Tahiti Food Truck Recommendations

By Monica Hubinette | July 1, 2022 |

We would like to thank one of our travel partners for sharing their favorite food trucks on the island of Tahiti with us. You may or may not have time in your itinerary but, if you happen to have some time in Papeete, you should definitely check out the food trucks here.

Les Roulottes or “food trucks,” are usually located near the wharf in Papeete. They are a great way to experience Tahiti’s local cuisine and culture. These roulottes, are colorful, electrically lit vans that offer the best inexpensive dining. Both locals and visitors alike can be found dining and enjoying a variety of dishes, from roast pork and pizzas to chow mein to flaming crêpes.

UPDATE: I visited the food trucks in Dec 2021 and getting there at 6pm was a bit early as only a handful of trucks were there. Also, make sure to visit the ATM before going as many vendors only took cash. There were many options available and we took a few photos of the menus so we could sit down and try to decide where to order food from. My travel buddy and I ordered from different places and the amount of food was quite generous — we definitely could have shared if we wanted to eat the same thing! Overall, we spent less than $40 for our dinner and beverages.

I have saved an album of our food truck adventures. There were two bars that we decided to check out before we visited the food trucks. Our local contact who lives on the island recommended several bars and we picked two: Le Moana and 3 Brasseurs. See the Photos of Food Trucks & Bars in Papeete.

You can now find the food trucks in the newly created Vaipoopoo Park which is located right across the street from the Town Hall of Punaauia. It is a beautifully designed park for children, with a sports trail as well as an area reserved for the famous, local food trucks! Street food is at your service! Here you will discover 4 different types of cuisine offered by 4 unique food trucks. Do you want to experience how our locals live? Then, come and eat breakfast, lunch or dinner at Vaipoopoo Park!

BONUS: We also included two “bonus” food trucks that are also in the district of Punaauia that you will find at the end of the list.

POKE BAR II

(Poke Bar I is located in Papeete at the Vaima Shopping Center)

LOCATION: Vaipoopoo Park, in the district of Punaauia on the West Coast of Tahiti right across the street from the Town Hall of Punaauia. – MAP
TRANSFERS: Not available. Limited free parking available in front of the park. More parking is available across the street by the Town Hall.
RESERVATIONS: Not required but very popular on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
OPENING TIMES: Everyday from 7am to 8pm.
AVERAGE COST: €€
ATMOSPHERE: Lovely wood garden tables and chairs right on the water’s edge looking towards Moorea. A relaxing setting any time of the day to enjoy healthy food!
SIGNATURE DISHES: The poke of course both vegetarian with tofu or with protein in the form of tuna or salmon or both!
CUISINE: Quick, tasty, efficient, what else! And the waffles are vegan! There are also raw smoothies, smoothie fruit bowls, savory toasts and wraps.
WHO TO TALK TO: This is the place to meet the locals! So smile, talk with your eyebrows and try to start up a conversation!
OUR OPINION: A Zen moment right on the lagoon’s edge that transports you elsewhere.
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/pokebar2

CAFE MAEVA

(Her sister café is located in the central market in Papeete)

LOCATION: Vaipoopoo Park, in the district of Punaauia on the West Coast of Tahiti right across the street from the Town Hall of Punaauia. – MAP
TRANSFERS: Not available. Limited free parking available in front of the park. More parking is available across the street by the Town Hall.
RESERVATIONS: Not required but very popular on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. You can call at +689 87 20 74 09
OPENING TIMES: Everday from 7am to 8pm.
AVERAGE COST: €€
ATMOSPHERE: A modern atmosphere reigns here with bar stool style metal & wood chairs and tables located right on the waterfront. A slick, metallic food truck greets the eye with clean lines.
SIGNATURE DISHES: There is such a vast choice of food from pizzas to burgers to poke bowls to salads to steaks, grilled fish and vegetarian that you just have to come back again and again to try everything! I do usually always go for their very fresh fish “poisson cru”, tartars or sashimi!
CUISINE: International and the owner focusses his team on locally sourced produce and if possible organic to boot. The owner actually makes his own honey on the atoll island of Ahe, used in the cuisine to make it even more delicious! The tea is even organic.
WHO TO TALK TO: Each other about the fabulously delicious food you are eating!
OUR OPINION: A fun, lively moment is in store for you when you come here!
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/CafeMaevaVaipoopoo

LANI’S BBQ

LOCATION: Vaipoopoo Park, in the district of Punaauia on the West Coast of Tahiti right across the street from the Town Hall of Punaauia. (Google Maps thinks it is in a different location) – MAP
TRANSFERS: Not available. Limited free parking available in front of the park. More parking is available across the street by the Town Hall.
RESERVATIONS: Not required but very popular on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. You can call at +689 89 400 418
OPENING TIMES: For lunch, Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 1.30pm. For dinner everyday from 5pm to 8pm.
AVERAGE COST: €
ATMOSPHERE: This food truck resembles more what we used to see over at Vaiete Plaza in downtown Papeete where all the food trucks used to congregate. Red awning, rustic wood chairs and tables and a simple atmosphere but still… it is located right on the water!
SIGNATURE DISHES: It’s a BBQ so, definitely anything grilled from the chicken to beef to all types of local fish! Served with sides ranging from green beans to sweet potato fries.
CUISINE: Local cuisine geared towards the locals offering an interesting choice of salads, the ubiquitous poisson cru, tartars and sashimi, babyback ribs, steaks, pasta and a huge selection of burgers.
WHO TO TALK TO: Maybe your stomach that will be groaning from eating too much food! Watch out the portions are very generous!
OUR OPINION: This is a serious place where you come to worship at the temple of food. It’s taken seriously here!
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/LanisBBQ.Vaipoopoo

