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Restaurants by Area

Grand Case for fine dining and lolos, Simpson Bay for choice and nightlife, Orient Bay for beach clubs: where to eat in St. Maarten, area by area, with all our picks.

Updated October 2026

Each dot is a restaurant, in the color of its area. Tap it to see its name.


25 places

Simpson Bay and Cole Bay

The widest choice on the island: lagoon-side restaurants, grills, sports bars and beach clubs facing the airport, often open late.

Explore the area

2 places

Elsewhere on the island

One-of-a-kind spots worth the drive: in the forest at Pic Paradis, on Oyster Pond bay or out in the countryside.

Tips for eating well

  • Book dinner in high season, from December to April, especially in Grand Case and at beach clubs.
  • Go to the lolos at lunchtime: no reservation needed, and the grill is going.
  • Read the bill on the Dutch side: many restaurants already add a 15% service charge. See language and tipping.
  • Ask the rate before paying in dollars: on the French side, some restaurants count one dollar as one euro, others use a less favorable rate.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best food in St. Maarten?

Grand Case is the island’s food village, with French restaurants and lolos. Simpson Bay has the widest choice, from world cuisine to grills, and Orient Bay has its beach restaurants.

Which area is best for a night out?

Simpson Bay and Maho, on the Dutch side, with their bars, late-night restaurants and the Maho Village casino.

What is a lolo?

A small open-air restaurant serving local food from a big grill: chicken, ribs, grilled fish, conch. The best known are in Grand Case.

Do I need a reservation?

For dinner in high season, yes, especially in Grand Case and at beach clubs. Lolos and beach bars usually don’t take reservations.