Last Updated on March 27, 2026 by Adrienne
St. Martin has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best Caribbean islands for food lovers. On our recent trip there, the food was indeed a highlight, from French fine dining in Grand Case to some of the best Mediterranean food I’ve ever had and excellent Italian and Creole restaurants.
Note: many restaurants in St. Martin close for some portion of the summer and fall, especially in the months of August-October. If you’ll be traveling at this time of year, check restaurant opening hours in advance.
Little Jerusalem
It’s a bold claim that SXM may be home to the best Mediterranean food I’ve ever had, but the hummus, pita and shawarma plates at Little Jerusalem are seriously legit. Located right near the airport on the Dutch side of the island with shaded outdoor seating, this is the perfect spot for your first meal on island. Cash only (US dollars accepted).
Sunset Beach Bar
“Airplane Beach” (officially Maho Beach) is one of the best things to do on Sint Maarten, with or without kids, and after you’ve gotten your fill of wading in the water and watching the planes fly directly overhead, you can head to the nearby Sunset Beach Bar and grab one of the many tables along the railing with a great view of the incoming planes. The food isn’t life-changing, but it’s solid and the menu of pizzas and burgers make this an easy place to dine with kids. They officially accept credit cards but seem to frequently have issues with the machines, so be prepared to pay cash (US dollars are ok). A purchase here will also waive your parking charges in the onsite lot, which is the most convenient place to park for the beach.
Villa Royale
The village of Grand Case on St. Martin has a reputation as the island’s destination for upscale French food, but it has more to offer than just that. We loved Villa Royale, a Creole restaurant on the town’s main street with menu items like goat curry, fresh fish with Creole sauce and fried plantains.
Le Pressoir
Among the many nice French restaurants in Grand Case, Le Pressoir stands out for the food, ambiance and attentive service. If you’re looking for a Michelin star dining experience, this is the place to go. Dishes like egg parfait, beef tournedoes Rossini and the “royal chocolate” dessert are as beautiful as they are delicious. Reservations are recommended, and despite the fancy menu they welcome kids and even have a children’s menu.
Ocean 82
Ocean 82 is a French fusion restaurant with an emphasis on fresh seafood and gorgeous water views overlooking beautiful Grand Case beach. The scallops and Caribbean lobster bisque were particular highlights and we enjoyed watching small planes coming in for landing at nearby Grand Case airport, even if they’re not quite as dramatic as the jumbo jets landing over Maho Beach.
Spiga
Italian food is always a favorite of our family, and the village of Grand Case on St. Martin has a great option in Spiga. The homemade pasta dishes are excellent, especially the gnocchi.
La Villa
La Villa is another upscale classic French restaurant in Grand Case that stands out from the pack and is well worth a visit. The highlights of our meal were the veal and the chocolate souffle. Reservations are recommended.
Sunset Cafe
Sunset Cafe is the onsite restaurant (open to the public) at Grand Case Beach Club, where we stayed, so we ate many breakfasts and a couple lunches and dinners there. We generally found breakfast to be the best meal, with fresh pastries and egg dishes, but a visit for dinner is worth it just for the delectable molten lava cake.
Maison Chocolat
If you’re staying on the French side of the island, and looking for a quick breakfast, Maison Chocolat is the perfect place to stop for authentic croissants and pain au chocolat, as well as chocolate confections.
Rainbow Cafe
We really enjoyed the avocado toast and French toast with fruit and nutella at Rainbow Cafe, one of the few restaurants on the French side of the island with a focus on brunch, but this place is also worth it just for the stunning views of Grand Case beach from the roofdeck.
Ready to plan a trip to St. Martin? I’m a certified travel advisor who has traveled extensively in the Caribbean and would love to help you plan the perfect beach escape to SXM or another island. I can book hotels, resorts and cruises at no extra charge to you with lots of great perks included at many properties, including room upgrades, early check-in/late check-out, resort credits and complimentary breakfast. Reach out to me today at adrienne.miller@fora.travel for more info or to start planning a trip!
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