Bora Bora Bliss: Where To Stay And What To Eat In Paradise

It doesn’t take much to convince someone that Bora Bora is one of the most enchantingly beautiful island escapes in the world—a single photo of it’s milky blue lagoon would sway almost any skeptic—but it’s fair to wonder how rich the cuisine could be in such a remote destination. Because tourism is the island’s bread and butter, the hotel industry is largely responsible for the current culinary landscape in this Polynesian paradise, but steep import costs and the general scarcity of neighbors have made local ingredients the stars of most dishes; it’s a trend that has only recently become fashionable worldwide, as sustainability remains the buzziest travel topic of the moment, but has long been the practice in Bora Bora. Expect plenty of French gastronomic influence (this is French Polynesia, after all) in the preparation and finishing of fresh fish, abundant local fruits, and the occasional vegetable (often manioc, known as cassava or yuca elsewhere). Fresh and sweet are the hallmarks of many dishes and drinks in Bora Bora, but savory meats with sauces and spices from China and beyond also play their parts in rounding out the island’s surprisingly diverse offerings. To sample the spectrum of all that history and hospitality have brought to one of the world’s most desirable destinations, add these highlights to your Bora Bora wishlist. 

Extend the experience with Air Tahiti Nui

If you’re coming from the Americas or Europe, your trail to Bora Bora is almost guaranteed to include a stop in Los Angeles, where you’ll have a few choices for your onward journey directly to Bora Bora or, more likely, through Pape’ete in Tahiti. Start your Polynesian immersion early by choosing Air Tahiti Nui, where the colors of the island greet you as soon as you board and the flavors follow soon after. Air Tahiti Nui offers Polynesian-influenced meals paired with an award-winning wine list inspired by the islands’ French history. With Air Tahiti Nui, you’ll also extend your dream getaway as all flights departing Tahiti are outfitted with meals including fresh Tahitian seafood and fruits (with alternatives for non-seafoodies) and traditional favorites like firi firi doughnuts and pua firi, a roasted pork dish usually reserved for holidays and brunch. Flying roundtrip with Air Tahiti Nui is almost like adding a day to your. 

Dive in with Le Méridien

Bora Bora’s motus (tiny islands) and coral reef form a ring around its iconic Mt. Otemanu, creating the idyllic lagoon of indescribably blue-green waters that have attracted the world’s society circles for decades. Dive into both the jet-set lifestyle and the exquisite lagoon with a stay at Le Méridien Bora Bora, where the vintage romance of carefree travel is alive and well, and where glamorous experiences abound. Ask about lunch in the lagoon for a private meal at a partially submerged picnic table just off shore, and enjoy seared tuna and scallops carpaccio in the sea.

After dark, request an elegant dinner on the beach, where a private table comes with seaside service just beyond the surf. Ideal for romance but fun for friends, too, you’ll find yourself surrounded by glowing lights and small beach fires, and serenaded by your own personal musicians throughout your meal. 

Feast, Polynesian style

When you want to go a step beyond Polynesian-inspired and sample authentically local fare, you’re ready for Le Méridien’s banquet. Every Thursday night, the property’s Le Tipanie restaurant transforms into an epic Polynesian buffet banquet featuring traditional favorites like poisson cru, octopus and pineapple salad, and rum flambé red tuna for a deep dive into cuisine from around the islands. After dinner, head to the beach for the weekly Polynesian performance and catch some traditional damces accompanied by the live music of a local group, including drums, vocals and, of course, ukulele. Pro Tip: If you’re the type who enjoys audience participation, sit toward the front. 

Taste the Lagoon at St. Regis

After spending a few days in your intimate bungalow at Le Méridien, take a boat to the St. Regis Resort Bora Bora on the island next door and check in to the largest villas in all of French Polynesia. In addition to both a Japanese and Italian restaurant, the main event here is Lagoon Restaurant by Jean-Georges, one of the most desired reservations in Bora Bora, where you’ll find Asian-infused French cuisine in a glass restaurant over the lagoon. Between bites, look out at Mt. Otemanu across the lagoon, but don’t forget to look down through the restaurant’s glass-paneled floors for glimpses of reef sharks below your feet. 

Elevate your breakfast in bed game

Hotel room service is an indulgence we all adore, and it’s certainly a step above mere breakfast in bed, but you haven’t lived until you’ve had a meal delivered to your overwater bungalow by canoe. Choose your preferred time and head to your terrace as you await the arrival of your breakfast by water. At Le Méridien, expect a flower-strewn table to be set on the glass floor of your bungalow as you nibble at your morning meal over the shimmering shades of blue and green beneath your feet, or enjoy your morning feast on your sprawling terrace at the St. Regis where you can sip your morning coffee (or Bloody Mary) from your private whirlpool as you gaze at majestic Mt. Otemanu. Pro Tip: If you’re looking for an epic photo, be dressed for breakfast and hop aboard the canoe with your traditionally dressed rower.  

Have your Bloody your way

Speaking of a Bloody Mary, you won’t find a more appropriate place to indulge in one, at breakfast or beyond. Popular belief has it that the Bloody Mary was invented at the St. Regis in New York City in 1934, making it something of a favorite of the brand today, with each hotel offering its own take on the recipe (and showcasing some other locations’ creations, too). The Bora Mary adds watermelon juice for a thinner take on a traditional Bloody Mary, and is a perfect choice for an early afternoon sip at the property’s swim up bar. The St. Regis Bora Bora also offers the Texas Mary from Houston, with tequila and jalapeño peppers introduced to the mix, and the Mary Terranean from Rome, with extra virgin olive oil and red chili powder added. Traditional Bloody Marys are, of course, always available, but you can take mixology into your own hands at the breakfast buffet on weekends, where a self-serve Bloody Mary bar offers are all the seasonings and garnishes you could desire. 

Island hop for yet another famous Bloody Mary

You can’t visit Bora Bora without stopping by Bloody Mary’s on the main island. Just about every traveler stops here once (including the hefty list of celebrities you’ll find advertised at the entrance) for a beachy meal of seafood and meat under the oversize tiki hut of Bloody Mary’s. There’s no physical menu here; upon entry, you’ll be given a tour of the evening’s fresh cuts of meat and extensive seafood options chilling on the ice bar in front of the flames, and you’ll make your selection here. Once you’re seated, order some drinks (try a Bloody Mary, of course) and await the arrival of your personally-selected plates. The St. Regis organizes a free boat-and-bus shuttle service directly to this legendary Bora Bora spot. 

It’s okay to be vanilla

While it may not be popular to live a vanilla life these days, it’s certainly okay to order vanilla everything in French Polynesia, where Tahitian vanilla can be found in more than just ice cream. Expect to find your steaks and fish served with a side of vanilla sauce (and try it on both!), vanilla foams served on vegetables, and even vanilla salts, like the one served at every meal at Le Méridien (there’s traditional salt, too, for purists). You’ll be surprised how well vanilla can intensify the flavors of a wide variety of foods, but don’t go overboard: these vanilla condiments are strong. Do order Tahitian vanilla ice cream at least once, though; it’s not nearly as plain as what you’re used to.