Roulottes Night Market, Vaitape
Every evening in Vaitape — Bora Bora's main town, a short drive from Anau — a fleet of mobile food trucks called roulottes rolls into position and transforms the harbour-front into the island's most delicious, most affordable, and most local dining experience.
What to order and why
Each night, four or more roulottes set up in Vaitape village serving grilled fish, steak and fries, kebabs, barbecued chicken, and — most importantly — poisson cru: raw fish marinated in coconut milk and lime, French Polynesia's defining dish. Prices are a fraction of what resort restaurants charge, and the quality is outstanding.
These mobile eateries serve freshly prepared food straight from the truck in a relaxed, open-air atmosphere, with tables and chairs set out on the harbour-front. By dining here you are directly supporting small, sustainable local businesses run by island residents.
Wash everything down with a fresh coconut or a cold Hinano beer while the lights of the lagoon flicker in the distance and the trade wind keeps the evening perfectly cool.
The Vaitape setting
Vaitape's main avenue runs along the western waterfront, where pearl boutiques and open-air fruit stands sit beside the roulottes. Above the whole scene, Mount Otemanu's jagged silhouette watches over the harbour as water taxis skim back and forth to the motu resorts.
For a slightly more formal meal, Saint James restaurant in Vaitape — perched over the water with tables on the sandy lower level — offers exquisite French-Polynesian cuisine, fresh lobster, and lagoon fish, with the bonus of lemon sharks occasionally cruising past at night.
Kai Kai Bora Bora is widely regarded as the standout roulotte for 2026, known for its Polynesian fusion cuisine that combines local flavours with creative flair — a great first stop before exploring the rest of the market.
More of Anau
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Anau →
