St Martin/St Maarten / Restaurants

This island has a lot of restaurants but they are by no means all good. As a general rule they are better on St Martin but you still need to pick with care – if in doubt stick to those offering classic French menus. On the Dutch side there is a lot more junk and fast food with large portions, indifferent presentation and fellow guests who exhibit a dismaying lack of dress sense. If you are visiting in high season you'll need to book the best restaurants some days in advance – they are usually closed one day of the week. Bear in mind that Anguilla, just a short ferry ride away, also has excellent restaurants and can be visited for lunch. Credit cards are widely accepted and in St Martin the bill will come in euros although dollars will also be taken. A service charge of up to 15% may be included – there is no set policy so ask if you are uncertain. Tips are always at your discretion.

Here is a selection of our recommended St Martin & St Maarten restaurants:

St Martin

Claude Mini-Club, Marigot, moderate - Popular with both locals and visitors, this relaxed restaurant has an open-air, upper-level terrace built between palm trees. It serves Creole-style dishes and there's an extensive buffet on Wednesday and Saturday with wine included. Closed Sunday.

La Réservé, Long Bay, expensive - The flagship restaurant at the luxury La Samanna hotel is a pinnacle of fine French dining. Executive chef Vincent Wallez favours a classic approach and there's also a wine cellar with 12,000 bottles where you can arrange a private gourmet dinner.

Le Chanteclair, Marigot, expensive - With a prime position in Marina Port La Royale, this pretty waterside restaurant is run with aplomb by a couple from Normandy. Delicious fish and Innomable, a wicked chocolate dessert, make this a good option for a romantic dinner.

Le Tastevin, Grand-Case, expensive - The patron of this smart waterside restaurant has been serving faultless traditional French fare such as foie gras and duck à l’orange for over 25 years – but there's also a good choice of specials including fresh local fish.

Lolos, Grand-Case, inexpensive - For a cheap, fun meal visit these open-air barbecues set beside the sea that serve local favourites such as grilled snapper, accras (saltfish cakes), pork ribs, fried plantain and macaroni cheese. Cash only.

Hidden Forest Café, Loterie Farm, moderate - Loterie Farm is a forest adventure centre where you can hike, swim and fly along zipwires – or you may well prefer to just have an enjoyable lunch in this treehouse-style restaurant run by a talented Canadian chef who makes delicious dishes flavoured with spices and fruits. Closed Monday.

Karibuni, Pinel Island, moderate - The best restaurant on this small island gets busy so book ahead – and that's no surprise given its barefoot-chic style and a menu that includes triggerfish, salade de langouste and crayfish from Anguilla. Wash it down with the excellent house rosé.

Mario's Bistro, Sandy Ground, expensive - A busy French waterside restaurant in a strip of eateries by the bridge at Sandy Ground – the inventive dishes include tastes from Asia and the Mediterranean. Dinner only, closed Sunday.

Villa Pizza, Cul-de-Sac, inexpensive - The dining options if you're staying in or around Anse Marcel are limited and this French-run roadside restaurant and takeaway fills a useful gap. It's nothing to look at but the steaks are on the button. Cash only.

St Maarten

Bateau Ivre, Cupecoy, moderate - Porto Cupecoy is a wealthy enclave with several restaurant options – this one is chic, French and right by the marina with a relaxed style and jazzy sounds. The formule lunch menu is good value. Closed Tuesday.

Capriccio, Simpson Bay, moderate - Opened in May 2011, this is a friendly Italian restaurant with wooden decking looking onto Simpson Bay Lagoon. There's an open kitchen and the menu is a classic run of pasta, veal and fish dishes.

Cheri's Café, Maho, moderate - Cheri's is a large, brightly-lit, open air restaurant that's been going 23 years – mainly because it puts on a free and hilarious dancing show at 8pm. Avoid the junk and go for the excellent fresh fish – and there's no need to dress up. Closed Tuesday.

Ocean Lounge, Philipsburg, moderate - Part of the stylish Holland House Hotel, this contemporary restaurant looks out to the beach and has an attractive décor in cream and wood. It's a good spot to have a cocktail, grab a tuna sandwich or just recharge before you get back to the shopping on Front Street.

Stone Restaurant, Simpson Bay, moderate - Tucked away beside Pelican Marina, this small al fresco restaurant serves fish and meat cooked on a hot granite stone. There's a guitar player on some nights, open for dinner only.

Taloula Mango's, Philipsburg, moderate - Well-placed for watching the world go by on the Boardwalk, this “Caribbean Café” is a good pit-stop where you can get fish, salads, Creole dishes and a reviving beer.