THE BANANA DECK, Cruz Bay - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone Number

Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?

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About

Aloha and welcome to The Banana Deck, home of the Big Deck Burger! Located in downtown Cruz Bay on St. John, we offer a full menu of casual Caribbean cuisine and American classics! We're all about providing good food and good service in a great atmosphere to bring our customers the best experience!

PRICE RANGE

$0.00 – $40.00

CUISINES

American, Caribbean, Bar, Seafood

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night

FEATURES

Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Television, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music

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4.5

969 reviews

Excellent

537

Very good

303

Average

89

Poor

24

Terrible

16

KPNY_11

Port Jefferson45 contributions

Excellent Food

Feb 2020 • none

We were a party of 8 for dinner - four adults and 4 kids. I didn't know what to expect because we had only been there for appetizers before. The dinners were delicious. The kids had steak and loved it, I had the grilled seafood platter it was very fresh and good. Everything was very good. We also shared their Banana dessert to end the dinner. Yummy!

Written February 19, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KerrieN26

Babylon53 contributions

Good meal- good value

Feb 2020 • none

We had a nice meal- just two of us. I had the delicious chicken cordon bleu dish and my husband enjoyed a pork chop. Very nice-sized portions and excellent flavoring. Wasn't my favorite atmosphere. We sat on the upper level by the bar and it was a bar-like feel.

Written February 25, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shark-a-dillos

Albany29 contributions

Nice atmosphere

Feb 2020 • couples

We ordered the blackened mahi and it was fine. Nothing special. The shrimp curry was better than average and the fried plantains were very good. The service was prompt and we liked sitting in the elevated, treehouse-like atmosphere. It looks like a lot of people were ordering steak. In fact, that is what our air bnb host recommended it for.

Written February 21, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Agijb

7 contributions

Last resort if I were in Cruz bay

Apr 2021 • none

This was by far the worse of our entire week of restaurants in Cruz bay. Food was cold, service was indifferent ( and very slow but many others are as well) but overall the vibe of the service staff was unwelcoming and cold. Prices are way way high for what you get. Your experience and food at one of the bar food places would be much better. There are so many other choices in Cruz Bay. I would steer clear of this place.

Written April 19, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Will

3 contributions

Phenomenal food

Dec 2020 • none

Our charter boat captain, Capt. Cleve of “Local Flavor Charters” showed us an incredible day on the water and recommended the Banana Deck as his favorite restaurant on the whole island. We took his recommendation and went there on the last night of our vacation. It was so amazing. The portions were huge and the food was incredible. We al shared Buffalo wings which were awesome and I got Penko Encrusted Snapper with lump crab meat and sundries tomatoes served over rice scampi. My wife got a lobster dish that was great! My mom, sister and her husband all had great meals as well. Would definitely recommend, as it was one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to and definitely the best place we ate at while in St. John hands down.

Written December 31, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cherry G

Wilmington27 contributions

An unpleasant return visit.

May 2022 • none

Our return to banana deck after 7 years was very disappointing. The staff, who used to be very customer friendly, were focused on only one thing......making money. There was a bottle of water at each of our place settings which we learned only after getting our bill cost $4 per bottle. Food quality remains good but paying fine dining costs should come with a fine dining experience. No option for couples dining together to receive separate checks. We will not return.

Written May 7, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nicole V

2 contributions

Disappointing food, decent drinks

May 2021 • friends

Three of our four dishes were overcooked, including a burger and a mahi sandwich, which was supposed to be jerked but merely had a mild dry rub on one side of it. Decent frozen drinks, nice staff, great view if you can get to the top level, which we unfortunately couldn’t. The food was disappointing overall, though, so for $190 for 4, I wouldn’t return. A restaurant that serves hot dogs and lobster (and has a dish that involves a pineapple Swiss cheese cream sauce) may be trying to do a little too much.

