The Caribbean island of St. Maarten combines French charm with the spirit of the island. The same goes for its cuisine, and for good reason. Many French chefs fly here to enjoy the sun, sea and spices and be content. That’s why St. Maarten’s culinary scene is guaranteed to tease and delight the taste buds of the most discerning foodies.
breakfast pastries
If you want your island to taste like Paris in the morning, start your day with breakfast at Bacchus patisserie . Choose from crispy croissants, fluffy muffins and other baked goods, or go straight for desserts like berry tarts and ivory cream puffs.
johnny cake
For a more authentic island breakfast, try Johnny Cakes – delicious golden crunchy pastries stuffed with eggs, cheese and ham, among other fillings. This filling dish was once a favorite breakfast of fishermen and laborers, providing enough calories for a long hard day. You’ll find them at “lolos,” which stands for local outdoor restaurants like Sandy’s or Yvette’s Kitchen , another true Caribbean restaurant.
eggs cocoa
If brunch is your thing , La Terrace , a rooftop restaurant in the heart of the city, is the place to be. The unique dish here is the traditional French breakfast known as Egg Cocotte – an oef with mushrooms and bacon slices baked to liquid perfection and topped with colorful fresh peppers. Sip it with a slice of freshly baked baguette while overlooking the harbor and the azure waves rolling on shore.
Foie Gras Ravioli
Foie gras ravioli is a popular lunch choice. Wrapped in the thinnest Italian dough and doused in a tangy, spicy sauce, these duck liver morsels melt in your mouth. Try them at beachside restaurant Cocoa Beach , where you can swim while you wait for your dishes to arrive.
Another place to try them is L’auberge Gourmande , in a more traditional French restaurant setting. For a gourmet taste of this iconic dish, order it at L’Astrolabe , which serves shiitake mushrooms.
Sushi foie gras
A fun fusion of surf and turf is Sushi Foie Gras – your classic tuna roll with a French twist topped with mouthwatering duck gras. Savor this unique fusion of French and Caribbean flavors at Rainbow Café , a sunny waterfront spot with handcrafted furniture and artsy décor.
cheese tasting
For an afternoon of gossip and a lesson in cheese, head to Le Comptoir des Fromages . The shop hosts cheese and wine tastings, during which you can also learn about the history of cheesemaking in France and why certain cheeses can only come from certain regions. Once you’ve established your favorites, buy a pair to take home.
Dover soles
Seafood is plentiful, as one would expect on an island . One of the most popular items served at several places is the dover sole – a soft, succulent fish served with potatoes and vegetables. It’s roasted at L’auberge Gourmande and baked at Maison Mere , where it also comes with a photo-worthy show. When it arrives, your water will bone it with jeweler’s precision as you watch, a feat you want to capture on video.
Creole Goat Stew
Feeling like an adventurous foodie? Order Creole goat stew at Villa Royale – a traditional meat and vegetable delicacy enriched with local spices. This colorful dish is so easy, the goat cubes are tender and chewy.
Each dish is an edible piece of art at Villa Hibiscus , a unique restaurant that does not offer an à la carte menu. Instead, it offers diners a tasting menu that changes daily, but never leaves a surprise in terms of presentation and taste.
One dish to look forward to at Villa Hibiscus is Wagyu steak. Those tender and juicy beef cubes melt in your mouth instantly. The place has an open kitchen, so you can watch the chefs assemble your dish – and you can even help out.
French dessert
Desserts are St. Martin’s heaven and come in many flavors. Unforgettable and idiosyncratic is Mille-Feuille aux Framboises – a raspberry Napoleon that looks like a miniature tower of layers of buttery dough, supported by impeccable rows of red-pink berries. It’s worth not only a photo but a late-night trip to L’Astrolabe.
Tamarind Martini
Speaking of late nights, don’t miss the chance to sample St. Maarten’s signature cocktail, which won first prize at the island’s inaugural St. Maarten Food Festival in 2021 . Invented by local bartender Daryl Brooks, it’s called the Tamarind Martini and features the island’s signature spice, tamarind — find it at HotSpot SXM .