St. John is the smallest island in the USVI, but that doesn’t mean that restaurateurs don’t fit in a dizzying array of eating establishments here. From fine dining to comfort food to cuisine with
national flair, St. John certainly rocks the food scene. However, with such a large selection, you may find yourself wondering which ones you should try out during your travels. Fortunately,
we’ve narrowed down 10 of the very best for you that you’re sure to enjoy.
First, let’s discuss what to expect when dining in before you head out.
Restaurants work hard to make your dining experience one you will never forget so expect slower service than you are used to at home. When it comes to making its exceptional food, the
restaurant often sources local ingredients from local farmers and artisans and then deftly prepares them in their kitchens. The fare is not the fast food you may be used to, and nor
should you want it to be.
Some of the restaurants on this list don’t take reservations, but it’s still best to make them whenever possible. Also, get there early, as being located on an island usually means supplies
are limited. Running out of ingredients is normal, so don’t be surprised if a certain dish sells out. However, you can limit the chance of it happening or experiencing a long wait if you get there
early.
Many of the restaurants close early, usually by 9 pm. A few spots serve the late-night crowd, such as The Tap Room, which stays open until 11 pm. Please call the restaurants before heading there as hours and days of operation can change by the day.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way and got you hungry for more, let’s dig into that list of top restaurants, shall we?
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzTI9GDlldm/
La Tapa is a contemporary street-side restaurant in the heart of Cruz Bay that offers an eclectic collection of dishes with an authentic Spanish flair. USA Today lists it as one of the top ten restaurants in the USVI. Part of it making the A-List, no doubt, is owed to the rotating menu of fresh fish and vegetables they get from local fishers, farmers, and artisans. The locale serves
West Indian fare, aromatic seasoned meat, and fresh seafood, but they are probably the most well-known for their mean and loaded paella. There is no children’s menu, per se, but the chef
can whip up kid-friendly plates of pasta and mini-sized entrees. On Mondays, you can enjoy live jazz music.
Restaurant Facts:
CENTERLINE RD, CRUZ BAY, ST JOHN
340.693.7755
website
https://www.instagram.com/hightidebarandseafoodgrill/
High Tide, located on Cruz Bay Beach, is an open-air restaurant with a family-friendly vibe. You can start with conch fritters served with remoulade sauce and move on to food that sticks to
your ribs like Surf & Turf, a Smoked Pork Cubano, or a Mahi-mahi sandwich. After your main course, you can snack on some Mango Passionfruit Cheesecake. The kids' menu at High Tide includes favorites such as chicken tenders, hot dogs, and fries. Patrons can soak up the sunset vistas over Cruz Bay while enjoying live music or catching a game on one of their big screens.
Restaurant Facts:
STRAND ST. CRUZ BAY, ST JOHN
340.714.6169
website
https://www.instagram.com/skinnylegsvi/
It’s not a vacation without a visit to Skinny Legs in Coral Bay. This popular restaurant sits alongside achingly beautiful beaches, and the food at this bar is very affordable, allowing you to eat comfort food and sip rum cocktails without breaking the bank. Their menu includes specialty sandwiches, salads, and pulled pork nachos with house-made tortilla chips & fresh salsa.
However, it’s their juicy cheeseburgers with extra toppings and seasonings that really shine. Skinny Legs also features fun activities such as sports, horseshoes, and darts. The laid-back
vibe there is perfect, and you may even catch a glimpse of Coral Bay’s native wild donkeys strolling by while you’re lounging.
Restaurant Facts:
9901 ESTATE EMMAUSST CORAL BAY, ST JOHN
340.779.4982
website
Diners on Trip Advisor said it best, “DON’T MISS THIS PLACE!” What they are talking about is 1864, Extra Virgin Bistro’s “oh my” sister restaurant that opened back in June. Since then, the
high-end seafood spot has been getting rave reviews for their sophisticated wine list, gorgeously plated entrees, and amazing atmosphere. Chef Tommy Garfield leads the mighty kitchen staff at
1864, and his team creates incredible culinary masterpieces like House Summer Rolls filled with ingredients such as colossal blue crab and fresh local mango. The raw bar has offerings such
as patriot oysters, chilled colossal crabmeat, and oyster and quail egg shooters.
Restaurant Facts:
MONGOOSE JUNCTION, SUITE 503 CRUZ BAY, ST JOHN
340.774.1864
website
If Cruz Bay Landing doesn’t serve the best breakfast in St. John, they have come in a close second. They offer diners an extensive breakfast menu, and it’s a good place to fuel up for the
travels ahead. Breakfast consists of several styles of eggs benedict, fancy pancakes, loaded breakfast sandwiches, and more. For an even more intense food experience, pair breakfast with
one of their tropical or sorbet flavors of mimosas or stop in later for an espresso martini made with locally roasted coffee from the Virgin Islands. Cruz Bay Landing has wickedly good
vegetarian Rotis for lunch, too. On Tuesday – Sunday, you can order fresh-cut steaks and listen to live music.
