The Best Restaurants to Eat at in Palau.

During my recent visit to Palau, I had the opportunity to try out a wide range of different restaurants while I was there. In this blog post, I will share where I ate in Palau, along with my opinions of each place. Keep reading to find out more!

Elilai Restaurant

First of all, Elilai was recommended to me by almost everyone in Palau! It was well air conditioned with a relaxed vibe. However, I was also the most under dressed in the place in shorts, t-shirt and flip-flops. There was a mix of young people and families.

I was welcomed with a fresh towel to cool down and water which was a very nice touch. I arrived at 5:30pm but it started to fill up by 6pm so reserve in advance if you can.

For food, I got chicken wings with homemade sauce as an appetizer for $10. It tasted nice and the sauce was pretty sweet. The Palauan steamed fish took 14 minutes but it was worth the wait. It cost $26.

The waitress opened it up for me and I was rewarded with an incredible smell of fresh fish. The portion size was reasonable as well and there was some steamed vegetables to accompany it as well.

I always like to take a look at what others are eating and the family at the table next to me for really nice steaks with potato and vegetables. It looked well cooked but tender. I’m not going to lie I was a little bit jealous. If I were to go again, I would probably order a steak!

For dessert, I got a cappuccino for $6 and a chocolava cake for $9 because the apple pie was sold out.  Both tasted great and I appreciated again that the waitress told me the exact time it would take to have the chocolava cake ready (12 minutes).

Overall, I would recommend this restaurant for the relaxed, friendly atmosphere and also the sunset  which shines right through the restaurant if you’re there at the right time. The tasty food is only one part of this whole restaurant experience. 

To top it off, they also offer a free pick-up and drop-off service. I stayed at Shell Villa Apartel Resort which was a bit further away and I heard that sometimes they may not go that far but I am not sure as I went to the WCTC in downtown Koror afterwards. This is also the perfect place to watch Palauan sunsets.

The Drop Off

Next, The Drop Off Bar and Grill is a very chilled out spot on Neco Marina in Koror, Palau. I arrived at 4:30pm it was very quiet. There was a mixture of a few locals and tourists. I ordered a tsunami burger which came with fries for $15 and a Diet Pepsi for $3.50. It was tasty but also filling.

They can cook the meat whatever way you prefer. Personally, I chose well done and it wasn’t cremated! For dessert, I ate a chocolate cake with ice-cream for $5.50 and instant coffee for $3.85 including tax. I left full and happy. There were a few people at the bar if you wanted to sit there and chat as well.

Tori Tori Restaurant

Thirdly, I took a trip to Tori Tori Restaurant. If you like Japanese food, Tori Tori Restaurant is for you! I ordered the C course for $33. It included sashimi of the day, chicken soup, 6 kinds of skewers (chicken thigh gizzard, chicken skin with chicken heart, vegetable of the day and pork belly).

I opted for the cold thin white noodle and it tasted really good. The sashimi was so fresh but wow the wasabi was hot! I really wasn’t as used to spice like I thought. I got a Diet Pepsi for $3.50 and a coffee with milk for $3.85.

It was pretty busy with a mixture of groups and people alone. You sit along one worktop, similar to like being in a bar. It is also important to note that the toilet is located downstairs outside of the restaurant and parking is available across the road. I would recommend this restaurant for sure!

Umi Japanese and Korean Restaurant

The fourth restaurant in this blog post is Umi Japanese and Korean Restaurant. It is located in Koror Centre. The entrance is slightly hidden away but it was pretty busy with both tourists and locals, coming and going.

For dinner, I got a chicken yaki soba which was a large portion for $16 or $17.60 when you include tax. I got a Diet Coke for $3 and it came to $22.99 in total. You can also get Korean kimball, salad, sushi, maki rolls, donburi, tempura, teppanyaki and ramen.

The Korean menu is also served with rice and soup. I would recommend this restaurant, especially if you’re a fan of Korean and Japanese food!

Coffeeberry Cafe

After that, I tried out Coffeeberry Cafe. My trip here was short and sweet. I paid $11 for chicken panini and and Diet Coke. It was very quiet (I was the only customer!) but reasonably priced, in a good location and free wifi. It closes at 6pm. Note the bathroom is outside. If you’re looking for a quick bite, I would recommend it here.

The Taj

Next, I visited The Taj. This restaurant has delicious Indian food and is definitely up there as a top restaurant to visit in Palau. It was quiet when I arrived but a few parties joined during my time there. The service was wonderful and the staff were very attentive.

I got poppadom with three sauces: mint yogurt, tamarind and pickle which were a mix of sweet and spicy. The chicken tikka masala cost $23.04 and plain naan bread cost $3.36 which were both very filling.

For dessert, I got khulfi which is Indian ice-cream enriched with nuts and flavored rose water for $5 + PGST. Total was $37.07. Bathrooms were clean but a bit dark with colourful lights. Definitely plan a visit here if you come to Palau.

Canoe House

Another popular venue for food and drink in Palau is Canoe House. This is part of Palau Central Hotel. It is a popular bar in Palau with friendly staff. It’s well air conditioned and located in the centre of Koror. I got a Deep South BBQ pork sandwich with Napa coleslaw and fries for $13, a Diet Coke for $3 and a latte for $5. Add on 10% PGST and it’s $21.

They have tasty food and a good atmosphere both during the day and at night. I took my photos one morning just as it opens to it doesn’t really show that! The crowd was mixture of US military personnel and tourists. In terms of an atmosphere, Canoe House is the best place to go! I was here almost every night during my stay in Palau.

Coconut Terrace at Palau Pacific Resort

Last but certainly not least, I went to Coconut Terrace at Palau Pacific Resort. This hotel is famous in Palau for it’s high quality. They didn’t leave any room for mediocrity during my stay there. I got the pan seared salmon $24, a Palauan Beauty mocktail for $8, a super sundae (it lived up to its name) for $8.50 and a cafe latte $5.

There was a service charge of $4.55 and PGST $5.01. During my stay, most people at the restaurant were guests but I also took it as an opportunity to check out the grounds, too.

Final Thoughts

Overall, there is a nice mixture of restaurants in Palau and I’m sure that I am missing a few as well. If you come to Palau, I am sure you’ll find the right fit for you. Thanks for reading!

If you liked this blog post, you may like some more Palau related posts of mine:

PALAU DAY TRIP | ROCK ISLANDS TOUR

SHELL VILLA APARTEL RESORT | AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION IN PALAU