It’s hard to select a list of best St. John restaurants when there is such a range of options! On St. John, you will find casual outdoor dining, romantic dining, fine dining with choice cuisine, and even beach shack dining for take-out. Because of this wide spectrum, narrowing the best restaurants down to a particular category is simply impossible. That is why we are bringing you the first in a series of ultimate guides to the best St. John restaurants. We begin by including two restaurants from each range of the spectrum so you can select which atmosphere and food combination suit you best during your stay with CimmaronStJohn. We’ve got you covered for every mood and moment!
Casual Outdoor Dining
Aqua Bistro
For some casual outdoor dining, consider choosing Aqua Bistro of the many St. John restaurants. This seaside bar and restaurant in Coral Bay features a happy hour from Monday through Friday from 4-6pm. This is the ideal place to relax under the umbrellas in the outdoor courtyard while enjoying your choice from the variety of tasty options on the full menu. The tiki-hut outdoor bar will keep the refreshments flowing, from a Lime in Da Coconut to your typical Daiquiris and Coladas in a spectrum of flavors. Pink Seaglass and Little Iguana are also some drink names on that list!
The Longboard
For a St. John restaurant with casual outdoor dining on the Cruz Bay side of the island, check out The Longboard for light and healthy bar snacks, small plates, or full entrees all prepared with a Caribbean flair. Stop by at happy hour from 3-6pm for house-crafted cocktails, beers, wines, specialty drinks, and their world-famous Frozen Painkiller. Enjoy some people-watching as locals and tourists stroll by on the street in the heart of the village of Cruz Bay.
Upscale Dining with a View
Waterfront Bistro
For a more upscale flare, maybe for date night out with the significant other, select Waterfront Bistro of the spectrum of St. John restaurants. Waterfront Bistro St. John in Cruz Bay has lunch, dinner, and drinks menus that will entice your palate. The name also alludes to the restaurant’s ideal location right on the water, with gorgeous views of the crystal clear ocean. For dinner, start off your meal with some chilled white gazpacho,a local green papaya salad, or braised octopus tartine. Then, for your entree, enjoy pan roasted organic chicken breast, seared yellowfin tuna, or the nightly seafood entree.
Asolare
Asolare offers different but still spectacular sunset views of the Caribbean Sea from its hilltop location overlooking Cruz Bay and Pillsbury Sound. This upscale eatery offers the island’s finest ingredients and fresh, locally-sourced products. Appetizers include a scallop tataki with citrus ponzu, micro green, and truffle oil, along with Vietnamese summer rolls. Try the Kashmir cheese sesame salad with miso vinaigrette and goat cheese or dig right into an entree. Featured menu items include the signature shrimp and grits and a Caribbean conch layered Mahi with coconut shrimp broth.
Authentic Caribbean Dining
Miss Lucy’s
At Miss Lucy’s in Coral Bay, you will discover stellar food with a true Caribbean flair. Sunday jazz brunch is a favorite option, featuring the sweet potato hash and blackstrap French toast. The outdoor tables are right along the rocky coral beach, allowing for some great views, food, and rejuvenation. Steel pan music and other live bands serve as a great touch while listening to the waves roll in!
De’ Coal Pot
Another great option for authentic, award-winning Caribbean cuisine for lunch or dinner is De’ Coal Pot in Cruz Bay. This St. John restaurant features a variety of local dishes ranging from a starter of wings or roti to full entrees including mMahicreole, oxtail stew, and Crucian garlic herb conch.
Stay With CimmaronStJohn, and Enjoying St. John Restaurants
After indulging in one of these St. John restaurants, come back to your CimmaronStJohn vacation villa for a relaxing end to your day. We hope that this St. John restaurants guide will satisfy both your cravings of atmosphere and food! We can’t wait to see you here on the island!
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Here at CimmaronStJohn in the beautiful Virgin Islands, we are surrounded by gorgeous beaches, calming waters, and beckoning sunshine. We’re also surrounded by some pretty delectable restaurants. Where to eat in St. John might be the last thing on your mind, with your focus on white sandy beaches, watersports, and island exploration. However, you will get hungry after a morning in the sun and on the water. If you’re wondering where to eat in St. John, here are just a few of the best places, ordered from classy to casual.
