10 Best Restaurants in St. Martin and St. Maarten

One of the five lolos in the middle of the village on the water side, Cynthia's (better known simply as "Talk of the Town") is a fun, relatively cheap, and iconic St. Martin meal. With plastic utensils and paper plates, it couldn't be more informal, and the menu includes everything from succulent grilled ribs to stewed conch, fresh snapper, and grilled lobster. At some of the most reasonable prices on the island, all come with tasty sides like plantains, curried rice, beans, and coleslaw. Don't miss the johnnycakes (Caribbean fried dough) and the crab back. The service is friendly, if a bit slow; sit back with a $1.50 beer and enjoy the experience. On weekends there may be live music. 

Come earlier in the day for the freshest fare.

Located in a historic sugarcane boiling house from the 1700s, St. Maarten's most talked-about fine dining experience invites you to "dine with history" on nouveau Caribbean cuisine. The award-winning restaurant is named after Emilio Wilson, who bought the plantation on which his grandparents worked and died as enslaved people and which today is the location of the restaurant and Rainforest Adventure park. The knowledgeable owner of this family-run establishment, Norman Wathey, is more than happy to talk to you about the "old days" on his beloved island. The menu is a delight of dishes like the charred garlic octopus with spicy avocado purée, rosemary rack of lamb with mushroom risotto, and the snapper en papilotte. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available. The wine cellar with more than 100 different wines can be rented for private, intimate dinners or for small events. Emilio's serves an extraordinary brunch on Sunday and is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday.

There is a sophisticated vibe at this quiet, rather elegant beach club that may make you feel as if you're on a private beach. You can rent lounge chairs and umbrellas (half price with lunch) and spend the whole day relaxing, drinking, and dining. With decor less funky than some other beach-club restaurants, it is open from breakfast through the spectacular sunset, offering a menu reminiscent of a French bistro. A blackboard lists specials, carpaccios of meat and fish are sparklingly fresh, and the salads are terrific. French standbys include tomato and goat cheese tartlets, and "international" ones add burgers and sandwiches. Watch for the red-and-black signs on the road between Grand Case and Marigot, and drive slow because the road is rough, especially the last 200 yards or so before you get to the beach. 

Feel the St. Martin culture at this beach bar and restaurant (previously Kali's, but now under new ownership). Flavorful local Creole dishes and island-inspired cocktails are served on the beach. The menu changes often based on the availability of local ingredients, but crowd favorites like acras, conch and dumplings, and the mixed plate of grilled meats and fish make a regular appearance. Owners Angèle and Fritz have brought the same atmosphere and creativity from 978 Sanctorum, their jazz lounge and popular brunch spot, located just a few miles from Friar's Bay in the area of Rambaud. The beach lounge has become the spot for the monthly all-white full moon party, a beloved and sophisticated affair on the beach. There's live music on Saturday and Sunday.

Both locals and tourists seem to love this restaurant at Great Bay Marina. Seafood is the main focus, but steaks, burgers, pasta, and poultry are all on the dinner menu. You can also come for breakfast, lunch, or happy hour (5–7). If you love sophisticated cuisine, look elsewhere, but the portions are big and the prices reasonable. Delivery to area condos and time-shares is available.

Made famous by the late Anthony Bourdain after he stopped here in 2000, this local, vibrant spot on the edge of town is well-known for its colorful exterior and animated owner. Serving ital food (vegan and organic) made of strictly local ingredients from either their own land out back or from local farmers, the Ital Shack has a very loyal following. It is family-owned and -operated by Ras Bushman together with his wife and son. Take your lunch or breakfast to go or take a seat inside the charming restaurant, where you surely will be entertained by Ras Bushman himself, who is very knowledgeable about the island and especially the medicinal purposes of the plants and herbs that grow here. On Saturday, Ital Shack hosts Redemption Night, an evening of reggae music and local drinks.

Diners flock here for the friendly management, the spectrum of well-prepared French cuisine, and the easy-to-find location in the middle of Grand Case. You can choose what you like from their €52 three-course menu (additional charges for foie gras and lobster), or go à la carte. You can't miss either way since La Villa offers so many great entrées from beef to poultry and especially seafood, with a sumptuous Tiger fish fillet, a delicious Branzino sea bass, and many others. 

An airy modern verandah perched on the Philipsburg boardwalk gives a distinct South Beach vibe. You'll want to linger over fresh fish and steaks as you watch tourists pass by on romantic strolls by night or determined cruise-ship passengers surveying the surrounding shops by day. There is also a fun beachfront lounge with a menu of bar snacks and martinis. It's a bit hard to park here so consider taking a taxi at night. Holland House is the only hotel in the middle of town, and late in the day the lounge gets busy.

Ribs and burgers are the specialty at this casual beachfront restaurant, but Gouda cheese sticks and quesadillas, not to mention the flatbread pizza options, are not to be ignored. Opt to have lunch on the beach; beach chairs and umbrellas are complimentary with lunch and beach service is available.

Follow the locals to Yvette's Kitchen, in a private house, for the island's best creole-Cajun cooking. All the St. Martin favorites are dished up in big portions at a reasonable price. This is the place to try pickled conch, stuffed crab backs, conch and dumplings, coconut curry chicken, and curry goat. Fried plantains, rice and peas, and hot johnnycakes come on the side. It's hard to find, so consider scoping it out in the daylight before your visit, or come for lunch.