The great restaurants in the British Virgin Islands use local ingredients and locally caught seafood to serve up exotically tasty Caribbean dishes. There are also plenty of diners specializing in premium international, American and fusion cuisine. Better still, almost all top dining spots offer sprawling ocean views as well as cocktails and wines to match the flavorful food and tropical climate.

Whether you want a fine-dining experience on an oceanside terrace, a beach under the stars or in a historical distillery, there’s a dining experience on the British Virgin Islands that’s ideal for you. Read on to learn more.

  • 1

    The Sugar Mill

    An acclaimed restaurant in a former distillery

    The Sugar Mill
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury

    The Sugar Mill is an ideal place to indulge in Caribbean fine dining, situated inside a 400-year-old former rum distillery by the ocean. Popular picks from its menu include fresh lobster, delights from its steak bar, and duck-chicken curry. You can either sit inside the cozy Rum House or out on the terrace to enjoy them.

    While The Sugar Mill more than accommodates meat and seafood lovers, it’s highly regarded for its vegetarian and vegan menu as well. You might want to book your table in advance, especially if you want a dinner reservation. Breakfast is available from 8 am to 10 am on weekdays.

    Location: Little Apple Bay, VG1130, British Virgin Islands

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 8 am to 10 am and 7 pm to 10 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Map
  • 2

    The Restaurant at Leverick Bay

    Local seafood specialties on a Caribbean-style terrace

    The Restaurant at Leverick Bay
    • Budget
    • Families
    • Food
    • Photo

    At The Restaurant at Leverick Bay, take in ocean views from the open terrace and choose from a variety of Caribbean dishes. Popular menu options include Anegada lobster and the house-cut steaks, with locally caught seafood options also a highlight. There are plenty of flavorful gluten-free and vegetarian dishes on offer, too.

    The Restaurant at Leverick Bay is located on the northern tip of Virgin Gorda, making it an ideal place to enjoy an upscale Caribbean dining experience after of day of scuba diving around Mosquito Island. We recommend reserving a table over the weekend, but walk-ins are always welcome.

    Location: Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

    Open: Daily from noon to 9 pm

    Phone: +1 284-346-7241

    Map
  • 3

    The Dove Restaurant

    An upscale restaurant, lounge bar, and terrace

    The Dove Restaurant
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Nightlife

    The Dove Restaurant is a popular dining spot that specializes in fusion cuisine, housed in a historical West Indian cottage on Tortola’s Main Street. You can either choose from the a la carte menu and sit in the intimate dining room or feast on small bites while enjoying the view from one of the patios.

    The Dove Restaurant also has an upstairs – The Dragonfly Lounge – where you can unwind with a signature cocktail or a treat from the extensive wine list. The restaurant makes many beverages using homegrown herbs and syrups.

    Location: 67 Main Street Tortola, VG1110, British Virgin Islands

    Open: Tuesday from noon to 3 pm and 5 pm to 10 pm, Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 10 pm, Friday from noon to 3 pm and 5 pm to 10 pm, Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm (closed on Sunday and Monday)

    Phone: +1 284-494-0313

    Map
  • 4

    Quito's Gazebo

    Oceanside Caribbean cuisine and reggae music

    Quito's Gazebo
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food
    • Photo

    Quito's Gazebo is an all-day restaurant and beach bar in Cane Garden Bay that’s popular with both visitors and local regulars. You can either try a Caribbean favorite on the terrace or grab a quick bite and a cocktail to enjoy on a parasol-shaded table on the beach. On most nights, a reggae band provides live entertainment.

    Because it’s a well-known local hotspot as well as a mecca for visitors, we recommend booking a table for dinner in advance. You won’t usually need a reservation for breakfast or lunch. In all, it’s a great place to grab a bite while spending a day on the beach.

    Location: Leonards, British Virgin Islands

    Open: Sunday–Thursday from 8 am to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 1 am

    Phone: +1 284-495-4837

    Map

    photo by Skellig2008 (CC BY 2.0) modified

  • 5

    The Pavillion at Little Dix Bay

    Slow-cooked meat and seafood dishes with local ingredients

    The Pavillion at Little Dix Bay
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury

    At The Pavillion at Little Dix Bay, you can share slow-cooked Caribbean comfort dishes made using local ingredients. Popular dishes include a jerk-marinated mixed broil, seasonal stews, and ribeye steak with a Caribbean rum sauce. Even with offerings like these, seafood is this restaurant’s main draw. We recommend grabbing a plate from the lobster, shrimp, and fish buffet.

