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

One of the five lolos in the middle of the village on the water side couldn't be more informal—with plastic utensils, paper plates, and leisurely but friendly service—but it's a fun spot to enjoy an iconic St. Martin meal. Main dishes—everything from succulent ribs to stewed conch, fresh snapper, and grilled lobster—all come with tasty sides like plantains, curried rice, beans, or coleslaw. On weekends there may be live music.

At this quiet, understated café with a slightly sophisticated vibe, you can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas (half price with lunch) and relax, drink, and dine on the sand from morning till sunset—a spectacular sight here. Along with burgers and sandwiches are bistro standbys like tomato-and-goat-cheese tartlets, and a blackboard lists the daily meat, fish, and salad specials. To get here, look for the red-and-black signs on the road between Grand Case and Marigot, and drive slowly because the road is rough, especially the last 200 yards before the beach.

The authentic decor and classic dishes at this romantic spot transport you straight to Morocco. The meze (mixed appetizers) are delectable, and the couscous and tagines are nicely spiced well. After dinner, you can lounge in the tented rooftop, where belly dancers perform on Friday.

Flavorful creole dishes and island-inspired cocktails are on hand at this beach restaurant, run by the same owners as the popular 978 Sanctorum jazz lounge and brunch spot near Friar's Bay in the Rambaud area. The lunch menu here often changes based on the availability of local ingredients, but favorites like the conch and dumplings or the meat and fish mixed grill make regular appearances. In addition to having live music on Saturday and Sunday, this is the spot for the monthly all-white full-moon party, a beloved and sophisticated affair.

This award-winning restaurant is like a slice of Italy in the heart of the Caribbean. The Mediterranean flavors in the authentic Italian dishes transport you straight to Europe, while the stunning island views remind you that you’re still in island paradise.

The creole, lolo (open-air-grill)--style food at this no-frills, family-owned restaurant is a Marigot must. Specialties include garlic shrimp, fresh lobster, and rice and beans, but you better come early as some of the best dishes sell out.

This bakery with umbrella-shaded outdoor tables is a great place to stop for a snack, as well as for breakfast (pancakes, omelets, bagels) or lunch (panini, club sandwiches, quiche).

Somewhat hidden behind the boutiques of Marina Port La Royale, this tiny restaurant features a French seasonal menu as well as salads, soups, and pastries. The pasta dishes are inventive, but lighter fare such as the crab tartare with seaweed or the chicken salad are also delicious.

It's hard to top the authentic French fare (steak au poivre, sweetbreads with mushroom sauce, sole meunière) at this friendly, intimate, air-conditioned restaurant. Although it's routinely packed until closing, it's also a bit tucked away on an alley in a neighborhood that isn't exactly upscale and where parking can be hard to come by, so it's best to take a taxi at night. The prix-fixe menu is a very good value, as are many of the bottles on the wine list.

It's easy to slow down and relax at this open-to-the-breezes spot. Come for breakfast, lunch (burgers, sandwiches, salads), or a snack.

Follow the locals to Yvette's Kitchen, set in a private house, for the island's best Creole cooking. All the St. Martin favorites are dished up in big portions at a reasonable price, so this is the place to try stuffed crab backs, conch and dumplings, or coconut curry chicken. Fried plantains, rice and peas, and hot johnnycakes come on the side. It's hard to find, so consider scoping it out in the daylight before your visit, or come for lunch.