One thing I’ve learned about traveling with my family is that food can make or break a vacation experience. Our recent luxury getaway to Sint Maarten was as much about soaking up the sun as it was about diving into the island’s incredible food scene. Known as the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean,” this dual-nation island blends French, Dutch, and Caribbean flavors to create a foodie paradise unlike anywhere else in the region.
Balancing upscale dining with kid-friendly options isn’t always easy, especially with a teenage picky eater, but Sint Maarten delivers on all fronts. This island has everything from casual beachfront spots where you can dine with your toes in the sand to elegant restaurants perfect for celebrating special moments (like my youngest daughter’s 5th birthday!).
Whether you’re planning your own Sint Maarten escape or just daydreaming about Caribbean cuisine, I’m breaking down where to eat, what to order, and which spots are worth your vacation dollars. And yes, I’ll tell you which highly-recommended restaurant didn’t quite live up to the hype for our family.
Best Breakfast & Bakeries
Reveil Matin SXM – The Perfect Morning Start
Location: Simpson Bay
My husband, the early riser in our family, discovered this gem just a three-minute drive from our hotel. He’d slip out while the girls were still asleep and return with coffee and breakfast for everyone. Eventually, we managed to sneak away for a breakfast date while the kids slept in; a rare luxury for parents!
Reveil Matin’s perfect blend of French technique and hearty portions makes it special. My husband couldn’t get enough of “The Resort”. It’s French toast made from baguette slices, loaded with fresh fruits for $14.95. I opted for “My Bro’s Rolox”, a grilled bagel topped with smoked salmon, cream cheese, red onions, capers, and tomatoes, served with fruit and potatoes for $19.95. The portion was generous enough that I couldn’t finish it all, and they kept my coffee cup filled throughout our meal.
If you’re staying near Simpson Bay, this spot is a must for starting your day before hitting the beach.
La Sucrière – French Pastry Heaven
Location: Simpson Bay
When you need a quick breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up, La Sucrière delivers authentic French bakery vibes right in the Caribbean. My girls made a beeline for the chocolate croissants while I savored a perfectly flaky butter croissant that transported me straight to Paris.
Their brownies were also a huge hit with the kids, rich and fudgy without being too sweet. What’s nice about La Sucrière is you can grab pastries to go and enjoy them back at your hotel or on the beach, making it perfect for families who don’t want to sit down for a full breakfast every morning.
Must-Try Seafood & Island Dining
Lee’s Roadside Grill – Fresh-Caught Seafood Bliss
Location: Simpson Bay
When multiple people, from our driver to fellow New Yorkers we met who visit Sint Maarten regularly, recommend the same restaurant, you know it’s worth checking out. Lee’s Roadside Grill lived up to the hype with its laid-back setting and incredibly fresh seafood.
The highlight was selecting our own Caribbean lobsters from the tank, an experience my five-year-old daughter absolutely loved. She even held them before they were cooked (we have adorable photos that stay private since I don’t share my children’s faces online). Both my husband and I ordered the grilled Caribbean lobster, which came with traditional rice and peas. We started with conch fritters that were crispy outside and tender inside—the perfect introduction to authentic Caribbean flavors.
What I appreciated about Lee’s was the unpretentious atmosphere that still delivered on quality. It’s the kind of place where you can show up in beach clothes and flip-flops but still enjoy a memorable meal.
Buccaneer Beach Bar – Casual Beachfront Vibes
Location: Simpson Bay
This wasn’t our first visit to Buccaneer Beach Bar. We enjoyed it during our previous Sint Maarten trip and wanted to return. This time, we stopped in while waiting for our hotel room to be ready, hoping for the same relaxed experience we remembered.
I have to be honest, though, the service this time around was surprisingly slow, to the point where we witnessed our server having a complete meltdown! Despite this hiccup, the food remained consistent. My husband and I both ordered the mahi burger with fries (a repeat from our last visit), while the kids stuck to fries. My oldest daughter usually goes for their ribs but wasn’t in the mood this time.
