Best Restaurants in Antigua

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The Best Restaurants in Antigua

The tropical island of Antigua is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations. A historical island that offers a fascinating culture, friendly people, spectacular Antigua rentals and best of all there is endless sunshine. What makes Antigua so popular is its stunning sun-kissed white sandy beaches of which there are 365, one for every day of the year and as they say on the island, ‘the beach is just the beginning’.  Antigua is also home to some of the best cuisine in the Caribbean but with so many restaurants to choose from it can be difficult to decide on the where to eat in Antigua.  This guide provides you with a comprehensive overview of the The best places to eat in Antigua – all from personal experience.

Many Antigua restaurants are located on the water offering breath-taking ocean views with some restaurants being situated right on the beach. While visiting the island, you can enjoy a mixture of local Caribbean cuisine as well as 5-star gourmet restaurants.

Whether you feel like enjoying local street food such as jerk chicken or fresh fruit at the market in St Johns or you might want a more gourmet experience at the famous Sheer Rocks Resort. There is something to suit all budgets and all taste buds too!

There are so many amazing restaurants in Antigua it was difficult to pick the best. Having visited the island on several occasions while inspecting our luxury villas, I have always taken time out of my schedule to dine in Antigua and here is a list of my personal favourite restaurants in Antigua that I would highly recommend.


Restaurants near Jolly Harbour Area


The Fox House

This newly opened “farm-to-table restaurant” offers authentic Caribbean Creole Cuisine. Founded by Lady Fox herself who has a wealth of experience in the service industry alongside a local culinary team who are versed in creating flavourful dishes.

Location: Valley Road, St Mary’s. Tel.+1 268-720-9856

Source

Sheer Rocks at Cocobay Resort, Ffreyes Beach

One of my personal favorites is Sheers Rock’s Restaurant located at Cocobay Resort. Sheer Rocks was recently voted as the best restaurant in the Caribbean by a panel of Caribbean travel experts. As the name suggests, the restaurant is set on the cliff-side overlooking the azure sea. The menu offers Mediterranean inspired cuisine with lots of fresh fish served daily.

One of the most popular dishes to enjoy is the delicious sticky pork belly. They also offer a wonderful Tapas menu which is great for sharing with family and friends.  Cocobay is a great spot to enjoy lunch overlooking the beach and sea. There is also a selection of four-poster day beds that surround the infinity pools, making it a wonderful place for daytime lounging. The ambiance is relaxed, elegant and romantic.

My Top Tip: Get there early to enjoy a sunset cocktail before dinner.

Linda from Exceptional Villas enjoying dinner at Sheer Rocks one of the best restaurants in antigua
Linda from Exceptional Villas enjoying dinner at Sheer Rocks

Wild Tamarind

Set along Ffryes beach, the newly opened restaurant offers a new dimension to the established excellence of Tamarind Hills. The Executive Chef and culinary team offer diverse food and wine menus that cater to all tastes and desires They have regular live musicians to add to the atmosphere.

My Top Tip: Enjoy a wonderful cocktail overlooking the beach!


Carmichaels

Carmichaels Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in Antigua, especially if you are looking for a fine dining restaurant with a romantic atmosphere. Set within the popular Sugar Ridge Resort in Antigua, Carmichaels is a gourmet restaurant with stunning views of Jolly Harbour. The setting is elegant, and the menu offers mostly gourmet seafood with some Asian style dishes and pasta entrees with a Caribbean twist. The views are some of the best on the island.

My Top Tip:  Book in advance in high season (November – April) and get there for sunset time to watch the best sunset over Jolly harbour.

Carmichael's Restaurant - you now know where to eat in Antigua
Hearty meal from Carmichaels

Denis’s Cocktail Bar and Restaurant

If you are looking for something local, casual and on the beach then look no further than Denis’s restaurant. It is set on a wooden veranda above Ffryers beach one of my personal favourite local beaches with pristine white soft sands and calm turquoise waters. Denis’s is the place to be for locals and visitors alike. You will find a nice selection of local cuisines such as conch fritters, BBQ ribs jerk chicken, goat curry and lobster.  The ambiance is relaxed and casual.

Location: Ffryes Beach, Saint Mary. Tel.+1 268-462-6740

Top Tip: Coconut Shrimp and BBQ Ribs are to die for

The view from Dennis's  a casual place to eat in antigua
The view from Dennis’s

Sandra’s

Your Caribbean experience would not be complete without visiting a casual beach shack and Sandra’s Beach Shop, Bar and Grill is just that.
Serving locals and visitors for over 20 years.  They host karaoke some nights and live music on others.

