People ask me whether the food on a small ship can really hold up, and on the Paul Gauguin it genuinely does. With only about 330 guests, the kitchens aren't cooking at industrial scale, and you feel it in the plate. There are three restaurants, each with its own character, and you're never fighting for a table the way you might on a big ship. I'll walk you through where to eat, how special diets are handled, and what the daily rhythm of meals actually feels like.
The three restaurants and what each is for
Dining centers on three rooms. L'Etoile is the French fine-dining restaurant, the place for a slower, dressed-up dinner. La Veranda leans into Polynesian dishes and local fish and works for both relaxed breakfasts and more considered evening menus. Le Grill is the easygoing option, casual grill fare often near the pool, ideal after a long day ashore when you don't want to change. Because the ship is small, you can move between all three over a week without any of it feeling repetitive.
How dietary needs are handled
This is where a small galley shines. Vegetarian, gluten-free and allergy-related requests are handled with real attention, and the chefs would much rather know in advance than improvise at the table. I always pass dietary notes through at booking so the kitchen is ready from the first dinner. On board, a quiet word with the restaurant team usually sorts anything that comes up mid-sailing.
The rhythm of dining on board
What I love is the lack of rigidity. Dining is open-seating, so you choose when and with whom you eat rather than being assigned a table and a time. Some nights that means a long dinner at L'Etoile; others it's a plate from Le Grill as the sun drops. Local fish appears often, the wine flows with dinner, and the pace matches the islands outside, unhurried and easy.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need reservations to eat on the Paul Gauguin
Dining is largely open-seating, so you're not locked to a fixed time or table. L'Etoile can be busier on certain nights, so it's worth arranging a time through your butler or the desk if you have your heart set on a particular evening.
Can the kitchen handle allergies and special diets
Yes, and on a ship this size they do it well. Flag your needs at booking so the galley is prepared, and confirm again with the restaurant team once on board.
Is there a dress code for dinner
Evenings range from relaxed to a step smarter at L'Etoile, but the overall tone is country-club casual rather than formal. Pack one or two slightly dressier outfits and you'll be set.
Planning a Paul Gauguin voyage? Tell us your dates and what you're dreaming of and we'll map it out for you.