On beautiful St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, The Buccaneer offers a variety of ways to seek great food, adventure and relaxation. Writer Lina Zeldovich let’s Real Food Travelers in on the experience.

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At The Buccaneer, in St. Croix, it’s Stay, Play, Eat, Repeat—Year-Round.

I’m digging my toes in the sand, while pulling my shrimp off the skewers at The Mermaid, a seaside restaurant at The Buccaneer hotel on St. Croix, one of the US Virgin Islands. The pitch-black tropical night is illuminated only by the restaurant’s lights and the moon—until a group of fire dancers arrives on the scene. For the next half an hour, focusing on food becomes almost impossible as the three lissome young women juggling torches and jumping through lighted hoops completely steal the show.

Flame dancers at the Buccaneer St. Croix.

A beachfront hotel and golf resort, The Buccaneer is a curious mix of cultures and styles—it looks like a Mediterranean villa married to a Caribbean beach. Its long and varied history explains why. Originally an estate built by Charles Martel, a Knight of Malta, The Buccaneer boasts large windows, rounded archways, and chiseled stone balustrades—the classic elements of Mediterranean architecture. Hugged by green hills—another Mediterranean touch, it was strategically positioned at one of the island’s vantage points to watch out for any rogue ships sailing the nearby waters. Yet, the moment you set foot outside your room, you’re instantly enveloped by the tropics with rustling palm trees and golden sand beaches.

I’m here escaping the miserable Northeast fall—and there’s hardly a better place to do it. But The Buccaneer is also a year-round destination because St. Croix is so easy to get to—and it doesn’t require a passport to travel to because you never leave the US. The Buccaneer’s location offers both shade and sun, and the steady ocean breeze helps dissipate the heat.

Food connoisseurs will be pleasantly surprised too; the culinary options here are way above the typical chowders and deep-fried seafood.

The Terrace, the hotel’s fine dining spot, delights with the ever-changing catches of the day and choices of surf and turf: think mahi-mahi in West Indian coconut curry sauce or lamb lollipops—the hand-held lamb chops. Prepare for tough dessert options–coconut crème brûlée, key lime cream tower or chocolate mousse? The Terrace also serves breakfast featuring omelets, potatoes, grits and fruit. Make sure to try the “bush tea,” a specialty brewed with locally sourced herbs, including the fragrant lemongrass.

Coconut Crème Brulee at The Terrace.

The Mermaid serves dinner and lunch, which includes the impossible beyond burger made from a vegetable patty; juicy and light, it’s a perfect lunch that leaves you energetic for the afternoon adventures, such kayaking or waterboarding, all of which are offered right there on the beach.

Hungry for more? Local foodie secrets at St. Croix restaurants.

Beauregard’s on the Beach is known for its freshest sushi that come in oversized bites. The homemade miso soup is delicious, and the rolls are otherworldly; the volcano one can win an Oscar—just picture a mélange of crab, spicy tuna and cucumber, with wasabi ponzu and sriracha mayo topped with smoked salmon. Beauregard’s also known for specialty tacos—the flank steak and crispy tofu ones are not to miss.

Sushi at the Bucanneer.

If venturing outside The Buccaneer’s expansive grounds, consider Estera, a recently opened culinary gem, known for fresh takes on classic dishes—think orzotto, a creamy risotto made with orzo pasta; jägerschnitzel, a schnitzel with creamy mushroom sauce; or short ribs with cheddar grits and charred broccolini, all accompanied by a selection of wines and artisan cocktails.

Short ribs with cheddar grits and charred broccolini at Estera.

Hungry for more? Read Lina’s article about Spain’s rural gastronomy.

Imbibing on the islands is a must, so pay a visit to St. Croix new Munity Island Vodka distillery. Named after the movie Mutiny on the H.M.S Bounty that chronicles the famous revolt, the distillery produces vodka made breadfruit, which is what the infamous ship was carrying as its cargo. The vodkas come in various flavors ranging from hibiscus/passion fruit to ginger/turmeric—and you can take home a few.

Mutinee Vodka Tasting.

Whether you’re coming for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, The Buccaneer is a home away from home—and the rest of St. Croix is yours to explore!

To learn more about the Buccaneer in St. Croix, visit their website here.

-Story and photos by Lina Zeldovich