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Fiji Airways Chef’s Table Review: Nadi Airport

An intimate dining experience showcasing Fiji’s flavours and culture.

About Fiji Airways

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INTRODUCTION

Looking for a dining experience that’s not just delicious but offers fantastic value? This Fiji Airways Chef’s table review has you covered!

Fiji Airways has introduced a remarkable fine-dining concept that is exceptional value, especially if you wouldn’t otherwise have access to the airline’s lounge.

The Fiji Airways Chef’s Table is an intimate dining experience within the airline’s Premier Lounge at Nadi Airport.

If you don’t want to read on, view the Instagram Reel.

Hallway leading to an airport lounge, featuring a vertical garden on the left wall and a sign for the "Premier Lounge" on the right.

Two daily sittings at 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm last about 1.5 hours, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the experience.

While the timing doesn’t suit every flight, passengers on some afternoon and evening departures, like the following (not an exhaustive list), can enjoy it without rushing:

  • VA 187 Brisbane 16:05
  • VA 198 Melbourne 16:55
  • FJ 413 Auckland 19:30
  • FJ 810 Los Angeles 21:40
  • FJ 880 Vancouver 22:00
  • FJ 351 Narita 23:50
  • FJ 870 San Fransisco 22:15
  • FJ 923 Brisbane 20:30

If you’re flying on Fiji Airways or any other airline departing Nadi, this experience is worth booking as a pre-flight treat.

THE DETAILS

The Chef’s Table experience, priced at FJD$150 (around EUR60/USD67), includes access to the Fiji Airways Premier Lounge afterwards.

If you don’t have lounge access or hold status, this experience is definitely worth considering.

It offers fantastic value for the quality of food, the exclusivity of the setting, and access to the lounge afterwards is a lovely bonus.

A modern lounge area with brown and beige seating, round tables, a large vertical garden on the wall, and flowers in the background.

Standalone lounge entry is FJD$135, so for just FJD$15 more, it’s an easy choice.

The private dining space is just to the left of the bar, tucked away for privacy. When it’s time to eat, the lounge staff will come and collect you.

A modern bar setup with a countertop, glasses, a variety of liquor bottles, a sink, and a drink cooler.

MY EXPERIENCE

Chef Aflas and Tomasi from the Fiji Airways lounge guided the 1.5-hour experience.

Both were incredibly engaging, taking the time to explain the cultural significance of each dish.

Tomasi shared anecdotes, including how a group had recently booked the entire space for their friends and family.

A small room with tables and chairs arranged, featuring a wall-mounted TV displaying an image of hands and glassware. A coat is draped over one chair.
A round table with a black tablecloth set with cutlery, three forks, three knives, a square plate, three glasses, and a small vase with purple flowers and greenery in the center.
A round table with black tablecloth set for two, featuring wine glasses, utensils, a folded napkin, and a small flower vase. Another table is visible in the background.

I was the only one booked in that evening, so I had the whole space to myself.

It was nice and peaceful, though I did notice the lack of background music.

WELCOME DRINK & WINE

Within minutes of sitting, I was delivered a bright cocktail of local gin infused with kava and curry leaves. The combination was refreshingly unique.

A table set for a meal with a menu, a pink cocktail, three empty glasses, a bowl of bread, butter, and a vase with flowers on a dark tablecloth.

The wine selection featured the Matua Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and the Bistro Pinot Noir from France.

A person holding a bottle of Matua Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand on a black napkin.
Red wine, white wine, and a glass with lime on a black tablecloth in a restaurant setting.

While these wines are budget-friendly (FJD$25 and FJD$30, respectively), their flavour profiles complemented the meal.

Here’s a look at the menu on offer:

A Chef’s Table menu featuring tasting platter, appetizer, main course, and dessert is placed on a table with glasses of water and wine, a spoon, fork, and small purple flower in a vase.

FIRST COURSE

This opener paid homage to Fiji’s love of coconut, featuring:

  • Lolo rice arancini
  • Bu noodles with smoked Tahitian chestnut and coriander pesto
  • Vara (coconut apple) with sea salt, bush lemon, and chilli flakes

It was served alongside a coconut water shot.

Elegant meal on slate platter with a fried ball, rice, and vegetable dish, accompanied by a glass bottle and a pink cocktail; flower vase and glassware in the background.

APPETISER

Next came a beautifully plated dish celebrating the Fijian coast’s flavours.

Plated gourmet dish with shrimp, caviar, and decorative greens on a black plate.

It included:

  • Lumi spiced seaweed and coconut jelly
  • Nama tempura (sea grapes)
  • Spice-rubbed Pacific yellowfin tuna and wild-caught ocean prawns

These were paired with ginger, wasabi espuma, tomato caviar, and pumpkin fronds.

