There are not a huge number of independant restaurants in Bora Bora, but there are many other dining establishments, on the main island or around the lagoon, located within the many Resorts that are recommended, highly rated and reviewed.  You are welcome to eat in any of the Resort restaurants other than the one you are staying in (reservations recommended), but if you fancy going somewhere different, here are a few that you can enjoy.  Some restaurants would recommend reservations, at others its not necessary.  The restaurants are very welcoming and are grateful for your patronage, especially the smaller establishments.  Some of the larger establishments take cards and cash, but some of the smaller, locally-run cafes and snack trucks will only take cash. Some restaurants will offer a free shuttle or hotel pick up service, so always ask when you call them to make your reservations.

La Villa Mahana

The very highly rated La villa Mahana is small, French gourmet gastonomic experience, with a highly trained and experienced chef, who has come from some of the best restaurants in France, such as Ledoyen, in Paris.  Only seating a maximum of 20 guests each evening in this private home dining room,  reservations well in advance are a must if you want to get in, and those on a budget might want to give it a miss.  But if you have a high end budget and want a 5*plus dining experience, this is it.  Menus change regularly so variation is always on the menu.  Free shuttle service from hotels and shore bases.  Contact them for further details.

Restaurant St James.

The Restaurant St James is located in Vaitape town behind the St Helen's shopping centre, right on the shoreline with great lagoon views, especially at sunset.  They offer a range of Polynesian/French dishes for lunch and dinner, with a full bar offering a good selection of drinks and cocktails, and you can dine indoors or on the deck overlooking the lagoon.  They also have a small private dining fare for romantic meals.  You can arrive by boat and tie up right outside, and in the evening, (if you're lucky!) manta rays swim past the deck hoping for scraps being 'dropped'.   Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, 11am - 12 midnight.   Cards/cash accepted.

Bora Bora Yacht Club

The Bora Bora Yacht Club is on the coast road between Vaitape and Fa'anui and serves good food at reasonable prices.  Offering a Polynesian/french menu of local fresh fish and produce, they also offer a good steak if you would rather.  Set right on the lagoon with overwater dining deck, you can enjoy amazing sunsets views with your cocktails and your dinner. Some evenings, there are themed party nights and DJ's play the latest tracks for those who want to party into the night. Open every day 10am - 11pm.  They offer a free shuttle service.  Contact them for further details.  Cards/cash accepted.

Bloody Mary's

There are people the world over who have heard of Bloody Mary's but they may not know exactly where it is! Since 1979, it has been a favourite haunt with locals, visitors and celebrities alike, you can't leave Bora Bora without visiting Bloody Mary's at least once!   Today's freshest catch is displayed over ice for your perusal and choice (except Sundays), including Mako Shark, Striped Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Red Snapper, Jack or Tuna, or create your own combination plate including crab, shrimp, steak, chick or vegetarian options.  The sand-floored open-air dining room and bar gives a real beach ambiance, with traditional high ceiling thatched roof, coconut stumps for bar stools and a fun atmosphere where everyone is welcome.  Signature cocktails (the original Bloody Mary!) and drinks are served from the well stocked bar, and if you have your own yacht, you can moor up right outside.  Lunch is served every day (except Tues/Weds) between 11am -2pm, dinner 6pm - 8pm, and drinks served til late.  Cards/cash accepted

Lucky House Fare Manuia

The Lucky House Fare Manuia is a Polynesian-style casual restaurant/cafe in the south of the island at Matira Point.  It doesn't have a lagoon view as it is a little way inland, but it does offer great food and very reasonable prices.  One of their specialities is the hand made pizzas, cooked in a brick pizza oven.  They also have local fresh seafood, salads and produce, burgers and fries, and more, a well-stocked bar offering cocktails and cold favourites, and has the added advantage of a sundeck and pool on the back patio.  Open every day 10am - 11pm.

Kaina Hut

The Kain Hut is an open-air, sand-floor Polynesian Fare (building) built entirely of wood and traditional thatched roof.  The French chef here has created a contemporary French bistro-style menu with fresh Polynesian ingredients, fresh local seafood, salads and produce.   The well stocked bar offers cocktails and cold favourite beverages, so pull up a tree trunk stool and enjoy.  open every day except Fridays afternoons and evenings, with free shuttle service from certain hotels; contact them for further details.  Cards/cash accepted.

