It may be more famous for things like beaches and Baths. But what you may not realize is just how great of a culinary destination Virgin Gorda really is.
Now, the British Virgin Islands’ signature culinary event on Virgin Gorda is back in 2026, and it’s getting a new setting.
Taste of Virgin Gorda returns on Saturday, February 28, 2026, running from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with a new chapter called Dockside Dining – Small Bites, Big Flavour, set at the newly enhanced Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour.
The event is produced by the BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission in partnership with the Virgin Gorda community, and the 2026 edition is being positioned as a bigger, more immersive tasting night than ever.
A Bigger Festival, A New Home
Taste of Virgin Gorda has traditionally been staged at the Nail Bay Ruins, one of the island’s most atmospheric venues. The 2026 move to Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour is a direct response to the festival’s growth, with organizers citing increased participation from restaurants and consistently strong attendance from both visitors and residents.
The new venue brings the experience closer to the water, with a dockside layout designed to support more food stations, more entertainment, and a more dynamic flow across the event.
What Dockside Dining Will Include
The 2026 experience is structured as a full evening tasting showcase, anchored by 12 participating restaurants, plus several interactive elements designed to keep the event moving beyond the plates.
Highlights include:
A Farm-to-Table Demonstration Tasting Trail, designed as a walk-through culinary experience with live elements, and a Pop-Up Mixology Bar, adding a cocktail component to match the small-bites format.
The overall concept is straightforward: a curated run of dishes from some of Virgin Gorda’s most talked-about kitchens, set in a waterfront environment with music and live programming layered throughout the night.
The Restaurants Participating in 2026
The lineup for 2026 includes a strong cross-section of Virgin Gorda favorites, casual island staples, and major resort culinary teams.
Participating restaurants include:
Chez Bamboo, Cocomaya, De Jerk Spot, Island Pot Restaurant, MOKA, Rock Café, Rosewood Little Dix Bay, Saba Rock, Sugar Cane Restaurant, The Pastry Parlour, Winnie’s Steak House, and X’Quisite Delights.
It’s the kind of list that signals range: elevated island dining, beachy crowd-pleasers, pastry specialists, and resort kitchens all in the same tasting environment.
Live Music and Culinary Demonstrations
Taste of Virgin Gorda 2026 is also leaning heavily into entertainment.
The night will feature music by DJ Quanie, live performances by the Hardcore Band, and a set from saxophonist Syothesax. Culinary demonstrations will be staged throughout the evening, interspersed between tastings and performances.
Organizers are encouraging guests to dress Resort Chic, with the harbour as the visual backdrop for the night.
What Tickets Cost (And The Ferry Package)
Tickets are priced at US$120 per person.
A special round-trip ferry package is also available for US$25 per person, including complimentary ground transportation. The ferry schedule includes departures from Trellis Bay at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., with a return ferry at 10:45 p.m. back to Trellis Bay.
Why This Event Matters for Virgin Gorda
Taste of Virgin Gorda has become one of the most important culinary showcases in the British Virgin Islands, and the 2026 edition is clearly designed to push it into a bigger league.
“This event continues to highlight the creativity and quality of Virgin Gorda’s culinary community, while offering residents and visitors a vibrant way to experience the island,” said Clive McCoy, Director of Tourism for the British Virgin Islands.
With the move to Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour and the expanded lineup, Dockside Dining is shaping up as one of the strongest reasons to be on the island at the end of February.
If you’re planning a BVI trip in early 2026, this is the date to build around
Caribbean Journal Staff
2026-02-10 22:16:00