuro’s local plants have ambitions well beyond the fruit bowl.

More Food Tours and Experiences in Majuro

And that’s not all Majuro’s food scene has to offer. Check out alternative food tours and experiences, such as:

• Joining local anglers for fishing beside The Bridge, from the lagoon shoreline or on a charter that includes handline fishing.
• Hunting down $5 barbecue plates and casual local lunches around Delap and Uliga.
• Ordering the “Local Combo” at Riwut Restaurant for an easy introduction to several Marshallese favourites.
• Trying tuna poke, sashimi and grilled fish at local restaurants, takeaway counters and petrol stations.
• Enjoy fine dining at Bikendrik Island Resort, where formal table settings and multi-course meals bring a touch of old-fashioned ceremony to a private island stay.

For more details on each activity, see the 10 Best Foodie Experiences in the Marshall Islands.

There is more variety among Majuro’s eateries than you might expect, although many of the best places are easy to miss. Restaurants hide behind petrol stations, occupy quiet back roads and even sit at the top of what passes for a skyscraper on the atoll.

Our 15 Best Restaurants in Majuro and the Marshall Islands guide narrows the choice down to local-food restaurants, Taiwanese cooking, waterfront bars, cafés, bakeries and takeaway spots we have tried ourselves.

Where to Eat: Local and Western Restaurants in Majuro

For an introduction to Marshallese food, start at Riwut Restaurant (Riwut Corner, Uliga). Its wide-ranging menu includes breakfast favourites, burgers, pasta, grilled fish and Asian-inspired dishes, but the standout for first-time visitors is the “Local Combo”.

The platter pairs reef fish or tuna steak with four local side dishes and a glass of jakaro, sweet coconut sap. It is one of the easiest ways to try several Marshallese flavours in one sitting, without conducting a small culinary investigation across the entire atoll.

For a casual meal with a view, head upstairs to Toeak Bar & Grill (Lagoon Road, Uliga). Perched on top of Majuro’s tallest “skyscraper”, the restaurant serves burgers, poke, sashimi, tacos, ramen, seafood and generous combination plates.

The Flame Tree (Lagoon Road, Delap) is another useful all-rounder, particularly when a group cannot agree on what to eat. Its menu jumps from burgers and ramen to curries, chicken katsu, tuna steak and the catch of the day, which should keep negotiations reasonably civil.

For Mexican-inspired takeaway food, The Food Truck 692 (Delap Park, Delap) serves fish tacos, burritos, burrito bowls and mixed plates. It is a handy option when you want something quick, filling and less formal than a restaurant meal.

For reliable hotel dining throughout the day, Tide Table Restaurant & Lounge at Hotel Robert Reimers (RRE Complex, Uliga) serves breakfast, lunch and dinner beside the lagoon. The menu covers tuna steak, fresh local fish, sashimi, pasta, curries, steaks and pizza, with themed evenings adding a little variety during longer stays.

Fresh fish is one of the highlights here, particularly the sautéed fish and sashimi. Outside guests are welcome, so you do not need to be staying at the hotel to work your way through the weekly specials.

Enra Restaurant & Dockside Bar at Marshall Islands Resort (Lagoon Road, Delap) is another convenient resort restaurant with a broad international menu. Expect breakfast dishes, ramen, seafood, burgers, chicken plates and local drinks, along with dockside seating for a more relaxed evening.

For sunset drinks with something to share, Jittak Likatu Bar & Grill (Lagoon Road, Delap) serves poke, seafood, wings, burgers and platters beside the lagoon. Arrive early for a quieter meal, as the atmosphere becomes considerably livelier once karaoke, live bands and weekend dancing begin.

Where to Eat: Asian Restaurants in Majuro

For Taiwanese comfort food, Won Hai Shien (Uliga Back Road, Uliga) is one of Majuro’s more polished dining options. The spacious restaurant serves dumplings, beef noodle soup, sizzling dishes, tofu, stir-fries and whole fish prepared in several styles.

We personally love the “Sizzling Beef” and “Century Egg Tofu”. Prices are a little higher than at some nearby restaurants, but the cooking, presentation and calm dining room make it worthwhile.

Meanwhile, Island Star (Lagoon Road, Uliga) is a good-value choice for ramen, fried rice, noodles, tofu, vegetables and sashimi. Its broad menu makes it especially useful for vegetarians or groups looking for several shareable dishes.

Finally, Happy Tummy Restaurant is worth seeking out for Filipino comfort food. Dishes such as chicken adobo, pancit canton, pork barbecue, fish soup and pinakbet make it a welcome change from the burgers and fried chicken found across many of Majuro’s menus.

See the full recommendations in 15 Best Restaurants in Majuro and the Marshall Islands.

Where to Eat: Cafés

Majuro’s café scene is small but useful, with several places serving coffee, breakfast, sandwiches, baked treats and quick lunches.

Annie’s Bakery (Marshall Islands Resort, Delap) is one of the best stops for coffee and something sweet or savoury. Its menu includes bagel sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, brownies, milkshakes and flavoured lattes, making it an easy choice for breakfast or an afternoon sugar emergency.

DAR Coffee Corner (Uliga Back Road, Uliga) combines café drinks with a surprisingly substantial food menu. Alongside coffee, you will find burgers, ramen, noodles, loco moco, Korean-inspired dishes and local sides such as breadfruit.

For a straightforward caffeine stop, True Value Coffee Shop (Lagoon Road, Delap) serves espresso, cappuccino, lattes, milk tea and flavoured coffee drinks, all from a variety store that you would never guess hid a proper coffee shop.

Some of Majuro’s most memorable casual food is not found in a conventional café at all. Anmarwut Gas Station (Rita Back Road, Rita) sells fresh tōñut, takeaway lunches, poke and sashimi, while Yokwe Grab ’n Go (Lagoon Road, Batkan) is useful for quick meals and locally made snacks such as breadfruit chips.

