Food of Pitcairn Islands

With fewer than fifty residents, Pitcairn cooking is simple and shaped by the island's gardens and sea: fish, goat, chicken, bananas, citrus, and sweet potato, along with baked goods such as bread and pies. Food is local and fresh, with honey a prized specialty of the island's hives.

National dish

Fresh fish

Staples

  • fish, sweet potato, banana, citrus, honey, bread

Signature flavors

  • honey, lime, coconut, passion fruit

Main dishes

Grilled fish

Fresh catch with lime.

Key ingredients: fish, lime
Chicken and rice

Everyday dish.

Key ingredients: chicken, rice
Roast goat

Slow roasted.

Key ingredients: goat, herbs
Baked fish

With vegetables.

Key ingredients: fish, vegetables
Pilhi

Banana and coconut dish.

Key ingredients: banana, coconut

Breakfast

Fresh bread

Baked on the island.

Key ingredients: flour, yeast
Honey on toast

Island honey.

Key ingredients: honey, bread

Desserts and sweets

Banana pie

Sweet.

Key ingredients: banana, pastry
Coconut cake

Moist.

Key ingredients: coconut, flour

Drinks

Tea

English-style.

Key ingredients: tea
Fresh lime juice

Cooling.

Key ingredients: lime

Fruits and produce

Banana
Banana

Grown in gardens.

Key ingredients: eaten freshFull guide →
Citrus
Citrus

Oranges and lemons.

Key ingredients: eaten fresh
Passion fruit
Passion fruit

Tangy.

Key ingredients: juiceFull guide →
Honey
Honey

Pitcairn honey is prized.

Key ingredients: on bread

Dish guides from Pitcairn Islands

Banana
BananaFruits
Passion fruit
Passion fruitFruits
Explore Pitcairn Islands on Geographical EffectMaps, capital and cities, population, climate, landscapes and landmarks.

More cuisines of Polynesia

About this page

Descriptions written by Intercontinental Chef. Dishes are listed as commonly eaten today; many are shared across neighbouring countries.

Photo credits
  • 14-QWSTION-BANANATEX-STRIPPING-LAUSCHSICHT: BANANATEX, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • OrangeBloss wb: Ellen Levy Finch (Elf), CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Passiflora edulis forma flavicarpa: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Runny hunny: Scott Bauer, USDA ARS, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)