Poinciana Restaurant
Family-run Caribbean-Franco-Italian dining under the flamboyant tree in Frigate Bay
Why Go
Named for the fiery-red poinciana (flamboyant) tree that shades so much of St. Kitts, this intimate, garden-set dining room has quietly become one of the island's most beloved special-occasion spots. Chef-owner Seta Jaundoo has spent two decades honing a menu that layers French technique and Italian soulfulness over just-off-the-boat Caribbean seafood and market produce, and the family-run warmth is as much of the draw as the food.
The Experience
Tucked into a leafy pocket of Frigate Bay a short drive from Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport and about a 15-minute stroll from the Marriott, Poinciana feels like a well-kept local secret. The space is small, softly lit and unfussy - white linens, tropical plants, a handful of tables - so conversation stays easy and service (attentive but never hovering) can genuinely look after you. Menus change with the seasons and with whatever the local fishermen and farmers deliver that week, and dishes arrive plated with obvious care: a sesame-crusted salmon over rice pilaf, snapper in a bright tomato-caper sauce, seafood pasta finished in cream, sides of potatoes au gratin and steamed island vegetables that regulars talk about as much as the mains. It's the kind of place where the chef often makes it out of the kitchen and remembers what you drank last time.
What to Try
Whatever local catch is on the board that night - snapper, mahi or lobster in season - is the safest ordering strategy, typically finished with either a Provencal-leaning tomato sauce or a Caribbean-spiced butter. The sesame-encrusted salmon is a long-running favourite, and the seafood pasta in cream sauce is the dish returning guests tend to order without opening the menu. Don't skip the sides (the potatoes au gratin has a cult following) or the daily dessert, which leans French-patisserie rather than tropical-buffet.
Insider Tip
Reservations are essential - the dining room only holds a handful of tables and it books up fast on cruise days and weekends. Call ahead (465-5216 or 764-6035) and mention any dietary needs or a special occasion; Seta will genuinely tailor the menu, and if you're flying out of SKB the next morning it's an easy, low-stress last supper before the airport.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Frigate Bay, St. Kitts, roughly 5-10 minutes by taxi from Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport and about a 15-minute walk from the St. Kitts Marriott. Cuisine: Caribbean with French and Italian influences, seasonal menu. Price: mid-to-upper range for St. Kitts; expect fine-dining pricing rather than beach-shack. Atmosphere: intimate, romantic, dress smart-casual. Reservations strongly recommended; call 869-465-5216 or 869-764-6035. Best suited to dinner; hours vary seasonally so confirm when booking. Cash and major cards typically accepted.
Pair It With
- Frigate Bay South (The Strip) — After a refined dinner at Poinciana, wander 5 minutes down to the Caribbean-side beach bars for a nightcap and live music - the perfect low-key contrast.
- Timothy Hill Overlook — Ten minutes south by car, this is the classic photo stop where you can see the Atlantic and Caribbean at once - pair a sunset visit here with a Poinciana dinner reservation.
- South Friars Beach — A quiet daytime beach on the peninsula with calm water and casual lunch spots like Carambola or Shipwreck - a relaxed daytime bookend to an elegant Poinciana evening.
- Brimstone Hill Fortress — A UNESCO-listed 17th-century fortress on the island's west side; a full afternoon of exploring pairs well with a celebratory dinner at Poinciana to close out the day.