Restaurants & Dining
Although most people come to St. Maarten/St. Martin for sun and fun, they leave praising the cuisine. Great dining thrives throughout the island from fabulous restaurants in Grand Case, the bistros in Marigot, the hopping restaurants in the Maho resort area and Cupecoy to the low-key eateries of Simpson Bay and the many lolos (roadside BBQ stands) throughout.
Food takes on a whole new meaning on our island…The food is a multicultural blend of ethnic traditions. The variety is truly amazing along with the creative and evocative cuisine that is offered at the higher end restaurants.
During the high season (Winter months), it is essential to make restaurant reservations for some of the best places. Dutch side restaurants sometimes do include a 15% service charge, so make sure to check your bill before tipping. On the French side, service is usually included, but it is customary to leave 5-10% extra (definitely worth checking as well).
What to Wear – Although appropriate dining attire ranges from swimsuits to sport jackets, casual dress is usually accepted. For men, a nice shirt and khakis or jean will take you anywhere and for women, dressy pants, a skirt or even fancy shorts are usually acceptable. Jeans are fine in the less formal restaurants.
Just to give you a taste of what is available on St. Maarten/St. Martin, we have compiled a list of some of our recommended restaurants:
Dutch Side – St. Maarten Restaurants
Cupecoy
Mario Bistrot – Intriguing blend of Asian, French and Caribbean cuisine prepared by Chef Mario, open for dinner only. With the impeccable service and an exceptional menu, Mario Bistrot is not to be missed. Originally located in Sandy Ground, the restaurant is now located at The Cliff.
Altro – Italian Cuisine –
Mama’s – Dinner only
Thai Savanh –
Jule’s – Breakfast & Lunch
Spaghetti House
Maho Area
Le Moulin Fou – French & Japanese (sushi) cuisine, open for dinner only. Busy restaurant located towards the back of the Maho complex serving French food as well as fish, pasta, steaks and good sushi.
La Rosa – Italian Cuisine, open for dinner only. One of the more traditional Italian restaurants on the island serving some of your favorite Italian dishes.
JAX –
Sunset Beach Bar – Beach Side/Casual
Driftwood –
Alina – Asian Cuisine
Simpson Bay
Bamboo – Japanese, NY style sushi with a Caribbean Twist, open for lunch and dinner. Dramatic, hip restaurant and lounge located in Puerta del Sol. Check out Bar Bamboo next door.
Izi Ristorante Italiano – Italian cuisine, open for lunch and dinner. Great Italian food for the entire family. For something fun, diners are invited to create their own menu – pick a pasta and sauce; then add your choice of meat, fish and vegetables.
Karakter Beach Lounge – Eclectic, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This funky and charming modern beach bar, located right behind the airport, offers a vibe like St. Tropez. The restaurant serves up fresh fruit smoothies, tropical cocktails, fresh fruit salads, healthy sandwiches and tapas. Live music is offered in the evenings.
Lee’s Roadside Grill – (relocating soon!)Island style seafood restaurant, open for lunch and dinner. This restaurant is a favorite for casual dining offering great fresh seafood, lobster and a large selection of other entrees including ribs, chicken and hamburgers. Live music is offered every evening. Great place for the family.
Pineapple Pete – International, Island & French Cuisine, open for lunch and dinner. Casual place to hang out offering great food at reasonable prices. Their motto is “Great Food, Great Service” and you will find exactly that here. The menu features a wide variety of items that can please the most difficult palate. They also offer an air conditioned game room with 8 pool tables, dart boards and arcade games. Perfect place for the family.
Top Carrot – Friendly café and juice bar, open for breakfast and lunch daily. It features fresh and tasty vegetarian entrees, sandwiches, salads, homemade pastries and fresh fish.
Sal & Pepe – Contemporary Italian bistro, open for lunch & dinner. A hidden gem for real homemade cooking in a relaxed and casual atmosphere.
