A uniquely binational character and well over 100 cultures have brought a wide array of culinary tastes to St Maarten / St Martin. It is even said St Maarten / St Martin holds a record of restaurants given its limited surface. Just some of the tastes represented by St Maarten’s restaurant offer are Caribbean & Creole, French, Dutch, Surinamese, Japanese , Indian, Chinese, Italian, North- American, Spanish, Dominican, Lebanese, Breton, Indonesian, Mexican and Vietnamese. Of course, combined menus of these culinary dimensions as well as fusion kitchens are also to your availability.
Whatever you do – don’t leave before you enjoyed a delicious Johnny Cake or an authentic seafood menu!
It is not for nothing that we as St Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association stand proud of having launched the most decorated culinary team in St Maarten history to the region wide contest in Miami in 2017.
You will find restaurants all over the island. For some portraits and recipes of our most famed culinary artists see here. See our recommended restaurants below!
Areas where you are prone to be provided with multiple cuisines are amongst others Philipsburg, Simpson Bay and Maho on the Dutch side, Marigot, Orient Bay and Grand Case on the French side as well as binational Oyster Pond & Oyster Bay.
In bustling Philipsburg, the Dutch side’s capital, you’ll find a wide selection of restaurants catering to myriad tastes. The Boardwalk, in particular, is dotted with bars and eateries offering local fare such as Johnny cakes, exotic chicken satays and French escargots. The Ocean Lounge at Holland House Beach Hotel on the Boardwalk is a gem of a beachfront dining. The menu spotlights the tastes of Europe and the Caribbean. Another option is to indulge in seafront delights at The Pier, where you can savor tasty cocktails & bites while viewing an amazing Philipsburg sunset!
Emilio’s restaurant has become synonymous with celebrating milestones. The restaurant takes its moniker, “Dine with History,” seriously, as you’ll see from its location in a historic boiler house at Rockland Estate and on its menu featuring dishes created from island ingredients. At Rusty Parrot at Dock Maarten, sit on the deck of a pirate ship and gaze over Great Bay as you sip a cocktail and nibble on tapas. This newest addition to the dining scene is also a great place for evening drinks.
AMAsterdam on Front Street is a great place to discover the Dutch side’s culinary links to the Netherlands. AMAsterdam is reminiscent of a bar tucked away in an Amsterdam alley. Another venue that celebrates Dutch and island cultures is the Dutch Blonde Beach Restaurant and Bar on the Boardwalk. The eatery, in the island’s only “windmill,” is the spot to enjoy island-craft beers such as the restaurant’s namesake, and savor little Dutch pancakes and other delights. If you have Iron Chef ambitions of your own, stop by any Carrefour Market on the Dutch side. Here you’ll find ingredients to create all sorts of mouthwatering dishes.
The twin districts of Simpson Bay and Cole Bay are home to the highest concentration of restaurants, bars and entertainment venues on the island. Choices abound here and the toughest decision will be to select what kind of cuisine you’re going to try next!
SkipJack’s Seafood Grill, Bar and Fish Market, on the lagoon in Simpson Bay, offers waterfront views and palate pleasers like Maine and Caribbean lobsters. The seafood is so fresh that the restaurant has its own Fish Market.
Topper’s Restaurant and Bar celebrates all-American comfort cuisine alongside international culinary delights. Daily specials focus on fresh seafood and the best-quality meats cooked to perfection. Pair your selections with Topper’s signature rums, distilled right here on island. Balls and Wine has quickly gained a reputation as one of the best wine and tapas bars around. It’s a spot to enjoy a glass of fine wine and indulge in some delicious tapas with family and friends.
If you’re seeking authentic Lebanese cuisine, take a trip to Beirut without leaving the island. Beirut restaurant prides itself on offering popular Lebanese dishes. Fancy a pull on a hookah? This is possible there, too. Jai’s Contemporary Indian Cuisine in Plaza del Lago is a modern Indian-Fusion restaurant. The chef has crafted his menu to bring both Caribbean and Indian flavors to his diners’ palates. Dishes are assembled from the freshest, most-flavorful ingredients.
