Eating on Norfolk Island

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This week just past I was working in Norfolk Island. I flew there on Monday morning via Sydney and returned Friday evening, again via Sydney.

Dedicated to the numerous grazing cows on Norfolk Island.

There are so many of them

Best coffee on Norfolk Island | Prinke

The best coffee on the island can be enjoyed at Prinke eco store

I went there twice and both times had a really very nice flat white which had a rich and full flavour.

Google map 36 Taylors Rd, Burnt Pine 2899, Norfolk Island

Monday evening

On Monday evening I was the guest of the Administrator of the Norfolk Island Territory at Government House. He had arranged catering from a local chef named James.

I enjoyed a plate of New Zealand lamb with barbecued zucchini, tomatoes, red onion, and potato mash. It was delicious.

This was followed by a superb panna cotta (sorry, no photograph).

If you ever get an opportunity to dine at Government House, it’s worth it.

Google map Government House – Administrators Residence Quality Row, Kingston 2899, Norfolk Island

Breakfast on Norfolk Island

I was staying at the Castaway Hotel & Apartments. A continental breakfast was available each morning. I deviated from my regular steamed egg and wilted spinach and “carb loaded” on tinned fruit, fresh pawpaw and toast.

The people at the Castaway are really friendly and always helpful. On the Tuesday morning I had an early meeting and rather than wait until the dining room opened at 7.30, the person attending the reception desk kindly set out the breakfast in the dining room at 7 for me.

As much as my daily breakfast is a steamed egg and wilted spinach, the break for four days was nice.

Google map Castaway Norfolk Island Taylors Road, Burnt Pine 2899, Norfolk Island +672 3 22625

Tuesday lunch

On Tuesday I enjoyed a really nice mango salad with crumbed prawns from The Olive Cafe.

The Olive Cafe is very popular amongst the island people. Apparently, it’s a place to be seen!

Google map The Olive Burnt Pine 2899, Norfolk Island +672 24406

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Tuesday evening

On Tuesday evening I dined at Hilli Restaurant & Cafe.

For a main meal I devoured local Norfolk Island beef with New Zealand prawns, mussels, and calamari which was served with a garlic cream sauce.

Tender Norfolk Island beef fillet cooked to your desire topped with imported New Zealand Prawns, calamari and Mussels in a garlic cream sauce

For dessert, I savoured an affogato.

Three Scoops of Vanilla bean ice cream topped with crisp biscotti honeycomb crumble sided with a hot shot of espresso coffee

The service was friendly and helpful. The atmosphere was warm and inviting. I can’t fault it.

Hilli Restaurant & Cafe also splits bills.

Google map Hilli Restaurant & Cafe Queen Elizabeth Ave, 2899, Norfolk Island +672 3 24270

Wednesday evening

The Castaway had a wood fired oven and does a Wednesday pizza night which is popular across the island.

I really carb loaded on Wednesday evening.

I mean who doesn’t love the occasional pizza night. I think I ended up eating the equivalent of nearly two full pizzas. I was full but amazingly after all the carb-laden pizza base I didn’t feel bloated afterwards.

Thursday evening

While Hilli Restaurant & Cafe was good, I was told Dino’s is better.

I was seated outside on a verandah for the evening meal and it was a beautiful setting as the sun set and the warmth of the day lingered a little longer.

I was keen to try some more local beef but I was informed the steak that night was from New Zealand so I went for a seafood extravaganza.

I started with Garlic king prawns and scallops served on a lemon and fennel risotto served with a Greek salad with pomegranate vinaigrette. I love the coral on scallops served like this. This entrée was perfectly cooked.

The main meal was a seafood platter of Tahitian king fish salad, fresh king fish sashimi style with soy wasabi and pickled ginger, and coconut lime and laksa king prawns on a lemon and fennel risotto.

This meal was spectacularly good. Each of the three elements was perfect. I kept going from one to the other, each of them equally as enjoyable. I think I could have eaten two of these platters. I really wanted more.

For dessert I had Hilli goat cheese. I did ask if it was raw or if it had been pasteurised. I was told it was pasteurised goat milk. This was a very nice way to finish off a meal.

The service was friendly, helpful, and informative. The ambience was warm and family like. I really enjoyed the couple of hours I spent seated outside in the warm evening air. One of the people serving food also works at Prinke and I’d met her the day before.

Dino’s splits bills.

Google map Dino’s Restaurant 2899, Norfolk Island

Friday lunch

My final meal on Norfolk Island was at The Homestead.

I went with the confit duck with beetroot, silverbeet, potato rosti, and pomegranate.

The duck was a little salty, but that’s to be expected with confit duck thigh. The meat of the duck pulled apart effortlessly and was moist and tender. The potato rosti was crunchy and had a nice herby flavour. It’s hard to go past duck, but if the steak had been local Norfolk Island steak I would have gone for that.

Given the time of year there was a Christmas vibe to the place.

The service was friendly and fast. I wish I had more time to try the entrée meals as well as the desserts. Sadly, I had to catch a flight.

The Homestead splits bills

Google map 264 New Farm Rd 2899, Norfolk Island

Final thoughts

• Have you ever been to Norfolk Island?
• Do you prefer something sweet or cheese for dessert?
• Do you like restaurants that split bills? Establishments on the mainland could learn a lesson from the friendly Norfolk Islanders who are happy to split bills.

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