St. Kitts is a tropical paradise known for lush greenery and untouched beaches. The island’s Caribbean Sea on the west coast meets the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast.
If you are lucky enough to experience the beauty of St. Kitts, make time to indulge in authentic Italian cuisine at the Orchid Bay Beach House Restaurant. Nestled on the island’s southeast peninsula and built on a cliff, the restaurant offers breathtaking coastal views, magical sunsets, and a seductive culinary experience.
This unique dining experience begins with Jennifer’s story about their shared passion, vision, and commitment to excellence.
History
Orchid Bay has a story we’re incredibly proud of—one that’s deeply personal for all of us.
The property was originally purchased in 2016 by David Di Rienzo, who also happens to be the founder of Razo Construction here in St. Kitts. David’s background is in high-end custom homebuilding—he started in Montreal, later expanded into the U.S., and eventually fell in love with St. Kitts, where he relocated his company. Razo has built some of the island’s most iconic properties, including the first residence in Christophe Harbour and the well-known Salt Plage bar and marina. His craftsmanship has always centered around blending natural materials with a sense of place, and Orchid Bay was no exception.
At first, the idea was just to build a weekend retreat—a casual space for friends and family. But when the COVID lockdowns hit, everything shifted. With construction slowed and travel halted, David, our project manager Ryan, and I ended up living on-site. It was during those months of stillness that the house began to feel like something more. Evenings turned into dinner parties, the kitchen evolved (in very makeshift ways), and it became a refuge not just for us, but for the handful of friends we were able to host.
One of those early evenings was a turning point: we invited Chef Brendon Gooderham to cook for a small group after meeting him at a kite-surfing party. The food, the atmosphere, the sense of connection—it all just clicked. After that, the idea of opening a restaurant no longer felt like a stretch. We gave Brendon a kitchen worthy of his talent, repurposed the space to create an intimate dining room, and slowly began welcoming guests.
David personally designed and oversaw the build—every beam and board has a story. The old timber you see inside was milled from the original structure. The bar top was carved from local wood. The floors were laid by hand by Razo’s crew, who worked nights and weekends to bring the vision to life. It wasn’t always glamorous—those early services were held with one table, two burners, and all of us pitching in wherever needed—but we built it with heart.
Today, we serve about 60 guests each night, but we’ve tried to hold onto the spirit of those early dinners: warm, connected, and personal. It’s not just about the food—it’s about creating an evening that feels like you’ve been welcomed into someone’s home.
· Jennifer ·
Property
Your evening begins when your ride drops you at the circular landing spot. For your safety and connivence guests park or get dropped off at this designated parking area.
Here you wait for the restaurant’s valet, Leon, to drive you and other guests along the edge of a cliff to the Ocean Bay Beach House Restaurant.
Upon arrival the outdoor entrance greets you with a tropical open-air design. A hostess offers you an authentically delicious mojito as a welcome drink. With your cocktail in hand, guests are leisurely escorted to a viewing platform where you enjoy the Caribbean breeze and take in the panoramic views of the coastline.
Jennifer provided a tour of the property much as a friend would a tour of their home. Her enthusiasm was contagious and her hospitality genuine. Afterwards, she invited us to order a beverage and sit in the bar area or be escorted to our table. We chose the bar; I chose an espresso martini.
Dining
Orchid Bay provides the unique approach of offering a single seating each evening which ensures an intimate and leisurely dining experience.
Orchid Bay features an authentic Italian family-style dining experience. Regardless of the size of your party, the dishes selected will be shared amongst each guest. The number of menu choices in each category is dependent on your party size.
Our reservations and food selections were secured days prior to our visit.
The heart of Orchid Bay’s culinary excellence is Chef Brendan Gooderham. His philosophy as a chef…simple and fresh ingredients prepared with love create the dishes that family and friends will continue to request.
photo credit · Orchid Bay
The menu features an array of masterful Italian dishes made from the freshest local ingredients. It is categorized as follows: appetizers, wood fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and desserts. Oh, the choices!
The meal begins with the Orchid Bay Caesar Salad accompanied by Ciabatta and Focaccia. The salad, a contemporary twist on a classic, features house-made caesar dressing, crunchy sourdough croutons, and a generous sprinkling of aged Parmesan.
For our appetizers we selected the Heirloom Tomato and Burrata and the homemade Pork Sausage. The vibrant colors of the tomatoes paired exquisitely with the creamy Burrata. The sausage was served with Orchid Bay preserves providing a sweet and tangy combination.
Pizza! Our second course was pizza. We chose the Margherita and Pepperoni. The Margherita paired vibrant tomato sauce with creamy mozzarella and fresh basil. The Pepperoni layered a robust tomato sauce, stretchy mozzarella, and smokey pepperoni with a dash of chili and a hint of oregano.
Our pasta selections were Bucatini All’ Amatriciana and Lamb Sugo. These dishes paired perfectly. The Bucatini provided a comforting bowl of thick strands of bucatini coated in tomato, pancetta, and chili sauce then sprinkled with sharp Pecorino. In contrast, the Lamb Sugo featured braised lamb shoulder in a rich sauce served over pappardelle pasta accented with rosemary and sprinkled with Pecorino.
For dessert we devoured their Lemon Panna Cotta, a refreshing dessert that combines the creaminess of panna cotta with the citrusy tang of lemon. It is topped with a berry compote and a sprinkling of cookie crumble.
Each dish was a culinary experience!
In addition to its delectable food, the service was exceptional. The staff was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. During our sobre mesa, Spanish for the practice of lingering at the table after a meal, Orchid Bay and mother nature provided a breathtaking sunset.
With its amazing location, world-class cuisine, and warm hospitality, Orchid Bay Beach House Restaurant makes every evening a celebration of Italian cuisine and hospitality.
Until next time…
·izzy
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