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You would think staying on St. John, the smallest of the three main US Virgin Islands, would mean sacrificing the availability of good food. Well, that is definitely not the case, as I can attest to gaining weight from the likes of burgers and key lime pie every time I visit. In fact, many of the best restaurants in St. John are some of my favorites in the entire USVI food scene.
While there are plenty of places to eat on St. John, they are not all equally delicious. After twelve years of visits, I have a decent grasp on what’s worth your time and what you can skip. Today I’m here to help you narrow down the best restaurants in St. John USVI, since no one wants bad food putting a damper on their trip. Let me see if I can talk about these places without getting hungry.
Note: This is a living list, as the food scene around St. John is always changing. I do my best to keep it up to date each year!
- Tips for Visiting St. John Restaurants
- Restaurants in Coral Bay
- Restaurants in Cruz Bay
- Upscale Restaurants in St John USVI
- Recent Restaurant Closures
Best Restaurants in St. John USVI: The Ultimate Guide
5 Tips for Visiting St. John Restaurants
When dining in the islands, it’s important to manage your expectations, as things tend to run a bit differently. Here are some St. John restaurant tips to help you have the best experience, so you don’t end up frustrated and hangry.
- Expect Slower Service Than You’re Used To: Even at the best restaurants in St. John USVI, service can sometimes be a bit slower overall. This is totally normal for the Caribbean; I mean, there’s a reason they call it being “on island time”. There’s also been a labor shortage in recent years that exacerbated the problem, so please try to be patient!
- High Prices: Dining in the islands is always more expensive, since most ingredients need to be imported. This has only gotten worse with recent inflation. Therefore, be prepared to get sticker shock at times.
- Make Reservations When Possible: It’s always a good idea to reserve a table in advance at the best St. John restaurants. This is especially true for popular places like ZoZo’s, Morgan’s Mango, and Extra Virgin Bistro.
- Dine in the Early Evening Hours: St. John is a bit of a sleepy island, and many restaurants close as early as 9:00 pm. You’ll find exceptions in Cruz Bay, but in Coral Bay this is generally the case. This means you’ll want to head out for dinner around 6 or 7 pm. Additionally, as the island has limited resources, St. John restaurants often run out of dishes as the night goes on. Arriving early ensures you don’t miss out.
- Sporadic Closures: Be prepared for your intended dining destination to be closed even though the website says it should be open. Sporadic closures happen on occasion due to staff shortages, special events, or other reasons. I usually find this type of thing announced on a restaurant’s social media page (Instagram or Facebook). This is also a good place to check for live music events.
Restaurants in Coral Bay, St. John USVI
Skinny Legs
While many restaurants have come and gone in recent years (especially since the 2017 hurricanes), Skinny Legs has stood resilient. In fact, I see visiting this super casual island grill as a nonnegotiable when you visit St. John because its vibe captures the island perfectly. This divey place is no-fuss, laidback, and just a cool place to hang out with a drink and a burger.
In fact, burgers and sandwiches make up the majority of the menu. However, I have noticed some leveling up lately with a “dip of the week” and the occasional aioli burger topping.
Personally, I stay tried and true with a blue cheese burger with blackening seasoning and crispy bacon on top. Pair this with a painkiller, and you’ll know exactly what Jimmy Buffett was singing about. Finish off your meal with their perfectly tart key lime pie – arguably the best on the island.
Skinny Legs is closed Mondays.
Lime Out
Related to the owners of The Lime Inn in Cruz Bay, Lime Out brought the new concept of a floating taco bar to St. John. It was actually quite a hit since it started docking in Hansen Bay in spring of 2019, creating a fun opportunity to boat or kayak out to lunch on the water.
Lime Out has since relocated to Coral Bay due to environmental concerns about the local ecosystem. As this harbor gets a lot of boat traffic, it is not safe to paddle or swim out on your own. Therefore, you can now only access Lime Out by boat (book a shuttle here). This is still a very fun place to hang out, either on their bar or on one of several floating rafts.
Lime Out is closed Saturdays.
Book Your Trip to Lime Out Here!
Johnny Lime
Joining the Coral Bay family of outdoorsy, picnic-table outfitted restaurants is Johnny Lime, a new BBQ joint that specializes in smoked meats. This is a new sister restaurant to Lime Out, and the same family also owns The Lime Inn in Cruz Bay.
