Healthy Living Doesn’t Have To Be Boring
On a tropical island like St. Maarten/St. Martin, the choice of fresh fruits and vegetables are wide. The local markets and Farmer’s Markets are a great place to look for super fresh produce, and most of the grocery stores have an ample selection in their fridges, as well as an extensive choice of nuts, seeds, pulses and non-dairy milks.
For pre-packaged vegetarian and vegan goods, the larger supermarkets are a good bet. Carrefour Market on Bush Road, Union Road in Cole Bay and at Porto Cupecoy carry an excellent selection.
Eating Out in St. Maarten/St. Martin
In days gone by, being vegan or vegetarian was an oddity with little on menus to inspire or fill up an empty belly. Luckily, those days are long gone, but keep in mind that the options may be more limited compared to larger cities. Even if a restaurant isn’t exclusively vegan or vegetarian, they often have options that can easily be adapted. Just make sure you specify your dietary preferences clearly when ordering, and inquire about ingredients.
Try these places for a tasty foray. They all have a selection of appetizing salads as well.
Where to Eat in St.Marteen/St Martin:
Big Cee’s
In a tranquil waterfront setting, pastas and quesadillas are on the menu for vegetarians at Big Cee’s.
Emilio’s
Try Emilio’s for something unusual. Grilled watermelon salad with arugula and feta; pumpkin ravioli with sage butter sauce; vegetarian red coconut curry; or crispy goat cheese with beetroot salsa and microgreens. For Sunday Brunch they offer a wide selection of vegetarian options
IZI Ristorante Italiano
IZI is where you will find heartwarming pastas with delectable sauces. They have vegan and vegetarian options.
Juliette’s
For a less formal lunch or dinner, try their vegetarian pizza or a selection of sandwiches. They have a cheese fondue on the dinner menu. Juliette’s is in the Simpson Bay Resort.
L’Auberge Gourmand
If French fine dining is what you are looking for, then Grand Case is the place. L’Auberge Gourmand offers stuffed phyllo pastry with braised seasonal vegetables served on a bed of spinach and mushrooms; baked goat’s cheese and roasted pecan nuts with honey in phyllo pastry and baked apple served on a bed of mixed green salad with balsamic dressing; sautéed baby vegetables and fettuccine with pesto basil sauce; and homemade vegetable and mushroom ravioli with white butter sauce.
La Patrona
A Mexican style restaurant in the Simpson Bay Resort La Patrona offers several different types of vegetarian enchilada, quesadilla, burrito and fajita.
La Perle Bleu
Breakfast is where you will find the best vegetarian options with a wide selection of eggs and omelets. On their lunch menu they have vegetarian pasta. Ask them about their other vegetarian options at La Perle Bleu.
La Villa
French fine dining in Grand Case, La Villa has on their menu, mushroom ravioli with walnuts and garlic confit in a creamy sauce; penne Alfredo with shaved Parmesan; and vegan vegetable green curry with coconut milk and turmeric rice.
Ocean 82 by the Sea
Another great French restaurant in Grand Case, Ocean 82 by the Sea has a perfectly poached egg appetizer; three cheese penne pasta; and tagliatelle Alfredo on offer.
Skip Jack’s
As the name suggests, Skip Jack’s specializes in fresh fish and seafood, but they do have some vegetarian dishes on their menu. Try the tomato and basil bruschetta with or without Parmesan cheese; linguine or penne pasta with tomato-based red sauce; and spinach or Caesar wraps. The wraps are on the lunch menu.
Top Carrot
A large portion of their menu is based on vegan or vegetarian options and they have freshly made juices and smoothies as well. You can’t go wrong with Top Carrot.