Kali's Bar — Restaurant in Saint Martin (France)

I always love to support local businesses, so I was eager to give this spot a try. The biggest plus? They’re the most affordable option on Friar’s Bay, and when the food finally arrived, it was absolutely delicious—no complaints there. Unfortunately, the service was a major letdown. We waited over an hour and a half for our food, and during that time, it was clear the staff was overwhelmed and inefficient. There were four people working: two in the kitchen, one seemingly doing nothing productive, and the bartender juggling everything else—drinks, orders, the till, and food pickup. When my cousin asked for a simple cup of juice after 40 minutes of waiting, he was told, “Buddy, you gotta wait…” Not exactly the warm, welcoming vibe you’d expect from the friendly island I remember from childhood. The bartender’s demeanor was flat and uninviting, which only added to the frustration. It’s a shame because the food really was worth praising, but the experience left a sour taste. I truly hope they can work on their service and staffing—this place has potential, but right now, it’s not...

We paid $18 for two chairs and an umbrella for an afternoon. The gentleman helping us was very prompt and caring. He suggested a spot closer to the restaurant because it wasn't as windy. This was a GOOD call. He even made a point to get me my change later. The beach was clean. I gave him a tip as we left. We appreciated our beach accommodations : )

We only walked to the bar for drinks, which included a couple of delightful virgin pina coladas. Service was prompt and the bar staff professional.

We were happy to have restrooms available. They were unisex, which was a little different for people from The States. It could've been cleaner, but it was fine.

The most important thing was that we enjoyed our time at the beach. For snorkeling, the water was a bit cloudy. Other than that though, it was a very satisfying destination for a relaxing afternoon on a...

Food good. Prices comparable to other 2 places at Friar’s. Service slow but that’s an expectation on the island so that’s not the reason for the 2 star. The 2 star is based on the attitude and general lack of customer service specifically towards Americans. Basically, you will be ignored. Honestly, I would prefer if they put a sign out front that says “Americans tolerated but really not welcome”. I’m okay with that and will gladly go elsewhere. A win-win for both parties. Same quality food and price at Friar Bay Beach Cafe. Have not yet tried 978 but will. Our group of 4 will drop about $1500 over the next 2 weeks at Friar’s Bay but we just spent our last dollar at Kali’s. Again, a win-win for both Kali’s who doesn’t want us and us who don’t...