14 Best Restaurants in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

This barnlike “Crucian-Rican” restaurant is often the first stop that locals make before heading to the airport and after arriving back home. Out back, dozens of chickens slowly rotate on a giant rotisserie, and, in front, regulars and a smattering of in-the-know visitors queue up for the juicy birds, traditional Johnny cakes, and local food like stewed oxtail and conch in butter sauce.

Dive into the best breakfast sandwiches on the island along with hearty Caribbean dishes like stew oxtail, veggie teriyaki stir fry, and curry chicken. The sandwiches are made with the local butter bread from Thomas Bakery and fresh local produce from island farmers. The salmon chowder and fettuccine Alfredo pasta are always a big hit; wash it down with his famous lime punch or ginger pineapple juice.

This popular vegan restaurant prepares a variety of flavorful plant-based dishes, like vegan mac and cheese, BBQ tofu, and chickpea loaf. Try the crispy golden fried cauliflower, a perfect healthy alternative to French fries. The menu, which changes daily, is posted on their Facebook page.

This colorful family restaurant has been offering Caribbean-Latin cuisine to the local community for over 20 years. Fresh fish, lobster, and conch are almost always on the menu, as well as stew chicken, fried pork chops, and grilled steaks.

Grilled mahimahi sandwiches, falafel, fish-and-chips, and burgers are among the favorites at this open-air bar across the street from Cane Bay beach. Some dishes are prepared using local Leatherback beer, which is available behind the bar. Live bands occasionally entertain at dinnertime.

The fare served here is the farthest thing from traditional Mexican food—in addition to the usual ingredients, you can get a taco stuffed with buffalo chicken or jambalaya, and vegan options are available, too. The bar and restaurant are one story up, so the views of the beach and surf are nice. Drink prices are fairly priced—expect to pay $6 for a local Leatherback beer and $9 for the signature cocktails made with crushed ice.

This modest storefront eatery fills up with locals getting to-go orders of the restaurant’s traditional Crucian breakfast, including salt fish, Johnny cake, boiled egg, cucumber salad, sautéed spinach, and—in a nod to the island’s Danish heritage—smoked herring. Lunch options include chicken, shrimp, and fish roti, and a popular vegetable lentil soup.

You don’t have to eat like a pig at this restaurant and bar in the rain forest, but you can feed a whole can of beer to one. The giant hogs residing here have developed a taste for the suds, and for a few dollars you can buy a nonalcoholic beer and offer it up to a pig who will crush the can in its powerful jaws, chug down the ingredients, and spit out the crushed aluminum when done. You can get simple but delicious bar fare like burgers, wings, and Johnny Cakes, plus rotis on Friday.

Divers fresh from a plunge at the North Shore's popular Cane Bay Wall gather at this breezy spot on the beach, where sunsets are celebrated with a toast at the bar and the winter months offer the possibility of whale sightings offshore. The menu includes deli sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs, but the stars are the calzones and pizzas, which include options for vegetarians as well as meat-lovers. You can also build your own pizza from an extensive ingredients list or, if you just want a snack, you can order a slice.

At this ocean-level restaurant located at the Grapetree Bay Hotel, you can dine on fish-and-chips, tacos, and Asian sticky pork ribs in a breezy open-air terrace. The all-you-can-eat brunch buffet on Sundays offers your typical breakfast fare like eggs, bacon, and pancakes, plus rotating lunch specials and a meat carving station. At the East End Bar, casual dining under the stars is on the menu with house-made pizza, fresh sandwiches, and salads.

Huge sandwiches at this tiny spot feature homemade bread and can be as basic as turkey and cheddar or as imaginative as the Beast, piled high with hot roast beef, raw onion, and melted Swiss cheese with horseradish and mayonnaise. Barbecue—including pulled pork, chicken, and brisket plates—is another highlight. There are also salads and a good selection of desserts, plus lots of outdoor seating in the shade.

For a taste of local Crucian fare at an affordable price, head to Two Plus Two Restaurant. Fried chicken leg and French fries are consistently good; or try fish and fungi, the unofficial dish of the the Virgin Islands. As a boozy accompaniment to your food, grab a Cruzan Confusion cocktail or an ice-cold beer at the full-service bar.

No two days are ever the same with daily vegan and vegetarian specials, veggie soups, stewed veggies, garden salads, and local drinks at this community favorite. Choose your plate size—small, medium, or large—and select from the list of proteins and sides that will leave you feeling nourished and satisfied. Arrive early with cash and a little patience as the kitchen moves at its own pace. Don’t miss their spicy popcorn snacks; they sell out quickly thanks to the unique combination of spices and flavors. Head across the street to the park and enjoy your meal with the breathtaking waterfront views.

Serving local favorites for over 30 years, Zeny's Restaurant is open seven days a week whipping up mouthwatering dishes like stew chicken, seasoned rice, conch in butter sauce, and roast pork. The inconspicuous residential exterior transforms into a cozy, intimate restaurant inside. Try the mofongo with stew shrimp or the bestseller, chicharrones de pollo. Always call ahead to make sure they're open.