Zee Best – Open for breakfast and lunch. Zee Best has earned loyal breakfast fans for its incredibly fresh and wonderful pastries, croissants and other baked goods, extensive coffee selection and freshly squeezed juices. Diners may also choose from crêpes, omelets, quiches and much more. Established in 1983, Zee Best had its original location in Marigot’s Marina Royale.
Lal’s – Lagoon Side/ Casual – Indian Cuisine
Vesna Taverna – Italian Cuisine
No Where Special – Caribbean Cuisine
Reveil matin – Breakfast & Lunch
Avantika – Thai Cuisine – Dinner
Buccaneer – Pizzas and BBQ – Live Musi
Palapa Grill – International Cuisine – Dinner only
Roxxy Beach – Lunch and Dinne
Karakter Beach – Casual – Lunch and dinner:
Juliette’s Bistro – Breakfast & Lunch
Isola – Italian Cuisine – Dinner only
Ginger – Sushis & Japanese Cuisine – Dinner only
Replay – Sports Bar
Dinghy Dock – Sports Ba
Panda – Chinese take out
Pollos Hermanos – Lunch and dinner
Café Antlantico – Breakfast and Lunch
Arena Base Café – healthy Food
Charli’s Bistro – Breakfast Lunch and Dinner – Caribbean Food
Lagoonies – Lunch and Dinner – Live Music
Oyster Pond/Dawn Beach
Big Fish – Diverse menu with a focus on seafood, open for dinner only. South Beach meets the Caribbean – hip, modern and upscale dining experience.
L’Oasis –
BZH – Creperie
Infinity – Breakfast – Lunch and Dinner:
Philipsburg
Ocean Lounge – Blend of European & Caribbean flavors, open for lunch and dinner. Overlooking Great Bay, experience this elegant Ocean Lounge Restaurant right on the boardwalk and beach in Philipsburg. The chef uses the freshest ingredients to create eclectic and modern dishes.
Taloula Mango’s – Casual beachfront restaurant offering creative Caribbean cuisine, ribs & burgers, open for lunch and dinner. Located on the boardwalk, diners can choose from the open air terrace or the upstairs air conditioned dining balcony. Great spot to have lunch or enjoy a drink while shopping in Philipsburg.
Holland House – Lunch & Dinner:
Green House – Lunch & Dinner:
Emilio’s – Dutch Cul De Sac – Lunch & Dinner:
Layback – Lunch only – Caribbean Food
Freedom Fighter’s Ital Shack – Vegan option
La Gelateria Milano – Ice Cream parlor
Grand Case
Bistro Caraibes – French-Caribbean Cuisine, open for dinner only. With contemporary décor throughout, the restaurant is located on the main street in the center of Grand Case.
La Villa – French cuisine, open for dinner only. Lovely French restaurant located in the heart of Grand Case.
Le Cottage – Traditional & gourmet French restaurant, open daily for dinner only (closed on Sundays, May-November). This trendy restaurant with its unique setting will ravish your taste buds by a refined and innovating cuisine.
Le Pressoir – Fine French Cuisine, open for dinner only. This restaurant is among the finest and famous restaurants of our island. Enjoy an evening of authentic and gastronomic cooking in a traditional Creole house built in 1871. Intimate and authentic, Le Pressoir will stay an unforgettable experience.
Ocean’s 82 – Refined French cuisine, open for lunch & dinner from November-May and open for dinner only from June-October. Refined French cuisine with a magnificent ocean view is the mix of senses the chef & owner would like you to experience.
Spiga Restaurant – Modern Italian cuisine, open for dinner only. Spiga opened its doors in November 2002 and has gained a reputation as one of the finer Italian restaurants on the island. Discover a restored Creole home offering creative cuisine.
“The Lolo’s” – Casual, open air, BBQ eateries run by locals. Must be explored at least once during your visit to the island. Setting is by the beach with picnic tables around the BBQ grills with fresh fish, lobsters, shrimps, ribs, chicken, etc. Very moderately priced for great food in a very casual, laid back atmosphere. Dine by the sea or the lively streets of Grand Case.
