St Thomas and St John, USVI

Eating out in St Thomas and St John, USVI

A cadre of professional chefs, especially those with a flair for fresh fish and local fruit dishes, have been attracted to St Thomas and its sister islands for the bounty that nature provides to their kitchens. Driving around the island, you'll see brightly colored fruit, strange-looking root vegetables, flourishing herbs, and foot-long spiny lobsters, all for sale at roadside markets. These are just a few of the local ingredients which make up the heart-and-soul of Caribbean cuisine - a melting pot stirred and flavored by many cultures throughout the ages. Count on terrific food on any budget, from cheap local dishes like a spicy stew called "goat water" to refreshing imported delights like raspberries in crème fraîche!.

Gourmet

Hervé is the self-named restaurant of chef Hervé Chassin, whose long experience in St Thomas has earned him a reputation as master of local delicacies. Amid the warm glow of candlelight and tables scrupulously set with linen, silver, and crystal, you are treated to such gourmet creations as crispy conch fritters in a spicy-sweet mango chutney, or sesame-encrusted tuna, with an indescribably delicious raspberry cheesecake finale. Government Hill.

Highly Recommended

Alexander's Café, overlooking Frenchtown harbor, is a favorite with island restauranteurs - a pretty darn good recommendation! Alexander is Austrian and his schnitzels are a house specialty that make a nice change from the usual menu fare. A cozy sports bar has 3 satellite TVs. Save room for the strudel! Frenchtown.

Local Flair

Gladys' Café is a great place to go for "home-cooked" local specialties like conch in butter sauce, salt fish, and dumplings, all sprinkled with Gladys' welcoming smile. Keen diners will buy a bottle of her hot-sauce to take a bit of the flavor back home! Royal Dane Mall.

Romantic

Café Lulu overlooks the island from Blackbeard's Castle, where the sweeping panoramic view of the harbor and the romantic ambience of its historic stone-walls transport you to another era. The cuisine is as sweeping as the view, taking its influence from Caribbean, Asian, and Mediterranean recipes. Blackbeard's Hill.

Going party in St Thomas and St John, USVI

Every night, St Thomas rings with the irresistible lilt of steel-pan bands, but there is lots more entertainment to be had. Rock bands, quiet cocktail lounges, piano bars, jazz players, disco, karaoke, and the unusual "broken-bottle" dancing. In addition to the clubs and bars, the island has some of the most impressive and thriving cultural entertainment venues in the Caribbean!.

Turtle Rock Bar

It's known for its party scene, and the burgers have a fame of their own. Something is always going on, like steel-pan bands and karaoke. Red Hook.

JoJo's

Dance to Top 40, salsa, and calypso. Oil candles illuminate the dark wood paneling and long oak bar at this upscale meet-and-mingle hangout. Frenchtown.

Reichhold Center for the Arts

This state-of-the-art, open-air amphitheater hosts some of the best performing arts in the world, including ballet, song, and repertory theatre. Brewer's Bay.

Pistarckle Theatre

Showcases an enchanting repertoire of works by such literary giants as Neil Simon and Oscar Wilde. Fanciful musicals and uproarious comedies are the preferred roster at this dinner (optional) theater. Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Resort.

Agave Terrace and Eunice's Terrace

Two places for great steel-pan bands. Smith Bay.

Piano Bars

Andiamo at the Martini Café in Frenchtown is the place to go for a fun piano bar, and on weekends you can also enjoy the tinkle of the "ivories" at L'Hotel Boynes on Blackbeard's Hill.

Common events in St Thomas and St John, USVI

St Thomas Carnival

This celebration has its roots in African culture and is the most sensational of all Caribbean carnivals. Christianity has greatly altered the festivities over the years, but the fun has remained undiminished. Mocko Jumbies - people dressed up as spirits - parade through the streets on 20-foot stilts while steel-pan bands get people dancing in the streets. Celebrations are island-wide, but the hub of the party is in Charlotte Amalie. April.

International Rolex Cup Regatta

This is one of the 3 regattas in the "Caribbean Ocean Racing Triangle" series that pits international racers against each. April.

USVI Open Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament

This is a high-profile charity event for the benefit of the Boy Scouts of America. This eco-friendly tournament awards its trophies based on the number of blue marlin that are caught and released. August.