10 Best Local Restaurants in Saint Martin

La Petite Auberge des Isles is a charming little restaurant known for its combination of local, Cajun, French and Caribbean dishes. Based in the Marigot Marina, the restaurant's friendly staff and laidback atmosphere make it a hugely popular spot to enjoy classic French-influenced Saint Martin cuisine.

The menu includes a variety of seafood, meat, and salad dishes, and there's a noticeable Creole theme throughout. From the conch stew to the grilled lobster, the wonderfully flavoursome 'red gravy' is a must-try accompaniment when dining here. Thanks to its well-prepared dishes, and partly due to its modest size, La Petite Auberge des Isles has a reputation as something of a hidden gem on the island.

Chez Leandra is a cheerful oceanside restaurant serving a mixture of Caribbean, Cajun, and seafood delights. Thanks to its marvellous location right on the shoreline of Saint Martin’s Orient Beach, diners can enjoy unspoilt views and a cooling sea breeze while enjoying the eclectic delights.

The family-run restaurant also offers sun loungers on the beach, so it's a popular choice for visitors wishing to spend the day on the coast. From grilled red snapper to garlic lobster, seafood is a speciality here. The bar boasts an imaginative cocktail list that makes the most of fresh local ingredients – its Mango Suicide is something of a speciality for anyone brave enough to try.

Gutside Cafe is a bright and colourful restaurant that’s known for its tasty local cuisine and feel-good atmosphere. The unfussy eatery serves homecooked Caribbean dishes and the owners pride themselves on making guests feel welcome as they dine.

The decor features a jumbled collection of posters, license plates, and unusual artefacts, which further adds to the restaurant’s delightfully offbeat charm. The vegetables are sourced directly from the garden – the home-grown plantains are highly recommended. From red snapper to chicken, a large section of the mains is served alongside the unique Gutside hot sauce – its spicy signature delight.

Yvette's Restaurant is a family-run establishment serving local fare with a homely feel in Saint Martin. Though the interior may be a touch on the dated side, this friendly restaurant is popular with travellers thanks to its hearty menu and accommodating staff.

The menu includes local favourites like chicken stew, goat curry, and breaded crab. Their extremely potent rum punch is a sure-fire way to get the good times rolling. One of the oldest restaurants on the island, Yvette's unique blend of warm hospitality and soul-enriching food attracts plenty of repeat guests, making it one of the most beloved local restaurants on the island.

Driftwood Boat Bar is a fun place to feast on local food and drinks in Saint Martin. As the name suggests, this ramshackle beachside bar is largely constructed with wood, and its thatched tiki-style roof endows it with an unmistakably tropical feel.

Located close to Saint Martin's airport, the quirky little bar is also a great place to marvel at aeroplanes as they take off and land. While best known for its abundant booze list, the modestly priced food on offer make it a popular choice for visitors looking to combine a tasty meal with their well-earned drink. From Cajun shrimp to rice and beans, the turquoise ocean vista provides an unmissable backdrop as you dine or chill.

Emilio's is a wonderful restaurant and wine cellar whose personality subtly shifts depending on what time you visit. By day, Emilio's serves a lunch menu that's packed with tasty Caribbean staples. By night, the menu transforms into a more refined affair, offering fine-dining specialities alongside refined local delights.

As well as its broad inventory of dishes, Emilio's wine cellar impresses diners looking for an ideal tipple to pair with the meals. Set inside the Rainforest Adventure park – complete with its observation decks and stunning island views – Emilio's is a great choice when looking to combine a nice meal with a family day out.

Enoch's Place in Marigot Market is a great go-to for hearty Creole and Caribbean specialities. The sun-bleached wooden restaurant is an island institution thanks to its home-cooked food and buzzing communal atmosphere. Open for breakfast and lunch, it's the morning shift when Enoch's really comes to life.

Locals meet and discuss the topics of the day while tucking into Saint Martin's staples like salt fish johnnycakes, rice and beans, and garlic shrimp. There's nothing fancy about the decor, but the food and ambience ensure that customers keep coming back for more. If you're looking for authentic dining the way the locals do it in Saint Martin, Enoch's is well worth a visit.

Mark's Place is a local favourite serving traditional Caribbean bites with a continental twist. Despite its unassuming exterior, Mark's Place is well-loved for its authentic island cuisine and extensive menu selection.

Here, you'll find Saint Martin's classics like oxtail with rice and peas, goat stew, and baked chicken alongside European-style steaks, pork and salads. The friendly restaurant prides itself on serving some of the very best ribs on the island, so these are well worth a try if you're not averse to getting your fingers a little sticky while you eat.

Come y Calla is a funky food truck serving a unique fusion of Caribbean and Mexican comfort food. Such is their confidence in the quality of their inventory, the truck's owners playfully invite patrons to “shut up and eat.”

Serving hybrid dishes that combine local favourites like oxtail and beef creole with burritos and chimichangas, it's Come y Calla's flexible approach that helps sets them apart. Besides being fun, they also have a social conscience – keen to do their bit to protect the island's environment by using only biodegradable containers and utensils for serving their food.

The Jerk & Roti Hut offers a combination of 2 island classics that make it supremely popular with Sint Maarten locals and visitors. Serving spicy Jamaican jerk with deliciously indulgent roti, this no-nonsense hole-in-the-wall-style canteen is a great place to eat like a local.

If you weren't hungry before you arrived, the glorious aroma of freshly-cooked roti is sure to invigorate your appetite. But if bread isn't for you, other favourites on the menu include Caribbean staples like patties, oxtail, and curry. The owners are also happy to cater to those requiring gluten-free options.