LOCAL EATERIES

Food culture tells the intimate story of diversity through cuisines, richness of flavors and offers a space for cultural interaction. Each Caribbean Island has a unique flavor and culinary technique. Historically, Caribbean food has been influenced by several cultures of the world. The Arawak, Carib, and Taino “Indians” were the first dwellers in the Caribbean Islands. Their daily diet consists of vegetable and fruits such as papaya, yams, guavas, and cassava. The Taino were the first to prepare meat and fish in large clay pots. The Carib Indians introduced spices and lemon juice to their meat and fish recipes.

Through colonization, most Caribbean islands were filled with large sugar plantations, producing most of the sugar consumed in Europe. Slaves from Africa were the main source of labor working on these plantations. Caribbean cuisine is a melting pot of culinary influences from Africa, France, Spain, India, Dutch, America, Britain, and Asia. West Africans brought callaloo, okra, and ackee to complement the tomatoes, potatoes, corn, and beans cultivated by indigenous civilizations across the Americas. Colonial powers brought meats like beef, pork and chicken plus oranges, garlic, and onions. Salt fish and tamarind are indigenous to Arica’s tropical belt and were introduced by Spaniards and Portuguese in 16^th century.

In my lifetime, I have witnessed local cultural restaurants close as Americanized restaurants move in. The true taste of the Caribbean lies in the rotis, pates, salt fish, fungi, johnny cakes, cow heel soup, oxtail soup, callaloo, conch fritters and much more. Below are local eateries, sharing the Caribbean cuisine of St. John.  Check out the local eateries below to support the food culture of the people of St. John.  

Susannaberg

• Island Breeze - entrance to Windmill Bar
  • Smitty
  • Pates, stewed chicken, johnny cakes and goat water
  • https://newsofstjohn.com/local-livin-local-cuisine-with-smitty-at-island-breeze/
• Heading East- next to Movie Drive In- first left after windmill bar, inside corner of turn
  • Bobby Otto
  • Rotating menu with a few staples: lobster, fry fish, steam fish and stewed chicken, sides
  • Known for Bobby’s Chicken Soup
  • https://newsofstjohn.com/local-livin-heading-east-for-great-local-flavor/#more-35057

Coral Bay

• Ekaete Pink Corner- at the Coral Bay intersection on route 107
  • Esther’s cooking -Homecooked- fantastic, authentic
  • Local homemade dishes, ice-creams, fruit smoothies and local fruit juices (made from homegrown Caribbean fruits)
  • Reservations call 340.228.3311
  • https://www.facebook.com/Ekaete-Pink-Corner-1526801170907606/
• Love City Café- storage container next to old Pickles in Paradise, adjacent to local art gallery
  • Offer specialty coffee, homemade baked goods, and provisioning
  • Cappuccino, lattes, espressos, smoothies, frozen coffees, and much more
  • Homemade baked goods, to-go-salads, and snacks for beach day
  • Hours 6am-2pm
  • 340.473.6228
  • https://www.lovecitycafe.com
• Miss Lucy’s – on your way to Salt Pond
  • Lunch and Dinner, Open Mic on Thursdays, and Sunday Brunch
  • Offers a true taste of old St. John with fresh and flavorful cuisine with magical ocean views
  • 340-693-5244
  • Open Mic night 5:30-9:00 pm
  • https://www.facebook.com/people/Miss-Lucys-in-Coral-Bay/100057609242405/

Cruz Bay

• Forward to Your Roots- Across from EC Gas station on route 108 and near the basketball courts in Pine Peace
  • Vegan hot spot- healthy, yet divine option
  • Owned by Lance Brathwaite
  • Healthy food- knowledgeable about the benefits of the foods that go into his dishes and herbs and spices
  • Lengthy list of drinks- sea moss, peanut punch, tamarind, limeade, ginger, etc.
  • Open for lunch until food runs out Monday- Saturday
  • 340.677.0950
  • https://stjohnsource.com/2011/09/05/work-forward-your-roots/
• Hillside Terrace- on hill across from the tennis courts
  • Rotating menu of lunch and dinner options
  • Local Caribbean food and drinks
  • https://www.facebook.com/caribbeanhillsideterrace/
• Hercule’s Pate Delight- Down the hill from the lumberyard
  • Pate!!!
  • Just down the hill from the Lumberyard
  • https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g147410-d10479219-Reviews-Hercules_Pate_Delight-Cruz_Bay_St_John_U_S_Virgin_Islands.html
• Nella’s Lounge- Across from Hercule’s
  • Rotating selection of meats, fish and Caribbean spiced side dishes for lunch and dinner
  • Homie personality, great food
  • Across from Hercules, below lumberyard parking lot
  • https://vinow.com/stj/stj-r/nellas-lounge/
• P & P By the Sea- located on Moorehead Point overlooking the Caribbean Sea, just beyond Frank Bay.
  • Hours vary, call ahead 340.693.8587
  • Authentic Caribbean food featuring lobster, conch, fish and much more. Lobster bakes, pig roasts and rib specials; roti
  • https://www.facebook.com/P-and-Ps-By-The-Sea-1935797469983782/
• The Roti King- Lumberyard parking lot- red bus
  • Mr. Hill- originally from Nevis- St. Martin; cooked lunch at Caneel Bay resort
  • Roti is one of the most popular and widely known cuisines of the Caribbean. Unleavened, griddled bread shell (cross between pita and tortilla, originated in India). In Caribbean, predominantly made with chick pea or whole wheat flour and filled with curry spiced filling- goat, chicken, vegetables with potatoes and curry sauce
  • https://newsofstjohn.com/local-livin-mr-hill-the-roti-king/
• Shaibu’s Grab & Go Gourmet- Second floor of Marketplace
  • Healthy salads, grain bowls, soups, fresh fish
  • Makes eating healthy quick and easy
  • Grab a bag of Shaibu’s Signature green plantain chips
  • https://www.facebook.com/oasisprivatechefs/
• Uncle Joe’s Barbeque- Across from Post Office
  • BBQ ribs or chicken- lunches and dinners
  • https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g147409-d1046646-Reviews-Uncle_Joe_s_Barbecue-St_John_U_S_Virgin_Islands.html

Resource:

Bonner, Hillary. Eat Local Food- A Guide to St. John’s Caribbean Inspired Eateries. January 4, 2022. News of St. John: An Online Blog About the Daily Happenings of St. John, USVI. https://newsofstjohn.com/eat-local-food-a-guide-to-st-johns-caribbean-inspired-eateries/

https://www.mediamatic.net/en/page/378825/a-look-at-the-history-of-caribbean-cuisine