As of 2026, this Palau food guide covers 13 restaurants by category — including Drop Off Bar & Grill, Elilai Seaside Dining, Bem Ermii Burgers (local fish & burgers). See prices, locations and must-try dishes below.
Palau is Palau is Pacific-island and Micronesian food — reef fish, mangrove crab, taro, and fruit-bat soup — mostly in Koror, from local diners to resort dining. We've organized 13 restaurants across 4 categories. Each entry includes prices, hours, local tips, and a Google Maps link so you can plan straight from the page.
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Click pins to see restaurant info · 13 restaurants
A long-running, well-reviewed seafood-and-grill spot on Malakal Island, widely regarded as one of Palau's top places for fresh fish. Casual, popular with both visitors and locals, with a relaxed bar-and-grill feel.
$15-40
($15-40)
Hours vary — typically lunch and dinner; check ahead
Local tip: A solid choice for fresh grilled fish after a dive day on Malakal, where many dive shops are based. Crab is seasonal and not always available — ask what is fresh that day. Casual dress; cards generally accepted, but carry some cash.
Elilai Seaside Dining · Near Minatobashi Bridge, Koror
2
#2
MUST TRY
Local reef fish, Pacific Rim seafood dishes, sunset dinner
A higher-end seaside dining room with Palauan and Pacific Rim influences, built around fresh local fish, seafood and greens. Set on the waterfront near the bridge to Malakal, it is known for its sunset views.
Local tip: One of Palau's more special-occasion restaurants — reserve a waterfront table for sunset. Pricier than Koror's casual spots, in line with its setting and ingredients. A nice non-dive evening out.
A well-known casual eatery in Koror with a loyal local following, best known for hearty burgers (including a teriyaki chicken version) and fries. Simple, filling and popular.
$8-20
($8-20)
Lunch and dinner — check ahead
Local tip: A reliable, affordable bite when you want something quick and familiar rather than a sit-down seafood dinner. Portions are generous; expect a casual setup. Good value by Palau standards.
Japanese-Palauan menus — sashimi, curries and local fish — reflecting Palau's history
Mog Mog
Mog Mog · Koror
4
#1
MUST TRY
Local reef fish, sashimi, seafood — lobster and crab when available
A Japanese-Palauan seafood restaurant in Koror serving fresh local fish alongside Japanese dishes. Known for a mix of local Palauan plates and Japanese-style preparation; the name is a Japanese term for food-talk to children.
$15-45
($15-45)
Lunch and dinner — check ahead
Local tip: A good place to try local fish prepared Japanese-style. Premium items like lobster and crab are seasonal and priced accordingly — confirm availability and price before ordering. Reflects Palau's strong Japanese culinary influence.
Japanese-style curry, sashimi, noodles, local fish
A Japanese-Palauan fusion restaurant tucked next to the Carp dive center near downtown Koror. The menu spans Japanese curries, noodles, tofu, sashimi and Western-style chops.
$12-35
($12-35)
Lunch and dinner — check ahead
Local tip: Slightly hidden by the dive center; some visitors note a pickup/drop-off shuttle is offered — worth asking. A solid, varied menu that suits divers wanting Japanese comfort food after a boat day.
A casual, popular waterfront cafe-and-bar in Koror known for a relaxed balcony over the water and fresh fish. A favorite easy-going spot for a meal and a drink.
$10-35
($10-35)
Daytime and evening — check ahead
Local tip: Good for a laid-back lunch or sunset drink with a water view rather than a formal dinner. Friendly, casual service. A reliable Koror standby between dive and tour days.
Indian, American and Pacific Rim dining — Koror's wider restaurant scene for a mix of visitors
The Taj
The Taj Palau · Koror
7
#1
MUST TRY
North Indian curries, tandoori dishes, naan, vegetarian thali
A consistently highly rated Indian restaurant in Koror, offering a broad menu of curries and tandoori dishes in a relaxed setting. One of the town's most popular non-seafood options.
$15-45
($15-45)
Lunch and dinner — check ahead
Local tip: A welcome change of pace from seafood, and one of the better picks for vegetarians in Palau. Upscale-ish pricing for Koror but reliable quality. Reservations help on busy nights.
A downtown Koror restaurant serving a mixed menu of Asian and local dishes. A convenient central option within walking distance of much of town.
$12-35
($12-35)
Lunch and dinner — check ahead
Local tip: Handy for a meal in the center without arranging transport. Menu leans pan-Asian with local seafood. Confirm hours, as Koror restaurant schedules can shift.
Buffet breakfast, Pacific and Japanese-influenced dishes, seafood
The dining outlets at Palau Royal Resort, one of Koror's larger waterfront resorts, offering buffet and a la carte options with Pacific and Japanese influences. Open to non-guests for some services.
$20-60
($20-60)
Breakfast, lunch and dinner — check with resort
Local tip: A dependable, higher-comfort option if you want resort-style dining and a water view; pricier than town restaurants. Useful for a relaxed breakfast or dinner near the resort strip. Confirm whether non-guests can book.
