Despite being the least touristed of the USVI, St Croix has not only a wide selection of cuisine at all price levels, but some of the best high-end dining spots in the Caribbean. While there are a few great
places to eat
in Frederiksted, Christiansted is the culinary capital of St Croix and it's a mostly casual experience with no need to dress up.
Bachus
52 Queen Cross St tel 340/692-9922. Expensive, but without a doubt one of the best dining experiences you'll have in the Virgin Islands. Request a table overlooking the street and choose something special from the largest wine list on the island. Open Tues-Sun 6-10pm. Recommended.
Boz's Cane Bay Beach Bar
Rte 80 tel 340/778-5669. Burgers and beer on the beach at Cane Bay, west of town. Cash only.
Cheeseburgers in Paradise
East End Road tel 340/773-1119. Though lacking any sort of ambience, some argue this place serves the best cheeseburger-and-beer combo on the island. Daily 11am-10.30pm.
Company Street Bar and Grill
2110 Company St tel 340/773-6880. Cheap sandwiches and salads served daily 11.30am-4am (closed for lunch during summer).
Fort. Christian Brew Pub
55 King's Alley tel 340/713-9820. Hot sandwiches, pastas, jambalayas and other Cajun favourites. While the food is always a safe bet, the local-brewed beer is a must-try. On Monday night, if you order a steak, all the beer you can drink is free. Located on the boardwalk overlooking the water.
Great House at Villa Madeleine
South Side Road tel 340/778-7377. Situated east of Christiansted, this historic West Indian plantation, with great views of Teague Bay to the north and Grapetree Bay to the south, has decent French-accented adventurous food. Dinner Mon-Sat 6-10pm. Recommended.
Harvey's
11B Company St tel 340/773-3433. Reasonably priced fare, specializing in creole dishes and barbecue. Generally open Friday and Saturday nights only, but call ahead as days and hours vary.
Indies
55-66 Company St tel 340/692-9440. Upscale fish and meat dishes served with a Caribbean flair for US$15-30 served in a rustic eighteenth-century courtyard. Open for lunch and dinner.
Kim's
45 King St tel 340/773-3377. Dine among locals at this dirt-cheap West Indian eatery. The conch in butter sauce melts in your mouth. Daily 11am-9pm.
Luncheria
6 Company St tel 340/773-4247. Cheap and savoury Tex-Mex food with killer margaritas for just a buck. Open Mon-Sat 11am-9pm.
Marina Bar
King's Landing Yacht Club tel 340/773-0103. Have a Bloody Mary and a hearty egg breakfast while watching seaplanes land on the water. Or chomp on a veggie burger at lunch. All meals US$5-12. Daily 7am-9pm.
Morning Glory Coffee and Tea
Off East End Road tel 340/773-6620. Owner and third-generation coffee roaster Margo Loe ensures you get a top-notch cup of joe at this Gallows Bay café. She also has a full breakfast menu and wraps and salads for lunch. Mon-Sat 7am-3pm.
Savant
Hospital Street tel 340/713-8666. Upscale restaurant that serves a fusion of Thai, Mexican and Caribbean cuisine in a stylish atmosphere on the eastern edge of town. Mon-Sat 5.30-10pm.
Shenanigan's
1102 Strand St/Pan Am Pavilion tel 340/713-8110. Fast and friendly Southern cooking for travellers on a budget. A great bet for breakfast and lunch.
Tuto Bene
2 Company Street tel 340/773-5229. A small favourite since 1991, serving northern Italian fare with a Caribbean twist, with prices ranging between US$16 and US$29 per entree. No reservations accepted, but there's a small bar where you can wait. Daily 5-10pm.
Zeny's Bar and Restaurant
39-40 King Cross St tel 340/773-4393. Cheap and authentic Puerto Rican fare located next to Market Square. Go for simple fried pork chops and curried stews or try local favourites such as saltfish and dumplings or sautéed pig feet. Daily 8am-11pm.