TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Toppers restaurant

We were looking at the menu at Toppers, and it looks like a nice variety. Can anyone recommend this restaurant , or one with a similar menu? Thanks.

They are well known on the island for their brisket. We attended a small party there the other day and among the snack offerings they featured 'pulled brisket' with slider rolls and it was very good, as were the humus, babaknish (sp?), ziti and wings. Does that help at all? Not a destination dinner spot but okay to grab a bite. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Cute place with decent food. The only thing we found weird was they refused to serve us tap water, yes refused. We almost left, but stayed and will never return. We had a sandwich, salad and a few beers each. They lost our business over a $2 bottled water. The check was about $50, not very smart business.

Love this place. Always go when on island. The crabshrooms are delicious.

Topper is a good guy and runs a pretty good restaurant, but I think the Greenhouse restaurant in Simpson Bay is a better choice. I just find Toppers to be a little on the high side for the quality of food you get.

Toppers is OK, but nothing great. There are so many places in that same area with much better food! Greenhouse has a couple of good things, but frankly we aren't impressed with it either. Our favorites in that area are Marty's, The Palms and Byblos. Marty's is right next door to and behind Toppers, and the food there is much better. Palms is on the other side of the bridge, so not within walking distance, but again, much better food. Byblos is across the street and maybe a quarter mile towards Philipsburg, and again, fabulous food.

Ok if you have never been there. You can do better for the same or less $$.

We ended up going to Toppers and thought it was really good. I had the brisket and my wife had the rigatoni with vodka cream sauce. Service was prompt and everyone was friendly. I would recommend it. We might try the Palms tomorrow night. We appreciate everyone's response as usual.

Glad you enjoyed Toppers.

in spite of what some have said...Toppers is a real good place to dine with excellent food and reasonable price. The brisket is the best anywhere...the prime rib is also excellent....and the calamari appetizer is to die for!!!! It is one of the MUST DOs for us every year at least once. They also serve a good drink...without a high price. It's a very casual restaurant with a very casual clientele. It is NOT Grand Case....but it is one of the best places around Simpson Bay!!!!

I agree, EdB. It is casual and serves consistently good food. Topper meets with his staff every morning to ensure good quality and service and he doesn't take complaints lightly. He will address any valid complaint immediately. The hot pastrami sandwich is very good. The firecracker shrimp is a great appetizer and, as others have said, the brisket is excellent. And, on holidays like Thanksgiving (American) and Christmas,they have a special holiday menu which is always very good and a great value. We go multiple times every trip.

Topper's is clearly our favorite. Very good food, service is excellent, and the friendships we have been able to experience find us going there a few times a week.

Two for one is a bonus attraction.

We enjoy going to Toppers and I would say it good food but not great. Prices are ok when compared to other places on the island. Good mango chicken salad. As said in post above they will not serve you tap water which is aggravating but will sell you a bottle of water. I think that's just bad business and obviously a bit greedy on a already sort of high dinner bill. We don't go there at times just for that reason. Nothing wrong with island tap water and it should be at no charge. Other than that beef it's ok.

I needed to take a pill and they charged me for a bottle. Should have just taken it with a beer.

I have always loved Topper's but the last time I was there the Prime Rib was like shoe leather. Believe me, it wasn't PRIME.

Topper told me it just comes from Sysco, so it's nothing special.

I own a restaurant, you can buy excellent prime cuts from Sysco. Owners choose what they want to buy, you can buy cheap meat or expensive meat. I so agree on the free water, very bad business, greedy!

Also the evening Karaoke is my wife's favorite

We have experienced Toppers and Toppers by the Sea. If you are staying @ Flamingo, La Vista, or Simpson Bay Resort try Toppers by the Sea. Pretty much the same menu but I thought it was a bit better & it's on the beach!!

I'm at LaVista. I have eaten at both Toppers. Love the atmosphere, eating on the beach is one of my favorite things. Unfortunately, over the past several visits, I'm not sure what was more difficult to do, swallow the food or swallow the service. Both were awful.

I think you should be happy they did not give you tap water, ate there and two of us had ice tea and the gentlemen had beer.. well that evening the two of us that had the ice tea were in the bathroom most part of the evening.. our meal was okay but nothing great

We've eaten at Toppers by the Sea numerous times, and
Toppers just once. Think the first is way better! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Love Toppers. Fabulous prime rib and his osso buco is outstanding.

It's funny how everyone's personal reviews are so different. We thought Topper's was by far the worst meal we had on the island (there were 4 of us). Different strokes for different folks. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Well said Irish.

I've had great and just ok, but that can occasionally happen most anywhere.

We like the place and I had the Lobster special for $29 and it was pretty good!

Same for 4 of us this past January. Frankly we didn't finish it. 2 had the lobster special, which had to have been from the night before, the other 2 had pasta, dry with barely any sauce and no flavor. I also think our server realized it was bad as he disappeared after he served it and did not return until he quickly left the bill. He never inquired about the meal or even more drinks.