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Les 3 BrasseursNoumea's best-loved brewpub is actually part of a French chain, with outposts in Tahiti, Montreal and elsewhere. Still, that doesn't stop locals from flocking to 'The 3 Brewers' for lunch, dinner, and late night drinks.
Perfectly located close to the action along the popular Baie des Citrons beach, Les 3 Brasseurs specializes not only in ales (there are 4 namesake brews to choose from at any one time) but also 'flammekueches' tarts, either sweet or as an entrée. Also try the Provencal bread, with mozzarella and thin slices of tomato. For dessert, finish it off with the exotic sundae made of lemon, passion fruit and mango sorbet, soulis of red fruit and topped with real, fresh whipped cream.
l'Hippocampe Restaurant This gastronomic dining experience is one of Noumea's best offerings and is found on the first floor of the Le Meridien Hotel. L'Hippocampe, which means seahorse in French, provides surprisingly large portions for a gastronomic restaurant. The service is top-notch, with efficient attention to detail and the white-tablecloth ambiance one would expect from a gourmet dining experience.
The restaurant is open to non-guests of the hotel, but reservations are recommended. Diners should note that because of the unique and exotic nature of the dishes, asking for an omission of even one ingredient could greatly affect the taste and quality of your order.
Le Sextant This buffet restaurant at Le Meridien Noumea serves up both breakfast and dinner. The entrance is shared with l'Hippocampe and is a short distance from the large hotel pool. For breakfast, diners will find an array of options, including cold cereal, fish, yogurt, breads, fresh fruit, eggs and made-to-order omelets (ask for well done if you don't want runny eggs).
For dinners, the buffet is transformed into hot and cold sections with in-the-shell crabs, spiced shrimp, Tahitian salad and fresh sushi. For warm selections, grab some roasted potatoes, tuna or marlin medallions, chicken cooked in banana leaves or an array of other meat options. Delicious dessert offerings abound, including mousse, crème brulee and fruit tarts. On Wednesday at 8 p.m., a Melanesian show takes place at the restaurant with dancing and music.
Tex Mex Mexico, Texas and France all meet at this popular restaurant near Baie des Citrons beach. Although the usual and customary dishes, like enchiladas, burritos, and quesadillas, are all found on the menu, each one comes with a New Caledonian twist, such as fromage blanc for the cheese, or mousse-style guacamole. Instead of chips and salsa, diners are greeted with the house-made olive tapenade and thinly sliced and toasted baguette bread. Options are limited for vegetarians. Try the non-super sized burritos or three-cheese quesadilla for two fantastic dishes.
Café Terrasse Inside of the newly opened Best Western La Promenade apartments, the food at Café Terrasse is far different than what North Americans expect from the Best Western chain. The dining area is spacious, with large windows and patio.
Start off your meal with a glass of fresh squeezed juice. Depending on the season you will find grapefruit, orange or other tropical fruits. For appetizers, dine on the large, decorative tempura shrimp or the crab ravioli, covered in a frothy light sauce. The simple salads are generous and tasty.
For a main course, the duck confit and shrimp wrapped in spring rolls are both excellent choices. Each main dish also comes with a side of vegetables, fries or pasta. If you still have any room, the desserts are decadent and generously proportioned. The specialty cakes are truly unique and the chocolate mousse is rich and flavorful. A full bar is available, should you need a digestif to walk back to your hotel.
360° Atop the Ramada Plaza sits one of the fanciest and finest restaurants in Noumea. Don't let the spinning room stop you from ordering wine with your meal – the restaurant actually rotates very slowly, completing a full 360 degree rotation approximately every two hours. Try to identify the different parts of the city by their brilliant lights and if you go, endeavor to get a seat facing the windows!
Like elsewhere in Nouma, fresh seafood served in French style is the thing to order. However, this restaurant also specializes in fat juicy steaks if you can't stomach another taste of Nemo. Ask for a longer cooking time if a bright red center is not your usual way to order. If you enjoy sushi, look for the raw scallops and shrimp, 'cooked' in citrus juice. A full bar with a number of high-quality after-dinner options is available.
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