Duggan's Reef — Restaurant in Saint Croix

Don't waste your time eating here.... Instead, waste it reading my review of this tragic restaurant. I can't say enough bad things about this place, which is sad because my LOCAL FRIEND RECOMMENDED US TO GO-- So let's start at the beginning. We tried to call several times to make a reservation and the phone was busy each time (because they're ringing off the hook the owner said, but i'll get to that later.) So we just drove over to the restaurant. This place is FAR. i mean faaaarrr out of town, down a windy road with no lights. We arrived and we were actually pleased with the fact that there was no line to speak with the host. She walked up right away and gave us a warm greeting. I had hope and excitement! Quickly crushed. Let me first say, this place is a glorified Sports bar. Sports flags adorn the walls, which is fine and cool but if you're going to charge $55 for half lobster??? Perhaps a more sophisticated ambiance would fit better. The hostess asked if we had a reservations and we said we didn't and she waved both her hands in front of our faces rudely (like an X) and shook her head and said they were fully booked. Really unprofessional demeanor (and dress but who doesn't like extra cleavage amirite?) Also, NO APOLOGY. When we told her and the man standing next to her (whom we assumed was the owner) that we did try to call but kept getting busy signals, and this is when he said "it's because it's ringing off the hook." um, ok... still no apology. POSITIVE POINT** HE DID OFFER TO MAKE US A RESERVATION FOR ANOTHER NIGHT (so he does get snaps for that), but we weren't staying on the island for too much longer, and also were so turned off by their attitudes we declined. So at least there was that. So I gave him an extra star for grace. This may be a nonsequitter but the restaurant guest population had NO VARIATION (all blonde/white)- I'm persian and have been letting my crazy curly hair fly, esp on the island, and i got a really weird feeling while standing at this host stand getting rejected. esp as i look around and just see white white white, blonde flat hair, etc etc. I felt like that may have had a factor but you never really know in these situations.... however, after reading some of the other reviews about this- Maybe my feeling was right after all. I'm not one to judge on someones hair color or race, it was just a feeling i had. At this point it was already 7:20 - which is kinda late on the island, esp since this place is like 20 min from christiansted. So getting dinner was a bit of a stress we had to find a place that was open after 8. We did end up going to another place that was also fully booked but they were really nice and respectful, and apologized that's how it should be handled. Lastly, BAD VIBES all around. I think this is a locals place, and that's who's calling all the time to have dinner there since my friend who's a local that lives on the east end recommended it so i assume that their friends get seated/priority. The island is significantly black/brown population and i saw zero black/brown/EVEN BRUNETTE in the restaurant. Left and it took a long time to shake the feeling. Just had a bad taste in my mouth, and I REALLY WISH I HAD A DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE HERE because despite all this i want to like them. idk why. but alas, this was simply my experience. Sorry Duggans. But hey, with your restaurant packed and phone ringing off the hook, i'm sure you don't need my patronage or any of the readers' either. Good luck to the restaurant and anyone who decides to eat here on...

A Memorable Dinner at Duggan's Reef ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Last night, my partner and I dined at Duggan's Reef, and it exceeded our already high expectations. Several friends had recommended the restaurant, and we now understand why. From the stunning location to the exceptional service and food, it was an unforgettable evening.

The Atmosphere: Nestled right on the beach on the northeast end of the island, Duggan's Reef offers breathtaking views of Teague Bay. We arrived just in time to watch the sunset from the deck, sipping on cocktails as the waves crashed nearby. The atmosphere exudes laid-back beach club vibes, where nice casual attire is perfectly fine. It’s the ideal mix of elegance and relaxation, with a blend of locals and visitors adding to the charm.

Reservations and Service: Reservations are highly recommended, especially for groups larger than two, but for those without, the bar is a cozy spot to enjoy a drink or dinner if space available. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the host, who had an owner-like presence. Shortly after being seated, the bartender/GM greeted us personally, offering drink recommendations. This personal touch made us feel instantly at home.

Our server, May, was phenomenal. Her warmth, professionalism, and detailed explanation of the specials hinted at the exceptional experience we were about to have. As someone who has worked in the restaurant and bar industry for over a decade, I recognize quality service—and May was a true standout.

The Food: We started with the steamed mussels (red curry, coconut, basil, ginger), which were incredibly fresh, creamy, and packed with flavor. For our mains, we shared a medium-sized lobster and a perfectly cooked 14-oz ribeye steak. The ribeye, with just the right amount of marbling, was tender and delicious. The lobster was flavorful, though slightly overdone.

To accompany our mains, we shared several sides: roasted mushrooms, grilled asparagus, mashed potatoes, and a baked potato. All were excellent, but the mashed potatoes stood out as especially creamy and well-seasoned.

We requested our meal to be coursed out, with plenty of time to enjoy each dish and relax between courses. The team executed this perfectly, even retrieving us from the deck when our mains were ready.

For dessert, we chose the rum cake over the carrot cake—a decision we might rethink next time. While the rum cake was flavorful, it was slightly dry with a bitter edge on the crust. We’ll be sure to try the carrot cake on our next visit.

The Verdict: The food was exceptional, and the service was even better. May was an absolute rockstar, balancing attentiveness with a relaxed approach that allowed us to enjoy our evening at our own pace. The entire experience—from the sunset views to the welcoming atmosphere to the standout dishes—was remarkable.

Duggan's Reef is a must-visit. Whether you're a local or visiting the island, it’s the perfect spot for a special night out. When you go, definitely ask for May—you...

Three days ago, my family and I stopped to pick sea grapes on the beach area by Duggan’s Reef. After about 30 to 40 minutes of picking sea grapes, we got hungry when we smelled the wonderful seafood aroma coming from the restaurant. As we weren’t quite dressed for a dine-in experience, I decided to inquire about ordering the food to go.

I approached the host standing at the desk at the greeting area and inquired about ordering food to go. He told me that I could order the food to go but became a little reluctant when I mentioned that I planned to order about 5 dishes. I questioned his reluctancy then he said it was OK.

I got a copy of the menu so that my family and I could discuss what we wanted to order. I mentioned my discussion with the host which deterred some family members from wanting to order any food. As a result, I just ordered one appetizer (Crispy Calamari) and two entrées (Spinach, Mushroom, and Seafood Alfredo and the Grilled 14 oz Ribeye) instead.

I returned to the host and placed my order. I was given a 35-minute wait time but my order was ready closer to the one-hour mark. I waited close to the host desk until my order was ready.

When my order was ready, a hostess brought it out to me. I told her that I would like to look at them to confirm my order before finalizing the payment. She looked at me strangely and made a sarcastic remark before placing the bag with the containers on a table for me to take a look at the content. In any event, the content looked fine, so I paid the bill and left with my order.

The crispy calamari appetizer had a nice crunch to it. It was hot and cooked well but could have used a little more seasoning and/or herbs. I was not impressed with it. The ribeye and seafood alfredo were big hits. The ribeye was flavorful, cooked exactly as ordered (medium rare), and the sides were tasty. The seafood alfredo was creamy, well seasoned, and had a balanced flavor. The food is pricey but overall, we enjoyed the food.

My first visit to Duggan’s Reef was for my birthday dinner in 2014. I had a dine-in experience. I enjoyed that visit much better than this one only because of the tension I experienced when trying to order food to go...