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Ratings and reviews

Travellers' Choice2023
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Special Occasion Dining, Romantic, View, Groups, Bar Scene
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
US$10 - US$28
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Dinner, Drinks
CUISINES
Healthy
FEATURES
Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Takeout, Reservations, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Waterfront, Beach
Reviews (1,653)
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Traveller rating
961
455
119
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31
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All reviews pork belly garlic prawns fish curry pizza key lime pie wontons potatoes tuna catch of the day feet in the sand dinner on the beach last night great setting fish of the day ika mata during our stay cook islands
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Reviewed 3 weeks ago

Bad food and RUDENESS 4 November --Vaima Restaurant, Rarotonga On Saturday the 4th November my partner and I attempted to have a special celebration meal at Vaima. Throughout, all the wait staff were kind and polite. We loved their friendliness. My partner ordered the Beef...Wellington and I, a fish meal. Ours was one of two Beef Wellingtons which remained uneaten. The couple at the next table had a similar raw Beef Wellington experience. They were too shy to complain, given what they could hear what was happening to us. They simply left their meal. My partner’s Beef Wellington was raw, and not rare. Semi -cold and oozing blood. Wait staff took it back and after several minutes returned after the manager told her to offer to recook it, or for my partner to order something else. You can’t recook something and still have it right, and so she ordered the curry in the hope it would come out faster and we could eat together before my fish went cold. FACT: Thirty minutes later still no sign of the curry. I approached the manager and she was totally unfriendly. I was told in no uncertain terms by her that a lot of people had come in after us and their orders were ahead of our ordered curry. That is why I stopped listening to her. That explanation to me was a very, very bad joke, and an insult. So after an uncooked Beef Wellington we were going to be last to be served, behind all those people who came in later. FACT: The restaurant owner came across and he was in an aggressive mood and accused me of being abusive. He was annoyed that we had disrupted his time with his friends. “Ten years, and none of my friends have never complained” FACT: Not once did he, or the manager offer and apology and offer to “Make it Right” for us. FACT: Our evening was ruined. We never got to have a meal together in happy enjoyment. The owner aggressively stated that there was only one way to cook a Beef Wellington. He simply would not accept that it was raw and not rare. Rarotonga is wonderful for its friendliness and helpfulness. The owner and manager of Viama on the Beach are letting the country down.More

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?
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, Owner at Vaima Polynesian Bar and Restaurant, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

Kia orana Denis, I believe you have dined with us previously, that would explain why you walked in without a reservation for your special night! I carried out a forensic investigation on the CCTV and my phone audio and our data. No reservations - we...More

Reviewed 3 weeks ago

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.More

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?
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.
Reviewed 23 October 2023 via mobile

Oh my god, the pork belly is to die for! According to the rest of the party, so is the beef Wellington and the fish of the day (mahi mahi when we visited). The staff were friendly, quick to take our orders, and the food...didn't take long at all to come out. The kids had a play in the sand in the outdoor seating area while us adults had a few cocktails before dinner. Tika was awesome (I hope I got your name right!) and we ended up making a reservation for tomorrow night after paying the bill.More

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed 22 October 2023

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.More

Date of visit: October 2023
Helpful?
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, Owner at Vaima Polynesian Bar and Restaurant, responded to this reviewResponded 25 October 2023

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...More

Reviewed 26 August 2023 via mobile

We enjoyed this restaurant so much we ended up going twice. The first night we reserved a table and were lucky enough to be seated at the very front on the beach. This allowed for a spectacular view of the sunset as well the passing...whales. You didn’t even need to eat to enjoy yourself. The staff were very attentive and the food was very nice. It really is an idyllic spot worth the visitMore

Date of visit: August 2023
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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.
Reviewed 24 August 2023

We came here two years ago, enjoyed it so much- we came back. We were not disappointed and will be back again. Having dinner on the sand, with wide menu choice and food cooked to perfection was the standard. Friendly staff as well. Great experience.