La Panda D'or

A casual chinese restaurant, that offers a take out service if you wish, located on the the main coastal road in Vaitape. Offering a selection of normal chinese favourites; fried rice, sweet & sour, noodles etc, along with some dishes with a Polynesian flavour.  Budget priced lunch and dinner, and great for a quick stop.  Cash only.

Aloe Cafe

The Aloe Cafe is located in Vaitape Village centre and is a great spot for lunch after your shopping.  They serve a wide selection of light bites and lunches, from pizza, burgers (the Mahi Mahi burger is particularly good), fresh local seafood, salads and paninis, to fresh French pastries, crepes and tarts,  all served with cold beers, fresh coffees and fresh juices. The fishermen even walk into the cafe with their latest catch, so the fish is very fresh! Wi-Fi is free when eating, and the prices are very cheap here.  Take a seat on the patio, enjoy a light bite and watch the (small) world in Vaitape go by.  Open Monday - Saturday 6.30am - 5pm. Cash only.

Matira Beach Restaurant

Found just off the coast road at Matira Point, the Matira Beach Restaurant has stunning views, as the open air dining room and terrace, at the back, overlooks the stunning Matira Beach.  Only 10 minutes from Vaitape village, they offer a pick up service from nearby hotels or meeting points, or you can arrive by dinghy, kayak or jet ski.  Offering light lunches and dinner menus, serving fresh local ingredients, including their speciality, sushi, with local fresh seafood, New Zealand meats and locally grown salads, tropical fruits and vegetables.  The stylish decor is an island oriental style, and with the ceiling sails and log beams, is reminiscent of a sailing ship of old.  Open Tuesday-Sunday lunch 11.30am-2.30pm and dinner 6.30pm-9.30pm

Snack Matira

The Snack Matira ( also know as Chez Claude) is a small roadside snack bar that doesn't look much from the road, the view from the open-air patio is beautiful.  Overlooking Matira Bay with a small beach area in front, they offer a casual menu of grilled steaks, fresh local fish and seafood, burgers, pizzas, salads, plus ice cream, milkshakes, cold beers and soft drinks.  Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am-8.30pm and Sunday 10am - 4pm. Cash only.

Tipi Rai Cafe

A small local, family-owned dining place, the Tipi Rai is a little hard to find, but worth it if you can.  If you make a reservation, they will pick you up from local hotels and meeting points.  Serving fresh produce and local menu, this cafe is where the locals come to eat.  Only 15 or so seats in the little thatched hut in the front garden of the owner/cooks, it doesn't look much but the food is lovely, and generous portions.  They can do take out as well.  Open for lunch and dinner.  Cash only

There are also a selection or La Roulottes, (food trucks) dotted around the island, that serve cheap snacks, fast food and drinks; look for ones with a queue of locals, a good recomendation! One of note is Aito Hot Dog, near the pier in Vaitape, which serves huge hot dogs, cold drinks and what have been called 'the best snow cones in Bora Bora!'

Other highly rated Resort and hotel based Restaurants that you can try are:-

Lagoon Restaurant by Jean Georges  -  St Regis Bora Bora Resort

Sushi Take - St Regis Bora Bora

Noa Noa Restaurant - Intercontinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort

Te Pahu Restaurant - St Regis Bora Bora Resort

Tama'a Maitai - Hotel Maitai

Le Corail - Intercontinetal Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa

Iriatai Restaurant - Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort

Tamure Grill - Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort

Le Tipanie Restaurant - Le Meridien Bora Bora

Far Niente -  St Regis Bora Bora Resort

Manu Tuki Restaurant - Sofitel BoraBora Motu Private Island

Vini Vini Restaurant - Intercontinental Le Moana Bora Bora Resort

Te Ava Restaurant - Le Meridien Bora Bora

Le Tiare - Le Meridien Bora Bora

Latitude 16 - Sofitel Bora Bora