Written May 30, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kevin O

5 contributions

Great Steaks

Feb 2022 • none

In our near-annual trek to St John, the Banana Deck never seems to disappoint. The steaks are great, the drinks are tasty, the outside deck atmosphere overlooking Cruz Bay is pleasant, and the service is FAR better than nearly every restaurant on this tiny island. Be sure to make a reservation, as it's difficult to get a table for dinner otherwise. They will call to confirm your reservation.

Written February 28, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mbloves

43 contributions

Didn’t love the vibe - staff unwelcoming

Jun 2023 • family

Good food but wish they had more gluten free options (e.g., buns or pasta). It was a fun ambience, but I think there is a bad culture among the staff. We had a pretty rude welcome at the hostess stand and our waiter (whom we liked) seemed quite stressed. So, if you’re looking for a nice meal out in a relaxed environment you might be disappointed.

Written June 6, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Big Jim

Cruz Bay4 contributions

Uncomfortable, AGAIN

May 2023 • couples

Another very uncomfortable experience, our second in 2 years. We are a couple with no kids and every intention of eating dinner at the bar. Place was EMPTY at 6:00 pm on a Saturday night in late May and the entire staff made us feel like we needed advanced reservations to sit at the bar for a drink and dinner. The “host” and bartender were especially rude and made us feel VERY uncomfortable. For a menu that is basically mozzarella sticks and chicken wings, we could have just had dinner across the street at Beach Bar. This is our second time here and after the same experience twice, we won’t be back. You shouldn’t either.

Written May 20, 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kittenclaw

Moore88 contributions

Memorable Meal

Dec 2021 • none

We were traveling with our 2 year old and worried about which restaurants to avoid as not everyone tolerates the possible babbling of a toddler. We were suggested to go here and the first night we tried without reservations, the wait was too long. A few days later we decided to try there again and called ahead and there were slots for 6 PM so we took it. We were seated promptly upon arrival and it wasn't too crowded at that time so there wasn't anyone around us really on the 2nd floor. We both had their special for the night, fried conch for the appetizer, got drinks and ordered a virgin strawberry daquiri for our toddler. The service was great and decently paced. Our food was great with lobster, shrimp and shredded crab in some butter sauce served with coconut rice. It was our priciest meal but very well worth it. We can't recommend it highly enough for families with children.

Written March 3, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TrespassersWill

16 contributions

Big Disappointment

Mar 2020 • none

We had always heard good thing about the Banana Deck. We found it very casual if not a bit sloppy, the food preparation average (the fish was overdone and dry), the drinks average. The prices are the only element that are high end.

Written March 16, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LoriK

Cincinnati29 contributions

Great Food & Service

Mar 2021 • none

St John USVI is pretty busy and most restaurants are taking reservations well in advance. We tried to book The Banana Deck but told everything was full all week. Chris suggested we stop by and see if the "rail" was open as that was general seating. We stopped by a few times and finally saw empty seats!! We ordered the steak, potatoe and broccoli and it was a delicious meal! Chris (bartender/server) and Olivia (server) were very friendly and chatted with us about the island. We'll be back! Thanks again

Written March 25, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tracy m

Richmond4 contributions

First time to Saint John.

Dec 2021 • family

We have a family of 8… six children from 17-25. We went for dinner after a day boating charter. The food was terrible. Two orders were wrong ( we didn’t say anything ). We love quick burgers and chicken sandwiches but it was really bad food. My chicken sandwich was dry and not blackened as asked. My husband got the mahi sandwich and like the rest of the food looked they popped a piece of fish into the microwave. My son asked for a burger with extra bacon and it came without. The wings were decent. The mozzarella sticks and spring rolls looked like they had been frozen and reheated. Anyhow. I’m sure it’s a great place for a beer and wings but don’t bring your family. Oh. I’ve also loved the painkillers here and this one was Bad!!! Yuck

Written December 27, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Herb V

Inverness199 contributions

Great food

Nov 2022 • family

The banana deck was a great experience. We sat at the bar and met Mike who was very friendly and told us the specials for the day. We had the lobster and they had a crab, lobster, and grouper in a cheese sauce that was unbelievable. This place usually takes reservations but the owner let us slip in at the bar. Definitely go back

Written November 29, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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