St Maarten/St Martin

Eating out in St Maarten/St Martin

One of the most wonderful things about St Martin's cuisine is that it is one of the few places in the Caribbean where you can get a "taste of France." Fresh fish and shellfish are prime menu items in multi-course meals that can typically last all evening. St Maarten's cuisine reflects the diversity of its people, basing its flavors in Dutch tradition, while also revealing nuances of the neighboring French. Another strong influence comes from the Spanish, who have infused bits of their culture ever since claiming the island for their empire in the 15th century. A favorite hobby in St Maarten is recipe swapping, furthering the exchange of cultural and family influence upon the native fare.

St Maarten.

Gourmet

Le Perroquet is housed in a typical West Indian house, with shutters open to the trade winds blowing in from Simson Bay Lagoon. It is the island's homage to the famed Chicago restaurant, with an exceptionally talented French chef creating intriguing dishes such as fillet of boar, and more familiar fare for the gastronomically unadventurous! Airport Road.

Local Flair

Grill and Ribs Company serves local delicacies like johnny cakes (fried cornmeal biscuits) and American favorites that make this a busy place among the shops on picturesque Old Street. Simson Bay Road.

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Highly Recommended

La Vie en Rose is considered the grand dame of French Restaurants. Reserve early to get a balcony table and save room for "l'assiette gourmande" - a sampling of their luscious desserts - you'll have all the elements in place for an immensely enjoyable and memorable dinner. Rue de la Republique.

Romantic

The Rainbow Restaurant is stylish and romantic, and prepares delicious fresh seafood, duck, and veal specialties served with Caribbean flair in one of the island's most highly acclaimed restaurants. Grand Case.

Going party in St Maarten/St Martin

Fueled by a vivacious world-wide reputation that keeps a robust stream of visitors coming here year-round for a great time, nights on the island often seem to be the main event. Beach BBQs with steel drum bands, glitzy discotheques, casino gaming, live music bars where bands play a variety of zouk, calypso, reggae, jazz, and pop, dominate the island's internationally popular nightlife. To find out what's going on when you arrive, pick up a current issue of St Maarten Nights or Focus on St Maarten/St Martin distributed free at hotels and tourism counters.

St Maarten.

Casino Gaming

Nine casinos on the Dutch side (there are none on the French side) beckon gaming enthusiasts to their European halls, subdued and sophisticated in a James Bond sort of way, yet open to everyone from high-rollers to beginners. The largest is the Casino Royale, open every day of the year. Nearby is the Atlantis Casino, taking its decorative inspiration from the legendary sunken city. This casino has private gaming rooms for high stakes players, but everyone is welcome. The cordial staff of every casino is always ready to help first-timers through the basics, so don't miss out on the fun for fear of the unknown!.

Party and Dinner Cruises

These are a quintessential Caribbean entertainment, with sunset dinner and moonlight party cruises setting sail every night, full of revelers and the entertainers who get the party rolling and keep it going till the rum punch runs dry! Simpson Bay.

Amensia

This dance club is popular with the young crowd and, like its namesake in Ibiza, Spain, it sometimes features "foam" parties.

Turtle Pier Bar and Restaurant

This place is always hopping with a lively crowd.

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Le Prive

This is the sleekest and best-liked nightclub on the French side. Evoking the ambiance of a posh yacht club, this multi-cultural, amiable club has an energy that defies its subdued decor. Everyone old and young feels comfortable mingling and dancing together to the top DJ mixes. For a breather, head out to the balcony for a panoramic view of Marigot.

Peace and Love Disco

Features local bands, calypso, and dancing.

Le Bar de la Mer

This is a popular gathering spot on the harbor.

Common events in St Maarten/St Martin

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Heineken Regatta

The ocean fills with sailboats competing in this just-for-fun race. March.

Neville York's Annual Jazz Gala March.

St Maarten Annual Golf Tournament April.

Carnival

This festival bursts upon the senses just after Easter. It begins with the Balloon Jump-Up, the first of the "Jump-Up" parades that wind through the streets until April 30, the birthday of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. April.

Earth Day

Celebrations give tribute to the beauty and bio-diversity of the Earth with eco-centric fun and educational activities. April.

Caribbean Music Festival and Beach-A-Rama

Celebrates local culture, encouraging visitors to share in the music, cooking, and customs of the islanders' daily lives. July.

Eastern Caribbean Golf Association Championship September.

Antillean Day

Celebrates the goodwill and unity between the 5 islands of the Netherlands Antilles (Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius, and St Maarten). October.

St Martin.

Carnival

Big parades of merrily decorated floats, a Carnival Queen pageant, and lots of animated music - mostly steel drum bands, of course! February.

Heineken Regatta

The ocean fills with sailboats competing in this just-for-fun race. March.

History Day

Celebrate the island's past with displays of historical documents, guided tours, and a photographic competition. April.

International Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament

Anglers from around the world gather for a few days of good-natured reel competition and to spin some equally competitive fish stories! June.

Music and Cultural Festival

Celebrates local culture, encouraging visitors to share in the music, cooking, and customs of the islanders' daily lives. June.

Feast of Saint Martin

This joyous day marks a combination of several important dates in history, including Armistice Day and the date of Columbus' first sighting of the island in 1493. November.