A Taste of Tahiti and Her Islands The cuisine of Tahiti is internationally renowned for its fresh fish and exotic fruits and vegetables, prepared with Polynesian influence and a touch of French flair. Restaurants offer French, Tahitian, Chinese, Vietnamese and Italian dishes for the discerning palate. Tahitians are also known for their delicate sauces, which often contain home-grown vanilla beans and freshly squeezed coconut milk.

Poisson cru (ia ota), is the national dish of Tahiti and Her Islands, and can be found in most restaurants. This melt-in-your-mouth entree consists of raw fish and diced vegetables marinated with lime juice and soaked in coconut milk. Chevrettes, another popular Tahitian dish, are tasty freshwater shrimp which can also be found on the beautiful native islands of Tahiti.

No amura’a (meal) is complete without a rich dessert inspired by the islands. The ultimate Tahitian dessert is Poe, a sweet pudding made of taro root flavored with banana, vanilla, papaya or pumpkin and topped with a rich coconut-milk sauce.

Looking for something a little lighter? Try the mouth-watering French croissants or the tasty biscuit-like treats, kato, which are made with coconut milk. A cup of the local coffee flavored with vanilla beans and served with sugar and coconut cream compliments any of these delicious Tahitian treats.

Les Roulottes, located near the wharf, are a great way to sample Tahiti’s varied cuisine while experiencing local culture. The roulottes, or rolling restaurants, are colorful, electrically lit vans that offer the best inexpensive dining in Papeete. Both locals and visitors can dine on a variety of dishes from roast pork and pizzas to chow mein and flaming crêpes.

Another way to sample authentic Tahitian cuisine is to attend a Tahitian feast called a tamaaraa. At the feast, visitors will be greeted by traditional Polynesian singing, dancing and celebration. Native Tahitian dishes of fish, roasted pork and chicken are cooked in an underground oven called ahimaa and are served to the hungry visitors as a sample of classic Tahitian cuisine. Visitors to Tahiti will receive a final taste of Tahitian tradition as the tamaaraa concludes with a full Polynesian show complete with exotic costumes and dancing.