There is pretty good variety in the restaurants of St Vincent and the Grenadines and many of them take advantage of the fantastic settings in the islands, often with a lovely view looking out onto an island-studded seascape. You will find local creole restaurants that cater mainly for the Vincentians themselves. They use the best of the mainland's vegetables and fruits - there are always excellent juices in St Vincent and the Grenadines - and of course there is local Caribbean fish and seafood. Then there are breezy and fun seafront dining rooms and bars that cater for the passing yachting trade. Finally there are the more sophisticated dining rooms, usually in smarter hotels, that offer a more formal international dining experience. You can generally go into smarter hotels to eat if you wish, but you will need to make a reservation.

On St Vincent, much of the restaurant trade centres around Villa and Indian Bay, the area that caters best for tourists, east of Kingstown. Opposite Young Island is a busy strip of waterfront bars and restaurants that gets lively in the season. Kingstown itself doesn't offer a great deal of opportunity, but there are a couple of places where you can get good local West Indian food and there are some simple pizza joints.

In Bequia, many of the popular restaurants are set on the Belmont waterfront, which has a great atmosphere when it is lively. There are however other options on the island, notably surrounding the good beaches. The easy going atmosphere of the island is echoed in the restaurants, which are mostly friendly and relaxed.

Mustique, holiday destination of celebrities and the super-rich, has just a couple of bars and restaurants, attached to the one hotel and Firefly Guest House. These can be very lively in season. Many people do however decide to entertain in their private villas.

Canouan is effectively divided in two. One half houses the town where locals and travellers visit the low key, largely West Indian restaurants and bars. The other side to Canouan contains the Raffles Resort, which is in effect private, and offers a much more luxurious experience. It has a handful of smart and informal dining rooms.

Mayreau has some amicable and relaxed offerings around the bays that reflect the laid back feeling to the island. There is also more formal dining at The Saltwhistle Bay Club.

Union Island has some good options along the main street and the waterfront in Clifton.

See our complete Guide to St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Best St Vincent Restaurants
Prices for a main course (excluding steak and lobster, which are more expensive) are as follows: expensive - US$20 and above, moderate US$10-20 and inexpensive US$10 and below

Basil's Bar, Cobblestone Inn, Kingstown, t 457 2713, moderate
Air-conditioned bar and restaurant set within the old stone walls of a warehouse in town, with satellite TV. Varied menu with plenty of seafood and a lunch buffet from Monday to Friday.

Beachcombers Restaurant & Bar, Villa Beach, t 458 4283, expensive
Bar and restaurant set on a deck above the sand at Villa, part of a family run hotel. A la carte menu featuring a mix of West Indian and international cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with occasional themed jump-ups and party nights.

The French Verandah Restaurant, Villa,
t 457 4000, expensive
Candlelit dinner at the Mariners Hotel overlooking Villa waterfront and Young Island. Blend of local and international cuisine, large selection of fresh fish and imported wine. Open daily, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Grand View Grill, Indian Bay, t 457 5487, moderate
Grilled seafood, steaks, burgers, pizzas, baguettes and famed desserts at this Indian Bay eatery. Authentic Jamaican jerk on Fridays, cocktails and snacks at the bar. Closed on Mondays.

Lime N' Pub, Villa, t 458 4227, expensive
Lively dining room on the Villa waterfront, set on a deck right hanging with greenery and nautical décor. Extensive menu of good, mainly international fare, including a wide variety of seafood and meats. Large cocktail menu.

Mont Rose Restaurant, Kingstown, t 457 0172, moderate
Restaurant at the New Montrose Hotel with views out to the Grenadines. Serves Caribbean dishes mixed with international fare. Every first Sunday of the month is the creole lunch buffet.

The Sapodilla Room, Grenadine House, Kingstown, t 458 1800, expensive
Fine dining in an elegant 18th century setting, previously home to the British Administrator. The restaurant serves a fusion of Caribbean and international cuisine, large wine cellar and an adjoining bar.

