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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.
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.
Rainbow brings a bit of wit and Instagrammable boho panache to the beach bar genre. Although it's open for breakfast and lunch—with an eclectic menu of burgers, steaks, grilled fish or lobster, and vegan and vegetarian dishes—it's fun to come here later in the day to enjoy tapas, sushi, dynamite cocktails, and spectacular sunsets from a comfortable lounge chair on the beach deck or a table on the open-air rooftop deck. There's DJ music live music most days and beach parties on weekends.
A popular breakfast and lunch stop, this friendly café offers fresh and tasty vegetarian entrées, sandwiches, and salads pastries, as well as excellent espresso, juices, smoothies, and pastries. Favorites include the house-made granola and yogurt; the pastry stuffed with pesto, avocado, red pepper, and feta cheese; and the cauliflower, spinach, and tomato quiche. The unique on-site gift shop sells Asian-inspired items, spiritual books, yoga theme T-shirts, and handmade jewelry.
Fresh-baked pastries (try an almond croissant), crepes, omelets, quiches, sandwiches, and salads make this friendly bistro popular at both breakfast (till 2 pm) and lunch. When you sit down, a basket of assorted pastries arrives, and you're charged for the ones you select. Breakfast specialties include the St. Martin omelet, filled with ham, cheese, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and tomatoes. At lunch, consider trying the chef's featured spaghetti Bolognese.
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.
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).
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.
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 easy to slow down and relax at this open-to-the-breezes spot. Come for breakfast, lunch (burgers, sandwiches, salads), or a snack.
With a varied menu, reasonable prices, and a friendly staff, it's no surprise that this bistro in the bustling Marina Port La Royale is popular. At lunch, salads like the Niçoise with medallions of crusted goat cheese are good bets, and, at dinner (when it's best to arrive by taxi as the parking lot is sketchy), there's an array of delicious steak or seafood dishes and desserts, including old standbys like crème brûlée.
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