K Beach Club & Restaurant restaurant and bar, at beautiful, mile-long Simpson Bay Beach, offers an extensive menu, comfortable lounge chairs and a cozy ambience at night. Live music is often in the cards, too. Close to Simpson bay, you can find Kim Sha Beach, where Buccaneer Beach Bar is located. Here you have the opportunity to enjoy your drink or meal on the beach. The Hideaway Bar and Restaurant in La Vista Resort in Pelican is an intimate spot perched beside an infinity pool that runs over onto a spectacular view. This cozy nook is the place for breakfasts, long, lazy lunches, and romantic, candlelit dinners.
When seeking local food, Lee’s Roadside Grill is a must. Across from the Atrium Hotel, the restaurant serves mouthwatering lobster, fresh fish, ribs, chicken and burgers. The day’s catch goes from the sea to your plate, just the way you like it.
Sale e Pepe Italian Sicilian Cucina showcases Caribbean seafood and Sicilian flair. Chef Davide brings together his love for his two island homes to create dishes sure to please the palate. The Boon, at historic Mary’s Boon Beach Resort and Spa, is a great place for fresh fruit cocktails and a Caribbean-inspired menu featuring fresh seafood and local delicacies. Dine with toes in the sand or opt for indoor seating as you enjoy enticing views of sand and sea. Whether you are seeking a coffee and a fresh-from-the-oven pastry or eggs prepared to perfection, your breakfast appetite will be well tended at ZeeBest in Simpson Bay. Go early and maybe stay for a leisurely lunch. Take to the water with Pyratz Gourmet Sailing for intimate catamaran day cruises that combine sailing and gastronomy. Explore the wonders offshore as you enjoy an onboard lunch featuring a gourmet, four-course meal with fine wines and craft cocktails from the open bar. Book a private sail or enjoy the experience with other guests.
This area is often referred to as the “gold coast” because of its desirable residences and amenities. Dining here is also desirable, as you’ll find a variety of cuisines to enjoy. SALT Restaurant and Bar in The Morgan Resort and Spa offers elegant dining and an upscale ambience. Choose indoor or poolside seating for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s also a top spot for handcrafted cocktails.
Among the great dining and entertainment options next to Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Sonesta Ocean Point, Royal Islander La Terrasse and Royal Islander La Plage in the Maho Village are Spices of India, Roma, Mr. Chow and Tortuga.
In Porto Cupecoy / Cupecoy, meet up with Rendez-Vous Lounge, a restaurant in a corner of a Mediterranean-inspired “village”with a view of Simpson Bay Lagoon and the elegant yachts in the marina. Come for breakfast, stay for lunch, and if you want dinner, too, it’s here to be enjoyed.
Oyster Pond is one point where the two sides of the island meet. While that in itself is an outstanding point, this area has a lot of culinary offerings all around the bay. Spectacular ocean views and the distant twinkle of lights from St. Barths add an unforgettable twist to the dining experience at many of the spots. Infinity restaurant and The Veranda Market and Bistro are both located at Oyster Bay Beach Resort. Infinity combines Italian and international flavors to plate international cuisine worthy of your palate and your social media post. The newest addition, The Veranda Market & Bistro, has a lighter fare, including salads, sandwiches, pizza, selections from the grill, rotisserie chicken and fresh food from the market.
Big Fish Seafood Grill & Hurricane Bar is all about seafood. Its Asian / Caribbean–inspired menu focuses on fresh daily catches and inventive dishes to tease mind and the palate. Take a seat and give your taste buds a treat in the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.
See our restaurants blog for news information on this item.
During the month of November, participating restaurants will design a special prix fix menu of either 3 courses or one, highlighting their specialties. St Maarten is known for offering an exquisite variety of culinary delights island wide and is often referred to as the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean”. Besides showcasing food specialties during Culinary month, November, restaurants will implement additional activations to make the dining experience even more unique.
See our dedicated St Maarten Flavors site what signature dishes are on offer!
Last year’s Flavors participants were:
Al Pasha, Amore, Astra, Avantika, Aziana, Dinghy’s Beach Bar & Grill, Emilio’s, Infinity, Jai’s Contemporary Fusion Cuisine, Jimmy’s The Original Fatboy BBQ, La Perle Bleu, Mr. Chow at Oasis, Nola Bayou Bistro, Ocean Lounge, Palapa Grill & Lounge, Pure Ocean , Rendez Vous Lounge, Roma at Oasis, Sale e Pepe, Salt, Schnitzelhouse SXM, St. Rose Beach Bar, The Captain’s Rib Shack, The Pier, The Tavern, The Chef Table, TJ’s Cassava Coal Pot Restaurant, Topper’s
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