3 St. Martin Eateries That'll Make Your Taste Buds Dance!
St. Martin is widely regarded as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Standards are high on the island's Dutch and French sides, so restaurants can’t escape mediocrity. That said, some establishments tower over the rest, and we have highlighted three of them here to save you time from poring through hundreds of restaurants.
Le Pressoir
This Michelin-starred restaurant has been rated the fourth-best in the Caribbean and number one in St. Martin from those on both the French and Dutch sides. You will get a true, fine dining experience that’s contemporary and creative while relishing the ambiance of a 19th-century home. The emphasis here is on natural, sustainable food sourced from France by dedicated food producers. Head Chef Jerome Droingt says every dish is carefully created to allow for a special and unique culinary experience.
Our recommendation: The three-course set menu: To start, Le Pressoir’s famous egg parfait is fashioned from Colombier parmesan cheese and potato foam, foie gras, truffle, porcini mushrooms and asparagus. For the main, the lobster medallion in urchin cream and shavings of black lemon, served with saffron baby pasta. For dessert, Paris-SXM vanilla and coconut puffs with candied pineapple.
The dining experience at L’Astrolabe is nothing short of magical. Surrounded by candlelight whether you dine poolside or in a tropical garden, you’ll be wooed not only by the exceptional cuisine but by the romantic music, impeccable service and the luxury and comfort of home. Diners who abstain from meat will be happy to know there are lots of vegetarian choices.
When visiting St. Martin, Villa Grande Azure is the ideal home! The Villa epitomizes the essence of luxury living in St. Martin's Terres Basses community. This property is lauded for its expansive views of the sea and its close proximity to stunning sandy coastlines. The grandeur of the great room leaves a lasting impression, boasting double-height vaulted ceilings and exquisite travertine marble flooring. The open-concept design seamlessly integrates dining, living, media, and billiard areas, promising exceptional entertainment possibilities. The villa comprises five sumptuous bedrooms, accommodating 16 guests to enjoy maximum discretion and comfort. Each bedroom has premium amenities, private baths, and breathtaking views. Outside, an expansive deck features a large freshwater pool, a smaller jetted pool, and an outdoor bar perfect for nocturnal entertaining. Villa Grande Azure delivers the epitome of a St. Martin luxury vacation experience, blending Caribbean charm with contemporary sophistication.
La Villa Hibiscus
The lovely restaurant is on the island's highest point, so it’s a little piece of paradise with a mind-blowing view. Chef Bastian was trained in the best French Michelin-starred restaurants – Joêl Robuchon** and Anne Sophie Pic***. He and his wife, Sabine, invite elite diners to try their five gourmet tables – an original and unique concept. You get the choice between three different menus at the time of booking: a discovery menu, which allows you to discover the spirit of the chef’s cuisine in five courses; a gourmet menu, a meeting of land and sea in six courses to amaze your palate; or a prestige menu of eight courses with dishes prepared from extraordinary products. Wine pairings are offered with the cuisine.
Our recommendation: Take advantage of the chef’s prestige menu and savor every moment of the surprises that await you, such as egg with black truffles and a parmesan tuile—an umami explosion!
If you love fine food, a visit to St. Martin surely needs to be on your travel list. We invite you to put your trust in LVH and we will plan one of the most amazing St. Martin luxury holidays for you, including the best of St. Martin fine dining. You will stay at an incredibly luxurious private home filled with modern amenities, one with a stunning view, privacy, full services, and support. Please contact an LVH client relations team member who will begin planning your enchanting visit to extraordinary St. Martin.