Must-see restaurants in French Polynesia

  • Place Vaiete Roulottes

    Tahiti

    The country’s famous roulottes (literally ‘caravans’ in French, these are mobile food vans) are a cultural and gastronomic delight. These little stalls…

  • Restaurant Hinakonui

    Nuku Hiva

    This authentic Marquesan restaurant is a relaxing spot, with an open-air thatched terrace opening onto the seafront. Signature dishes include lobster…

  • Crêperie Toatea

    Mo'orea

    Not your average crêperie, this venture is renowned for its gourmet crêpes prepared to order by an Alsatian chef. Where else could you savour a crêpe…

  • Chez Loula & Remy

    Around Tahiti Nui

    This family-run, very old-school French place in Taravao on the Tautira road has continuously served some of the best French-style grilled meats and fish…

  • Maikai Bora Bora

    Bora Bora

    This highly rated eatery offers excellent Polynesian cuisine with a refined twist, savoured in a vast and stylish dining room overlooking the lagoon (but…

  • Blue Banana

    Around Tahiti Nui

    Success has done nothing to dull the buzz at Blue Banana, a hip lagoonside restaurant in Puna’auia. The food is as good as the ambience – feast on…

  • Restaurant Matira Beach

    Bora Bora

    This breezy, open-air restaurant provides an enchanting dining experience with delectable food. It's well known for its Japanese cuisine (sushi, nigiri,…

  • Coco Beach

    Mo'orea

    This friendly eatery with a casual atmosphere has an idyllic setting on Motu Tiahura that is guaranteed to help you switch to ‘relax’ mode. The choice is…

  • La Plage de Maui

    Tahiti

    Dine with your toes in the sand and a view just out the window of fish darting around in the clear blue water -- this is by far the best setting for a…

  • Snack Mahana

    Mo'orea

    In a sublime location overlooking the turquoise lagoon, breezy Mahana is a heart-stealing open-air snack. Linger over burgers, a plate of grilled mahimahi…

  • Le Coco's Moorea

    Mo'orea

    This posh restaurant was designed with couples in mind – the widely spaced tables, attentive service, dim lighting and strong design-led interior create a…

  • La Plage

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    At Le Taha’a Private Island & Spa, ‘The Beach’ is open to nonguests if it’s not full (call ahead). Enjoy the incredible beach setting while savouring a…

  • Opoa Beach Hotel

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    At the Opoa Beach Hotel, this is Ra’iatea’s most glamorous dining spot. The chef earns raves for her high-flying creative dishes combining fresh produce …

  • Cafe Maeva

    Tahiti

    An unexpectedly modern place on the 2nd floor of the Marche de Pape'ete that fills three needs: food, smoothies and coffee. For the first, chose from…

  • Tahaa Maitai

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    Everyone recommends this restaurant right on Haamene Bay, not only for its fabulous views but also for its delicious cuisine. The menu features lots of…

  • Ti’ Piero

    The Marquesas

    This family-run eatery does a wonderful job of preparing well-executed international specialities with a true Marquesan touch. Go the chèvre de sept…

  • Le St James

    Bora Bora

    Don’t be deterred by the odd location – it's hidden in the back of a small shopping centre in Vaitape – for, once inside, you’ll find...

  • Keikahanui Nuku Hiva Pearl Lodge

    Nuku Hiva

    The chef at this upscale hotel fuses quality local ingredients with Gallic know-how. The Marquesan goat with coconut milk will certainly win your heart…

  • Taumatai

    Around Tahiti Nui

    This delightful little place in Taravao serves fantastic French and Tahitian food in an elegant garden -- it's by far the most peaceful and beautiful…

  • Chez Annette & Norbert

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    You gotta love a shack decked out in thatch and Polynesian fabrics that sets up camp right behind a chichi resort. Guests at Le Taha'a looking for the…

  • Villa Mahana

    Bora Bora

    A true alchemist, the Corsican chef Damien Rinaldi has got the magic formula right, fusing Mediterranean with Polynesian to create stunning cuisine,…

  • Aloe Cafe

    Bora Bora

    This busy place right in the centre of Vaitape has the most eclectic menu in town and is a good place for a light meal any time of the day (last order is…

  • Bloody Mary’s

    Bora Bora

    Bloody Mary’s isn’t just a restaurant, it’s an experience, especially at dinner (light meals only at lunchtime). You walk on sand floors, sit on coconut…

  • Vahine Vata Beach

    Around Tahiti Nui

    In a casual, yet beautiful and romantic setting on a verandah overlooking the black-sand beach of Papara, this place serves unique and tasty dishes…

  • Allo Pizza

    Mo'orea

    Despite its unpromising location across the road from the gendarmerie (police station), this is a great place to taste wood-fired pizzas. There's a huge…

  • Bora Bora Yacht Club

    Bora Bora

    Yes, the food is pretty good, but the real draw here is the stunning wooden deck overlooking the lagoon – very romantic at sunset. The menu runs the gamut…

  • Lilikoi Garden Café

    Mo'orea

    Not your average roulotte (food van operating as a snack bar), Lilikoi is painted in vivid colours and positioned in lush tropical gardens. Foodwise, it…

  • Le Rudy’s

    Mo'orea

    This white hacienda-style building on the mountain side of the road is quite popular with American visitors staying at nearby luxury resorts and looking…

  • Mara’ai – Le Spot

    French Polynesia

    Run by French Hervé and his Tahitian wife Ina, Mara'ai – Le Spot is the only independent restaurant on Tubuai. With a sand floor and a palm-frond roof,…

  • Snack Jojo

    French Polynesia

    It’s hardly haute cuisine at this modest joint, but the fine choice of sandwiches (from 400 CFP) alongside the mainstream Tahitian dishes provide easy…

  • Fare Manuia

    Bora Bora

    The hardest thing about eating at this local favourite is deciding between the excellent meat or fish dishes, crunchy salads and delicious pasta. Skip the…

  • Chez Louise

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    Right beside the lagoon, this very local-style (perhaps a little too local for some people) open-air terrace offers mesmerising views of Bora Bora to the…

  • Le Kaimoana Cafe Restaurant

    Around Tahiti Nui

    Over the water in an out-of-the-way location outside of Papara, diners here can enjoy locally inspired specialties like korori (pearl oyster) carpaccio…

  • Le K

    Mo'orea

    One of Mo’orea’s most prestigious venues, Le K offers the intoxicating mix of fine dining, romantic atmosphere and the feel of sand between your toes…

  • La Paillotte

    Mo'orea

    This popular roulotte is worth visiting for its cheap snacks and generous mains, including burgers, salads, grilled chicken, raw fish in coconut milk,…

  • Vai Nui Restaurant

    Ra'iatea & Taha'a

    This lovely little restaurant with views over the water (there's not much of a beach) is worth the drive. Choose from a more upscale, tasty menu of…

  • Chez Fifi

    Mo'orea

    If you're decadent, you'll bypass the mains and go straight for the crêpes, waffles or ice creams at this friendly cafeteria on the coastal road. If you…

  • Le Carré

    Around Tahiti Nui

    Dining at this stylish eatery is a treat. At night it’s a romantic spot to enjoy a gastronomic extravaganza of finely prepared and unique dishes: from…

  • Vanira Lodge Restaurant

    Tahiti

    There are only a handful of small tables at this gardenside and very intimate open-air restaurant so you'll definitely want to reserve in advance to nab…

  • Le Mayflower

    Mo'orea

    The G-spot for local gourmands. A neoclassical French menu puts the emphasis on fish and meat dishes with the addition of locally grown (or caught)…

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