TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin St. Bart's questions

We have some friends who lived on St. Thomas and St. Croix for many years and visited a lot of islands. They have not been to St. Bart's for years but told us that most things on the island are extremely expensive, except for wine. They said that St. Bart's was the cheapest island around to buy wine.

Since this was based on visits quite a few years ago, can anyone comment on whether that info is correct?

Another thing they told us was that a friend of their's brother had a good place for cheeseburgers and beers, just on the left as you enter the marina, by boat. Same story as to the age of this info, but does anyone know what place fits that description, or if it is still there?

Any info is appreciated.

Yes, wines (especially French wines) are fairly reasonably priced on St. Bart’s. Just about worlds is expensive.

Sorry, can’t comment on the cheeseburger and beer place you were asking about.

St Barts is more expensive in terms of lodging and dining for sure. Groceries/wine, its almost the same as SXM, I think due to French law.

They have a large Super U near the airport.

Super U SBH

Burger place is the "cheese burger in paradise" place.

Le Select

The supermarket across from the Capitainerie in Gustavia has good prices, and a wide selection of affordably priced wines; those are indeed almost the same prices as in St. Martin.

Le Select (Cheeseburger in Paradise) not only has affordable food and beer, but sits right in the middle of town at the main intersection, so you have a front-row seat for people-watching. There are only two other restaurants in Gustavia that serve food at prices mere mortals can afford, but the bakeries and cafes on the south side of Gustavia are good.

Le Select would be the cheeseburger and beer place which your friends referred to. From the ferry terminal, it is a few blocks to the right, into town, rather than to the left, towards the commercial port.

With the passing of Marius Stakelborough, the founder in 1949, and the youngest generation now taking over, Le Select has changed and upscaled, like everything else on St Barth. It is no longer the cheapest beer and cheeseburger on the island. (That is now Jojo Burger in Lorient.) It is still likely the cheapest burger and a beer in Gustavia.

Wine is no less than St Martin. The prices at the Super U near the airport are not that different from Super U in St Martin. Restaurant prices, if you’re looking at a top quality wine, bring your Platinum card.

The grocery across from the Capitainerie, formerly AMC Libre Service, is now Au Rendezvous (same owners). It now offers more organic foods. I haven’t looked at their current wine selections.

At best, wine is the same price as St Martin. Everything else is far more costly and in my view unjustifiably so. SXM is better than STB. But STB is harder to get to and thus can be more exclusive.

Very helpful everyone. Thank you for the replies.