Restaurants in the Virgin Islands

Restaurants in the Virgin Islands range in style from roadside stands and beach bars to posh dining spots overlooking the sea.

Although each restaurant has its own personal style and ambiance, most restaurants in the Virgin Islands are consistently casual. In more elegant and formal dining spots, men should always wear a button-up shirt and slacks, and women should consider dressing in business casual. Skirts and dresses are never considered too formal. Less formal dining spots allow shorts and T-shirts, but bathing suits are rarely considered acceptable attire.

The culinary styles of the Virgin Islands is influenced by a wide array of flavors from many countries around the world, including France, China, Japan, Italy, Mexico, and other islands in the Caribbean.  This means that no matter which island you are on, chances are you'll find something to fill every craving you experience.  Because of the obviously easy accessibility to the sea, you will find that most restaurants serve up sea food in abundance.  Okra is another island staple, and many visitors will find that the soups here are a departure from what they are used to - sweet instead of hearty, and often made up of fruits instead of vegetables.  Learn more about the island's food here.

When dining on Virgin Gorda, procure reservations. Dining on other British Virgin Islands tends to be a bit more casual. Restaurants on Jost Van Dyke are be popular with the sailing set, offering travelers the chance to swap stories or just listen in, and on Anegada, only six to 10 restaurants are usually open at any given time of year.  Check our Restaurant Directory to search restaurants by name, or if you are interested in a particular cuisine, click here.

If you are still undecided where to stay, you can learn about restaurants at specific hotels in several ways. First, consider visiting our article listing the Best Hotels for Dining Options. Or, select hotels that interest you from our extensive list (A to Z: Hotels in Detail), and read about their restaurants, as well as other nearby dining options within our detailed discussion of each property.

Within the British Virgin Islands, don't be surprised if a 10 percent gratuity is added to your bill. This is a common practice, however, if the gratuity has not been added, in which case, you may tip your waiter or waitress accordingly. In the U.S. Virgin Islands, gratuities are between 10 and 15 percent, but the tip should reflect the quality of service.

Vacationers looking for world class dining will be pleasantly surprised by Virgin Island fare. The region's restaurants cater to all types of visitors, from those interested in a casual bite to gourmands in search of a new taste experience.