We're going to be on the island for 8 nights in late October. We're staying French side. I have no clue about dining and I'd appreciate some suggestions there.

We're planning to hit Happy Bay one day and we're planning on taking a day cruise around the island and to visit the old Fort. Are there any other things to do that are a must for first timers?

Thanks in advance!

What kind of dining are you interested in? Casual? Upscale? French? Italian? Without knowing that exactly, in Grand Case, I can recommend Calmos Cafe for cocktails in the sand at sunset, and dinner at Ocean 82, with a view of the sunset. For a great burger in the Village du Orient, Yellow Sub. On the beach, upscale French, Dreams, open for breakfast and lunch, may not be open for dinner in October.

If you are very active types, check out the zip line at Loterie Farms. Or, if you're not active, still check out the Tree Top Lounge there for tapas and cocktails in a neat setting!

Just a start. Enjoy!

Thank you Carol!

We're pretty open as far as genre. We'll probably go for 1 or 2 upscale dinners and then go more casual for the rest of them.

Much thanks!

Where are you staying?

Are you renting a car and are you planning to go over to the Dutch side at all? I sent you a PM with some information. There are some good restaurants on the Dutch side, both casual and upscale.

Where are you staying? It would be easier to make recommendations based upon location. And will you be renting a car?

Here's a list of some of my favorites -
Lolos in Grand Case. Piazza Pascal, Grand Case. The Palms in Simpson Bay, St Maarten Yacht Club's Happy Hour Grouper Fingers in Simpson Bay, Chesterfields in Philipsburg, Buccaneer Beach Bar in Simpson Bay, El Zarfino Beach Bar, Pineapple Petes Simpson Bay, Big Fish in Oyster Pond, Dinghy Dock Bar in Simpson Bay and Oyster Pond.
A stop at Maho Beach at end of runway, Tijon in Grand Case for perfume/cologne making class.
I'm sure there'll be more suggestions.

as far as 'things to do' goes, I don't think I'd do it again, but I really had a ball on the 12 metre Regatta out of Philipsburg. Everyone is assigned a duty. If you're lucky you'll be the bartender because I almost died as main grinder but so did the 20something-in-shape-stud I was paired with, so I don't feel so bad. it was great fun.

Interesting comment. I've been a primary grinder on the Regatta every year for 23 years, now and doing it again this year. I'm 74.
Someone needs to get in shape.

UPS Man

One of our favorite things to do is to go over to pinel Island. There is a boat that runs from the french cul de sac. It is approximately $8.00 round trip. The boats start running at 9:30 and the last boat off the Island is 5:00. It is such a pretty Island with very calm waters, it has multiple restaurants and a bar, in which they will put a table in the water so you can have drinks or a bite to eat right in the water, which is pretty neat. There is a small gift shop also that is cool, it is an open hut with sand floors. We have seen iguanas in the gift shop. Next to the gift shop there is an area that has lots of iguanas that are used to being fed by humans. There is also lots of walking trails that are nice. There is two beaches, yellow beachand brown beach. It is a great relaxing day. We pack a small cooler and enjoy the day. Make sure you pack plenty of sunscreen especially if your the type that likes to walk trails. We have also rented kayaks and paddled over to pinel. You can rent single kayaks or double ones. We rented a double kayak for about $30.00, which includes vests and a dry vac bag for your belongings. Its an easy paddle over to the island and there is also a smaller island that we stopped at on our way back. Pinel Island is a must see for sure whether you take the relaxing boat or a kayak over.
Enjoy your first visit to St Martin and I'm sure you'll have many more.
Ellen

Here's my 2 cents. You are staying on an island with 2 cultures so try a meal with real Dutch and Sint Martin French food.
For Dutch there are 2 choices, one upscale with a menu that has many non Dutch items. It's in a hotel, Holland House, and they can be hit or miss about taking non guests. The other one is pure Dutch with the menu in Dutch, but the nice couple will help you and there is a poster with some pics. You'll get to see some resident Dutch folks and hear the language while there. Don't let the low prices scare you off.
For French, there is only one place for me, Yvettes in Orleans. It's in a house and run by a long time resident family. Last time there I met 3 generations who were working there. We go for lunch and it is a rare time when we aren't the only tourists dining. Their hours are 12 to 2:30 and 6 to 10, closed Wednesdays. Very reasonable prices.

