Top ten eats and drinks in the BVI

We love Foxy’s Firewater rum (his special libation) and the social atmosphere here. The jerk chicken wings are some of the best we’ve had. Foxy’s wife runs a boutique selling unique island clothing and beach wear.

Cooper Island Beach Club combines an excellent restaurant with accommodation and a gift shop. We always think of conch fritters whenever we think of Cooper Island. The restaurant has great ambience and is open air with great views. You can enjoy your drinks under the palm trees on a small but scenic beach next to the restaurant. Cooper Island is quite near the wreck of the Rhone for snorkeling and diving. Dive tour operators will happily meet you here to take you to the Rhone and to provide snorkeling and diving lessons as needed.

A steel drum band, dance music, and great food well presented— what more could you want? This restaurant is in an upscale resort setting, so don’t expect a bamboo beach bar. The menu includes both buffet and à la carte menus; the Monday night buffet (featuring seafood and a carving station with home-baked bread) is a highlight.

Many think the wonky dog has the best food in the BVI. Right on the beach with a welcoming dinghy dock, The Wonky Dog features not only the requisite lobster but an assortment of other dishes such as lamb shank and jerk pork chops. Make sure you stop by early to make reservations and to choose your entrées for dinner. Definitely a stop worth making.

The name says it all. Located on a spectacular beach where a ship hauling cattle went down, this is a perfect little beach bar with good, informal food. Of course they serve the ubiquitous lobster as well as burgers, fish sandwiches, and similar beach bar food. The food is good and the atmosphere and beach is spectacular. If you wish, you can walk a few feet with your food and literally eat on the beach with your feet dangling in the ocean.

Typically on a charter you reach North Sound, Virgin Garda at about the midpoint of your charter. Saba rock is a small resort and restaurant built, as it sounds, on a rock. Saba Rock is a good place to take on fuel and water if you need to do so. We usually go to the restaurant for lunch or dinner; it’s nice and conveniently located. It also has a good bar. Saba Rock Resort is an intimate destination resort for many travelers who are not bareboating. North Sound has many things to see and do, so we usually spend a couple of days there.

Myett’s is a small, six room hotel that is likely the nicest in cane Garden Bay. However, bareboat charter captains and crews usually come in here for the fantastic food, drinks, and music. Food choices are varied including pastas, ribs, and seafood. Many suggest eating at the bar to avoid a wait for dinner. And, of course, plan to visit the rum distillery down the road.

The Restaurant at Leverick Bay, North Sound, Virgin Gorda prides itself on providing “a gastronomic feast from our open terrace overlooking the beautiful North Sound”. The food gets top reviews as does the service. A range of food is available from fish sandwiches for lunch to more elaborate meals for dinner. There is often entertainment such as dancers or music. Be aware that this restaurant, like some others in the BVI, closes from June to November.

Sydney’s Peace and Love is a BVI institution at Little Harbour on Jost Van Dyke. Sydney’s is known for its honor bar (you make your own drinks as strong as you want) which you simply record in a ledger on the bar. Lobster is caught fresh daily and is amazing. Other food is served as well (seafood, ribs, etc.). Great place to hang out for the afternoon. You can place your lobster order early. Be prepared for a wait for dinner; just enjoy your wait! DJ music and dancing in the evening.

You visit Willy T’s for the experience, not for the food. The dance floor and bar get great reviews as does the overall experience. The food is good but not great. The requisite experience, fueled by liquid courage, is to jump off the deck into the water. In days past, this ritual when fueled with sufficient liquid courage, often involved misplacing ones bathing attire before jumping.

Nigel is renowned for being friendly and accommodating of his guests. Nigel’s is a typical (for the BVI) beach bar atmosphere on a beautiful beach. He is renowned for his shrimp dishes and even his hot dogs. Nigel’s is a hidden gem but attracts not only cruisers but also locals on a regular basis. Nigel’s is another good place to sample Pain Killers.