Traditional Wallis & Futuna Food: 5 Foods & Drinks to Try

One of the most cherished culinary traditions you'll encounter in Wallis and Futuna is the umu, an ancient underground cooking method that transforms simple ingredients into something truly magical.

Picture this: hot volcanic rocks are placed in an underground pit, creating a natural earth oven that slowly cooks pork, fresh fish and local seafood to perfection. The result is incredibly tender, smoky-flavoured meat that practically falls off the bone.

What makes the umu even more special is how deeply it's woven into the islands' cultural and religious calendar. During district celebrations, like the May 1st St Joseph festivities in Mu'a, locals prepare traditional umu feasts and generously offer lunch to everyone, no payment required.

According to locals, tourists are warmly welcomed to join these community gatherings. You can simply turn up, enjoy authentic island hospitality and witness this time-honoured cooking tradition in action.

Where to try: Village and district saint days, as listed in the 10 Biggest Events & Festivals in Wallis & Futuna.

Kava holds a special place in Wallisian and Futunan culture. Made from the ground root of a pepper plant and strained with bottled water, it's generally safe to drink and offers a uniquely cultural experience.

On Futuna, you'll discover fale tauasu (traditional kava bars) positioned opposite churches as part of each village's traditional structure. After dark, local men gather on woven mats to drink kava and discuss island life. Getting invited is surprisingly straightforward; simply mention your interest to hotel hosts or locals you meet and it won't be long until you find someone who can take you along.

While Futuna grows some kava locally, demand far exceeds supply, so most comes from Fiji. If you're keen to join in, picking up some kava from a local store to contribute to the tauasu (kava session) is always appreciated, though not required.

On Wallis, you're more likely to witness kava ceremonies during Village Saints' Days or National and Territory Day celebrations. Don't miss these vibrant community gatherings where tradition truly comes alive.

Where to try: Fale Tauasu, all over Futuna. Village and district saint days, as listed in the 10 Biggest Events & Festivals in Wallis & Futuna.

Visit one of the world's most remote breweries and taste three distinctive local craft beers from the Brasserie Wallis et Futuna.

Start with 1966, a Belgian-style double ale named after Wallis's first international rugby match. Expect rich, malty flavours with a rounded finish.

The refreshing Tokalei blonde ale offers easy drinking with subtle aromatics and minimal bitterness, featuring Jacques Chirac wearing traditional flower garlands on its memorable label.

Complete the tasting with Oceania, a smooth white beer delivering light citrus notes and a slightly fuller body that's perfect for the tropical climate.

The casual brewery welcomes visitors for informal tastings, especially when the brewer is present in the evenings to share stories about the brewing process. Learn more in the 10 Things to Do in Wallis & Futuna at Night.

Where to try: Brasserie Wallis et Futuna (Halalo, Wallis), Beach Club (Liku, Wallis), Koko Bay (Vailala, Wallis) and many other restaurants listed in the 20 Best Restaurants in Wallis & Futuna.

For a delightful sweet treat, you'll want to try faikai, a beloved local dessert that showcases the islands' tropical bounty. This traditional delicacy starts with grated cassava (also known as manioc) or taro, which locals expertly mix with rich coconut milk to create a smooth, sweet dough.

What makes faikai so special is how it transforms humble root vegetables and fresh fruit into something truly magical. The mixture is lovingly cooked in a fragrant coconut syrup that infuses every bite with tropical sweetness.

Locals make them in variations, such as breadfruit or ripe banana.

Where to try: Annual markets, as listed in the 10 Biggest Events & Festivals in Wallis & Futuna.

Wallis and Futuna offer a real taste of France in the heart of the Pacific. Local supermarkets stock an impressive variety of French cheeses, deli meats, and pâtés alongside other European brands that strangely transport you to Paris.

The real treat? Fresh baguettes are baked every morning and delivered straight to the supermarkets. On Futuna, there's even a dedicated baguette delivery service that makes the rounds through villages (how wonderfully French is that!).

When we dined out, we found that French cuisine dominates restaurant menus, but with a delightful Pacific twist. The seafood gratin was one of the highlights we sampled. But you'll still find classic dishes like duck (canard) on the menu, with the very French style of choosing your own accompaniments like haricots verts or island-style chips, all elevated with rich sauces like roquefort.

Where to try: La Cuisine (Nuku, Futuna), Koko Bay (Vailala, Wallis), Beach Club (Liku, Wallis), Maloccino (Mata'Utu, Wallis) and Snack Ugatai (Mata'Utu, Wallis).