Here's a link to Mos, http://mosnackcorner.com/

You'll have a good time whatever you decide on. We have been going since the late 80's and still find new things to do.

I believe the ferry is now $12.00. We visit every year. The water is shallow & beautiful. Where is the Dutch restaurant? I am not familiar with Madam Estate.

Holland House's restaurant is open to the public. They also have the best hamburger I have ever eaten, ground brisket, short rib and chuck.

I’m the worst to ask for directions as I just drive and usually find things eventually.
It is fairly close to the zoo.

I come from the Divi so I take Bush Rd to Zagersgut Rd (just before a gas station, not the Texaco near le Grande Marche), follow it until a small rotary where it turns into A. T. Illidge Rd, going straight thru, don’t take the first exit or you’ll be heading to P’Burg. Keep going and look for the Shell Station on the right. Bear to the left and you’ll see a Fresh Market store, turn right off of A. T. Illidge Rd, and then left into an old shopping plaza. Café Rembrandt is easy to see and Mo’s is next door to it.

Coming from Simpson Bay take Bush Rd from the rotary near le Grande Marche and after the entrance to Cost you Less look for the gas station and follow the above route.

Coming from the northern part of the island, go straight thru Orleans and you’ll hit A. T. Illidge Rd at the border. Just follow it and after coming down the steep hill look to the left for Fresh Market.

From the Oyster Pond area, take Oyster Pond Rd to Middle Region Rd which runs into A. T. Illidge Rd where you’ll take a left and head towards the Fresh Market.

OR:

Check out this site:

https://www.google.com/maps/@18.0414743,-63.0488702,17z

Good directions DrDoug!

We always go that way and stop at Fresh Market.

My advise is don't do too much, relax and enjoy the beaches, our favorite is Orient beach, on your way go to Paridise view or Good Morning for breakfast in Orient village, then go too the Club O end it's the cleanest and calmest end with the friendliest people, if you don't mind nudity, it's clothing optional, then have lunch at one of the beach bars, we like Aloha or Sun Clubber, then for dinner in Orient Village try Le Piment or Astrolabe on the road out or go too Grand Case and try L,Auberge or Bistot Caraibes, these are our favorite dinner places but they will run you around $100. per couple, but they are well worth it. This is what we do for our 2 weeks and the time flys by, but we love it.

Wow. Thank you all so much for the information. This is most helpful.

When you say Late Oct, what dates are you referring to?
We arrive Friday the 29th (ok real late Oct for us).

We always spend our first night on island at a little place in Grand Case called Calmos. Feet in the sand watching the sunset and enjoying each others company.

If you are still there would enjoy meeting you all.

We were in SXM for our first visit, but not last, in May staying at Grand Case Beach Club. Our favorite restaurants, so far, in Grand Case were Bistrot Caraibes, La Villa, and the Lolos for lunch. We enjoyed a day trip to Orient Beach with a stop at the butterfly farm and two snorkeling trips on catamarans. If you are not going to be driving a whole lot, I would highly recommend using Wilfred Brooks as your driver. He is very nice, reliable, and inexpensive. No matter where we wanted to go on the island, he charged $30-$40 round trip, and we did not have to worry about renting, insurance, finding our way, safety, or parking. We will be using him again when we are there.

There are so many places to dine and see. But the truth is that, once "sand gravity" sets in you'll find your own way!!! You will find that those that have been to "our home away from home" at the beach bars will have great recommendations as well!!! We love that time of year as well, Halloween is a blast! Have fun, bring high number sunscreen too!

