Foo Ho — Chinese Bar & Restaurant
Long-established Cantonese cooking on Philipsburg's Front Street.
Why Go
Voorstraat 12-14 in Philipsburg puts Foo Ho at the beginning of Front Street — the island's most famous shopping address. This long-established Chinese restaurant has been serving Cantonese-style dishes to Philipsburg's visitors and residents long enough to qualify as a neighborhood institution, offering the kind of classic Chinese comfort food that travelers seek out when they want something familiar, generous, and reliably good.
The Experience
Front Street's eastern end, near Crocs and OH MY GIFTS, places Foo Ho in the initial shopping zone where cruise passengers first encounter Philipsburg's retail corridor. The Cantonese-style specialties anchor the menu: stir-fries with the high-heat wok technique that Cantonese cooking demands, noodle dishes that range from lo mein to chow fun, rice plates with various protein options, spring rolls and dumplings among the appetizers, and seafood preparations that benefit from the island's daily catches. The portions are generous and the prices are reasonable at $$, making Foo Ho a practical choice for a filling meal during a Front Street shopping day. Dine-in, takeaway, and possibly delivery options give flexibility for different situations. The full bar adds a social component that straight takeout operations lack. For cruise visitors with limited time, Foo Ho's Front Street location means you can eat without leaving the main shopping strip.
What to Try
Cantonese stir-fries are the foundation — any dish featuring wok-fried protein with vegetables and sauce will showcase the kitchen's technique. Spring rolls and dumplings are the traditional starters. If seafood options feature local catches prepared Chinese-style, that is where island and cooking tradition meet most successfully.
Insider Tip
Front Street's eastern end (low numbers) is less congested than the middle section, giving Foo Ho a slightly calmer environment on cruise ship days. Takeaway is an efficient option if the dining room is full — the food travels well and you can eat on the Boardwalk beach. Lunchtime is the peak, with the dinner crowd being more local.
The Practical Stuff
Location: 12-14 Voorstraat (Front Street), Philipsburg, Dutch side. Price range: $$. Hours: check locally. Payment: US dollars, cards likely accepted. Dine-in, takeaway, possible delivery.
Pair It With
- OH MY GIFTS — Souvenir shopping next to Foo Ho on Front Street
- Crocs Front Street — Comfortable footwear shopping and Chinese food in one strip