8 One of a Kind St. Maarten Restaurant Experiences
(Photo courtesy of K Beach Club)
St. Maarten has many restaurant concepts to choose from, widely different in cuisine, concept and dining experience. Here is a little guide for uncommon but fun restaurant experiences to include in your culinary itinerary on island.
1. Multinational Food Court – Roma / Mr Chow
So did you ever enjoy a perfect panko shrimp with grilled asparagus whilst sitting next to someone appraising his or her ricotta-spinach ravioloni? This is a very real scenario at the multinational food court of Mr Chow and Roma across Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, a scenic restaurant celebrating the much praised variety of cuisines on island.
2. Only One Menu, but with Bourdain Approval – Ital Shack
There is only one restaurant on St. Maarten where you do not choose your food – and that is appraised Ital Shack. This Caribbean feel eatery designs a different menu every day, all “Ital” – meaning prepared according to Rastafarian guidelines. And that is what you get – no menu for other options. If this is adventurous for you, it was not for famed cuisinier Anthony Bourdain who much enjoyed his meal here, nor for the many visitors that come to sample the newest designs of chef “Bushman” from afar.
3. Open Air Museum Eatery – The Pier
Walter Plantz square was intended to preserve local building styles and provide a dynamic, colorful landmark to the island. It became much more than that. Its fountain, restaurant the Pier and perfect location as a base for a full Great Bay Beach day made it a great spot for dining when the sun sets.
4. Dutch Dining with Escape Rooms – Dutch Blonde Beach Bar
Dutch Blonde Beach Bar lives up to its name and serves typical Dutch pancakes alongside other bites. Its view over Great Bay, but also its unique position as sole Caribbean provider of the “Escape Room” formula makes this a great beach day location.
5. Seaside Cabana Service – Seaview
If the popular Philipsburg boardwalk gets crowded, here is your hideaway. Seaview offers high end cabanas, with its restaurant only meters away serving a wide array of tastes. Next to the sea view promised in the name, try the only pool on the boardwalk and local Pelikaan beer.
6. “Runway Dining” – Tortuga
For many, Maho Beach is the must see beach when on island as the scene of planes flying in and out to Princess Juliana International Airport. Tortuga restaurant provides a quaint dining spot only steps away from the end of the runway, with Caribbean waves rolling in close to your table like no airport is near. That does not mean the terrace gives a great view of boeings and airbuses making their way to the runway.
7. Dining with History – Emilios
Emilios is not just built in the old plantation house of the Emilio Wilson estate, it honors the historical value of the property. In addition, a great location to lose some adrenaline rush during the day. When with a group, consider to book its private cellar for full immersion in history and the story of local celebrity Emilio.
8. Fully Equipped Barbecue Catamaran – Pyratz
Embark, have a relaxing boat and beach day, and see your high end dinner being prepped in the process. That is the unique concept of the Pyratz day trips. No surprise this is a very popular day trip, so reserve in time.
How to get to above culinary experiences
See our taxi overview if you need a cab. If traveling by bus: Roma, Mr Chow, Tortuga and Pyratz are close to the Maho bus line, whereas Emilios is on the route to St. Peters. Seaview, Dutch Blonde Beach Bar and The Pier are on the Philipsburg boardwalk, with a 5 minute walk to all bus lines.
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