Fresh fish on the grill, fish curry, a candlelight dinner on the sand: how food works on Saint Martin's Island and at El Marena, what's included and what to order ahead.
Seafood is a big part of why people love Saint Martin's. This is how eating works at El Marena near Chera Dip: what's included with your stay, what to try, and the island rules worth knowing before you plan a barbecue.
Our open-air restaurant
El Marena has its own open-air restaurant, a few steps from the cottages and open to every guest. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, with seafood and barbecue in the evening. Meals are paid separately, except breakfast for duplex guests, which is on the house.
Want something special? Order it in advance, so we can get it ready.
Seafood on the grill
As the evening sets in, fresh fish, lobster or chicken is grilled over charcoal at our barbecue spot. What's on the grill depends on what came in that day, so ask us what's fresh. At the barbecue spot you pay only for the food.
What to try
- A whole fish from the grill, straight off the charcoal
- Lobster, when it's in
- Fried fish, served with cucumber and chillies
- Fish curry, Bangladeshi style
- Barbecued chicken, if you'd rather skip the seafood
Fresh from the boat
Fishing boats come and go from the island's beaches. If you'd like to try your luck, we can arrange a fishing trip on a local boat. And if you buy fresh fish at the market, you can cook it your way with our self-cooking facility (paid).
A candlelight dinner on the sand
For a honeymoon, a birthday or an anniversary, ask about a candlelight dinner on the beach. It's a paid extra, set up by our team; tell us the date when you book.
Island rules on food and barbecues
Last season (2025–26) the government banned barbecue parties, lights and loud music on the beach at night, and polythene bags on the island. That's why we grill at the resort's own barbecue spot, not on the beach.
- Bring a refillable water bottle; mineral water is free with every cottage.
- Avoid single-use plastic like chip packets, straws and small plastic bottles.
- Take your rubbish back with you.
What's included with your stay
- Every cottage: a complimentary drink and free mineral water
- Duplex cottages: a complimentary breakfast
- Every guest: the barbecue spot (you pay only for the food) and the restaurant for paid meals
- Cottage guests: room service, 24 hours a day
After dinner, a bonfire under a sky full of stars rounds off the day. Our gallery has photos of the food, the restaurant and the barbecue nights.
