The French Caribbean is not only famous for soft sand beaches and stunning views; the local food is renowned for its intense flavours and bright colours.
Add to this a French influence dating back hundreds of years, and you have some of the most unique dining experiences in the world.
These restaurants combine French-style cuisine with Creole spices and five-star service, while offering yachtsmen stunning views across the blue waters of the French Caribbean.
St Barts
The Rock
Perched high above the Baie de Jean, the gorgeous restaurant of the Eden Rock Hotel offers panoramic views of the water. The formal and elegant ambience is complemented with an extensive wine list to match the global cuisine.
Carl Gustav Victoria's
This gastronomic restaurant not only offers superb dining, but stunning views over the picture-perfect harbour of Gustavia. Chef Emmanuel Motte oversees a menu that blends the best from French, Caribbean and Asian cuisine.
La Route des Boucaniers
Also in Gustavia, this harbour-side bistro brings together traditional French and Creole dishes. But it seems providing breakfast, lunch and dinner is not enough la Route des Boucaniers is also an acclaimed caterer.
Le Gaïac
Le Gaïac is the famed gastronomic restaurant of the luxury Le Toiny Hotel which overlooks the secluded Bay of Toiny. The cave is one of the most impressive on the island and the classic French food is refined and delicate.
Martinique
Manureva
Just a short drive or tender ride from Marina du Bakoua to Anse Nitan brings you to the elegant restaurant of Manureva. On the lovely sea-facing veranda diners can enjoy fine French cuisine with just a hint of Creole.
Plein Soleil
Lying on the windward coast in Le Francois is the charming Plein Soleil Guest House. It is a pleasure to dine in this lovely old colonial house set high on the hillside with far-reaching sea views. The table d'hôte menu merges French and Creole cuisine.
La Table de Mamy Nounou
With a large terrace overlooking the sea on one of the most scenic parts of the island at Presqu'ile de la Caravelle, this restaurant produces excellent cuisine courtesy of its creative young chef.
Guadeloupe
La Toubana
Sitting high on a cliff on the entrance to St Anne, this is the perfect place to eat while enjoying fantastic ocean views. Seafood is a speciality here, there is a lobster tank, and the food is imaginative and beautifully presented.
Le Poisson Rouge
Nestling in tropical vegetation above Deshaies is the open-air restaurant of Le Poisson Rouge. The set menu is dependent on the day's catch (meat dishes need to be ordered two days in advance.) Delicious meals are presented with highly personal attention to detail by the proprietors Sylvie and George Clément who double as chef and fisherman!
Auberge Les Petits Saints
This is one of the most unique restaurants in the Caribbean, a short walk from Le Bourg in the lovely Les Saintes islands. There is no menu, instead a three-course gourmet meal based on seafood is served within an antique shop overlooking the bay.
St Martin
Le Tastevin
Le Tastevin resatuarnt can be found in the oldest house in Grand Case, with a garden terrace overlooking the sea. Since opening in 1984, Christine & José Manrique pride themselves on providing cuisine that is an imaginative blend of fine French and local Caribbean flavours.
Captain Oliver's Oyster Pond
Built on pilings above the bay (with a part-glass floor to view marine life) it's perhaps not a surprise that this restaurant specialises in seafood! Open 'non-stop' every day from 7am until 10.30pm, this is a fun place to enjoy French/Creole cooking over the ocean.