Where Should You Eat When Staying in Bora Bora? Here Are My Top 3 Choices for a Delicious Night Out!
Free Transportation to Dinner
During our 4 nights in Bora Bora we had some amazing meals! Most of the restaurants on the main island provide free transportation to and from the main port in Vaitape. If you’re staying at one of the resorts on the motus, you’ll have to arrange a private transfer through your resort (most resorts charge a fee of $15-$30 per person each way for this service) to the port on the main island. Then the restaurants will pick you up and bring you back to the port free of charge.
Obviously, paying $30-$60 per person for the resort transfer to the port, makes having dinner on the mainland an expensive option, even though the restaurant prices themselves, are typically much cheaper. Bloody Mary’s, Bora Bora Yacht Club and St. James are definitely our top recommendations for lunch or dinner in Bora Bora!
Lunch at the Famous Bloody Mary’s
Many celebrities have been spotted having lunch and dinner at Bloody Mary’s in Bora Bora. The menu prices range from $14 for a burger to $20-$30 for an entree, which really is pretty cheap for French Polynesia. I absolutely love seafood, so I was really excited to try the Polynesian Trio which included fresh sashimi tuna, poisson cru, and the fish of the day. I definitely wasn’t disappointed! The sampler that I had was $2300 cfp, so about $21. Bloody Mary’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They are closed on Sundays and only serve appetizers, not full meals, at the bar between lunch and dinner (3-6pm). They also provide free transportation to and from the Vaitape Pier on the main island (10-15 minute ride).
Dining at Bora Bora Yacht Club
We had an amazing dinner at Bora Bora Yacht Club! The menu prices range from $25-$40 for an entree. They are open 7 days per week for lunch and dinner and provide free transportation to and from the Vaitape Pier on the main island.
Bora Bora Yacht Club 
Lagoon Surrounding Bora Bora Yacht Club 
Fish Swimming in the Lagoon
Definitely make a reservation as the dining room fills up to capacity on most nights. I had the fresh fish and Dave had a steak and both were delicious. We originally tried to find the Yacht Club when we were staying in Vaitape but somehow we missed the sign out front (picture below) on our biking adventure around the island. Instead, we decided to pay for the resort shuttle to Vaitape Port and the Yacht Club picked us up from there. The ambiance at the Yacht Club was amazing. If it’s a nice night, make sure to request a table by the lagoon where you can see fish swimming while you eat.
Read All About Our Bike Adventure in Bora Bora.
Dinner & Happy Hour at St James
We ate at St. James twice during our stay in Bora Bora and it was by far, our favorite. I will warn you that the prices are in line with what you pay at one of the nicer resorts ($30-$50 per entrée), but the food is absolutely amazing! It’s also a great place to come for happy hour to watch the sunset. While we were there for happy hour, two local fishermen pulled right up to the dock to bring the chef the fresh catch of the day for the dinner special. It’s also not very well marked. Look for the sign out front that says “Helen’s Bay” and it’s the building that is directly behind it. St. James also provides free transportation from the Vaitape Pier. They are open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner.
St. James 
Fresh Catch Dinner Special 
Time to Weigh the Fresh Catch of the Day! 
St. James Dining 
St. James Outdoor Bar 
Sunset From St. James
Bora Bora is definitely not a cheap place to visit. Dave and I saved money by going to the grocery store to purchase food that we could eat for lunch/dinner. That allowed us to splurge on a few nice dinners! If you only have a chance to visit one of the restaurants that I mentioned above, then definitely make it St. James!
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French Polynesia: 11 Adventures That You Shouldn’t Miss When Planning Your Trip
What to Pack for a Trip to French Polynesia
How to Score a Great Deal on an Over Water Bungalow in French Polynesia
Itinerary for Biking Around Bora Bora
Huahine- The Best Kept Secret of French Polynesia
How Not to Explore Tahiti on Your First Trip to French Polynesia
