10 Ways to Save Money on Food in Niue

How to Save Money at Restaurants, Supermarkets and More in Niue

Food is typically the third-highest expense for holidays in Niue but it’s also where you have the highest disparity in costs. Eat out at restaurants every day for every meal, including drinks, and you could be spending NZ$120 per person per day; that’s NZ$840 for a week! If you self-cater and have just a few meals out here and there, for instance, you can reduce the cost to as little as NZ$30 a day. We have plenty of tips on how to strike the right balance of enjoying amazing food while sticking to a budget in this list of ways to save money on food in Niue.

Want to know the typical cost of food in Niue? Head over to The Cost of Food in Niue: Restaurant & Grocery Prices.

1. Cook for Yourself

Sure, Niue has a small selection of amazing restaurants that we seriously recommend treating yourself to (more on that below). But you don’t have to eat out for every meal. In fact, there’s no excuse not to cook for yourself with the vast majority of accommodations in Niue having self-catering facilities – there are only about two accommodations that don’t – and follow the advice in A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in Niue to learn about where to shop.

Cooking for yourself will save you a significant amount of money on food; you only need to check out What is the Cost of Food in Niue? to compare the difference between eating in and eating out.

2. Be Aware of Timing

Did you know that one of the cheapest restaurants on the island is only open on a Sunday? Did you know that the Niue Market is only on certain mornings when some of the cheapest local meals can be picked up? Did you know that supermarkets can almost be bare toward the end/beginning of the month before the next monthly cargo ship arrives? Timing is everything in Niue, especially when you’re on a budget. For more advice on timing, see our guide to Odd Hours & Island Time in Niue.

3. Scout Out the Cheap Eats!

Be savvy about where you eat. There is a great range of eateries around the island that are also cheaper than eating at your resort. We compare them in The Guide to the Best Eats & Restaurants in Niue. Plus, find out where you can get the best-value food in the Top Cheap Eats in Niue.

4. Staying at the Resort? Eat a Big Breakfast!

The Scenic Matavai Resort includes a buffet breakfast for all guests, which can surely fuel you for most of the day! Enjoy a large breakfast of pancakes, toast, muffins, muesli, fresh (or canned) fruit and more. That way, you perhaps will only need to snack or have a small lunch until dinner. That’s a huge saving made already!

5. Get Snacks from the Supermarket

Let’s be honest, bar snacks are never good value. Instead of buying food from bars and restaurants throughout the day, pick up some snacks from one of the local supermarkets to see you through until dinner. See where you can buy food in The Guide to Food Shopping in Niue. Plus, check out typical food costs in What is the Cost of Food in Niue?

6. If Bringing Food from Home, Put it in Your Checked Baggage

Many travellers like to bring food items to Niue that are otherwise expensive to buy in Niue supermarkets, such as cheese. While it’s Ok to bring these food items into Niue, make sure you have it in your checked baggage, so it doesn’t get confiscated at airport security. On arrival in Niue, be sure to declare all food you bring with you. See What to Declare When Arriving in Niue and Taking Food to Niue: What You Need to Know for more advice on the matter.

7. Refill Your Water Purification Bottle

Whatever you do, don’t waste money (and kill the environment) by buying bottles of water throughout your trip. If you know you’re staying at an accommodation with filtered drinking water, have a few reusable water bottles to refill at the resort before you head out. Alternatively, we highly recommend using a water purification bottle, such as Lifestraw, which removes 99.999999% of bacteria and 99.999% of parasites from water. That way, you can refill the bottle from any tap water you come across. We’ve used ours right across the South Pacific with no issues!

For more tips on having access to water, check out Is the Water Safe to Drink in Niue?

8. Have Your Drink at Happy Hour

Having a cocktail or two is all part of the holiday fun, but it is certainly not a good way to save money. If you have to have a tipple though, either aim for happy hour using our Happy Hour List or buy some drinks from the liquor stores and make your own martini!

9. Pay with Cash to Avoid Credit Card Fees

While many outlets accept MasterCard, Visa and New Zealand debit cards, cash is a payment method accepted by all that doesn’t come with unfavourable credit card fees. As long as you are comfortable carrying cash around with you (Niue is pretty safe as long as you follow commonsense precautions), paying with cash means you and the vendor will save on bank fees.

Note that not all vendors pass on fees to the customer, so make a more informed decision on making payments on the island using our guide, What is the Best Way to Pay in Niue?

10. Read Our Budget Guides

Travelling on a budget is kind of our speciality, so be sure to browse The Budget & Backpacking Guide to Niue for more advice! We also have much more budget tips in the 10 Ways to Save Money When Travelling in Niue. Plus, plan your budget getaway day-by-day with our Niue Budget Itinerary: 7 Days.

More Ways to Save Money on Food in Niue

That’s it for our list of the best ways to save money on food in Niue. For more ways to shave off the cents when it comes to wining and dining, check out the following guides:

Finally, get more frugal tips from The Backpacking & Budget Travel Guide to Niue.

Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Niue Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. He is also consulting regularly with Niue Tourism to ensure content accuracy. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

Contact Robin via our contact page