I sipped on a margarita that was just okay; not as good as I remembered from our previous visit. Even with the service issues, Buccaneer’s beachfront location and casual atmosphere make it worth considering, especially if you’re traveling with kids who need space to move around between bites.
Best Upscale Dining Experiences
SALT – A Mixed Experience
Location: Indigo Bay
I’m all about keeping it real here, so here’s my honest take on SALT, which came highly recommended on Reddit. We chose it specifically for my daughter’s 5th birthday because they offered grilled octopus, her special request for her celebration dinner.
The restaurant has pool views, and Thursday night meant complimentary glasses of champagne for the ladies. But our experience was… complicated. Much of what we had planned to order (including the lobster bisque we were looking forward to) wasn’t available. Then, they lost power during dinner, which further delayed our meal.
For starters, I ordered the ceviche while my husband had the shrimp cocktail. My birthday girl got her wish with the grilled octopus appetizer as her main course, which she loved. My husband and I shared a truffle risotto that was way too salty. I had to send it back. The Chilean sea bass came with an overwhelmingly sweet sauce, throwing off the balance of the dish.
The live music was enjoyable, but despite noting on our reservation that we were celebrating a birthday, they did not acknowledge the occasion; no candle, no singing, nothing. The staff seemed to cater more attentively to guests who didn’t look like us… if you catch my drift.
Bottom line: Great ambience, but the food was mediocre considering the price point. I wouldn’t rush back, especially with so many other excellent dining options on the island.
JAX Steakhouse – Worth Every Penny
Location: Maho
Now THIS is how you do upscale dining that’s still family-friendly! JAX Steakhouse became an instant favorite with its elegant atmosphere, outdoor seating option, and incredibly accommodating staff.
We started our meal in the most nontraditional way with dessert for the kids! We always get looks when we let them order dessert first, but vacation rules are different, right? They shared raspberry and mango sorbet and a decadent brownie sundae while the adults began properly with appetizers. I enjoyed a fresh tuna tartare, and my husband opted for the caramelized French onion soup.
For main courses, I couldn’t resist getting the seafood pasta loaded with lobster bisque, shrimp, clams, mussels, and fresh herbs. My youngest daughter, true to form, ordered the Spanish octopus (yes, again!) while my oldest decided to try it too! Both gave enthusiastic approval. My husband went classic with a New York strip steak.
I sipped on their well-crafted old-fashioned while my husband enjoyed glasses of Pinot Noir throughout the meal. What impressed me most about JAX was how effortlessly they balanced being a high-end steakhouse while still making families with young children feel welcome. A rare combination that made for a perfect evening out.
Final Thoughts on Sint Maarten’s Food Scene
What makes Sint Maarten truly special is that it offers everything from casual beach eats at Buccaneer Beach Bar to refined dining experiences at JAX Steakhouse, all within a short drive of each other. The blend of French and Dutch influences and Caribbean flavors creates a diverse culinary landscape for such a small island.
Our family’s food journey through Sint Maarten had its highs (those Caribbean lobsters at Lee’s!) and lows (the disappointing experience at SALT), but that’s part of the adventure of exploring a destination through its cuisine. The best meals weren’t always the most expensive ones, but rather those where the fresh ingredients, authentic preparation, and welcoming atmosphere came together perfectly.
Have you visited Sint Maarten? I’d love to hear about your favorite dining spots on the island! Drop a comment below and let me know where we should eat on our next visit.
Check out my other Sint Maarten Posts:
- Family-Friendly Travel Sint Maarten: Luxury Escape with Kids
- Plan Your Caribbean Family Vacation to Sint Maarten: Culture, Adventure, and Relaxation
- Sint Maarten Birthday: A Caribbean Celebration for My 5-Year-Old
- Tropical Bliss: Our Relaxing 7-Day Getaway to Sint Maarten