country Essentials · 6 foods
Saint Martin Essentials
A considered first route through Saint Martin: the foods that carry its everyday habits, celebrations, ingredients, and memory.
Explore all Saint Martin foods →THE
ESSENTIALS
The complete shortlist
6 foods to know.
Each selection includes the reason it belongs here—so this is a guide, not just a pile of names.
Saint Martin
Sint Maarten Callaloo Soup
Callaloo Soup
Callaloo Soup — the national dish of French Saint Martin; a thick green soup made from callaloo leaves, okra, pork, and hot pepper, on both sides of the island.
Grand Case, Saint Martin
Saint Martin Grilled Lobster
Langouste Grillée
Langouste Grillée — the signature dish of Saint Martin; whole Caribbean spiny lobster split, marinated in garlic and lime, and grilled over wood fire at every lolo in Grand Case and along Orient Bay.
Saint Martin
Guavaberry Liqueur
Guavaberry Rum
Guavaberry Liqueur — the national liqueur of Saint Martin, made from wild guavaberries harvested in the central hills, cane sugar, rum, and spices; traditionally enjoyed at Christmas and the subject of an annual Collectivity competition.
Saint Martin
Anguillian Coconut Tart
Coconut Tart
Coconut Tart — a Saint Martin dessert with flaky crust filled with grated coconut in sugar syrup, vanilla, and nutmeg; an official category in the Collectivity's traditional food competition and a Christmas table staple.
Marigot, Saint Martin
Saint Martin Sweet Potato Pudding
Pudding de Patates Douces
Sweet Potato Pudding — a dense, spiced Christmas dessert made from grated white sweet potato, pumpkin, tannia, brown sugar, and cinnamon; another official category in the Collectivity's annual traditional food competition.
Saint Martin
Saint Martin Crab and Rice
Crabe et Riz
Crabe et Riz — the traditional Easter dish of Saint Martin; land crabs cooked with salted pig tails, rice, and annatto oil; families gather on beaches during Easter weekend to prepare and share this one-pot feast.