Le Select
Gustavia's oldest bar, still slinging cheeseburgers under the almond trees since 1949.
Why Go
Plastic chairs, cold Presidente, and a legend that Jimmy Buffett wrote 'Cheeseburger in Paradise' about the burger you're about to order — Le Select is St Barth's great equalizer, where superyacht crews, barefoot locals and billionaires all queue at the same window.
The Experience
Push through the wooden gate off Rue de la France and you're in a rambling, open-air garden of picnic tables shaded by sea grape and almond trees, string lights swaying overhead. Marius Stakelborough opened the place in 1949 as somewhere for islanders to gather after dark (electricity hadn't reached the port yet), and the vibe has barely shifted since — no tablecloths, no reservations, no attitude. You order at the counter, grab a plastic chair, and settle in. By day it's a lazy lunch stop between beach runs; by sunset the bar fills three-deep with a raucous, tanned mix of yacht crews, expats and A-listers pretending to be anonymous. Reggae or classic rock drifts from the speakers, someone always has a dog under the table, and the harbor lights start twinkling just as your second beer lands.
What to Try
The cheeseburger — griddled, unfussy, served on a soft bun with fries — is the whole point, and legend has it this is the paradise Jimmy Buffett was singing about (he still turns up to play the bar's anniversaries). Wash it down with an ice-cold Presidente or Carib beer, or a rum punch if the sun's setting. The fish sandwich and hot dogs are solid backup, and the fries are worth ordering even if you're only 'passing through.'
Insider Tip
Come between 5 and 7pm on a weekday: the yachts are back in port, the crew crowd is buzzing, prices haven't shifted for happy hour but the energy has, and you'll catch the golden light on the masts across the street. Cash and cards both work, but the line moves faster if you order at the bar itself rather than the food window — and don't expect table service, that's not how the place runs.
The Practical Stuff
Rue de la France, Gustavia 97133 — right in the heart of the port, one block back from the quay. Open daily, roughly late morning through late night; kitchen tends to close earlier than the bar. Ultra-casual dress (swimsuit-and-flip-flops acceptable), no reservations, cash and major cards accepted. Budget-friendly by St Barth standards — expect roughly €15–25 for a burger and a beer. Walk-in only; parking in Gustavia is tight, so scooter or taxi in.
Pair It With
- Absolute Hot Yoga Guide — Sweat it out in a Gustavia studio before rewarding yourself with the island's most famous cheeseburger and a cold beer — a five-minute walk between the two.
- 6e SENS Massage Wellness Beauty Saint Barth Guide — Book an afternoon massage nearby, then roll straight into Le Select's garden for the sunset shift — zero-effort transition from zen to rum punch.
- À fleur de peau - St Barth — Do your Saint-Jean shopping run first, then head down to Gustavia for a late lunch at Le Select — the perfect low-key palate cleanser after boutique browsing.