On the menu, you’ll find the likes of pork ribs, chicken, and brisket that can be purchased a la carte as a meat sampling session or as a plate with two sides. Oh, and listen to this: on Fridays they do a smoked Lobster night. I’ve tried it and it’s delectable!
Stop in on Mondays for Bingo, Tuesdays for open mic night, Thursdays for trivia, and Sundays for brunch. Also, be sure to check Johnny Lime’s social media for live music, which happens around the island somewhat sporadically.
Johnny Lime is closed Thursdays.
Surf Club Cantina
This is a newer restaurant to the Coral Bay scene that replaced Wok on the Beach a couple years back. The menu is a beachy Mexican food vibe with fish tacos and house-made chips and guac. The view of Coral Bay alone makes a lunch stop here well worth it.
Pizzabar in Paradise
If you are in the mood for pizza, this is now the one place in Coral Bay that will hit the spot. Just note that the limited seats fill up fast and the tables don’t move very quickly.
If you’re short on time or just not feeling patient, I recommend ordering pizza ahead for pick up. Just call early in the evening, as supplies often run out!
Closed Saturday, Sunday, & Monday
More Coral Bay Options
The above list covers the main restaurants to check out on the Coral Bay side of the island. However, if the timing lines up properly and you are feeling adventurous, consider shaking things up with any of the below:
- Ekaete Pink Corner: This adorable pink restaurant is the best option for local Caribbean food in Coral Bay. However, the opening hours are rare and sporadic, making it difficult to fulfill any cravings for flavorful curry and roti dishes.
- Rhumb Lines: Having replaced its sister restaurant Indigo Grill shortly after 2017’s Hurricane Irma, Rhumb Lines has been a go-to for pad thai and other casual South Pacific cuisine. However, its opening hours have become inconsistent, being takeout or bar only sometimes. I’m keeping a close watch on this place; they lost their best bartender in 2023 and the fence on their patio appeared to be collapsing during a recent visit.
- Miss Lucy’s: Has a gorgeous waterfront location, but is currently only open on Thursday evenings for open mic night.
Restaurants in Cruz Bay, St. John USVI
High Tide
High Tide is a place I like to think of as “ol’ reliable”. Located right next to the ferry dock, it’s always the first place to greet us upon arrival in St. John. The staff behind the bar can make you virtually any drink you want and it’ll be done right.
Plus, one of my favorite things to do in St. John is spend an afternoon at a beach bar, and High Tide sits right on the sand in Cruz Bay. Enjoy some conch fritters at this bar and grill while watching the latest ferry passengers arrive on the island while boats come in and out of the harbor.
High Tide is also my favorite St. John departure day destination because they serve an excellent breakfast daily. Sipping a seaside mimosa is my favorite way to end vacation.
Don’t worry about your luggage – the restaurant will hold it for you. There is also a nice gift shop on site where you can purchase one last island memento.
The Roti King
If eating local food is at the top of your St. John bucket list, then a stop at The Roti King is essential. This food truck opened in the Lumberyard parking lot of Cruz Bay in early 2021. The area is breezy, being a little uphill from other Cruz Bay establishments, and even has picnic tables with views out to the water!
Also, the roti is as delicious as I would’ve hoped, being that the owner, Abdue Hill, has spent two decades perfecting it. The man apparently never sleeps, as he makes the next day’s roti dough at home in the evenings and early mornings.
The food truck is a wonderful spot to visit for lunch, where you can get roti variations like chicken, goat, and vegetable. No one should visit the Caribbean without trying roti, and this has become a place I try to visit on every trip.
Closed Sundays
The Longboard
The Longboard is the place to go if you crave a poke bowl or ceviche during your trip. I also really like their spicy shrimp tostones. The chill, open-air space brings modern surfing vibes, and it’s a cool place to sip a sophisticated cocktail (though I prefer my painkillers on the rocks, rather than their frozen version).
I’ll admit, the portions can be small and the plates run a little pricey. However, I’ve haven’t seen any other restaurants on St. John that offer similarly fresh and consistently high-quality ahi tuna bowl options. I’d just skip the tacos because you can get cheaper, yet still delicious choices at Lime Inn/Lime Out.
If you are trying to save money, consider visiting during happy hour from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for discounted drink specials.
Note: The wait here can be long and they don’t take reservations. Be prepared to join the waitlist on arrival and grab a drink elsewhere until your table is ready.
