Dining in Barbados
This December, I traveled to Barbados to visit my sister, who had been living there for the past year. One of my favourite parts of the trip was trying the local cuisine. I have always loved Carribean food, and it was interesting to see how Bajan food was unique to the other islands. If you are visiting Barbados soon, look no further for a guide to the best places to eat around the island!
Bridgetown Waterfront
Casual Dining
Cuz’s Fish stand
Cuz’s fish stand is a humble stand near the beach that serves up some of the best fish cutters on the island. Fish cutters are fresh grilled fish on a bun. Unfortunately I don’t have a photo because we scarfed them down so quickly (they were just that good). The fish is fresh, and you watch them grill it in front of you. You can choose some of the toppings, but there is not much other choice. They know what they do, and they do it well!
2. Worthing Food court
If you are looking for a range of options to please the whole family, then the Worthing court is a great option. It features several food trucks, and plenty of outdoor seating space, with many different types of food. You could order a burger, curry and roti, noodles, sushi, or more. Beware that some food trucks operate only at certain times (like the elusive Doubles stand) so some trucks may be closed. I guess that means you will just have to visit again, and try them all!
3. Blush Café
Blush café is an adorable brunch restaurant with some Instagram-worthy decor. The brunch menu is fairly standard, with croissant sandwiches and an English breakfast, and the ambiance of the restaurant was very welcoming and cozy. Make sure to dress up and take some pics with your friends when you go to visit Blush café!
Formal Dining
PEG Farm and Nature Reserve
The PEG Farm and Nature Reserve has a farm to table café that serves delicious and fresh sustainable foods. This café is probably on the cusp between casual and formal dining. While the environment is quite casual, the food is excellent, making it worth the trip to the north side of the island. While you are there you could also take a tour of the nature reserve and learn more about their sustainable farming programs. I recommend ordering the chips and dip, made with whatever fresh vegetables are in season. The portions are generous and the pricing is fair.
2. Tides
Tides is located on the West side of the island. It is an open air restaurant with beautiful views of the ocean. The atmosphere and service were incredible. The food at tides was delicious, but beware that it is a pricier option and the portions are on the smaller side. If you are looking for a fancy night out, or a place to celebrate a special occasion then this is a perfect spot!
3. Zen (Crane Hotel)
Zen is located on the South East end of the island inside the Crane Hotel. Even if you aren’t staying at the Crane, the resort itself is beautiful to walk around before popping into Zen for dinner. The Japanese and Thai fusion restaurant serves delicious Thai curries, noodles and rice dishes, as well as sushi. The atmosphere in the restaurant is very zen, and the portions are generous, so you can get some bang for your buck!
Garlic Beef and Pad Thai from Zen
Duck curry and garlic beef
4. Tapas
Tapas is a beachside restaurant on the South side of the island (near the Marriott hotel) that serves… you guessed it, Tapas. The views of the boardwalk and the ocean provide a wonderful ambiance, and the service was very good. There are many small plates to choose from, some of my favourites being the gnocchi and the calamari.
Food Tour by Lickrish Foods
One of the highlights of the trip was a 3 hour walking tour that explored the history of food in Barbados, and made stops at some local gems in Bridgetown. This tour helped us to discover places we would never have found on our own. The tour guide was knowledgeable and friendly, and we learned (and ate) a lot! Here are some of my favourite stops on the tour:
Hot Legendary Fishcakes
Hot Legendary Fishcakes
Fishcakes are a staple in Bajan cuisine, often eaten for breakfast. It is a circular piece of fried dough with fish (usually salted cod). On the tour, we stopped at Hot Legendary Fishcakes, which serves up some of the most popular fishcakes in Bridgetown.
Fishcakes
2. Mustor’s Restaurant
Mauby at Mustor's
The national dish of Barbados is Cou cou and flying fish. Cou cou is very similar to the West African Fou fou, except it is made with different ingredients. Cou cou is made of corn and okra, and has a similar texture to soft polenta. The flying fish was pan fried and delicious when eaten with the cou cou. Mustor’s also served up a traditional drink called Mauby, the drink has a sour taste and slightly bitter aftertaste. It's not for everyone, but the more you drink it the more it grows on you.
Cou cou and flying fish
3. Tim’s Restaurant
Tim’s Restaurant on Broad st. serves homestyle cooking at an affordable price. It is a popular spot for those who want the comfort of a home cooked meal without the hassle of cooking. We sampled the barbequed chicken and cassava, which were both delicious! The chicken was tender, and the cassava tasted like a starchier roasted potato.
4. Crumb’s
One of the most popular chain bakeries on the island is Crumb’s. On the tour we tried the meat roll, which is very similar to a British sausage roll, except the filling is more similar to that of a Caribbean meat patty (very tasty!). They sell many other breads, pastries and desserts, including rum cakes, which always make a nice gift to bring home.
5. Market
One of the stops on the food tour, was the Palmetto market, where we tried “dunk” fruits and stopped for Doubles. The dunks tasted like a mix between a kumquat and a grape; it is typical for it to be sprinkled with salt before eating. The doubles are fried dough with chickpea filling; very tasty! The indoor produce market leads onto one of the main shopping streets in Bridgetown, which was bustling with activity. There are many vendors that come and go from the market, so you never know what you will discover!
6. Agapey Chocolate Factory
The last stop on the tour was a chocolatier called Agapey Chocolate Factory. They make their chocolate in house, and you can take a peek at the process inside the store. They import some of their cacao beans from Grenada, to be processed in Barbados. They also serve some of the best dairy-free coconut milk based ice cream I’ve ever tried; perfect for anyone who is lactose-intolerant. The chocolate ice cream was rich and flavorful, with just a hint of coconut.
While you are in Barbados, enjoy the rich multi-cultural cuisine, fresh seafood, and fresh fruits. What are your favourite places to eat in Barbados? Leave your suggestions below!
