TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin SXM food....for NYers...

Let's face it. In NY, we're blessed with some of the best food in the worldbut the worst taxes but I digress.

Best Chinese, Italian, Greek, Mexican, etc. Minutes from NYC, we've got it all and have access to it all.

So on our last trip, we hit all the food places we had listed but avoided Winnies and Italian b/c we can get that in NY no problem.


But for the NYers, what are some of the most impressive restaurants, of any food style, that you found there?

Captain's Rib and Cynthia's blew me away.

I've never eaten in NYC, (I know how ridiculous is that), but our favorite is Bistrot Carribes in Grand Case. French with a Caribbean flair. You will NOT be disappointed!

I have eaten at many places in NYC over many years and I still think Mark's Place is a "go to " place on the island.

Remember, you are eating on a Caribbean island, it is not going to be like NYC.

JD, I agree. Mark's Place is fun, the food very good and the quantities big. It's certainly not "fine dining", but it is truly Caribbean experience not to be missed.

By the way, you want to put together a meet and great while you're here?

George and John - Why don't YOU put together the meet and greet?

I am in a "non-planning" mode this year after missing last year and staying in a new place this year. I know the group I am with have a couple of evening planned but if you pick a date, a place and a time, I am sure some people will show up. I am not aware of Sheila or anyone else organizing anything this year. Greenhouse is nice and close and always works.

To me, Mark's Place offers local food, other choices and is consistently good and not to be missed.

I live right in Manhattan and here are our 3 favorite restaurants on the island.... Mario Bistro.. Emilio's.. and Spiga. Mind you that we have not eaten in all of the restaurants on the island, but of the ones we've been to those are our favorites. Note: Spiga is a Northern Italian restaurant.

You might want to try some of the local restaurants to get a good feel for local cuisine. Perhaps the best is Yvettes and for the farm to fork movement you can't beat Ital's. Le Taitu has a wonderful lunch offering, for which we stick to the French dishes. Of course, the higher end places are also great--we love the smoked salmon and bouchot mussels at Bistrot Carraibes and the steak au poivre at L' Auberge Gourmand (assuming they now have the filets instead of the NY strip). And even though it's Italian, you should really eat at Piazza Pascal. Their seared calamari appetizer is excellent, and I'm hooked on their gorgonzola gnocchi.

eta. Ital's is vegetarian/vegan, but filling and tasty.

I left NY 40 years ago (thank God). Does knowing what is good food stay with you, or do I need to make a trip back to fully understand what good food is?

Exactly why I didn't go looking for good Chinese, italian, etc. while there but focused on the local stuff. Couldnt find Yvette's but have to agree, Mark's was in the top 3.

I have never personally eaten at Yvette's but they have been around a long time and get positive reviews.

Sal y Pepe as good as any Italian Restaurant in NYC. Davide is an excellent chef.

I've never eaten there but I've heard 2 things about Sal Y Pepe. The food is very good. The service can be less than good. But as I said, I've never eaten there but only heard this.

I beg to differ. Both times we have eaten there it has been less than stellar. Never again.

Now you've heard three.

You are correct on both counts.

which is why I aim to stick with good local eats.....

the LOLOS were where its at.

Being a NYer I will say there is nothing in SXM that can compare to NY. I don't look for it while in SXM but I do miss a good bagel with cream cheese and lox. I also miss a good Boston Cream Donut even though a crossaint can fill that void.

MMMMM you're making my mouth water! Dunkin' Donuts Boston Creme are the best, IMHO. I truly miss the bagels, the pizza and the standard fried egg and ham on a hard roll.

depends. LOL. Bagels, chinese and pizza, we nail that in Huntington. But the croissants and Lolos are ON POINT in St. Maarten