St John Restaurants
St. John may be the smallest of the three main U.S. Virgin Islands, but it is blessed with plenty of dining options, from casual to high-end. The cuisine on this island is also varied. Love Italian or Asian food? No problem. Want to try some local dishes? Again, no worries.
Because two-thirds of the island is designated as a national park, most of St. John's restaurants are located in the Cruz Bay area. There are, however, some more remote options, including a floating eatery and another that is situated on a private island.
And then there are the views. When you dine in St. John, chances are high that you'll have a beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea to accompany your meal. Ready to enjoy a great dining experience on this beautiful USVI island? Then check out this list of the best restaurants in St. John.
Top 7 Restaurants in St. John
High Tide Bar & Seafood Grill
Overview: $$ - High Tide is a very popular restaurant in St. John's that is open from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. This eatery's lunch and breakfast menus feature traditional favorites, such as sandwiches and omelets. For dinner, High Tide offers a nice mix of options — from seafood and steaks to hamburgers and salads. Tofu and veggie burgers are also available upon request.
Cuisine: Traditional American bar and restaurant faves, with a sprinkling of island flavors, such as conch fritters, a tropical mahi mahi entrée, and coconut pineapple curry chicken.
Insider tip: High Tide does not take reservations, so plan your visit accordingly.
Ambiance: Open-air restaurant with a friendly, casual vibe and lovely views of the sea
What we love: The restaurant has a happy hour from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. each day.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: Enighed PMB 52 Prince St, Phone: 340-714-6169
La Tapa
Overview: $$$ - This long-time fixture on the St. John restaurant scene prides itself on its creative farm-and-sea-to-table dishes. You might, for example, find seared local yellowfin tuna, paella, or braised pork belly on the menu, depending on what is available and fresh from the local farmers and fishers.
Cuisine: Contemporary Mediterranean fare.
Insider tip: The restaurant does not have an official kids menu, but it will whip together simplified versions of their entrées or pasta dishes upon request.
Ambiance: Rustic elegance, with a warm and welcoming ambiance.
What we love: Excellent wine list, with a special emphasis on Spanish vino.
Location: Prince Street, Cruz Bay, but moving to a new beach-side location in 2022, Address: Prince Street, Phone: 340-693-7755
The Longboard
Overview: $$$ - If you're searching for light, healthy dining that won't weigh you down but will delight your taste buds, head over to The Longboard. You will find dishes made with locally caught seafood as well as locally sourced greens, fruits, and spices. Its menu includes an interesting mix of sushi wraps, tacos, ceviche, poke bowls, and other small plates.
Cuisine: International fare with a dash of Caribbean flair.
Insider tip: The Longboard has happy hour special prices from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Ambiance: Casual and cool.
What we love: Special touches — such as fresh-squeezed juices and house-made soda mixers — set this restaurant's cocktails apart from the crowd.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: 1 Prince Street, Phone: 340-715-2210
Dave & Jerry's Island Steakhouse
Overview: $$$ - This is an upscale restaurant that is perfect for special occasions. Its steaks are dry-aged and wet-aged in-house, and the accompaniments, such as the bread, infused butters and pickles, are made on-site. And while it is a steakhouse, it also serves other fare, including duck and seafood.
Cuisine: Gourmet steaks and other fine dining dishes.
Insider tip: Reservations are highly recommended.
Ambiance: Elegant, intimate, and beautifully accented with local artwork.
What we love: A special menu — with dishes such as duck pate and a dry-aged steak burger — is offered during its happy hour, which is from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: On the first floor of The Cruz Bay Boutique Hotel, Phone: 340-779-9614
Morgan's Mango
Overview: $$$ - Dining at Morgan's Mango is like taking a culinary tour of the Caribbean and South America. For example, the menu may include lomo con chimichurri, a dish from Argentina; or coconut shrimp representing Saint Lucia; or a grilled mahi mahi accented with the flavors of the Virgin Islands. You'll also find delicious vegetarian fare at Morgan's Mango.
Cuisine: Neo-Caribbean with an emphasis on fresh, locally caught seafood.
Insider tip: Tuesday and Saturday are lobster nights at Morgan's Mango. Its grilled Caribbean lobster is served with the restaurant's special butter blend.
Ambiance: Open-air, tropical chic.