Sunset Shores, Villa, t 458 4411, moderate
Vincentian dining at this second floor restaurant with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. Extensive à la carte menu, seafood, salads and pasta. Saturday night barbecues.

Vee Jay's, Upper Bay Street, Kingstown, t 457 2845, inexpensive
Lively restaurant set on a rooftop terrace in the middle of Kingstown. Serves creole dishes such as roti, fish and dumplings at reasonable prices. Bar at the back serving cocktails, seating inside and out.

Villa Lodge Hotel, Indian Bay, t 458 4641, moderate
Patio bar and restaurant serving a range of international and regional cuisine, including barbecue chicken, curried conch, fish burgers and pasta. Breakfast, lunch and candlelit dinner.

Wilkie's, Villa Point, t 458 4811, expensive
Ocean-view restaurant at the Grand View Beach Hotel. Serves fresh fish, lobster in season, poultry, beef and locally sourced fruit and vegetables. Small but good wine list. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Young Island Resort, t 458 4826, expensive
Gourmet dining room set in romantic thatched kiosks just above the beach and surrounded by greenery. Eclectic menu of regional Caribbean cuisine and international fare - delicious homemade bread. Live entertainment on weekends including a steel band orchestra. Reservations required if you are not staying at the resort.

Best Bequia Restaurants

Coco's Place, Ocar, t 458 3463, moderate
Friendly, bar and restaurant with an easy-going, chilled ambiance. Unique live string band, The Mighty J Cool and De Ting on Tuesday nights and live soca music on Friday nights in the season. Lobster special on Fridays when in season and a West Indian buffet on Sundays.

Crescent Beach Inn, Industry Bay, t 458 3400, moderate
Delightful setting and perfect place to escape to on a normally deserted beach. This is a family-run enterprise with a guest house, an informal bar and a restaurant with freshly caught lobster (in season) cooked however you like it and served right on the beach. Views across to Battowia, Baliceaux and Mustique. Good spot for a quiet day out. Full moon beach barbecue.

Dawn's Creole Beach Café, Lower Bay, t 458 3154, moderate
A simple building right on the sand with tables and chairs on a terrace. Lovely welcoming atmosphere and a nice mix of locals and visitors. Serves creole cuisine, fresh fish, drinks and excellent homemade cakes.

De Reef, Lower Bay, t 458 3958, moderate
Informal beach bar and restaurant popular with the yachting set and locals, with live music every other Saturday night, and 'jam' sessions on Sunday afternoons. Mixture of creole dishes and American food.

Devil's Table, Bequia Marina, Port Elizabeth, t 458 3900, expensive
Pirate-inspired restaurant with plenty of ambiance and good food, run by the owners of the Moskito Bar. Fusion of European and Caribbean cuisine, try the Black Angus beef with rum sauce. Live music on Wednesday and Saturday nights, plus backgammon tournament and barbecue on Saturday.

Firefly, t 458 3414, Spring Bay, expensive
Gourmet West Indian and International cuisine using produce from their 28 acres of organic plantation. Spectacular setting with views across Spring Bay, smart casual dress code, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Frangipani, Belmont Walkway, t 458 3255, expensive
Popular spot, famous for its Thursday night barbecue buffet and jump-up with live music by the Elite Steel Band. International cuisine with a strong West Indian influences, extensive wine list.

Gingerbread Restaurant, Belmont Walkway, t 458 3800, expensive
Pretty upstairs restaurant with gingerbread fretwork and lovely views over Admiralty Bay. Creole and international cuisine mix, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Live folk music and calypso several nights a week.

Green Boley, Belmont Walkway, t 457 3625, inexpensive
Simple and very charming bamboo-fronted bar and restaurant featuring local fare such as rotis, pumpkin soup and sandwiches. Seating under the trees and views across the bay.

