Best Restaurants in St Maarten & St Martin: Where to Eat in 2026
By Hannah Barnard on 18th September, 2026
One island, two sides and an exceptional choice of places to eat. St Maarten and St Martin have long been known for their diverse dining scene, where French, Dutch, Caribbean and international influences come together across everything from elegant waterfront restaurants to relaxed neighborhood favorites.
On French Saint Martin, Grand Case has earned a reputation as one of the Caribbean’s great dining destinations, with French fine dining, Mediterranean-inspired menus and restaurants lining the waterfront. In Marigot, Marina Royale is a favorite for waterside lunches, cocktails and dinner.
Cross to Dutch Sint Maarten and the choice is just as varied. Simpson Bay is packed with restaurants, bars and seafood spots, while Cole Bay, Cupecoy and the island’s historic estates offer everything from Italian cuisine and Caribbean cooking to interactive dining experiences.
Whether you are looking for fresh seafood, a romantic dinner, a memorable fine-dining experience or a casual breakfast before a day at the beach, these are some of the best restaurants in St Maarten and St Martin to add to your list.
Where to Eat in St Martin: The French Side
Alizé – Marigot
Set on Marina Royale in the heart of Marigot, Alizé combines French technique with Caribbean and international influences in a relaxed waterfront setting. Seasonal ingredients are central to the menu, with fresh local catches and carefully selected meats joined by lighter lunch options, tapas and an evening menu. There is also a strong focus on drinks, with a carefully curated wine list and creative cocktails.
Alizé works just as well for a leisurely lunch as it does for sunset cocktails or dinner overlooking the marina. Live music and DJ evenings add to the atmosphere on selected nights, making this one of Marigot’s spots for an evening that can easily continue beyond dinner.
Location: Marina Royale, 6 Rue Président Kennedy, Marigot, Saint Martin
Best for: Waterfront dining, cocktails and dinner in Marigot
Java SXM – Grand Case
With its waterfront position on Boulevard de Grand Case, Java SXM brings together French bistronomy, Mediterranean influences and one of the village’s enviable seaside settings.
The restaurant offers a contemporary alternative to traditional French fine dining, with a relaxed atmosphere that suits both a long dinner and an evening of cocktails overlooking the bay. As the sun goes down, the waterfront location comes into its own, making Java particularly appealing for visitors looking for a restaurant in Grand Case with views as well as good food.
Location: 70 Boulevard de Grand Case, Saint Martin
Best for: Waterfront dining, French bistronomy and sunset dinners
La Villa Restaurant – Grand Case
In the heart of Grand Case, La Villa Restaurant offers French cuisine with Caribbean accents in a warm, intimate setting. Fresh Caribbean lobster is one of the restaurant’s specialties, alongside French classics and seafood. A covered terrace adds to the relaxed atmosphere, while its position on Boulevard de Grand Case makes it an easy addition to an evening exploring the village.
For visitors looking for classic French dining in Grand Case without an overly formal atmosphere, La Villa remains a strong choice.
Location: 93 Boulevard de Grand Case, Saint Martin
Best for: French cuisine, lobster and romantic dinners
L’Auberge Gourmande – Grand Case
Set inside one of Grand Case’s oldest traditional Creole houses, L’Auberge Gourmande has plenty of character before you have even looked at the menu. The restaurant specializes in classic French cuisine, accompanied by an extensive selection of French wines. Guests can eat inside the historic dining room or outside beneath the porch and enjoy the evening breeze from Boulevard de Grand Case.
Its combination of traditional French cooking and historic surroundings makes L’Auberge Gourmande particularly appealing for those wanting to experience the French character of Saint Martin.
Location: 89 Boulevard de Grand Case, Saint Martin
Best for: Traditional French cuisine and historic atmosphere
Ocean 82 – Grand Case
Sitting directly on Grand Case Bay, Ocean 82 combines refined French cuisine with an impressive waterfront setting. Seafood is a particular focus, with oysters, fresh fish and other dishes inspired by the sea, alongside French favorites and meat dishes. The restaurant’s open outlook over the bay makes it especially atmospheric as evening falls, when diners can look across the water toward Anguilla.
For anyone searching for seafood restaurants in Grand Case or a special-occasion dinner by the water, Ocean 82 deserves a place on the list.
