10 Best Local Restaurants in Martinique

Le Petitbonum is a chilled-out beach bar and restaurant in Carbet, a tiny town on Martinique’s western Caribbean coast. It’s definitely the place to visit to sip on the island’s ti punch (local white rum, freshly squeezed lime and a pinch of sugar) with your feet in the water.

You can lounge all day on the deck chairs, sampling dish after dish of fried seafood prepared by its charismatic owner and chef. Bring your swimsuit so that you can enjoy a dip in the warm Caribbean waters in between plates. There’s often live music and DJs on weekend nights.

Le Barracuda in Les Trois-Îlets is where you can forget the bells and whistles of high-end dining. It’s all about traditional Creole cuisine served right on the beach. Relax under the shade of a large gazebo with your feet in the sand and indulge in hefty portions of tasty local specialities and exotic cocktails.

Dishes include boudin appetisers, grilled fish with rice, plantains and vegetables, and codfish fritters and salad. You’ll find Le Barracuda in the town of Le Trios-Îlets, facing the bay of Fort-de-France. Have a late lunch or early supper and watch the sunset.

Le Fromager is a bright and cheerful lunch-only spot where friendly staff serve authentic Creole cuisine. Perched on a hill above St-Pierre, the restaurant is a great place to take in the spectacular town and sea views. And at the same time, sample flavourful stuffed conch, sauteed octopus, tamarind chicken and crayfish.

For drinks, ti punch is usually on a serve-yourself honour system. For an unforgettable experience, book a table for Sunday lunch. You’ll get to enjoy a delicious buffet and some Creole dancing.

Le Cocotier in Saint-Anne is everything you’d wish for in a Caribbean island beach shack-style restaurant. It’s located right on the sand and under the towering, well-maintained palm trees. Its menu features delicious crepes, seafood and vegetarian-friendly dishes.

What the menu lacks in variety, it more than makes up for in local flavour. Drinks are affordable and you can even enjoy your piña colada in the sea before lunch. It’s best to book a table ahead. But if you arrive later in the afternoon, chances are you’ll be able to snag one easily.

Chez Lucie is right next to the pier on Diamant beach and ticks all the boxes as one of the best local restaurants in Martinique. Gorgeous sea views and waves crashing almost at your feet? Check. Extensive menu of fresh seafood and traditional Creole plates? Check. Fun Caribbean vibes? Check.

Service can be slow, especially when the restaurant is packed, so patience is a must. You can always order more rum punches while you wait for your fruit salad or côte de boeuf grillée (grilled prime rib) to arrive.

Chez Carole is a restaurant named after its chef, whose takes on Martinique cuisine have made it a Fort-de-France institution. While the eatery is tucked away in the Grand Marche Couvert – a lively produce market – you feel like you are sitting in Carole's living room.

The warm welcome, fresh ingredients and honest local dishes make for an unforgettable homemade meal. Start with the delicious accras (cod fritters), followed by the octopus stew, the Colombo chicken or a freshly caught grilled red snapper drenched in lime juice.

Le Vieux Foyal, with its lively atmosphere, friendly service and delicious food, is an excellent spot for dinner in the heart of Fort-de-France. Whether you go for the grilled shrimp, freshly caught fish, chicken Columbo, or boudin sausage, all meals are superbly prepared using the best and freshest local ingredients.

Be sure to ask for a table in the lush courtyard. It’s a great place for sipping on local rhums, especially on Thursday nights when the restaurant hosts Creole-French jazz musicians. Service can be slow, but that means you have more time to enjoy the jazz music.

Le Guérin is a great place to stop to rest and enjoy a tasty lunch when you’re exploring the old market in St-Pierre in north Martinique. Choose the 3-course set menu (includes a starter, main and dessert) or order directly off the menu.

The most popular dishes include blood sausages, chicken Colombo, and fish and vegetable fritters. Service can be slow, especially if it’s busy. The hearty portions, delicious flavours and friendly vibe make the wait worthwhile, though.

Mama’s Snack is among the best of the restaurants at the back of the Marché Couvert (covered market), in the capital city of Fort-de-France. You’ll find other food stalls serving authentic local food at the market, but grab a seat at one of Mama’s Snack’s plastic tables and get ready for a straightforward yet tasty meal.

The set 3-course menu is the best value for money. It includes a glass of local rum-infused cocktail ti punch, accras (cod fritters), a choice of mains (served with rice and red beans) and coconut sorbet.

On the white sands of Diamant Beach, in the south of Martinique, Pam Snack is an ideal spot for a delicious lunch while visiting the area. The food truck serves fried and grilled specialities, such as smoked chicken, accras, ribs, and conch fricassee.

As the slogan suggests, “at Pam Snack, we eat like at mom’s”. You can expect all dishes to be lovingly prepared using the best local ingredients and family recipes. Be patient – all good things take time. After placing your order, be prepared to wait at least 45 minutes to an hour to receive your food.