Self-catering in Majuro is relatively straightforward, with several large supermarkets, neighbourhood convenience stores and local markets spread along the atoll.

The range is surprisingly broad for such a remote destination. Expect familiar American brands alongside products imported from Australia, Japan, Pakistan and elsewhere, although freight costs mean prices can be higher than you might expect.

K&K Island Pride Supermarket has branches in Delap and Long Island, with the Delap store offering the widest selection. You can shop for fresh and frozen meat, dairy products, fruit, vegetables, bread, cereals, alcohol, sauces, snacks and international groceries, along with toiletries and basic pharmacy products.

The Long Island branch is especially convenient for guests at Lojkar Apartments & Hotel, as it sits right next door. Both stores are open from 7 am to 9 pm Monday to Thursday, from 7 am to 10 pm Friday and Saturday, and from 7 am to 8 pm Sunday.

For fruit and vegetables, Payless Supermarket (Lagoon Road, Uliga) is often one of the better options. Its produce section usually includes imported fruit, carrots, broccoli, sweet potatoes, cabbage, peppers and onions, along with pantry basics such as rice, beans, canned tomatoes and noodles.

Check fresh produce carefully before buying, as much of it has travelled a long way to reach Majuro. For locally grown options, try the market beside Marshall Islands Resort (Lagoon Road, Delap), MISCO Market (Lagoon Road, Uliga) or the Sunday roadside stalls towards Laura.

Seafood lovers can shop at the MIMRA Outer Islands Fish Market at Uliga Dock. Whole fish, fillets and fish jerky are commonly available, with the best choice generally found earlier in the day.

Two things to note:

• Supermarket stock depends heavily on recent shipments, so a favourite product may be plentiful one week and missing the next. When you find something important, buying an extra one is often a safer strategy than trusting the shipping gods.
• Bring cash for markets, roadside stalls and smaller convenience stores. Larger supermarkets may accept cards, but cash remains the most dependable option.

For a complete breakdown of supermarkets, markets, convenience stores and shopping tips, see A Guide to Supermarkets and Food Shopping in the Marshall Islands.

Accommodations with Kitchen Facilities in Majuro

You have several good options for accommodation with cooking facilities in Majuro:

• Lojkar Apartments & Hotel (Lagoon Road, Rairok) has spacious "Two-Bedroom Units" with full kitchens. The neighbouring K&K Island Pride Supermarket makes grocery shopping particularly convenient.
• Beach Lodge Hotel & Apartments (Lagoon Road, Rairok) offers one-bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens, living rooms and private balconies. Complimentary drinking water and self-service laundry facilities are also provided.
• Ajeltake Beach House (Lagoon Road, Ajeltake) has overwater self-contained units, each with a modern kitchen, dining area and living room. As food and drinks are not supplied, stock up in town before settling into this quieter part of the atoll.
• Tuwaakin Beach Apartments (Lagoon Road, Ajeltake) offers a compact beachside stay with a full kitchen containing a stovetop, fridge and microwave. Its secluded location makes arriving with groceries essential rather than merely sensible.
• Ocean Whisper Guesthouse (Delap Back Road, Delap) offers one of the best-value self-catering arrangements, with a shared kitchen containing a stove, microwave, pots, pans and a large fridge. It is also within walking distance of K&K Island Pride Supermarket.
• Marshall Islands Resort (Lagoon Road, Delap) has cooking facilities in its "Suites". A small local market also operates within the resort grounds, while Enra Restaurant provides an easy escape when cooking feels far too ambitious.

For more details on these stays, see Where to Stay on Majuro: 10 Best Accommodations.

Foodie accommodation is not really a recognised category in Majuro. You will not find boutique culinary resorts, chef-led tasting stays or hotels growing half their dinner menu in an organic garden.

Nevertheless, some accommodations make eating well considerably easier through self-catering facilities, nearby supermarkets or several food options within walking distance. Although we outline all your choices in Where to Stay on Majuro: 10 Best Accommodations, these are our top picks for foodies.

Marshall Islands Resort

Marshall Islands Resort is the most convenient choice for travellers who want several food options in one place. Book a "Suite" for cooking facilities, giving you the freedom to prepare meals when restaurant dining starts to lose its holiday sparkle.

Within the resort grounds, you will find Annie’s Bakery, the Local Market and Enra Restaurant. Annie’s is excellent for coffee, freshly baked bread, breakfast sandwiches and sweet treats, while the market sells seasonal fruit, vegetables, local snacks and drinks brought in by vendors.

Enra is more useful for convenience than as a destination restaurant in its own right. Still, having a restaurant, bakery, market and self-catering facilities together makes the resort a solid base, while its Delap location puts several other eateries and supermarkets within easy reach.

Lojkar Apartments & Hotel

For proper self-catering, Lojkar Apartments & Hotel is our top choice. Each "Two-Bedroom Unit" has a full kitchen, refrigerator, dining table, living area and enough space for up to four guests, with a maximum of five adults.

The biggest advantage for foodies is the location. A branch of K&K Island Pride Supermarket sits next door, so stocking the kitchen does not require a taxi ride or heroic grocery-carrying expedition in the tropical heat.

The supermarket offers meat, dairy products, fruit, vegetables, bread, cereals, drinks, sauces and international groceries. Lojkar also provides free airport transfers and operates a car rental service, making it easier to reach Majuro’s markets, restaurants and takeaway spots when you would rather let somebody else cook.

Its position in Rairok is quieter than central Delap-Uliga-Djarrit, but for space, kitchen facilities and effortless supermarket access, it is Majuro’s strongest self-catering option.