Location: 82 Boulevard de Grand Case, Saint Martin
Best for: Seafood, French cuisine and waterfront views
Where to Eat in St Maarten: The Dutch Side
Emilio’s – Dutch Cul de Sac
Dining at Emilio’s comes with a sense of history. The restaurant is located within the old sugar-cane boiling house of the Emilio Wilson Estate at Rockland Estate, giving it a setting unlike many other restaurants on the island.
The kitchen blends contemporary cooking with Caribbean flavors, with seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes alongside an extensive wine selection. During the day, the atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, while dinner lends itself to a longer, more leisurely experience.
Its location at the foot of Rainforest Adventures also makes Emilio’s an interesting choice for visitors who want to combine a day exploring the estate with lunch or dinner.
Location: 59 L.B. Scott Road, Dutch Cul de Sac, Sint Maarten
Best for: Historic surroundings, Caribbean flavors and special occasions
SkipJack’s Seafood Grill, Bar & Fish Market – Simpson Bay
Seafood lovers should make a note of SkipJack’s, a long-standing Simpson Bay restaurant overlooking the lagoon. Fresh fish and seafood are the main attraction, with Maine and Caribbean lobster alongside a changing selection of fish and daily specials. The restaurant even has its own fish market, while the menu also includes steaks, ribs, chicken and pasta for anyone who would rather choose something from the land.
Its position beside Simpson Bay Lagoon means diners can watch boats and yachts come and go while they eat, making it an easy choice for a relaxed waterfront lunch or dinner.
Location: Welfare Road, Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten
Best for: Fresh seafood, lobster and lagoon views
IZI Ristorante Italiano – Simpson Bay
If pasta is calling, IZI Ristorante Italiano brings traditional Italian flavors to the heart of Simpson Bay. Fresh homemade pasta is one of the restaurant’s signatures, joined by Italian fish, seafood, meat dishes and an extensive wine collection. The colorful contemporary interior gives the restaurant a lively feel and makes it equally suited to couples, families or groups celebrating an occasion. With so many Caribbean and French influences across the island’s dining scene, IZI is a good option when you fancy a classic Italian dinner.
Location: Welfare Road, Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten
Best for: Homemade pasta and Italian cuisine
Zee Best – Simpson Bay
Sometimes breakfast is every bit as important as dinner, and Zee Best has been serving both locals and visitors to St Maarten for more than 40 years. This family-run French bakery and restaurant is known for freshly baked croissants and pastries alongside crêpes, omelets, pancakes and hearty breakfast dishes. There is also a separate bakeshop producing fresh baguettes, sandwiches, cakes and pastries. It is a relaxed, easy-going option for breakfast or lunch before heading out to explore the island.
Location: Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten
Best for: Breakfast, French pastries and casual lunches
Top Carrot – Simpson Bay
For fresh, health-conscious food, Top Carrot has been part of the Simpson Bay dining scene for decades. Located at Simpson Bay Yacht Club, the family-run restaurant focuses on nourishing breakfasts and lunches, drawing inspiration from Mediterranean and Caribbean cuisine. Smoothies, fresh juices, salads and vegetarian dishes feature prominently, alongside daily specials that can include locally caught fish.
The colorful, laid-back setting makes it especially useful when you want a lighter meal between some of the island’s more indulgent dinners.
Location: Simpson Bay Yacht Club, Sint Maarten
Best for: Healthy breakfasts, lunch, smoothies and vegetarian options
La Perle Bleu – Cole Bay
Hidden away in Cole Bay, La Perle Bleu serves French cuisine with Caribbean influences from an open-air veranda overlooking Simpson Bay Lagoon. The menu moves from easy-going daytime dishes into more refined French-inspired plates in the evening, with fresh seafood, meat dishes, wine and cocktails all part of the offering. Its waterside position and laid-back atmosphere make it a good choice for an unhurried lunch or dinner away from some of the island’s busier dining areas.
Location: 69 Welfare Road, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten
Best for: French-Caribbean cuisine and lagoon views
Mélange International Grill – Port de Plaisance
For dinner with an interactive element, Mélange International Grill at Port de Plaisance offers a very different experience. A selection of skewers is grilled directly at the table, with influences ranging from Greek and Turkish to Moroccan, Indian, Lebanese and Persian cooking. Meat, seafood and vegetarian options are accompanied by salads, appetizers, sides and freshly baked bread.
