Restaurants in St. John for a newbie

First Trip to St.John.Will be there for 4 nights in late January in Cruz Bay area.Will be between 6-10 of us. I'm looking for fun places, great ambiance and of course good food. What are the favorite restaurants on the island? I know it's subjective but all recommendations are appreciated

As an aside, do I need a car or are taxis a better option.

Thanks for all your advice

My favorite restaurants are: La Tapa, Morgan's Mango, Lime Inn, Sun Dog Cafe (lunch), Rhumb Lines, Zozo's.

If you want to explore St John, you will want a car. Taxis charge per person, which will add up quickly for 10 people going somewhere. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

Another vote for Lime Inn and Morgans Mango, for fun atmosphere with a group we grab the tables at the Beach Bar and feast on tuna downs and other great bar food! Havent been to the new location at Caneel yet but ZOZO's was great when it was at Gallows Point <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Margarita Phil's for great fish (Ahi Tuna) tacos!

Cafe Roma for Italian (if they are open).

They weren't open Saturday, but they at least seemed to have furniture in. Getting closer,it seems.

Cafe Roma set for 2 Jan opening

I would raise my hand for Lime Inn and La Tapa for dinner.

Beach Bar for the best Mahi Sandwich

So many choices

Thank you all for your great suggestions.
Were is Beach Bar?
Going the last week of January, do I need reservations and how far ahead do I have to make them?
Thanks again

Forgot to sign in. Sorry

Found Beach Bar!

Not sure of your exact dates, but check out www.seestjohn.com they show upcoming live music/events. We really like steel pan music,but it's hard to find in the summer months when we go. If you like Reggae ask around about InnerVisions, they are AWESOME!!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

I agree with Nutmeg but would include Cafe Roma.
The Beach Bar not only has a great Mahi sandwich but their Rib Eye steak sandwich makes your your mouth water, then the Tuna DOWN!!
On the South side the best Fish&Chips is at the Shipwreck Landing (big tender Chunks of fish fried in a light batter)
And of Course Skinny Legs for Burgers and Mahi sandwiches and well poured cocktails <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />
Also the service is better then most islands.

Café Roma has always been a favorite glad they are reopened. Love Rumb Lines. I don't really like the Beach Bar. I want to but can't get past the bad service. High Tide or Joe's is better service in the same location. I also prefer Shipwreck's food to Skinny's. Fish and Chips are awesome. The Lime Inn is always solid. La Tapa is great but not inexpensive. There have been several changes this season. ZoZo's moved to Caneel Bay. La Plancha went out of business and was replaced by a new place run by the Sun Dog Café people should be good, in Mongoose Junction. One of the brothers that owned Woody's opened a new place where JJ's used to be after they sold Woody's. There is also a new place in ZoZo's location at Gallows. We also like The Banana Deck as well. With a group your size for the nicer places you are going to want a reservation.
Jay

I am doing our restaurant planning for our upcoming trip. I agree with jay's opinions. (Every time I have orders Mahi at Skinny's I swear it was a dried out Gordon's whitefish from the freezer)

joes has a good happy hour. We also like Moto for drinks.

Does Motu's serve food now? I agree that the service can be slooow at the Beach Bar, but we still like it. OP you have a group of 6-10....expect limited seating there after 5pm. Our large groups always seem to be spread out around the bar. You are only there for 4 days, but if you have vehicles and can venture out I agree with CaptJay that Shipwreck Landing is a great place. Also in Coral Bay is SweetPlantains great West Indian food, it's probably been over a year since I've eaten there though? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

I'm with Jay on the Beach Bar. Great view, but everything else is so-so.

The new place is Cruz Bay Landing (JJ's former spot). Had breakfast there yesterday and it was okay. Great people watching- ferry comings and goings. But it was expensive for what you get. $9 for a small bowl of yogurt and a few cut up fruits, $3 for coffee. Never was a Woody's fan, so don't suppose we will go there at night.

As we came off the St Thomas/St John ferry, my crew had afternoon drinks at recently opened The Landing while I went to fetch the rental truck. I thought the remodeling was very tastefully done, and the crew loved it so much that we came back for dinner that evening, which we all thought was excellent and reasonably priced. Our bill averaged $35 per person with one drink each, tax, and tip included. They served a giant pork chop that was fantastic.

We also had great dinners at Morgan's Mango (1st time we've been there) and at Rhumb Lines. I've also had great experiences with The Banana Deck and I think Motu's is making the best and most creative drinks in Cruz Bay with fresh squeezed juices along with having a great view. La Tapa has very good food, but it will cost you a bit if you go there very hungry and start loading up on their small plates.

For lunch, we prefer to get sandwiches in the morning from The Grotto Deli (Mongoose Junction) or Sam & Jack's Deli (Starfish Market) and take them to the beach. S&J's sandwiches tend to run a bit bigger than TGD so one might be enough for 2 persons if you're not that hungry.

Uncle Joe's Ribs! We snagged a table outside and watched the street scene, sipped a few beers and had some great ribs. Watch out for the hot sauce.

just back...beach bar was sold. honestly not the same. agree w/unc joe's ribs, or a touch better, try candy's, short walk up the hill just past laundry. rhumb line won for best meal, banana grilled mahi. outstanding. local food, try hercules. cant miss with morgans mango. he's responsible for my rumness. thank you sir. terrace works, oysters at the bar!
enjoy

Rent a Jeep, get the hell out of Cruz Bay, and go to Café Concordia or Aqua Bistro in the Coral Bay East End area. You won't be disappointed. Sunday brunch at Café Concordia with the eggs benny on crab cakes is one of my all time faves.

Does Pusser's still have a place there in Cruz Bay? And has anyone opened something up where Crash Landing was?

SXM??? Wendell

No more Pussers...loved their gift shop...

SXMWendell, the Banana Deck is where Crash Landing was, its a great spot for big groups. High Tide is great for big groups as well with beach-side table service.

Anon mentioned Hercules, which is where we get our Johnnycake and Pate to go. Sogos has great West Indian food, Butter Conch and such, but the ambience is spartan.

Cheers, RickG

Thank you all for your posts
Thanks to you I had wonderful dinners at
La Tapa
Rhumb Line
Lime Inn
Zozo

Wonderful breakfast at
Landing
Deli Grotto
Tamarind

and lunch at
Uncle Joe's

Liked them all but thought Zozo was too expensive and La Tapa bordered on too expensive. Favorite was Rhum Line
Loved Uncle Joe's and the breakfast at Tamarind was my favorite

Looking forward to returning

Wait a second!

"First Trip to St.John.Will be there for 4 nights in late January in Cruz Bay area.Will be between 6-10 of us. I'm looking for fun places, great ambiance and of course good food. What are the favorite restaurants on the island? I know it's subjective but all recommendations are appreciated"

You didn't say anything about expense. EVERYTHING in the VI is too expensive. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

I think Zozo's and the new Ocean 360 are the most expensive places on St John. They are more like splurge places for many.

I found that out!! BTW I had chosen Morgan's Mango but others wanted the splurge
And I agree, everyplace was expensive but Zozo won for the over the top expensive
It was however excellent food and great ambience