5 Best Restaurants in Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

Many sailors who cruise into this quiet bay come so they can dock right at this open-air eatery to enjoy the conch, lobster, and other fresh catches, always with peas and rice and coleslaw on the side. Chicken and ribs round out the menu, and affable owners Abe Coakley and his wife, Eunicy, add a pinch of hospitality that makes a meal into a memorable evening. Casual lunches are also served, and an adjoining market sells ice, canned goods, and other necessities. Dinner reservations are required by 5 pm.

The simple, open-air B-Line Beach Bar brings "getting away from it all" to a new level—if you're on mainland Jost Van Dyke you'll have to charter a dinghy or boat, or wade (at low tide) across the few hundred meters of water between Little Jost Van Dyke and Jost Van Dyke. Here you can have an ice-cold beer, an assortment of rums, and great grilled food like barbecued ribs and chicken on a beautiful, remote beach.

The big draw here is the owner, Foxy Callwood, a famed calypso singer who will serenade you with funny songs as you fork into grilled chicken, burgers, barbecue ribs, and lobster. Check out the pennants, postcards, and weathered T-shirts that adorn every inch of the walls and ceiling of this large, two-story beach bar; they've been left by previous visitors who are mostly either day-trippers from elsewhere in the Virgin Islands or yacht owners. On Friday and Saturday nights, Foxy's hosts a Caribbean-style barbecue with grilled fresh fish, chicken and ribs, peas and rice, salad, and more, followed by live music. Other nights choose from steak, fresh lobster, pork, or pasta; at lunch Foxy serves sandwiches and salads. The drinks are strong no matter what time of day you order them. Foxy's is one of the most reliable eating establishments on Jost. You're unlikely to find Foxy performing at night, but he takes the mike many afternoons and makes time to mingle with guests—this a popular happy-hour pit stop. The all-night "Old Years" party here is the biggest New Years Eve celebration in the Caribbean.

Owner Cynthia Harris is as famous for her friendliness as she is for her food. Lobster in a garlic butter sauce, and other freshly caught seafood, as well as pork, chicken, and ribs, are on the menu. House-made key lime pie and expertly blended Bushwackers are "to live for," as Cynthia would say, but diners also praise the fresh fish and lobster. Call for the schedule of live music, which varies from season to season. Breakfast and lunch are served on her big waterfront deck, too. Call ahead for reservations.

Top dishes at this beachfront eatery include seafood freshly caught by owner Seddy, who also may come to your table and perform magic tricks. Local lobster finds its way into nachos and quesadillas, and the Food Network's Alton Brown once sought out this beachfront eatery and featured its stewed conch on a flavor-finding trip. Try the specialty drinks—a Bushwacker or a tri-colored One Love Marley.