Where to Eat in Virgin Islands National Park: Restaurants In and Around the Park
Virgin Islands National Park takes a deliberate approach to dining. The park covers two-thirds of St. John and focuses first and foremost on preserving its landscapes. Inside the park, the Cinnamon Bay restaurant and Trunk Bay snack bar cover the basics. Cruz Bay, just minutes from the ferry, has most of the island's restaurants. Coral Bay, on the east side, rounds out the options for anyone who drives all the way across the island.
Eating in the Park: Lodges, Restaurants, and Cafeterias
The park doesn't have a traditional network of restaurants. There are two places to get food, each serving a different beach area.
Cinnamon Bay
The restaurant at Cinnamon Bay Campground is the only full-service dining spot inside the park. After Hurricane Irma forced it to close in 2017, the site reopened under new management with a streamlined menu. Expect simple Caribbean dishes, sandwiches, and grilled items at lunch, followed by heartier meals in the evening. The wood deck sits just steps from the water and more than makes up for the short menu. The camp store next door sells basic necessities, ice cream, and cold drinks, which come in especially handy at the end of a trail.
Good to know: hours change with the season and campground occupancy, so check when you arrive on the island.
Trunk Bay
Trunk Bay, the island's most photographed beach, has a seasonal snack bar run by the NPS. Packaged sandwiches, drinks, and sunscreen make it a quick resupply stop, not a lunch break. The snack bar follows the beach's operating hours, generally 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Groceries and Picnics in the Park
Packing a picnic is the best option for a day in the park. You'll find picnic tables at Hawksnest Bay and Cinnamon Bay, all in a natural setting. Pick up your groceries in Cruz Bay before you leave. Starfish Market and Dolphin Market both carry fresh produce, deli meats, cheeses, and local specialties. The usual rule applies: leave no trash behind, and never abandon food.
Where to Eat Nearby: Cruz Bay and Coral Bay
Cruz Bay
Cruz Bay, the island's entry point, is less than a mile from the park's Cruz Bay Visitor Center. This is where you'll find most of the dining options on St. John.
Lime Inn is one of the spots locals recommend most often. It serves fresh seafood and grilled fish on a relaxed terrace overlooking the bay. Its Wednesday lobster night has had a loyal following for years. During the high season, from December through April, tables fill up by 6 p.m. Arrive early or make a reservation.
Sun Dog Café, in the Mongoose Junction shopping center, offers a lighter menu with salads, wraps, and solid burgers. It's a good choice for a quick lunch without sacrificing quality, and it opens in the morning for coffee before you hit the trail.
Woody's Seafood Saloon, along the waterfront, doubles as a beach bar and a laid-back snack spot. Conch fritters, nachos, and chicken wings make up a short, effective menu that's perfect for a bite after the ferry from St. Thomas.
Coral Bay
Coral Bay is about 12 miles east by way of North Shore Road, roughly an hour's drive along a winding but spectacular road. The atmosphere is much more local and far removed from the bustle of the harbor.
Skinny Legs Bar & Grill is an institution in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This unpretentious open-air bar on the sand has served well-known burgers to visiting sailors for decades. Prices are reasonable, live music plays some evenings, and regulars keep coming back. Don't expect a refined setting. That's exactly the point.
Coral Bay's dining options change with the season and with the condition of businesses after hurricanes. Ask around on the island when you arrive.
Our Picks by Mood
Quick bite: the Trunk Bay snack bar or the Cinnamon Bay camp store if you're staying in the park; Woody's in Cruz Bay for something from the harbor without hunting for a table.
With the family: Sun Dog Café for its broad hours and varied menu; Cinnamon Bay for dinner without getting back in the car after a day of camping or hiking.
Water views: Lime Inn in the evening for its tables on the bay-side terrace; any picnic table at Hawksnest Bay at sunset, free of charge.
Local flavor: Skinny Legs in Coral Bay. The open dining room overlooking the mangroves, sailors stopping over, and no-frills burgers are all part of the scene, just like the menu.
The Specialty to Try on St. John
The signature dish of the U.S. Virgin Islands is fish and fungi: poached or grilled fish, such as snapper, mahi-mahi, or wahoo, served with fungi. Pronounced foon-ji, it is a Creole preparation made with cornmeal and okra. It's firmer than Italian polenta and much more flavorful. This is the official national dish of the USVI, and you'll find it at most local restaurants on St. John.
Other classics worth trying include conch fritters, fried conch, the Caribbean's large sea snail; johnnycakes, small fried breads served at breakfast or as a side; and kallaloo, a stew of leafy greens seasoned with local spices. For drinks, Cruzan rum, distilled on the neighboring island of St. Croix, is everywhere. Beach bar rum punches should be enjoyed carefully under the Caribbean sun.
Practical Tips: Hours, Reservations, Budget, and Season
Hours: restaurants in Cruz Bay rarely close before 9:30 p.m., but their kitchens often stop serving earlier. The Trunk Bay snack bar follows the beach's hours, generally 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The park's Visitor Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., until 1:30 p.m. on Friday, and closed on weekends. It doesn't serve food, but the staff can tell you which in-park options are available that day.
Reservations: essential at Lime Inn during the high season, when tables fill up early in the evening. Elsewhere, walk-ins are the norm.
Budget: expect to pay $12 to $18 for a meal at a casual snack spot, and $25 to $45 at a full-service restaurant. A 15% to 20% tip is customary in the United States.
Season: dining options are best from October through May. In summer, some businesses reduce their hours or close temporarily. During hurricane season, from June through November, check restaurant status before leaving your lodging.
To plan your days around meals, the complete guide to Virgin Islands National Park and the sector-by-sector itineraries provide a framework for visiting each area.
In Brief: Where to Eat by Area
| Area | Available options |
|---|---|
| In the park | Cinnamon Bay restaurant · Trunk Bay snack bar · picnic areas (Hawksnest, Cinnamon Bay) |
| Cruz Bay (west entrance) | Lime Inn · Sun Dog Café · Woody's Seafood Saloon · coffee shops from 7 a.m. |
| Coral Bay (east side) | Skinny Legs Bar & Grill · seasonal snack spots |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular dish in the U.S. Virgin Islands?
The most popular dish in the U.S. Virgin Islands is fish and fungi: grilled or poached fish served with fungi, a Creole preparation made with cornmeal and okra. You'll find it at most local restaurants on St. John and St. Thomas.
Is the food good in the U.S. Virgin Islands?
The food is good in the U.S. Virgin Islands if you look beyond the overly touristy spots clustered around the ports. Local restaurants serve fresh seafood, including snapper, conch, and wahoo, at reasonable prices, with authentic Caribbean recipes and a level of freshness that's hard to beat.
How much does food cost in the U.S. Virgin Islands?
Food prices in the U.S. Virgin Islands are comparable to those in the mainland United States, though imported products cost slightly more. A snack-spot meal runs $12 to $18. A full-service restaurant costs $25 to $45 per person before drinks and tip.
What is the national dish of the U.S. Virgin Islands?
The national dish of the U.S. Virgin Islands is fish and fungi. Fungi, pronounced foon-ji, is a Creole polenta made with cornmeal and okra, served with fish, usually snapper or locally caught wahoo.