The single most common type of restaurant on St. Maarten is Italian, which are everywhere. Often they're owned and operated by native Italians, giving you individual interpretations of many traditional family recipes. What follows are a few of our favorites, in no special order — very different restaurants but all Italian:
IZI Ristorante Italiano: In Simpson Bay opposite Pineapple Pete, IZI is a legend operated by the island's most beloved fanatical perfectionist, Davide Foini. The recipes are all his; he overseas everything including the source of all raw materials, sourced internationally; and he makes sure that his standards are met every night. The restaurant serves some of the best food on the island using those unique recipes. The atmosphere is upbeat, bright, and cheery, and the food is simply outstanding. It's also a great place for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. His menu specials are constantly evolving; order the specials for something deliciously different. If you're not here long enough to go twice, stay longer.
Spiga: Now also described as Cafe Spiga, this fine-dining restaurant has been around for years and is under the very able ownership/management of chef Ciro Russo and Lara Russo, whose dad is Livio Bergamasco of the former Da Livio Restaurant in Philipsburg. Spiga has a huge menu and enough variety to suit every taste, from the devout carnivore to devout vegetarian and fishmongers. Ambience, service, creativity, and taste are all top rate; highly recommended.
Roma in the Maho area, now serving pizza, has a large menu of authentic Italian dishes served in a new New York-style restaurant. Marco Ferrante, formerly of Isola, is in charge.
Amore is a beautiful new "Italian American" restaurant with a huge selection of dishes and attentive service.
12/10/23
Tags:
Daniel's by the Sea,
IZI Ristorante Italiano,
Pizza Pasta Trattoria Italiana,
Spiga,
St. Maarten Italian Restaurants
