TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Best restaurants in BVIs for foodies

Hi all - this is my first post to the boards! We have two separate one week charters scheduled for the BVIs in February and March, separated by a few days in a resort. Can't wait to be having a few painkillers at Soggy Dollar!
Also, for some reason I can't get the search function to work - no matter what I search for, it doesn't pull up anything so any advice on that would be appreciated.
Anyways, I hate the term foodie, but it does describe what we're looking for and would appreciate any suggestions for fine dining in the BVIs. I'm happy eating at beach bars etc, but would like to have a couple of dinners out at something a bit more upscale. Any suggestions are appreciated!

Thanks!

Howard.

I don't think you'll be finding what you are seeking. Sure there are PLENTY of good eats around the islands, but if you are looking for finer dining (in comparison to say some great eats in major US cities), I wouldn't set you standards too high. Saba rock and BEYC are good options. I'm sure someone else can chime in to alternative options at a resort.

Thanks RJC - the resorts are probably going to be the best option. Good advice on setting expectations.

Hands down - The Wonky Dog on Anegada will qualify as a foodie destination. Plus it has the added bonus of being a beach side location.

If you are on Tortola at all, try Brandywine Estate Restaurant. Excellent food!!!

I have not been there so I can't personally confirm, but I am told that Coco Maya on Virgin Gorda is excellent. It might not really be "foodie" level but I really like Chez Bamboo on Virgin Gorda.

I would not call it a "foodie" restaurant because the menu is more like a traditional steak house, but the Upstairs Restaurant at Leverick Bay is great too.

Coca Maya and the Upstairs restaurant at Leverick are two that I'd say would qualify. Only places we've been that I'd say qualify.

By no means am I judging! I travel strictly for top notch food and wine, but the BVI to my knowledge isn't the place. Alternative options: Fly down some really nice steaks and some wine and take to having a high end meal on the boat if you are good with a grill. But a few placed to look at are as I mentioned Saba Rock, Bitter End Yacht Club, Marina Cay, and while not up there on the fancy side, The Fat Virgin in Gorda Sound. All but the Fat Virgin are nice sit down options with covering everything from local fare to home favorites.

On Tortola " The Sugar Mill" is now top notch with new owners..fantastic..seriously..agree with Brandywine and love The Wonky Dog..also..Sacaramouche for amazing Italian..Dont dis the BVI's for great food and this for a foodie who spends months in the Ca. Wine Country!

The upstairs at Leverick is as good as it gets with outstanding food, superb service and a very fine wine cellar. We always plan to be there during our circuits of paradise.

Sorry to forget that..The Restaurant at Leverick is fantastic>>

Scaramouche and CocoMaya are both excellent and true foodie restaurants.

Brandywine Bay and Sugar Mill are both excellent and I love both but I wouldn't call them foodie restaurants.

The quality at all 4 is on par with the best you will find anywhere at home or abroad.

If you can get to Norman Island when chef Xavi (from Guana) is there then eat at the new restaurant. Upscale and hugely impressive.

Sail to Grand Case, SXM

Our 2 favorites is The Upstairs Restaurant at Leverick and Wonky Dog, both excellent choices.

I love the Elm in CGB for a good BBQ.

Red Rock at East End, one of the best in my opinion. A little up scale but not to much.

I would add Chez Bamboo on Virgin Gorda just a few steps from the yacht harbor. Fabulous food and atmosphere

Thanks all - some great ideas! Can't wait!!

After you have Pain Killers at the Soggy Dollar Bar, return that evening for excellent dining at the Sandcastle Resort. They rotate the menu throughout the week with 5-6 entrees nightly. Reserve by 10 am in high season to assure a table.

Another option in North Sound is the restaurant at Yacht Club Costa Smerelda. The clubhouse is currently closed for remodeling but I would assume it will be open for high season and the super yacht regattas in March. Beautiful facility and views, excellent food and presentation, lunch menu is a very good value given the quality, dinner menu includes an impressive 5-course tasting menu (at least as of a couple years ago). Simply ignore the megayachts on the outer pier and bring your dinghy to the inner pier. Radio or call for reservations.

A few more you could consider are Caravela at Scrub, Tradewinds at Peter Island Resort and maybe the Beach Club restaurant if you want to make the trek to Oil Nut Bay. I've been to Caravela a couple times and had great meals. Haven't been to the other two but the menus look good.

Then you need to update your knowledge base RJC86

The Wonky Dog
Scaramouche
Surf Song
Coco Maya
Bitter End
The Tree House
Gorgios on Main Street
Brandywine
Oil Nut Bay
YCCS

Definitely agree with Chez Bamboo Rita <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> Also more votes here for Leverick. Having just retired after 41 years in the foodservice segment as a consultant, "foodie" to me implies great product used, great preparation, and great service. These two for sure meet that definition. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Assuming you aren't expecting Per Se or Daniel type of fine dining, you will find places to enjoy. With the appropriate expectations, there is decent dining.

I am a food snob, stickler for quality and enjoy a nice atmosphere and on Virgin Gorda, we enjoyed the following in no particular order -

Upstairs at Leverick - lovely location, wonderful food and service. Added bonus for location as the North Sound is fun for happy hour. Hit Saba Rock for happy hour and then head over to Leverick.

Coco Maya - Tapas style with a few (two or three?) entrée-size options. We have probably 75% of the menu in February and all dishes were solid. Beachfront with fire pits and loungers. We moved down to the beach for more wine and dessert.

Tree House at Rock Café - limited menu but excellent quality. The location is stunning. Tables for two along the rail, larger tables inside. We enjoyed it so much, we went back later in the trip.

Chez Bamboo - varied menu. Not the prettiest location (no view) but we really enjoyed our meal

Check out this blog, she loves a burger as much as a fine dining experience (she is from NYC). She wrote extensively about their restaurant visits during a trip to the BVIs

http://traceyg.travellerspoint.com/co/222/

Through TTOL had the pleasure of showing them around Sonoma when they came to Ca...I think they had fun!! I'd post the link if I could find it..

While not a fancy meal, the last trip we had a nice dinner at Bananakeet on Tortola. I am looking forward to a repeat this May. The view was awesome....very relaxing

We just had dinner, for the second time within 3 days, at Cabernet Bar and Grill. We don't eat in Road Town much just because we are normally on our boat and don't get here much. I have to say we were extremely surprised and would suggest this place to anyone looking for a laid back atmosphere and superb food. Owners, Paul and Paul are great hosts and their staff was attentive and friendly. They do all their own smoking onsite and the brisket and pig were out of this world. My wif had their home made pot pie and the fish tacos, which were also fantastic. A frequent stop for crewed boat crews out for the night along with many local followers. Paul also let me know they were starting to provision the crewed charter boats and they had just finished doing the crewed charter boat show at Nanny Cay.

I could go on but leave it at this, its worth your time to try it. I do know they are closed on Sunday. We went Mon. and Wed., Wed. being busier, but more fun.

Scaramouche in West End is the closest to "foodie" level cuisine we've found in the BVI. Recommended.

What's everyone's definition of foodie? Foodies are people who have an interest in food and alcoholic beverages. They seek new food experiences as a hobby rather than eating because of hunger. The experience does not have to be gourmet or fancy.

That's pretty much what I posted as well.

another vote for Scaramouche, they make it an experience and offer a super eclectic menu. Just saw a FB post today promoting their Moroccan BBQ! and Roberto is a craft cocktail artist!

More votes for Wonky Dog on Anegada - can't wait to eat there on every trip!
We had a wonderful dinner last spring at The Sugar Mill on Tortola - ambiance, food and service were amazing!