Our unique European flavour

Jersey’s community has been strengthened by the diversity of people that have moved to Jersey to work and settled long-term. It’s not unusual to get a cab from the airport driven by a Scot or Mancunian who came in the 80’s and never made it back to the North, but once you’re wandering the streets of St. Helier you’ll notice other flavours of influence.

You will you witness Portuguese flags in many areas and it’s not unusual in certain areas to chance upon a café or restaurant where Portuguese is the predominant language in the air. The Jersey Portuguese community has developed over three generations on-island and continues to bring a unique atmosphere to certain corners of the island.

If you’re planning on experiencing ‘local’ Jersey culture, you should definitely include a trip to a Portuguese café or restaurant for a Pastel de Nata or Espetada. Here are some to consider checking out.

The RAMP area.

If you wander the Roads Around Minden Place, you’ll find several venues that offer our Jersey Portugeuse flavour. Get yourself some bacalau, espetadas, milho and soak up the atmosphere.

De Porto

Up the steps in the corner of Minden Street is a characterful and hospitable restaurant with great espetadas and friendly staff. One of our favourites.

Minden Street

+44 (0) 1534 632969

Mira

When you’re the restaraunt favoured by big Portuguese family groups at lunchtime, you know it’s got a seal of approval.

75-77 Halkett Place

+44 (0) 1534 873779

@miraflores.jersey

Mano’s Bistro

Tucked in the corner of West’s Centre, it’s semi-clandesine yet always busy, a testament to its food.

3-4 West Centre

+44 (0) 1534 727729 manos-bistro.com

Mino’s

On the corner facing one of the best cafe hangouts, Alfonso Pizzeria & Coffee Shop. True gentleman waiters!

66 Bath Street

+44 (0) 1534 737397 minosjersey.com

Barros’ Tropical Bistro

A busy, party atmosphere is often the scene in this lively yet cosy eatery. A little out of town but worth the short walk.

37 David Place

+44 (0) 1534 619911 barrostropicalbistro.com

Max Grill

The Primeira Liga is always playing in this superhero-sounding perveyor of tasty meat on sticks and more. Also do take aways.

46 Bath Street

+44 (0) 1534 724421

Shake up your nights.

Whether you’re looking for a big night out or a quick last order, St. Helier serves up a great selection of nighttime haunts; from Blind Pigs to Porters’ Stores, Jersey have something for all.

The Weighbridge is a good place to start. The dominant Royal Yacht Hotel has a variety of different drinking options available, whether it be outside sipping wine in their large al fresco area, squirrelled away in the Cabin bar (the last remaining part of the original historic building) or dancing the night away in their ‘Drift’ bar, there is something for everyone. Just over the road, The Square offers excellent food options and you can also drink there until 01:00. Across the cobbles of the Weighbridge, Ce Soir offers cocktails, table service and an in-house DJ with a more club-style atmosphere and upstairs gin bar. In the summer their alfresco area is good for people watching. Just up the road from the Weighbridge square on Hill Street is the expansive Chambers, which offers live music; a fusion of pub culture and bar atmosphere.

The Royal Yacht

The Weighbridge +44(0)1534 720511 theroyalyacht.com

The Square Weighbridge Place +44(0)1534 858220 thesquare.je

Ce Soir

10 Caledonia Place

The Weighbridge +44(0)1534 610422 cesoirjersey.com

Chambers & (Smoke)

5 Mulcaster St

+44(0)1534 735405

If you fancy your nightlife a little more intimate. Tucked away behind Chambers is The Blind Pig, hidden down a back alley just around the corner (you can also get there through a little hidden door at the back of Chambers itself). One of our original speak-easy bars, it specialises in cocktails in a small but beautifully appointed room. Just a few turns away on Wharf Street, this year sees the addition of The Porter’s Store, which channels a 70s Americana vibe into its cocktail den.

Just one more right turn, on Broad Street, you’ll find Vinifera, worth investigating for an early evening glass of wine from one of the island’s most experienced owner-sommeliers. They also offer a private table in the basement, bookable for groups to take wine with delicious food.

If it’s wine time, you should carry on across town where you’ll find the newly opened The Watchmaker, a chic ‘wine, Champagne and charcutie’ bar. A stone’s throw away down a cobbled backalley is the clandestine Project 52, Once you’ve found the location you need to look for the buzzer and ring for entry. Open 17:00 - 23:00 from Wednesday to Saturday you can expect excellently blended cocktails, craft beers and a superb selection of gins and a nifty wine list too for a cosy affair of an evening.

If you’re looking for some pre-dinner drinks, the roof terrace at The Don is a sophisticated beauty above one of Jersey’s quality restaurants, Samphire. The roof garden provides the perfect oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the high street, where guests can sit and enjoy a drink when the weather is fine and enjoy wine by the glass, or one of their excellent seasonally changing cocktails. If you like the vibe of a premium hotel bar then don’t miss the cool calm of the Bohemia Bar and Roof Terrace at The Club Hotel and Spa on Green Street. The timeless elegance of the bar is matched by a cool calm, great drinks and the chance to be on-hand for dinner at our fabulous Michelin-starred restaurant.

Places to check out

The Blind Pig cesoirjersey.com/ theblindpig/

The Porter’s Store Wharf Street

@the_porters_store

Vinifera Broad Street

+44 (0) 1534 868884 vinifera.je

The WatchMaker 43 Halkett Place

+44 (0)1534 720558 thewatchmaker.je

Project 52 Waterloo Lane

+44 (0) 7700 803131 project52.club

The Don Cocktail Bar

7-11 Don Street +44 (0)1534 725100 thedon.je