St. John Guidebook (Cruz Bay & Coral Bay)
Restaurants/Bars
Some more upscale restaurants and some laidback spots :)
Be sure to make reservations on the Resy App for this amazing dinner spot in Cruz Bay! We recommend the Mushroom Pappardelle, Lump Crab & Shrimp Fettuccine, and Cioppino. Finish the night with an Espresso Martini & cheesecake.
34 locals recommend
Extra Virgin Bistro
Be sure to make reservations on the Resy App for this amazing dinner spot in Cruz Bay! We recommend the Mushroom Pappardelle, Lump Crab & Shrimp Fettuccine, and Cioppino. Finish the night with an Espresso Martini & cheesecake.
Enjoy a stunning sunset & phenomenal food! Reservations required --- just give the restaurant a call!
11 locals recommend
The Terrace
Enjoy a stunning sunset & phenomenal food! Reservations required --- just give the restaurant a call!
This is the sister restaurant to Extra Virgin. A bit more casual, but still amazing food! You may want to consider stopping by for their sushi lunch! Reservations can be made via the Resy App!
10 locals recommend
1864 The Restaurant
503 Mongoose JctThis is the sister restaurant to Extra Virgin. A bit more casual, but still amazing food! You may want to consider stopping by for their sushi lunch! Reservations can be made via the Resy App!
Now located in CORAL BAY, this restaurant offers a little bit of everything! Pad thai, fresh seafood, steak, salads, and a fun mix of small plate appetizers. Call for reservations.
22 locals recommend
Rhumb Lines
Now located in CORAL BAY, this restaurant offers a little bit of everything! Pad thai, fresh seafood, steak, salads, and a fun mix of small plate appetizers. Call for reservations.
Laid back lunch and dinner spot for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, and of course, margaritas! If they have the Red Snapper on special, definitely get it! Try a barrel shot during Happy Hour! Reservations not accepted.
11 locals recommend
Greengos Caribbean Cantina
Mongoose JunctionLaid back lunch and dinner spot for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, nachos, and of course, margaritas! If they have the Red Snapper on special, definitely get it! Try a barrel shot during Happy Hour! Reservations not accepted.
Stop by right at opening & enjoy a fancy cocktail before venturing off to dinner. Or, try one of their awesome pizzas, like Maho BBQ or Pirate's Pepperoni. Reservations not accepted.
Lovango Rum Bar
Stop by right at opening & enjoy a fancy cocktail before venturing off to dinner. Or, try one of their awesome pizzas, like Maho BBQ or Pirate's Pepperoni. Reservations not accepted.
THE place to catch the sunset! Arrive around 5:00pm and enjoy drinks as the sun starts to set, then head into Cruz Bay for dinner! Reservations not accepted.
18 locals recommend
The Windmill Bar
THE place to catch the sunset! Arrive around 5:00pm and enjoy drinks as the sun starts to set, then head into Cruz Bay for dinner! Reservations not accepted.
With its tradition of "Same Day Service", Skinny Legs is a fun stop for a drink and a sandwich. No frills, no deep fryer, just basic food, mixed drinks, and a great place to enjoy the uniqueness & quirkiness of Coral Bay. No reservations accepted.
48 locals recommend
Skinny Legs
With its tradition of "Same Day Service", Skinny Legs is a fun stop for a drink and a sandwich. No frills, no deep fryer, just basic food, mixed drinks, and a great place to enjoy the uniqueness & quirkiness of Coral Bay. No reservations accepted.
Top notch service and amazing views! The perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. Reservations can easily be made via the OpenTable App.
ZoZo's at Caneel Bay
Top notch service and amazing views! The perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. Reservations can easily be made via the OpenTable App.
Grocery Stores
Starfish Market tends to have the best quality and selection on island!
18 locals recommend
Starfish Market
Starfish Market tends to have the best quality and selection on island!
Great little mini mart for beer, liquor, snacks, canned goods, frozen goods, and dairy items!
11 locals recommend
Love City Market
Great little mini mart for beer, liquor, snacks, canned goods, frozen goods, and dairy items!
A smaller grocery store in Coral Bay with produce, dry goods, beer/wine, and frozen items. A great option for picking up a few necessities, rather than making the drive back into Cruz Bay
Dolphin Market - Coral Bay
A smaller grocery store in Coral Bay with produce, dry goods, beer/wine, and frozen items. A great option for picking up a few necessities, rather than making the drive back into Cruz Bay
Boat Trips
Cruz Bay Watersports offers a variety of day charters, both around St. Thomas and St. John, as well as to the BVI's. I also highly recommend their Sunset Sail!
Cruz Bay Water Sports
Cruz Bay Watersports offers a variety of day charters, both around St. Thomas and St. John, as well as to the BVI's. I also highly recommend their Sunset Sail!
Kekoa Sailing Charters
A variety of day trips are available, as well as sunset sails!
Traveling with a group of 4 or more? Consider taking a private day charter with Beach Charters VI! Fully customizable trips. Ask for John & Michelle to be your captain and crew <3
Beach Charters VI
201 Red Hook RoadTraveling with a group of 4 or more? Consider taking a private day charter with Beach Charters VI! Fully customizable trips. Ask for John & Michelle to be your captain and crew <3
Happy Hour
The Happy Hour drinks are phenomenal! Try the painkiller. Stay for dinner, too!
12 locals recommend
Joe's Rum Hut
The Happy Hour drinks are phenomenal! Try the painkiller. Stay for dinner, too!
Their Happy Hour cocktails (including the frozen painkiller!) are a great way to start your evening in Cruz Bay. Fresh fish sliders are also a great appetizer.
30 locals recommend
The Longboard
Their Happy Hour cocktails (including the frozen painkiller!) are a great way to start your evening in Cruz Bay. Fresh fish sliders are also a great appetizer.
Traveler advice
Book before you go
Restaurant Reservations
During busy season (November through April), it is wise to make dinner reservations about two or three weeks prior to your arrival on-island. This is especially true if there is a specific restaurant you definitely want to dine at during your stay. Restaurants that highly encourage advance reservations include: Extra Virgin, ZoZo's, La Tapa, 18/64, Ocean 362, The Terrace, Dave & Jerry's Island Steakhouse, Lovongo Island, and Rhumb Lines. Many of these restaurants can be booked through OpenTable or the Resy App, or the website for the restaurant directly.
Getting around
Rent a 4WD High Clearance Vehicle
A rental vehicle (preferably a 4WD SUV with high clearance) is required for your visit to St. John. We highly recommend a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco. A few St. John-based vehicle rental companies to consider include: Aqua Blu, Just Sun Jeeps, Mr. Piper's, Aquarius, Slim Man's, and L&L. Please begin the process of securing a rental vehicle as soon as possible!! The vast majority of companies book up well in advance. Sedans are not well suited (and can be very dangerous) on St. John.