7 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.

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.

Like Café Aloe, this popular hangout on the main island is suited for those watching their francs. Menu items include thin pizzas and a whole array of Italian pastas, along with the local fish (such as mahimahi) given the French treatment, as well as crepes. The signature dish is the Seafood Gratin, a huge meal with lobster, mussels, fish, squid, and other delicacies in a creamy sauce.

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.

With 180-degree views of the main island and a wide veranda, alfresco dining doesn't get any better. This restaurant is perched on the private motu (island), which is part of the newly-named Sofitel Bora Bora Marara Beach & Private Island, and free transfers operate from the "mainland" resort a few hundred meters away. You may find the tandoori-style tuna with "virgin sauce"—so named because none of its ingredients (tomato, basil, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and shallots) are cooked—on the menu or the addictive créme brûleè with Tahitian vanilla. You'll feel a million miles from home on this little island and have a view of the "bright lights" of Matria Beach.

This lovely restaurant at Le Meridien is built around the resort's private lagoon, which allows you to watch the antics of turtles big and small while you dine. Tasty main courses include roasted Muscovy duck breast with cinnamon and honey, topped with lavender and orange sauce. Finish off with caramelized banana tatin tart and Tahitian tiare flower ice cream.

There are tranquil views of the lagoon from this indoor-outdoor restaurant, which has one of the most innovative menus on the island. Start with a drink at the very funky Bubbles Bar and then perhaps try the medium-rare red tuna, celery puree, pine nuts, and fine slices of foie gras; or splurge on the lobster fricassee with Tahitian Rum, pumpkin chutney, and spicy rice. Finish your meal with pan-fried strawberries topped with Marquesas Island honey and fromage frais ice cream. It's open for breakfast and dinner.