Burgers, coffee, bento-style meals and quick bites around Koror — plus packed lunches for boat days
Koror local market eateries (Surangel / WCTC area)
Koror local eateries · Central Koror
10
#1
MUST TRY
Bento-style plate lunch, local fish-and-rice plates, taro and reef fish
Small casual eateries and food counters around central Koror's shopping areas serving inexpensive plate lunches — typically rice with fish or meat, and local sides. A budget-friendly way to eat where locals do.
$5-15
($5-15)
Mostly daytime — varies by vendor
Local tip: The most affordable way to eat in an expensive country. Quality and hours vary spot to spot, and many are cash-only. Try a local plate lunch with taro or reef fish to taste everyday Palauan eating.
Coffee, breakfast plates, light meals and pastries
A casual Koror cafe serving coffee, breakfast and light meals — a relaxed spot for a morning drink before a boat day or a low-key lunch in town.
$4-15
($4-15)
Mornings and daytime — check ahead
Local tip: Handy for an early coffee and breakfast before an early dive or tour departure. Cafe-style menu rather than a full restaurant. Check opening time, as boat days start early. Hours can change.
Bento-style boxed meals are a popular, practical option in Koror, sold at some restaurants and convenience stores — a legacy of Palau's Japanese culinary influence. Convenient for self-catered or on-the-go meals.
$5-12
($5-12)
Varies by store
Local tip: Ideal for a budget breakfast, a quick lunch, or food to bring on a boat day or to Peleliu where options are scarce. Quality is decent and prices are among the lowest you will find locally. Pay in cash.
Rock Islands picnic lunch · Rock Islands (boat tour)
13
#4
MUST TRY
Beach barbecue / packed lunch on Long Beach or an island stop
On a full-day Rock Islands boat tour, lunch is typically a packed meal or a simple beach barbecue at an island stop such as Long Beach — eaten in the islands rather than at a restaurant. Provided by the operator.
Usually included in tour
(Usually included in tour)
During Rock Islands day tours
Local tip: Confirm with your operator whether lunch, water and snacks are included before the trip — there are no shops out in the Rock Islands. Bring extra water and reef-safe sunscreen. This is part of the boat day, not a bookable venue.
A local diner plate + market takeaway + a tour packed lunch.
Mid-Range
$40-75/day
A Koror seafood dinner (Drop Off, The Taj) + a cafe lunch.
Luxury
$110+/day
Resort fine dining + a liveaboard or private-charter catered day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about food and restaurants in Palau.
What are the traditional dishes to try in Palau?
Local cooking centers on taro, cassava, reef fish and coconut. Look for demok (taro-leaf stew with coconut milk), tinola (ginger chicken soup, often with green papaya and chili leaves), ulkoy (deep-fried shrimp-and-squash fritters) and pichi-pichi (a coconut-and-cassava dessert). Fresh reef fish is everywhere, and mangrove or coconut crab appear seasonally. Fruit bat soup is a traditional delicacy you will see on some menus, though it is not to everyone's taste.
Where do most restaurants in Palau cluster?
In Koror, the main town — that is where nearly all of Palau's restaurants are. Popular picks include The Taj (Indian), Drop Off Bar & Grill on Malakal (seafood and grill), Kramer's Cafe (casual waterfront), Mog Mog (Japanese-Palauan seafood), Carp Restaurant (Japanese-Palauan fusion) and Elilai Seaside (higher-end Pacific Rim). Out on Peleliu and the smaller islands, dining is minimal, so day trips usually mean a packed lunch from your operator.
Is Palau good for vegetarians or familiar food?
Koror has a practical range beyond Palauan dishes — Indian (The Taj), Japanese, Korean, Chinese and American (burgers, fries) — plus convenience-store bento meals, so finding something familiar is easy in town. Vegetarians can manage, especially at Indian spots, but should expect a seafood-heavy default and fewer dedicated vegetarian menus. Options shrink sharply once you leave Koror.
How expensive is eating out in Palau?
More than you might expect, because most ingredients are imported. Casual eateries and plate lunches run roughly $5-15, mid-range sit-down meals $15-40, and higher-end or resort dining $25-60 or more. The cheapest route is local plate-lunch counters and bento meals; the priciest are waterfront fine-dining rooms like Elilai. Bring US-dollar cash, as smaller spots may not take cards.
What about drinks and water?
Local lager (commonly Red Rooster) is the everyday beer, fresh coconut water is widely available, and imported drinks carry import prices in Koror. Be aware that some islands are effectively dry — Peleliu has little or no alcohol outside hotels — so do not rely on buying drinks once you leave Koror. Many visitors stick to bottled water, and you should carry plenty on boat days.
More on Palau
Cost guide, itineraries, hotel picks — plan the rest of your trip.
Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
30+ countries visited
Live exchange rate verified
Palau