Are you going to Moorea and want to know the best places to eat? Look no further. This post will list the best, including vegetarian. All the places mentioned in this post are all saved on my Ultimate Moorea Map.
The overall cuisine ranges from Tahitian to French with some Asian influences. One dish you must try is poisson cru (pwah-sahn-kru), raw fish in French, it is a traditional Tahitian dish that is similar to ceviche.
This dish is made with fresh fish, caught by local spearfishing men and women. After preparation, you add shredded carrots, cucumber, tomato, cooked in lime juice for a minute, and add the final ingredient, fresh coconut milk.
It is common to have rice on the side and I must warn you, it is addicting-ly delicious. You will not find a dish like this anywhere else in the world. I highly recommend giving it a try – you will not regret it!
On your first full day, I highly recommend booking a full day tour with Enjoy Moorea.
They are the best full island tour. In 8 hours you will see half of the must do spots plus learn how to make poisson cru from a Tahitian.
And, of course, enjoy the meal.
fresh is best
As you drive around the island you will notice stands on the side of the road with fruits and vegetables for sale. Before you stop at the store, check out what the locals have for sale. Moorea is an incredible island for naturally growing fruits. It is common to have bananas, mangos, uru, passionfruit, limes, coconut, papaya, avocados (see the size below), and more growing in your own yard. Make sure to try all the pineapple you can. Best ever!
Hello, avocado 🥑
If you like to explore new foods, another must try is the coconut bread.
In fact, eat all the bread. The baguettes are made fresh every morning and then they are delivered to all the stores. They are huge, one meter, three feet long.
Firi firi aka the Tahitian donut is a must eat. Sometimes in the shape of a figure eight.
Anything vanilla. The island of Taha’a is home to Tahitian vanilla farms. You can find vanilla for sale in many forms. I always buy vanilla extract to take home for cooking and baking.
Saving the best for last, Uru. Commonly cooked in a small fire, think campfire. After it is cooked to perfection, for protection, take a few leaves from a tree (nature’s oven mitts) and carefully peel off the charred skin.
When you dine out, be sure to scan the menu for Uru frites. All this talk about Uru, what is it? Uru, also known as breadfruit, has a taste similar to potatoes.
It is in the same family as Jackfruit, so, they look similar, however, they taste much different.
Restaurant Recommendations
Te Honu Iti is a must visit. The cuisine is French, every dish is delicious, and it is located seaside. Make reservations and request a table seaside. As you dine you can watch the local sharks and rays.
Fare Maheata is a relaxed beach house overlooking the lagoon with an excellent restaurant. Family owned and operated, the food is fresh and includes local ingredients. If you drink alcohol, make sure to try a specialty drink. Many include homemade liquors.
Chez Tamahau is one of my favorite places to eat. It is great if you have a group and everyone is wanting something different. They have French, Chinese, seafood, and even steak dinners. A few nights a week they have a great live music performance.
Carameline is one of my favorite spots for breakfast or light lunch. It is located in Maharepa shopping center. They have some of the best coffee on the island which can be tough to come by if you are a coffee lover. They also have mouth watering pastries.
Sea you soon is a casual bar and grill with options ranging from fresh seafood to pizza.
Golden Lake is the best on island for Chinese food.
Pizza
MOZ Pizza has huge pizzas with a lot of great options to choose from. They also have the most cheese on their pizza, Wisconsin approved.
Casa Vincenzo is the only full service Italian restaurant on the island. They have incredible pasta and of course, really great pizza.
Allo Pizza has tasty pizzas cooked in a wood burning oven.
Vegan or Vegetarian
As a traveling vegetarian of many years, I will say, French Polynesia is one of the toughest I have been to. At the grocery stores, fruit and vegetables are expensive. It is common to see prices of 8-9 USD for a single eggplant or three medium sized Roma tomatoes.
When you can, buy fresh from the local stands on the side of the road. It might be the same price but local and fresh.
With limited time, I suggest finding a balance between grab and go snacks and dining out for larger meals. Moorea has a lot to offer, it would be best to maximize your time adventuring vs cooking in the kitchen. Your time is valuable.
My vegetarian recommendations are the veggie burger at Fare Maheata, any veg pizza from MOZ, Allo, and others, pastas without meat, vegetable chow mein from Chez Tamahau, and Golden Lake has Chinese vegetable options.
Many restaurants are limited when it comes to vegetarian dishes as a main course. It is common for me to order sides to make a meal.
All the places mentioned in this post (and more) are all saved on my Ultimate Moorea Map.
When I left corporate health care to travel full time, French Polynesia was my first destination.
The Tahitian way of life restored my faith in humanity. Most importantly, it reset my heart and soul back to what really matters in life.
Every year, I return for a few months to explore new islands and see friends. In total, I have spent one year living on the islands.
With each trip back to Polynesia, I will continue to update and share more information here for you.
Enjoy your trip!