Jack's Bar and Restaurant, Princess Margaret beach, t 457 3762, expensive
Beachfront sports bar and restaurant in a prime location. Seating outside under a large canopy, friendly service and a good selection of food from American burgers to West Indian dishes.

Keegan's, Lower Bay, t 458 3530, inexpensive
Small beach resort with seafront restaurant and bar set across from their 'beach patio', actually a fenced area with a couple of picnic tables and wooden sun shades set right on the sand within a few feet of the sea. Open for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, barbecue on Saturdays.

L'Auberge des Grenadines, Belmont Walkway, t 458 3201
An appealing, open-fronted French restaurant set on the beachfront, specialising in lobster, with its own live lobster pool. Open for lunch and dinner with a Sunset Happy Hour from 5.30-6.30pm, live music on Tuesday and Saturday nights. Closed at the time of publication, reopening scheduled in November 2008 in Hamilton across the bay.

Mac's Pizzeria, Belmont Walkway, t 458 3474, moderate
The best pizza on the island, in an informal setting on a deck overlooking the harbour. Extensive menu, including their famed lobster pizza. Closed on Mondays.

Maria's French Terrace, Port Elizabeth, t 458 3337, www.marias-french-terrace.com, expensive
Stylish restaurant serving traditional French food overlooking Admiralty Bay. Fresh seafood and a good wine list, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Live local entertainment on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Marias also caters for private villas preparing buffet breakfasts, romantic dinners and beach picnic lunches.

Moskito Bar & Grill, Friendship Bay, t 458 3222, expensive
Set right on the seafront, this is a cosy stone-built affair with a bamboo-clad ceiling, swing seats in the bar and occasional live music in the season. Informal and popular hang-out, open for lunch and dinner. Lobster Fest with string band on Wednesday nights, and barbecue brunch with background music on Saturdays.

Fernando's, Lower Bay, t 458 3758, expensive
Unique and intimate restaurant tucked away in the hills above Lower Bay. Fresh seafood, caught daily by owner Nando, and other authentic Bequian food. Simple setting but delightful atmosphere. Open for dinner only and limited seating so reservations are advised.

The Porthole, Port Elizabeth, t 458 3458, moderate
Charming waterfront bar and restaurant run by Noelina, who serves hearty, home-cooked, creole-style fare - the rotis are a big hit. Popular drop-in spot, with live music in season. Open for breakfast lunch and dinner.

Tommy Cantina, Port Elizabeth, t 457 3779, moderate
Colourful Mexican restaurant on the waterfront, popular with both locals and visitors. Genuine homemade fare, fresh seafood and delicious margarita's. Open year round for lunch and dinner.

The Whaleboner Restaurant & Bar, Belmont Walkway, t 458 3233, inexpensive
Set right on the waterfront where you can watch the comings and goings, this is one of Bequia's more established and favourite drinking and dining spots. Family-run, its menu includes local and international dishes, seafood and fresh home-grown produce from the family's own farm. Unique decor with its bar and bar stools fashioned out of old whalebone, from the days when Bequia was still a whaling station. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with live music on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays in season.

Best Mustique Restaurants

Basil's Bar, Britannia Bay, t 488 8350, VHF 68, expensive
World famous watering hole of the rich and famous, and seafood restaurant with a unique laid-back air, presided over by its amiable owner, Basil Charles. Charming and rustic, with bamboo walls and palm thatch roofs, it extends from the beach out above the bay on stilts. Every Wednesday is party night with a barbecue and jump-up featuring a live band.

Firefly, t 488 8414, expensive
Intimate hotel with a lively dining room and bar, in a dramatic setting perched on the hillside above Britannia Bay - lovely views. The bar is a popular and very hip gathering spot, with a long and interesting list of cocktails, and equally interesting (and often very famous) clientele - rubber-necking seen as the ultimate faux pas, with autograph-hunting worthy of politely being shown the door!

