The cost of food in St. Kitts varies significantly depending on whether you eat at local "mom-and-pop" spots or high-end resort restaurants. For a budget-friendly experience, visiting the local markets or food trucks in Basseterre allows you to find traditional dishes like "Goat Water" or "Saltfish and Dumplings" for roughly $10–$15 USD. However, dining at established restaurants in tourist areas like Frigate Bay or the Christophe Harbour area is more expensive, with a standard three-course dinner for two often costing between $100 and $200 USD, including drinks. Because St. Kitts is an island, many food items (especially dairy, beef, and specialty produce) are imported, leading to high grocery store prices—often 30% to 50% higher than in the U.S. or UK. To save money, travelers are encouraged to buy locally grown fruits like mangoes and pineapples and to look for "Happy Hour" specials at beach bars. Most restaurants will list prices in Eastern Caribbean Dollars (XCD), but U.S. Dollars are widely accepted at a standard exchange rate (usually $1 USD to $2.70 XCD), though you will likely receive change in local currency.