10 Best Local Restaurants in the British Virgin Islands

D’Coalpot BVI Restaurant Bar & Grill is situated on the water’s edge with an open deck on Tortola’s northwestern coast. This feature makes it an ideal place to enjoy a local or Caribbean sunset dinner. Local menu favourites include barbecue ribs with shrimp roti and lobster conch coupled with fish. There are also plenty of delicious vegetarian options on offer.

Thanks to its location in Carrot Bay, away from the crowded tourist areas, you don’t usually need to book a table in advance at D’Coalpot BVI Restaurant Bar & Grill. You may want to call ahead to make sure there’s a spare table on the outdoor deck if you want to dine during sunset. 

Red Rock is a restaurant and bar serving seafood, Caribbean and international dishes by the marina in Parham Town. It’s a great spot to watch boats and yachts arriving while tucking into tasty lobster spring rolls. Most meals are made using local, organic produce, and the menu includes vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options as well.

For an evening of romance, book a candlelit table on the terrace in time for sunset. The shaded garden area offers the most privacy. If you want to relax and enjoy a tipple, you’ll find plenty of cocktails and single malt whiskies on the menu.

At Bananakeet on Great Carrot Bay, you can enjoy Caribbean-fusion cuisine with ocean views on one side and an upscale swimming pool on the other. Local menu favourites include jerk pork loin with banana chutney and sesame-seared tuna. We also recommend the churrasco steak with chimichurri sauce.

Reservations are a must at Bananakeet, especially if you want a romantic dinner after sundown. After 6 pm on Fridays, you can listen to live music as you feast. Anticipate discount cocktails during the daily happy hour from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Soggy Dollar Bar is a local household name in Belle Vue, thanks to its beach setting and signature cocktails. Its most famous cocktail is the Original Painkiller. Here, you can also tuck into local delights such as chicken curry and homemade conch fritters. It’s an ideal place to unwind after a day of swimming in the turquoise waters of White Bay.

Thursday is usually the busiest day at Soggy Dollar Bar, though you won’t usually need to book in advance regardless of when you visit. If you want to avoid the beach crowds, head to the Soggy Dollar Bar on a Monday or Tuesday.

Omar's Fusion is a waterfront restaurant that specialises in a blend of eastern and western-inspired cuisine. The local hot spot near Soper’s Hole Wharf & Marina has popular selections such as steaks, spicy curry, and baby back ribs. There’s also an extensive beer, wine and cocktail menu, and we highly recommend trying their homemade Omar’s Rum.

Open daily from 7 am to 10 pm, Omar’s Fusion is an ideal spot to try a unique breakfast, lunch or dinner. Head there early as there are no reservations – service is on a first-come, first-served basis.

At Hog Heaven, you can dig into international and Caribbean cuisine while taking in views of nearby islands north of Virgin Gorda. The local roadside hot spot is known for its ribs, but it offers a wide variety of delicious, barbecued delights as well. We highly recommend drenching your meal in the restaurant’s unique barbecue sauce.

If you just want to soak up the atmosphere and mingle with the locals, grab a seat at the bar and order an ice-cold beer. Alternatively, sip a mojito or a rum punch to suit the Caribbean vibe. Reservations aren’t usually required.

Overlooking the bay at Wickham’s Cay, The Watering Hole is an all-day diner that’s popular with locals looking to sip a beer and enjoy the outdoors. Meat-lovers will enjoy the restaurant’s grilled delights, and there’s plenty of menu options to satisfy vegetarians. The bar is a popular hangout spot during the evenings.

The Watering Hole is just a short walk from the Road Town Ferry Terminal. It’s a great stop while you’re in the area, or after visiting nearby landmarks such as the Folk Museum and H.M. Prison Museum. BVI Scuba Co is just a stone’s throw away, and it’s also a great spot for a meal after an underwater adventure.

The Sugar&Spice Snack Bar is an intimate, homely restaurant with a cosy and welcoming atmosphere and cool views of the Great Harbour. It has become a popular spot with locals for its famous patties, which are filled with delights such as beef, chicken, conch and lobster. There’s also a lentil patty for vegetarians.

The Sugar&Spice Snack Bar is open daily from 7 am, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a homemade breakfast or lunch. To make the most of your day, consider chartering a boat from the nearby North Latitude Marina.

At the Trellis Bay Market Bar & Grill, you can either shop for local produce and groceries or grab a table and enjoy a local bite. Alternatively, you can simply sit by the bar and make the most of the Caribbean breeze. Menu favourites include conch fritters, jerk chicken and macaroni pie. For a drink that packs a punch, order the bar’s Painkiller.

The Trellis Bay Market Bar & Grill is rarely busy through the week, but be prepared to jostle with crowds over the weekend. When it’s busy, this restaurant is an ideal place to mingle with the locals in a truly Caribbean setting.

Fantasia Giorgio's is the local go-to hot spot for Italian cuisine in Road Town, though there are also plenty of international and European delights on the menu. There’s an extensive beer and wine list and the homemade pizzas are the restaurant’s main draw. The chefs here are happy to accommodate specific dietary requirements too.

Even though Fantasia Giorgio's is a great spot for lunch, we recommend heading there after 2 pm to avoid long waiting times. Besides Sunday, Fantasia Giorgio's is open every day from 10 am to 9 pm, and you don’t usually need to book in advance.