ST THOMAS DINING OUT
Dining in St Thomas is varied and diverse, you can spend a little or a lot and the offerings are quite varied. I decided to put some places on here that are slightly off the beaten path and more for the "average joe" who is looking for somewhere with a lot of "local atmosphere" to go out and eat.
BE CAREFUL! Sometimes places change and the newspapers and publications aren't always up to date! Always call and confirm that the restaurant is still there before heading out!
(these places I keep up on, so you won't have any worries with the ones below)
NOTE: Everywhere you go on St Thomas is "Resort Casual" or less as far as dress.
There's is no need to worry about ties and jackets. Nice shorts and tropical shirts & dresses are fine. Be comfy!
Pricing Chart (for 2 adults):
$$$$= $100 or more
$$$=$50-$100
$$=around $50
$=$25-$50 (or less)
Oceana 
For Dinner or your Reception!
Romantic, Quiet and Quaint, this oceanside restaurant serves great cuisine and has a stellar seaside view and atmosphere. I have done several receptions in this wonderful place and I give it one of my highest recommendations. Tell Patricia that DJ Eric Snow sent you. This place is one of the best kept "hidden treasures" on St Thomas and my pick for the best "Romantic Dinner" on the island.
Catagory: Fine Dining Seafood & Tropical Cuisine
Pricing: $$$$
Dress: Island Dress Up (slacks, nice shirt, etc. Ties, jackets not required--you can get away with nice shorts and a nice shirt here as well)
Don't Miss: Patricia's Amazing Seafood Dishes
Located in Frenchtown.
Note: Reservations Strongly Recommended
Phone: (340) 774-4262
Website: www.oceana.vi
E-mail: info@oceana.vi
Thirteen
Do you want to totally get out of the tourist path and hit the best kept locals secret on St Thomas?
This place is always very busy and rightly so--it's one of the best values for a fine meal on the entire island.
The easiest way to find this place is to call for directions. If you don't have a car, then enlist the help of a taxi who's been there before--and don't let a taxi driver talk you out of it, since many taxi's do not like driving to the Northside (there's more fares for them when they stick close to town--so insist!).
Discovering this restaurant will put you deep into the Northside, and into one of the prettiest areas of our entire island.
Locals rave about this place and go here often.
It's become quite a staple for many of us.
Catagory: I cannot put this place into any one catagory, except for calling it "FANTASTIC"! To give you an idea, a few of the key dishes include: Roasted Duck Breast, Shrimp & Lobster Fettucini, Sesame Seed Crusted Salmon, Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon, Crab & Artichoke Crusted Snapper, Rack of Lamb, Blackened Mahi, Chardonnay Steamed Mussels, Great Salads and much, much more. The menu is also vegetarian friendly.
Pricing: $$$
Dress: Resort Casual
Don't Miss: Peanut Chicken Summer Rolls or any of the fine desserts they offer (Banoffi Pie, /Salted Chocolate Brownie or Glazed Doughnut Bread Pudding anyone?) to compliment your meal.
Located on the Northside of St Thomas, near the Hull Bay area.
Reservations Recommended!
Phone: (340) 774-6800 (call for directions)
Bar Hours: 4pm-Midnight
Dinner Hours: 5:30pm-11pm
Open every day except for Sundays & Mondays.
Havana Blue
Located inside the Marriott this place is always bumping! It's the place to be seen and the food is excellent, creative and well-presented. Dishes from Latin America combined with flavors from the Pacific Rim will drive you wild. This place isn't cheap, but it's one of the few restaurants where I can spend alot of cash and then walk out feeling satisified after being totally indulgent. A very, very nice place to impress.
Catagory: Latin Fusion
Pricing: $$$$
Dress: Resort Casual (slacks, nice shirt, etc. Ties, jackets not required)
Don't Miss: Key Lime Pie Martini, Ancho Fillet (Entree), Diablo Choco Fondante (Dessert)
Located: Morning Star Beach, inside the Marriott Resort.
Phone: (340) 715-BLUE
Website: http://www.havanabluerestaurant.com/
Buddha Bar
Fantastic Sushi and one of my favorite places to go eat on St Thomas.
Although off the beaten track, this little gem (situated next to the EAST END) has one of the best values and rolls you can enjoy on St Thomas.
