If the way to the heart is through the stomach, then it’s little wonder that so many people have fallen in love with the Caribbean. Along with the miles of white sand beaches and charming cays, travelers visit the Caribbean to try its unique fare. Featuring a mix of American tastes, European delicacies, fresh seafood, and Latin spice, the food of the West Indies offers tasty delights for all.
On my island home of Saint Martin, one will quickly discover the charm and addictive deliciousness of local food. At Port de Marigot, the main port on the French side of the island, visitors will be greeted at the dock with a kaleidoscope of color at the open-air market. Here, fishermen offer the day’s catch, women hawk aromatic spices in brightly painted jars, and the machete-wielding coconut man whacks off the top of his fruit and sells the fresh milk to passersby. The streets, too, are lined with restaurants offering food from every corner of the world. I never go through Marigot without stopping at Serafina’s, my favorite French Patisserie. Here, patrons are welcomed by the smell of freshly-baked bread and the sight of vibrant macaroons, cakes, and brioches waiting prettily behind the glass counter. I usually opt for a chocolate croissant and loaf of French bread.
Deeper inland, small roadside shacks offer authentic local cuisine. At these restaurants, diners can enjoy the balmy air of the Caribbean under open-air roofs. One of my favorites is Cool Lime near Orient Bay. A typical plate will consist of fried meat, rice and peas, a small salad, and fried plantains. Chicken and fish are always available, but the more adventurous can opt for conch fritters. Rice and peas, a Caribbean staple, is brown rice mixed with beans. Fried plantains are surprisingly sweet and sticky. At these roadside restaurants, the food is usually offered with pride and excellent service by the family members who own the business.
The fishing village of Simspon Bay in Dutch Sint Maarten is known for its restaurants’ ambiance and seafood. Karakter Beach Bar sells food and drinks on the beach. Patrons can dine at tables on the porch, sit at the refurbished van that has been transformed into a bar, or lounge on upholstered beach chairs and enjoy the sound of the surf. Lee’s Roadside Grill, a lagoon-view dock restaurant, lets patrons dine on fresh fish and fine drinks to the sound of live local music. Customers can also take a deep-sea fishing trip with Lee and catch their own dinner!
But what do the locals like? If you ask six-year-old Anilda what she likes to eat, she’ll tell you a cheese sandwich. Adonis will tell you about Mauby, the local tea-like, lightly fermented drink his family makes and sells on the island. Most kids are always in the mood for “sweeties,” the Saint Martin term for candy. Many will tell you they love peas and rice. And if the grocery store shelves give any hint, most people eat a lot of Nutella! If they are going out to eat, you can be sure their first choice will likely be a small local restaurant.
If you have a chance to visit Saint Martin or any other Caribbean island, be sure to try both the fine dining and local fare. You can’t go wrong with chicken or fish, but don’t forget to be adventurous and try something totally new and foreign. After all, Caribbean food is like nothing you’ll find anywhere else in the world.