Charlotte Amalie

The island's main town serves as its culinary heart. Dozens of bistros welcome cruise ship passengers for lunch. At night, hotel guests and locals fill the tables.

At the upper end of the credit card bill and opposite ends of town, Virgilio's and Hervé Restaurant & Wine Bar attract well-heeled customers for fine dining in lovely surroundings. Hervé Restaurant & Wine Bar, on Kongen's Gade, provides lovely views and a fusion of French, Italian and Caribbean cuisine. Virgilio's, a local hot spot for in-town government officials and professionals, leans toward Northern Italian.

A tad less pricey are spots like the casual Café Amici in A.H. Riise Mall for burgers, salads and sandwiches or Lillian's Caribbean Grill to dine on West Indian fare like kallallo, a spicy okra stew, or local fish and fungi, made or cornmeal and okra.

For budget meals, try Texas Pit BBQ. This take-out stand has three locations in St. Thomas. Gladys's Cafe, in the alleyway shopping area called Royal Dane Mall, dishes up a mixed bag of American and Caribbean food to an equally eclectic clientele.