A gourmet dish featuring shrimp, mashed potatoes, fish roe, and garnishes arranged on a dark plate.
A gourmet dish featuring seared shrimp, salmon roe, a small round mousse, and green garnish on a dark plate. A glass with lime is in the background.

Lumi, a seaweed delicacy from Fiji’s Gau Island, is a cherished part of Sunday family gatherings, as Tomasi shared.

MAIN COURSE

The main course was the star of the show: lamb prepared in two ways—flame-grilled tenderloin and six-hour braised, smoked lamb.

A gourmet dish featuring seared meat, shredded beef on layered potatoes, purple puree, dark sauce, and garnished with pea shoots and small flowers on a white plate.

It was served with cassava pave, braised cabbage puree, and balsamic onion mousse.

The lamb was perfect and bursting with flavour; it was easily my favourite.

A gourmet dish with meat, purple puree, and garnished potato block on a white plate. Wine glass and cutlery in the background.
A gourmet dish featuring braised meat on a potato stack, garnished with greens and flowers, on a white plate.

Yes, it was very delicious.

Empty white plate with remnants of sauce and cutlery on a dark tablecloth. Nearby are glasses and a small plant.

DESSERT

Dessert was a mix of Fijian and Indian cuisine, with curry leaf, cardamom ice cream, and a Fijian coconut caramel pudding. Yum!

Dessert plate with chocolate cake topped with cream and flowers, mango sauce, and a scoop of ice cream on a crumb base.
A dessert plated with a rectangular chocolate cake topped with nuts and pink chips, next to a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a smear of orange sauce on a white speckled plate.

THE LOUNGE

Afterward, I explored the lounge, took a shower, and headed to my gate for departure.

Here are some pics of the lounge experience.

Modern bathroom with a large walk-in shower, featuring a wall-mounted showerhead and controls. The walls are covered in dark tiles, and the floor is light-colored. A magnifying mirror is on the right.
Two wall-mounted dispensers in a bathroom containing Pure Fiji hand wash and hand & body lotion.
Three white Pure Fiji bottles: conditioner, shower gel, and shampoo, mounted on a dark tiled wall.
A small bathroom with black and beige tiles, a white sink, a wicker bin, a wooden bench, a mirror, a hairdryer, and a decorative vase.
A white rectangular sink with a modern faucet set against blue tile backsplash. Below is a patterned marble slab and a woven basket on the floor.
Modern restroom with three round sinks on a marble countertop, blue-tiled wall with mirrors, and wooden doors.

FOOD

A tray of assorted bread rolls is displayed on a counter, accompanied by butter packets and tongs on a small plate.
A stainless steel chafing dish filled with seasoned rice and diced meat.
An oval buffet counter with various dishes and condiments displayed under warm lighting. Blue-green glass pendant lights hang above.
Buffet-style heated dish containing a red stew with vegetables and dollops of cream, placed on a marble countertop.
Three sandwiches with greens on plates are displayed on a tiered stand at a buffet.
A person is selecting dessert items from a buffet bar with cakes and pastries displayed under a glass cover.
An assortment of salads in bowls on a buffet counter, with tongs and plates nearby.
Two covered buffet trays labeled "Caution Hot Surface" on a counter, with stacked white bowls and plates underneath.
Buffet counter with three stainless steel food warmers labeled "Caution," empty bowls and plates on shelves below, and tiled walls in the background.
A beverage station with two drink dispensers and a mini fridge stocked with various soft drinks. Glasses are arranged on a nearby shelf.

SPACE

A lounge area with a large TV screen displaying a sports event. Shelves on the left hold various magazines, and there are several seats and tables in the background.
Lobby area featuring a living green wall, modern armchairs, and small round tables in a contemporary setting.
Seating area with two chairs facing a cushioned booth with two orange pillows against a wooden-paneled wall. A suitcase is near one chair.
A modern lounge with comfortable seating, ambient lighting, and a green wall.
Glass-walled play area labeled "Laila Land" with colorful sea creature designs, a sign prohibiting food and drink, and a high chair outside.
A lounge area with beige chairs and round tables arranged in rows, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling curtains and lit by a standing lamp.
A modern lounge area with brown and beige seating, round tables, a large vertical garden on the wall, and flowers in the background.
A modern workspace with three desktop computers on a wooden desk and ergonomic chairs. A green wall is visible in the background.
A modern lounge with brown leather chairs, striped armchairs, wooden ceiling slats, and ambient lighting.

CONCLUSION

Fiji Airways’ Chef’s Table is more than just a meal; it’s a cultural journey that celebrates the flavours and traditions of Fiji.

With thoughtful incorporation of local ingredients like Lumi and the staff’s warm hospitality, it’s a lovely way to end your trip in Fiji.

At FJD$150, the experience offers incredible value for those without free access to the lounge.

Thanks to Fiji Airways for providing complimentary access to this experience!