The format makes Mélange a particularly fun choice for families, larger groups or anyone looking for something different from a conventional restaurant meal.
Location: Port de Plaisance, Cole Bay, Sint Maarten
Best for: Groups, families and interactive dining
Big Cee’s Waterfront Dining – Cupecoy
Located on the waterfront at Porto Cupecoy, Big Cee’s combines Caribbean flavors with international dishes in a relaxed marina setting. Fresh local seafood and lobster are highlights, while meat lovers can choose from dishes including ribs, lamb and steak. Both the indoor restaurant and spacious outdoor terrace overlook the water, making it a particularly pleasant spot for an unhurried evening meal.
Location: Porto Cupecoy, Sint Maarten
Best for: Seafood, Caribbean flavors and marina dining
Where Is the Best Place to Eat in St Maarten and St Martin?
With so many restaurants packed into a relatively small island, choosing an area can be almost as important as choosing the restaurant itself.
Grand Case is the place to start if French cuisine and fine dining are high on your list. Boulevard de Grand Case has a concentration of excellent restaurants within walking distance of one another, many with views over the bay.
For waterfront restaurants and nightlife, Simpson Bay has one of the widest selections on the Dutch side. You will find seafood restaurants, international cuisine, bars and casual dining concentrated around the lagoon and Welfare Road.
Marigot combines French-Caribbean atmosphere with marina dining. Marina Royale is particularly appealing for lunch, cocktails and relaxed dinners beside the water.
Cole Bay and Port de Plaisance offer another cluster of restaurants close to Simpson Bay, while Cupecoy is worth considering for quieter waterfront dining toward the western end of the island.
Vegetarian and Vegan Food in St Maarten
Vegetarians will find plenty of choice around the island, from dedicated health-focused restaurants such as Top Carrot to vegetarian dishes at many of the island’s French, Italian and international restaurants.
Menus change throughout the year, so it is worth asking about vegetarian or vegan options when booking, particularly at fine-dining restaurants where chefs may be able to adapt dishes.
For more ideas, read our guide to vegetarian restaurants in St Maarten and St Martin.
Frequently Asked Questions About Restaurants in St Maarten and St Martin
What food is St Maarten known for?
St Maarten and St Martin have an unusually international dining scene for a small Caribbean island. French cuisine is particularly prominent on the French side, while Caribbean and Creole flavors, fresh seafood, Italian cuisine and influences from around the world can be found across both sides of the island.
Fresh fish and lobster are widely available, while the island’s multicultural population means you can move from traditional French cooking to Caribbean dishes, Italian pasta or Cajun cuisine within a relatively short distance.
Is Grand Case good for restaurants?
Yes. Grand Case is particularly well known for its restaurants and is one of the best places on St Martin for French cuisine, seafood and waterfront dining. Many restaurants are located along Boulevard de Grand Case, making it possible to explore the village on foot before deciding where to eat.
Where are the best restaurants in Simpson Bay?
Many of Simpson Bay’s restaurants are concentrated around Welfare Road and Simpson Bay Lagoon. The area has one of the widest selections on the Dutch side, ranging from seafood and Italian restaurants to breakfast cafés, bars and casual international dining.
Where can you find waterfront restaurants in St Maarten?
Simpson Bay Lagoon, Porto Cupecoy and Cole Bay all have waterfront restaurants on the Dutch side. On French Saint Martin, Grand Case has restaurants overlooking the bay, while Marina Royale in Marigot is another good option for waterside dining.
Do you need to book restaurants in St Martin?
Reservations are recommended for popular restaurants, particularly in Grand Case and for waterfront or fine-dining restaurants during the island’s busiest winter months. If there is somewhere you particularly want to visit, booking ahead is the safest option.
Discover More of St Maarten and St Martin
Food is only one part of exploring the Friendly Island. Once you have decided where to eat, discover more with our guides to the best beaches in St Maarten and St Martin, best beach bars, things to do in St Maarten and our complete St Maarten and St Martin travel guide.
Bon appétit, eet smakelijk, enjoy!