9 Best Restaurants in St Thomas
By Andrea Milam on 9th November, 2023
The Virgin Islands might be small, but the variety of restaurant offerings here is decidedly large. Eateries run the gamut from relaxed beachfront bars where frosty beverages pair perfectly with classic bar foods to fine dining venues where the sunset view is as delicious as the food.
If you’ve got a special night out in mind, be sure to make a reservation at your chosen restaurant. Many high-end options, and even some mid-range restaurants quickly book up in high season. Forgot your suit and tie at home? That’s no problem! No restaurants in the Virgin Islands require a certain dress code, although you must have on a shirt and shoes. So what to wear for an evening of fine dining? Think khaki shorts, button-up polo shirts, tank top with a skirt, or a sundress. Flip-flops will do just fine. Read on to discover 9 of the best restaurants in St Thomas!
XO Bistro
Enjoy the casual elegance of XO Bistro, conveniently located on the East End of St. Thomas, in the heart of Red Hook, and an easy walk from the St. John ferry dock. The stylish dining room is wrapped around a large centrally located wine and cocktail bar, perfect for a drink after work or cocktails with friends during their daily happy hour.
Explore and enjoy the best the Caribbean has to offer as their culinary team blends the spices and flavors of the islands in their own unique style for lunch and dinner every day of the week. The award-winning wine menu contains more than 150 selections, from the legendary growths and vineyards of France to the small artisanal producers of Sonoma County.
Location: 6501 Red Hook Plaza #1
For more information visit: www.xobistro.net
Old Stone Farmhouse
Executive chef John-Michael Hamlet brings more than three decades of experience and his fine French flair to Old Stone Farmhouse’s menu this season. The Old Stone Farmhouse is an award-winning restaurant that is set in a 200-year-old plantation field house that offers stunning views of St Thomas’ countryside.
While the restaurant has been updated with a modern and stylish touch, you can still feel a bit of that classic, Old World charm. When you reserve a table, you’ll get to enjoy your evening with candlelight, a cozy fireplace, and big stone walls. For a truly French experience, begin with escargot or frogs’ legs. If you’re in the mood for something with an island flair, consider the curried goat for your main course or the wok-seared West Indian pumpkin.
Once you’ve had a kitchen tour and savored your dinner, you can move to the courtyard for dessert. It’s served under the twinkling stars from a separate pastry kitchen and rum bar.
Location: Mahogany Run, St. Thomas
For more information visit: www.oldstonefarmhouse.net
Taphus Beer House
In the days prior to their acquisition by Denmark the capital city of what is now known as the U.S. Virgin Islands was founded in 1666 as Taphus (meaning “beer house” or “beer hall” in Danish). Once reputed as a haven for pirates, “Charlotte Amalie” replaced “Taphus” under Denmark’s rule, and the Taphus name drifted off into obscurity.
After the hurricanes of 2017, Taphus Beer House resurrected the name along with the beautiful original brick-and-mortar walls of their 300-year-old building to create the new Taphus beer hall. Using wood from a local mahogany tree felled by the storms for the bar top, Taphus fitted out the décor with a mix of other reclaimed and repurposed materials scavenged from the storms’ aftermath.
Taphus offers six draft beers on tap, and the largest selection of craft beers on the island. Come enjoy a glass of Taphus Cream Ale, brewed here in the V.I. by Frenchtown Brewing, or a refreshing craft cocktail. Located on Main Street in the charming historic district of downtown Charlotte Amalie.
Location: 5120 Dronningens Gade #7, St. Thomas
For more information visit: taphusbeerhouse
Rum Island Pub
Located in historic downtown Charlotte Amalie, you will find the home of the world famous Rum Island Punch, the strongest rum punch on the island! Take a break from exploring downtown shops and sip delicious house-infused cocktails and local craft beer. Rum Island Pub’s open-air bar with beautiful harbor views will quickly become your new favorite place to unwind with friends that will become family.
Rum Island Pub in Drake’s Passage is the harbor bar that draws sailors and mermaids alike. Mention seeing this for $2 off your first drink. We’ll see you in the passage.
