Guidebook for Charlotte Amalie
Food Scene
Get there in time to enjoy the stunning Atlantic views. Very casual. Simple bar food plus more stylish and upscale items as well. Excellent weekend brunch.
Northside Bistro
Hull Bay RoadGet there in time to enjoy the stunning Atlantic views. Very casual. Simple bar food plus more stylish and upscale items as well. Excellent weekend brunch.
In the front it's a casual bar, with pizza, burgers and such. The back of the restaurant has an excellent menu and and open air breezes with an ocean view. The owner Vanessa is very sweet. Tell her the Rabbi sent you. Sometimes they have quiet live music like a classical or jazz guitarist back in the restaurant area. If you go in winter, bring a sweater because the breezes by the window are great.
It can be pretty cheap or pricy, depending on what you order.
35 locals recommend
Thirteen Restaurant and Bar
In the front it's a casual bar, with pizza, burgers and such. The back of the restaurant has an excellent menu and and open air breezes with an ocean view. The owner Vanessa is very sweet. Tell her the Rabbi sent you. Sometimes they have quiet live music like a classical or jazz guitarist back in the restaurant area. If you go in winter, bring a sweater because the breezes by the window are great.
It can be pretty cheap or pricy, depending on what you order.
This a local northside hangout. Young crowd at night. Maybe this is more of a bar, but they have a decent lunch, not crazy good food but prices are low for here, it's a fun outdoor location and it's right next to a (rocky) beach.
13 locals recommend
Hull Bay Hideaway
This a local northside hangout. Young crowd at night. Maybe this is more of a bar, but they have a decent lunch, not crazy good food but prices are low for here, it's a fun outdoor location and it's right next to a (rocky) beach.
The Mafolie hotel has an elegant restaurant with beautiful harbor and Carribben views. The bar features lots of tropical drinks. The food is very nicely prepared. Somewhat touristy but also popular with locals for birthdays, graduations, etc.
30 locals recommend
Mafolie Hotel & Restaurant
7091 EstateThe Mafolie hotel has an elegant restaurant with beautiful harbor and Carribben views. The bar features lots of tropical drinks. The food is very nicely prepared. Somewhat touristy but also popular with locals for birthdays, graduations, etc.
Great BBQ joint right near the cruise ship dock. Outdoor seating and tasty food.
29 locals recommend
The Smoking Rooster
Great BBQ joint right near the cruise ship dock. Outdoor seating and tasty food.
Sleek looking sushi restaurant. Prices are a bit high because it's right by the cruise ships. but I love sushi, so we still go there sometimes. The sushi tastes good.
55 locals recommend
Iggies Beach Bar & Grill
7150 BolongoSleek looking sushi restaurant. Prices are a bit high because it's right by the cruise ships. but I love sushi, so we still go there sometimes. The sushi tastes good.
Open from early morning (7?) until 3pm. In upscale and convenient Yacht Haven Grande. I think it's a Hawaii chain. You can get your buzz on there and grab a muffin too.
Bad Ass Coffee
Open from early morning (7?) until 3pm. In upscale and convenient Yacht Haven Grande. I think it's a Hawaii chain. You can get your buzz on there and grab a muffin too.
I love their big breakfasts and tasty coffee and tea drinks. Breakfast until 11:00 I think on weekdays. Lunch sandwhiches are good too. Order at the deli counter then they bring you food in the dining room or get sandwhich to go. It's in Frenchtown, which is interesting, and right near a dock and marina.
13 locals recommend
Frenchtown Deli & Coffee Shop
Rue De Saint BarthelemyI love their big breakfasts and tasty coffee and tea drinks. Breakfast until 11:00 I think on weekdays. Lunch sandwhiches are good too. Order at the deli counter then they bring you food in the dining room or get sandwhich to go. It's in Frenchtown, which is interesting, and right near a dock and marina.
Bella Blu
Stylish restaurant in French town. Open for lunch and dinner.
Really delicious , upscale Italian food. Homemade pasta, even gluten free. Tucked on a side street in town. Inside it feels more like Europe. It's our favorite for a really nice dinner.
33 locals recommend
Virgilio's
5150 Dronningens GadeReally delicious , upscale Italian food. Homemade pasta, even gluten free. Tucked on a side street in town. Inside it feels more like Europe. It's our favorite for a really nice dinner.
Creative cooking with fresh ingredients; features many specials.
18 locals recommend
The Twisted Cork Cafe
Creative cooking with fresh ingredients; features many specials.
Recently reopened in Red Hook, a good place for sushi served in creative ways.
31 locals recommend
Raw Sushi & Sake Bar
Recently reopened in Red Hook, a good place for sushi served in creative ways.
More spacious atmosphere (and better parking that downtown Red Hook) just past the Food Center heading back towards Charlotte Amalie, this is a good. locally owned, slightly quieter sushi restaurant.
13 locals recommend
Buddha Sushi Lounge & Grill
More spacious atmosphere (and better parking that downtown Red Hook) just past the Food Center heading back towards Charlotte Amalie, this is a good. locally owned, slightly quieter sushi restaurant.
Open later than the other coffee shops on the island, a good place to get frozen ("blended") coffee drinks, with or without liquor.
8 locals recommend
Picaso's Coffee Bar
Open later than the other coffee shops on the island, a good place to get frozen ("blended") coffee drinks, with or without liquor.
