Captains’ Favorites: The Best Restaurants in the U.S. Virgin Islands, According to Our Captains
A random internet search of where to find the best restaurants in the U.S. Virgin Islands will likely get you a long list of answers. Ask a Go Sail Virgin Islands captain, and you’ll get something a little different.
Our ASA instructors and captains spend their days sailing between St. Thomas, St. John, and the surrounding islands. They know where the locals eat, which restaurants consistently serve fresh seafood, where to go for an unforgettable burger, and which places are worth returning to again and again. Luckily for us, they were willing to reveal some of the best restaurants in the USVI!
Skinny Legs: The Captain’s Pick for the Best Burger in St. John
If you’re sailing around St. John and craving a great burger, Captain JT doesn’t hesitate. Skinny Legs in Coral Bay is his favorite.
” Best burgers around. They are that good. There is something about it,” says Captain JT.
Located on the quieter east side of St. John, Skinny Legs has been part of the Coral Bay community for decades. The open-air bar and grill is known for its relaxed atmosphere and casual island feel. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t require dressing up or overthinking dinner. Come as you are, order a burger, and enjoy the slower pace of Coral Bay.
Amalia Café: A St. Thomas Favorite With Local Roots
For First Mate Claire, the answer is immediate.
“Hands down Amalia Cafe. We could go on and on.”
Located in historic downtown Charlotte Amalie, Amalia Café has been serving St. Thomas since 2001. The restaurant describes itself as a Spanish restaurant with an open-air setting in Palm Passage, and its menu reflects Spanish culinary traditions alongside the flavors and ingredients of the Caribbean.
But for Claire and Captain Jalil, what makes Amalia Café special isn’t simply what’s on the menu.
It’s the people.
“The nature of that business. It’s a small, family-owned St. Thomas business that’s been there for years. All the local people know that restaurant,” says Captain Jalil.
And some of the staff have been there almost as long as the restaurant itself.
“He’s had the same chef and wait staff for that whole time,” Jalil says.
Claire adds that one of the restaurant’s waitresses has been there for 14 years and that regular customers actually request her.
“It’s the energy she brings. She loves her job and you can tell.”
For Jalil, the kitchen is equally impressive.
“There are two chefs working there and both of them are real genuine artists in the kitchen.”
And their specials menu is the star of the show.
“Every time you go back there, their specials menu changes and it’s always something they were able to source locally,” says Jalil.
Lime Out: Tacos From the Water
Some of the best restaurants in the USVI aren’t even on land.
“Lime Out is obviously one of our favorites! It’s the floating taco bay.”
Located in Coral Bay Harbor on St. John, Lime Out is one of the Virgin Islands’ most distinctive dining experiences: a floating taco restaurant where you can eat while sitting in the water. The restaurant’s current menu focuses on tacos, fresh ingredients, cocktails, local juices, and other island-inspired drinks.
And that’s exactly why students love it.
“They get to sit in the water and eat tacos and eat fish.”
Captain Genevieve’s order?
“I order the fish tacos.”
Lime Out has become one of those quintessential St. John restaurants that is as much about the experience as the food.
For a sailing vacation, it’s hard to imagine a more appropriate lunch: jump off the boat, swim up, order tacos, and eat in the Caribbean Sea.
Morgan’s Mango: Fresh Catch and Caribbean Flavor
Captain Genevieve also recommends Morgan’s Mango on St. John for a completely different dining experience.
“Morgan’s has a really nice menu with really fresh fish.”
Her order is simple:
“I order the fresh catch of the day, which is either mahi, grouper or wahoo.”
For sailors, ordering the catch of the day is one of the easiest ways to experience what’s coming out of the surrounding waters while you’re visiting the islands.
What Makes a Restaurant a Captain’s Favorite?
Notice something about these recommendations? They’re not all fancy restaurants. They’re not all waterfront fine dining. And they’re certainly not all the restaurants you’ll find on a typical list of best places to eat in the U.S. Virgin Islands. They reflect what makes USVI food and dining interesting and exciting! The islands’ cuisine draws from many cultural influences, creating a food scene that ranges from casual beach bars to sophisticated restaurants and everything in between.
One of the best parts of a Virgin Islands sailing vacation is that dinner doesn’t have to look the same every night.
Some evenings, your captain might fire up the grill and prepare fresh fish aboard the boat. Other nights, you might walk into a little island restaurant recommended by someone who’s been sailing these waters for years.
And our captains have plenty of favorites to share.
Ready to experience the Virgin Islands for yourself? Explore a Go Sail Virgin Islands sailing vacation and learn to sail while discovering the islands, one amazing restaurant at a time!