Location: 31 Drake’s Passage, Charlotte Amalie
For more information visit: rumislandpub
Tickles Dockside Pub
Locals and visitors alike gather to enjoy casual open-air dining on the water next to million-dollar megayachts. Tickles Dockside Pub is open 365 days a year serving an expansive menu of local and national favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Enjoy everything from comfort food to classic steak and seafood at moderate prices. You can listen to live entertainment during the week while sipping your favorite frozen drink at the sociable full-service bar. Tickles Dockside Pub is kid-friendly with great choices in kid-favorite entrées. They accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
Location: Crown Bay Marina, St. Thomas
For more information visit: www.ticklesdocksidepub.com
Duffy’s Love Shack
The middle of a parking lot is probably the last place you’d expect to find a tiki bar, and yet there Duffy’s Love Shack is, in the middle of Red Hook Plaza’s parking lot, pulling a lively crowd each night. Whether it’s the island-style details like thatched awnings and a bamboo bar, or the unique drinks served in a myriad of vessels from fresh coconuts and pineapples to race cars, Duffy’s Love Shack has served as the epicenter of Red Hook nightlife for 30 years.
Check out what may be the longest happy hour on island daily from 3 to 7 p.m., and don’t miss Duffy’s delicious Caribbean lobster nights on Wednesday. King crab is on special on Saturdays. Duffy’s is kid-friendly through the dinner hour. Duffy’s is a must-do on your Virgin Islands vacation. . Bring your friends and see if you can down their famous Love Shack Volcano, a 50-ounce “frozen tropical extravaganza served flaming with potent berry lava flows.” Duffy’s tropical-influenced grub is the perfect bar food; their pu pu platters, each with its own grilling hibachi, make dining here a fun and interactive experience.
Location: 6500 Red Hook Plaza, St. Thomas
For more information visit: www.duffysloveshack.com
French Quarter Bistro
French Quarter Bistro earned the 2021 Travelers Choice Award on TripAdvisor. French Quarter Bistro was opened in 2018 in the heart of Frenchtown by Ed and Amoi Foerstel due to their love of Cajun cuisine. Almost all of their Creole and Cajun dishes begin with a stock (poultry, beef, or seafood), trinity (onions, green bell peppers, celery), and a roux (blonde, brown, or dark), lending a unique flavor to their gumbo and shrimp etoufee. Their fresh fish options and unique flavors, as well as portion size, will leave you feeling satisfied.
The award-winning wine menu contains wine from vineyards of France to Italy and California with the perfect pairing for your dish of choice. Ask your server about their sweet and savory homemade French crepes for Sunday brunch, in flavors like bananas foster, berries and cream, or tasty savory crepe options. Their famous beignets with Chicory Cafe Du Monde coffee are a must. French Quarter Bistro is not re inventing Creole and Cajun cuisine, only sharpening it.
Location: Rue De Saint Barthelemy
For more information visit: www.frenchquarterbistrovi.com
13 Restaurant
13 Restaurant is waiting for you in the Yacht Haven Grand, a premier destination of Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, Virgin Islands. 13 Restaurant is conveniently and centrally located on the water with picturesque views. Executive Chef Tully Wilson will welcome you to southern cuisine with an island flair. Indulgences include Nashville hot chicken, the old hickory ribeye, cedar plank salmon, fried green tomatoes with Caribbean lobster, plus many other seafood favorites.
The bar is available to serve your favorite wine, craft cocktails, and beer. Check out the wide selection of whiskey, bourbons, and of course, Caribbean rum. Don’t miss the incredible Sunday brunch with southern staples like biscuits and gravy, chicken fried chicken, and eggs benedict. Brunch also offers bottomless mimosas and bloody marys!
13 Restaurant will plan your next party, catered event, or special dinner, plus accommodate all your dietary restrictions and special needs. Reservations are recommended. Whether you’ve traveled from across the ocean or simply crossed the street, one of the highlights of your trip will surely be your dining experience at 13 Restaurant.
Location: 5304 Yacht Haven Grande, St. Thomas
For more information visit: www.13restaurant.com
3 Palms
3 Palms is a fine dining restaurant above the marina at American Yacht in Red Hock. With both indoor and outdoor balcony seating and a large stylish bar, 3 Palms is the perfect spot for an intimate dinner or a group celebration. Recently selected as one of the Top 50 restaurants in the Caribbean by Caribbean Journal, 3 Palms features flavorful fresh dishes with a French Creole flare.
The owners and Chef have deep roots in New Orleans fine dining and have delivered the famous NOLA flare to St Thomas. Using fresh local seafood, celebrated Chef Robert Gurvich delivers a menu, that is written daily to showcase the best flavors the Caribbean has to offer.
Arrive early and relax in the lounge on the balcony while sipping on one of the unique craft cocktails created by Mixologist Mark P. Edwards. Between the delicious fresh juices of the cocktails and extensive wine life, 3 Palms has what you’re looking for. Reservations are recommended but not required. The service and staff at 3 Palms are the finest on the island, so join them for the best dining experience of your trip!
Location: 6100 Red Hook Qtrs. St. Thomas
For more information visit: www.3palms.com
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