Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: fish (15) sandwich (11) great (10) good (10) music (9) steak (8) live (8) island (8) views (7) service (7)
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  • 5/5 Gillian L. 2 years ago on Google
    First off I ordered a Mojito cocktail (which was utterly delicious). For my main I ordered a fresh steak sandwich (which was so big I had to cut it into six pieces!). That sandwich was delicious - bbq steak with some lettuce, tomato and cucumber. I would definitely recommend Charlies to anyone who likes light meals like that.
    10 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 David M. 2 months ago on Google β€’ 6 reviews New
    A great venue for a relaxed evening of food, drink, and great company, and usually with live music. If you play darts as well, you’ll be in heaven.
    8 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 David M. 7 months ago on Google β€’ 1270 reviews
    I was staying nearby and really loved the atmosphere of the place as well as the views from the balcony. However the food was okay and I found the service, especially from one of the girls behind the bar, underwhelming. One night, it took over an hour for the parmigiana and I had to chase it and get take away even though the people who ordered before me received their meals 30 mins beforehand . I understand the western tourist appeal of the place but there’s better venues on the island.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Bob B. 2 months ago on Google β€’ 918 reviews New
    Lovely sea restaurant with llve local singers serving good food at a good price

  • 5/5 pbandj37 5 months ago on Google β€’ 534 reviews
    Stopped here because we'd heard of the gigantic fish sandwich....and it is indeed gigantic. The sandwich is about the size of a plate and tastes better than it looks. Kiddo had the steak nachos and they were quite delicious, other kiddo the sashimi and it too was fantastic. You can get the usual sodas here, along with a number of beers and liquor. The view is gorgeous, with a wonderful palm tree just down the beach that has a swing hanging from it. Makes for a great time for the little ones and for picture taking. Darts are also available here. Service was prompt, prices are more than fair and overall a great place. We will be going back!
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Frances C. 2 years ago on Google
    Always looked busy and can see why. A great vibe and friendly service. Music was a good selection and you could also have a conversion. The bar is on the right as you enter. Ordered the 1.5l of Tokyo Dry which came with the seperate ice. Worked perfect for keeping it chilled. Price range $10 - $15. Dartboard hire was easy just $2 total for 2 people and set up to keep score. In the early afternoon toilets were dark couldn't find a light switch but staff switched it on at the bar.
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Lachlan R. 9 months ago on Google
    Awesome beachside location - epic food and service too. You can't go past the fish tacos - Awesome. Also had the sashimi / Ika Mata combo - extremely fresh. Great vibe with the live music as well πŸ‘Œ Gets very busy so booking is essential.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 CJD 1 year ago on Google
    Stopped in for dinner and lunch during our week in Rarotonga. Great pub-style food without pretense, huge servings, a good range of drinks, heaps of indoor and outdoor seating, and a very entertaining band on the night we were there. And cheap too! The fish sandwich is enormous. We wanted to try it on the night we were there but it had already sold out, so had it for lunch a couple of days later. Big? No, huge! It really is enormous. Overall a really fun place with welcoming staff and fast service. Highly recommended.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Trentyz 1 year ago on Google
    Great spot, we came here the most out of any food place on the island. The burgers are huge and cheap, actually the whole menu is really good value. Awesome views of the lagoon from your seat, with live music to accompany it. Food was always very quick! Loved the secret sauce too.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 3/5 John Hannes M. 1 year ago on Google
    Good location but no fish dish on the menu and not open the evening. The pizza had a very thick crust but limited topping. No Cook Island lager either. We heard good reviews for Charlies but they were closed more often than not while we were visiting Cook Islands. I can't justify a higher rating, the restauring is either becoming complacent or we have visited on a challenging time.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Colin A. 1 year ago on Google
    What can one say about this find. Recently returned from Raro after COVID effected the previous 5 attempts. Unbelievable service, atmosphere and 20 other adjectives to describe our 3 visits to this establishment during our 14 day stay. Only sorry they ran out of their T Shirts due to such high demand Fish sandwich to die for make sure your hungry,,, big meal
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Pau M. 1 year ago on Google
    Go early (they open at noon) and you won't be disappointed, the views are excellent and the food and beverages among the best value in the island! Excellent after a swim and a bit of snorkeling at the beach next door.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Jackie M. 1 year ago on Google
    Charlie’s is a beachside shipping container bar frequented by locals and tourists alike. Known for live music and a lively darts competition, it’s a vibrant place to grab a well-sized simple meal and knock back some lager. The bar is fond of the upsize talking us into a bucket of Steinlager (NZ$20) for just three bucks more than buying two. Beer towers are also popular. Set to a soundscape of familiar pop songs, like Time After Time, performed with better vocal harmonies than you’d hear in any Sydney bar, we tackled a mammoth fish sandwich (NZ$20). Constructed in a whole loaf of focaccia, this slab of a sandwich only wanted for a splash of hot sauce. The caddies offer up four options, and they are all excellent. A trio of crumbed fish tacos (NZ$17) particularly benefited from the wonderfully green soursop-based hot sauce. Garlic bread (NZ$5) proved totally superfluous to need. The singing was so good it was hard to walk away even with full bellies and tired heads.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 Ali 7 months ago on Google β€’ 257 reviews
    Friendly staff, clean and tidy restaurant with great views of the lagoon. The fish burger was nice, chicken parma was large and the fish n chips ok. Value for money was OK.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 Caitlin H. 3 months ago on Google β€’ 33 reviews New
    Tasty food & cool atmosphere. We got the $75 fish platter, SO yummy!! :) The rest of our party’s food took a while to come out and the waiter kept coming over with the wrong order asking if it was ours. Must have been because it was a bit busy. My mother got her burger once we were all ready to leave. She enjoyed it though.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Benji T. 4 months ago on Google β€’ 8 reviews
    $30 steak and chips with mushroom sauce and coleslaw, possibly the best steak for its price and value. Huge steak and cooked to perfection (medium rare). Defs will come back!
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 k B. 7 months ago on Google
    Love this place. Love the locals, the love music, the darts, the food, the atmosphere. Mamma Mary and Papps Charlie the BEST host. We were in Rarotonga for 3 weeks and spent alot of nights here. Oh yeah great fish tacos
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Katy G. 1 year ago on Google
    Friendly staff, amazing views and very generous portions! We'll definitely return! One watch out is the live music is very loud (we were there on a Friday evening) - great vibes if that's what you're looking for but it was a bit much for dinner with older parents.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Craig D. 2 months ago on Google β€’ 44 reviews New
    Beachside Bliss at Charlie's Raro: Sunset Sips and Stellar Eats Await! Craving island vibes with toes-in-the-sand vibes (minus the actual sand between your toes)? Then look no further than Charlie's Raro! Imagine this: a spacious deck overlooking the crashing waves, the scent of saltwater in the air, and breathtaking sunset views painting the sky. That's the magical setting for your dining experience at this beachside gem. Sure, you won't be digging your feet directly into the sand, but the elevated deck offers even better panoramas of the ocean and sky. Picture yourself sipping a tropical cocktail as the sun dips below the horizon, casting a fiery glow on the water. Doesn't that sound like pure bliss? And the food? Oh, the food! Charlie's menu is a tantalizing mix of island flavours and comfort classics. Dive into a juicy fish burger bursting with fresh local catch, savour a perfectly cooked steak, or share a pizza piled high with island-inspired toppings. The prices are as laid-back as the atmosphere, leaving you with more moolah for island adventures. But the magic of Charlie's Raro goes beyond the delicious bites. The service is warm and friendly, like a big island welcome from the moment you step on the deck. And to top it off, live music every night fills the air with vibrant energy, inviting you to sway to the rhythm and soak up the island spirit. Parking is a breeze with plenty of spots nearby, ensuring your beachside bliss starts and ends smoothly. So, whether you're looking for a romantic sunset dinner, a fun night with friends, or simply a delicious meal with stunning views, Charlie's Raro is your answer. With its stellar food, infectious atmosphere, and breathtaking location, this spot is pure Rarotonga magic!

