Mom-and-Pop Island Restaurants

St. Croix

A favorite of the locals since 1956, La Reine Chicken Shack takes its name seriously (reine means queen in French), serving up some of the island’s juiciest rotisserie chicken. Their fall-off-the-bone ribs are also a favorite. Traditional island sides are equally delicious, including johnny cakes, rice and peas, baked macaroni and crispy tostones. Sip on a tropical cocktail as you enjoy your easy-on-the-wallet meal at this charming, open-air restaurant.

Step inside Singh Fast Food and you’ll find comfort Caribbean cooking that would make an island grandmother proud. Start with a vegetable patty before moving on to hearty platters of curried chicken, beef curry roti and slow-cooked oxtail, all served with rice and peas, plus plantains. Save room for dessert, which includes Jamaican rum cake and coconut drops. Open for lunch and dinner, Singh is a short walk from the Christiansted Boardwalk.

There’s lots to love about Blues’ Backyard BBQ & Grill, beyond its finger-licking barbecue. At this award-winning Christiansted spot, diners can enjoy a backyard setting surrounded by plenty of lush trees. Live music is part of the fun, too. Sit back and relax as you eat barbecued brisket and ribs, smoked wings, chicken pot pie and pulled-pork sandwiches. Sunday brunch features the addition of Southern-style biscuits and gravy, along with other homestyle treats.

At hilltop family restaurant El Flamboyant, owner Yvonne Villegas taps into the recipes of her mother, who had a restaurant in Puerto Rico for many years. On the menu you’ll find a delicious mix of Caribbean and Latin dishes, with an emphasis on seafood. Lovingly prepared fresh fish, lobster, conch, chicken and steak, served with flavorful rice, are all part of the mix. Open daily, El Flamboyant features happy hour on Thursday and Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. El Flamboyant’s neon green-and-yellow facade makes it easy to spot.

St. John

Set inside a brightly painted converted school bus, The Roti King features a curated selection of wonderful local dishes, including its namesake, made by a passionate Caribbean native. Abdue Hill spent years perfecting his roti-making skills, and the result is a stellar version of this burrito-like island treat. The delicate wrapper is stuffed with a curry-spiced filling that can include shrimp, goat, chicken or vegetables. Other signature dishes include johnny cakes and pates. Even burgers get the island treatment, with a salmon option available.

Located in Cruz Bay, you’ll smell Uncle Joe’s BBQ before you even see the restaurant, thanks to the aroma of barbecue in the air. There’s nothing fancy about this food stand, but don’t let its casual decor fool you. The barbecue chicken and ribs, served with tasty sides like corn on the cob and pasta salad, are the real deal. An island staple for years, Uncle Joe’s often sells out, so be sure to get there early or put in an advance order. Enjoy your barbecue bounty on the small patio or take it to go.

Although the namesake and founder of Miss Lucy’s is no longer with us — Miss Lucy was St. John’s first female taxi driver — her spirit lives on at this legendary dining spot. A favorite of locals and visitors alike, the Friss Bay restaurant offers stunning ocean views from its open-air deck, best enjoyed with a tropical cocktail in hand. Regulars know that the conch fritters come with a spice-forward “boom sauce” and that the grouper Reuben sandwich is a tasty island twist on the classic. Live music adds to the festivities on Thursdays.

Years ago, Brenda and her partner, Anne, dreamed of opening a small shop specializing in homemade baked goods and specialty coffee. In 2021, they made their dream a reality and opened Coral Bay’s Love City Cafe. Their passion is evident throughout this charming spot, from first-thing-in-the-morning hot and iced coffee drinks (made with beans from Virgin Islands Coffee Roasters) to freshly baked muffins and breads. For lunch, there are perfectly prepared sandwiches. Custom beach and hiking picnic baskets are a specialty.

St. Thomas

Located in Charlotte Amalie’s shopping district, Gladys’ Cafe offers an authentic taste of Caribbean cuisine and cocktails — once you find it. (Insider tip: Look for the oval sign as you wind your way through the scenic alleyway.) Inside the handsome dining room decked out with colorful art on its brick walls, you’ll find hearty portions of Caribbean-inspired food for breakfast and lunch. Daily specials might include curry goat, while signature items range from jerk wings and grilled mahi-mahi to kalaloo soup. Be sure to buy a bottle or two of Gladys’ homemade hot sauce.

For more than 50 years, family-owned Petite Pump Room has been serving West Indian-inspired breakfast and lunch dishes, earning many fans in the process. Grab a spot on the seaside deck of this harborside restaurant and take in the views as you decide between the many menu items, ranging from a lobster omelet and banana pancakes to coconut shrimp and garlicky conch. Befitting any island restaurant worthy of its rum, Petite Pump Room offers a stellar selection of tropical drinks, including its own Painkiller.

From its hillside perch in the Bunker Hill Hotel, with serene views of Charlotte Amalie Harbor and a lush landscape, Sugarcane Grille is a local secret that’s just too good not to share. Open since 2014, this hidden gem features Caribbean cuisine for lunch and dinner that puts the spotlight on local ingredients. Start with a signature Sugarcane rum punch or caipirinha before moving on to tender jerk chicken skewers, coconut curry lobster or herb-roasted Cornish hen. Dessert leans into island sensibilities, with offerings like warm vanilla rum cake and mango sorbet.

At 758 Bar & Restaurant, every day is a reason to celebrate. Located across from the Emancipation Garden, this Charlotte Amalie restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Cool down with a frozen piña colada in the lovely courtyard as you peruse the extensive menu of home-cooked offerings that range from hearty wraps and burgers to crisp salads. Mondays feature $6 margaritas, while Thursdays are all about tacos and tequila. Local DJs keep the party vibe going on the weekend.

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