"A Cook's Bay water-balcony institution where rays swim up to the deck — grilled mahi-mahi at sunset, for a proposal or special dinner in Moorea."
About Te Honu Iti
Te Honu Iti, long known to locals as Chez Roger, is the water-balcony restaurant in Pao Pao village on Cook's Bay in Moorea, near the village fish market. Its terrace is built out over the bay, looking across to the jagged peaks behind, and the kitchen is run as a father-and-son operation that guests walk past on the way to their tables. It is one of the longest-standing dining institutions on the island.
The cooking is French technique applied to Polynesian ingredients. For more of the island's tables, compare the lagoon dining at Moorea Pearl Restaurant, the resort kitchen at Restaurant K at Sofitel and the menu at Lézard Jaune. For the category, see our seafood guide.
The Kitchen
The format is a three-course menu with a wide choice, from grilled steak and pasta to lobster, tuna carpaccio and salad, but the seafood is the reason to come. The grilled mahi-mahi is the dish most often recommended, alongside a shrimp curry and an onion soup, with an apple tart to finish. Cooking is unfussy and confident rather than elaborate, the catch handled with French method. It is not a cheap night out, especially with the included transfer, but the combination of fresh fish and the setting is what guests remember. A hotel shuttle runs to and from the restaurant, which makes the bay-side location easy to reach.
The Room
The setting is the headline: a balcony terrace directly over the water of Cook's Bay, where during dinner the staff feed the stingrays and small sharks that glide up to the foot of the steps. Watching rays and fish move beneath the deck while you eat is a deliberate part of the experience and a rare one. The mood is warm and informal despite the spectacle, and the bay's mountains make the backdrop. It sits in Pao Pao near the fish market, with a complimentary shuttle from many hotels, and the sunset sitting is the one to book.
Best for a Proposal
The over-water deck, the rays gliding beneath it and the Cook's Bay sunset make Te Honu Iti a striking proposal or birthday setting, and a memorable first date on Moorea.
Not for
Not for a budget meal or a quick bite — this is a special-occasion water-balcony restaurant with a fixed three-course format, and the setting carries a premium.
Frequently Asked
Why is Te Honu Iti also called Chez Roger?
Te Honu Iti has long been known to locals as Chez Roger, after the chef historically associated with it. The kitchen has been run as a father-and-son operation, and both names refer to the same water-balcony restaurant on Cook's Bay in Pao Pao.
What is special about Te Honu Iti?
Its balcony terrace is built directly over Cook's Bay, and during dinner the staff feed stingrays and small sharks that swim up to the steps. Diners watch rays and fish glide beneath the deck while they eat, which makes the setting as memorable as the food.
What should I order at Te Honu Iti?
The seafood is the highlight. The grilled mahi-mahi is the most recommended dish, with tuna carpaccio, shrimp curry and onion soup also popular, and an apple tart to finish. The kitchen serves a three-course menu of French cooking with Polynesian ingredients.
Where is Te Honu Iti in Moorea?
Te Honu Iti is in Pao Pao village on Cook's Bay, near the village fish market, on the northern side of Moorea. The terrace looks across the bay to its mountains, and a complimentary shuttle runs to and from many of the island's hotels.
How much does Te Honu Iti cost?
Te Honu Iti is a special-occasion restaurant rather than a budget one. The three-course menu and the over-water setting carry a premium, and with the included hotel transfer it is a memorable but not inexpensive evening on Moorea.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Te Honu Iti
Reservations are recommended and the sunset sitting is the one to book; a complimentary shuttle runs from many Moorea hotels to Pao Pao.
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Practical Information
AddressPao Pao village, near the fish market, Cook's Bay, Moorea
NeighbourhoodCook's Bay, Pao Pao (near the fish market)
CuisinePolynesian French Seafood
PricePremium; three-course menu plus the over-water setting and shuttle
Dress CodeResort-casual
SeatingOver-water balcony terrace on Cook's Bay
ReservationRecommended
