It’s a warm and humid night on beautiful St. Barts and the sun is slowly sinking down below the horizon, filling the sky with tones of pink and lavender that are reflected in the Caribbean waters. You’re at one of the swankiest restaurants on the island, chatting and laughing with a cocktail in your hand. The St. Barts nightlife and dining scene is fantastic – truly a place to see and be seen. While enjoying the ambiance you might even spot one of the celebrities who choose this island as a holiday destination.
Our guests at our two luxury villas in St. Barts, Villa Domingue and Villa BelAmour, often ask us what are the best places to go for nightlife on the island. So we have put together this list of the hottest restaurants in St. Barts.
Le Ti St. Barth
Immerse yourself in the funky and sexy spirit of St. Barts nightlife at this classy cabaret. It is legendary for its gourmet food, great selection of champagne, extensive wine cellar and guest DJs from all over the world.
If you visit during a cabaret show you will be entertained while you dine by gorgeous performers in dazzling costumes dancing and singing on the central stage – it’s hard not to have a fantastic time in such a lively and fun-loving atmosphere. This restaurant is a hotspot for celebrities and many famous people have been seen enjoying the entertainment. For example, Leonardo DiCaprio was spotted partying there during the 2014 holidays and Pippa Middleton was seen at Le Ti St. Barth last August.
At Le Ti St. Barth you can dance to great music or lounge on pillows while dining on superb cuisine, such as Angus beef fillet Rossini with truffles or seared tuna with Caviar. Some of the dishes on the menu have playfully naughty names, such as Nymph Thighs and Daddy’s Balls.
This restaurant is known for their raucous and unforgettable events, such as Full Moon Parties. It’s a wonderfully sexy and vibrant atmosphere and it’s a great place to kick up your heels and have an unforgettable night out while you are staying at one of the beautiful villas on St. Barts, such as Villa Domingue or Villa BelAmour.Â
Bagatelle
This chic French restaurant has already been a hit in New York and it now has a second location along the waterfront in Gustavia. The relaxed ambiance of this classy hotel makes it perfect for sunset drinks or a romantic dinner. It is a great place to watch the big boats come in and out of the harbour and think about which famous names might own each yacht. Make sure to book a table on the terrace for the best views.Â
This restaurant has long been a favourite with celebrities, so prepare for the possibility of seeing someone famous at another table. Jon Bon Jovi has been spotted with his wife Dorothea and a group of friends, dining and drinking rose wine until late at Bagatelle, according to Us Weekly Magazine. Other celebrities who have been seen dining at Bagatelle include Simon Cowell, Michael Strahan, Owen Wilson, Blake Lively, Ivanka Trump and Ralph Lauren. Bagatelle was also the venue that movie mogul Harvey Weinstein chose for a star studded party to celebrate the New York Giants’ victory over the Dallas Cowboys on New Years 2012. Some of the guests included Wyclef Jean and Martha Stewart.
Chef Emmanuel Chavant has created a beautiful menu that offers sophisticated French dishes with a creative and modern twist. Try the French Ham with elbow pasta, truffles jus and emmental or the pan seared calamari with garlic butter and ginger. The seafood here is divine, such as seared sea scallops with mashed sweet potatoes and vanilla madagascar sauce or the chilean sea bass with basil virgin sauce and asparagus. Only the finest ingredients are used and many are sourced locally.
The cocktails here are very special, made with fresh high quality ingredients and very strong. The service is friendly, the atmosphere is lively and the resident DJs provide excellent music. The champagne starts to flow and the party really starts after 11pm.
Bonito
Bonito is a lovely newly renovated venue serving French-Latin fusion cuisine with a great view over Gustavia Harbour. The atmosphere here feels like an elegant and intimate living room, so you feel like you might be dining at a friend’s cosy beach house. The decor is mostly white and there is soothing electronic music played in the background during the day and a fantastic DJ line up at night. You can choose to eat in the laid back lounge, or while admiring the views from the stunning terrace – where you can lounge on the long banquette of fluffy pillows.
Chef Laurent’s bold culinary style has been influenced by 10 years spent living in Venezuela. Some of the mouth-watering dishes on the menu include Scottish salmon with celery remoulade and mustard sauce, Black Angus New York steak and filet of Chilean seabass with cucumber and aubergine. There is also a Ceviche Bar, a unique addition where you can enjoy some deliciously fresh ceviche – which is raw seafood “cooked†in an acidic citrus marinade and served with flavourful chilis and spices. Considered one of the best ceviche bars on the island, the fish served here is fresh and locally caught and presented in beautiful glass and porcelain serving dishes.
Food is served until late here and then you can dance even later into the evening with the clientele of highly fashionable locals.
Le Tamarin
This St. Barts restaurant has been recently redesigned and it’s lush tropical gardens are absolutely beautiful. It’s a lovely place for a romantic dinner under the stars during your next trip to St. Barts. It is named for the beautiful century old tamarind tree that grows out of its patio and it is a great oasis from the hustle and bustle of Gustavia. This restaurant is almost mythical on the island of St. Barts and dining here at least once is an absolute must.
The rugged decor of rattan lounges and outdoor furnishings creates a comfortable and laid back atmosphere and there is a pool area shaded by trees where you can take a refreshing dip. The restaurant is also just around the corner from Saline Beach, a beautiful spot to soak up the sunshine.
The menu at Le Tamarin is superb, offering up mouthwatering dishes made from top quality ingredients. Try the flavourful stir fried king prawns with lemon coriander vegetable fricassee and spicy tomato sauce or the filet of duck breast with caramelized celery mash, sugar coated almonds and gravy. As well as daily fish selections there are also heartier dishes such as beef and roast chicken in a French style.
On the Rocks at Eden Rock
This incredibly chic restaurant is known for its superb food, laid back atmosphere and impeccable attention to detail. It is perched on a giant boulder surrounded by coral reefs and the shimmering Caribbean sea. It has been a hotspot for foodies visiting the island of St. Barts and world famous Master Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten creates innovative and delicious dishes. The cuisine is Mediterranean with an inspired nod towards Italy.
Dine on the white sandy beach while watching the turquoise Caribbean waves lap at the shore. Sit at the Sand Bar Night located right on the water’s edge or at the On the Rocks restaurant which offers unforgettable views over the coral reef. Exquisite cocktails are served at sunset and a wonderful apéritif snack menu is available from 6pm. You’ll even be able to watch as the small commuter planes depart from the island’s tiny runway. At the end of the evening, chill out to some great tunes spun by the DJ.
The Eden Rock Hotel is known for being a fantastic place for celebrity spotting and Tom Hank, Mariah Carey, Chevy Chase and many other have been seen here. it was voted one of the “World’s Best Places to Stay on the Gold List 2010†by Conde Nast Traveler and the “500 World’s Best Hotels†by Travel and Leisure.
The menu is creative and elegant and offers succulent seafood dishes such as nut and seed crusted red snapper with sweet and sour jus, sauteed lobster with fenugreek broth and snow peas and roasted black cod with yuzu turnip. Meat is also on the menu, such as veal tenderloin with a smoked chili glaze with broccoli, oyster mushroom and citrus and a caramelized beef tenderloin with mustard essence, poached daikon and crackling kale.
On your next visit to St. Barts, check out one of these superb night restaurants where you can soak up the sophisticated dining scene of this gorgeous star-studded Caribbean island.