Re: Happy Bay

Its been about two years since we last visited. Please correct me if I am wrong. Do you still have to access from Friars bay beach? If so, you can park at Friars bay and there is a path (cow path really) to get to Friars bay. Wear decent sandals, (flimsy flip flops make it a little rougher) Its a 15 - 20 minute hike. Once you get there, especially early, you pretty much have the beach to yourself. Totally worth it. Last time just spend hours snorkeling, spotting turtles etc... very nice.

8 days gives you ample (never enough) time to see a bit of the island.... Bob & I are not foodies... we have burgers on the beach and often a Lolo in the evening.... We are beach bums and Bob insists on running all over the island (we normally stay 10-14 days and I insist on one day in the villa...)Our favorites

1. Mullet - nice waves... a couple of beach bars.... great setting.

2. Baie Rouge - Absolutely beautiful setting... a different sand makes walking the beach a bit tough

3. Dawn Beach - Best beach burger around and also very beautiful

Note I have not offered up Orient and Pinel.... Orient is everything people say it is.... But too commercial for us.... We dont have to fly to the Carribean to jet ski and parasail.. We are 6 hours from Destin and that is what orient feels like

Many love Pinel... We prefer at least some water movement and there is none here... It is a lake... and when we HAVE gone there has been very little breeze...

So for what it is worth..... April 2017 cant come soon enough

You don't have to access Happy Bay from Friar's Bay....As you pass Grand Case on your right (just past the PO and basketball courts, you will see a sign for Laverie Blanc Bleu Laundry). Turn right and go to the end of the road. You will see a large white gate (don't pass thru if it is open. Gendarme have key and it's locked most of the time, so you don't want to get locked in.) On your right as you are looking at the gate is parking. Take the path between the gate and parking. Follow it about 50 feet in and bear to your left. You will see a place to climb over a small opening in the wall. Follow the paved road until you come to several abandoned villas. Take the path in front of you between the villas and head straight until you reach the ocean. No climbing. Takes about 15 mins, but much easier than going over the hill.

I feel the urge to "like" or "thumbs up" a lot of posts like BobNLiz's that I really agree with. Maybe the board could implement something like that.
Where is the burger place on Dawn that has the awesome burger??
Thanks

you got that right mr. ups man... I thought I was gonna die, then I revived only to die again. I had a terrific time. but for me it's not an activity I need to repeat. a little rum punch on board instead of nasty coors lite beer would have helped. by the way, I asked for medium duty but they looked at me and decided I was in better shape than I am so I became a grinder. (ignore pic, I was 25lbs heavier then)

Interesting, I never ever considered 'Dutch' food. how strange of me. what do the Dutch eat? I always think 'winter' like schnitzel? brauts,,, things to eat in cold weather

Gouda cheese for one, jerber160 and bitterbaaden that's like a meatball. Karakter's served Dutch food when we were there but not sure if they still do.

You described German food, not Dutch.

oops sorry I mis spelled it's bitterballen.

and there's Stroopwafels, a cookie and Poffertjes, pancakes and Drop, a licorice candy and, of course Herring.

Mr. Busby's... They will come out and serve you.. I prefer the chicken salad but Bob swears its the best burger on the beach....

And just to clarify, Orient IS a must do for any first-timers... But traveling to the Carribean for us means going to an "islandy beach". You will love Orient but going to a beach with one.. maybe two beach bars makes us feel like we are on an island...And as I typed this I missed mentioning Happy Bay... a bit of a hike but very secluded

Oops. sorry. I always grab a hunk of Edam or Gouda for our week's stock-up, along with baguettes and beer and papaya. and I don't think I know how to eat herring. I'm really good at conch tho

There's a reason why people don't think a lot about Dutch food, other than gouda.. When we were in Holland, the very BEST meal we had was Chinese food! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

LOL. Dutch cuisine....not so much... I had several one month work assignments in Rotterdam. The Indian food was spectacular! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

That, pannenkoeken (dutch pancakes) and beer

Yup! Got ya!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />