The Blue Moon Café in Frederiksted not only has scenic views of the ocean and funky décor by local artists, but heaping sandwiches and salads with kicky sauces and sides. Vegetarians and hikers, meanwhile, should keep their eyes peeled for the Abyssynya lunch truck, a local institution famous for its spirited, home-style African and Caribbean snacks made to order. Savant and Bacchus are fine-dining restaurants designed for hours of lingering and grazing. From a décor standpoint, both offer the cozy ambiance of a private dinner party inside an artist’s home. Savant, a hideaway outside Christiansted, features a menu spiked with Caribbean and Asian references that are as bold and eclectic as the setting and some of the waitstaff. Their desserts, especially those using Cruzan rum, are the high point. Bacchus is particularly exceptional but not weighed down by a “five star” restaurant attitude. While owners Tim and Natalie Collins have a keen sense of humor (based on their zany rock-and-roll themed menu and jovial interactions with the guests), they and their kitchen staff take food seriously and constantly exercise their culinary chops. Every appetizer, main course and dessert our group sampled was flawless, from the assemblage of ingredients to the fun-yet-still-edible presentations.

In many ways, boutiques in Christiansted—the jewelry stores especially—march to a similar beat, where originality rules the day. The quintessential Virgin Islands souvenir is the “hook bracelet,” which transforms a symbol of slavery into a statement of style and resilience. The original design of the hook bracelet is credited to Sonya Ltd., and her boutique is an essential stop. However, jewelry fans will notice that like potato chips and Oreo cookies, you cannot have just one. If (and when) you become hooked on building a collection of bracelets, it is essential to visit Sonya’s contemporaries. These neighboring jewelers, many with workshops on premise, have their own twist on the hook as well as “chaney” jewelry (developed in the 1950s by local artist Monroe Clendenin) where bits of 18th and 19th century ceramic found around the island are refined and polished into “gemstones” that capture a bit of St. Croix history.