CRUZ BAY:
ASOLARE-Small intimate dining offering an eclectic menu, great sunsets, reservations are recommended. Only two seatings. 779-4747.
BALCONY-Open for lunch and dinner. Elegant dining with a view. 774 8470
BANANA DECK-Open for lunch and dinner. Casual outdoor dining overlooking Cruz Bay 693-5055
BEACH BAR AND CAFE-Enjoy lunch while shopping or watch the sunset from the bar. 714-0516
CAFE ROMA-Dinner, moderately priced Italian dishes and pizza. Come early to avoid a long wait 776-6524
CANEEL BAY RESTAURANTS-The Equator is Caneel Bay’s fine dining restaurant with a lovely sugar mill ruins setting, and the Beach Terrace serves a casual buffet. 776-6111
CHILLY BILLY’S- A great place for breakfast, lunch and early evening appetizers seven days a week and is located in the ‘Lumberyard’ in Cruz Bay. Service is very friendly and the food is terrific and cheap. The daily breakfast special is $4.50 before 10:30 and $6.00 after 10:30 and includes eggs, hash brown potatoes, toast and coffee. 693-8708
DELI GROTTO-Full service deli located in Mongoose Junction 777-3061
FISH TRAP-Lunch & dinner (brunch on Sundays), largest selection of fish dishes early bird specials’ from 4:30 PM until 6:30 PM from a selected menu. Closed Monday. Reservations are suggested for dinner. 693-9994
JJ's Texas Coast Cafe - Casual Tex-Mex dining in the park. Chips and salsa, good for starters, huge chicken chimichangas with Mexican rice. Another filling dish is the delicious chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes. Refreshing mango coladas to cool the salsa heat!
LA TAPA-Cruz Bay restaurant offering international cuisine. Specializing in dishes with an international flair, La Tapa is located across the street from First Bank (next to Woody’s). 693-7755
MORGAN’S MANGO- Features entrees representing various Caribbean islands as well as at least one tasty vegetarian dish every evening. Open seven days a week, this place has an extensive tropical drink offering as well as decent wines. Make reservations, especially for late diners. Near Mongoose Junction. 693-8141
PANINI BEACH- Fine Dining in a beachfront setting; reservations recommended.
PARADISO-Located in Mongoose Junction in Cruz Bay. It features excellent European fusion into American contemporary cuisine in air-conditioned seating as well as porch seating outside. Service is excellent as well. 693-8899
STONE TERRACE -On the waterfront just beyond Wharfside Village. Upscale menu with excellent food and service. Great wine list as well. Reservations are a must. Closed Monday 693-9370
SUN DOG CAFÉ- In the courtyard at Mongoose Junction. Stuffed sandwiches salads, pizza and homemade soups. Drinks at the Gecko Gazebo. Lunch Only 693 8340
TAGE-Featuring the culinary craftsmanship of Ted Robinson. Excellent food. Reservations required. 715-4270
THE LIME INN-Lunch & dinner, reasonably priced, good seafood and Continental cuisine. All-you-can-eat shrimp night every Wednesday evening. Closed Sunday. Reservations will make your life easier! 779-4199
UNCLE JOE’S-Located directly in the center of town across from the Post Office, Joe’s is good B-B-Q, large portions and cheap! It is a long wait so call your order in advance. 693-8806
WOODY’S SEAFOOD SALOON-A very small, casual watering spot for many locals that is a great place to get any food after 10 p.m.. Located in Cruz Bay directly across from the Subway sandwich shop. It’s 779-4625
ZOZO’S- Just past the Wharfside Village complex, follow the road along the bay and you’ll find Zozo’s on the right at the Gallows Point Resort. Upscale Italian dining overlooking beautiful Cruz Bay. Reservations are a must. 693-8490
CORAL BAY:
AQUA BISTRO-Casual Dining in the Coccoloba mall, while watching the boats sail by. Open for lunch 11:30 –4 and dinner 6-9. 776-5336
CHATEAU BORDEAUX-Offers fine dining at its best and is located on Centerline Road (Route 10) in the middle of the island with an amazing view of the Coral Bay area. This unique premier restaurant has a staff who believes in excellent service and a management who believes in excellent cuisine. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays for evening dining; reservations are a must here. Two-seatings. 776-6611
