Rarotonga, Cook Islands — A new café offering ice cream, smoothies, and fresh-baked treats has quickly become a local favorite in Rarotonga since opening in October. Tiki Ice Cream Café, founded by cousins Vaiana George and Maree Manarangi, aims to provide more dining options for the community while creating a family-oriented space.
The idea for the café emerged when Manarangi, who had recently returned to Rarotonga from overseas, noticed a gap in the local market for ice cream along the popular stretch near the airport. “My husband pointed out that there were no ice cream options around here, and it felt like the perfect spot to open something,” Manarangi said. The timing was ideal, as George and her family had just moved back to the island, and their two younger children could potentially help run the café.
With no prior experience in the ice cream business, the cousins took a hands-on approach, learning as they went. “We opened the doors with just fridges and a counter, and of course, our ice cream,” said George. “There was no sign or proper setup at first. It was all trial and error, but we’ve steadily evolved the menu.”
Since its opening, Tiki Ice Cream Café has expanded its offerings, adding milkshakes, smoothies, doughnuts, and croissants to the menu. Despite operating without much advertising, George noted that the café’s success has been gradual but steady.
“It’s been a slow build, but we’re happy with how things are going,” George explained. “We’ll keep going as much as we can through the holiday season—maybe close on Christmas Day, but we’ll definitely be open on Boxing Day. It’s going to be hot, and people will want ice cream.”
Currently, the café serves ice cream from the popular CITC Tip Top brand but is exploring the possibility of featuring locally made ice cream in the future. “Right now, it makes sense to start with a well-known product that people already enjoy,” George said. “But we’re excited to experiment with local flavors down the line.”
In addition to the ice cream and treats, the café is striving to create a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. The space includes a kids’ area with movies, bean bags, and coloring activities, allowing parents to relax with a coffee while the children play. “We want it to be a place where families can come together, unwind, and enjoy themselves,” Manarangi explained.
On Saturday nights, the café stays open late, offering a rotating selection of desserts, including cheesecake, sticky date pudding, sundaes, and tiramisu. “It’s still early days for the Saturday night openings, but it’s been going well so far,” George added.
The café emphasizes fresh, high-quality ingredients, with smoothies and ice cream made from fresh fruit, coconut flesh, and other natural components. The doughnuts are made for the café, and the croissants and cookies are baked fresh on-site.
Looking ahead, the cousins are excited about the future of Tiki Ice Cream Café and their ongoing commitment to improving the experience for customers. “We’re doing what works for us, and we’re eager to continue evolving,” George said.
As the holiday season approaches, the cousins hope their business will continue to grow, bringing both locals and visitors together to enjoy sweet treats in a welcoming, family-friendly environment.
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