Good to know
Good to Know
- Food in Tahiti is expensive due to heavy reliance on imports; budget expect higher costs than mainland France or the US.
- Roulottes (food trucks) lining Papeete waterfront in evenings offer the best value - generous portions at 1,500-2,500 XPF for complete meals.
- Baguettes, butter, rice, and certain vegetables are government-subsidized and significantly cheaper than other goods.
- Restaurant prices include 20% service charge; tip is not customary but appreciated.
- Hotel restaurant prices are typically 20-30% higher than independent local restaurants.
- French Polynesian cuisine blends Tahitian, Chinese, and French influences with a strong emphasis on fresh seafood and coconut.
- A typical mid-range dinner for two (appetizer, main, wine, coffee, dessert) costs 120-150 USD.
- Tropical fruits, coconut milk, and vanilla are staples used across both traditional and modern dishes.
- Sunday markets and roadside family food stands (particularly morning) offer prepared traditional dishes at local prices.
Supermarkets
Carrefour (Multiple Locations Including Punaauia Near Marina)
- Location
- Punaauia (largest), Faa, Papeete area
- Note
- Large hypermarket - largest supermarket chain on the islands with wide selection of imported and local goods, fresh produce, meats, dairy. Walking distance from Papeete marina area.
Super U
- Location
- Multiple locations around Tahiti
- Note
- Medium-sized supermarket chain with reasonable selection, generally smaller than Carrefour but convenient locations.
Champion
- Location
- Papeete (near Temple Paofai), multiple islands
- Note
- Smaller supermarket chain with basic groceries and essentials.
Marché De Papeete (Central Market)
- Location
- Downtown Papeete center
- Note
- Traditional market - open daily 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM (Sundays 4:30 AM - 9:00 AM). Fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, local prepared foods, and souvenirs. Essential for fresh local produce and experiencing food culture.
Budget
Les Roulottes (Papeete Waterfront)
- Price Range
- CFPF 1,500
- Neighborhood
- Papeete waterfront
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Food trucks - grilled meats, pizza, crepes, sandwiches, poisson cru
Vini Vini
- Price Range
- CFPF 2,000
- Neighborhood
- Papeete
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Poke, sushi, sashimi plates
High End
Le Coco's
- Price Range
- CFPF 8,000
- Neighborhood
- Tahiti west coast (Arue area)
- Cuisine Or Dish
- French nouvelle cuisine with local ingredients, seafood, foie gras with Tahitian vanilla
Le Lotus
- Price Range
- CFPF 9,000
- Neighborhood
- InterContinental Resort Tahiti, Arue
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Gourmet French cuisine with overwater dining view of Moorea
Mid Range
Le Royal Tahitien Restaurant
- Price Range
- CFPF 4,000
- Neighborhood
- Papeete
- Cuisine Or Dish
- French and local Polynesian cuisine
Brasserie Des Remparts
- Price Range
- CFPF 4,500
- Neighborhood
- Papeete
- Cuisine Or Dish
- French bistro - steak frites, tartare, local Polynesian fusion
Restaurant Le Sully
- Price Range
- CFPF 5,000
- Neighborhood
- Papeete
- Cuisine Or Dish
- French cuisine with local seafood specialties
Local Must Try Dishes
Poisson Cru (Eia Ota)
- Description
- National dish of Tahiti - raw tuna marinated in fresh lime juice and coconut milk, served with fresh vegetables
Poulet Fafa
- Description
- Chicken simmered with taro leaves (spinach) and coconut milk, often cooked in an ahima'a traditional earth oven
Chevrettes
- Description
- Freshwater prawns simmered in coconut milk perfumed with vanilla, or in curry sauce - served as appetizer or main
Fafaru
- Description
- Raw tuna or marlin marinated in fermented seawater using prawn heads, served with fermented coconut milk (miti hue) - pungent traditional dish
Po'e
- Description
- Sweet dessert pudding made from taro, mashed with banana, pumpkin, or papaya, baked in banana leaves and served with coconut milk
Uru (Breadfruit)
- Description
- Staple ingredient - cooked fried, boiled, roasted, or in earth oven; blackened outer skin is especially delicious
Firi Firi
- Description
- Tahitian doughnut shaped like figure-8, made with flour and coconut milk - crispy outside, soft inside
Vegan Vegetarian Dining
- Overview
- Vegan and vegetarian options are growing in Tahiti's dining scene, though the cuisine is traditionally seafood and meat-heavy. Plant-based dining is increasingly available at both upscale restaurants and casual venues.
Restaurants
Villa Thai
- Neighborhood
- Papeete area
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Thai cuisine with dedicated vegetarian/vegan menu options
Cafe Maeva Du Marche De Papeete
- Neighborhood
- Above Papeete Market
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Smoothies, fresh fruit bowls, salads, coconut oats with varied toppings, breakfast bowls
Le Coco's
- Neighborhood
- Tahiti west coast
- Cuisine Or Dish
- French nouvelle cuisine with advance notice for vegan breakfast featuring stir-fried beans and tofu with fresh fruit
Delivery Services
- Note
- Limited formal food delivery apps documented for Tahiti; roulottes (food trucks) and markets are primary takeaway options in Papeete
International And Other Cuisines
- Overview
- Tahiti's dining scene includes diverse international options beyond traditional Polynesian fare. French culinary influence is strong throughout the islands due to colonial history. Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Italian, and Japanese restaurants are present in Papeete and major tourist areas. Mid-range street food trucks (roulottes) offer chow mein, pizza, crepes, and burgers alongside local specialties.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this food & dining research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Tahiti
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.