2 Best Restaurants in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Within the historic stonework and cascading tropical blossoms of A.H. Riise Alley, this charming open-air eatery will pull you in by the nose and send you straight to the wood-burning brick-oven pizza. Toppings range from everyday to eclectic, from Asiago cheese and portobello mushrooms to tandoori chicken and clams casino. The menu is not all pizza: there are fresh salads, sub sandwiches, and unique pastas made to order. The local business crowd keeps this place hopping for lunch Monday through Friday, so go early or late to be sure of a table.

For the island's best northern Italian cuisine, don't miss this intimate, elegant hideaway that's on a quiet side street. Come here for more than 40 homemade pastas topped with superb sauces, like capellini with fresh tomatoes and garlic or peasant-style spaghetti in a rich tomato sauce with mushrooms and prosciutto. Eclectic art covers the two-story brick walls, and the sound of opera sets the stage for a memorable meal.