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You would think staying on St. John, the second smallest of the USVI, 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.
Rhumb Lines
If there was an elegant place to eat in dressed-down Coral Bay, it would be Rhumb Lines. For those familiar with St. John pre-Hurricane Irma, you may recall that Rhumb Lines used to be in Cruz Bay. It has taken over the former location of it’s sister restaurant, Indigo Grill, and now resides in Coral Bay. They do accept reservations, so I recommend calling ahead.
The decor and menu are both inspired by the South Pacific region, which brings something unique to the Coral Bay food scene. The Rhumb Lines menu is most known for its pad thai, though I also love the little spring rolls and snacks from their “Pupu Portions”.
Finally, make sure you save room for their peanut butter chocolate pie. It’s so ridiculously good! Basically like creamy peanut butter cup chocolate heaven.
Rhumb Lines is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
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.
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.
More Great Coral Bay Options
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 housemade chips and guac. However, my favorite part about this bar are the awesome drinks made by Tyler, who used to work over at Rhumb Lines. He knows his way around a margarita and makes excellent painkillers as well.
Ekaete Pink Corner
For authentic local Caribbean fare, this adorable pink restaurant is a must. The chef/owner puts a lot of love into her curry and roti dishes, among other daily specials, getting up early in the morning to slow cook the meat. The menu and atmosphere has a very heart-warming, homecooked feel. The Pink Corner is sporadically open, so I recommend passing by each night until you catch it in action.
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 through Monday
Restaurants in Cruz Bay, St. John USVI
High Tide
One of my favorite things to do in St. John is spending an afternoon at a beach bar. High Tide is a bar and grille located right on the water, and you can even walk through the sand to get there. This is often our first stop upon arriving in St. John, as it’s steps away from the ferry dock.
That said, I actually prefer to visit High Tide on our St. John departure day because they serve an excellent breakfast daily. I love spending my last morning of vacation sipping a mimosa on the water. Don’t worry about your luggage – the restaurant has an area where they’ll 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. I have a feeling it’ll be a place I 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.
Fun Fact
The day before Hurricane Irma hit the island, the owner of The Longboard flew to St. John so he could provide meals during the aftermath. Thanks to a partnership with the Red Cross, The Longboard served thousands of free meals to the public every day for an entire month.
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.
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 Saturday and Sunday.
Rum Hut
Rum Hut has become one of my favorite go-to restaurants in Cruz Bay. My husband and I found it by happy accident when we were too hungry to wait for a table at The Longboard. In fact, we have almost always gotten a table at Rum Hut right away.
This restaurant is part of the Wharfside Village complex, which is located just off the sand along Cruz Bay. Unlike many similar establishments in the area, the interior decor is very sleek and modern. They also have a high quality food menu that isn’t too fancy, with deliciousness like lobster rangoons, tuna tartar tacos, and short rib bao buns.
Do note that their dishes tend to be smaller “tapas” portions. Also, be sure to visit at the right time. Happy Hour runs daily from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, or come during sunset for dreamy harbor views.
Closed Sundays.
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.
Closed Mondays.
Sun Dog Cafe
Sun Dog Cafe feels like a little hideaway, tucked within a courtyard of Mongoose Junction. In fact, I almost always have trouble finding it. It’s reliably open every day from 9am to 9pm, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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. They also make a mean painkiller, though I always request mine with Pusser’s Rum :).
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.
Upscale Restaurants in St. John, USVI
If you are looking 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 this to be the best restaurant on St. John. Extra Virgin is super ambient for special occasions and their highly-regarded Mediterranean menu even features fresh bread and pasta. Currently, the restaurant is offering a three course tasting menu at $100 per person. Reservations are accepted 30 days out; there is valet parking next door. Closed Mondays.
Morgan’s Mango – An ambient and elegant space that also maintains a tropical feel. It almost feels like a fancy 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, although don’t be surprised if you still have a little bit of a wait once you get to the restaurant.
La Tapa – Finally, after years of unsuccessful attempts for one reason or another, I’ve managed to eat at La Tapa! Book a reservation here if you want Caribbean scenery with a Spanish tapas menu (there are large plates too). The waterfront location is truly amazing while sipping Cava and watching the sunset. Reservations are accepted up to three months out. Closed Thursdays.
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 $125, and take your time because the table will be yours for the evening. Reservations are accepted 30 days out. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
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 restaurant closures from the past year:
- Aqua Bistro: After years of sort of being in limbo since Hurricane Irma, this place has finally shuttered.
- Salty Mongoose Pizza & Rum Bar: Having only been in Coral Bay for three super fun years, this establishment has closed due to rising rents. They will hopefully reopen in the future in a new location.
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!