68 Best Restaurants in U.S. Virgin Islands

This waterfront restaurant serves sustainably sourced Caribbean-American food that pairs wonderfully with the creative craft cocktails and frozen drinks. The dining room overlooks Cane Bay, a perfect backdrop to try the almond-crusted mahi, daily ceviche special, or the catch of the day. Reservations are strongly recommended; request ocean-side grotto seating for an unobstructed sunset view. 

A great place to take a break and get a bite while shopping, this open-air café tucked into the alleyway of Palm Passage serves authentic Spanish cuisine for lunch and dinner. Try tapas such as mussels in brandy sauce, escargots with mushrooms and herb butter, or Galician-style octopus and baby eels served in a sizzling garlic sauce. Ask for an inside table if the idea of passersby checking out your meal isn't too appetizing.

This barnlike “Crucian-Rican” restaurant is often the first stop that locals make before heading to the airport and after arriving back home. Out back, dozens of chickens slowly rotate on a giant rotisserie, and, in front, regulars and a smattering of in-the-know visitors queue up for the juicy birds, traditional Johnny cakes, and local food like stewed oxtail and conch in butter sauce.

Visiting this alfresco family-owned eatery requires climbing a long flight of stairs, but the food is well worth the effort. Although fish is the specialty, try the coconut panko-crusted grouper topped with a white wine, coconut, and lemongrass reduction—the chef also creates a vegetarian platter with black beans, fried plantains, and a mound of truffled mashed sweet potatoes.

A distinctive gypsy cart on the side of Mahogany Road (Route 76) overflows with fresh baked breads, tarts, sandwiches, and toasties with unusual fillings like black bean hummus or homegrown banana. The farm-to-table menu, which changes daily to reflect what's available, includes local fare, Indian curries, British-influenced dishes, and Southern comfort food. Next door, Mahogany Road Chocolate sells chocolate made from locally harvested cacao and shaped as rainforest frogs and "chaney" shards. In addition to this bakery cart, they have a food truck at Fort Frederik Beach on Thursdays and Fridays.

In the old Russian consulate house at the tip of the Frenchtown peninsula, this restaurant offers superb views along with an eclectic array of dishes expertly prepared by longtime Virgin Islands chef Patricia LaCorte and her staff. Choose from the more casual bistro-style menu, which features taste-and-share charcuterie and artisanal cheese plates and entrées like flatbreads and burgers, or splurge on the more formal dinner selections like butter-poached local lobster or filet mignon. After dinner, take a five-minute stroll to nearby Frenchtown, where several bars offer live music on the weekends.

At this beautifully restored plantation house, you can dine on sophisticated starters such as beef tartare with a Creole aioli served on crostini and simply elegant surf-and-turf selections like grass-fed filet mignon or butter-poached lobster tails on skewers. Personalized attention makes dining here a delight, as does the incredible decor—think 18th-century stone walls meets modern-day elegance, with fine silver and china set on white-tablecloth-topped hardwood tables.

Sail up in a boat, paddle by in a kayak, or motor out in a dinghy to pick up freshly made New York–style pizza from this "floating" food truck. This 37-foot motor sailor is an authentic brick-oven pizzeria, serving pies topped with locally grown basil and fresh lobster. There are 15 toppings to choose from and gluten-free crust is available. Drink options include frozen cocktails and chilled shots. The boat is moored daily in the protected waters of Christmas Cove off Great St. James island, easily accessible on day sails and powerboat excursions. There's also a shuttle that runs from St. Thomas or St. John called Slice Slice Baby (340/474--9727).

One of those small but special spots that everyone loves, including critics who regularly rank it among the Caribbean's best restaurants, this lively spot relies on local ingredients in its fusion of Mexican, Thai, and Caribbean dishes—anything from Thai curry with chicken to a fillet of beef stuffed with Portobello mushrooms and goat cheese. You can't go wrong with the egg roll special or the catch of the day. Call early for reservations, as the indoor dining room is small, and you'll want to nab a table in the candelit back courtyard if you can.

Sailors who live aboard boats anchored offshore and an eclectic coterie of residents and visitors gather for lunch and dinner at this funky spot in the middle of a boatyard and shopping complex. It's a great place for burgers (they're served with potato chips, not fries—there's no deep fryer), fish sandwiches, and whatever sports are on the satellite TV.

Tucked into a Red Hook shopping center, this down-home eatery has a congenial atmosphere and well-prepared sandwiches, flatbreads, and entrées that make it popular with local professionals. Come early for a seat at the bar and get the scoop on local island news. Lunch features starters like street corn guacamole, sandwiches (the tuna burger is from fresh catch rather than a can), and hearty salads. There's more of the same at dinner, plus entrées like pan-seared scallops and lamb shank pot pie.

Creative takes on true classics coupled with artfully presented plates draw crowds to this Mediterranean-inspired restaurant at Caneel Bay. The four-course menu starts with a selection of artisan-made antipasti, then moves to salads like the mango, feta, and prosciutto--topped frisee, followed by entrées such as butter-soft diver scallops with crabmeat or classic osso buco with a Caribbean twist of crispy plantains. Make sure to order the signature cheesecake with ricotta and prosecco-glazed peaches. Table service takes two to three hours from start to finish and is warmed by the setting sun. If four courses seems excessive, you can order from the à la carte bar menu.

A flavor of the southern U.S. is evident on the menu, from a fried green tomato appetizer to entrées like shrimp 'n grits and a southern fish fry with cornmeal-coated catfish. This same down-home theme is served for Sunday brunch. Try biscuits and gravy, steak and eggs, or a southern Benedict with buttermilk biscuits topped with poached eggs, country ham, and hollandaise. The open-air setting offers an eye-catching view of the superyachts parked at the marina docks.

