La Cabane
Toes-in-the-sand lunch at Cheval Blanc's beachside hideaway on Flamands
Why Go
Tucked into the sand at the west end of Baie des Flamands, La Cabane is Cheval Blanc St-Barth's deceptively casual beach shack — a Jacques Grange-designed cabin where barefoot glamour meets a Jean Imbert menu and one of the island's most photogenic stretches of turquoise water.
The Experience
You arrive down a sandy path, kick off your sandals, and settle under a canopy just steps from where the Caribbean laps the shore. The vibe is unhurried resort-casual: linen shirts, oversized sunglasses, chilled rosé, and the low hum of conversation set against surf. Service is polished-Cheval-Blanc but never stiff, and the room opens straight onto white sand so you can drift from a long lunch to a lounger without breaking the spell. In the evening the cabin transforms into an intimate setting for private celebrations, but midday is when it truly sings — sun-dappled, unpretentious, and quintessentially St Barth.
What to Try
The Flamands burger is the signature and widely rated among the best on the island — order it medium with a glass of Provençal rosé. The black truffle croque monsieur is a decadent detour, the Isle de France club sandwich is a lighter classic, and the mahi-mahi with chips and gribiche sauce leans into the location. A refreshed Caesar and the artichoke-and-parmesan salad round out the lunchier options, and desserts skew toward tropical fruit, house pastries, and ice cream — perfect before a swim.
Insider Tip
Book the earliest lunch slot (around 12:30) and ask for a table on the sand-side edge — you'll get the shade, the view, and the best light for photos before the beach crowd builds. Diners at La Cabane can also access Cheval Blanc's sunbeds and the Guerlain spa next door, so plan a full afternoon: lunch, a dip in Flamands, then a treatment. Bring a coverup with pockets for your phone — there's no formal dress code, but this is quiet luxury, not swimsuit-only.
The Practical Stuff
Located on Baie des Flamands within Cheval Blanc St-Barth, roughly a 10-minute drive from Gustavia and 5 minutes from the airport. Lunch service only (dinner is reserved for private events); reservations are essential in high season and can be made through Cheval Blanc or ACCESS St Barth. Expect fine-dining prices — mains typically €40–€70, with the full experience (wine, dessert) landing well into three figures per person. Cards accepted; cash not necessary. Parking is available at the hotel.
Pair It With
- Cheval Blanc Spa (Guerlain) — On-site at the same resort — the natural sequel to a rosé-heavy lunch, and diners get easy access to spa bookings and hotel sunbeds.
- Baie des Flamands beach — You're already on it — one of St Barth's widest, whitest beaches is literally at your table, ideal for a post-lunch swim and stroll.
- Absolute Hot Yoga (Gustavia) — A short drive back toward town for a next-morning reset after the Cabane's rosé and burger routine.
- Colombier Beach hike — The trailhead is just past Flamands — pair a leisurely Cabane lunch with a late-afternoon walk to St Barth's most secluded cove.
