Widely renowned as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean, Barbados has more restaurants per capita out of all the islands of the Caribbean. Your Barbados travel experience should include some truly special dining moments that you will treasure forever, even if you stay at an all-inclusive resort. After all, you’re on vacation so what better time to try the local food?
Here are the 6 top places to eat on this beautiful island:
Cocktail Kitchen: It’s double the fun at this hopping joint in the St. Lawrence Gap, which offers 2 daily happy hours featuring 2-for-1 daiquiris, margaritas and pina coladas. Try a rum-based house specialty, like the Scotch-bonnet-infused Mango Chow or the Rum Paloma made with grapefruit liqueur. After having dinner here, it’s time to head for the bars and clubs along the St. Lawrence Gap for a crazy night!
The Tides Restaurant: Set in a former estate, this seaside restaurant is known for its contemporary upscale Bajan cuisine. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but the pan-fried flying fish served with a polenta cou-cou cake – their version of Barbados’ national dish, served with the island’s famous pepper sauce and okra chips comes highly recommended.
Atlantis Historic Inn for lunch: this off-the-beaten-path property in St. Joseph dates back to the 1800s and is now home to Atlantis Historic Inn, one of the finest hotels on the island’s rugged east coast – whose restaurant boosts a great Sunday lunch buffet. Try traditional West Indian dishes like salt fish bul jol, fried plantain and Bajan bakes while taking in views of the Bathsheba coastline.
Sunset Cocktails at La Cabane: Slow island vibes meet slow food at this chic beach club on Batts Rock Beach with a menu that focuses on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients. By day, relax by the waves with ceviche and fresh iced tea. Come sunset, order a pitcher of Bajan garden punch and take in the live music that transforms the restaurant into a nighttime hot spot.
Brown Sugar Restaurant: this is the go-to spot for traditional island cuisine and an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet on the St. Lawrence Gap. They even have a glutten-free buffet on Fridays. Grab a seat on the fern-dotted patio and dig into herb-crusted snapper or blackened mahi mahi served with sweet pepper jelly. Save room for Bajan bread pudding filled with rum-plumped raisins.
Rum Punch at Braddie’s Bar: patrons sip Banks Beer or rum punch made with Mount Gay rum while playing dominoes or a game of pool at this low-key hangout on the outskirts of the St. Lawrence Gap. Unwind with fish cakes and soca music after a day of sightseeing or head to karaoke on Fridays for a night on the town.