My Top Tip: Bring on the jerk chicken, cocktails and sunset!


Al Portos Italian Restaurant

If you love Italian as much as I do, then a visit to Al Portos Italian restaurant should be on your list. Located in Jolly Harbour, this excellent Antigua restaurant boasts great views of the bustling marina.  Located on the water’s edge, Al Porto is all about great, simple, freshly prepared pizzas and homemade pasta served in stylish contemporary surroundings.

My Top Tip: Enjoy live music on Monday nights, and Tuesdays are “two for one” pizza nights.


Miracles Bar & Restaurant

Located a few minutes walk from Jolly Harbour, on the corner at the junction of Valley Road and Jolly Beach side road. Miracles is a friendly, quirky, family-run restaurant with an extensive Caribbean menu.

Location: Valley Rd, West Coast Village, Opposite Sugar Ridge Hotel, adjacent to Jolly Harbour. Tel.+1 268-776-0098

My Top Tip: We love the Lobster Roti.


Restaurants near St. Johns Antigua


C & C Wine Bar and Restaurant, St Johns

C and C Wine Bar and Restaurant is located in the heart of St. John’s which is the capital of Antigua. As the name suggests, this Antigua Restaurant offers a fantastic selection of international wines. A casual, but sophisticated wine bar offering a deliciously varied menu. Visitors can enjoy a fresh and tasty selection of pasta, salads, burgers, steak and coconut shrimp. I have dined here many times, and I love going on a Saturday night which is Karaoke night. Head to C and C if you are looking for a fun atmosphere and great food with a superb wine list.

Location: Redcliffe Quay, 5 minute walk from Cruise Ship Port, St John’s. Tel.+1 268-460-7025

My Top Tip: Book in advance – I recommend dining on a Saturday night to enjoy the after-dinner Karaoke which can be a fun way to finish the evening.


Le Bistro

Le Bistro is an intimate French restaurant with an alluring and romantic atmosphere, serving French/Caribbean Fusion cuisine.  The menu is a gastronomic delight.

Location: Hodges Bay, St John’s. Tel: +1 268 462 3881

My Top Tip: They have an amazing dessert trolley!


Hemingways

Located in Redcliffe Quay in the heart of St Johns you will find the wonderful Hemingways restaurant, one of Antigua’s finest restaurants. Set on the first floor of a creole house in St John’s this picturesque building offers a local style dining experience.

The chef will prepare lovely creole cuisine and fresh seafood dishes. Steak is also available. This is a busy spot and guests can choose to dine indoors or out on the veranda, overlooking the street.

My Top Tip: Dine outside and enjoy this perfect spot for lunch or dinner, while watching the world go by.


Pappa Zouk

Located on a tree-shaded side street in the northern part of St John’s. The high-energy rum-shack is a local institution famous for its Antigua-style bouillabaisse and fresh fish. With crazy murals,
Christmas lights, madras table cloths, straw lamps and a nautical decor, you’ll feel the Creole vibe.

Location: Hilda Davis Drive, St, Johns. Tel.+1 268-46-6044


Beach Limerz

A family operated bistro-bar along the beach. It’s an informal, stylish beach bar which is committed to the culinary culture of the island with music to match!

Location: Fort James Beach, St, Johns. Tel.+1 268-732-9534

My Top Tip: Perfect for lunch while enjoying the stunning beach!


Cavells Cook Shop

This roadside simple shack is not to be missed. it’s the perfect pit-stop for fantastic Caribbean fare. Offering delicious local style lunches Monday to Friday until 3pm and Saturday’s they serve great seafood options until 6pm. The menu offers great fried chicken, fired and steamed fish, curried conch. The food is simple but fantastic!

Location: Valley Road, Crabbe Hill Village, St Mary’s. Tel.+1 268-783-0384

My Top Tip: If Goat Curry is on the menu, don’t miss it, with a side order of Provisions.


Restaurants Near Falmouth, English Harbour and Nelson’s Dockyard


Shirley Heights Lookout Restaurant

You simply cannot go to Antigua without a visit to Shirley Heights. High up on the hills overlooking English Harbour this historic location is the most photographed part of the island, and it is also the most popular place to go on a Sunday. Your entertainment will begin after 6 pm where you can enjoy a casual BBQ, the rhythms of calypso music and dance the night away. You will also meet a selection of local artists selling their hand-made goods. Shirley Heights is a must-do experience and we promise you won’t regret it.

