Noumea on a budget – the best places to buy cheap food

Noumea in New Caledonia is a delightful South Pacific island paradise. However, it’s very expensive because of the remote location. So, where can you buy cheap food in Noumea? What are the cheap supermarkets in Noumea? Where can you get a cheap meal in Noumea?

Noumea on a budget – the best places to buy cheap food has all the answers.

Where to buy cheap food

If you want to save money in Noumea and keep your costs down, visit any of the local supermarkets or convenience stores. Buying food from these places will help you manage your budget. So what are the cheapest places in Noumea?

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Best supermarkets

Here is a list of some cheap convenience stores and supermarkets in Noumea.

Oceania

Oceania is a small grocery convenience store close to Anse Vata and a short walk from the Hilton Noumea. The prices are reasonable, a lot cheaper than getting a meal from your hotel.

The store has a great selection of food if you want to get bread, cheese, deli meats and make up your own lunch. It has a lot of different varieties of fruit, vegetables, and ready to go meals such as sandwiches, salads, and hot meals like fried rice and other Asian dishes. Bottled water, other drinks, and convenience items are available as well.

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If you’re staying in accommodation that has a microwave, this is a good option for dinner. But get in quick. Waiting until later in the evening means you’ll risk all the popular ready to eat meals being sold out.

Hours: 6.00am – 8.00pm.

Location: 145 Route de L’Anse Vata, Noumea New Caledonia.

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Alimentation Mai Lan

Another mini grocery and convenience store that is literally next door is Alimentation Mai Lan.

The food selection is like Oceania – fruit, vegetables, bread, pastries, cheese, meats, and other food essentials.

Ready to go quick meals are also in good supply here. My suggestion is to visit this grocery store and Oceania in one trip. Between the two, you’ll find exactly what you need.

Hours: 8.00am to 6.00pm.

Location: Route de l’Anse Vata, Noumea New Caledonia.

Carrefour

Carrefour is a French-owned supermarket chain found in many countries worldwide.

In Noumea, about 15 minutes from Anse Vata, is Carrefour Market. It is a hypermarket – think supermarket and a department store. There are great prices and an extensive selection of food to choose from. The perfect place to get breakfast foods, bread, meats, fruit, and other items, or to pick up your last-minute souvenirs.

If you are in Noumea for a longer stay, suggest you make a trip to Carrefour on your arrival.

Hours: 7.30am – 7.30pm.

Location: Rue Charles Peguy, Noumea New Caledonia.

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Bonjour

Bonjour is a convenience store attached to the Total Energies petrol station and is an option for some quick food.

Food here is like what other petrol stations offer – fruit, breadsticks, cold meat and hot and cold convenience meals. The range is limited but if you are after a quick snack or ready to go meal, you’ll find it. Bonjour is located a quick five minute walk from Anse Vata.

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Hours: Open 24 hours daily

Location: Route de l’Anse Vata, Noumea New Caledonia.

Where to buy a cheap meal in Noumea

If you’re looking for a cheap meal in Noumea and want to save money and in the Anse Vata area, there are many dining or take out options available.

Le Fare

La Fare due Palm Beach, across from Anse Vata Beach, is a cheap place to eat in Noumea. Its casual beachside dining and caters for breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch.

The menu includes: salads, burgers and fries, steak, sandwiches, dessert such as waffles, croissants and pastries and freshly squeezed juices.

I stumbled on this place by mistake but glad I did. The food was delicious. I went there a few times for the scrumptious burgers.

The meals have generous servings, the prices are fantastic and the view of Anse Vata beach is to die for! If you have food allergies, let them know and they can cater to your dietary requirements. I highly recommend this place for a nice meal any time of the day.

Hours: 6.30am – 8.00pm daily.

Location: Promenade Roger Laroque, Noumea

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Pizza & Pasta

Pizza & Pasta is your typical Pizza and pasta place. Its behind the Hilton Noumea.

Prices are affordable and dining starts at 11.30am. If you’re hungry and want to eat outside the normal meal times, go to the dedicated take out section out the back to order. The pizzas are yummy!

They also cater for those with food allergies you just need to let them know when ordering.

Hours: 11.30am – 9.00pm

Location: Promenade Building, Anse Vata, Noumea, New Caledonia.

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What food is cheap?

Here is what’s cheap in Noumea. These prices are correct (as at time of publishing).

Long bread sticks

Long French style breadsticks are around 100-200 Pacific Francs and in plentiful supply. The bread is deliciously fresh and baked daily. Buy a breadstick and some cold meat and you have a ready made lunch – French style.

Water

Bottled water is also cheap in Noumea. You can get a large bottle of water for about 150 Pacific Francs.

Fruit

Fruit is fresh and delicious here in Noumea. Pineapple, papaya, dragon fruit are some of the favourite fruits available and prices are very cheap. I bought papaya and dragon fruit daily for about 500 Pacific Francs each. So mouth watering.

Things to know

Siesta

In Noumea, a lot of businesses close for siesta. Siesta is usually between 11.30am and 1.30pm. Its a great excuse to have a leisurely lunch.

Dinner

Dinner is usually served at 6.30pm as is common in French countries. If ordering take out, check what time they are open. There are some exceptions with places opening earlier.

Sunday and Monday

If you are counting on going shopping or eating out on a Sunday or Monday, you could find your favourite place closed.

Some stores and restaurants do open later on Monday afternoon. Best to check prior to avoid disappointment.

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