10 Great Restaurants in Martinique

La Luciole is a lunchtime Creole restaurant just a few kilometres north of Fort-de-France. The mountains provide the backdrop in a lush outdoor setting, and it’s a great place to stop off after visiting Balata Gardens next door.

La Luciole provides a set lunch menu with marlin or Caribbean accra fritter starters, a choice of 4 main courses, and cake or ice cream for dessert. You can choose from scallops, smoked chicken or coconut chicken curry for the main course, but the Martinique speciality fricassée de chatrou (tomato-based octopus stew) is a must-try. There’s a vegetarian menu, too.

Le ReeF is a family-run restaurant that sits on the beach in Case-Pilot, towards the north of Martinique. Case-Pilot is a fishing village, and there's no better way to enjoy fresh Caribbean fish than with your feet in the sand, watching the ships roll into the port.

The menu is simple, and what’s on offer is of real quality. You’ll find something new every day, depending on what catches come in. The marlin is particularly good and, if you have room for ice cream at the end, we’d definitely recommend it. If you want to add an extra dimension to your meal, book a table for sunset.

Galanga Fish Bar is a healthy Caribbean restaurant in Port-de-France, with outdoor seating in a quaint back garden. The atmosphere is relaxing, the ingredients are fresh, and the service is on point.

You’ll find new things on the menu every day or week at Galanga, so you know what you're getting is freshly made. The ceviche is a regular highlight on the menu, along with fresh fish from the local port. As you’d expect from the name, the fish is always fresh and the vegetables come from local markets, too. The highlight is dessert though – the French touch makes for a crème brûlée that’s to die for.

La Kabananou is a small local restaurant that you’ll find on the path to Anse Desert beach in Sainte-Luce, towards the south of Martinique. It’s a great spot for a late lunch at the weekend, when most locals are taking a siesta.

La Kabananou serves Creole dishes with a few French choices. Côte de bœuf is on the menu and the Martiniquais specialities among the chef’s recommendations are well worth trying. The accras fritters are nice and crispy, and the ouassous and palourdes (big claw river shrimp and clams) are among the tastiest seafood dishes you'll find on the island.

Djol Dou is a family-run spot in Fort-de-France that serves home-cooked Caribbean food for lunch and dinner. It's a short walk from the cruise port, and you'll be drawn in by the colourful facade, chilled Caribbean music, and sweet aromas from the kitchen.

You'll find a fresh daily menu here as well as a 3-course set lunch. The crudités starter is spot on, the veggies have a nice bite to them, and the dressing provides a tangy kick. You can choose from a fish or chicken main course, rounded off with a delectable French dessert. If you're around in guava season, don’t miss out on the juice – a tasty, healthy way to wash it all down.

La Mandoline is a French-Creole fusion restaurant right near the coast in Les Trois-Îlets that prides itself on its gastronomical expertise. Nestled in a small potter’s village, you'll feel like you've been whisked away, surrounded by lush greenery in quiet surroundings, being pampered from start to finish.

You'll be welcomed with a small cocktail, and the food is all sourced from local ingredients. The spiced quinoa on the side complements the lobster wrap perfectly, and the food is presented so elegantly that you’ll find yourself taking a snap before eating.

Restaurant Le Point de Vue is a cajun and Creole restaurant in Saint-Marie, on the northeast side of Martinique. True to its name, the view is stunning. Perched atop a hill that rolls down to the black-sand beach, the views over the Atlantic are accompanied by live island music at a nice background level.

You’ll always find a daily-catch menu alongside the standard courses. The king prawns are a particular highlight, grilled to give that nice firm bite. There's also a vegetarian plate on offer, with a selection of locally sourced vegetables like plantain and yam, delicately spiced with coconut.

La Cour Creole is a Creole restaurant on the west coast of Sainte Marie where you can eat on the terrace with views out to sea. You may also opt for a seat inside to cool off in the air-conditioned dining room. The restaurant does both small lunches and gourmet dinners in a relaxing café atmosphere where you can also do work or watch some live sports feeds.

The sandwiches seem popular, but if you’re after something more filling, you can’t go wrong with the caramelised pork, served with fresh local vegetables for sides. Local speciality conch fricassee is on the menu, too. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the creamy tiramisu is a must-have.

Restaurant 1643 is a quaint family restaurant on the west coast of Martinique, just north of Le Carbet. The restaurant presents French-Creole fusion cuisine and is often recommended by locals.

There are plenty of choices on the menu, with recommended selections that include a sirloin steak served with a selection of purées, with the standout being the yam purée. Consider yourself lucky if you visit during the lobster season. Their lobster burger is not to be missed – a must-try for seafood lovers, with the rum sauce complementing it beautifully.

Zanzibar Restaurant is a fine-dining restaurant on the southern coast of Martinique that serves Creole food as well as international selections. It sits on the edge of Le Marin Bay, and the view of the yachts bobbing in the harbour adds to the chilled vibe.

The lamb and beef tenderloin is the highlight here, with the meat so tender that it easily falls apart in your mouth. The desserts have that magical touch, too, with a selection of authentic French chocolate gâteau, profiteroles or raspberry coulis.