How to eat your way through St. Kitts

Let me be honest: the first time I went to St. Kitts, I didn't know what to expect. I knew it was part of the dual-island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis in the West Indes; I knew about its wildly popular music festival held every year in June; and I knew it was known for its varied beaches and lush green landscapes. But what I didn't know was how good the food is. Once I arrived, I quickly learned the Caribbean island packs a mighty punch when it comes to its cuisine. I happen to touchdown during the island's restaurant week and was quickly schooled on the St. Kittean way when it came to bold Caribbean flavors and spices, fresh seafood, and friendly service that took every meal to a new level.

So if you’re ready to indulge in a flavor explosion, here’s how to eat your way through St. Kitts in just 48-hours, like I did.

Start your day out with a hearty breakfast at Rituals Coffee in Frigate Bay. The kitchen turns out an assortment of hot and cold coffee drinks, fruit smoothies, and yummy breakfast sandwiches, but the real winner is the freshly-made patties that sell-out before they’re even out of the oven. They come filled with beef, chicken, or veggies and have a golden flaky crust that only the chef/owner can achieve. Warning: this place is a huge hit with locals, so get there early or risk waiting in line.

I spent most of my morning exploring Romney Manor, an old estate which houses Caribelle Batik. The brand uses exclusive sea island cotton and ancient Indonesian methods to create Batik textiles, and you can watch how they're made firsthand. The property also has a stunning island overlook, and Old Rum distillery that dates back to the 17th century (and both are worth devoting a little time to before lunch).

When hunger strikes again, I make my way to Sunset Reef Resort and grab a spot on the terrace. There's an eye-popping view of the infinity pool overlooking the sea and an open-air kitchen where you can watch the chefs in action. At the suggestion of my guide—a local—I started with the seafood chowder, which had a coconut crème base and chunks of fresh conch, and the coconut curry shrimp for the main event. The coconut curry was so creamy, I was done within minutes and was still licking my plate when the waiter came up to take it. Tip: Ask the waiter to surprise you with drink: he whipped up an unforgettable virgin punch full of tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, and a few other secret native ingredients he wouldn’t share.

You’re probably wondering how I even had room for dinner, but I was on a mission. I managed to book a table at island favorite Arthur’s Restaurant & Bar, on the shores of Dieppe Bay. While the views of the black sand beach and calming ocean waves was reason enough to go, the food truly wow'd me. The menu ranges from local specialties like pot fish and jerk pork, to unique spins on American favorites like the seafood pizza (local catch, fried capers, mozzarella, tomato and basil).

I almost went for the three-course sweet potato-themed menu (sweet potatoes are a staple on St Kitts and one of the main vegetables grown here), but decided on the catch of the day, gray (not red!) snapper. It was seasoned and grilled to perfection and paired with buttery mashed potatoes and grilled veggies (FYI: the portions are enormous at Arthur's, so you may want to split your entrée). While I’m typically a dessert kind of girl, there just wasn’t any room that night. My bed was calling.

I went light on breakfast so after a ziplining adventure in the rainforest with Sky Safari Tours, I was eagerly anticipating the day’s lunch choice—Ital Creations Restaurant & Farm. An easy to miss all-vegan roadside stand, you likely wouldn't know about this spot unless a local told you.

Owner Jadah Fari inherited the land from his grandfather, who was a local farmer in the 1960s, and later built his business—sourcing many of the ingredients for his dishes from the farm. When I walked up, I was met by native moringa trees, which Fari calls the ‘trees of life.’ After learning about some of the healing properties (morgina is packed with magnesium, potassium and other nutrients), I ordered the green vibe juice, a blend of moringa and lemon. And for my meal: a veggie burger made with a baked veggie patty and topped with hummus, salad, tomatoes and a guava dressing— it was all incredible. A heads up: The menu changes daily based on the ingredients Fari has available, but I promise there isn’t a bad dish—even for a non-vegan.

My Kittean food Olympics could have gone on for days, but I wrapped up my adventure with dinner at Carambola Beach Club— a lively Black women-owned beach hangout by day and an upscale beachside restaurant at night.

I still hadn't tried the the island’s Caribbean lobster specialty, and tonight was the night. I ordered the grilled shrimp over curried sweet potato purée, then moved onto the grilled half lobster tail with the coconut sweet potato duchess. And I topped it off with sweet potato cake. I didn't want the experience to end—but I knew I'd be back for more.

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