What we love: The restaurant uses locally sourced produce and seafood caught by the island's fishermen. This means that some dishes may not be available each night if certain ingredients are not fresh and available that day.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: Across from the National Park dock, Phone: 340-693-8141
Extra Virgin Bistro
Overview: $$$ - At Extra Virgin Bistro, you can count on two things — your food will be beautifully plated, and the service will be top-notch. The menu changes nightly, depending on what the restaurant can find that is fresh and available from the island's farmers and fishers. An example of what you might dine on includes a lump crab and shrimp fettuccine, cioppino, or the fresh catch of the day.
Cuisine: Local and international flavors, with an emphasis on farm-to-table dishes. Cheeses, breads, and pastas are made fresh in-house.
Insider tip: For the latest news and updates about the restaurant, make sure to check out Extra Virgin Bistro's Facebook page.
Ambiance: Understated island elegance.
What we love: In addition to using locally grown and sourced products, this restaurant also grows most of its herbs on site.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: 18-11A Estate Enighed Near the Round-About, Phone: 340-715-1864
18° 64° The Restaurant
Overview: $$$ - This is a farm- and sea-to-table dining adventure. As such, the menu changes daily depending on what is fresh and available. This is also a kitchen that prides itself on making many of its menu items — including the breads, pastas, and sausages — from scratch. Some of the dishes you might find on this heavily seafood-oriented menu include seafood risotto and Caribbean-spiced catch of the day.
Cuisine: Asian fusion and sushi for lunch; American and seafood for dinner; raw bar.
Insider tip: Make sure to check out the restaurant's Facebook page to learn about any daily specials.
Ambiance: Beautiful setting with a tropical flair.
What we love: The 18° 64° Restaurant features a raw bar daily from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: 503 Mongoose Jct, Phone: 340-774-1864
Sun Dog Café
Overview: $$ - This popular restaurant has been delighting St. John diners since 1995. It has a reputation for friendly service and has earned the TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice award, which recognizes businesses with consistently great customer reviews. Sun Dog Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Its menu offers guests popular fare such as tacos, pizzas, quesadillas, and more "serious" entrées, including steaks and baked mahi mahi.
Cuisine: American and southwestern dishes.
Insider tip: Great drink specials are available during the restaurant's happy hour, which is from 3:57 to 6:00 p.m. daily.
Ambiance: Casual, intimate, and unpretentious.
What we love: Are you a fan of brunches? Then you'll want to head to Sun Dog Café. The restaurant serves brunch daily, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and for a reasonable extra fee, you can accompany your meal with bottomless Mimosas.
Location: Mongoose Junction, Address: 18-2 Enighed, Phone: 340-693-8340
Top Beachfront Restaurants in St. John
The Beach Bar
Overview: $$ - This famous waterfront landmark has welcomed tourists and locals for years. After a short closure due to Hurricane Irma's devastating strike in 2017, the Beach Bar has been rebuilt and reopened better than ever. You will find on The Beach Bar's menu popular diner favorites, such as hamburgers and fish and fry baskets, as well as some local dishes, including Johnny cakes.
Cuisine: Bar favorites.
Insider tip: Need a lot of Painkillers (the drink)? The Beach Bar will sell you this popular island drink by the gallon (literally) to help you get your next beach party going.
Ambiance: Fun, friendly and casual.
What we love: The Beach Bar considers itself a music lovers paradise, so it has a band playing just about every night.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: 4A Wharfside Village, Phone: 340-777-4220
Miss Lucy's
Overview: $$ - Miss Lucy's is considered an institution. Located on the island’s east side, it offers guests beautiful views and casual seating by the water. Their menu features many local dishes, including a West Indies grouper platter, Johnny cakes, roti, conch fritters, callaloo, and fried plantains.
Cuisine: Caribbean, seafood.
Insider tip: Miss Lucy's is only open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. It is open for dinner only on Thursday nights, which is also open mic night.
Ambiance: Casual and fun.
What we love: Miss Lucy's has an authentic island vibe. Don't be surprised to see a few turkeys, donkeys or iguanas wander by your table.
Location: Friis Bay, Address: Route 107, Phone: 340-693-5244
Lime Out
Overview: $$ - A floating taco boat? Yup. This lime-green eatery isn't just waterfront. It's actually on the water. At Lime Out, you can enjoy awesome fresh tacos and creative cocktails while lounging on the restaurant's swim-up seats. Prefer to stay dry? No problem. You can also dock your boat and get your food delivered to your vessel. Lime Out is only accessible by boat.
