Charlie's

Someone from this business manages this listing.

1,381 reviews

#3 of 5 Restaurants in Titikaveka$, Bar, Cafe, Vegetarian Friendly

+682 28 055+ Add website

Hours

Mon

2:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Tue

2:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Wed

2:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Thu

2:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Fri

2:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Sat

12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

1,381 reviews

#3 of 5 Restaurants in Titikaveka

Travellers' Choice 2023

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Bar, Cafe, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

“Beach bar in Raro”

“Charlie’s fish sandwich is a huge, thick colossus that’s absolutely delicious”

View, Groups

“... and the live music and the atmosphere and the beach view over the sea.”

“Great atmosphere, excellent views and nice food”

Location and contact

Ara Tapu, Takitumu District, Titikaveka Cook Islands

+682 28 055

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Can a gluten free person get a good meal at this restaurant?

Yes

Unsure

Details

Manage this business?

About

Charlies Cafe and Bar is on the edge of the Akapuao Marine Reserve. Enjoy light meals of chicken teriyaki cheese melt paninis tuna cheese melt paninis, fresh fish sandwiches, island infused fruit smoothies, beef, chicken and fish burgers, fresh salads, teas, milkshakes. We are now open for dinner untill 8pm Monday through untill Friday with live music EVERY one of those nights. Saturdays we open at 11 and close at 3.30pm. Try our cocktails, Charlies lager on tap- brewed by the Rarotonga Brewing Company, Matutu Ale and lager, Vaima still water and a selection of beers- corona, Heinken, Speights, Steilarger- wines- Sav, pinot gris, chardonnay, pinot noir, shiraz and merlot. Kayaks and paddleboards are available for hire. Bookings recommneded for large groups :) ka kite

PRICE RANGE

$6.00 – $23.00

CUISINES

Bar, Cafe

Special Diets

Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Cash Only, Accepts Credit Cards, Live Music, Waterfront

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4.5

1,381 reviews

Excellent

934

Very good

322

Average

Poor

Terrible

Chris H

Bristol2136 contributions

Lovely atmosphere – popular with locals - go with an appetite

Mar 2020 • none

Four of us had lunch on a Wednesday in mid-February. Plenty of people inside – 2 groups of locals as well as other customers. A great atmosphere. Fish salad and a sharing platter for 2 turned out to be more than enough for four people and at a cost of Ci$ 45 this was good value. The food was just terrific – tasty and plentiful.

Written 2 March 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

CiderMonkey

Cornwall238 contributions

Excellent location, ambience and food

Feb 2020 • couples

Wanted something different so found this little gem. Evening meal on a table overlooking the beach. Food plentiful, well stocked bar (cider is sold here), a guy singing things we knew and was not over bearing and everyone having a good time. Prices were sensible for what we has and the cheapest place for cider we found. Thoroughly recommended so much so that we will return for lunch before we bid farewell to the island. It that kind of place you want to make your regular local because the staff have pretty much got it totally right. If there was a small complaint it would be at the staff member taking food and drink orders...maybe though that is the island life rather than being disinterested but a bit more dynamics would be welcome however it's not going to spoil the experience.

Written 28 February 2020

Ian P

Sydney216 contributions

Excellent location & Popular venue

Jan 2020 • none

Charlie's is an extremely popular location - make a booking for an undercover table near the entertainment or get there early to secure a table. The service is very good and the food servings generous. They have live music most nights and you have great water views from anywhere you are seated.

Written 21 January 2020

Steve W

Edmonton265 contributions

Marlin.

Feb 2020 • none

Went to Charlies probably more times than any other place on the island while we were there. Did try the Fish sandwich [$14] and like most people your eyes pop when you see the size of it. Its about 9" by 9" square and me and the missus shared one. Both were disapointed in it as the fish was tough and dry, turns out they use Marlin on their sarny's. Learned later from some fishermen that Marlin is a sport fish and not a good eater like Mahi Mahi, parrotfish, Wahoo and yellow fin tuna. Never ate Marlin after that. Did have the scewers [$20] though and can recomend them. Happy hour 4 to 6PM and they probably have the cheapest Rarotongan draught beer on the island, even after HH its not a bad price either. The place itself is on the beach and has a very nice vibe about the place . Usually have a soloist singing and there is also a dart board which was always in use. Recomended.

Written 19 March 2020

mazzer100

New Zealand3154 contributions

Hit and miss food depending on how busy it is and who is "singing"

July 2021 • none

The first night was less busy before school hols and we got what we ordered and it was very good and a mellow couple were playing live. The next two nights we went were progressively busier and the music loud and not so good - rough 70's pop covers and over amplified electric guitar and keyboard Island sounds and a couple of old crooner guys, ok if you like that sort of thing but too loud to ignore. Then we were told 30 minutes later that what we ordered was unavailable and basically all was left was beef burgers or steak and fries or pizza, all the fish or more interesting dishes were out and our order was shunted down the list to finally appear more than an hour after ordering. We were chilled into the island vibe as on holiday and the beach setting is lovely so not over concerned. Perhaps it will improve once they are back into the swing of busy times again. If you want a loud bar meal at a reasonable price, not a bad choice.

