Bora Bora Restaurants - Villa Mahana Overrated?

I am trying to plan our HM itinerary.

I know Villa Mahana is supposed to be the nicest or one of the nicest restaurants in Bora Bora.

I'm looking at pictures on their site and am not very impressed. Is it worth it?

Is Villa Mahana better/equal/worse than Bloody Mary's?

I'm not too impressed with Bloody mary's photos either.

I'm thinking of checking out Hotel Bora Bora's bbq.

I just read that a meal at our hotel room is $500!!! I know FP is supposed to be expensive but these prices are really ridiculous!

Please share your thoughts/experiences of restaurants in the FP. (Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora)

I haven't gone to Tahiti yet but I have read only good things about Villa Mahana. Blood Mary's get very mixed reviews. Alot of people say go for a drink just so you can say you went, others really like the food.

I have read that the Hotel Bora Bora BBQ is the best bbq and dance show on the island. If you are there on a Wednesday you should definitely check it out. I know we are.

We will be in Bora Bora on a Wed! Thanks for the show tip.

Hotel Bora Bora's ambiance looks amazing. I don't know if this is just good marketing photography or the place actually is that great.

I just know that if we are going to dropping a few hundred dollars on a meal that isn't that good, the ambiance better at least be good!

I've heard the food in the FP is generally not very good but very expensive.

I've only heard great things about Villa Mahana.

Remember that you're staying in the St. Regis so *everything* at your resort will be overpriced in comparison to the normal high prices in FP.

If you're paying $500 at your hotel, I'd rather spend it at Villa Mahana and request the top table ahead of time.

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Posted by GinaZ

I think you can get restaurant reviews on tripadvisor. May be worth checking that out!

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Thanks for the tip!

yes its better than bloody marys

my TA told me bloody marys has very eh, ok food. Its very touristy dso the ambiance is nice but the food is like TGIF quality

thats why im not expecting much from there

recommendations from my ta

Dining recommendations in Bora Bora
The Honeymoon Concierge recommends the following restaurants on Bora Bora:

You should make a reservation with the concierge upon arrival for any of the below restaurants or we are happy to help you with any reservation in advance!

Villa Mahana/ Most expensive, great dining experience, charges 30 US for Transfers ( will appear on your bill)

Kaina Hut/ great food/ local ambiance / free transfers

Top Dive/ former chef of the Paul Gauguin Cruise/ great food/ free transfers

Matira Beach Restaurant/ french cuisine/ free transfers

Fare Manuia, VERY LOCAL SETTING , however great food / inexpensive ( just next to the Moana Hotel)free transfers

Bloody Maries, local ambiance, famous celebrity spot, however dining experience is rather mediocre ( Luau Style). Would recommend to take a drink at the bar and save the money for one of the above restaurants.

The above restaurant reviews are based on my -PERSONAL- Dining experiences!

I love the Villa Mahana!

We had gotten the top table and it was truly a romantic place to have dinner, and the food was wonderful also!

We actually loved Bloody Mary's. The food wasn't spectacular but it was definitely good! The menu (fish, meat, etc) is all spread out on a table when you walk in, the floor is sand and you eat on tree stumps. We went with another couple we met (pigs222seal and her DH) and had a blast! If you go, definitely check out the men's bathroom.

We didn't go to villa mahana, but heard it's yummy and $$$$$.

We actually had dinner a La Villa Mahana. It excellent and very romantic. We also had lunch at bloody marys and it was good they are both very different places. Bloody marys is very layed back (my own opinion like a fridays atmosphere). La Villa Mahana was very private.

hope to help. I can post pictures of both later on in the week.

carmella

Villa Mahana is not as expensive as everyone makes it out to be. It can be if you drink a lot of wine, and each get appetizers and desserts with your entrees. We did b/c we wanted to just fully enjoy and it was around $250 for all that....which is not much different than NYC dining!
GO and just have 1 drink each - share an app and dessert and you could be around $150 total which I don't think is bad - we paid more than that at most other dinners on Moorea.

You can't compare Bloody Marys and Villa Mahana b/c they are just totally different places. Def. go to both though if you can b/c Bloody Marys is famous - just go for the good times and the experience to say you were there. A lot of people say their food isn't that great - we both loved our food there. I had a tuna steak and DH had mahi mahi in vanilla sauce. If you like fish you'll be ok.
At Villa Mahana I had the best filet mignon I've ever had and it came with this little mini pot of fresh made gnocchi that was also to die for. DH had lobster and shrimp risotto that he loved.

