La Cigale
6 Best Restaurants in St. Martin and St. Maarten
Although most people come to St. Maarten/St. Martin for sun and fun, they leave praising the cuisine. On an island that covers only 37 square miles (96 square km), there are more than 400 restaurants from which to choose. You can sample the best dishes from France, Thailand, Italy, Vietnam, India, Japan, and, of course, the Caribbean.
Many of the best restaurants are in Grand Case (on the French side), but you should not limit your culinary adventures to that village. Great dining thrives throughout the island, from the bistros of Marigot to the hopping restaurants of Cupecoy to the low-key eateries of Simpson Bay. Whether you enjoy dining on fine china in one of the upscale restaurants or off a paper plate at the island's many lolos (roadside barbecue stands), St. Maarten/St. Martin's culinary options are sure to appeal to every palate. Loyalists on both "sides" will cheerfully try to steer you to their own favorites, and it’s common to cite high euro prices to deter exploration, but quite a few restaurants still offer a one-to-one exchange rate between dollars and euros if you use cash, and main-course portions are often large enough to be shared.
During high season, it's essential to make reservations, and making them a month in advance is advisable for some of the best places. Dutch-side restaurants sometimes include a 15% service charge, so check your bill before tipping. On the French side, service is always included, but it is customary to leave 5% to 10% extra in cash for the server. Don’t count on leaving tips on your credit card—it's customary to tip in cash. A taxi is probably the easiest solution to the parking problems in Grand Case, Marigot, and Philipsburg. Grand Case has two lots—each costs $4—at each end of the main boulevard, but they're often packed by 8 pm.
What to Wear: Although appropriate dining attire ranges from swimsuits to sport jackets, casual dress is usually appropriate throughout restaurants on the island. For men, a jacket and khakis or jeans will take you anywhere; for women, dressy pants, a skirt, or even fancy shorts are usually acceptable. Jeans are fine in the less formal eateries.
Mario Bistrot
Altro
Dishes at this bistro in the upscale Porto Cupecoy residential and marina area might include tuna carpaccio, tender lamb with grains, and panna cotta topped with fruit sauce. The atmosphere is chic but relaxed, and the service is friendly.
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JAX Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar
JAX is know for serving certified Angus beef and providing stellar service—a reflection of the owner's years of experience as an island restaurateur. In addition to high-quality steak, the menu also has seafood, poultry, and lamb dishes.
L'Atelier
The food at this popular French restaurant on the square is inspired by the owner's grandmother. Expect simple, beautifully prepared steak and seafood dishes made with top-notch ingredients like premium tomahawk steak from Creekstone Farms, Wagyu beef from Japan, and local fish catches. Enjoy live music on the square on Thursday.
Ocean Lounge
This airy modern restaurant with a verandah is perched on the Philipsburg boardwalk and has a distinct South Beach vibe. You'll want to linger over fresh fish and steaks as you watch determined cruise-ship passengers out shopping by day or couples taking romantic strolls by night. There's also a fun beachfront lounge with a menu of bar snacks and martinis. The lounge gets busy late in the day, making parking hard to find, so consider taking a taxi at night.
