Five of the Best Restaurants in the BVI for Fine Dining
In the Caribbean, just east of Puerto Rico and St. Thomas, lies a beautiful collection of islands known as the British Virgin Islands (BVI). One of the world’s top travel destinations for sailing enthusiasts, the islands of the BVI are surrounded by spectacular crystal-clear water and moderate tropical temperatures maintained by steady trade winds year-round. The luscious islands make it the perfect place to indulge in sun-soaked days and admire breathtaking views and oceanic satisfaction.
With its spectacular views and clear waters, sailing is the most popular activity because of its abundant mooring bays. The islands are also the perfect opportunity for many other water activities, from snorkelling to fishing. But if you would prefer to relax, the BVI is known for its heavenly beaches, surrounded by spectacular sands.
Not to be upstaged by the impeccable white sandy beaches beckoning you to sit back or by the ideal sailing conditions from island to island, the culinary landscape of the BVI naturally reflects Caribbean influences that will dazzle your appetite with its many restaurants for you to enjoy.
The food scene in the BVI reflects its diverse people, a melting pot of Caribbean influences that make the perfect blend. With their local specialties, including seafood, roti, and fungi, there is always a restaurant in the BVI for everyone, regardless of their preferences.
Whether you want a fine-dining experience or a relaxing meal on the beach, the best restaurants in the BVI will make your trip one of the most memorable. While my full list of “don’t miss” BVI restaurants is quite lengthy, I have selected these seven to share after a visit this past April.
Cooper Island Beach Club
The Cooper Island Beach Club is a unique eco-resort in the heart of the BVI, with stylish landscaped grounds and private balconies with sea views.
With the peacefulness of the picturesque sandy white beach dotted with shady palm trees, this stop makes for a breathtaking sunset destination for a meal with an ocean view.
Happy hour, lunch, and dinner menus are infused with delicious specialty options that can include local homemade lobster ravioli and seafood curry to Aberdeen Angus steak selections, and coconut marinated tuna ceviche.
The Cooper Island Rum Bar has a collection of over 280 rums, earning it its title of the largest selection in the Virgin Islands. Try a Rum Old Fashioned, a specialty cocktail like the Rum Pomegranate Lemonade. Or if you just can’t decide, opt for a rum sampler board or one of their homemade rum-infused chocolates, one of the many reasons they are named one of the best restaurants in the BVI.
Pirate’s Bight Norman Island
Norman Island, long-rumoured to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island” boasts numerous hiking trails, scuba diving sites, and famous historic caves to enjoy and explore. Despite its history as a real pirate island, the island offers one of the safest and most scenic harbours in the BVI.
The stunning white sandy beaches of Norman Island in the BVI is the site of the Pirate Bight, renowned for its relaxed afternoons and famous cannon shot into the night. Known as one of Norman Island’s best restaurants, the Pirate Bight is ideal for a chill day in paradise, where you’ll appreciate discovering beachside dining favourites along with some of the best Bushwackers in the islands.
Lunch and dinner menus include crowd-pleasers like fish tacos, West Indian-style chicken wings, grilled Mahi Mahi, and a variety of their incredible signature salads. From the bar, you’ll find an extensive list of tropical treasures and frozen drinks to enjoy from your beachfront lounge chair, ideally situated under shady palm trees just steps from the crystal-blue waters, making it one of the best restaurants in BVI.
Potter’s by the Sea
Nestled on the only coral island in the British Virgin Island, Anegada offers the most stunning beaches with astonishing barrier reefs and salt ponds. With miles of sandy beaches, Anegada island is the perfect spot for a romantic sunset dinner.
For a unique dining experience that is sure to be one of your most memorable, plan an evening with the sand beneath your feet as you dine on the beach under the starlit sky. Dine in one of the best restaurants in Anegada where you can watch your lobster being pulled fresh from the sea and cooked on an open BBQ grill. To give it a deliciously unique flavour, the delicacies are grilled over special wood that has been collected from the interior of the island.
The relaxed yet vibrant island atmosphere continues to make Potter’s one of the favourite restaurants in the BVI with its food prepared fresh daily. After dinner, dance to Caribbean sounds, do the limbo with the crowd or be in your own world along the beach for an unforgettable night away.
The Restaurant at Leverick Bay
If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, look no further than Leverick Bay, the third largest of the British Virgin Islands. Home to a range of diverse watersports activities, stunning scuba diving sites, and safe bays for mooring, the island boasts some of the best places to explore.
