The Island Gourmet

By Puja Chugani

St. Maarten/St. Martin has long been heralded as the "culinary capital of the Caribbean." This tiny half-Dutch and half-French island boasts some of the finest restaurants in the region, and locals are justifiably proud of this reputation.

Visitors to the island soon come to learn about the varied culinary offerings. Whether you're in the mood for a gourmet French meal, succulent seafood like mahi mahi or lobster, a local favorite like barbecue chicken and johnny cakes, or more exotic ethnic cuisines, chances are you'll find it here.

Natural Stuff

The cuisine available on the island has inspired many visitors to recreate the taste of the Caribbean in their own homes. And the best part is that there are numerous options for the more adventurous chefs, as well as for food novices—no matter what your cooking abilities may be. Many of the local markets, shops and supermarkets offer a variety of foods like spices, sauces, seasonings, cheeses, liqueurs and wines.

In fact, many visitors take advantage of the local delicacies available to put together a gourmet picnic to take with them on a hike or to the beach. What better way to enjoy the day than a basket stocked with freshly baked French bread, delicious cheeses and fine wine?

One of the first things most visitors notice when entering supermarkets on the island is the sheer diversity of foods and spices that are available, which due to St. Maarten/St. Martin's unique position as a Franco-Dutch island in the Caribbean that is home to more than 130 nationalities. Whether you're looking for Dutch cheeses, Belgian chocolates, French wines, Caribbean seasonings and liqueurs, Indian curries or Italian pastas, you're sure to find these here. If you're able to visit only one supermarket, make it Le Grand Marché. The supermarket stocks brands such as Guavaberry, Bakers, Antilles Spice Clipper, Dom Pérignon and San Pellegrino. For the more adventurous, there are also spices and foods from India, Indonesia, China and Thailand. In addition, Le Grand Marché also carries a wide variety of olive oils, mustards, vinegars, fresh seafood and USDA beef.

For a unique shopping experience, don't miss the popular outdoor Marigot Market on the French side, where stalls line up selling everything from fresh seafood to local seasonings and spices, Caribbean fruits and island souvenirs.

A trip to St. Maarten/St. Martin wouldn't be complete without trying some of the island's local Guavaberry liqueur. Guavaberry liqueur was first created about 300 years ago when berries were preserved with sugar and rum. Still made today and aged in fine oak barrels, Guavaberry liqueur has its own special taste of fruit and spicy flavor. The Guavaberry Emporium, located in Philipsburg, offers a full range of products. Available in many forms, you can try Guavaberry liqueur in a frozen colada (which is by far the most popular option), but you can also take it home in the form of seasonings, barbecue and hot sauces, as well as colognes and apparel, which are also available online at www.guavaberry.com.

For those savvy shoppers who are looking forward to taking advantage of St. Maarten/St. Martin's duty-free prices, Caribbean Liquors and Tobacco offers a wide variety of brands, including fine Champagnes like Dom Pérignon and Moët et Chandon. They also feature Grand Marnier; Hennessy; Hpnotiq; Ponche Rum Raisin, Ponche Caribe and Ponche Pistachio; Jim Beam; Cruzan Orange, Pineapple, Banana, Mango, Coconut, Vanilla, Raspberry Rum and Rum Cream; and Pusser's Rum.

Wine connoisseurs looking for some advice about fine vintages should head to Vinissimo Boutique in Marigot. The in-house sommeliers are happy to guide customers through their wine and Champagne selection. And best of all, there are a number of varieties available at a range of price points sure to suit any budget! In addition to all the popular wines, Vinissimo offers relatively obscure vintages of meticulously selected Champagnes and Armagnacs, as well as an unparalleled selection of wines from the South of France. For a chance to sample different wines and meet other wine enthusiasts, stop by Vinissimo after 4 p.m. on Thursdays for the boutique’s free wine tastings. Every Thursday, the store focuses on a specific region or wine. Each tasting is a lesson in itself, and you’ll learn things like how to taste and sniff wine, what kind of glass to use and how to judge a wine’s color. There’s a 10 percent discount on the types of wines offered during the Thursday tastings. Don’t worry about buying too much to carry—Vinissimo offers free case delivery to homes or businesses on the island.

For last-minute liquors and liqueurs, stop by Antillean Liquors at Queen Juliana International Airport. It features a large assortment of local and international brands—at generally lower prices than other shops.

If you’re looking to bring a taste of your travels back to your friends and family, look no further than one of the many branches of Lord and Hunter or Shipwreck Shops for colorful souvenirs with that perfect Caribbean touch. Items include Antilles Spice Clipper hot sauces in tropical flavors like mango and passion fruit. The Caribbean rum cakes, jams and spices also make very popular gift choices.

If you prefer to give linens as gifts (or just take them home for yourself), then pay a visit to Linens Galore for an excellent selection of tablecloths, fabrics, household and table décor, which will make stylish additions to any home. For crystal and glassware items, be sure to go to Little Switzerland for great prices on brands such as Rosenthal, Wedgwood and Baccarat.

As you may have already noticed, alcohol prices on the island tend to be significantly lower than what you would pay at home, with discounts of up to 30 percent on some premium brands. These savings, coupled with the fact that St. Maarten/St. Martin boasts some of the best selections of liquor, Champagne and wine, are the reason most people cannot leave the island without taking at least a couple of bottles of alcohol. Visitors returning to the United States may bring back $800 in duty-free items with them. These may include 2 liters of alcoholic beverages, as long as one of the liters was produced locally. For the most updated information on U.S. Customs regulations, visit www.cbp.gov. Bon appétit!

You'll just have to ditch the diet and enjoy more than three meals a day while in St. Maarten/St. Martin. Check out our Dining Guide to plan ahead and get the full details and contact information for reservations for the islands great restaurants!