The Cuisine of St Martin
The Cuisine of St Martin has a reputation to uphold. St. martin is, no doubt, the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Dining has become a big part of the St. Martin culture. With over 350 restaurants on our tiny island, one area particular stands out, Grand Case in French St. Martin. This is actually where the highest concentration of fine dining is located in the whole Caribbean. The island’s many restaurants tend to focus on French, Italian and Creole flavours. The fun part however, is the fact that Creole spices have infiltrated the French dishes to create a fusion that vacationers can’t get enough of. Chefs on the island’s restaurants combine local traditions and ingredients with their European “Savoir Faire”.
Vacationers who have come to our island to feast on fine dining will find an assortment of European restaurants. Travellers who tend to shy away fine dining will be glad to know that there are also “Brasseries and Bistros” where the food is exceptional, the prices lower and the pace more relaxed. For budget or “on the go” vacationers, there are the islands BBQ shacks, known as Lolos and a number of various fast foods to select from. Travellers choosing this option will find that they can eat for under 10$US. Moderate priced restaurants range from 15$US to 25$US. The finest restaurants will surge above 30$US but will buy you an unforgettable dining experience.
Among the numerous restaurants on St. Martin/St. Maarten, there are a few you shouldn’t miss. One of them is the excellent restaurant “LA VILLA” in Grand Case. Florence and Christophe have worked hard to make it one of the outstanding restaurants on the island and in the Caribbean, providing exquisite French cuisine.
Tourist and locals of course also appreciate the local beverages, such as the wide variety of Rum Cocktails. “Ti Punch” and “Planteurs Punch” to name a couple of them. Do not forget to bring back a bottle of “Guavaberry”, the traditional liquor of St. Martin/St. Maarten. It is produced from aged Rum, brown sugar and wild guavaberries that grow in the hills of our island. The “Guavaberry” is traditionally drunk for Christmas in St. Martin’s families. Reflecting the multicultural nature of the island itself, the diverse cuisine of St. Martin/St. Maarten will delight your taste buds and dazzle your senses. Enjoy the cuisine of St Martin!