If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in one of the most visited cruise ship ports in the Caribbean, it’ll come as no surprise that there is a wide range of places to eat in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas.
From local casual places to fancier restaurants and bars, there’s something for every palate. In this blog, we’ll be exploring 7 of the best places to eat in St Thomas’ capital city – Charlotte Amalie.
Where is Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas?
Charlotte Amalie is the bustling capital of St Thomas, located in the US Virgin Islands. A historic port town, it’s an incredibly popular destination for cruise ships, giving visitors the chance to soak in its rich history, vibrant culture, uncountable excursions and, of course, its array of bars and restaurants.
In fact, given its proximity to the cruise port, many cruise passengers find St Thomas’ capital restaurants and bars to be the perfect pitstop after a day of exploring.
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Map of the 8 Best Places to Eat in Charlotte Amalie
We’ve pinpointed the 8 best places to eat in Charlotte Amalie on this map. Click on the top left icon to bring up the list.
The 8 Best Places to Eat in Charlotte Amalie
1. Enkai Sushi Bar
Located in the pier park, Enkai Sushi is one of the most popular places to eat in St Thomas. Located conveniently by the waterfront, it’s also one of the best restaurants to dine on the island while watching the sunset.
As the US Virgin Islands is a US territory, it’s not lost on us that this place has a very American vibe. The menu is catered more toward US tourists, with its unique sushi combinations and quirky twists, such as the Cheeseburger Dim Sum, West of Philly Sushi Roll and Key Lime Wontons. And while sports frequently play on the bar TVs, this actually adds to the laid-back atmosphere rather than detracting from it.
At Enkai, there’s indoor and outdoor seating. But, you usually have to reserve an outdoor table in advance as, unsurprisingly, most people want to look out over the marina while enjoying their sushi.
Psst… We enjoyed it here so much that we visited twice in our 10-day trip to St Thomas!
What to know:
- Reservation: We advise booking in advance to avoid disappointments, especially during peak tourist seasons
- Opening times: Tuesday-Saturdays 11am – 10pm, closed Sundays and Mondays
- Location: Central location in Charlotte Amalie Pier Park, overlooking the water
- We Recommend: Sweetheart and Bobby Rod Sushi Rolls
2. Bumpas Breakfast And Lunch
Freshly prepared, no-frills breakfast or brunch with a view – that’s Bumpas.
Conveniently located right in the heart of the historic Charlotte Amalie warehouse district, on the Waterfront Highway, Bumpa’s is one of the best places to eat in Charlotte Amalie if you’re looking for a simple menu with breakfast favourites, friendly staff and spectacular views.
This place has been open for over 35 years! It’s the labour of love for Roland and Bonnie Spell, who you’ll see here every morning cooking and taking orders, working hard to keep the food and drinks flowing.
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When you arrive, follow the signpost around the back of the building and upstairs. You’ll find the restaurant and terrace dining area. It might be tempting to grab and go if you’re in a rush, but we recommend sitting on the terraced area as the view of the harbour from here is amazing.
So, if you’re looking for a great place to get a hearty breakfast or brunch in St Thomas, you must add Bumpas to your list.
What to know:
- Reservation: Not required, but there may be a small wait for a table on the terrace if it’s busy
- Opening times: 8am-3pm, closed Mondays
- Location: On Waterfront Highway in the historic Charlotte Amalie warehouse district
- We Recommend: Bacon, egg and cheese croissant
3. Paradise Bistro Bar & Grill
Perched atop Paradise Point, one of the best things to do in St Thomas, is Paradise Bistro Bar & Grill. Here, you’ll find a restaurant and bar paired with some of the most impressive views over Charlotte Amalie.
In all honesty, we found the prices here to be very high since it’s a typical tourist hotspot. Having said that, it is highly rated and well-reviewed, so give it a try if it suits your budget. Although we didn’t eat here, we did stay for a drink, which we thoroughly recommend.
A must-try is the Bushwacker cocktail – the infamous cocktail invented in St Thomas in 1975! Since then, it has become a favourite, not just at this establishment, but across the Virgin Islands. The rich, creamy concoction is very similar to a creamy chocolate pina colada.
What sets this place apart in Charlotte Amalie and why we had to include it on the list of the best places to eat in St Thomas is the unbeatable vantage point. Whether you eat here or just grab a drink like us, the views make this an exceptional restaurant to visit during your trip.
Top Tip: To get to Paradise Point, you can take a cable car or drive. Have a look at our guide to visiting Paradise Point here.
What to know:
- Reservation: Advised, especially during sunset.
- Opening times: Daily 11am-12am
- Location: Atop Paradise Point, with panoramic views of Charlotte Amalie
- We Recommend: Bushwacker cocktail!
4. French Quarter Bistro
Evening time sees the French Quarter Bistro come to life.
Located in the French Quarter, a 5-minute drink from Charlotte Amalie’s cruise port, the French Quarter Bistro is one of the best-reviewed restaurants in St Thomas. And their reputation comes as no surprise once you’ve tried their food and experienced the Bistro’s enjoyable atmosphere. Don’t worry, this isn’t a fancy restaurant – there’s no dress code for the French Bistro. While it has a particularly vibrant atmosphere, it’s still a great place to have an intimate dinner.
🎒 This 5-star half-day tour is a fantastic way to see the hotspots across St Thomas, especially if you’re visiting on a cruise and limited on time. Flexible pickup and drop off, including from the cruise dock.
