Marshall’s
The flagship restaurant in Verral Marshall’s growing culinary empire, Marshall’s is handily located in the Horizons Villas residential complex in Frigate Bay, the island’s main tourist area, and offers poolside dining with spectacular views of the Caribbean. ‘Marsh’, as he’s known to one and all, is a hands-on proprietor who delivers impeccably prepared and frequently adventurous dishes ranging from Caribbean ackee and saltfish to a perfectly grilled French rack of lamb. The local regulars who swear by his food and his ambience are perhaps the most telling testimonial to his consistency and originality. www.marshalls-stkitts.com

PJ’s Bar and Restaurant
The doyen of the numerous eateries lining the road that runs parallel with North Frigate Bay Beach, PJs is an Italian restaurant offering a solid range of pastas and sandwiches. But the stars of the show are the thin-crust pizzas, which have achieved legendary status. Pizza options include the ‘Garbage’, which, as the name implies, comes with just about every topping imaginable. A bonus is the cosy bar, a favourite hang-out for a lively bunch of locals. www.pjsrestaurantstkitts.com

Alfredo’s
Don’t be fooled by the name: Alfredo’s may sound like the sort of place you’d expect to find mama’s home-made pasta but, in fact, it’s strictly local. Handily located on the Bay Road just a few minutes stroll from the capital of Basseterre, in the decidedly lively Newtown neighbourhood, Alfredo’s offers no-nonsense Caribbean favourites, with top billing reserved for some of the finest, freshest fish straight out of the Caribbean. The dozen or so tables attract an eclectic local lunch crowd and the small, friendly bar dispenses beastly cold beers, stiff rum drinks and – a bonus – Caribbean music. Another bonus: the price is decidedly right.

Serendipity
The views of Basseterre Bay from the terrace tables could hardly be more spectacular, but this welcome addition to the St Kitts dining scene is best known for its creative and consistent lunch and dinner offerings. The extensive, reasonably priced, lunch menu features unusual items like Asian vegetable or chicken samosas, served with tortilla and warm stuffed crab back. Dinner choices include Caribbean bouillabaisse and rare yellowfin tuna. Located in the venerable residential area of Fortlands, a stroll from the Ocean Terrace Inn. ywww.serendipitystkitts.com

Reggae Beach Bar-Grill
Owner Gary Pereira has been a fixture on the St Kitts dining scene for almost 30 years. An avid fisherman, his hobby has always been reflected in his menus, which inevitably feature freshly caught, simply prepared and downright delicious fish offerings. Gary’s most recent venture is a comfortable, relaxed beach bar on Cockleshell Beach at the tip of St Kitts’ rapidly developing southeast peninsula, and his down-to-earth menu features beach staples like conch fritters, grilled mahi mahi sandwich, and, when available, lobster. All accompanied by reggae music in surroundings dominated by Bob Marley pictures. Irie!

Frigate Bay / South Friars
Nothing’s more West Indian than enjoying a casual, tasty meal and a cold drink a few feet from the Caribbean Sea, and there are so many places to indulge in this pleasure on these two popular beaches it would be impossible to single any one out. So here goes a handful. On Frigate Bay, check out Mr X’s Shiggidy Shack for succulent fish burgers, the Rainbow Bar for some of the juiciest chicken wings anywhere, and Buddies for excellent chicken, rib and fish dishes. On South Friars, Olivia’s Sunset Cafe has a well-deserved reputation for home-made local dishes and, at the opposite end of the beach, check out Raman’s Shipwreck Bar.