There’s nothing like dinner on the beach in the Caribbean. But while dining at sea level is great, you might not realize that the Caribbean also has a collection of high-altitude restaurants perfect for surveying the sights of the region from high above the water, from hillsides to mountaintops. They give a new meaning to haute cuisine. Here are our favourites, from St Lucia to Puerto Rico.
Dasheene — St Lucia
Perhaps St Lucia’s signature eatery (located at the Ladera resort), the sustainable, wonderful Dasheene puts the Pitons right on your plate — literally and figuratively.
The Cliff at Cap — St Lucia
Chef Craig Jones’ Cliff at Cap at the Cap Maison resort is the perfect marriage of unparalleled views and cuisine. The only problem is deciding which to consume first.
Aroma de la Montaña Restaurant — Dominican Republic
This high-up, organic-centric eatery in the mountainous area of Jarabacoa in the Dominican Republic, has a 360-degree roating floor — the only one in the Caribbean.
Shirley Heights Lookout — Antigua
When you have a location like this, food is really secondary. Thankfully, the local, comfort-focused cuisine here more than complements this stunning site in Antigua.
La Poisson Rouge — Guadeloupe
The in-house restaurant at the eco-chic Tendacayou hotel in Basse-Terre, La Poisson Rouge, specializes in fish, served with a side of breathtaking scenery.
The Champs — Dominica
The eponymous eatery at this eatery on a hillside in Picard has panoramic views of the bay and a refreshing, lively mix of Dominican and global cuisine.
The Restaurant at Strawberry Hill — Jamaica
It’s a bit of a climb (by car) to get to this Island Outpost property, but when you sit down to the table you’ll know it was worth it, with a culinary philosophy it calls “New Jamaican Cuisine.”
Colina 360 — Puerto Rico
Set in the mountain region of Morovis in Puerto Rico, the aptly-named Colina 360 takes panoramic views to a different level, with a menu focusing on local cuisine.
The Rocks — Nevis
Tucked in the hills of the towering Nevis Peak, this is the restaurant at the artsy Golden Rock Inn. The food brings together the cuisines of the West Indies and abroad, with sweeping views of the hills and the sea.
The Bay House — Antigua
This local favourite based at the Tradewinds Hotel largely focuses on seafood, with an international and Caribbean selection. The views, though, are the main course.
Mountain Top — St Thomas, US Virgin Islands
A popular tourist stop in St Thomas, Mountain Top (known for its banana daiquiris) offers incredible vistas of the expanse of St Thomas, almost 1,600 feet above sea level.