The restaurant at Leverick Bay is a must-visit. Here, you will find impeccable classic cuisine rich in family tradition, paired with an extensive wine cellar that’s home to a collection of diverse wines from all over the world. You’ll discover a perfect fusion of elegance, classic service, and excellent local seafood specialties, just a few reasons why it is named one of the best restaurants in BVI’s Leverick Bay.
Favourite entree selections vary from Caribbean Bouillabaisse to Coconut Curry Shrimp and Rack of Lamb, while dessert selections will tempt your taste buds with classic traditions like Bananas Foster, Key Lime Pie, and a variety of gelatos. One of the favourites includes the Anegada lobster with a rack of lamb and fillet mignon for a more luxurious dining experience.
Just above Pusser’s, The Restaurant delivers a peaceful setting to enjoy open-air ocean views while dining on the Caribbean-style terrace before adjourning to the beachside for live entertainment and evening cocktails under the stars.
Hendo’s Hideout
Nestled on the crystal-clear turquoise waters of beloved White Bay, Jost Van Dyke, The Hideout is a luxury resort villa that is ideally situated in a coveted position. This makes it the perfect place for a unique dining experience.
Opposite to The Hideout is Hendo’s Hideout, the island’s well-known restaurant and one of BVI’s best restaurants. For traditional Caribbean favourites with a new American twist, you’ll find yourself in the middle of the ideal Caribbean beach scene – a secluded, gorgeous white, sandy beach boarded by the coral reefs of White Bay.
The Caribbean-inspired menus of this beachfront bar include farm-to-table favourites like the lobster wrap, Rum & Coke Pulled Pork, Conch Fritters, and a sushi menu available only by pre-order on Thursday evenings.
A full bar will quench your thirst with local and traditional beers, extensive cocktail options, and specialty drinks like their Delirious Donkey. Hendo’s Hideout also hosts a range of special events, such as races and beach parties, perfect for a fun family day out or a memorable time. With an outdoor lounge perfect for an evening by the firepit or a lively game of cornhole, the laid-back flair of Hendo’s Hideout is the perfect addition to the White Bay beachfront experience.
Coco Maya
If you are looking for a peaceful and beautiful beachfront restaurant, Coco Maya is the one for you!
The gorgeous restaurant is located on the island of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. Coco Maya is known for its delicious seafood dishes, refreshing cocktails, and stunning views of the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea. With an extensive menu featuring a wide variety of international cuisines, such as Asian, Mediterranean, and Caribbean-inspired dishes.
With a laid-back and relaxed atmosphere, Coco Maya is the perfect spot if you want to enjoy a meal or drinks with friends or family in the restaurant’s lounge area while taking in the beautiful scenery of the British Virgin Islands. However, if you’re looking to turn up the heat as the night goes on then its vibrant nightlife scene will be perfect for you, with weekly DJ sets and live music performances.
Bitter End Yacht Club
If you’re looking for a true paradise for sailing-enthusiasts, The Bitter End Yacht club is the one for you!
The luxurious resort is located on the North Sound of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. Being highly renowned for its world-class sailing facilities, and variety of accommodation from beachfront cottages to lavish villas, all looking out to the gorgeous Caribbean Sea.
The resort’s marina contains state-of-the-art facilities and offers a great deal of equipment to rent. From beginner to professional, all can be found here, as the resort plays host to several international sailing events throughout the year.
For those seeking relaxation and quiet time rather than recreational activities, the spa is the place for you with a wide variety of treatments, from massages to body wraps. Alongside this, the Bitter End Yacht Club offers delicious gourmet cuisine featuring fresh seafood and local ingredients, with a range of dining experiences to suit your needs and tastes.
FAQs on Dining in the BVI
What food is the BVI known for?
Due to the BVI’s many islands, their dishes are varied, with a strong focus on seafood. The BVI’s national dish is called ‘fish and fungi’, which consists of okra and cornmeal boiled with butter and served with braised fish and Caribbean traditional spices. However, there are a number of well-known dishes, such as locally caught lobster, chicken roti, and jerk chicken, that you can try at the best restaurants in the BVI.
Is it expensive to eat in the Virgin Islands?
While meal prices can vary, the average price of a meal for one person at a restaurant is $41. This can change depending on the island, restaurant and location.
Do you tip in the British Virgin Islands?
It is customary and standard practice in the BVI to tip and is often expected. The average would be around 15-20% of the bill.
Contributor
Megan Gaertner
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