Where to Eat in St. John
Extra Virgin Bistro
The Extra Virgin Bistro in St. John is dedicated to providing locally grown and sourced products, and the restaurant’s herbs are grown on-site. At this fine dining location, start off with a grapefruit margarita or Old San Juan before crispy calamari, potato gnocchi, lump crab cakes, or duck confit warm sweet potato salad. Then enjoy a premier entree, selecting from dishes such as local panko fried smashed conch, surf & turf, and cioppino.
Zozo’s at the Sugar Mill
Zozo’s in St. John is located in Caneel Bay within the ruins of an 1800s sugar mill. Zozo’s is a great option when looking where to eat in St. John, not only because of its historic and relaxing atmosphere and spectacular views but also its high-class menu, though you can expect to break out your wallet. Grilled octopus, filet mignon meatball, and wild boar cacciatore are just a few primos, while beet or watermelon salad make the starters as well. Choose from duck confit ravioli or scallop lasagna for your pasta, or indulge in pan-seared jumbo shrimp, veal chop, or grilled swordfish for your pesce e carne.
The Terrace Restaurant
When deciding where to eat in St. John, a waterfront location might be on your list. If that is the case, then go to the Terrace Restaurant in Cruz Bay. With French-inspired fine dining and an extensive wine menu, this could be a romantic getaway with a sunset backdrop. Appetizers include escargots, seared sea scallops, and cream of garlic soup, while featured entrees are butter poached Caribbean lobster tail, seared yellowfin tuna nicoise, and grass fed black angus filet mignon. The desserts are to die for, from a honey lavender pound cake to salted butter caramel crepes.
Rhumb Lines
A great bar and restaurant option when choosing where to eat in St. John is Rhumb Lines. You can begin with summer rolls, fusion chicken cool cups, or shrimp & corn fritters or choose from some delectable soups and salads such as fresh mango gazpacho, trans-Pacific ceviche, or pistachio-crusted goat cheese. The unique entrees are really a treat, with menu items such as grilled banana Mahi-Mahi, Cuban mojo pork, spicy blackened diver scallops, plum glazed chicken, or vegetarian nirvana.
The Longboard Coastal Cantina
Healthy, fresh options are available at The Longboard Coastal Cantina in Cruz Bay. If healthy choices are at the top of your list when considering where to eat in St. John, this is a great option. Bar snacks include passion fruit pico, island guacamole, and cilantro lime hummus. Longboard sliders, conch and shrimp lettuce wraps, and a mango pepper quesadilla make the small plates while taco and bowl options include Caribbean spice, roasted cauliflower, avocado, ahi tuna, and shrimp. You can also get sushi or a salad.
Cruz Bay Landing
When selecting where to eat in St. John, Cruz Bay Landing hosts a brilliant location just a few steps off the ferry dock. This more relaxed eatery includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner options 7 days a week. Recharge in the morning with specialty blue banana or cinnamon swirl pancakes, a selection of omelettes, or a crab cake bennie. Then, enjoy a house burger, fresh fish sandwich, baja fish tacos, or pretzel Philly for lunch with waffle fries, sesame coleslaw or a watermelon slice on the side. For dinner, choose from the surf & turf menu with selections such as fish or shrimp and chips, coconut shrimp with crab cakes, a grilled chicken sandwich, or a Caribbean roti.
Sun Dog Cafe
The Sun Dog Cafe is a great selection for where to eat in St. John with live music. This casual courtyard dining option in Mongoose Junction offers classics like grilled cheese sandwiches, hamburgers, caesar salads, quesadillas, and pizza. If you’re looking for something simple and inexpensive but still delicious, Sun Dog Cafe is the place to go!
Skinny Legs Bar & Grill
Skinny Legs in St. John, VI, calls itself “a pretty ok place.” However, it is in fact a favorite on the island. The menu includes classics like hamburgers, hotdogs, and sandwiches that range from BLTs to grilled Mahi-Mahi. After a long day on the beach letting the sun drain your energy while giving you that sought-after tan, these great American plates will be sure to satisfy. Then, follow them up with some key lime pie or ice cream!
CimmaronStJohn
Come back to your CimmaronStJohn vacation rental after dining at one of these choice restaurants on the island. After deciding where to eat in St. John and enjoying a delicious meal, relax in your private home, taking in the spectacular ocean views that await!