St Martin Food Tour: Local Guide, Rum Tasting & French Lunch

Summary

Discover St Martin flavors on a guided food tour with rum tasting

You’ll taste your way through St Martin with a local guide—from warm Johnny Cakes at breakfast to Dutch cheese and homemade rum at a family-run distillery. Enjoy a relaxed French lunch overlooking island views. Expect laughter, new flavors, and genuine stories shared over every bite.

What’s the experience like?

We started our St Martin food tour right in the middle of Marigot’s morning shuffle—kids in uniforms, market ladies calling out prices, that kind of energy. Our guide, Jean-Luc, handed me this warm Johnny Cake (he called it “Journey Cake” with a wink) and I swear I burned my fingers because I was too impatient to wait. It tasted like something between cornbread and a hug—salty-sweet and just the tiniest bit chewy. The air smelled like fried dough and lemongrass tea, which they poured into mismatched cups. I didn’t expect to feel so at home so quickly.

Next up was Dutch cheese and wine—yeah, in the Caribbean. We sat outside under some faded umbrellas while Jean-Luc explained how Dutch settlers brought their gouda traditions here ages ago. The cheese was sharp but creamy, and the wine was cold enough to make you forget the heat for a second. Someone’s phone played zouk music nearby; it mixed with the clink of glasses and made everything feel easygoing. I tried to pronounce “Edam” the way he did but totally failed—he just laughed and topped up my glass.

The highlight for me was the Guavaberry Colombier Tradition distillery. The smell inside hit me first—sweet, spicy, almost medicinal—and we got tiny sips of homemade rum that tingled all the way down. There was this old man behind the counter who told us stories about hurricanes and mango trees; I only caught half of it but still felt like I learned something real about St Martin’s stubbornness (in a good way). Lunch was at a little French spot that changes every day—ours had grilled fish with sauce that tasted like butter and sunshine. I still think about that view from the patio, honestly.

I left full but not stuffed, if that makes sense? There were moments when I forgot we were on a “tour” at all—it felt more like tagging along with someone who actually lives here. If you’re curious about what people in St Martin really eat (and drink), this is probably as close as you’ll get without moving in yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Culinary tour of St. Martin highlights

• Enjoy Creole breakfast with Johnny Cake
• Taste Dutch cheese and wine
• Visit Guavaberry Colombier rum distillery
• Sample St. Martin rum
• Have French lunch at featured restaurant

Top questions

What foods do you try on the St Martin food tour?

You’ll try Creole breakfast (Johnny Cake), Dutch cheese with wine, homemade banana bread, local rum at Guavaberry Colombier Tradition distillery, and a French lunch.

Is there alcohol included on this culinary tour?

Yes, there’s wine during the Dutch cheese tasting and rum tasting at Guavaberry Colombier Tradition distillery.

Does the tour include lunch?

Yes, it includes a one-course French lunch with wine or soda at a selected restaurant.

How many stops are there on the St Martin food tour?

The tour visits four locations/restaurants for tastings of Creole, Dutch, French foods and drinks.

Is pickup included for this St Martin culinary tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; guests meet at the starting point.

Are children allowed on this food tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; specialized infant seats are available and prams/strollers are allowed.

Is this food tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; service animals are allowed too.

Do you visit both sides of St Martin/St Maarten?

The tour explores both French (St Martin) and Dutch (St Maarten) influences through food stops across the island.

What’s included

Your day includes tastings of Creole breakfast with Johnny Cake, homemade iced-lemongrass tea, Dutch cheese paired with wine, banana bread snacks, local rum sampling at Guavaberry Colombier Tradition distillery, water throughout the day, plus a relaxed French lunch with your choice of wine or soda—all guided by someone who knows these flavors inside out.