St. Croix for Foodies

by  Liz Webber | Mar 29, 2012
St. Croix
St. Croix / NAPA74/iStock

As tour guides are apt to tell you, St. Croix has been owned by no less than seven different countries since Europeans first landed on its sandy shores. This historical diversity – combined with a melting pot of incoming jobseekers, first at the sugar cane plantations and later the island’s oil refinery – manifests itself in many aspects of Cruzan culture, and food is no exception. From international fine dining to traditional dishes to a burgeoning health food scene, St. Croix is a foodie’s paradise.

Fine Dining:
Those expecting generic resort restaurants might be surprised by the multitude of delightful fine dining options on the island. Tutto Bene’s gut-busting portions of southern Italian fare are just what you need after a day spent paddle-boarding or snorkeling at Buck Island. You can’t go wrong with the pastas, from traditional spaghetti Bolognese to seafood with capellini in a white wine herb broth to fresh veggies and penne with pesto cream sauce.

The husband-and-wife team behind Blue Water Terrace started with just a small deli, but opened their hugely popular restaurant in late 2009. Surf and turf entrees like cioppino (fish stew) and hearty steaks are sure to wow; ask for the fried chicken even if it’s not on the menu (locals say it’s the best on the island) and leave room for dessert.

For a special occasion, locals recommend The Galleon, an upscale restaurant serving Continental and Caribbean cuisine. It’s one of the priciest spots on St. Croix but the location overlooking Green Cay Marina is unbeatable.

Healthy Alternatives:
If you’re in need of a little detox after indulging in all the fabulous restaurants, St. Croix boasts a few standout eateries for lighter fare that’s good for you, too. In Fredericksted, Polly’s at the Pier serves up organic salads, soups, and grilled favorites, sourcing many of its ingredients from Ridge to Reef Farm http://www.visfi.org (the only USDA organic farm in the USVI). Be sure to try the award-winning, all-veggie Love Burger.

Over in Christiansted, head to Lalita’s Juice Bar at the Kalima Center for a mostly raw food menu with plenty of options for vegans and those with other dietary restrictions (gluten-free, etc.). Concoctions like the fresh herb cashew “cheese” spread may not actually taste like cheese, but they sure are delicious. Don’t forget to wash it down with an all-natural, fresh fruit smoothie.

Food Festivals:
Festivals devoted to different aspects of Cruzan cuisine take place throughout the year. Next up is the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience (April 17-22), a celebration of the island’s chefs and restaurants. Tickets for the keynote event, Taste of St. Croix (April 19), typically sell out in less than an hour. Tip: Book a stay at Divi Carina Bay, which hosts the reception, to get guaranteed tickets and not have to worry about driving back to your hotel when the evening ends; all-inclusive stays from $225 per person, per night during the festival, three-night minimum.

Each June, the St. George Village Botanical Garden hosts the Mango Melee and Tropical Fruit Festival with workshops, demonstrations, contests – and of course, tastings!

Red Grout Cruzian cuisine West Indian local dishes / USVI Department of Tourism

The Agriculture and Food Fair, popularly called Agrifest, takes place each February and draws vendors from around the Caribbean. Visitors can load up on all kinds of Cruzan specialties, like kallaloo (spinach and okra soup), fungi (similar to polenta, made from cornmeal), and red grout (a guava jelly dessert with cream, from the Danish “rødgrød” – pictured at left).

Local Foods:
For a taste of traditional Cruzan flavors year-round, follow the locals to roadside stands, bakeries, and roti shops. One popular spot is La Reine chicken shack. This St. Croix institution serves close to 170 chickens per day (if you don’t believe it, check out the rotisseries in the back, which turn dozens of birds from morning to night) and roasts a whole pig on Saturdays. For an easy, low-cost lunch, pick up a half chicken and two Johnny cakes for $5.

For general trip-planning information, see our St. Croix destination guide, then use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on hotels, flights, and vacation packages in St. Croix.

Up next...

Animal Encounters: What to Do When Adventure Turns Wild

Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the spring time
Find The Best Cruises
Find a cruise

Find the best deals!

Click on multiple sites to get the lowest prices

Click on multiple sites to get the lowest prices