The Cuisine of Saint-Martin

Saint-Martin has long been celebrated as one of the gastronomic capitals of the Caribbean, its food a delicious marriage of French culinary finesse and vibrant Creole and Caribbean flavours. On the French side especially, fine restaurants and bistros serve refined French cuisine adapted to the tropics, using fresh local fish, lobster and produce with genuine flair, complemented by good wine. Alongside them thrives a beloved local tradition of the lolo, casual open-air barbecue shacks where grilled ribs, chicken, fresh fish and Creole sides like rice and beans, johnny cakes and spicy sauces are served in generous, flavourful style. From gourmet dining to a plate at a lolo, eating on Saint-Martin is a genuine pleasure and a highlight of any visit.

What you actually see

• The French-Creole cuisine - the French cooking with Caribbean flavours.
• The lolos - the casual open-air barbecue shacks.
• The fresh seafood - the local fish and Caribbean lobster.
• The Creole sides - the rice and beans, johnny cakes and hot sauces.

When to go

Year-round; Saint-Martin's restaurants and lolos serve delicious food in every season, at their liveliest in the winter high season. Refined French-Creole cuisine, casual lolo barbecue and fresh local seafood are the signatures to seek out on both sides of the island.

Honest expectations

Saint-Martin's fine dining, especially on the French side, can be expensive, though the beloved lolo barbecue shacks offer generous, delicious and affordable island fare. As a genuine culinary capital of the Caribbean, marrying French finesse with Creole spice and fresh seafood from fine restaurants to lively barbecue shacks, though, the cuisine of Saint-Martin is a real highlight.

Nearby

The restaurants of Marigot and the lolos of Grand Case serve it.