Owner Taj, rolls some mean sushi and really knows his stuff. Everything is fresh, quality and rolled with precision. No loose rolls here!
The flavors and unique combinations Taj brings to his menu speak for themselves. I am a descerning sushi maniac and have to give Taj the ranking of #1 for his creations.
Catagory: Tropical Styled Sushi
Pricing: $$$-$$$$
Dress: Resort Casual (slacks, nice shirt, etc. Ties, jackets not required)
Located in East End of St Thomas. This is a little tricky if you aren't local, so call for directions or use a cab. From the East End, this is very easy, from downtown or Northside, it's a bit of journey--but worth it!going
(if you are in RED HOOK or going to St John for the day--venture just slightly down the road from Red Hook and check this place out!)
Don't Miss: Crunchy Roll, Special K Roll (not on the menu-- but slightly spicy if you are sensitive, be careful!), Hawaiian Poki and the Volcano Roll.
Tell Taj DJ Snow sent you!
Phone: (340) 714-FISH
Website: http://www.visushi.com/
St Thomas' only REAL French Restaurant!
I recently had the pleasure of doing a couple receptions at this fine place. Stunning views of downtown and the waterfront combined with fantastic French cuisine (with a caribbean twist, of course). They are open for lunch as well as dinner and they do wedding receptions and corporate groups.
The bar is fully loaded with all kinds of fine liquors and you can dine in air conditioned comfort--or let the warm winds tantalize you in the seats near the windows.
Catagory: French/ Caribbean Fine Dining
Price: $$$-$$$$
Dress: Resort Casual (slacks, nice shirt, etc. Ties, jackets not required)
Located on Government Hill, in Downtown Charlotte Amalie (near the Post Office)
Give Paulette (or Herve himself) a call at: (340) 777-9703
On the web: www.herverestaurant.com
Barefoot Buddha
Not only is the food good, here it's healthy! This cozy coffee shop, tea room and eatery features hand made EVERYTHING and it's all from scratch, most items using several SUPERFOODS to promote tasty, healthy eating. This is a great place to grab a quick breakfast or lunch at extremely affordable prices. This is an UBER-CASUAL resturant and the food is outstanding. You can also check your internet and email here at prices way better than most connections on the island.
The in-house bakery makes everything with scratch ingredients--including some fantastic breads, pastries, muffins and cakes.
Catagory: Healthy Cafe & Tea Room
Pricing: $
Dress: Casual & Relaxed
Don't Miss!: The Sweet Potato Wrap
Located: Across the street from Havensite, where the cruise ships park (just down from the SkyTram).
Located: They close at 3pm, so come early in the day-- or you'll miss out! They also open at 6:30am for Breakfast.
Phone: (340) 777-3668
Website: http://www.barefootbuddha.vi/
Gladys's Cafe
Are you going to be downtown in historic Charlotte Amalie? Chances are yes.
So when you are hungry after--doing all that power shopping---skip by all those flashy touristy places on waterfront and head for the ROYAL DANE MALL. It's a bunch of old stone warehouses from the pirate era, still preserved the way they were back in the 1700 and 1800's. When you see the GREENHOUSE, you're close, just don't stop there! Keep going! About a half block away towards BIG KAHUNA BAR (technically behind it). Nestled within this area of cobblestone streets is GLADYS CAFE. If you get stuck, just ask anyone in any store--they can point the way. It's easy.
You can get the real deal here--quite possibly the only place which would give you the experience second only to being invited into a native Virgin Islanders home.
Local dishes, all thoughtfully prepared and at an excellent price. She even does breakfast.
Don't Miss: Fresh "sour sop juice" (if they have it, it's made fresh) with your meal. It's an interesting experience (it slightly resembles lemonade) and it's something you just can't get anywhere else. Also, if you like seafood, her local fish dishes are very good, as are the soups.
Dress: Casual
Price: $-$$
Tel: (340) 774-6604
Pie Whole
Catagory: Pizza & Pasta
Pricing: $
Dress: Casual
Don't Miss!: Holy Trinity Pizza, Peppy-Fungo Pizza, Hail Ceasar Salad
It's a tiny little place in Frenchtown, but the Pizza is wood fired and excellent. The ingredients and the dough are as fresh as you can get on St Thomas.
It's especially good if you want to grab something late (till 1am) on the Weekends and take it with you. In this uber casual place, the food comes fresh and fast.
