Le Roof

The building is finished in raw wood with a contemporary Caledonian feel and seats about 140, inside and on a covered terrace. Tables run along the terrace railing, where you can watch fish in the water below. The tourism board says dolphins sometimes pass on certain evenings, though there is no way to predict when. The pier also carries La Bodega del Mar, a bar on stilts that sometimes has live music at weekends.

The cooking is French, made with New Caledonian produce, and seafood is the speciality. Leave room for the chocolate fondant, which the tourism board singles out. There is an à la carte menu with daily specials, so ask what local fish came in that day, and the restaurant also serves tapas.

Visiting yachts usually berth at Port Moselle or Port du Sud in the city. Anse Vata is about 3.5 kilometres south of Port Moselle in a straight line, so most guests come by taxi. The restaurant is on the pier at 134 promenade Roger Laroque, with a free car park and a bus stop within 500 metres.

Booking is required. The tourism board lists lunch from 11.30am to 2pm and dinner from 7pm to 9.30pm, Tuesday to Saturday, closed on Sunday and Monday, but it marks these hours as unconfirmed, so call ahead. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible with assistance and takes cards, including American Express. Ask for a table on the terrace rail for the best view of the lagoon.