Best Canouan Restaurants

Majellas on the Beach, Charlestown Bay, moderate
Visited by locals and tourists alike, this friendly and relaxed restaurant serves a range of international cuisine.

Palapa Restaurant, Tamarind Beach Hotel & Yacht Club, t 458 8044, expensive
Set on the water's edge with 'palapa' thatched roofs on pillars, this restaurant serves a variety of international cuisine, fresh seafood, pizzas in the wood burning oven.

Pirate's Cove, Tamarind Beach Hotel & Yacht Club, Canouan, t 458 8044, expensive
Informal open-sided bar and restaurant (next to Palapa restaurant), which serves snacks, sandwiches and pizzas. Live music and entertainment several times a week.

Raffles Canouan, t 458 8000, expensive
Raffles has a variety of restaurants, including fine dining at the Italian La Piazza and the simpler but nonetheless elegant beach bar, Godahl's. Also there is a gourmet restaurant La Varenne at the Villa Monte Carlo.

Silver Lining Sports Bar & Restaurant, Charlestown, t 482 0348, moderate
Very local and friendly bar serving international cuisine, high up on the hill, with excellent views over the town .

Best Mayreau Restaurants

The Combination Café, Saline Bay, t 458 8561, VHF 16/68, moderate
Hilltop location above Saline Bay. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, serving local and international fare on their roof deck with views of the harbour. Internet service and bar, happy hour 6pm-7pm.

Dennis's Hideaway Seafood Restaurant, t 458 8594, moderate
Overlooking the main harbour from the town, a popular bar and restaurant, internet café and taxi service. Caribbean menu featuring fish and lobster and occasional octopus, conch, shrimp and squid, plus meat dishes including spare ribs, rack of lamb and grilled chicken. Sometimes live music on weekends.

Island Paradise Bar, Restaurant & Disco, t 458 8941, VHF 68, moderate
Hearty local fare including conch stew, freshly caught snapper and callaloo soup, served with views from the veranda. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Friday is barbecue night with live music. Free water taxi and transfer from jetty for diners.

J & C Bar & Restaurant, t 458 8588, VHF 68/16, moderate
Creole dishes amongst more European fare and burgers and chips. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Water taxi available.

Righteous Robert and the Youths Snack Bar and Tea Room, t 458 8203 inexpensive
Colourful Rastafarian restaurant serving freshly baked bread, just-caught fish and its famed callaloo soup.

SaltWhistle Bay Club, Salt Whistle Bay, t 458 8444, expensive
Set on a dazzling curve of white sand, the club's beachfront bar and restaurant is an extremely popular stop-off point with visiting yachtsmen - sometimes attracting a lively crowd at the bar. Constantly changing menus of fresh fish, steak, chicken and a good cocktail list. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (reservations required for latter for which there is a dress code).

Best Union Island Restaurants

Anchorage Yacht Club Restaurant & Bar, t 458 8221, moderate
Busy spot with lots of comings and goings, especially with the yachtie crowd - many of them French. Generous portions of Caribbean soup, meat dishes and of course fresh fish. Happy Hour from 5.30-6.30pm and occasional entertainment at night with live music and calypso jump-ups.

Clifton Beach Hotel Restaurant, t 458 8235, moderate
Hearty portions of fresh seafood, poultry and other international dishes in the heart of Clifton. Barbecue on Saturday night often with live entertainment afterwards.

Lambi's Restaurant, Clifton, t 458 8549, moderate
Popular spot with an evening buffet, weekend steel band jump-ups and sometimes limbo dancing. Great seafood, especially lobster when it's in season.

L'Aquarium Restaurant, Clifton, t 458 8311, moderate
Open sided restaurant at Bougainvilla serving French and creole cuisine, specialising in fresh fish. Dinner is watched over by the inhabitants of a large tropical aquarium and the lobsters in their tank - from which you can choose your meal (in season).

See our complete Guide to St Vincent and the Grenadines.