Orient Bay
L’Astrolabe – In a magical place in the heart of Orient Bay, you will discover L’Astrolable Restaurant. Dinner by the pool, or in a tropical garden, everything that you expect will be there: Service, Ambiance and Great Food. Open for Breakfast & Dinner. Closed on Wednesday.
Bikini Beach Tapas Bar & Grill – Tapas, Thai Seafood & more, open daily for breakfast and lunch. Located in the heart of Orient Bay, this restaurant serves a huge variety of tapas (appetizers) and a variety of entrees with a Thai influence. A full American breakfast is also served daily.
Kakao Beach – International Cuisine, open daily for lunch. Located right on Orient Bay, this restaurant serves a wonderful menu.
Kontiki Beach – A blend of Thai, American & French cuisine, open daily for lunch. A lively and trendy beachfront restaurant. This is a great location to spend the day, rent a chair and umbrella for the day and have your meal delivered to you right on the beach, if preferred.
Waikiki Beach – International Cuisine, open daily for lunch. Located on Orient Bay, this restaurant serves a fabulous menu. Slightly higher in price than the other restaurants on Orient Bay, but well worth it! You can also opt for their daily buffet (offering a good selection of food at a reasonable price) instead of ordering a la carte. This is also a great location to spend the day as they offer rentals of beach chairs & umbrellas and full service on the beach.
Anse Marcel
Anse Marcel Beach – Creative menu offering a blend of French, Caribbean, Seafood, Mediterranean cuisine, open for lunch only. This lovely restaurant is located right on Anse Marcel beach and it is an amazing spot to have lunch and lay on the beach for the day. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available on the beach.
Cul de Sac
Sol E Luna – French cuisine, open for dinner only. A beautiful, intimate restaurant with charming and elegant furnishing. Nestled in Mont Vernon, near French Cul de Sac, you find a remarkable gem, Sol E Luna. Known as one of the most romantic restaurants with amazing food in the Caribbean.
Pic Paradis
Hidden Forest Café at Loterie Farm – International and Caribbean cuisine, open for lunch and dinner. Schedule a trip for a day to hang out at the Loterie Farm and take in lunch or dinner in lovely tree-house pavilions with a safari vibe.
Marigot
Enoch’s Place – Local cuisine, open for breakfast and lunch. This restaurant is located right in the Marigot Marketplace and is the place where locals go to each. Enjoy great local cuisine and local fish made fresh daily.
Le Bistro Nu – French/Creole cuisine, open for lunch and dinner. A great French/Creole restaurant bistro located right in the heart of Marigot. Great sidewalk bistro style ambiance.
Le Marrakech – Real Moroccan cuisine, open for dinner only (Monday-Saturday). Authentic Moroccan food served in a typical Moroccan ambiance with a nice open garden courtyard in the middle.
Le Tropicana – Parisian Bistro offering classic and creative French cuisine, open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant is on Marina Royale in Marigot overlooking the marina. Le Tropicana provides gutsy, rootsy cooking tempered with a light, modern touch. Excellent reputation for many years.
Nettle Bay
La Cigale – French cuisine, open for dinner only. Directly located on the beach of Laguna Beach, this restaurant offers a Terrace on the Lagoon and an air conditioned room. The delicious food is edible sculpture and the team will make you discover mixtures of unforgettable flavors.
Your source for Vacation Rentals
on St. Maarten/St. Martin Introducing IRE Vacations, a division of Island Real Estate Team, is now offering vacation rentals.
Contact our vacation rental specialist and it will be our pleasure to work closely with you to find the perfect vacation rental.
Welcome to the most dedicated and reliable Real Estate Team on St. Maarten. We specialize in representing our clients with integrity and efficiency. Our knowledgeable staff and growing team of agents are eager to assist you with all your real estate needs here in sunny St. Maarten.”