The Most Relaxing Places to Refresh After Your Beach Day in French Polynesia

Intimate and elegant, K Restaurant is one of the most romantic restaurants in French Polynesia. Aside from a stunning waterfront view, crystal chandeliers hang from a high ceiling artfully crafted from kahaia wood, contrasting beautifully with the white sand floor to invoke a relaxed island feel. Internationally acclaimed chef Guillaume Burlion offers gastronomic tasting menus of three, five and seven courses, all paired with fine wines, then Tiki torches light up the night for a magical evening of fine dining and a Polynesian dance show.

The perfect post-flight recovery-aid is a cocktail (or three) at Le Lotus Bar. Located in a white sand-bottomed pool overlooking the lagoon, your mood will be lifted with fine French champagne and classic Polynesian cocktails. Conjuring up just the right vacation vibe, views of the sunset are unrivalled: you’re not just overlooking the water, you’re actually in the water, soaking up the dramatic views of Moorea as the sun sets behind it. The last call is at six o’clock, which may sound a little early, but is perfectly timed to fall just before dark.

Located on the longest white-sand beach on Moorea, Vue Bar serves up turquoise lagoon views by day and the twinkling lights of Tahiti by night. With an extensive selection of liquor, fine wines and twists on classic cocktails, there is (almost) no drink its experienced bartenders can’t make. Choose from menus offering everything from raw fish to wagyu burgers, then sidle up to the bar for a fruity libation or take a seat on the elegant pier for dramatic lagoon and mountain views.

Not all the best restaurants in French Polynesia are found in five-star hotels – pensions sometimes offer excellent cuisine as well. Villa Ixora, on the popular sailing island of Raiatea, draws tourists and locals alike with Escoffier culinary school graduate chef Terence Trouyet’s beautifully plated appetizers, creative fish specials, homemade squid-ink pasta, and luscious passionfruit cheesecake. After lunch, in typical Polynesian style, take one of Villa Ixora’s kayaks out for a relaxing paddle to a nearby islet.

A historic Tahitian restaurant on the island’s western shore, a reservation at Le Coco’s is one of the most coveted in all of French Polynesia. Waterfront views and inspired Polynesian and French cuisine have delighted guests for decades, offering a choice of three distinctive dining concepts and a fusion of world flavors: Cuisine de Comptoir for lunch, and La Carte Blanche or Carte du Soir for dinner. Must-try dishes are the Tahitian peninsula shrimps raviole, grilled Paraha peue fillet and the chocolate black pearl made by pastry chef and owner Bénédicte Sauvage.

This elegant open-air gourmet restaurant sits over the lagoon, meaning you can watch the fish and occasional reef shark cruise over a coral garden as you dine. Dramatic views of Moorea add to the atmosphere, and a sunset cocktail adorned with fresh fruit and flowers is a must. Indulge in specialties such as tuna sashimi terrine and the catch of the day with octopus nem, while vegetarians and vegans will be pleased with a creative and adaptable plant-based menu.