| Upon your arrival to St. Maarten, you'll notice the island | | | | ladies who cook in the center of town. They have |
| has a number of restaurants and quaint shops to keep | | | | stalls offering ribs, chicken and many other island |
| you quite busy during your stay. The task of choosing | | | | specialties at bargain prices. |
| where exactly to spend your time can be quite | | | | Rambaud Area |
| overwhelming. To make it all a tad bit easier for you, | | | | - Loterie Farm is a farm with a restaurant and a path |
| I've created a guide to some of St. Maarten's top | | | | that leads to a small rainforest. We absolutely love the |
| restaurants and shops. Some offer affordable deals | | | | food at Loterie. Hours are Sunday 12-6, closed |
| and bargains while others focus on beautiful settings | | | | Monday, and Tuesday thru Saturday 12-9. Keep an |
| and topnotch dining. | | | | eye out for a sign to Pic Paradise and the farm's just |
| ST. MAARTEN DINING | | | | a little ways up the road. Don't forget to say the |
| It's recommended you make a trip to the St. Maarten | | | | Villalady sent you |
| restaurants of your choice during the daylight hours. | | | | Simpson Bay and Maho Area |
| Not only will this make finding the restaurant at night a | | | | This area is becoming the hub for dining and fun on the |
| bit easier, but you'll also get a chance to check out the | | | | Dutch side of the island. It's a great spot in St. Maarten |
| dining menu and make your reservations. | | | | for affordable dining. |
| **Be aware of prices in Euros versus dollars. Prices | | | | · Lady C has a great St. Maarten dining deal of |
| can be 50% higher when dollars are used in St. Martin | | | | all you can eat ribs for $11.95. Delicious ribs served on |
| French restaurants** | | | | a stationary boat paked near the Simpson Bay Bridge |
| Philipsburg Area: | | | | · Pizza Galley has yummy pizza, but be |
| In Philipsburg, a brand new boardwalk running along the | | | | warned...watch out for the spicy pepperoni. |
| beach has been built. With the new boardwalk came a | | | | · Jimbos is a Mexican food hangout for the |
| number of new, exciting restaurants to choose from | | | | younger crowd. |
| that definitely makes a trip to Philipsburg worth your | | | | · Saratoga delivers fine French food that's |
| time. | | | | excellent, but expensive. Also be aware that service |
| Here are some favorites to try: | | | | can be spotty. |
| · Antoine's (on Front Street) has the perfect | | | | · Lals is the first restaurant you pass leaving |
| combination of French food and a beautiful waterfront | | | | the airport en route to Simpson Bay. They have |
| setting. Be sure to tell Jean Pierre the Villalady sent | | | | delicious Indian food. It is a favorite of students. Great |
| you. | | | | price for dirnks too! |
| · Hotel Passangrahan is the perfect place for | | | | · Aldywich is a new Lebanese restaurant on |
| lunch or dinner. It's a lovely little hotel with a dining room | | | | the main drag in Simpson Bay. |
| right on the beach. They have affordable dinners and | | | | - Pineapple Pete is also a favorite and has great Jazz |
| great specials to choose from. | | | | on Tuesday nights. |
| · L'Escargot offers the best in classic French | | | | Maho Area and Cupecoy |
| food. It's a favorite of many. Tell Joel the Villalady sent | | | | It's a fun place to spend an evening or two. |
| you. | | | | - Cheri's Café is a great place for music, but |
| Talloola Mango has nice lunch food right on the beach | | | | the food is only mediocre. |
| in town. Go into a good jewelry store and ask them | | | | - La Rosa offers great Italian food. |
| where to eat. Although chances are they will send you | | | | - Pizza and Pasta is a small Italian place that has |
| to an Indian restaurant. | | | | old-fashioned good food. |
| Marigot Area: | | | | Atlantis area and Cupecoy |
| Everyone has his or her own personal favorite | | | | - Temptation is one of the finest on St. Maarten Island |
| restaurant around Port Royal Marina. Here are a few | | | | and also quite expensive. Great service, presentation |
| of our top picks: | | | | and food. |
| · Don Camillo is perfect if you're looking for | | | | - Rare is next door and a sister restaurant specializing |
| Italian specialties at their finest. It's pricey, but well worth | | | | in meat. |
| it. Enzo is the owner. | | | | - La Gondola has a fine reputation for Italian food. |
| · Mario's Bistro has excellent food and you | | | | GROCERY SHOPPING |
| must have a reservation beforehand. Average meal | | | | **Mild warning: Look at food dates to make sure they |
| prices are $20-35 per main course. Call | | | | have not expired** |
| 00-590-590-87-0636. | | | | The following are major markets and should have up |
| Grand Case: The Gourmet Capital of the Island | | | | to date products: |
| **Some special notes about Grand Case** | | | | Food Express near Maho has most items, some take |
| During the high season, Tuesday is Fete Day (feast | | | | out food and has great hours. |
| day) and there is NO parking after 6:00pm in town due | | | | - Grand Marche is a newer market near the |
| to the parade. Parking is outside of town and buses | | | | roundabout to Phillipsburg and is where we do all our |
| transport you into Grand Case. Once you're there you | | | | shopping. They offer a wide range of meats and |
| cannot leave until after 10:00 pm. | | | | delicacies. The prices are about 10-20% more than the |
| There are approximately 20 fabulous restaurants in | | | | states. Be sure to try the hot appetizers in the bakery. |
| this little town. They can get pretty pricey, so be sure | | | | - US supermarket is open on Sundays and has good |
| to check menus before making reservations. A few of | | | | wines and vegetables. It is just on the other side of the |
| our favorites are as follows: | | | | Bridge in Sandy Ground. |
| · Spiga is great because it gives you prices in | | | | - Match is a smaller grocery in the Howell Center |
| dollars and Euros so you know exactly what to | | | | outside of Marigot. |
| expect. | | | | Lots of local markets are springing up, but they are a |
| · Le Pressoir always receives good reviews. | | | | bit more expensive than the larger supermarkets. We |
| Call 00-590-590-87-7662. | | | | like Lido and the Food Express at the Maho Hotel, |
| · Fish Pot is expensive and a tad bit on the | | | | which is open until 10:00 pm. Just remember to check |
| snooty side. | | | | the dates for food freshness. |
| · Bistro Caraibe is located on a busy corner. It | | | | Bakeries |
| offers good food and lobster specials. | | | | - Sucriere bakery is located on Airport Road outside |
| · Le Taste de Vin offers a lovely ambiance, | | | | of The Simpson Bay Yacht Club. It has an outside |
| but is expensive. | | | | dining terrace overlooking the lagoon. Great |
| - Auberge Gourmand is not located on the ocean, but | | | | sandwiches and bread to die for. |
| has great food. | | | | Alcohol |
| - Le Cottage is one of the most popular restaurants in | | | | Liquor is very inexpensive on St. Maarten and can be |
| Grand Case. Call 00-590-590-29-0330. | | | | purchased in supermarkets or liquor stores. |
| - L'Escapade is another very popular St. Martin | | | | ST. MAARTEN SHOPS |
| hotspot. | | | | Once you're full from the wonderful St. Maarten dining |
| - California Restaurant has everything from pizza and | | | | experience, it's time for some serious shopping. Most |
| beer to fine seafood and lamb. The prices are rather | | | | St. Maarten shops are extremely reliable and honest. |
| affordable, too. | | | | Be sure to know what you're looking for ahead of |
| - The "Lolos" are another fun option. Lolos are local | | | | time and bargain with the seller. |