Le Manapany
Barefoot Mediterranean dining on the shore of Anse des Cayes
Why Go
Tucked into the pastel-hued Hôtel Manapany on one of St Barth's most under-the-radar beaches, this poolside terrace is where chef Paul Bertheau turns Caribbean catch and garden herbs into weightless Mediterranean plates you'll happily linger over from sunrise coffee to candlelit dinner.
The Experience
Anse des Cayes is the wild, undeveloped little cove most day-trippers miss, and Le Manapany makes the most of it. The dining room spills out onto a whitewashed terrace framed by palms, with the pool on one side and the surf breaking on volcanic rocks on the other. Service is that particular flavor of St Barth polish — attentive but unstuffy, happy to let a two-hour lunch stretch into a swim and a rosé refill. The soundtrack is waves, the dress code is elevated resortwear (a linen shirt over swim trunks is entirely acceptable at lunch), and the light — especially at golden hour — is the kind that convinces you to book another night on the island.
What to Try
Chef Bertheau leans hard into ultra-local sourcing, so start with the wahoo carpaccio or the mahi-mahi ceviche brightened with island citrus. The signature mahi-mahi aïoli and the gambas in apricot sauce are the plates regulars come back for, while the taglioni with lobster is the indulgent move for a special night. Meat eaters should look for the Bresse Mieral chicken or the suckling pig on the spit when they appear. Breakfast is a quiet highlight — pastries, tropical fruit, and eggs on the terrace with the beach almost entirely to yourself.
Insider Tip
Book the lunch seating rather than dinner if it's your first visit: the light on Anse des Cayes is unbeatable, prices are a touch gentler, and the 2:30–6:30 pm 'Small Bites' service means you can linger through the afternoon with a spritz and a snack without giving up your table. Ask for a terrace table on the pool-side edge — those are the ones with the unobstructed sightline to the surf.
The Practical Stuff
Located inside Hôtel Manapany, Anse des Cayes, 97133 St Barthélemy — about a 5-minute drive from the airport in Saint-Jean and 10 minutes from Gustavia. Serves breakfast 7:00–10:30 am, lunch 12:00–2:30 pm, Small Bites 2:30–6:30/7:00 pm, and dinner 7:00–9:30 pm. Average dinner spend is around €60 per person before wine; expect higher for lobster and tasting-style meals. Reservations strongly recommended in high season (December–April). Valet parking on site; smart-casual resortwear.
Pair It With
- 6e SENS Massage Wellness Beauty Saint Barth Guide — Book a late-afternoon massage, then walk straight into a sunset dinner at Le Manapany — the ultimate slow St Barth evening.
- Absolute Hot Yoga Guide — Start with a morning class in Gustavia, then drive over to Anse des Cayes for a leisurely poolside breakfast on the terrace.
- 1493 Lodges St Barth Guide — If you're staying up in Colombier rather than at the hotel itself, Le Manapany is an easy 10-minute drive down for a proper dinner out.