Cuisine: Tacos.
Insider tip: Check Lime Out's Facebook page for updates on weather and seasonal closures.
Ambiance: Unique, Instagram-worthy setting.
What we love: Lime Out is eco-friendly. It is 100 percent solar-powered, and the restaurant uses biodegradable containers.
Location: Coral Bay, Phone: 340-643-5333
Zozo's at Caneel Bay
Overview: $$$ - Zozo's is a fine-dining experience known for its impeccable service and pre-fixe four-course meals. Though the menu varies, some of the dishes you might find include osso buco or rack of lamb. And because Zozo's has an extensive wine list, you're sure to find a perfect one to accompany your meal.
Cuisine: Italian, Caribbean.
Insider tip: Time your visit so that you can enjoy the gorgeous sunset views from this restaurant.
Ambiance: Island-style elegance.
What we love: This restaurant is accessible both by land and by sea.
Location: Caneel Bay, Phone: 860-450-6649
Skinny Legs Bar and Grill
Overview: $$ - Skinny Legs Bar and Grill has been a fixture on St. John for more than two decades. It is a proud fryer- and blender-free eatery. So instead of French fries, your burgers and sandwiches will be accompanied by potato chips. And its delicious cocktails are shaken by hand. In addition to the burgers and sandwiches, Skinny Legs also serves salads. This casual and fun establishment has been named on Esquire Magazine's Top 100 Bars in America several times.
Cuisine: Beach-friendly fare.
Insider tip: Make sure to check out the eatery's Facebook and Twitter pages for pertinent updates and events.
Ambiance: Relaxed and laid-back.
What we love: Family-friendly atmosphere with reasonable prices.
Location: Coral Bay, Address: Estate Emmaus, Phone: 340-779-4982
Try Local - Best Restaurants in St. John USVI for Local Food
The Banana Deck
Overview: $$$ - Although this restaurant is known for its excellent steaks, it also offers local favorites. For instance, you can dine on conch fritters, shrimp curry with rice and fried plantains, Caribbean-style chicken, or a Caribbean lobster dinner. The Banana Deck also boasts a lovely view of Cruz Bay.
Cuisine: Caribbean and American.
Insider tip: The restaurant has a happy hour from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Ambiance: A romantic, tree house vibe.
What we love: The Banana Deck has a Sunday Brunch from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. that features a build-your-own Bloody Mary and a Mimosa Bar.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: 3fb Bay Street, Phone: 340-693-5055
Roti King
Overview: $ - This food truck serves trendy local fare based on roti, the unleavened tortilla-like wrap, originally from India but has become very popular in St. John. The owner/chef of Roti King fills his roti with local flavors, such as curry-spiced goat. Roti King also serves other local fare, including Johnny cakes and salt fish patty
Cuisine: Local fare.
Insider tip: On busy days, the truck can sell out of its more popular menu items. So, go early, if possible.
Ambiance: Casual.
What we love: Chef Abdue Hill's rotis are truly special. He has spent about 20 years perfecting the recipes for his dough and fillings.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: St. Marys Street, Phone: 340-201-1967
Lime Inn
Overview: $$$ - At the Lime Inn, guests choose from either a four- or six-course tasting menu. The four-course includes two appetizers, one entrée, and one dessert. The six-course menu includes soup, three appetizers, a main course, and dessert. Some examples of what you might dine on include Caribbean lobster risotto or soup of pigeon peas with plantain dumplings.
Cuisine: Caribbean with an upscale twist.
Insider tip: If you're not up to a multi-course meal, you can always order à la carte menu items for takeout.
Ambiance: Colorful, tropical chic.
What we love: There is a kid's menu available for children ten years of age and under.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: 20 Cruz Bay Qtr, Phone: 340-776-6425.
Best Romantic Restaurants in St. John for a Couples Night Out
Lovango Resort & Beach Club
Overview: $$$ - Located on a private island, the Lovango Resort & Beach Club is just a 10-minute boat ride from St. John. Its waterfront restaurant is perfect for a romantic outing. The menu showcases fresh seafood from the area waters and includes fresh snapper sandwiches, poke bowls, and innovative dishes, such as lobster guacamole and sea urchin gnocchi.
Cuisine: Creative seafood dishes and sushi.
Insider tip: Dinner is served on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Ambiance: Beach elegance.