LE CREPUSCULE

LOCATION: Vaipoopoo Park, in the district of Punaauia on the West Coast of Tahiti right across the street from the Town Hall of Punaauia. – MAP
TRANSFERS: Not available. Limited free parking available in front of the park. More parking is available across the street by the Town Hall.
RESERVATIONS: Not required but very popular on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. You can call at +689 40 48 35 00
OPENING TIMES: For lunch, Wednesday to Saturday from 11.30am to 1.45pm. For dinner Monday to Saturday from 5.45pm to 10pm. Closed on Sunday.
AVERAGE COST: €€
ATMOSPHERE: It’s a new food truck resembling what it used to look like when it was parked over at Vaiete Plaza in downtown Papeete where all the food trucks used to congregate. The side door swings up and open, propped up by a stick giving access to the cook behind the stove! High chairs and tables as well as “bar” seating on the truck’s side lend a special, old-style street atmosphere highly appreciated.
SIGNATURE DISHES: The crepes!
CUISINE: A large variety of generous and delicious pizzas, galettes and crepes.
WHO TO TALK TO: A pizza lover!
OUR OPINION: An old favorite that has been around for years when parked at Vaiete Plaza in Papeete. It is unique since it serves up something different from the usual fare served up at the other food trucks!
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/Le-crepuscule-608944662449610

CHEZ ANITA (BONUS!)

LOCATION: Located right next to the Captain Bligh restaurant on the seaside in the district of Punaauia on the West Coast of Tahiti. Look for Captain Bligh restaurant on your GPS. – MAP
TRANSFERS: Not available. Limited free parking available in front of the roulotte. More parking is available right on the street.
RESERVATIONS: Recommended as very popular on every night when it is open. You can call at +689 87 79 25 26
OPENING TIMES: From Thursday to Monday, closed on Tuesday and Wednesday from 5pm to 10pm
AVERAGE COST: €€
ATMOSPHERE: You enter through the small parking lot so don’t be surprised! A long terrace overlooking the lagoon and Moorea greets the eye. We can recommend coming early for the sunset view around 5.30pm! The décor is simple with just tables covered with plastic table cloths and chairs. The star of this roulotte is the food!
SIGNATURE DISHES: Hmmm… can I just say everything? I must admit when I went last time I was craving steak and French fries and it was grilled perfectly and delicious!
CUISINE: Lots of lovely grilled food (chicken, fish, beef, shrimp, ribs) accompanied by generous sides from sweet potato fries, green beans, rice, salad. And when in Tahiti, you must get of course the fresh red tuna diced and sliced to make poisson cru, sashimi, tartar and carpaccio. The journey continues even with a nice selection of Chinese food too!
WHO TO TALK TO: The waiters and waitresses who are so smiley and friendly, a delight to be there and see their smiles (even if you don’t speak French!)
OUR OPINION: Chez Anita is also an institution as a roulotte operating actually farther away than where it is now. With the new location, closer to Papeete, in a nice residential area with the overwater terrace, it is turning out to be very popular indeed!
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/ROULOTTE-ANITA-117701321655331

NOIX DE COCO BY TEVA (BONUS!)

LOCATION: Just down the street from Chez Anita and Captain Bligh restaurant on the seaside in the district of Punaauia on the West Coast of Tahiti. – MAP
TRANSFERS: Not available. Free parking available in front of the roulotte.
RESERVATIONS: Recommended as very popular on every night when it is open. You can call at +689 87 79 29 89
OPENING TIMES: From Tuesday to Sunday, closed on Monday, from 6pm to 10pm
AVERAGE COST: €€
ATMOSPHERE: Ever since Teva from the Marquesas islands took over this little roulette it has gone from strength to strength. In fact, Teva has invented a new term: “roulottonomie” or gastronomy roulotte style! The place resembles more nowadays like a relaxed, chic garden café with a tent covering than an ordinary roulette. The service, tables, dishes and cutlery are also more restaurant style. The service is friendly, impeccable with great suggestions and explanations of a constantly changing menu!
SIGNATURE DISHES: There is always a weekly menu that changes so you can discover stewed goat from the Marquesas islands (sounds awful but it’s yummy) to freshly caught lobster also just flown in from the Marquesas to fresh mahi mahi, delicious rack of lamb or risotto with scallops and shrimp. The chef’s imagination is boundless!
CUISINE: French with a lovely Polynesian/Marquisian influence! Fish, seafood, beef, steak, lamb, chicken, lobster, ribs anything Chef Teva can get his hands on, he turns it into a delicious work of art – roulette style! Without forgetting the classic deserts from crème caramel, crème brûlée, profiteroles, chocolate lava cake, fluffy waffles topped with luscious whipped cream… are you drooling yet?
WHO TO TALK TO: To the food which you’ll thoroughly enjoy thus sharing your comments about it with everyone at your table!
OUR OPINION: For 8 years, I have seen this roulotte change and this time, it’s a winner! You’ll enjoy a delicious “roulottonomic” meal in a casual, relaxed environment and there is even a small wine and beer list!
FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/RoulotteNoixDeCoco

Finally, here is a handy interactive map to explore exactly where these recommendations are located:

Originally Published Jul 1, 2022

Posted in Tropical Destinations and tagged food, French Polynesia, Monica, restaurants, Tahiti, tips

About Monica Hubinette

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