5 Best Restaurants in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

This second-floor restaurant in the heart of Cruz Bay is the place for traditional Italian cuisine, so don't let the underwhelming ambience turn you away. The lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and seafood manicotti are all delicious, as are the pizzas—the smaller ones are available at your table, but larger ones are available for takeout or at the bar. This casual place can get crowded, so come early. 

This is the place to go for Mexican food on St. John. You'll find nacho starters, tacos, burritos, and enchiladas as well as a half dozen margarita variations to wash it all down. The tortillas are made fresh in the St. Thomas location and ferried across daily. For something different, try the tequilas infused with mango, pineapple, or red chili.

This casual spot right at Cruz Bay Beach serves everything from hamburgers and mahi sandwiches to surf and turf and Caribbean lobster. At happy hour, order a Painkiller and watch the sunset over the bay. Or, if you're here for breakfast, order the chicken and waffles or eggs Benedict. The kids' menu includes favorites like chicken tenders and grilled-cheese sandwiches.

Good old-fashioned BBQ ribs and brisket, plus all the fixings like mac and cheese, cornbread, and okra are served from a bright yellow food truck. Dine outdoors on umbrella-covered picnic tables with a view of Coral Harbor. Lobster is served on Fridays.

There's an unusual assortment of dishes at this charming alfresco restaurant, which you'll find tucked into a courtyard in the upper reaches of the Mongoose Junction shopping center. The Jamaican jerk chicken salad and the black-bean quesadilla are good choices. Kudos to the white pizza with artichoke hearts, roasted garlic, mozzarella cheese, and capers.