St. John USVI · Restaurants

Rumbalaya, St. John

Looking for a taste of the Caribbean that the whole family can enjoy? Then come and take part in the experience that is Rumbalaya, and satisfy your hunger for the phenomenon that I like to call "All-American tropical island cuisine." Located right on the beach at Cruz Bay, Rumbalaya offers a menu complete with kids' meals, sumptuous seafood, and a good old fashioned hamburger. Leave the children behind at night though - this place turns into a loud dance bar that does its best to show the over-21 crowd a good time. Join other happy tourists as well as local folks at this wonderful St. John (club) bar and grill.

The Menu

During the daytime hours, you can come here with the family and sink your teeth in one of the famous hamburgers, salads, or stuffed-fish sandwiches that are sure to satisfy your tropical island hunger. Make sure that that you get the kids' menu with such all time favorite delights as grilled cheese sandwiches and hot dogs.

At night, when the atmosphere becomes a little more club-like, so do the meals as they seem to climb a few rungs of the sophistication ladder. That's when the menu starts offering items such as callaloo soup and strip steak grilled to perfection in the New York style. Of course, it will be hard to forget that you're on a tropical island paradise when your French fries are substituted for fried plantains - Mmm delicious! Another personal favorite of mine is the grilled tuna slathered in a special soy sauce featuring natural guava and ginger flavors - who would have thought that island dining could get so good? As an alternative to the steak menu, try one of the stuffed sandwiches which - during the day or night - will come with one of the most exceptional chutneys that I have ever tasted. While the mood is casual, the food is out of this world - and this makes Rumbalaya understandably one of the most popular restaurants on the island of St. John.

The Drinks

Whether you've come to take part in one of the most happening happy hours on the island or you've showed up ready to stay late into the night and dance, Rumbalaya is going to be your best bet for enjoying the night life at St. John. Even this restaurant's name smacks of good irrigation - the "Rum" in Rumbalaya is indeed what you think it is. (The rest of the name comes from Jambalaya, a Cajun dish quite popular on the island, often served with a rum-based cocktail). So why not add some good drinking to your good food experience here at the Rumbalaya?

The Place

The Rumbalaya practically bounces up and down with its great night time spirit of tropical island fun. For those wishing for a little excitement on the sleepy island of St. John, this is the place to be. Located 50 meters from the ferry dock (going out to St. Thomas), the Rumbalaya features local musicians playing the kind of music that you come to the island to hear - salsa, pop and jazz predominantly.

Rumbalaya Restaurant Information

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See you on the Island, John "Big Hat" Walsh