5 Best Restaurants in Bora Bora with Maupiti, French Polynesia

Set in a Tuscan-style house on one of the main island's quiet lanes, the villa is virtually next door to Bloody Mary's; make sure you book three months ahead of time to snag one of its six tables. Chef Damien Rinaldi-Dovio is said to preside over the very best restaurant in Bora Bora and combines classic French cuisine with French Polynesian flavors in dishes like filet mignon with vanilla cream gnocchi and mahimahi with banana curry. Though this will be a meal to remember, it is an expensive night out, so if you're looking for an inexpensive option, try one of the set five-course menus that range from US$122 (10,075 CFP) to US$180 euros (14,865 CFP) per person. There is a free shuttle bus for diners.

This is Bora Bora's iconic restaurant where you may spot celebrities. If not you can read the long list of movie stars and VIPs who've dined here—from Prince Rainier of Monaco to Jane Fonda and Harrison Ford. The menu items run the gamut from the fresh catch of the day (displayed on ice for you to take your pick) to char grills. The roof is thatched, the floor is sand, and the bar is very popular—and you can buy a T-shirt, too. Be warned, as with all iconic institutions the food may not match the hype, but it can be a lively place to hang out, even if the food is a little underwhelming at times. Call for a reservation when you get to the island.

This café and bakery in Vaitape serves delicious strong French coffee and yummy pastries and tarts, as well as burgers and paninis. There are also light main meals such as fish and salad. When you're done eating, you can browse the Web on one of their four Internet stations.

Pull up a tree trunk stool and have a drink at the bar (feet in the sand, of course) while waiting for your table. You may find Provencal Bouillabaisse or grilled tuna and shrimp skewers on the menu, or decide to try the local moana (a delicate white fish) soup with vegetables and croutons. The catch of the day is always popular, while char-grilled meats are always on the menu.

This is the 16th of the 17 restaurants run by star chef, and New York resident, Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The stunning restaurant at the St. Regis resort, with fantastic Mt. Otemanu views, is suspended over the lagoon. The dishes reflect Vongerichten's Thai French style. Start with bacon wrapped shrimp with passion fruit mustard atop slices of fresh avocado. Follow that up with the exotic spiced chicken with coconut caramel sauce and a citrus salad. Vongerrichten flies in every few months to introduce the new menus. When he's not around, executive chef Romuald Feger, who once worked at Le Cirque in New York, is at the helm.