Come early to sip a craft cocktail on the comfy outdoor deck couches overlooking the American Yacht Harbor Marina. Inside, you'll find an ever-changing menu focusing on freshly caught seafood and locally grown veggies, fruits, and microgreens. A sampling of entrée selections includes fresh mahi topped with jumbo chunks of lump crabmeat and house-made fettuccini with braised brisket. Try the poached vanilla meringue for dessert.

This family-run business has used the same Danish ice-cream recipe with local flavorings since 1900. Options include flavors like almond, ginger, peanut, coconut, and pumpkin, as well as seasonal varieties like gooseberry, guava, mango, soursop, and passion fruit. You can also get delicious breakfast platters, omelets, and deli sandwiches and wraps. 

Sunday brunch is big here, but locals and visitors also flock to this oceanfront bistro at the Sand Castle on the Beach resort for lunch and dinner. Both menus include burgers and salads, but at dinner the daily pasta specials shine. For lunch, the hummus platter and award-winning seafood chowder are good bets. Brunch is served on weekends only.

Edible art is an apt description of the sushi and sashimi feast that draws visitors and locals alike. The favorite here is steamed mussels in a house-made creamy sesame dressing dubbed "iguana sauce," which is, happily, not made from the spiny reptile that roams the island's hillsides and roadways. There are nearly 30 vegetarian and seafood rolls to choose from, including avocado, spicy crab, and red snapper. The 5-foot-tall reef tank will definitely put you in the mood for seafood.

This family-owned restaurant has been serving the St. Croix community since 2010 with mouthwatering steaks and seafood. The Monday night all-you-can-eat crab legs and seafood bake is always a big hit; reservations are a must for this day. Their award-winning golden fried chicken, thin crust flatbread pizza cooked on seasoned stones, or house-made desserts and ice cream are must tries.

There's always something smokin’ at Blues BBQ. Enjoy "succulicious" barbecue of brisket and ribs, burgers, and live music in a backyard atmosphere while sipping Cruzan Rum cocktails.

This brand-new Internet café in Christiansted features coffee, lattes, and frappuccinos, plus delicious local pastries like coffee cakes, donuts, and muffins. Grab-and-go salads and sandwich wraps are a great lunch option when pressed for time.

Within the historic stonework and cascading tropical blossoms of A.H. Riise Alley, this charming open-air eatery will pull you in by the nose and send you straight to the wood-burning brick-oven pizza. Toppings range from everyday to eclectic, from Asiago cheese and portobello mushrooms to tandoori chicken and clams casino. The menu is not all pizza: there are fresh salads, sub sandwiches, and unique pastas made to order. The local business crowd keeps this place hopping for lunch Monday through Friday, so go early or late to be sure of a table.

This second-floor restaurant in the heart of Cruz Bay is the place for traditional Italian cuisine, so don't let the underwhelming ambience turn you away. The lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and seafood manicotti are all delicious, as are the pizzas—the smaller ones are available at your table, but larger ones are available for takeout or at the bar. This casual place can get crowded, so come early. 

One of the newest eateries along the Christiansted Boardwalk, this tropical oceanfront restaurant overlooking historic Christiansted is one of the dining options provided by the newly renovated King Christian Hotel that features quality breakfast favorites and brunch cocktails. Try Caroline's Omelet, with roasted red pepper, balsamic caramelized onions, goat cheese, and baby spinach, paired with a passion fruit mimosa.

Dive into the best breakfast sandwiches on the island along with hearty Caribbean dishes like stew oxtail, veggie teriyaki stir fry, and curry chicken. The sandwiches are made with the local butter bread from Thomas Bakery and fresh local produce from island farmers. The salmon chowder and fettuccine Alfredo pasta are always a big hit; wash it down with his famous lime punch or ginger pineapple juice.

Featuring an eclectic menu of French, Mediterranean, Crucian fusion, this intimate dining establishment in downtown Frederiksted uses wild-caught seafood and local farm-fresh ingredients. Try the Oysters Rockefeller to whet your appetite, followed by the poached whole snapper. When available, snag the rare invasive lionfish as your entrée.

This vibrant Spanish-inspired tapas bar and grill highlights the flavors of Latin cuisine by combining Spanish, Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Peruvian cuisines with a Caribbean twist. Start off with a few tapas like the stuffed empanadas, bacon-wrapped maduros, and chicharron bites, followed by a main entrée like the seafood paella (made with the catch of the day) or the steak of the day. Pair your meal with a cocktail served in a coconut-shaped glass or the house-made sangria. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.

This oceanside eatery serves up a selection of Caribbean, American, and seafood dishes like fried snapper in a creole sauce with Johnny Cakes or Alfredo penne pasta topped with chicken, shrimp, or steak. Takeout is available.

A favorite with locals and vacationers, this poolside restaurant serves up salads, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, and seafood, as well as delicious pasta dishes and popular salads. Come for free salsa dance classes on Monday night, disco bingo on Thursday with dancing between games, the West Indian Caribbean Celebration on Friday, Sunday brunch, and live music on weekends.

If the floating bubbles don't attract you to this zany eatery billed as the "ultimate tropical drink shack," the lime-green shutters, loud rock music, and fun-loving waitstaff just might. The menu has a selection of burgers, tacos, burritos, and salads, and bartenders shake up such exotic concoctions as the Love Shack Volcano—a 50-ounce flaming extravaganza. Try the Caribbean Pu-Pu platter, which includes conch fritters, coconut shrimp, and sweet fried plantains.

This popular vegan restaurant prepares a variety of flavorful plant-based dishes, like vegan mac and cheese, BBQ tofu, and chickpea loaf. Try the crispy golden fried cauliflower, a perfect healthy alternative to French fries. The menu, which changes daily, is posted on their Facebook page.