Local fare

I will be in St. Maarten from 8-5 on 22 March. It will be me, my wife and 14 and 12 yr old daughters. I want to take them to see Maho Beach and the planes if possible. I am also wanting to find a GREAT restaurant where more locals go to than tourists. Any thoughts based on my other information? Thank you in advance.

I found a great pizza place in Cupocoy near the Medical school. It's just take out though. Most of my best meals have been in Grand Case but NOT at places with more locals than tourists.

Most places around there cater to tourists and cruisers. But Cheri's on Rhine Road has local oriented food. couch chowder, coconut shrimp, good broiled seafood, and decent BBQ ribs .

There's also, or was, a small trailer with a faded awning next to the bank on the main road called Hilma's Windsor Castle.She's about as local as you'll get . Great salt fish, marlin pates and pigtail soup. But once she's sold out she closes. Definitely a place to eat at before watching the planes which ten to arrive in early afternoon. It's been over 5 years since I was there; Karysa or Gary, do you know if she's still around.

I found a great pizza place in Cupocoy near the Medical school. It's just take out though. Most of my best meals have been in Grand Case but NOT at places with more locals than tourists.

Fat Tony's? Good stuff. Very near our Towers.

(click)

They have sit down dining, but, other than their rib plate, nothing that I would consider 'Local fare'.

gary

By local, I will assume island creole and open for lunch. The best are on the French side. Yvette's, in the French Quarter, offers a wide variety of dishes and is a favorite with locals. Our favorites are creole snapper and conch and dumplings. Their fish cakes are outstanding as well. Villa Royale in Grand Case is a bit more upscale and has more tourists because it's in Grand Case. These two are my tops picks.

On the Dutch side, someone already mentioned Hilmas which is our exclusive breakfast place when we stay in Simpson Bay. Best bets are the salt fish sandwiches and patties, daily soup offering, bush tea and Dutch Coffee, i.e. Heineken. Plus, talking with Hilma is always a pleasure. The Palms also offers island dishes as well as some more traditional tourist dishes. I'm hooked on their drunken ribs, a three day production.

And for something completely different, there's Ital's Freedom Fighters on the outskirts of Philipsburg. It's more a farm-to-table vegetarian stop, but offers an insight into local island based cuisine. Only one meal available each day, so yes/no is the only option. Plus, Bushman is a pleasure to talk to. I'm not big into veggies, but the meals are flavorful and filling, and locally grown.

crewsweeper,

She was certainly still there this past June/July.

Tony Bourdain article.

gary

>> a GREAT restaurant where more locals go to than tourists <<

That's a tough one because so many tourists before us have already found these lesser known spots, and you're also apt to see more tourists than locals when there as a day visitor on a cruise.

One of our favorite spots when staying on SXM last November was Pineapple Pete's. Fresh fish and great dishes and we enjoyed the vibe. Definitely touristy but recommended over Chesterfield's and other places in town by many locals.

>> a GREAT restaurant where more locals go to than tourists <<

 

That's a tough one because so many tourists before us have already found these lesser known spots, and you're also apt to see more tourists than locals when there as a day visitor on a cruise.

 

One of our favorite spots when staying on SXM last November was Pineapple Pete's. Fresh fish and great dishes and we enjoyed the vibe. Definitely touristy but recommended over Chesterfield's and other places in town by many locals.

Locals love Piere who owns Pineapple Petes. Until recently this nice man originally from Quebec City had a bar next door to The restaurant. It was a win -win. The locals had a nice bar to Hang out at and play pool ect and it was like security for Pineapple Pete's. Many restaurants get broken into over and over again but not his. Pretty smart of him. :)

We sat beside a taxi driver who works out of Philipsburg across from the Courthouse. He was waiting for take out with his son from Pizza Pasta in Maho and we were waiting for our dinner. We chatted for a good 10 minutes. He told us that his faviorite restraint on the island is Chesterfields. We always see lots of business people at Chesterfields. It's got a really good following and mix of locals, yaughters and tourists.

Fat Tony's? Good stuff. Very near our Towers.

 

(click)

 

They have sit down dining, but, other than their rib plate, nothing that I would consider 'Local fare'.

 

 

gary

Fat Tony's is still around. BTW the new bakery Jules across the street is fantastic. Great baguettes and the best almond croissants that I have ever tasted.

Gary what would you recommend at Fat Tony's. Our DD is on island and nearby. It's up her alley and in her budget. 😊 Thanks!

Locals love Piere who owns Pineapple Petes. Until recently this nice man originally from Quebec City had a bar next door to The restaurant. It was a win -win. The locals had a nice bar to Hang out at and play pool ect and it was like security for Pineapple Pete's. Many restaurants get broken into over and over again but not his. Pretty smart of him. :)

 

We sat beside a taxi driver who works out of Philipsburg across from the Courthouse. He was waiting for take out with his son from Pizza Pasta in Maho and we were waiting for our dinner. We chatted for a good 10 minutes. He told us that his faviorite restraint on the island is Chesterfields. We always see lots of business people at Chesterfields. It's got a really good following and mix of locals, yaughters and tourists.

Pierre is great - hard working and sincere and he has a great staff. Great pool room and bartenders too!

Give the economic realities, the good restaurants will probably be heavily slanted to tourists/cruisers rather than locals when OP is there. Of course, the customer base at KFC in Phillipsburg is likely to be 100% local - but rather lacking in local flavor.

Putting Pineapple Pete's on my list for January, if the food at Little Divi Bay resort isn't up to par. But still avoiding Maho as a stop.

Putting Pineapple Pete's on my list for January, if the food at Little Divi Bay resort isn't up to par. But still avoiding Maho as a stop.