Cruz Bay Landing
One of our great traditions before leaving St. John is to get some breakfast on our last day. It’s kind of like a last hurrah before we fly back to reality. Cruz Bay Landing is an ideal option for this, as it is located very close to the ferry dock.
I have found through the years that there aren’t very many places open for breakfast on St. John. As a breakfast lover, this is a very sad fact for me. However, fellow brekkie lovers, Cruz Bay Landing has our backs, as it is open from 7:00am to 9:00pm every single day. They even have a specialty coffee bar for all of us cappuccino and latte drinkers.
Note that Cruz Bay Landing is also open for dinner. However, I personally don’t recommend it unless you don’t like your fish and chips crispy.
The Lime Inn
The restaurant scene is constantly changing on St. John and The Lime Inn is no exception. In 2023, it moved away from the theme of Caribbean dishes with a Puerto Rican twist, in favor of making Lime Out’s famous tacos available on land.
The famous New England-style clam chowder is still on the menu because, yes, soup actually does still taste good in 80°F weather. Also, all the same beloved tacos from Lime Out are now more easily available at Lime Inn, bringing this goodness to both sides of St. John. In fact, The Lime Inn is delivering double the flavor combinations that Lime Out offers.
If you’re in the mood for a cocktail, be sure to try my favorite: The Danger.
Closed Saturdays. Daily Happy Hour from 3pm-5pm.
St. John Brewers
St. John Brewers, located in Cruz Bay’s Mongoose Junction, is a must if you like trying local beer or if you’re sick of cocktails. Sure, you’ll probably see their beer at other St. John establishments. However, you can actually learn about their process and have more tasting options at the taproom.
Initially, we were lured in by rumors of the happy hour, which includes $5 off dine-in pizza. St. John Brewers definitely did not disappoint, and we devoured their BBC pizza and baked chicken wings. We obviously also enjoyed the beers too, which tasted better than ever having been brewed in small batches right on site.
Sun Dog Cafe
Sun Dog Cafe feels like a little hideaway, tucked within a courtyard of Mongoose Junction (I almost always have trouble finding it). It’s reliably open every day from 9am to 9pm, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Rumor has it that former star Rhumb Lines bartender, Tyler, now services his stellar margaritas and Pusser’s painkillers here.
That makes this place a go-to option when you are in the mood for an island meal at the last minute. Some standouts include their tuna tacos and chicken roti.
As there are only about ten tables, this restaurants stays pretty low key and casual. While they do not take reservations, exceptions may be made for large parties.
More Cruz Bay Options
I don’t stay over on the Cruz Bay side of the island as often as Coral Bay, so there are still a couple places on my list I haven’t gotten to try. Keep these on your radar for your next St. John trip and let me know how you like them:
- 18°64° The Restaurant: I stumbled upon this place while searching for Sun Dog in Mongoose Junction and couldn’t understand why I hadn’t heard of it before. Having opened in 2019, this seafood restaurant boasts a raw bar, lobster rolls, and hand-rolled sushi.
- STJ Speakeasy: Located in the Cruz Bay Lumberyard parking lot, this scenic restaurant offers casual ambiance and a rotating menu that seeks to leverage locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Come to watch the sunset over St. Thomas while indulging in the day’s fresh catch.
Upscale Restaurants in St. John, USVI
While you won’t find any formal restaurant offerings in Coral Bay, they do sort-of exist on St. John. To celebrate a special occasion or simply have a memorable night out on vacation, book a table at one of the below restaurants:
Extra Virgin Bistro
Here’s a bold claim: after eating here a few times now, I’d consider Extra Virgin to be the best restaurant on St. John. It is super ambient for special occasions and the highly-regarded Mediterranean menu even features homemade bread and pasta. The mushroom pappardelle is a must!
Currently, the restaurant is offering a three course tasting menu at $100 per person, but you can also get the menu à la carte at the bar. Reservations are accepted 30 days out and there is valet parking next door. Closed Mondays.
La Tapa
La Tapa is easily one of my favorite restaurants on St. John due to its high quality small plates that pair beautifully with a glass a cava and a view of the sunset. Book a reservation here if you crave a Caribbean/Spanish fusion theme that features the likes of croquettes and melt-in-your-mouth tuna tartar.