What we love: On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, Lovango is transformed into the Beach Club Party Under the Stars. On these evenings, you'll enjoy themed dinners with live music. Reservations are required for this special experience.
Location: 1 Lovango Cay, Phone: 857-557-7446
Ocean 362
Overview: $$$ - Ocean 362 prides itself on serving fresh, locally sourced ingredients for its innovative Caribbean dishes. Chef Nathan Bohning and the front-of-the-house manager Laura Valente have borrowed from their experiences living on five different islands to create unique and delicious dishes and cocktails. Examples of items you might find on Ocean 362's menu include lobster tacos or shrimp curry.
Cuisine: Island-to-table, modern takes on traditional local dishes
Insider tip: The restaurant only takes dinner reservations 30 days in advance, and seating is limited to a two-hour dining period.
Ambiance: Open air, tropical chic.
What we love: Absolutely stunning views of Cruz Bay. The sunsets make an especially perfect backdrop for a romantic evening out.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: 362 Strand Gade Above Gallows Lobby, Phone: 340-776-0001
Shaibu Garden Oasis
Overview: $$ - Chef Shaibu Abdulai is committed to using regionally sourced ingredients in his dishes, which he describes as "local cuisine with a global flare." Translated, that means you'll find an interesting mix of dishes at Shaibu Garden Oasis, including Asian-influenced dishes, such as sushi, as well as traditional Caribbean fare, like braised oxtail.
Cuisine: Caribbean and Asian.
Insider tip: If you enjoy music with your dinner, hit Shaibu's Garden Oasis on Friday and Saturday nights.
Ambiance: Charming and romantic Saint John dining.
What we love: The lovely courtyard is perfect for a romantic dinner.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: Frank Powell Park opposite of Ferry Terminal, Phone: 340-776-7424
Other Top Restaurants in St. John
The Terrace
Elevated fine French dining with a gorgeous view. This is one of the best St. John restaurants Cruz Bay has to offer. Chef Erica Miner proudly uses premium ingredients to create her refined classic and contemporary dishes.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: 3 FA Cruz Bay Quarter, Phone: 340-779-8550
The Tap Room - St. John Brewers
This is the place to go if you're searching for pub food and excellent locally brewed craft beers and sodas. The Tap Room's menu features many bar favorites, including tuna tacos, burgers, and pizza.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: Mongoose Junction Northshore Road, Phone: 340-715-7775
Cruz Bay Landing
Located just steps away from the ferry, Cruz Bay Landing is a family-owned business that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its menu includes a cool mix of local flavors, such as a vegetarian roti coconut shrimp and crab cakes, to hamburgers and steak.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: 6 D Cruz Bay Town, Phone: 340-776-6908
Greengos Caribbean Cantina
Open for lunch and dinner, Greengos Caribbean Cantina serves Sonoran-style Mexican food, such as tacos and burritos. It also boasts the largest selection of 100 percent Agave Tequila in the Caribbean.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: 526 Mongoose Jct, Phone: 340-777-TACO
Woody's Seafood Saloon
Casual eatery serving bar favorites, such as conch fritters, mahi sandwiches and burgers. This place has excellent happy hour prices, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. daily.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: Prince Street, Phone: 340-779-4625
Ekaete Pink Corner
This small place is located in Coral Bay and serves delicious, authentic local cuisine, including chickpea curry, salt fish, and oxtail. Finish off your meal with homemade ice cream. It also offers vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Location: Cruz Bay, Address: Corner of Rte 10 and Rte 107, Phone: 340-244-8583
Tips for Dining Out in St. John
How much to tip in St John restaurants?
Tipping is the same in St. John as in the United States (it is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands). So, between 15 and 20 percent, depending on the quality of your service.
Can you bring pets to restaurants in St John?
For the most part, dogs are not allowed in St. John USVI restaurants. The very few that do allow canines only permit them in their outdoor seating areas.
What are the most popular local dishes of St John?
Some local favorites you'll want to try in St. John include Johnny cakes, conch fritters, callaloo, pates, and rotis.
If I don’t want to drive, can I get taxi service to and from restaurants in St John?
Taxis are readily available in St. John. Fares do increase by 50 percent between the hours of midnight and 6:00 a.m.
Is there valet parking at restaurants in St John?
Some of the resorts do offer valet parking, but for the most part, the restaurants do not.