You know Caribbean food. Or perhaps you think you do. But these Caribbean restaurants will change everything you think you know, with inspired, eminently creative expressions. These are some of the hottest restaurants in the Caribbean right now — foodie hot spots you may not be familiar with. These are the ones you need to try soon.
Yantar, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is known for its booming restaurant scene, but one of its best chefs remains under the radar, though not for long: Xiomara Marquez, whose Yantar is the best restaurant in San Juan’s hottest culinary district, Condado.
La Cave a Vins, Martinique
It’s a tiny eatery tucked in an old building in Fort-de-France, the capital of Martinique. But Jean–Christophe Grouven’s eatery will blow you away with exquisitely prepared interpretations of French Caribbean dining, led by a terrine of foie gras and banana that is one of the Caribbean’s great dishes.
At Sea Bonaire
At Sea was our Caribbean Restaurant of the Year in 2013, and it remains the Dutch Caribbean’s most creative eatery (one that’s now spun off several other restaurants, too). If it’s seafood you’re looking for, this is one of the region’s great culinary laboratories.
La Savane, Guadeloupe
It’s a small fishing village, but the main boulevard in Deshaies is becoming a mini version of St Martin’s famous Grand Case Boulevard. And its best restaurant is La Savane, a French Caribbean outpost with an African-accented decor. Don’t miss the marlin steak with honey vinaigrette and ginger (above).
Le Soleil, St Martin
This was our top restaurant last year, and it’s an easy, relaxed eatery mixing Alsatian and Caribbean cuisines. It also serves the best magret de canard on St Martin’s most famous strip. (And some seriously delicious punch coco after dinner that comes with every meal).
De Cuisine, Anguilla
You might pass by it on the main road in Anguilla. But this small restaurant in a shopping center might just be the best in Anguilla right now — the brainchild of husband-and-wife team Joash Proctor and Chef Denise Carr. It’s a warm, homey place with world-class food.
Tropicana, St Martin
While Grand Case gets (deservedly) much of the hype, the Marina Royale in St Martin’s capital, Marigot, has some great waterfront dining, with none better than Tropicana, which serves up tasty escargot and grouper with banana crust or the magret, above.