ZoZo’s at Caneel Bay
Located on the property of the out-of-commission Caneel Bay Resort, ZoZo’s is one of the most romantic restaurants on St. John. Facing towards St. Thomas, ZoZo’s offers incredible water views, especially during golden hour.
Book a preset seating time to enjoy the gourmet tasting menu at $135 and take your time because the table will be yours for the evening. It is also possible to get the menu à la carte in the bar or lounge.
Reservations are accepted 30 days out. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Morgan’s Mango
An ambient and elegant space that also maintains a tropical feel. It gives fancy island treehouse with a patio opening up towards the water.
My husband and I absolutely adored the coconut panko encrusted fresh grouper and creamy seafood paella. Reservations are accepted, so be sure to make them!
I personally enjoyed everything I ate here, especially the seafood! My only complaint is that we didn’t get seated until about an hour after our reservation was supposed to start. I’d definitely give this place another chance though.
The Terrace
For one last classy alternative, consider this French-inspired restaurant near the water in Cruz Bay. As the name suggests, there is a deck for tables with a view.
This restaurant also boasts an extensive wine list and French classics like delicious foie gras and baked camembert. My favorite dish was the profiteroles dessert, which was cream puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and drizzled in chocolate sauce. Closed Sunday and Monday.
St. John USVI Restaurant Closures
Below is where I list notable recent restaurant closures:
- Aqua Bistro: Having never fully recovered post-Hurricane Irma, Aqua Bistro is officially closed for good. A shame too, given that it’s awesome waterfront bar remains vacant.
- Salty Mongoose Pizza & Rum Bar: I literally loved this place and am heartbroken to have lost it after only three years. While their social media announced an expected re-opening at a new location in early 2024, we are now on to 2025. I feel pessimistic at this point, and the new location wouldn’t live up to the waterfront spot the original had anyhow. A new restaurant called Sharky’s By the Water has opened in its prime original spot.
- Rum Hut: Previously located along Cruz Bay Beach in Wharfside Village, this restaurant was sold during August 2024. The good news is that a high-end sushi restaurant called Karma will soon take its place!
- Quiet Mon Pub: This longstanding favorite Cruz Bay watering hole closed for good during 2024 due to raising rents. However, a new place called The Blind Donkey is planning to open in its place.
As always, I’ll keep you posted on further restaurant updates, as things are always changing on St. John.
• • •
I’m sure you must be so hungry after reading about all the best restaurants in St. John USVI. I know I’m going to be dreaming about eating some tacos and conch fritters on the beach tonight!
Which of these wonderful St. John restaurants are you looking forward to checking out?
No miss lucy?
Just missed it on this list. Love the view from Miss Lucy’s though!
Lime Out is currently open in Coral Harbor Tuesday-Sunday 11 – 5
Thank you! I had just updated this post, and then they reopened, so I need to update again!
Thank you for all of this wonderful information! Extremely helpful! My husband and I are taking a 10 year wedding anniversary trip to St.John next month (early June). We’d like to be able to watch the sunset each night. Therefore, do you recommend always eating dinner after this time, 7 pm or so? Thank you for your insights! Much appreciated.
I’m very happy to help! It looks like the sun sets between 6:50 and 7:00pm throughout June, so it probably makes the most sense to make reservations after 7pm.
There are a few places in Cruz Bay where you can see the sunset while dining, such as Beach Bar, High Tide, and Joe’s Rum Hut to name a few. These are quite casual though. If you’d like to head to St. Thomas for an evening, Sunset Grille is an upscale spot with the most incredible sunset views.
So glad you included some wonderful spots in Coral Bay! Have you ever been to Ekaete Pink Corner? Traditional West Indian Food, fresh tropical juices, it’s just wonderful. You might have to reserve/coordinate a time to dine via their Facebook page as hours seem to be somewhat irrgular or unpredictable, but it is worth it!
Thank you for the suggestion! It is on my list 🙂
Great article! I can’t agree with the highlighting of burger restaurants in islands as I see enough burgers on the mainland. That would include tacos. There were little to none authentic Caribbean restaurants that served food. I hope the hurricanes and covid were not enough to remove these permanently!
It’s so funny because I actually don’t eat many burgers when I’m home, but always do in St. John haha. On our latest trip, we discovered Roti King, which is super local with great roti, as the name suggests. Highly recommend!
We always love cafe Roma is it still there? We are visiting in May, hope to visit a lot of these places!
Yes it is!