Welcome to the Antilles! Let’s embark on a gourmet tour of the island with five specially selected menus and chefs, chosen for their exceptional cuisine, creole authenticity or dreamy locations. This is essentially a list of the best Martinique restaurants.
Bon appétit!
What is the famous food in Martinique: a gourmet lexicon
To fully savor each meal at these wonderful restaurants, it’s essential to know a few typical culinary terms from Martinique.
- Roussi de lambi: a stew made from the meat of the queen conch, a shellfish you hold to your ear to hear the sea.
- Chatrou: octopus, prepared in a tomato-based fricassee.
- Féroce d’avocat: a starter made of avocado, crab, manioc flour, and hot pepper.
- Ouassous: river shrimp so large that some confuse them with crayfish!
- Accras: fritters made from cod, shrimp, or vegetables.
- Ti-punch: an iconic French Antillean cocktail made with rum, lime, and sugar cane syrup.
On the Route de la Trace, La Chaudière, an excellent creole restaurant in Martinique
Located in Morne-Rouge, this family-owned Creole restaurant serves hearty dishes without fuss in the heart of a magnificent garden. It’s no surprise that La Chaudière is considered a local institution! Fixed price menus with main courses (Chaudière for 15 euros, Liberté for 25 euros, etc.) are also a hit, allowing you to sample local specialties without breaking the bank.
What should you order? The roussi de lambi and the fine banana tart.
In Sainte-Anne, La Dunette
Sainte-Anne’s charming village is home to La Dunette, a low-key hotel-restaurant-bar offering a relaxed atmosphere and a menu brimming with fresh fish. There’s no better way to enjoy Martinique than by sipping a ti-punch while gazing at the view of the bay.
What should you order? A ti-punch and cod accras. To sip and nibble on the dock overlooking the bay.
In the North, Le Carbet and Petibonum, for a Martinique restaurant on the water
It was in Le Carbet that Christopher Columbus is said to have anchored in 1502. This area of the town is known for its traditional Creole huts and a restaurant with a “feet-in-the-water” section, Petibonum. A popular spot at sunset, it attracts locals and rum enthusiasts, as rum tastings are organized here. After the aperitif, it’s time for some great dishes!
What should you order? The féroce d’avocat and the ouassous plate.
In the South, Les Anses d’Arlet and Ti-Sable
One of the most popular of this series of small coves with clear waters and intimate beaches is Les Anses d’Arlet. In the town of the same name, Ti Sable combines a bar, restaurant, and beach club. On the dining room terrace with a view of Grande Anse and its arc of blonde sand are inviting tables, set in cabana-like structures. Take note: on Sundays, at sunset, people dance to the sounds of zouk and other live music!
What should you order? The lobster from the tank, the chatrou, or the duck breast.
Facing Fort-de-France, Zandoli, the best restaurant in Martinique?
In Trois-Îlets, Pointe-du-Bout offers a breathtaking view of Fort-de-France, which can also be reached in 20 minutes by ferry. It’s also a chic enclave, with a marina, shops, and cafes. Perched above the town, the restaurant Zandoli, part of the chic boutique hotel La Suite Villa, is a place with playful decor and… panoramic views. Make sure to reserve a table on the terrace, near the pool, to enjoy the view.
What should you order? For the aperitif, the Kama Sutra cocktail (aged rum, juice, vanilla, ginger, and cinnamon), followed by the seared foie gras, tuna, or lamb.
