The Villa Book

Bonitos

The food here is fab, the right mix of fancy cheffy and just damn tasty. The staff and the view are first class. We recommend ordering a collection of starters and be sure to include some fish tacos. Ask for a table on the balcony for the best view of the harbour. Beware - the cocktails are served in weird and wonderful ways - great if you like drinking from a barbie doll bath. If you like your Old Fashioned in an old fashioned glass skip the cocktail and go straight for the wine.

Tamarin

Not toes in the sand or a view of the harbour but set in beautiful tropical gardens with a fun vibe. The food is adventurous and very well executed. We recommend pre dinner drinks in the garden.

Black Ginger

Tasty thai food serving all the classics. We recommend for family dinners, it's a big hit with our teenage kids. We love the giant clay pots of rice.

Kinugawa

The first Kinugawa is in Paris and this is Japanese food with a French sensibility. Tastes and textures to tingle your taste buds and leave you feeling light and floaty. The staff are, even by St Barts standards, excellent. For the party vibe we give it a 6 out of 10 which in our book is a perfect 10 out of 10; enough of a party vibe for some holiday fun but the conversation doesn't get drowned out by the music.

GypSea

The hot new addition to the beach restaurant scene is Gypsea on Lorient beach. Smart Greek food with a daytime party vibe. The scene here is quite a scene....and is very friendly. Great if you have kids; they will almost certainly make some new holiday friends here, keeping them amused leaving you free to indulge in the BBQ'd food and rose. When it opened at first, the food was not quite at the standard we have come to expect in our beloved little island. However, any issues have now been resolved and the food is unpretentious and delicious. Good place to have an all-day beach lounger party day.

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon

A new edition to the St Barts food scene is always welcome. We were, however, undecided about whether to include a review of this resto which is just a little bit too corporate for our taste. On balance we feel that many of you will want to go, that this restaurant will be hugely popular and it will be important to book early. Everything in this restaurant is quite perfect and if you are into restaurants with Michelin Stars book early!!

Bagatelle

This is the best place to go for a party night. As the evening draws on the party moves on to table top dancing. If you order BIG your order will be delivered by a cute smiling Superman. Run by the marvellous and always smiling JM the staff pull out all the stops to make sure you have a memorable St Barts evening. The food is delicious, sort of French comfort food - perfect for some carbo loading before dancing on the tables. We recommend ordering truffle pizza to start. Beware - as the evening moves on the DJ digs out cheesy American music from Daddy's record collection. If you want a more mellow night ask for a table outside.

Sunbarth

Super cool swimsuits and Aviator Nation hoodies and sweatpants.

MacKeene

Shirts and swimshorts. The swimshorts have a flattering flat fronted cut, perfect for a beach wardrobe update.

James Perse

The absolute go-to for incredibly soft, high-end everyday basics. Essential tees, elegant casual wear, and effortless lightweight layers perfect for the island breeze.