    Dinner at The Pavillion at Little Dix Bay is a classy affair, so remember to wear smart-casual clothing and avoid sandals. The atmosphere is more casual at breakfast and lunch when the restaurant is also less busy.

    Location: Lee Road, Valley, Spanish Town, British Virgin Islands

    Open: Daily from 7.30 am to 10.30 am, noon to 3 pm and 6 pm to 9.30 pm

    Map
  • 6

    Cardamom & Co.

    An ideal weekend spot for fine dining

    Cardamom & Co.
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Photo

    The Cardamom & Co. restaurant serves local staples as well as Caribbean dishes with an American twist, with menu options such as hand-cut steaks, pecan-crusted lamb racks and pan-seared snappers. Appetisers include crab rillette, veggie spring rolls and shrimp tempura. You can also choose the perfect pairing from the extensive wine list.

    We highly recommend booking a table at Cardamom & Co. in advance as it’s only open on weekend evenings for a few hours, and reservations can fill up quickly.

    Location: Grand Pavilion, Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, Scrub Island VG1120, British Virgin Islands

    Open: Saturday and Sunday from 6 pm to 9 pm

    Map
  • 7

    1748 Restaurant

    An 18th-century rum distillery-turned-sophisticated diner

    1748 Restaurant
    • Couples
    • Food
    • History
    • Luxury
    • Photo

    The 1748 Restaurant serves Caribbean and European cuisine in a contemporary, sophisticated setting inside a historical building. There is upstairs, downstairs and shaded terrace seating available. With a focus on freshness and health, the restaurant sources ingredients from local fishermen, farms, and its own gardens. There’s also a beach bar that serves signature cocktails.

    Lunch and dinner favorites include seared ahi tuna, soft flour tacos, and the 1748 Wagyu Beef Burger. There are also sharing plates like baby vegetable crudites and the restaurant’s homemade Tuscan bread. If you’re stopping by for breakfast, we recommend trying their Caribbean French toast or the signature 1748 Pancakes.

    Location: Route 1 VG, British Virgin Islands

    Open: Sunday–Thursday from 8 am to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 11 pm

    Phone: +1 284-340-2281

    Map
  • 8

    CocoMaya Restaurant

    Latin-Asian fusion fare by the beach

    CocoMaya Restaurant
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Photo

    CocoMaya Restaurant combines the culinary cultures of Latin America and Southeast Asia to create unique delights. Located between 2 giant national park boulders, the restaurant is an upscale but laidback diner that specializes in tasty street-food dishes with exotic flavors. Popular picks from the menu include shrimp lettuce wraps, tempura shrimps, and the CocoMaya House Ribs.

    CocoMaya Restaurant is often in high demand, making reservations essential. It’s a great dining spot if you’re planning to explore the nearby Little Fort National Park, which is home to water walls, a wildlife sanctuary, and a former Spanish fortress.

    Location: Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

    Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 5 pm to 10 pm

    Phone: +1 284-495-6344

    Map
  • 9

    Brandywine Estate Restaurant

    French and Mediterranean cuisine in a fine-dining spot

    Brandywine Estate Restaurant
    • Couples
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Photo

    The Brandywine Estate Restaurant on the southern coast of Tortola creates unique and inspired dishes with French and local influences. Favorites with seafood fans include fruits de mer (seafood platter), moules mariniére (mussels in white wine sauce), and pan-fried salmon. Meat-eaters, on the other hand, can choose from options such as lank shank and beef tenderloin.

    Before sitting down for dinner, we recommend drinking a sunset cocktail on the terrace that overlooks the Sir Francis Drake Channel. You should book in advance as this restaurant is in high demand most evenings. Tuesday and Wednesday tend to be the quietest days.

    Location: Kingston, British Virgin Islands

    Open: Tuesday–Sunday from noon to 11 pm (closed on Mondays)

    Phone: +1 284-495-2301

    Map
  • 10

    Top of the Baths

    Caribbean dining on an open terrace with scenic views

    Top of the Baths
    • Families
    • Food
    • Photo

    At Top of the Baths, you can eat Caribbean favorites made with local ingredients on the shaded terrace or the large open terrace, with parasol-shaded poolside tables. You can also take in views of the ocean and green, rocky landscapes. It’s a popular restaurant for breakfast, lunch and early dinners.

    The restaurant is a great stop for a meal after making a day of your time in the area, such as completing the hiking trails at the nearby Devil’s Bay (The Baths) National Park, exploring its pristine beaches or going snorkeling in the bay.

    Location: Saint John - Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

    Open: Daily from 8 am to 4 pm

    Phone: +1 284-495-5497

    Map
Joshua Saunders | Contributing Writer