Recommended Restaurants
Virgilio's
Italian
Raadets Gade, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI
Must Try: St. Thomas' best-kept culinary secret off main waterfront. Warm romantic atmosphere inspired by Italian trattorias. Family-owned 30+ years. Famous Grandma's Lasagna, tableside Caesar Salad, house-made pastas, fresh local seafood.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Local Tips
Visit Virgilio's between 5:30-6:30 PM for their 'early bird' seating when you can often snag the best tables on the terrace without a reservation, especially on weeknights. The restaurant fills up quickly after 7 PM with cruise ship passengers.
Ask about their 'family style' portions when dining with 3+ people - they'll often prepare larger portions of pasta dishes at a better per-person rate than ordering individual entrees, though this isn't advertised on the menu.
Avg. per person
$60
$$$
Sol at Mafolie
Caribbean Fusion
Mafolie Hotel, St. Thomas, USVI
Must Try: Mafolie's World Famous View. Iconic since 1950s. Authentic Caribbean-fusion: rich seafood kallaloo, fish and fungi, fresh Caribbean lobster, 1855 Montana Black Angus Ribeye.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Local Tips
Arrive just before sunset (around 6:00-6:30 PM depending on season) to get the best table on the terrace with unobstructed harbor views, as locals know the restaurant doesn't take reservations for specific tables and it's first-come, first-served for the prime sunset spots.
The restaurant's upper terrace level offers the most Instagram-worthy shots of Charlotte Amalie harbor and cruise ships, but locals know to position yourself on the far right side of the terrace where you can capture both the harbor view and the restaurant's beautiful tropical garden setting in one frame.
Avg. per person
$30
$$
Bumpa's
American Breakfast
Waterfront Highway, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI
Must Try: Heart of historic warehouse district. Open 35+ years. Labor of love by Roland and Bonnie Spell. Breakfast favorites with spectacular harbor views.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Local Tips
Visit Bumpa's during their weekday happy hour (3-6 PM) when locals gather for discounted drinks and the atmosphere is more authentic - you'll avoid the cruise ship crowds that typically arrive after 10 AM and can enjoy conversations with regulars who know the best stories about island life.
Ask for the 'local plate' which isn't on the tourist menu - it's a smaller portion of kallaloo or stewed chicken with rice and beans that costs about $8 less than the main menu items and is the same food locals order for lunch.
Avg. per person
$15
$
Gladys's Café
Local Caribbean
Historic District, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI
Must Try: Housed in 1700 pump house. Local favorites: jerk mahi-mahi, curry chicken roti, creamy conch chowder, kalaloo. Breakfast and lunch only.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Local Tips
Visit Gladys's between 11:30 AM and noon on weekdays to get the freshest kallaloo soup before the lunch rush hits - locals know this is when it's just finished cooking and at its best temperature.
Don't be surprised if Gladys herself comes out to chat with diners - she's known for remembering regular customers and their usual orders, so be patient if she stops to catch up with locals at other tables.
Avg. per person
$15
$
Enkai Sushi
Sushi-Fusion
Waterfront, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI
Must Try: Pier park by waterfront. Best sunset dining spot. Unique sushi with quirky twists: Cheeseburger Dim Sum, West of Philly Sushi Roll.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Local Tips
Visit during the early bird hours between 5:30-6:30 PM on weekdays to avoid the cruise ship crowds and get better service from the sushi chefs who have more time to chat about their favorite preparations.
Ask about the daily catch specials that aren't always on the menu - the chef often gets fresh local fish from Charlotte Amalie fishermen and will prepare it sashimi-style at regular roll prices.
Avg. per person
$30
$$
Tap and Still
American Burgers
Red Hook & Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI
Must Try: Juiciest and most flavorful burgers in St. Thomas. Locations in Red Hook and Charlotte Amalie.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Local Tips
Visit during happy hour (4-7 PM) on weekdays when locals gather after work - you'll get discounted drinks and the best atmosphere without the cruise ship crowds that dominate lunch hours.
Ask your bartender about their rotating selection of local rums that aren't on the regular menu - they often have small-batch bottles from neighboring islands that they'll pour for rum enthusiasts who know to ask.
Avg. per person
$15
$
No restaurants match your filters. Try adjusting your selection.