Eating Out

This place is truly something on an island where tourists are not spoilt for choice of clean, good quality, service-driven restaurants. One will want to return to Chill to try everything appealing on the menu. Located in the centre of town opposite the marketplace, it could be easily missed being upstairs in the Au Bon Marche supermarket building above a fast food outlet. It is by far the cleanest, most modern place in Port Vila. The chocolate/orange décor is bold for Port Vila, edgy and classy with crisp, white tablecoths. It looks over to Iririki Resort. The sealife in the water below is a sight, especially at night, when lit by strong floodlights.

The staff (all locals) are obviously well trained and attentive without being intrusive. They are friendly and like to chat if given the opportunity.

The wine list features Australian, New Zealand and French wines and the cocktail list is good - the “Nambawan” cocktail is highly recommended.

The “Vila Big Deala” (all of their pizza names are quirky!) was incredible. The seafood platter is also a good recommendation - perfect. Vegetarian options on the menu are generous and even appealing to a carnivore! Vanuatu, food-wise, is famous for beef and poulet fish (‘poulet’ meaning chicken in French because the consistency is like chicken). The beef is incredibly tender and flavoursome and organic – with mushroom sauce, it was divine. The poulet fish was as fresh as can be with a mustard cream sauce. There would easily be an export market for fish/beef of such a standard.

Do it! Indulge in dessert here – chocolate soufflé with Cointreau - to die for. Paw paw and local nangae nut ice cream slice - refreshing and different. The lime tart was also good. One couple admitted they had been to Chill for lunch and returned for a second lime tart that same afternoon. Fresh cakes are available - there were even real Aussie lamingtons and the coffee is actually good…it is hard to find good coffee in Vila!

Lime juice is popular in Port Vila and it could be fair to say you could use it as a benchmark for judging restaurants in this town. Chill’s was perfect - not too sweet and not too tart - a perfect refreshment in the tropics.

The other bonus...this place is one of the few restaurants in Port Vila with air-conditioning. It is an oasis in the heart and heat of town where one can literally ‘chill’.

Chill Restaurant And Bar is open 7 days from 11am until late. They offer a lunch special between 11am and 3pm for 990Vt (around AUD$12) that includes choice of meal and a beer or wine. There is a 10% discount for earlybirds dining between 5pm & 7pm. Australian dollars are accepted when cruise ships are in dock.