  • 5/5 Amanda R. 2 months ago on Google β€’ 10 reviews New
    Beautiful place, food was amazing. Staff were awesome. Been twice and will be back.

  • 5/5 Daniel S. 2 months ago on Google β€’ 7 reviews New
    Such a great place great vibe comfortable seating excellent food and live music a must vist

  • 4/5 Luca R. 1 year ago on Google
    Great restaurant with a good variety of different fresh dishes. Just they put some flavour enhancement in their special sauces which is definitely not good. But overall good experience eating there.

  • 5/5 Jaime L. 5 months ago on Google
    The best food we have had on our holiday in Rarotonga so far. The fish tacos were delicious! As were the burgers, fish sandwich and steak sandwich. Generous portions. The service was fast and friendly. All with a beautiful beach front view.

  • 5/5 Aaron H. 6 months ago on Google
    Believe the hype, this place is epic! Cocktails right on the beach, whales in the distance and a gentle lapping surf. Add live music, cocktails with large pours and generous servings of food. I had the half fish sandwich and it was large enough to satisfy, my wife had the fish tacos which were fresh, generous and tasty. Would love to know the recipe for the secret sauce.

  • 5/5 Matt S. 4 months ago on Google
    Great food and drink choices, mean view from the balcony of the ocean. Come here at the right time and you’ll never have to wait long, but you are in Rarotonga so what’s the rush? Would recommend!


Call +682 28 055 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • βœ“οΈ Free of charge street parking
  • Payments
    • βœ“οΈ Credit cards
  • Offerings
    • βœ“οΈ Beer
    • βœ“οΈ Food
    • βœ“οΈ Wine
    • βœ“οΈ Alcohol
    • βœ“οΈ Dancing
    • βœ“οΈ Spirits
    • βœ“οΈ Cocktails
    • βœ“οΈ Food at bar
    • βœ“οΈ Happy-hour drinks
  • Accessibility
    • βœ“οΈ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • βœ“οΈ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • βœ“οΈ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • βœ“οΈ Seating
  • Service options
    • βœ“οΈ Dine-in
    • βœ— Delivery
    • βœ“οΈ Takeaway
    • βœ“οΈ Outdoor seating

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