When it comes to the kind of food you can expect at French Quarter Bistro, the cuisine is “New Orleans with a Caribbean Flair”. The menu varies from Caribbean favourites like Coconut Shrimp and Blackened Tuna to hearty dishes like Rack of lamb in a blueberry red wine sauce and Chicken Pot Pie.
What to know:
- Reservation: Recommended – it gets very busy here
- Opening times: Monday-Friday 11am-10pm, Saturday 5-10pm, Sunday 10am-2:30pm and 5-10pm
- Location: In the heart of Frenchtown, St Thomas
- We Recommend: Surf and turf and French onion soup
5. Petite Pump Room
If you’re looking for one of the best places to eat local food and cuisine in St Thomas, Petite Pump Room is the one.
Located where ferries and seaplanes depart for St Croix and the British Virgin Islands, this Charlotte Amalie restaurant is a local and tourist favourite. There’s always a hive of activity going on here, especially since they serve breakfast, lunch and daily specials.
There’s indoor and outdoor seating at this place. Personally, we preferred the outdoor space as it has gorgeous views over the Charlotte Amalie harbour and a welcome breeze.
We loved grabbing a quick drink or fish burger here before we caught the ferry. As food and surroundings are 10/10, we recommend adding it to your list of places to eat in Charlotte Amalie St Thomas.
What to know:
- Reservation: Not required
- Opening times: Monday-Saturday 7am- 5:30pm
- Location: Inside the ferry dock building on the edge of downtown
- We recommend: Fish Burger
6. Tap and Still Havensight
Tap and Still Havensight is where you head if you’re looking for a good burger and cold drink in Charlotte Amalie. Especially if you’re visiting on a cruise for the day, as its proximity to the port makes it one of the best restaurants in St Thomas for cruise ship passengers.
🎒 While in St Thomas, why not try this once-in-a-lifetime parasail experience offering a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the island and the stunning panorama of both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.
The bar and restaurant are super laid-back and reminded us of our previous experiences in American beer & burger joints and the likes of Five Guys. Grab a paper menu and pencil, tick your preferences and the waitress will gather them for the kitchen, which is great if you want to customise your burger, sandwich or hot dog. Then, your food arrives in a brown paper bag, and you eat and drink while sports play on the overhead TVs.
Overall, the burgers at Tap and Still have gained a reputation for being some of the juiciest and most flavourful in St Thomas. So, when you’re considering places to eat in Charlotte Amalie, don’t skip this delicious bar and restaurant.
Top Tip: Tap & Still is in 3 other locations! So, if you miss them here at the cruise port, you can always visit them at Red Hook (in the East End of St Thomas). Their other locations are in the neighbouring St John and Sint Maarten.
What to know:
- Reservation: Not usually required, but consider booking if you’re with a larger group
- Opening times: Monday-Sunday 11am-12am. Happy Hour 3pm-6pm – take advantage of the cheaper drinks.
- Location: Right in the heart of Havensight, St Thomas cruise port
- We Recommend: Classic cheeseburger with onion and BBQ sauce and a side of seasoned fries
7. Parley Cafe
A morning in Charlotte Amalie is made brighter with a visit to Parley Cafe. Nestled down a beautiful aesthetic alleyway in the Charlotte Amalie historic district, this is the perfect spot if you’re looking for a breakfast or brunch in St Thomas. Or, on the hunt for good coffee to kick-start your day exploring the island.
While the breakfast options and coffee draw you in, the quiet atmosphere and friendly staff make you want to stay a little longer. It’s lovely and bright inside, and there’s a little shaded courtyard outside, which is incredibly pretty.
With a variety of breakfast sandwiches, freshly baked treats, and a quiet relaxed atmosphere, we recommend Parley Cafe as one of the best places to eat in Charlotte Amalie.
What to know:
- Reservation: Not needed.
- Opening times: Monday-Saturday 7:30am-1pm, closed Sundays.
- Location: Down a quaint alleyway in the Charlotte Amalie historic district.
- We Recommend: Iced chai latte
8. Barefoot Buddha
Barefoot Buddha is another top place to eat in St Thomas if you’re on a cruise as it’s located just across from the cruise ship port and shopping at Havensight. But, despite its proximity to the hustle and bustle, it doesn’t feel touristy at all. Barefoot Buddha is a place where the ethos of mindfulness, health and wellness shines through in the food and drinks. The decor inside also feels immediately welcoming and wholesome, with a touch of bohemian chic.
On the menu, there are a selection of healthy and tasty dishes, from hearty bowls to refreshing smoothies. And, if you’re looking for places to eat in Charlotte Amalie as a vegetarian or vegan, you’re in luck, as Barefoot Buddha has some great options on the menu.
Have a little look around the boutique, which is full of beautiful clothing, jewellery, crystals and homeware bits.
What to know:
- Reservation: Not needed
- Opening times: Monday-Saturday 7am-3pm, closed Sundays
- Location: Across the road from Havensight shopping at St Thomas cruise port
- We Recommend: Smoothies and Burrito Bowl
Final Bite: Best Places to Eat in Charlotte Amalie
Wow, what a journey through the best places to eat in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas! From waterside sushi to cosy cafes hidden in alleyways, there’s an amazing mix of restaurants, cafes and bars in this Caribbean capital city.
Every spot we highlighted has its own charm. Whether you’re coming off a cruise and grabbing a casual burger or want to have a romantic evening, Charlotte Amalie restaurants won’t disappoint.
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