OFF THE BEATEN TRACK PUBS & RESTAURANTS
St. Maarten boasts many famous areas for a lively night out like the Philipsburg Boardwalk, the Simpson Bay Area or the Maho Village. But if you prefer a good pub or restaurant out side these areas, let us spoil some secrets.
1. Dinghy’s Beach Bar
Right off the planes landing at St. Maarten’s world famous Maho Beach, along the east end of Princess Juliana International Airport one finds Dinghy’s Beach Bar. Contrary to the busy Maho beach area, its stretched beach facing Simpson Bay is serene and inviting to put your towel down for the entire day.
2. HuppelThePub
For those people thinking Simpson Bay’s pubs are mostly near the seaside, think again. Right off bustling Welfare road next to the Simpson Bay Yacht Club, on the Simpson Bay Lagoon side, you find HuppelThePub, a lovely Dutch style pub with a befitting offer of beers, snacks and more. A great place to spend the evening, also in combination with a meal at neighbors Nola and Jai’s restaurant.
3. Ital Shack
Known to the insider, but world famous to many none the less is Ital Shack by local celebrity Bushman. Remaining true to his Rastafarian beliefs, Bushman creates a unique series of “Ital” dishes not to be found anywhere else on island. Ital Shack can be found along Bush Road, right outside the center of Philipsburg.
4. Emilio’ s
Amongst St. Maartens most prominent restaurants, located right at the base station of the Soualiga Sky Explorer elevator and Flying Dutchman Zipline, you find Emilios in a serene plantation house setting. A great combination with Rainforest Adventure Park or just for a night of “dining with history” as their slogan has it.
5. AMAsterdam
Whereas the Philipsburg Boardwalk is known for its variety of pubs, Front Street running parallel has some jewels too. Amasterdam pub might be a St. Maarten pub, but it gives you a unique feel of Amsterdam – we will not spoil what “Dutch” selfies can be made, go and discover! Unsurprisingly, it also offers the largest St. Maarten – Delft Blue souvenir collection on island.
6. Mary’s Boon Restaurant
Mary’s Boon’s beachside restaurant gives a true paradise feel, situated in a corner of Simpson Bay Beach towards Princess Juliana International Airport. A great location for a carefree beach day.
7. Mix
On top of Divi Little Bay’s brand new Oceans area, you find Mix. This new rooftop bar accessible to all is for those in the know, but as more and more people have seen its spectacular sunsets over Great Bay and Little Bay, visit this gem of a secret soon before the “in the know” crowd gets too big!
8. Pelikaan Beer Garden
Get your craft beer from the source in the hidden beer garden of the Pelikaan brewing company in Cole Bay. Choose your brew of an “Irma“, called after one of St. Maarten’s most challenging storms of the past (hence, the beer is a strong Indian Pale Ale!) or just a “Mullet Bay” Blonde Beer called after one of St. Maarten’s most famous beaches.
9. Veranda Bistro
For those looking to witness an Atlantic sunrise, to relax after a day at Oyster Bay Beach or to have dinner on an atmospherically lit boardwalk, Veranda Bistro at Oyster Bay Beach Resort caters to all above. Located behind the northernmost apartments of the resort, this hidden gem is a perfect and intimate counterpart for the resorts main venue Infinity restaurant. Both are accessible to guests and non-guests alike.
10. SXM Beer Brewery
Beer producer SXM beer has an in-house pub in its Cole Bay Brewery. A great location to taste its variety of beers, and continue your night out in the Simpson Bay Area.
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