Great place for breakfast or early lunch, creative coffee drinks and baked goods, overlooking the harbor in Red Hook. Only open through early afternoon.
16 locals recommend
Lattes in Paradise
Great place for breakfast or early lunch, creative coffee drinks and baked goods, overlooking the harbor in Red Hook. Only open through early afternoon.
Drinks & Nightlife
This bar is on the way down the hill to Magens Bay. It lost it's sign in the hurricanes! Very much a local hangout. But if you like reasonably priced Caribbean/Dominican food, try it. The local stews and such are tasty. The atmosphere looks kind of dive bar but lots of local families and kids eat there in early evening.
34 locals recommend
Brooks Bar & Restaurant
6200 Magen's Bay RdThis bar is on the way down the hill to Magens Bay. It lost it's sign in the hurricanes! Very much a local hangout. But if you like reasonably priced Caribbean/Dominican food, try it. The local stews and such are tasty. The atmosphere looks kind of dive bar but lots of local families and kids eat there in early evening.
Parks & Nature
Often ranked within the top ten beaches in the world; five minute drive from the apartment... Facilities: bar, lunch, breakfast, bathroooms, umbrella rental.
entrance fee
257 locals recommend
Magens Bay Beach
Often ranked within the top ten beaches in the world; five minute drive from the apartment... Facilities: bar, lunch, breakfast, bathroooms, umbrella rental.
entrance fee
Excellent underwater observatory and other marine exhibits surrounded by wandering iguanas. Well run, with educational programs as well as new experiences such as "snuba" diving...
11 locals recommend
Coral World Observatory Tower
Excellent underwater observatory and other marine exhibits surrounded by wandering iguanas. Well run, with educational programs as well as new experiences such as "snuba" diving...
Good snorkeling, fairly easy access with a car, full service except for shower (one outdoor area to rinse), great kayak and other rentals.
94 locals recommend
Sapphire Beach
Good snorkeling, fairly easy access with a car, full service except for shower (one outdoor area to rinse), great kayak and other rentals.
Good snorkeling, protected cove, good amenities and restaurants on premises.
51 locals recommend
Secret Harbor Beach
Good snorkeling, protected cove, good amenities and restaurants on premises.
Arts & Culture
Pirate and Treasure Museum
Shipwrecks, artifacts. More fun that you might think on a rainy day.
The St. Thomas Synagogue is the oldest synagogue building in continuous use under the American flag, the second oldest synagogue in the Western hemisphere -- and one of only five synagogues in the world to have sand on the floor (deliberately). Fascinating history and a beautiful setting, the synagogue is actually the fourth most visited tourist site on island. (And in the interest of full disclosure: Julie's husband, Michael Feshbach, is the rabbi there; the congregation is the reason they came to St. Thomas).
25 locals recommend
Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas
2116 Krystal StreetThe St. Thomas Synagogue is the oldest synagogue building in continuous use under the American flag, the second oldest synagogue in the Western hemisphere -- and one of only five synagogues in the world to have sand on the floor (deliberately). Fascinating history and a beautiful setting, the synagogue is actually the fourth most visited tourist site on island. (And in the interest of full disclosure: Julie's husband, Michael Feshbach, is the rabbi there; the congregation is the reason they came to St. Thomas).
Local theater, the equivalent level of community theater in many mainland settings, but with flashes of creativity, decent overall quality, and enthusiastic local support.
Pistarckle Theater
Local theater, the equivalent level of community theater in many mainland settings, but with flashes of creativity, decent overall quality, and enthusiastic local support.
Shopping
The Belgian Chocolate Factory
5093 Dronningens Gadethe name speaks for itself.
Entertainment & Activities
Finally reopened after being closed for months after the hurricanes, the Cinema is only partly rennovated, but is one of the few things here less expensive than on the mainland. Good for a break from the sun and heat, and to get away from purely tourist settings.
11 locals recommend
Caribbean Cinemas
Weymouth Rhymer HighwayFinally reopened after being closed for months after the hurricanes, the Cinema is only partly rennovated, but is one of the few things here less expensive than on the mainland. Good for a break from the sun and heat, and to get away from purely tourist settings.
Essentials
Small, a bit pricey, but good selection and high quality family-owned store in a fairly convenient location not far from Havensight Mall or the Hospital.
33 locals recommend
The Fruit Bowl
Route 38Small, a bit pricey, but good selection and high quality family-owned store in a fairly convenient location not far from Havensight Mall or the Hospital.
Another good quality but upscale grocery store, right in Red Hook (although a new branch just opened as the only grocery story in the heart of downtown Charlotte Amalie.) There is now an even newer Moe's also in the Yacht Haven Grande near Wendy's
79 locals recommend
Moe's Fresh Market Redhook
Another good quality but upscale grocery store, right in Red Hook (although a new branch just opened as the only grocery story in the heart of downtown Charlotte Amalie.) There is now an even newer Moe's also in the Yacht Haven Grande near Wendy's
A bit more affordable than Moe's or Fruit Bowl, but still upscale; good selection, located outside of Red Hook as you head along the southern route back to Charlotte Amalie.
42 locals recommend
Food Center
A bit more affordable than Moe's or Fruit Bowl, but still upscale; good selection, located outside of Red Hook as you head along the southern route back to Charlotte Amalie.