9 Awesome Alfresco Eateries

ST. CROIX

A visit to Frederiksted’s Louie & Nacho’s Beach Bar includes making some tough decisions. Fortunately, there isn’t a wrong answer at this laid-back St. Croix spot that’s open every day from late morning through evening. For a cozy experience, head to the intimate downstairs bar decorated in various shades of blue. If stunning beach views are on your list, then wander upstairs. Grab a seat at the spacious bar or one of the stools overlooking the postcard-worthy beach. The all-white interior is accented with a terracotta floor. Drinks include a variety of fruit-forward Crushes, like the mango margarita version, and frosty beers. On the menu are tacos, burgers, salads and plenty of shareable snacks.

Set inside The Buccaneer, one of St. Croix’s most iconic luxury resorts, The Terrace Restaurant offers a dining experience that effortlessly combines easy elegance with island charm. The expansive, open-air terrace features white tablecloth-clad tables, each offering gorgeous views of the lush landscaping and lovely beach just steps away. Towering arches add to the room’s graceful design. Come at breakfast and opt for a la carte dishes such as cinnamon-vanilla French toast or treat yourself to the lavish buffet. At dinner, the restaurant leans into its culinary expertise, with dishes ranging from jerk shrimp pasta to grilled Australian lamb. Be sure to allow time to explore the historic Christiansted hotel.

An award-winning Crucian chef with a passion for impeccable local ingredients helms Eat With Fred in Frederiksted. This barefoot-chic restaurant features breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch, each offering its own unique take on island cuisine. Eat With Fred’s alfresco setting includes an expansive patio with unobstructed views of the impossibly blue ocean and cruise ships passing by. Start your day with fruit-filled yogurt or piña colada French toast. Lunch brings fresh-from-the-ocean oysters, seafood-topped flatbread and a variety of burgers. The dinner menu ups the culinary ante with garlic shrimp scampi and whole snapper with Creole sauce. Add live music, stellar sunset viewing, handcrafted tropical cocktails and a come-as-you-are vibe and it’s easy to see why Eat With Fred is a local favorite.

ST. JOHN

From your waterfront table on the breezy terrace overlooking the world-famous Caneel Bay, dinner at ZoZo’s at Caneel Bay is an experience like no other. Once you’re seated, the table is yours for the evening to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and stellar sunset views, as well the delicious prix fixe meal. With four seatings a night, ZoZo’s features a gourmet four-course meal. Start with an antipasti plate of cured meats, artisanal cheeses and grilled vegetables. Move on to ceviche made with local fish or pappardelle in a creamy mushroom sauce. Tuna, mahi-mahi and crispy pork belly are all options for the third course. Save room for locally inspired desserts such as rum cake. Those looking for an a la carte meal can reserve a spot in the bar or lounge.

You never know where you’ll find the chef of Ocean 362: Working in the garden, spear fishing in Frank Bay or cooking in the kitchen of this elegant restaurant. Celebrating all that it means to eat local, Ocean 362 spotlights sustainably sourced ingredients from the surrounding area. Located in the heart of Cruz Bay, Ocean 362 takes a modern approach to traditional Caribbean dishes. For example, conch-and-lobster cakes are paired with baked polenta croutons and pan-seared halibut comes with carrot risotto. Even the classic cocktails here take a walk on the creative side (a hibiscus old-fashioned, perhaps?). Adding to the multilevel restaurant’s charm are beautiful ocean views from its terraces.

Cruz Bay’s The Banana Deck is known for lots of things beyond breathtaking views of the crystal-clear water from its elevated, open-air dining room. There’s the Bottomless Pour Your Own Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar offered during Sunday brunch. (Pro tip: Pair it with the fried chicken and biscuits.) For dinner, entrees take a global approach, ranging from fettuccine alfredo to shrimp curry. Plus, there’s live music on Thursday and Sunday evenings. The Banana Deck is a unique St. John experience you won’t want to miss.

ST. THOMAS

How serious is 3 Palms Restaurant about sourcing only the freshest ingredients from local farmers and fishermen? Just check out its daily changing handwritten menu for proof. From its terrace overlooking American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, 3 Palms provides guests with a relaxing yet upscale experience. The comfortable, pillow-strewn couches add to the sit-back-and-relax vibe. Take in the lush landscape and beautiful boats gliding by as you sip on signature cocktails like the Lavendula (gin, lavender and lemon). Dishes often find inspiration in French Creole cuisine and may include crawfish etouffee, Caribbean lobster dumplings or ribeye with a Bordelaise sauce. 3 Palms features a stellar global wine list, including premium by-the-glass pours via its innovative wine preservation system.

Set inside the Sapphire Beach Club, SeaSalt is an oasis offering an outdoor lounge and waterfront dining room. The sophisticated, multistory restaurant features a modern design that beautifully reflects the surrounding natural landscape with lots of blond wood, greenery, and white tables and chairs. Sail-like coverings overhead protect guests from the sun without obscuring views of the lovely Smith Bay Beach just steps away. A retractable roof extends the outdoor dining opportunities. On the menu, sea-to-table fare ranges from octopus escabeche and lobster lollipops to Caribbean cioppino. Handcrafted cocktails have a creative bent, using house-made syrups, shrubs and bitters. And there’s a variety of spirit-free drinks.

Overlooking Charlotte Amalie Harbor inside its namesake boutique hotel, Mafolie Restaurant features an open-air deck where there’s not a bad seat in the house. Deep blue water, a lush landscape, majestic cruise ships, bobbing sailboats and colorful buildings are all in view. Make the most of your visit with a stop at the bar, where you can enjoy the house cocktail, called the Mafolie Melee, or other skillfully prepared tropical drinks. Come between 3:30 p.m.–6 p.m. for happy hour at the bar, with specially priced drinks and small bites. Island flavors and ingredients are thoughtfully incorporated into the cuisine, with dishes such as Caribbean-style curry, sugarcane shrimp and mango-avocado salad.

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