Location: Papeete
Top Restaurants in Papeete
Papeete Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Papeete
Papeete is a great base for exploring Tahiti’s lagoons, black- and white-sand beaches and volcanoes. You’ll find a lively nightlife scene centered around the ferry dock. For an authentic island experience, visit Mapuru a Paraita market or Musee de la Perle to find local black pearls.
Things to do in Papeete
1. L'O a La Bouche
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 357 reviews
Reviewed By Quack_quack_quackl - Wairarapa, New Zealand
We were trying to dine at Le Velvet but it's still undergoing some refurbishment, so the concierge at our hotel suggested this place. Certainly the other reviews on Tripadvisor seem positive, and we have no differing opinions to offer.
This review is written from the perspective of a Kiwi on a first-time trip to Tahiti, so if you're interested in info, read on. Otherwise - great restaurant. Go, but book in first.
So, as New Zealanders traveling to Tahiti for the first time, we were shocked at the prices for food in general, especially at our hotel.
L'O a la Bouches' prices are about half of what were charged at the Papeete Intercontinental, despite being better food on the whole.
My husband started with a Pina colada for 1300CFP, as opposed to the eye-watering 2500 - 3000 for a cocktail at the hotel. A glass of good French wine was 1200 as opposed to 2000. (12 USD vs 20 USD).
Our starters were a buffalo mozzarella special (yum, but not a dish for breaking new culinary ground) and goat's cheese rolls. As others reviewers mention, the portion sizes are very generous.
For the main, my hubby had filet mignon. It was not a huge portion and rather rare. It was sliced and served on salad. There were plenty of sides and we struggled to finish it all, because we wanted to have dessert as well.
My main was the Pappio, the one on the standard menu. Apparently it's a deep sea fish, so it's rather firm. It was paired with a lemon, ginger and passionfruit dressing with a buttery base. It was excellent - and inspiring. (I'm imagining that sauce lifting pan-fried warehou.)
For dessert, they had a gorgeous array of sweet treats which were hard to choose from, although it was surprising that they had no cheese option. You know, being French and all.:-)
I had a Mariage Freres tea, which prompted memories of trying and buying the tea brand in Paris.
My hubby had the fruit crumble which was served with ice cream. He found it good but a bit dry with more crumble than fruit.
The damage came to 16 850 CPF, about 168 USD. We'll see what it comes to in NZD, but I'm expecting about $225.
Would I spend that in NZ? Probably not, but it's holiday and I was pleased that it cost less than dining at the hotel.
All in all, was a very nice eating experience. It's clearly favoured by locals for special occasions, as our taxi driver says he goes there for Valentine's Day or birthdays with his girlfriend.
Oh, and you should be aware that the taxi round trip from the Hotel IC was 5000 CPF. 2000 for the way there and 3000 for the way back because it was after 8:00.
Incidentally, a tour guide on Huahine explained why the prices are so high.
It's not just that most everything comes in by boat, it's also that French labour and holiday and minimum wage laws apply.
That means that everything has a very high base cost.
The upside is that, under French administration, the roads and infrastructure are also very good. This means that Tahiti is not as much like a third world country as other island capitals, which makes it a pleasant and liveable place to be.
2. Hotel Royal Tahitien
Overall Ratings
4 based on 189 reviews
Reviewed By William L
Best bargain on the coast to final Mai Tais at only $10.00 US, plus they do not water down their Mai Tais like many other Tahitian establishments do. Go before the sun sets and you will be treated to a delightful, serene view. Also, on Friday evenings they have live music with a band for dancing; everyone shows up from different countries, and many of the dancers know what they are doing (like Dance with the Stars). Main meals are expensive but what you would expect from a first class establishment. However, would not recommend you stay here; their swimming pool is very puny and outdated.
3. Les 3 Brasseurs
Overall Ratings
4 based on 744 reviews
Reviewed By Lasa88 - Los Angeles, California
We usually go here once or twice when we are in Tahiti. Usually for lunch, but once after we came off the ferry to Moorea in the late afternoon. The restaurant is right across the street from the ferry terminal and very convenient. We always have fun here, the food is not the best you will ever have but quite solid. We usually have one of the salads (they are huge) and a flatbread of which there are many varieties. This time I tried the "seasonal brew" which was ginger infused beer. It was so good I had 2 of them. Nice outside tables and friendly service. Don't miss it.
4. Les Petits Ventres
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By PierTom - Philadelphia
This little restaurant is a bit tucked away behind the government buildings in Papeete. It's not in the main tourist area. But once you get inside, you feel transported. The service is exceptionally good. The food was prepared in a way that was both beautiful to look at and fantastic to eat. We looked a bit bedraggled (this is not rare in humid, hot Papeete) but we were welcomed like long lost family.
5. Creperie la Boule Rouge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 165 reviews
6. Au Piment Rouge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 144 reviews
In center town, near the Papeete Market Place, the restaurant "Au Piment Rouge" will welcome you in the south west of France and the Bask Country. Our menu is translate in english, italian, and japanese. Local fishes, meats (beef, veal, lamb, chicken) and many other delicious dishes are waiting for you. For our specialities, be confident with our "chipirons" (calamaries), our best...
7. La Corbeille d'Eau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By PiersRC - London, United Kingdom
In a small office block location to the east of Papetee (the number is something like 531-but check) La Corbeille d'eau serves exquisite French food with a Polynesian twist in quantities that are not off putting by their excess. A reasonable enough wine list .
The owner/manager is smiley and helpful and will ensure an uniterrupted and well served dish- as he did for us,
8. Le Grillardin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 326 reviews
Reviewed By Brent M - Orange, California
My wife and I ate here prior to a cruise - and found the staff to be helpful and friendly.
We each ordered the rack of lamb, and were surprised to get like 7 ribs each :)
I wish they had a bit stronger air conditioning - but otherwise no complaints.
9. Restaurant Le Sully
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By Paul T - Tauranga, New Zealand
We had lunch here. The menu is largely French influenced but with an injection of pacific ingredients and style. They have some good French wines by the glass. The service was outstanding. We enjoyed our meal - both what we ordered and the amuse bouche and extras from the kitchen! One of the hidden gems in Papeete.
10. O 3 Filous
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 91 reviews
Reviewed By Anna P - Chicago, Illinois
First of all, let me take a moment to clarify the location of this great restaurant, which for some reason doesn't show up at the correct point in the TripAdvisor map. It's just outside the Papeete Municipal Market, at the corner of Rue Charles Vienot and Avenue due Marechal Foch.
We came here for lunch after some morning shopping at the Municipal Market. Armed with the intrepid ignorance that American tourists are known for, we sat down at a restaurant offering only meat and fish and requested a vegetarian lunch for one of our party. Fortunately, the helpful and kind proprietor offered to make an off-menu green salad, which was absolutely delicious. The omnivorous half of our party thought the boeuf bourguignon was superb.
Service was very good, prices were fair, and importantly, the restaurant is air-conditioned. Please do stop by for a great meal.
