Find exceptional food experiences at these four warm-weather destinations
This time of year, I’m all about cozy nights by the fire, comforting meals, and the dreamy haze of holiday lights. But right around January 1, I’ll start craving a little midwinter relief—namely in the form of sunshine, a dip in the ocean, and a meal that doesn’t involve braising. This year, I’ve got my bags packed and ready for one of these four South-of-the-South destinations where food adventures are on the menu.

Costa Palmas
East Cape of Baja, Mexico
The dry, arid stretch of the Baja peninsula is edged by several lush resort areas marked by pristine beaches and brush-covered dunes. The luxury private resort community of Costa Palmas, where the Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos resides on the coast of the Sea of Cortez, sits a bit off the beaten path, providing a luxury-minded oasis. And it’s worth the trek for the food alone. This past summer, French chef Ludo Lefebvre, a chef of Michelin-starred kitchens in Los Angeles, opened Delphine, a daytime beach club and restaurant that brings a bit of Southern France to this corner of the East Cape. Practically plucked from the Riviera, the seaside dining room is just the spot to tear off pieces of herb fougasse to dip into olive tapenade or devour a chicken Milanese sandwich with frites and an elderflower spritz. There’s also Mozza Baja, from California chef Nancy Silverton, within the marina village of the community, where the chef leans into Italian specialties like antipasti, fresh pastas, and a range of pizzas. The resort is also home to restaurants like the Mediterranean-leaning Estiatorio Milos, a cevicheria called El Puesto, and a funky den of a cocktail spot called Chiki. You’ll also find six pools, including an adults-only sanctuary, the Los Cabos spa, two miles of white sand beaches, and an 18-hole Robert Trend Jones II-designed golf course.

The Shore Club
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
At just 15 miles long, the island of Providenciales is the hub of the Turks and Caicos islands, and has become easy to access from the American South thanks to direct flights from Miami, Charlotte, and Atlanta. One of the island’s longest-standing resort developers, which also runs The Palms and The Sands at Grace Bay, owns The Shore Club, a relaxing, secluded resort a few minutes from the town center of Provo. The vibe here is casually elegant, with a selection of both suites and villas. One of the island’s best fine-dining spots, the open-aired SUI-REN was recently revamped by chef Devan Rajkumar, who brings a Peruvian-South Asian influence—you can settle into the cushioned banquettes under the stars and take in crispy tuna rice cakes, ceviches, miso-marinated black cod, or Vietnamese pho. At Almond Tree, get an island-ized taste of the South with pulled braised short ribs and Old Bay seasoned shrimp. While you’re on property, take advantage of a private yacht charter for dinner on the water or soak up a few hours at Dune Spa, which incorporates Caribbean elements into treatments like its organic seaweed wrap and Sea and Senses Rocks of the Caribbean massage. A free shuttle also gives you access to the restaurants and other amenities at The Palms (which recently underwent a resort-wide renovation) and The Sands at Grace Bay; you can also book a daytime excursion to North Caicos, where you’ll visit beachside shacks for fresh conch and home-cooked meals. Look out for details on the resort’s participation in the island’s Lit’l Chefs program, which provides educational culinary camps and in-kitchen training for island high schoolers.

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas
US Virgin Islands
Set on the eastern shore of St. Thomas, overlooking the cove of Great Bay and St. John Island beyond, The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas underwent a property-wide transformation in 2019, bringing the resort’s opulence to new heights. Along with a new Sicilian-leaning restaurant named Alloro, where the walls are adorned with an underwater seascape, and a floating wine cellar punctuates the seaside-facing dining room, the renovation was also extended to the resort’s 65-foot catamaran The Lady Lynsey II. The yacht now offers exclusive dinner cruises to nearby St. John that depart around sunset and allow you to take in a variety of restaurants on the neighboring island, followed by a starlit ride home (and an open bar). You could also stick closer to your luxe-casual suite and book a dinner on the beach—a private, four-course meal served under the lantern-strung branches of a sea grape tree overlooking Great Bay. Don’t miss the resort’s signature line of Lemongrass Rum, made in partnership with Rock City Rum, which you can try during the resort’s daily rum tasting flights. The resort’s more relaxed dining rooms, Coconut Cove and the beachside café Sails, both underwent revitalizations this past fall.

Explora Journeys
Miami to the Caribbean
With mega-cruise ships capturing not-so-pleasant attention these days, those who appreciate the ease of cruising might want to consider one of the newest options to hit the market: Explora Journey’s Explora I ship. Launched in 2023, the ship holds under 1,000 passengers in its 461 suites, making the yacht-like experience feel more like staying at a high-end resort. Trips are all-inclusive, giving guests unlimited access to the ship’s multiple restaurants, bars, pools, and spa on board. One of the restaurants, Anthology, plays host to a rotating selection of chefs from Michelin-starred properties who take over the space for periods of time. The Chef’s Kitchen, meanwhile, is a window-lined studio space, giving just 12 guests an immersive meal or cooking class, based on the ship’s recent regional stopping points. You can also count on engaging excursions, a Galleria d’Arte featuring many original works of art, and multiple styles of suites. This winter, the ship is available for numerous itineraries leaving from Miami with stops including San Juan, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, New Orleans, and more.
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