My Top Tip: Go on a Sunday and take a taxi to get here so you can have a few rum punches! I would also suggest you get to Shirley Heights before sunset, so you can enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset over English Harbour.


Abracadabra

Located outside the entrance to Nelson’s Dockyard. Offering a Southern Italian menu specialising in Suckling Pig prepared the traditional Sardinian way. For party people, stick around for the night club.

Location: Dockyard Drive, English Harbour. Tel.+1 268-460-2701


Ristorante Paparrazzi

Located near the middle of English Harbour. Offering Italian home-style cuisine, boasting a menu with the freshest, highest quality ingredients and a selection of fine wines from around the world.

Location: Corner of Dockyard Drive, English Harbour. Tel.+1 268-720-3201


Trappas

Located in the heart of English Harbour, offering a diverse, casual menu with Calamari, Mussels, Home-made hummus, West Indian Curry, Grouper Fillet or Angus Steak.

Location: Dockyard Drive, English Harbour. Tel.+1 268-562-3534


Five Senses

This wonderful restaurant creates an innovative menu of a fusion of French and Mexican dishes. Fresh and local produce is turned into spectacular dishes by ChefsAntione, Kevin and Lou! The setting is chic and the ambiance is enhanced by the lapping waves of English Harbour.

Location: Dockyard Drive, English Harbour. Tel.+1 268-770-7769

My Top Tip: The lobster tacos are not to be missed!


Club House Sushi

Club Sushi offers a fusion of Caribbean and Japanese flavours, featuring locally caught Mahi Mahi, Yellow Fin Tuna and Wahoo. Sushi and seafood are their specialities, but they are serious about steaks too!

Location: Falmouth Harbour. Tel: +1 268-562-8512

My Top Tip: Try the “Sushi Love Boat” for 2 or a Party Boat for bigger groups.


Cambusa Gusto Italiano

Located in Catamaran Marina in the heart of Falmouth Harbour. This restaurant has a show kitchen, where you will see the Chefs prepare ancient Italian dishes, featuring local meat, fish and vegetables which travel ‘zero miles’. The place to enjoy fresh cocktails and fine food from an incredible organic menu.

Location: Rodes Lane, Falmouth 85118. Tel.+1 268-562-2226

My Top Tip: Sicilian Sasizza and Pasta Norma are sublime.


Catherine’s Café

Catherine’s is a fabulous fully open Caribbean Beach house located at Pigeon Beach. Menus are inspired by French Cuinise with a beachy twist.  Enjoy long leisurely lunches or fine dining on the beach.

My Top Tip: Enjoy the Wednesday evening Jazz and try the Lobster Risotto and Tarte Tatin – simply delicious!

Photo of the dining area at Catherine's cafe in Antigua
Catherine’s Cafe in Antigua

Antigua Restaurants North Coast


Cecilia’s Highpoint Cafe

Located on the water’s edge at Dutchman’s Bay with fabulous ocean views. Offering multi cultural dining with delicious bistro style food. Daily specials & fresh seafood dishes.

Location: Texaco Dock Rd, Saint George. Tel.+1 268-562-7070.

My Top Tip: Lunch served Friday through Monday. Dinner on Friday and Monday only


Casa Roots

Nestled between the beach and a tranquil garden, in a romantic, elegantly casual and relaxing setting, Casa Roots offering French and West Indian cuisine. Dedicated to using seasonal local produce.

Location: Barrymore apartments, Runaway Bay, St John’s. Tel.+1 268-722-2000


Conclusion

Antigua has some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean.

It is worth noting that some of the Antigua restaurants are closed in the low season, but most of the restaurants remain open from November until April. In the high season, we would recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment, especially if you want to research a table close to the water.

It is also good to know that the prices in Antigua are quoted in EC Dollars. You can pay in US Dollars, and most restaurants take both cash and credit cards however if you pay in US dollars your change will be given to you in EC dollars.

If you interested in finding out the best villa Antigua has to offer check out our luxury villas in Antigua

No matter what the occasion you will find a restaurant to suit all tastes and budgets too. We would love to hear about your favourite restaurants in Antigua. Leave us a comment to tell us about your top picks that we might have missed, and we would be delighted to check them out on our next trip to the island.

About Linda Browne

Linda is the General Manager for Exceptional Villas and has an in-depth knowledge of the travel industry. Linda's qualifications are in the area of business, marketing and tourism. Linda travels for much of the year inspecting all of our luxury villas; the majority of her time is spent in the Caribbean and Europe.

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