Written 18 July 2021

Emma W

Auckland743 contributions

An average experience

June 2022 • none

Lots of places online suggested we had to go to Charlie's. We arrived just as they opened but the person on the door didn't even know if we needed a booking. Turns out they only take bookings for dinner so we were fine. We grabbed a small table inside, because it seemed silly for 2 of us to take up a table outside which could have seated 8 people. We still had a nice view across the water. We already had an amazing fish sandwich at the Mooring Fish Café so we both opted for burgers. There were only a handful of people in the restaurant but it was the slowest service we experienced in our week in Rarotonga. Tables which ordered after us, received their food before us, including large platters of food. A waiter came over holding 2 burgers, gave us one and gave the other to another table, even though it was the same type of burger we ordered. It took another 10-15 minutes for the second burger to arrive. When the food arrived it was average at best. The chips tasted like they were cooked in old oil and neither burger was anything special. I know places are struggling for staff right now but I hate to think how slow the service is at dinner time if they book every table. Right now Charlie's is not living up to its reputation.

Written 29 July 2022

RossY415

Brisbane528 contributions

Responsive kitchen and tasty food

Dec 2022 • none

Relaxed tropical bar and casual dining in a great location, reservation system seemed chaotic, with walk ins seeming to get better tables. The famous fish sandwich that we were hoping to order wasn't available even though it was only 6pm. The chicken salad was simple and tasty, served with mango chutney and coleslaw. The fish taco's were a good bet and were crisp and well flavoured. The cocktails were delicious and the service prompt and perfunctory. Entertainment was enjoyable. In all this was good value casual dining, it was a shame that there was only a limited menu available.

Written 2 January 2023

Mike S

13 contributions

Food is poor & cleanliness needs attention

June 2021 • family

Overall we had a disappointing experience at Charlie's after previously having a great experience there 2.5 years ago when we last visited. My wife and I, along with our young todler visited for lunch and unfortunately for us arrived just after a large group. When placing our order we were told there was no fish available which can happen I guess but being right next to the ocean on an island, it did surprise me a little. Our food took AGES to come out (I guess probably due to the large group of 20 or so in front of us), which again...can be forgiven but hard when you have a hangry todler. My wife ordered the pawn tacos (because fish was not availble) but got served prawns deep fried in batter. My pizza was OK. The kids chicken nuggets and chips were dry and cardboard-like. Drinks were good through which was nice. I'd say Charlie's is one of those places that is almost only surviving due to the legacy of what once was a great beach-front chilled experience. The kitchen (which I just caught a glimpse of) is gross, the tables are not cleaned properly, the kids high chair was caked in old food. Unfortunately it seems they're not up to scratch and even the excuse of it being a 'relaxed beach vibe' is no longer acceptable when food takes over an hour to arrive, is deep fried/tasteless and cleanliness isn't up to scratch. Probably still a good spot for a few beers/cocktails but I wouldn't eat there again unless was really stuck.

Written 12 June 2021

Craig J

Christchurch20 contributions

Great spot.

Mar 2020 • none

We visited for lunch and ordered the great fish sandwich and ika mata/sashimi platter. What great food, enjoyed every mouthful. Even tho when we visited it was a rainy day the location was great, looking out to sea through clear blinds to protect you from the rain. Great place.

Written 1 April 2020

Casey B

Auckland Central58 contributions

Was so good we visited 3 times in a week

June 2021 • family

First time coming to Charlie’s on this trip and we visited three times. Ordered something different each time and they were all delicious! The fish sandwiches are huuuuuge! They’re as big as a dinner plate so bring your appetite or be sure to share one. The music was a hit with my little toddler who danced each visit on the stage.

Written 31 July 2021

shots219

Nelson36 contributions

Fun, good value place for lunch

Aug 2021 • none

This is a very popular cafe, good service and a huge menu. Prices were very reasonable, I'd recommend the chicken sandwich that was huge and delicious. Right on the water's edge it has a fun atmosphere and even has dart boards for anyone to use. Great fun, recommend you get there early.

Written 28 August 2021

Nina B

Auckland Central303 contributions

Great ambiance, not my type of food

Jan 2020 • none

This is a very popular place, always full of people, locals and tourists. It was close to our hotel and reading the reviews we wanted to check it out. I ordered fish and it was awful, dry and tasteless. The salad that came with it was OK. I would definitely suggest that you come here for drinks, music and beach views. If you are brave, try something from the menu. The portions are huge and I think that is one of the reasons people like it.

Written 12 January 2020

Harveys

Paraparaumu13 contributions

Great place but not such a great experience

Dec 2022 • family

Obviously a local hot spot, great atmosphere and location. But took us 20 mins to be given a menu, then there was no fresh fish available. Only food selections were things from a packet that were deep fried (and pizzas). Disappointing overall

Written 27 December 2022

Iceman6410

Rossburn22 contributions

Great Atmosphere Great Value

Jan 2020 • none

Ate here three time during our stay. It is a very casual place but you would be wise to make a reservation due to its popularity. The food is great, the service is friendly, prices are very reasonable for the portion sizes and they have live music. It is located on the beach so you also have a nice view while you enjoy your food. This was our second trip to Rarotonga and Charlie’s has only gotten better.

Written 11 February 2020

globalkiwi4

Karapiro42 contributions

Great food and live music

June 2021 • family

Great dinner and live music. We booked a table as there were 10 of us. Ordering is from the bar. We had a mix of dishes from Mee Goreng to Pizza. There was no fresh fish at first but then we asked again and some had arrived … the sashimi wasn’t as good as the one we’d had at Castaway but food still good and the live music was excellent. They were all out of fried banana desert but the sundaes were huge!! Kids enjoyed being able to run around on the beach below. Staff were really friendly and helpful too. Would definitely return!