Restaurant Facts:
6D CRUZ BAY TOWN ST JOHN
340.776.6908
website
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwnAHuRF-nk/
Decorated in a fun-colored citrus theme, is one of Cruz Bay’s longest-running, popular restaurants, the Lime Inn. Guests can choose from three-, four-, or six-course tasting menus
and their specialties are simply works of art. Gastronomic delights include clam chowder from a passed-down family recipe and Basilica del Mar with Basil Pistou Fettuccine laden with ocean-
fresh clams, mussels, and shrimp. They make pasta such as the black squid ink fettuccine they serve with Grilled Wild Salmon themselves. Moreover, pie devotees shouldn’t duck out before
trying their decadent Semifreddo, a frozen key lime pie with a graham cracker crust, house whipped cream, and candied lime zest.
Restaurant Facts:
KING STREET CRUZ BAY, ST JOHN
340.776.6425
website
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFK1biNhys0/
Sushi lovers rejoice! The Longboard, one of the hottest restaurants in the Caribbean, is for you. Guests from all over flock to this surf locale, and once you dig into the flavors of this coastal
kitchen, you’ll see why. They don’t take reservations, and because of that, it’s always a good idea to get there early. Once you score a table, though, you’ll be privy to delicious poke bowls,
sushi rolls, fresh ceviche, and a “longboard” of gourmet tacos – all prepared using local Caribbean spices, freshly caught seafood, and locally-grown fruit, herbs, and greens. Yes, Please!
Restaurant Facts:
1 PRINCE ST., CRUZ BAY, ST JOHN
340.715.2210
website
Rhumb Lines is an Asian fusion restaurant in downtown Coral Bay. Rhumb Lines features Pacific Rim and tropical cuisines. More importantly, you might find the best Fish Tacos and Pad Thai you ever had there. Rhumb Lines also has happy hour food, live music, and exciting events. Pacific Rim amuse bouche you can share includes Chicken or Shrimp Peanut Satay Skewers, Filipino Lumpia and Curried Vegetable Samosas. The mixologist at Rhumb Lines makes some mean island cocktails. Therefore, be sure to order and savor an expertly crafted Frozen Painkiller, Spiked Passion Fruit Bellini, Starfruit Sparkling Mojito, or other delightful St. John drinks. For a sweet ending to your Rhumb Lines meal, sip on some Crucian rum while partaking in a sinfully delicious chocolate cake.
Restaurant Facts:
3 ESTATE EMMAUS, CORAL BAY, ST. JOHN
340.776.0303
website
This North Shore restaurant features a sensory experience, owing to its seafood-heavy menu selection and West Indian-Latin flare. Dive right in with an appetizer of Argentinian fusion empanadas, Fresh Catch of the Day served Voodoo Style (blackened and served with salsa), or Tuna Tartare served with Yucca Chips. Another excellent pick, whether you are vegetarian or
not, is the veggie platter. The dish comes with quinoa risotto, local organic greens, fried sweet plantains, black beans, fresh seasonal vegetables, and truffle-infused mashed sweet potatoes.
Try the bread pudding for dessert (flavors change daily), or slurp on one of their tropical frozen bar drinks while enjoying the ambiance.
Restaurant facts:
NORTH SHORE RD. CRUZ BAY, ST JOHN
340.693.8141
website
Last but not least, is Miss Lucy’s, which offers a taste of old-time St John replete with laid-back vibes and breathtaking ocean views. Delicious menu items that make Miss Lucy’s a popular
hangout include lunch staples like Lucy’s Grouper Reuben and traditional USVI national staples like Johnny Cakes, Conch Fritters, Fried Plantains, and Kallallo Soup (theirs includes a
generous portion of juicy crabmeat). Other things that bring customers to Lucy’s besides amazing food include open mic nights on Thursday, live music, and refreshing rum cocktails that
are meant to be enjoyed while listening to the ocean waves lapping at the shore.
Restaurant Facts:
ROUTE 107, CORAL BAY, ST. JOHN
340.693.5244
website
As you can see, the restaurant food scene in St. John is diverse and exciting. Meanwhile, there are other options for places to eat like food trucks and the places you are staying for vacation to
explore
St. John has its share of food trucks with excellent food. Good places to start if you are staying in the Cruz Bay area are is at the Roti King and Little Olive food trucks since they are both located there. Roti King’s food truck has delicious Caribbean dishes like pillowy meat rotis, beef patties and johnny cakes.
Visit Little Olive for Greek plates with a variety of olives, stuffed grape leaves, or spanakopita with side salad. Satisfy your thirst and sweet tooth with ginger turmeric tea and baklava ice cream.
If you are tired after a long day of sightseeing or activities at the beach, you can always visit the Clubhouse Restaurant at The Hills, St. John for casual dining and some drinks. The clubhouse
is located in the center of the property, which is a short walk from your villa.
Dine in air-conditioned comfort or outdoors on the pool deck overlooking the twinkling lights of Cruz Bay. The restaurant’s continental cuisine features a variety of classic salads, sandwiches,
and flatbreads. Additionally, our bartender will tempt you with a selection of wines, beer, and exotic twists on classic Caribbean cocktails.
Alternatively, you can use the modern, spacious, and fully-equipped kitchen from the comfort of your luxury villa in the Hills St. John to prepare your meals. To book a luxury villa or get information about fun things to do, see, and eat during your USVI vacation, please contact us at the Hills, St. John.
The true acid test for a really good food guide is if it makes you hungry while you are putting it together. And as you’ve probably guessed, this one had us wanting to head out for some delicious USVI food and cocktails by the time we finished. To book a luxe villa or get information about fun things to do, see and eat during your USVI vacation, please contact us at the Hills, St. John.
