Gladys’ Café
Boiled fish and fungi, conch in butter sauce, stewed oxtail, curried mutton and hot chicken salad are among the favourites served at this hole-in-the-wall restaurant tucked into Charlotte Amalie’s Royal Dane Mall. Namesake Gladys Isles-Jones, a native of Antigua, is usually found singing and smiling behind the big mahogany bar throughout the daily lunch rush. Gladys’ homemade hot pepper sauce – available in three versions: oil-and-vinegar, tomato and mustard base – makes a great souvenir.
www.gladyscafe.com

Grand Cru
Overlook the megayachts docked at Yacht Haven Grande while you dine at this open-air eatery whose setting is as sophisticated as the cuisine. Tapas plates – short rib empanadas, pistachio crusted goat cheese and baby greens salad drizzled with a honey truffle vinaigrette, and grilled lamb loin served with mascarpone-seasoned cauliflower – are choices exquisitely paired with fine wines. An extensive selection of wine ‘by-the-glass’, tropical cocktails and martinis made with fresh fruits, herbs and liquor infusions are also on tap.
www.grandecru.com

Craig & Sally’s
Nestling in the heart of Frenchtown, so named for the community of French descendents that migrated here from St Barth’s over a century ago, the claim to fame at this husband-and-wife-owned café is that no two menus are ever the same. Chef Sally thrives on constant inspiration. This creativity might come to the plate, for example, as sautéed yellowtail swimming in a mango, key lime and habanero sauce or Prince Edward Island mussels in a lemongrass, coconut milk and pickled ginger broth. Craig’s the wine maestro. His list features over 300 global selections ranging from a basic $19 white to a $300 granddaddy red like Sassicaia.
www.craigandsallys.com

Duffy’s Love Shack
The ultimate Caribbean beach bar…without the beach. Red Hook Shopping Centre parking lot by day, Happy Hour transforms Duffy’s into what some call a Disneyland for hip drinksters of any legal age. Want a Zoom Zoom Shooter? A big-smiled babe or handsome hunk will send this concoction hurling down the bar top in a flashy four-wheeled racecar. There’s food here too. Burgers, burritos and Jamaican jerk tacos, as well as a signature platter complete with tequila lime shrimp, rum soaked pineapple and conch fritters. Theme nights add to the fun.  www.duffysloveshack.com

Agave Terrace
Fresh fish and seafood – plus the million-dollar view east to the British Virgin Islands – are what draws diners to this fine restaurant at the Point Pleasant Resort. It’s really a have-it-your-way menu. For example, choose from among fresh-caught tuna, wahoo and dolphin (mahi-mahi), as well as shrimp and scallops, prepared either char-grilled, island-spiced, pan-seared or poached with a choice of different sauces – including roasted garlic-herb olive oil, passionfruit glaze and ginger beurre blanc. Chefs will even cook your catch if you get lucky in a day of sport fishing. There’s live steel pan music on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
www.agaveterrace.com

Havana Blue
Authentic Cuban and Latin dishes with a touch of the Pacific Rim is what former New York restaurateurs Eric and Nicole Horstmeyer serve at their beachfront eatery located at the Morningstar Beach Resort. The focus here is definitely on fresh. The Bebidas (drinks) menu features creative drinks such as a Mango Mojito made with ripe mango, crushed mint, and squeezed limes. Dinner selections include Fresh Coconut Chipotle Ceviche, Sugar Cane Glazed Pork Tenderloin Medallions and the signature dish, Miso Sea Bass. Traditional Cuban Tres Leches Cake and premium hand-rolled cigars finish the night off.
www.havanabluerestaurant.com