St Kitts

Eating out in St Kitts

Dining ranges from casual beachfront bistros to the posh dining rooms of the resorts and colonial inns. Local menus are dominated by the distinct West Indian flavors, and as with most islands, seafood abounds. Favorite local dishes include curried mutton, pepper pot (stew made from vegetables, tubers, and various meats) and Arawak chicken (chicken seasoned, then served with rice and almonds on breadfruit). Definitely try the many lowland tropical fruits for a refreshing treat!.

St Kitts.

Gourmet

Georgian House is an 18th-century brick-and-fieldstone house with an interior marked by elegant china, floral arrangements, rich mahogany chairs, candlelight, and elegant linens. The menu changes weekly to suit the fresh ingredients available, but signature dishes like conch scallopini and snapper in a shrimp and sesame sauce are always available. The wine list is equally impressive. Basseterre.

Local Flair

Royal Palm is a friendly, relaxed café best enjoyed in the evening, as the sun sets over the beautiful lawns of the great plantation house that houses it. The cuisine is an eclectic assortment of dishes that are mostly American fare with a local twist. Among the more interesting items are egg rolls with a coconut and mango relish and Brie-crusted filet mignon. Top off dinner with banana fritters l'antillaise (spiced and fried in rum) or mango mousse with raspberry sauce. Ottley's Plantation.

Nevis.

Highly Recommended

Miss June's son serves a special rum punch to diners on the verandah while she cooks meals like spicy stew and exotic local seafood recipes. Next, diners are introduced to a buffet of 20 delights that always feature local fish and vegetables among the other choices. Favorites include chicken simmered in coconut milk and ribs in pineapple and mauby (a local distillation). Wine flows all night and Miss June joins diners for coffee and brandy. Stony Grove Plantation.

Romantic

Golden Rock's dim lighting and pastel interior in a former plantation house invite couples to share a quiet night enjoying a savory menu. The pumpkin soup and grilled local snapper with tania (a type of tuber) fritters are highly recommended. For dessert, the green papaya pie is a must. Charlestown.

Going party in St Kitts

Since tourist development is rather new on these islands and the local population is so small, many nights are spent enjoying natural pleasures like strolling on the shore and sipping frozen drinks over a sunset. Yet, St Kitts has a casino and some low-key nightspots for dancing, and most hotels have bars and lounges. In the high season, steel-drum bands perform on weekends.

Both St Kitts and Nevis.

Cruises

Several captains offer sunset cruises and midnight excursions. Check with your concierge for recommendations.

St Kitts.

J's Place

At the foot of Brimstone Hill Fortress, this disco is growing in popularity and is a more energetic nightspot than those found in most hotels.

Reflections Night Club

A rare all-nighter, this is the place to go if you want to party till the wee hours.

Royal St Kitts Resort Casino

The islands' only casino offers blackjack, roulette wheels and slot machines. It isn't wild, but it's one of the rowdier place to go for nighttime fun.

Common events in St Kitts

Both St Kitts and Nevis.

Independence Week

St Kitts and Nevis have only been independent since 1983, and their celebration of the event maintains its original jubilation. The week-long activities range from parades to cocktail receptions, and formal dances to picnics. September.

St Kitts.

National Carnival

This celebration on St Kitts begins December 24th and runs through January 3rd. Visitors get a kick out of the rousing queens shows, calypso competitions, parades, and dancing in the streets. Locals celebrate their traditional folklore with colorful costumes and lively bands that blast Caribbean rhythms. December/January .

Caribbean Festival of the Arts

This event celebrates the various Caribbean art forms, highlighting the contributions of the native populations. Literary, culinary, and visual arts are all represented, as are film, children's theater and various other performing arts. Over 30 Caribbean nations participate, resulting in a poignant mix of cultural identities and island brotherhood. August.