Taste a little of everything on your stay
Here are some of the restaurants that are fairly near the villa, and a few of our personal favorites in other areas of the island.
Soufriere restaurants
St Lucians typically have their big meal at lunch, and many of the local restaurants are not open for dinner.
The St Lucian area code is 758. We recommend you call ahead for dinner reservations at most of the “tourist” restaurants, especially during “the season” (mid-December through mid-April).
I know we’ve missed some -places to eat – let me know if you have experience with one I’ve missed and I’ll add it.
Where applicable, icons below are links and will open in a new window if you click on them.
The ratings reflect our personal experiences and take value into account. We hope you have the same or better experience we had, but inconsistency is standard in most St Lucian resaurants!
- Review on TripAdvisor
- On Open Table
- Website
- On-line menu
- TripAdvisor rating of at least 4-1/2 stars
- Bar area
- Limited alcoholic beverages
- Our favorites
- Very good - we will go back soon
- Good - would eat there again
- OK, but in no rush to go back
- We won't go back
"Eat like a local" in Soufriere
In St Lucia, the main meal is lunch and most of these restaurants are lunch-only, although you may be able to arrange a dinner in advance by calling. Curry and creole are the main influences on local cooking.
Cacoa Sainte Lucie 459-4401
Canaries - about a 20-minute drive north
Local food using cocoa in many dishes $$
Recently opened, so we haven't tried this yet but want to since their chocolates are wonderful and we had a blast at their Bean-to-Bar class. Their Facebook page says Sunday lunch is under $20US per person. Closed Saturdays.
Delice/Com Luk Yah 286-1068
La Haut Resort, Soufriere
Unknown $$?
I have this in the Local portion because La Haut is not a high-end resort. Delice used to be good, but it has been replaced by Com Luk Yah which says it's a restaurant and martini/hookah bar. Nice views there (but not better than ours). We haven't eaten there yet.
Hippo's Pizza 723-6006
Henry Belmar St (by the square)
Carryout Pizza $ to $$
Large pizzas around $15-$20 US. We've been there and it satisfied our pizza craving, but Doxie makes pizzas that are better.
Island Chef 723-2972
At the back of the Soufriere bus terminal
Local food $ to $$
Excellent local food with seating on the beach. Two options - one vegan ($15US), one pescatarian ($20US). His tuna was seared beautifully (most St Lucians way overcook tuna) and I loved the vegan even though I'm a carnivore. Call around noon if you want dinner.
Michael's @ Jen Mwen 725-9000
Maurice Mason Street (beachside in Soufriere)
Local food and pizza $ to $$
No atmosphere, but a great place for a meal that's pretty good and is a great value. Recently (Sep '23) had fried chicken, fries, a very small salad and a mixed drink for under $15US. Local food, pizza, pasta, burgers.
Shopper's Choice 457-1676
About 3 blocks past the fire station on the way to the soccer field
Just fried chicken and bakery items ¢¢
Ask Kerryus for the best time to go here (when the chicken comes out of the fryer). Chicken is $2EC (about 75 cents US) per piece. Three to four pieces, some of their "pan" bread and a couple of Pitons makes a cheap and tasty dinner!
Voila! by Captain Kent
Sir Darnley Alexander Street, near Police station
Local food and wine. Has A/C $$
New restaurant with focus on wine and local food done very well and presented nicely. Reasonably priced (mixed drink, salad, pork chops and fries for $30US) and the best burger we've had in St Lucia so far (under $15US for the burger and fries). Less expensive than Seashells but no view. One more good dinner there and it will be a favorite!
"Eat like a tourist" in Soufriere
These restaurants won’t fill your belly better than the local restaurants will, but they have better ambiance, more gourmet or international flair, and better presentation. Unless noted otherwise, they are affiliated with a resort and have a wine list and an well-stocked bar.
Dress codes are usually “Caribbean casual” – long pants, collared shirts and no flip flops for men; the same or dresses for women. (Bill wears washable linen button-down shirts and drawstring pants from Cubavera.com with leather sandals.)
Jade Club 459-7000
Jade Mountain resort
Fine Dining $$$$ to $$$$$
Reports are they accept a few non-hotel guests. I've been told there is a minimum of 4 people and a deposit may be required. Email Jademountain@jademountain.com with your request ("just drinks", "lunch", "dinner"). Some people say it's the best food on the island. We haven't tried it.
Orlando's 459-5955
Bridge Street near Hummingbird
Upscale Caribbean $$$-$$$$
Not affiliated with a resort.
I wish I could recommend Orlando's, but it is very inconsistent. The chef is talented and can make some brilliant food. The main complaints we hear are that the servings are very small (it's a tasting menu) and service can be poor and VERY slow.
The Pavilion at Caille Blanc 728-9353
Just down the hill from the villa
Upscale Caribbean/American $$$$
Open to non-hotel guests for lunch and dinner Wed-Sun. We've dined there several times and had some inconsistent experiences but the food can be excellent. Make reservations through the website or call.
Saltwood 456-8000
Jalousie Road [Sugar Beach]
Contemporary Fine Dining $$$$ to $$$$$
Fine dining targeting to meet international standards. Appears to be the most expensive restaurant in the area - budget $125US or more per person for dinner; more if you want a bottle of wine or several drinks. We've never tried it.
Treetop 487-8867
Crystals resort
Indian-Caribbean fusion $$$
Fixed-price (I believe $70US per person) multi-course set menu with "homestyle" main courses (you may ask for seconds!). Price includes one welcome drink while you wait for your table. Wonderful atmosphere - like a Sultan's tent up in a tree. Tied with Rabot for our favorite upscale restaurant nearby.
Trou au Diable/Apsara 459-7000
Anse Chastanet beach
International and Indian cuisine $$$-$$$$
Lunch appears tailored to their guests with a wide range of dishes. They offer two menus at night - "beach" grill and Indian ("Apsara"). Very few recent reviews on TripAdvisor. Closed to non-hotel guests on Tuesdays.
Other notable restaurants
Recommended restaurants in other parts of St Lucia
Pink Papaya 285-5115
Pointe Seraphine duty-free mall, Castries
Upscale Caribbean; Art Gallery $$
A nice place to stop if you are tired and don't want to drive to The Pink Plantation, or just want a bite and a drink. Tasty mixed drinks and decent pizza. OK prices but you pay a bit for the convenience of the location in the duty-free mall.
Rituals 450-8592
Baywalk Mall, Rodney Bay
Coffeehouse/lunch-type food $ to $$
I haven't tried their coffee, but my lunch of crispy chicken tenders with sweet chili-garlic sauce and fries was very good. Lemon pound cake was a delicious dessert!
The address on the TripAdvisor review does not look right for the Baywalk location so it may not be valid.