A view from the beach outside Spice Mill, St. Kitts. This and all photos are courtesy of the author.

5 Places to Eat in St. Kitts

Restaurants + Bars Luxe Travel Insider Guides
by Christina Fields May 30, 2011
The Caribbean island of St. Kitts (with its neighbor Nevis) is a small country, but the local fare can’t be judged by its size. I discovered delectable cuisine with flavors to rival even the largest land mass. Here are 5 places to eat in St. Kitts:
Spice Mill

Spice Mill is an open-air restaurant located on Cockleshell Beach, steps from the Caribbean Sea. Fishing boats pull onto the beach bringing the daily catch to the kitchen straight from the water and the chefs use produce grown locally on St. Kitts and Nevis, the sister island.

Food and views from Spice Mill, St. Kitts.

If you don’t want a full meal, you can have the conch fritters or Nevis greens with mango dressing, and a mojito made with Caribbean rum. For a larger meal, the shrimp quesadilla or mahi mahi with rice and steamed vegetables are tasty options.

After lunch, you can claim a lounge chair or cabana by the water. The bar, a hut on the sand, is detached from the restaurant and offers plenty of cocktails and Carib, the local beer, as well as a place to get out of the sun when you need a break. For a refreshing drink, ask for the pineapple caipiroska.

Here, you can spend the day snorkeling, sea kayaking, or watching horses gallop down the shoreline, but you won’t lack for plenty to eat at Spice Mill.

Lunch: 10AM-5PM every day, Dinner: 6PM-9PM Tuesday-Saturday
(869) 469-6455
Cockleshell Beach, St. Kitts

Royal Grille

Royal Grille is an upscale steakhouse located on the first level of St. Kitts Marriott Resort. It faces the huge courtyard lined with palm trees.

The tableside Caesar salad is made to your specifications (no anchovies for me). Romaine lettuce is tossed with crushed garlic, parmesan, mustard, pasteurized egg yolk, olive oil, and a dash of salt and pepper in delicious proportions. I took note so I can try it at home.

For the main course, nice cuts are the New York strip, the center cut, or the rib eye steak. Each is paired with roasted garlic potatoes, tender asparagus, and broccoli. For dessert, don’t overlook the bananas foster, another delicious tableside production. The bananas are cooked in caramelized sugar with flaming rum and drizzled over ice cream.

If steak is not your thing, Royal Grille also has options for the vegetarian and pescetarian as well, such as mushroom and red pepper risotto, eggplant rollatini, or mahi mahi.

Open for dinner, reservations required
(869) 466-1200
858 Frigate Bay Road

Nirvana

A meal at Nirvana.

Nirvana is located on a 300-year-old plantation overlooking the Caribbean Sea. As an addition to your dining experience, the Fairview Great House offers tours of its newly restored 18th-century home and the botanical gardens adjacent to the restaurant.

Chef Gregory uses locally grown ingredients in his Creole-fusion dishes, including greens and herbs from the garden on-site. I recommend the herb crusted pork tenderloin with bacon and herb polenta, and a salad of organic greens, goat cheese, homemade vinaigrette, and a drizzle of honey from the plantation’s beehive.

For dessert, the coconut cheesecake made with Coco Mania rum is fantastic.

Lunch: 12 – 2:30PM, Dinner: 6:30 – 9:30PM, Sunday Brunch: 11:30AM-3PM
(869) 465-3021
Fairview Great House

Calypso

The International Buffet at Calypso is not your typical continental breakfast. It’s hard to know where to start and making a strategy may be the best way to tackle it.

Selections from the buffet at Calypso in St. Kitts.

Selections from the buffet at Calypso in St. Kitts.

You could start with fresh pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew. Then, get a waffle off the griddle with an array of toppings from nuts and raisins to chocolate and fruit sauce. Squeeze in a side of fried plantains, johnny cakes, or smoked salmon to finish off the first plate.

On the second round, stop by the chef’s station for an omelet made-to-order with a full variety of meats, cheeses and veggies, or stack up some fried tilapia, roasted squash, broccoli, and tomatoes. The staples are all there as well: crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, and fried potatoes, as well as a variety of warm bagels, muffins, and pastries.

On Sunday, get there early. Calypso is packed with locals who come to the buffet after church. For a breakfast for any appetite, Calypso at St. Kitts Marriott Resort delivers.

Open for breakfast and lunch
(869) 466-1200
858 Frigate Bay Road

Blu

Blu is an oceanfront restaurant, specializing in fresh seafood. It’s located on the St. Kitts Marriott Resort. The water-themed decor and Michael Buble music in the background is all geared toward relaxation. The staff at Blu is exceptionally pleasant and attentive, providing excellent service.

For an unusual Caribbean twist, start with the tropical Caesar salad topped with chopped mango and banana bread croutons. Fresh bread and fish dip go well with lobster tail, mashed potatoes and asparagus. If you’re in for dessert, I recommend the rich and creamy chocolate peanut butter torte. If you’re not into seafood, pork chop and lamb shank are on the menu as well.

Open for dinner
(896) 466-1200
858 Frigate Bay Road

Disclosure: Christina’s trip to St. Kitts was sponsored by St. Kitts Marriott Resort however, all opinions and experiences are her own.

Discover Matador