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?2  
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.
Reviewed 23 August 2023

It’s all been said before so can only reiterate how nice it is to sit with the sand under your feet (if you wish) enjoying your favourite drink watching the sun set. If preferred, choose a table inside. The food we’ve found to always be...nice, fresh and tasty. The staff very pleasant, prices comparable to most restaurants in Raro. Plenty of parking opposite. Book ahead so as not to be disappointed.More

Date of visit: June 2023
Helpful?2  
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.
Reviewed 17 August 2023 via mobile

This restaurant has it all, great food selection, great cocktail list, great service and exceĺent location. The host was very friendly and very accomadating. The prices were a little high. However you expect to pay for quality.

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?2  
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.
Reviewed 10 August 2023 via mobile

We happened upon Vaima last night and were pleasantly surprised. The service was excellent. We all enjoyed our dinners very much. We came later so there isn’t much atmosphere after the sun goes down and you can’t see the ocean but that wasn’t important to...us. There were young kids in the restaurant too having a good time so I’d say it is family friendly. Recommend.More

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?1  
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.
Reviewed 8 August 2023 via mobile

Had reasonably high expectations after looking at other reviews. Too many bookings for the number of staff on. Meal took 1hr 20mins to arrive. A really mixed meal - Seafood curry was mega-hot (and delicious), rice was crusty and obviously pre-prepared, potatoes were luke-warm on...the outside & raw in the middle. Mentioned to the waiting staff and the as offered replacement, however after the long wait was not an option. Paid full price. Won’t be back again. A bit overrated I feel.More

Date of visit: August 2023
Helpful?
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Reviewed 5 August 2023

Great location, right on the beach, fun staff and excellent food. We ate here twice on our cook island getaway.

Date of visit: July 2023
Helpful?2  
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.
Reviewed 16 July 2023

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.More

Date of visit: June 2023
Helpful?2  
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.
Reviewed 8 July 2023

I love eating the local food in a beautiful setting. The cocktails were delicious too! Everywhere I go I'm amazed by the reasonable prices and friendly staff. MEITAKI 💜

Date of visit: June 2023
Helpful?2  
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.
Reviewed 25 June 2023

Went there tonight. Was very disappointed half menu unavailable and somethings were substituted. We were a group of 5 adults and sat at a table with 4 wooden chairs and 1 plastic chair and table placings for 4 only. Wouldn't recommend.More

Date of visit: June 2023
Helpful?2  
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.
Management response:Responded 26 June 2023

Kia Orana, Thank you for your review, I have spoken to the staff regarding your groups visit. Firstly however, we do recommend that people book, it is written on our blackboard outside our restaurant. Your group arrived at 6:30pm with out making a booking and...More

Reviewed 30 May 2023 via mobile

Absolutely shine above the rest in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Service was outstanding, food amazing and the quality just stood out. We will be back many times over the next week. I highly recommend the team if you want to enjoy a great night out.

Date of visit: May 2023
Helpful?2  
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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Questions & Answers
Ask a question
millebornes
21 May 2020|
AnswerShow all 4 answers
Response from Chris H | Reviewed this property |
Sorry - we only drink wine or ber
0
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yj62
15 September 2017|
AnswerShow all 5 answers
Response from Sakura1990_101 | Reviewed this property |
Yes but make sure to book a table..
1
Vote
cpgharst
19 December 2016|
Answer
Response from Vaima | Property representative |
Hi, the only day we are closed is Christmas Day. We are open for lunch and dinner right through the Festive Season. Only day not serving lunch is New Years Day, 1st Jan 2017. Hope to see you at the Vaima - bookings... More
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VAIMA POLYNESIAN BAR AND RESTAURANT, Titikaveka - Updated 2023 Restaurant Reviews, Menu & Prices - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Vaima Polynesian Bar and Restaurant

Yes, Vaima Polynesian Bar and Restaurant offers takeaway services.

Vaima Polynesian Bar and Restaurant is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4.5