• Tavern on the Waterfront (5128 Dronningens Gade, St. Thomas; 340/776-4328): Every celebrity who visits the U.S.V.I. seems to turn up here. Opening onto harbor views at Charlotte Amalie, this restaurant serves some of the island's finest French and Caribbean cuisine. Imaginative dishes include such treats as espresso-and-cinnamon-encrusted pork medallions with passion fruit demi-glace.

  • Virgilio's (St. Thomas; 340/776-4920; www.virgiliosvi.com): This cheerful, elegant spot boasts the best Italian food on the island. Virgilio's lovingly prepares all your favorite Italian classics (try the osso buco or chicken Parmigiana), in addition to more than 20 different homemade pasta dishes, and a few surprises, like cioppino (a kettle of savory seafood stew). Savvy diners always save room for one of the flambé desserts.

  • The Terrace (St. Croix; 340/712-2100 or 800/255-3881; www.thebuccaneer.com):Housed in the Buccaneer, the most prestigious resort on St. Croix, this is the best hotel restaurant on the island. The first-class cuisine is prepared with quality ingredients. Wait until you try the grilled lobster cakes.

  • Havana Blue (Morning Star Beach Club at the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef, St. Thomas): You would be forgiven if you thought the food would be relegated to a secondary role at this beachside restaurant, given the bombshell bar staff, sexy blue lighting, and thumping soundtrack. But someone very talented is in the kitchen. Yes, miso-glazed fish has been done since the dawn of time, but Havana Blue’s iteration (with sea bass and lemongrass) is melt-in-the-mouth perfection.

    Gladys’ Cafe (Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; 340/774-6604; https://gladyscafe.com): Smack dab in the middle of tourist central, this local treasure is hidden away in plain sight in the maze of cobblestoned alleyways of Royal Dane Mall. Inside 18th-century walls of native stone, you’ll dine on refined versions of Caribbean specialties (conch fritters, jerk fish, peas and rice) and surefire winners like avocado stuffed with lobster salad. Plus, Gladys makes her own hot sauce and even breaks into robust song whenever she feels like it.

    Mafolie Restaurant (Mafolie Hotel, St. Thomas; 340/774-2790; www.mafolie.com): High up in the hills above Charlotte Amalie, with soul-stirring views of the twinkling lights of the harbor and beyond, this restaurant is a real find. Chef Manny Thompson is a masterful cook, and the owners are committed to the island’s burgeoning farm-to-table movement. And those views!

    Sunset Grille (Secret Harbour Resort, St. Thomas; 340/714-7874; www.sunsetgrillevi.com): Serving some of the most flavorful and innovative dishes on the island, the Sunset Grille offers upscale dining in a quintessentially romantic Caribbean setting: overlooking the sandy beach and gentle waters of Secret Harbour.

    ZoZo’s (Caneel Bay Resort, St. John; www.zozosatcaneelbay.com): This marriage of superstars in late 2013 installed St. John’s best Italian restaurant in one of the island’s most thrilling locations: atop the ruins of an 18th-century sugar mill at Caneel Bay resort. It’s a real mashup, where colonial Caribbean meets Frank Lloyd Wright and pumps out a sizzling Sixties-era James Bond vibe. 

  • Brandywine Estate Restaurant (Tortola; 284/495-2301; https://brandywine.vg): You’ll find it down a winding dirt road along Brandywine Bay, an elegant stone treehouse serving equally elegant Mediterranean fare.

  • The Dove (Tortola; 284/494-0313; www.thedovebvi.com): One of the top favorite special-occasion restaurants in Road Town is also one of the best restaurants in the entire Virgin Islands, serving a seasonal menu of continental classics.

  • Bananakeet Cafe (Tortola; www.heritageinn.vg): It’s got stupendous views from its perch high up on Windy Hill, but the food and service keep folks raving. Plan at least one sunset dinner here.

  • The Pavilion (Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda; 284/495-5555; www.rosewoodhotels.com): Each night a different themed buffet is served in this soaring alfresco space at the upscale Rosewood resort—and it’s all utterly fresh and absolutely delicious.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.