I also really enjoy their 'Hail Caesar' Salad and the pricing options for lunch just can't be beat anywhere on the island.
If you are near town, this is your best bet for pizza.
If you are staying on the East End, check Senior Pizza (listed below).
NOTE: Pie Whole is cash only (at present), so make sure you hit an ATM before you head out. Closed on Sundays.
Tel: (340) 642-5074
Senor Pizza
Ok, let's say you are staying on the EAST END of the island and you just don't want to GO anywhere. Maybe you got too much sun at that beach that day and you really are spent and are staying in with your sweetie and want something brought to you at an afforable price.
Call Senor Pizza! They will deliver to most places near the EAST END of the island, including some of the resorts and places that are close to RED HOOK.
Pricing: $
Tel: (340) 775-3030
COOL TIP: If you go to Sapphire Beach and call one in from there...they will deliver it to you right on the beach! (so keep the above number in your back swimsuit pocket)
How cool is that?
RANDY'S BISTRO (and Catering)
"An Island Favorite!"
Randy has had a restaurant here on island for years.
Randy & Sally also do a great job catering events at reasonable prices.
Located on Raphune Hill, a short distance from downtown.
Dress: Dinner is semi-elegant, lunch is very casual.
Pricing: $$ (lunch), $$$ (dinner)
Don't Miss: Chicken & Brie Sandwich (lunch only), Coconut Shrimp (dinner), Randy's Awesome Wine Selection
Note: Randy's New Lunch Prices can't be touched anywhere!
Hours: Lunch & Dinner, 7 Days
Call ahead, Dinner Reservations are suggested: (340) 775-5001
FUNGI'S
This crazy little place is right on the water, tucked away behind the POINT PLEASANT RESORT on the EAST END of St Thomas.
It is situated in an area between COKI BEACH and SAPPHIRE BEACH. They serve cool little West Indian dishes and some American fare.
I highly recommend the west indian dishes, such as the ROTI or the SNAPPER CREOLE. Everything is reasonably priced compared to most and you can show up in flip flops and your swim suit, if you are so inclined (but put on a T-shirt at least-- the locals find that rude unless you are on the beach).
The ramshackle dock which you dine on and the overall look of the place, makes for a fun, casual, truly Caribbean experience. Kids enjoy this place as do the adults--they have a full bar and plenty of great cocktails on hand.
If you're really lucky and come here at night (sometimes in season), there is a steel pan or a reggae band playing. Call ahead first to find out ahead of time.
To find this place, you may have to enlist the services of a cab driver as it is very tucked away.
Dress: Very Casual
Don't Miss: Snapper Creole
Price: $-$$
Tel: (340) 775-4142
Owners Chad & Todd have been on a roll for the past 6 years as having the craziest, busiest happy hour on St John.
Drinks are reasonable and well-made and the food is mostly "bar food" type items--but it's all very good.
It's also probably the best run bar staff anywhere.
Woody's is mostly a "twentysomethings" place, but people of all ages come here to hang out, drink or grab a fast bite.
If you're not into loud music and a packed place--then Happy Hour (3pm-6pm) may not be for you!
But if you want to throw down, party and get crazy--this be the place!
(just don't say I didn't warn you!)
Just look for the crowd spilling out into the street around that time and you'll find it no problem.
Dress: Very Casual
Pricing: $
Don't Miss!: Happy Hour from 4pm-6pm (but don't quote me on that, I always forget after going....)
Tel: (340) 779-4625
HAPPY FISH!
When ever I am DJ'ing on the Island of St John, this is where you'll find me catching a meal before or after my gig.
If you like sushi, you need to come here. Awesome sushi at excellent prices.
Kung Fu movies are shown on the walls and they offer a variety of rolls as well as a full bar with great martini's and kamakazi's.
Located in the STARFISH MARKET MARKETPLACE. Easy to find, call ahead or ask someone for directions.
Dress: Casual to Semi-Casual
Pricing: $$-$$$ (depending on what you order)
Don't Miss!: The El Jefe Roll (if you like a little zip!)
Tel: (340) 776-1717
NOTE: BE SURE TO CHECK HOURS OF OPERATION AS THEY OPEN FOR LUNCH, CLOSE FOR A BREAK MID DAY AND THEN REOPEN FOR DINNER.
