When visiting the French side of the island of St. Martin, don’t miss its capital, Marigot. Though only four streets wide, no other place on the island can beat its shopping and dining options. While there, be sure to consider these three restaurants for waterside dining.
Le Chanteclair
At Le Chanteclair, diners can enjoy the masterful creations of award-winning Chef Cecile Briaud on a cheerful aqua and yellow terrace overlooking the marina.
Start with the gazpacho with clams or sea scallops trilogy, which features scallops roasted in conch crust, in tartar with vanilla seeds, and in a curry oil emulsion. Next, feast on the red tuna steak served with polenta, tomato, and basil, or savor the lobster tail covered in a coconut crust. The restaurant also boasts a separate multi-course lobster menu.
In addition, Le Chanteclair serves delectable meat dishes, including an almond-crusted rack of lamb with mint and a petite filet served on thyme-roasted potato rings.
Be sure to save room for the L’Innommable au Chocolat, le dessert incontournable du Chanteclair, the unnamable and unforgettable chocolate dessert.
Le Chanteclair is located at 19 Marina Port La Royale in Marigot.
Don Camillo
Have a hankering for Italian while on the island? Opt for Don Camillo Da Enzo, which is also located at the Marina Royale. This trattoria boasts homemade Northern Italian cuisine and great service, and, if seated indoors, air conditioning.
Appealing appetizers range from calamari to bruschetta. Don’t miss the tasty spinach gnocchi with gorgonzola cream sauce. Don't want pasta? Options abound, including beef carpaccio and osso bucco. Finish the meal off with a traditional cannoli, tartufo, or tiramisu.
Don Camillo is located at 68 Marina Port La Royale in Marigot.
Le Cigale
For an idyllic dinner beneath the palm trees accompanied by an excellent glass of wine, choose La Cigale. Don’t be fooled by the location—it’s hidden away behind the Laguna Beach hotel on the Simpson Bay Lagoon side of Nettle Bay. Olivier, the lively owner and maitre d’, carefully attends to his guests’ every need. If it’s not already occupied, ask for the table in front of the restaurant with the best view of the lagoon, and be the envy of the restaurant’s other patrons.
Start your meal with one of Chef Stephane Istel’s signature dishes, the salmon carpaccio, red tuna sushi with wasabi, or foie gras. Then delight in any of a number of well-prepared seafood entrees, including roasted king prawns, sea scallops, or the sea bass filet, or choose the Rossini filet with black truffle sauce or the veal if beef is more to your liking. Finish off your gastronomic experience with the decadent melting chocolate soufflé cake.
Le Cigale is located at 101 Laguna Beach in Baie Nettle.
Check out this article to read more about things to do in St. Martin.
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