5 best restaurants in St Lucia

1. The Cliff at Cap

The height of the hotels

At the top of the list for fine dining, the Cliff at the Cap Maison hotel is a hit with guests and visitors. Set near St Lucia's northern tip, this open-air venue boasts sensational panoramic cliff-top views to Martinique and the horizon. Innovative French/West Indian cuisine ranges from contemporary starters such as caramelised foie gras to mains like butter roasted beef mignon. Sample a selection of rums, or sit on the rocky outcrop over the sea and let the zip line winch your wine to you.

Cap Maison, Smugglers Cove Drive, Cap Estate

Tel: 758 457 8681

2. Boucan by Hotel Chocolat

Chocolate heaven

Love chocolate? You’ll adore Boucan. Here you can sample cocoa in sweet and savoury dishes, either as a spice in the form of cocoa nibs, or as chocolate, all blended with local island produce. A child-friendly yet trendy open-plan venue set high on the rocks, it greets bats that soar in and out as dark falls and you tuck into a chocolate-infused vinaigrette dip followed by fillet of pork with a cocoa and herb crust. Save space for dessert and don’t miss the exquisite chocolate tasting plates.

Boucan by Hotel Chocolat, The Rabot Estate, near Soufrière Tel: 758 457 1624

3. Rainforest Hideaway

Sail to an over-the-sea dinner

An unmissably unique experience in St Lucia, the wooden dining deck at Rainforest Hideaway extends over the sea and the restaurant can only be reached by a pleasant two-minute boat ride across Marigot Bay. With three-course dinners costing around £44, the rich Creole and European-style cuisine is worth the journey, while live jazz lifts the ambience on certain evenings. Underwater lighting means you can watch the fish swim below as you sip Champagne in this heavenly hideaway.

Marigot Bay Tel: 758 451 4485

4. The Coal Pot

King of Creole

Small but serving supreme cuisine, the Coal Pot has been a popular eatery since the early 1960s. With only 10 tables set on the waterfront overlooking Vigie Cove, it is run by a local artist and her husband, French chef Xavier Ribot. Changing menus include a range of French and Creole dishes, such as barracuda and kingfish in a choice of sauces, as well as many meats. An elegant feel means you’ll want to change out of your beach wear, even at lunchtime when there’s a great-value menu.

Vigie Cove, Castries Tel: 758/452-5566

5. Martha's Tables

Homemade happiness

If you’re after authentic island cuisine, make your way to Martha’s Tables for a leisurely lunch. The name sums up the experience, as diners sit on the terrace of Martha’s home while she cooks up huge Creole creations. A former hotel chef and seamstress, she and her daughters serve specialities such as grilled chicken breast with plantains, beans and rice, along with plentiful vegetables and a secret hot sauce. Be sure to book for your taste of home cooking.

Malgretoute, near Soufrière Tel: 758 459 7270