Hit the beach

Nothing beats a beach bar, especially if you’ve a chilled Carib beer and the scent of gently grilling meat in the air. On St Kitts, The Strip – a collection of watering holes that stretches the length of Frigate Bay South – is the place to go. Buddies Beach Hut is one of the larger establishments, serving burgers, ribs and fish to a lively crowd.

Boozies and Vibes are more recent additions, offering fun in abundance, as well as rum punches and decent food. At the eastern end of the Strip, The Dock is chilled by day, while at night the party vibe kicks in, thanks to happy hour between 5pm and 6pm. For barefoot chic, try SALT Plage (pictured) at Whitehouse Bay. Lounge on a daybed, order a craft cocktail (the 2.7 with grapefruit, tamarind, tarragon and Tito’s is a classic) and soak up that St Kitts sunset.

Eat like the locals

Goat water stew, pilau, curried conch, fried fish… You’ll find every Creole and West Indian dish imaginable in bustling Basseterre, with its colourful restaurants, cafes and food trucks. Family-run El Fredo’s Restaurant & Bar serves favourites including pigtail soup, jerk chicken and, arguably, the best rotis on the island.

At the nearby Soup Café, owner Unoma Allen is known for her lighter fare – in addition to the fixed menu, she cooks up ‘wild card’ soups, which are delicious. At Ram’s Food Court, old sea containers have been transformed into brightly coloured food shacks serving everything from classic Caribbean to Mexican fast food. Those with a sweet tooth will love OMG! Just Desserts.

Farm-to-table fare

Thanks to its rich soil, fertile coastline and glittering ocean, fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood are bountiful on St Kitts and there’s a growing movement to tap into this edible landscape. At organic resort Belle Mont Farm, guests can enjoy authentic West Indies cooking using ingredients grown either on the farm, at nearby farms or locally foraged. Dishes such as rabbit with green-mango salad and garfish cooked in banana leaves burst with flavour.

Ital Creations, in the heart of Fari Organic Farm, offers a vegetarian menu also sourced from its surroundings (expect wraps, veggie burgers and breadfruit casseroles). The fish doesn’t come much fresher than at Reggae Beach Bar and Grill in Cockleshell Bay, where it’s served to a soundtrack of reggae and gently lapping waves. Don’t miss Lobster Fest on Fridays – booking is advisable.

Festival fever

Forget soggy burgers, warm beer and endless mud, St Kitts’ festivals are all about rum, sun and fun. Spice Fest (21-23 April) at Spice Mill in Cockleshell Bay is a weekend of entertainment and family frolics, with plenty of eclectic cooking too. The St Kitts Music Festival in Basseterre (22-24 June) showcases international acts – this year's artists include GooGoo Dolls, Shabba Ranks and Third World – alongside up-and-coming performers. If you like your beats with a portion of conch fritters, there are authentic food stalls aplenty. Last, but by no means least, is St Kitts & Nevis Restaurant Week (19-30 July), during which participating eateries will offer special menus, many at reduced prices, and chefs can show off their creativity and skill. A week-long celebration of local cooking and eating – what’s not to love?