Best Breakfast Spots

ST. CROIX

Whether you’re an early riser or a sleep-in kind of person, Polly’s at the Pier aims to please with breakfast starting at 8 a.m. and available all day, every day. Centrally located near the Frederiksted Pier, this waterfront cafe features all the good vibes you need to start your day, including a charming, light-filled dining room. Hungry diners can opt for the three-egg burrito while those who prefer a lighter breakfast can choose from eight different smoothies. Be sure to say hello to the chickens wandering in the flower-filled courtyard.

Toast Diner leans into its funky ambiance in all the best ways possible, from its eclectic, crowd-pleasing menu and laid-back charm to its friendly service. Conveniently located near the Christiansted Boardwalk, Toast’s all-day breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. and includes standards such as avocado toast and pancakes. But where Toast really shines is with its unusual offerings, ranging from hash brown casseroles and rum cake French toast to 11 varieties of the Venezuelan staple, arepas. Grab a seat in the colorful dining room or sit outside on the patio.

For those who prefer stunning ocean views with their first meal of the day, head to Frederiksted’s Beach Side Cafe at Sand Castle on the Beach for weekend brunch. An open-air, seaside terrace means there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Plus, the soft-sand beach is a just a few steps away should the urge to dive in arise (we totally get it). Celebrate the setting with a mimosa or New Orleans-style Bloody Mary before moving on to a hearty breakfast bowl, classic French toast or Sand Castle’s unique take on a Caesar salad with apples and dried cranberries.

Featuring soothing views of Christiansted Harbor from its perch on the Boardwalk, Nate’s Boathouse offers the same attention to detail at breakfast at it does for dinner, where seafood is the focus. Starting at 8 a.m., Nate’s expands the definition of the morning meal by taking a global approach to its menu. The Caribbean Breakfast features saltfish, sweet plantains and a boiled egg, while the Southern Breakfast offers house-made biscuits, sausage gravy and eggs. Omelets, buttermilk pancakes and a variety of egg-based skillets are also available.

ST. JOHN

Tucked inside Mongoose Junction, the North Shore Deli is a hidden gem. Family run since 2014, North Shore takes a from-scratch approach that includes a tasty selection of slow-roasted meats, including in their turkey hash. Other stellar breakfast items include a hearty sausage-and-egg scramble served with home fries and good-for-you smoothies and yogurt parfaits. On the way out, be sure to grab one of North Shore’s tasty sandwiches — a BLT, perhaps? — and salad from the cooler for lunch. You’ll thank us later.

Open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, Cruz Bay Landing takes its tagline, “First stop, last stop,” seriously. Family owned, Cruz Bay prides itself on being a favorite of locals and visitors alike, offering a variety of menu items at wallet-friendly prices. At breakfast that means four different kinds of eggs benedicts (“bennies”), as well as breakfast tacos and veggie tofu scramble, all of which come with a side of lovely waterfront and ferry dock views. For those looking for a grab-and-go option, Cruz Bay’s next-door Coffee Shop and Creamery serves signature coffee drinks and sweet treats.

Don’t let its name fool you. There’s a lot more going on at Colombo’s Smoothies than just blended drinks — although with its 11 delicious varieties made from fresh local fruit, you’ll want to order one. Located between Cruz Bay and Coral Bay, this bright blue roadside stand in Virgin Islands National Park has been offering avocado toast, acai bowls, salads, breakfast sandwiches, muffins, coffee drinks and smoothies for more than 30 years. The stellar views of Coral Bay in the distance are an added bonus.

With the sound of lapping waves in the background, lush trees overhead and a picturesque beach just a few steps away, breakfast at High Tide is an undecidedly relaxing way to start your day. Located near the Cruz Bay ferry dock — let your server know if you’ve got a boat to catch — High Tide offers an extensive morning menu, with dishes ranging from chicken fried steak and huevos rancheros to a shrimp-and-bacon-stuffed omelet. Lean into the chill vibe with a breakfast cocktail or glass of bubbly.

ST. THOMAS

There are three important things to know about Gladys’ Cafe before you go: It’s located off of a scenic alley in Charlotte Amalie’s shopping district (look for the oval sign above its door), its huge portions aren’t for the faint of heart and the house-made hot sauces are the real deal. For more than 30 years, Gladys’ has been offering a delicious mix of Caribbean and American dishes in a cozy setting. At breakfast enjoy eggs paired with grits and home fries, as well as a variety of fluffy omelets. Fresh fruit coladas and other signature island drinks are available, too. And Gladys’ own hot sauce is sold right in the restaurant.

Since 1970, family-owned Petite Pump Room Bar and Restaurant has been wowing locals and visitors alike with its flavorful West Indian cooking. Located on the second floor of the ferryboat terminal in Charlotte Amalie, this harborside spot features a seaside deck with views of ships cruising by. Start your day in true island style with the local saltfish breakfast (stewed saltfish, a boiled egg, steamed okra and butter bread). The island’s bounty can also be found in the lobster and conch omelets. Or opt for more traditional breakfast staples such as buttermilk pancakes and egg sandwiches. Lean back and take in the views with a passion fruit mimosa in hand.

With its brightly colored exterior, Carigas Island Cafe announces its funky vibe from the get-go. But what this laid-back Benner Bay-area restaurant lacks in fancy frills, it more than makes up for in island charm. While there’s a regular breakfast menu with items like huevos rancheros and a hearty egg sandwich, be sure to check out the blackboard daily specials. Peanut butter-banana pancakes, spicy breakfast tacos, and chicken and waffles have all made regular appearances, as well as two-for-one mimosas.

Although it’s known to serve up some of the island’s best deli-style sandwiches, Frenchtown Deli & Coffee Shop also features a terrific breakfast menu, with plenty of morning staples to start your day. A variety of coffee drinks are available, as well as mimosas with fresh-squeezed orange juice. Biscuits with sausage gravy, fresh-baked banana bread, pork chops and eggs, eggs benedict and create-your-own omelets are all at the ready until 3 p.m. at this Frenchtown staple.

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