Koho SXM: Grand Case's Brochette-and-Creole-House Hideaway
A calm Creole cottage on the French side's culinary boulevard, where skewers rule the menu and the beach is ten meters away.
Why Go
Most travelers hit Grand Case for the white-tablecloth bistros or the smoky lolos, then miss the small, refined room in between. Koho SXM sits inside an authentic Creole house on the boulevard, keeps things unhurried, and quietly turns the humble brochette into the reason you'll want a second dinner here.
The Experience
Grand Case's main strip runs straight along the water on the French side, and Koho is tucked into a traditional wooden Creole house near the beach end. The vibe is intimate rather than showy: soft lighting, a warm welcome from staff who genuinely want to walk you through the menu, and just enough of an island breeze coming off Grand Case Bay that you remember where you are. It works equally well for a romantic dinner, a relaxed catch-up with friends, or a low-key family meal after a beach day. Because it's on the boulevard, you can wander the strip afterward for gelato or a nightcap without moving your car.
What to Try
The house specialty is brochettes (skewers) in three lanes: meat, fresh fish, and vegetarian, so a mixed table is easy to feed. Regulars also rave about the trigger fish filet and the fried snapper when it's on the specials board, the beef tenderloin for something more classic French, and a very solid burger if you've been eating rich all week. Ask about the signature cucumber-mint cocktail to start—it's the sort of thing that shows up on Grand Case menus rarely and makes a nice change from rum punch.
Insider Tip
Koho is closed on Sundays and only serves two sittings—lunch 12:00–14:30 and dinner 17:30–22:30, Monday through Saturday. The dining room is small, so message +33 6 62 48 11 01 on WhatsApp a day ahead (they take reservations 24/7 that way) and ask for a table near the front if you want to people-watch the boulevard, or one deeper inside the Creole house if you're after quiet. Pay in either euros or USD—both work on the French side, but euros usually get you a slightly better effective price.
The Practical Stuff
Address: 163 Boulevard de Grand Case, Grand-Case 97150, French side of St. Martin. Hours: Mon–Sat 12:00–14:30 and 17:30–22:30; closed Sunday. Reservations via phone/WhatsApp at +33 6 62 48 11 01. Currencies: EUR and USD both accepted; card and cash. Parking is on-street along the boulevard and fills up fast in high season—arrive 15 minutes before your booking or walk in from anywhere in the village. Dress is smart-casual; no need for jackets, but you're not at a beach shack either.
Pair It With
- Friar's Bay — Spend the afternoon on this calm, family-friendly French-side beach just south of Grand Case, then roll into Koho for the 17:30 dinner sitting without changing sides of the island.
- Creole Rock Watersports Guide — Book a morning snorkel out to the Creole Rock marine reserve off Grand Case Bay, then reward the salt-in-your-hair crew with brochettes and a cucumber-mint cocktail at Koho for lunch.
- Bioveda SXM Massages et Ayurveda — Slot a late-afternoon Ayurvedic massage in Grand Case before your dinner reservation—Koho's unhurried pace is the perfect landing after bodywork.
- Bleu Emeraude Hotel Guide — If you want to stay walkable to Koho and the rest of the boulevard's restaurants, this Grand Case beachfront hotel puts you a short stroll from the front door.
- Akunamatata Guesthouse Guide — A smaller, more budget-friendly Grand Case stay that pairs well with a splurge dinner at Koho and easy access up and down the boulevard.
