TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Toddler friendly French side

Hi all,

Long time visitor here, but this is our first trip with our little one. Sam will have just turned 3 for our trip in 3 weeks.

I need some ideas for appropriate dinners with him. Like his parents he loves food, but doesn't have endless patience.

We are staying in Grand Case, and need some ideas for good places to bring him.

We know the Lolo's, and Calmos, but where else would he be welcome, for an early meal?

Thanks again, I've never done SXM with my little one, so this will definitely be an adventure!

I think Enold's at the end of the street would be a good choice.

Thanks Jazzgirl! We shall try that. We are on island for almost 2 weeks so keep the recommendations coming!

One of the charms of dining in Orient village is that parents will take a table outside, then shoo their kids out into the center area to play together when they get bored. Kids can play, parents can comfortably keep an eye on them and it seems like a happy solution for everyone. Your 3-year-old might be a bit small for that, but something to keep in mind for the future.

One thing you should remember is that, with the new causeway, the Dutch side is much 'closer' than it used to be. So don't discount eating somewhere on the Dutch side, like Buccaneer for the night when they have the fireball on the beach, or the Carousel for ice cream, or someplace very casual, like Pineapple Pete, or Jimbo's or Taco Macho for Mexican, or one of a million pizza places.

Thanks Carol, we have not been to the island since the causeway has opened. The Bucaneer sounds like a good place to spend a Friday evening.

I think you will be surprised at the difference with the Causeway. Enjoy your trip!

Carol
How would the causeway make getting to any one of the places you mentioned? The Maho area and points west of it are faster with the causeway if you are coming from Grand Case. Going to Karacter and Mary's Boon area also.

Well, perhaps not, but still think the OP should not discount the dutch side altogether.

Carol, no worries, I won't discount the Dutch altogether. Buccaneers had been on my radar for this trip for the Friday fireball.

One of the things we like most about Grand Case is the calm beach, and walking to dinner.

Now that some of the more casual places like Brasserie des Isles are gone, I need more ideas where my little guy won't "ruin" other people's romantic dinners.

My husband and I always did the long high end dinners in trips past, but with a little one, it just isn't in the cards this trip.

I'm interested in other options and as we have always stayed and dined French side, I really am oblivious to the dining on the Dutch side. I've never wanted to drive that far at night, but since we wont be having cocktails and a bottle of wine with the little one, we are more open to travelling in the evening.

Keep the suggestions coming please!

Liz

You could try one of the places at Marina Royale. We used to enjoy going there when our daughters were 5&6, so a bit older. The advantage is there are people walking past often, so there's something for a little one to watch. And because of the passers by, diners don't really expect a "romantic" dinner at most of the places..it's just a bit more casual but with good food. This year when we were there, one restaurant even had someone playing music...so there were younger kids dancing, etc., We were eating at Le Gallion and could enjoy the music from the adjacent restaurant... Can't remember the whole name. It's got Main in the name! The only drawback...if your kid is a "runner" you've got to make sure he doesn't make a break for the water, because there is no railing along the walkway by the marina!

Is it La Main a la Pate? If so we love the food there. It's been a while since we have gone there, but that was always a favorite lunch spot for us. Maude was the hostess there for a very long time, and was always so hospitable.

Piazza Pascal would be a possibility for an early dinner