This is a comprehensive restaurant guide for Charlotte Amalie, Old Town St. Thomas. If you are coming on a cruise ship looking to visit town for the historical sites or shopping these are all the places that serve food.
I’ve listed every option I could think of and put them in no particular order. I offered a short description of each restaurant, the vibe and food. On occasion I also add some recommendations and critiques.
Admittedly, I don’t include food trucks and several of the small, sometimes unnamed food windows deeper in town. They don’t do websites, online menus or social media pages which means you’ll just have to go hunting if you want to find some of these food treasures.
Sugarcane Grille has been around for close to a decade but it wasn’t until a few years ago that my wife and I “discovered” it. From the street you’ll only see a small sign pointing you up some stairs. The restaurant is located above Bunker Hill Hotel. The flight of steps is worth it!
You’ll have wonderful view of downtown, especially if you are lucky enough to come during sunset. The menu is a mixed bag of local favorites – I always get the curried lobster.
Just steps away from Sugarcane Grille is Ideal Roti. This little walkup spot is for grab and go food. A roti is like an island burrito. A bunch of good stuff packed into a chickpea flour tortilla. They tend to be spicy but you can ask for no spice.
For your $20 you can get conch, shrimp, lobster, chicken or vegetables in your roti. Curry is the spice that sets the roti apart as an island classic.
Bumpa’s is a long-time favorite of mine for breakfast. The menu is basic but good enough for a relaxing bite to eat. What elevates this simple restaurant are the harbor views. Bumpa’s is on the 2nd floor and provides an escape from the bustling streets below. Enjoy people watching from your perch while filling up on eggs, bacon and all the classics.
One of the newer restaurants on scene is Rendezvous. This is an elevated dining experience. The menu is a bit flashier. The food is good but the air-conditioning is the real star here. So you can enjoy your food while cooling off from the Caribbean sun.
In my opinion, the Tuck Shop is the best spot for local food. Located on Back Street, the menu is extensive. Jerk Chicken, plantains, stewed chicken, shrimp, fritters, they have a large selection of local favorites.
Just 100 feet from Mainstreet you can stroll right in and relax in this simple, island restaurant.
I’ve only eaten dinner here. It is my wife and my favorite restaurant for date night. Air-conditioning aside, we love how relaxed it all is. The dining room has a massively high ceiling which gives the place an airy feel. The walls and bar are made from beautiful brick.
Not sure if they have music during the day, but at night they almost always have a live musician playing reggae or similar chill music.
The menu is loaded with options but being a creature of habit I always get the Mahi sandwich. Perfection.
As of this writing I’ve never actually eaten at 758. So the best I can tell you is that it is located right next to Emancipation Park. If your taxi driver dropped you in the area and you want to start your day in town with some food or drink, this might be a great option. You’ll have to let me know what you think!
Picnic tables with umbrellas on a side street pretty much describes the vibe at Side Street Pub. This is casual alleyway elegance. 🙂
Always friendly, the staff and owners are always there to make your visit pleasant. The food is casual and easy. Enjoy a quick lunch before heading back out into town to explore.
Greengos is on my “treat myself” list. When I feel like I have a particularly productive day and deserve a treat, I go to Greengos. The food and sauces are great but the real attraction for me is the tequila and beer. I always order the tofu burrito smoothered (don’t knock it until you try it) along with a shot of tequila and a Carib beer.
They are located in a beautiful location on Hibiscus Alley. But only go there if you think you deserve it. 🙂
Good Italian food in the Caribbean? Yup. Virgilios is an island institution. They may be the longest running restaurant in the Virgin Islands. They have lasted so long because the food and service is amazing.
It’s tiny, quaint, intimate and yet you won’t feel out of place in your fanny pack and flip flops. The owner Matthew is always there to welcome you.
11. Kentucky Fried Chicken
Please don’t do this. I love KFC. But please don’t do this.
Another treat myself kinda place, Cafe Amalie is like eating at a street cafe in Barcelona. The Spanish food is superb and the services is fantastic. And speaking of Barcelona, my favorite thing to order is the Barcelona Burger. So delicious.
The setting is a beautiful, open-air courtyard in Palm Passage. The vibe is casual but you will definitely enjoy your food experience at Cafe Amalie.
What I always liked about Cafe Amici is the location. It’s tucked into a little side passage and feels like you found a secret spot. The pizzas are my go-to choice.
The Greenhouse has something for everyone. An open-air, sit down restaurant with an extensive menu. I like sitting near the front of the restaurant with a clear view of the street and water. Harbor and people watching is a pastime of mine.
It’s been a while since I’ve eaten there, but they used to have a 2-for-1 drink special. So pace yourself and don’t miss your ship!
Sitting right on the water you can enjoy your lunch while watching the seaplane glide in and out of the harbor. The food choice are heavy on the local side. This place drives me nuts because I would love to eat here all the time but the service isn’t the best.
But if you are not in a rush to go anywhere, this a leisurely spot for lunch.
Conclusion:
If you are in Charlotte Amalie and find a restaurant not on the list you must share it with me and give me your thoughts!
Or, if you think I misled, lied, shirked my responsibilities or otherwise deceived you in this guide or was completely wrong on any of the above restaurants, please forgive me.
Or, if you want to get a proper tour of the town and eat at some of these local spots (and a few other hidden ones not listed here) check out our Food Tours.
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