If you're there for the evening PP is a great spot for dinner and drinks. We had a blast at Toppers after dinner there as well, esp on Thursday with Karaoke night. But PP is worth stopping at for lunch unless you want more time on the beach...

We went to the SSBB on Maho only because we haven't been in 11 years. That area was being developed when we were there last, but we didn't expect to see the SSBB so much larger. But you're right, no need to return, especially on a cruise stop.

Give the economic realities, the good restaurants will probably be heavily slanted to tourists/cruisers rather than locals when OP is there. Of course, the customer base at KFC in Phillipsburg is likely to be 100% local - but rather lacking in local flavor.

Yes I mentioned that a day visitor on a cruise is likely to see more tourists than locals at any restaurants and bars while in port. But my thought was that rather than due to economic realities, that would be the case because there are so many tourists on the island and hitting these places, especially on big ship days, while most locals who frequent the "good food" spots are working. I would imagine that ratio would change during lunch time, perhaps, and especially in late afternoon - evenings when folks are getting out of work and the mix would then be locals and land-based visitors....

It's funny, we saw many tourists/visitors going to McDonald's when driving past almost everyday - cheap and walkable from the timeshare properties I guess...?

I will be in St. Maarten from 8-5 on 22 March. It will be me, my wife and 14 and 12 yr old daughters. I want to take them to see Maho Beach and the planes if possible. I am also wanting to find a GREAT restaurant where more locals go to than tourists. Any thoughts based on my other information? Thank you in advance.

If you wish to eat BBQ food (ribs etc) where locals go then consider Johnny B's

You'll find it at Simpson Bay, not far from the port.

Fat Tony's is still around. BTW the new bakery Jules across the street is fantastic. Great baguettes and the best almond croissants that I have ever tasted.

 

Gary what would you recommend at Fat Tony's. Our DD is on island and nearby. It's up her alley and in her budget. 😊 Thanks!

We went over there for Pizza (that I had heard so much about), but the oven was out.

Had a choice of Brisket or Ribs, so we split a Regular Hamburger and Fries. :)

Two big mugs of Heineken.

It was really good, and got us through until Happy Hours and dinner.

If she can get there tomorrow (Saturday) she can get a discounted Shawarma.

gary

If you wish to eat BBQ food (ribs etc) where locals go then consider Johnny B's

You'll find it at Simpson Bay, not far from the port.

We haven't tried Johnny's for quite a while, after a couple 'misses' with the side dishes.

Our go-to place now is Captain D's, the little roadside shack in Simpson Bay between the Atrium and Royal Palm. Great ribs, chicken and sides, but get there early.

They had relocated him slightly when we were there in July, as they were pouring concrete for what was supposed to be a parking area.

gary

We went over there for Pizza (that I had heard so much about), but the oven was out.

 

Had a choice of Brisket or Ribs, so we split a Regular Hamburger and Fries. :)

 

Two big mugs of Heineken.

 

It was really good, and got us through until Happy Hours and dinner.

 

If she can get there tomorrow (Saturday) she can get a discounted Shawarma.

 

gary

I will tell them about the Saturday Shawarma special. Thanks.

The Pizza you mentioned, is that the take out place between the Medical school and the little grocery store behind Starz Casino?

I will tell them about the Saturday Shawarma special. Thanks.

 

The Pizza you mentioned, is that the take out place between the Medical school and the little grocery store behind Starz Casino?

Same place that I mentioned, but it's not take out only. See the photos linked in my prior post..

Fat Tony's

gary

Same place that I mentioned, but it's not take out only. See the photos linked in my prior post..

 

Fat Tony's

 

gary

So Fat Tony's makes pizza also then? You got to try the little place I am talking about. It was fantastic.

karysa,

Is it on the map in my earlier post?

gary

karysa,

 

Is it on the map in my earlier post?

 

gary

I knew exactly where Fat Tony's is. Kitty corner to Jules the new bakery with the awesome almond croissants!

Papa Dan's is the take out pizza place that we tried this year and loved. DD also went on her vacation and also loved it. i have been trying to find out if you were trying to go to Papa Dan's for pizza and the oven was down or if you went to Tony's for pizza and it was their pizza oven that was non-operational that day.:). You should try Papa Dan's if you haven't yet.

Oven was down at Fat Tony's, haven't tried Dan's, but looks like it is just around the corner.

gary

By local, I will assume island creole and open for lunch. The best are on the French side. Yvette's, in the French Quarter, offers a wide variety of dishes and is a favorite with locals. Our favorites are creole snapper and conch and dumplings. Their fish cakes are outstanding as well. Villa Royale in Grand Case is a bit more upscale and has more tourists because it's in Grand Case. These two are my tops picks.

 

On the Dutch side, someone already mentioned Hilmas which is our exclusive breakfast place when we stay in Simpson Bay. Best bets are the salt fish sandwiches and patties, daily soup offering, bush tea and Dutch Coffee, i.e. Heineken. Plus, talking with Hilma is always a pleasure. The Palms also offers island dishes as well as some more traditional tourist dishes. I'm hooked on their drunken ribs, a three day production.

 

And for something completely different, there's Ital's Freedom Fighters on the outskirts of Philipsburg. It's more a farm-to-table vegetarian stop, but offers an insight into local island based cuisine. Only one meal available each day, so yes/no is the only option. Plus, Bushman is a pleasure to talk to. I'm not big into veggies, but the meals are flavorful and filling, and locally grown.

I read this with veggie excitement, curious if we can walk from the port, or other area attractions?...thank you!

I read this with veggie excitement, curious if we can walk from the port, or other area attractions?...thank you!

Freedom Fighters Ital Shack (menu) is on Bush Road, about a 40 minute walk from the Cruise Facility, according to Google.

Or you could get to downtown Philipsburg and catch a local bus for $1, each way.

We've never eaten there, but have friends that rave about the place.

gary