9 Best Restaurants in St. Maarten, St. Martin and St. Maarten

Located above the Casino Royale, in the heart of the Maho Reef entertainment area, Alina is known for its delectable Japanese dishes infused with local flavors. Enjoy classics like crispy shrimp tempura and teriyaki salmon, or sit at the sushi bar and let Chef Ken surprise you with his selections. After dinner, head to the rooftop Mimosa Skylounge for a postprandial cocktail and lovely views.

Located in a hilltop villa overlooking Simpson Bay, Bamboo House offers stunning views and top-notch sushi created by chefs from spots like Nobu and Morimoto. The wine list is fairly extensive, and the lounge and bar stay open till late. There's also an on-site spa.

Emilio Wilson bought the plantation where his grandparents worked and died as enslaved people, which is now the location of the Rainforest Adventure park and this award-winning restaurant housed in an 18th-century sugarcane boiling house. The knowledgeable owner of this family-run establishment, Norman Wathey, is more than happy to talk to you about the "old days" while you dine on nouveau Caribbean cuisine. Dishes might include charred garlic octopus with spicy avocado puree, rosemary rack of lamb with mushroom risotto, or snapper en papilotte. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available, and the wine cellar has more than 100 options.

The acclaimed chef behind La Gondola in Cupecoy creates something extraordinary every night at this popular, cheerful, centrally located restaurant, where the pasta is freshly made, and the wine list is impressive.

Take an Asian-inspired culinary journey at this waterfront restaurant in Bobby's Marina. In addition to grilled seafood and steaks, the menu features sushi, as well as dishes like teriyaki or sweet-and-sour chicken.

A sign near the shower/bathhouse inviting you to "come hang out here and shower before you go to the airport" nods to this beach bar's location and playful atmosphere. It serves up fruit smoothies, tropical cocktails, pasta dishes, seafood, and tapas, and it offers a DJ or live music from Thursday (Ladies Night) to Sunday.

With a colorful French-Caribbean fusion restaurant, a tapas and sushi lounge, and the Club 28 rum-tasting room, this chic but casual establishment truly feels like an oasis. Meat eaters will love the tenderloin, seafood lovers the Caribbean lobster pasta, and vegans the cauliflower steak.

Arguably the island's top seafood restaurant, SkipJack's is popular for such crowd-pleasers as fried calamari, shrimp cocktails, and lobster. If you're staying in a self-catering villa or condo, note that the fish market here is one of the best—and prices are reasonable.

Owner Vesna is Greek, and her husband, Yannick, is French, and their combined culinary experience delivers great dining all day long at this casual restaurant just north of the Simpson Bay drawbridge. In the morning, you can order American breakfasts (including the famous Bagel Tower, plus omelets, pancakes, and more), and, there are tasty but healthy smoothies, sandwiches, salads, and burgers at lunch. On Saturday night, the menu includes many Greek specialties. Dinner reservations are a good idea.