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…

  • Huahine Yacht Club

    Huahine

    In a great location right on the lagoon, this lively restaurant is a favourite local watering hole and the best place to eat around Fare. With polished…

  • Le Lotus

    Pape'ete

    Inside the Intercontinental Resort Tahiti, this uber-romantic restaurant on the edge of the lagoon is perfect for a special night out; a good excuse to…

  • 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…

  • Chez Lili

    Rangiroa

    For a menu that strays from the familiar ‘raw fish in coconut milk’ path, try this cute eatery at the eastern tip of Avatoru. Run by the energetic Lili,…

  • 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…

  • Mitivai

    Rangiroa

    A favourite haunt of hungry divers – it's conveniently located between two busy dive shops – this trusty joint is one of Rangiroa's hottest spots for…

  • 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…

  • Chez Tara

    Huahine

    One of Huahine’s unexpected gems, Chez Tara is easily the best place on the island to sample Tahitian specialities. Head here on Sundays for its legendary…

  • 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…

  • Place To’ata Snacks

    Pape'ete

    This cluster of open-air snacks (snack bars) with outdoor seating – Vaimiti, Chez Jimmy, Mado, Moeata, Toa Sushi – near Place To’ata are a great place to…

  • 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...

  • Mango Café

    Pape'ete

    As far as decor goes, this Miami-style white and bright restaurant is as stylish as Pape’ete gets. The Tahitian nouveau-style menu here changes regularly…

  • 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…

  • Raira Lagon – Beach Raira

    Rangiroa

    Located inside Raira Lagon hotel (but open to nonguests), the well-respected Beach Raira is a terrific spot for a lagoonside meal, with alfresco tables…

  • Les 3 Brasseurs

    Pape'ete

    You can’t miss the inviting and open facade of this lively brasserie in front of the Gare Maritime. It might feel weird to sit down for flammekueche (an…

  • 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…

  • O Belvédère

    Pape'ete

    One of Tahiti's most romantic dining destinations, with fantastic views over the city from 600m atop a hillside. It was being renovated and re-imagined as…

  • 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…

  • Faka Délices

    Fakarava

    A native from Brittany, Pascaline, the elderly owner, cooks simple but delectable French dishes as well as pizzas (evenings only). Her desserts (from 280…

  • 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 J'Am

    Pape'ete

    This hip little spot serves sandwiches on gluten-free bread, and treats including fruit salads and vegan chocolate mousse. Also keep an eye out for daily…

  • 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…

More destinations you need to see