ISLAND BLUES-Local and fun. Good reasonable food and blues regularly. 776-6800
M&M DONKEY DINER-Located in Coral Bay. Excellent breakfasts and pizzas. 693-5240
MISS LUCY’S-A delightful spot on the beach for lunch and dinner. Offering both West Indian and American cuisine, Miss Lucy’s is located on the road to Salt Pond (Rt. 107), about four miles past the Centerline Road intersection. Try their Sunday breakfast for a real treat. Closed Sunday for dinner and on Monday. 693-5244
SHIPWRECK LANDING-This open-air restaurant, also located on Route 107 in Coral Bay, is open for lunch and dinner daily. They also offer live entertainment on the weekends and prices are reasonable. This, as with most Coral Bay restaurants, is laid back and supported by the locals. 693-5640
SKINNY LEGS-Has the best open grilled cheeseburgers on the island and is one of the more popular hang outs in Coral Bay. Located next to the fire station, this is a really casual place with special events, live entertainment on the weekends, Sunday football viewing in season, and a little horseshoe pitching thrown in. 779-4982
SWEET PLANTAINS-Exotic West Indian, Latin, and East Indian Cuisine. Inside and breezy seaside dining. 777-4653
VIE’S SNACK SHACK -Great little place for lunch. Enjoy conch fritters, garlic chicken and cornbread. Open from (approximately) 10 AM - 3 PM most weekdays. Located near the east end of Centerline Road. Beer and soft drinks available.
FOODS NATIVE TO THE CARIBBEAN
FUNGI: This is actually pronounced “ FUN JEE “. It is made of corn meal and usually contains okra. This food is somewhat like dumplings and is seasoned with salt, pepper and butter.
KALLALOO: This vegetable is much like spinach and is native to the Virgin Islands. It is most often found in soups, which also may contain local fish as well.
PEAS AND RICE: White rice is cooked up with either red beans, black-eyed peas or pigeon peas and seasoned with scallions, green onions, salt, pepper, and sometimes red and/or green pepper.
JOHNNY CAKES: This food dates back several generations when many island natives used to carry the ingredients with them on long journeys in order to insure they would have something to eat along the way. Johnny Cakes are made from flour, salt, pepper and fried in cooking oil. All the ingredients are mixed together and formed into a roll before cooking.
CONCH: This animal from the conch shell is pronounced “ KONK”. Conch can be found all around the island of St. John but particularly in the Coral Bay area. It is usually served in a butter and onion sauce or made into conch fritters.
LOCAL FISH: Our local fish generally consists of angel, hardnose, porgi, yellow tail, parrot fish and old wife, and are prepared by steaming or boiling in a small amount of water, just enough to cover the fish. Green onion, celery and bell pepper along with other seasonings complete this dish.
If you would like an opportunity to experience local foods, we suggest you have lunch or dinner at a couple of different places.
HERCULES Located across from Cool Breeze Car Rental, get a real taste of local fish soup, pate or johnny cake in a small roadside stand.
VIE’S SNACK SHACK is located past Coral Bay on the left side of the road toward East End. She has picnic tables outside. Just wave away the goats, donkeys, dogs, cats and chickens and sit outdoors close to the sea. 693-5033.
MISS LUCY’S Charming spot on the beach for lunch and dinner. Serves wonderful West Indian vegetables with the entree. Located on the road to Salt Pond, about four miles past the triangle intersection. 779-4404.
SHELA'S IN THE PARK - Next to the bandstand in Powell Park, just across from the ferry dock. There is a reason the taxi drivers eat here. Shela needs no signs to sell out every day be aware! Just ask what she cooked up for the day.
SOGO’s Located in town one block down from First Bank. They have delicious stewed chicken, conch and local soups.
Don't feel like going out tonight? Have a
private chef prepare a meal at your villa or have dinner dropped off.
Provisioning also available. Check out
www.katilady.com for more details.$$