Villa Mahana's ambiance also can't be beat...SO romantic. It's a little outdoor garden setting...definitely get the top table if you can but if you can't still go - it's gorgeous! I can post some pics from our dinner there...

We had the top table....

You mentioned you were thinking of checking out Hotel Bora Bora's BBQ....we did this and LOVED it. It's $85 per person for an amazing fire/dance show and all the food you can eat. It's just a great time...you can hang out there all night! It was also great to see the Hotel Bora Bora b/c people rave so much about it....it was nice.

I don't have pics of the food setup but it was basically just BBQs cooking up lots of yummy food. Fish, meats - you name it. Other tables were set up with salads and breads and side dishes.

This was one of the dancers sitting down at someone's table...


Fire show

And here's the 'MENU' at Bloody Mary's....fresh catch of the day layed out. They describe how it's prepared and you place your order right there...then go sit.


Our table


It's a very fun atmoshpere...very casual. At Villa Mahana you get to get all dolled up and feel like you are having a special very romantic dinner on your honeymoon! It was my favorite dinner the entire trip - Villa Mahana. I feel you need that one very special dinner on your honeymoon!

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Posted by naps714

I'm not sure if you mentioned this....but did you make reservations for both places before you arrived? I've heard mixed opinions and I'm not sure if and when I should do it!

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Hi,

For Villa Mahana you should definitely make reservations ahead of time by emailing the chef at:
damien_rinaldi@ villamahana.com
Be sure to request the top table and also let him know what hotel you're staying at so he can arrange for your pickup!

Hotel Bora Bora BBQ and Bloody Marys you should have no trouble getting a reservation when you arrive in Bora Bora - just your first day there go to your concierge and have him make the reservations for you. Hotel Bora Bora BBQ is only on Wed nights.

Hope that helps!

Everyone always recommends dinner places?

Any lunch recommendations???

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Posted by Bridex100

Everyone always recommends dinner places?

Any lunch recommendations???

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Yeah - your hotel pool bar!
Don't leave your gorgeous hotel for lunch! Not on Bora Bora - Moorea yes but Bora Bora you have to take a boat to get anywhere.

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Posted by KandE917

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Posted by Bridex100

Everyone always recommends dinner places?

Any lunch recommendations???

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Yeah - your hotel pool bar!
Don't leave your gorgeous hotel for lunch! Not on Bora Bora - Moorea yes but Bora Bora you have to take a boat to get anywhere.

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hehe No wonder no one ever mentions anything about lunch. I totally forgot each resort is its own island. How amazing!

Forget the wedding. I can't wait to go on my honeymoon.

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Posted by KandE917

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Posted by naps714

I'm not sure if you mentioned this....but did you make reservations for both places before you arrived? I've heard mixed opinions and I'm not sure if and when I should do it!

---

Hi,

For Villa Mahana you should definitely make reservations ahead of time by emailing the chef at:
damien_rinaldi@ villamahana.com
Be sure to request the top table and also let him know what hotel you're staying at so he can arrange for your pickup!

Hotel Bora Bora BBQ and Bloody Marys you should have no trouble getting a reservation when you arrive in Bora Bora - just your first day there go to your concierge and have him make the reservations for you. Hotel Bora Bora BBQ is only on Wed nights.

Hope that helps!

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OMG! I emailed Villa Mahana for a reservation and they are fully booked until July!!!!!

Guess no Villa Mahana for me.

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Posted by Bridex100

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Posted by KandE917

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Posted by naps714

I'm not sure if you mentioned this....but did you make reservations for both places before you arrived? I've heard mixed opinions and I'm not sure if and when I should do it!

---

Hi,

For Villa Mahana you should definitely make reservations ahead of time by emailing the chef at:
damien_rinaldi@ villamahana.com
Be sure to request the top table and also let him know what hotel you're staying at so he can arrange for your pickup!

Hotel Bora Bora BBQ and Bloody Marys you should have no trouble getting a reservation when you arrive in Bora Bora - just your first day there go to your concierge and have him make the reservations for you. Hotel Bora Bora BBQ is only on Wed nights.

Hope that helps!

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OMG! I emailed Villa Mahana for a reservation and they are fully booked until July!!!!!

Guess no Villa Mahana for me.

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Wow, I guess they book up quick! I know they only have a few tables so maybe that's it?

Does anyone know what happens if you make a reservation but then change your mind when you get to Bora Bora? Can we just call and cancel or will they charge us something etc? Thanks!