Famous for white sands and warm island hospitality, Barbados is a destination best explored through its food. Earthy spices, flavourful herbs and fresh seafood are the order of the day and are just three reasons why Bajan cuisine is iconic the world over.
Discover some of the best places to eat in Barbados below, as well as which traditional Bajan food and drink you won’t want to miss.
What to eat and drink in Barbados
With fresh fish, flavoursome herbs and a rich culinary history, Barbados has a wealth of traditional dishes to offer. We can guarantee that you’ll leave this tropical paradise aching to replicate the delicious food you’ve sampled on your holiday.
Flying fish and cou cou
Beloved by tourists and locals alike, flying fish and cou cou is considered the national dish of Barbados. Often served with a rich, spicy gravy, this dish packs plenty of flavour. The flying fish itself is either fried or steamed, then served on cou cou, which is a combination of cornmeal and okra.
Bajan macaroni pie
The ultimate comfort food, nobody can turn down a plate of Bajan macaroni and cheese pie. By far one of the most popular foods in Barbados, this macaroni dish is made with cheese, onion, mustard and ketchup then baked with a sprinkling of breadcrumbs. Enjoy it on its own or as a side dish to a main meal.
Fish cakes
Cod is fried in a blend of herbs and spices, making every mouthful of this flaky food a real treat. Bajan fish cakes are often paired with a hot pepper sauce and salt bread, and makes for a great snack after sightseeing.
Cutters
Looking for a light lunch? Cutters are a type of Bajan sandwich made from savoury salt bread. It’s often topped with fresh fish, ham, egg or salad with a dollop of pepper sauce.
Rum punch
Barbados is known the world over for its rum punch. A mix of dark Caribbean rum, nutmeg, sugar syrup, bitters and lime, this drink is cool and refreshing – and just the tipple for sitting beside the pool. From resort spots to Bridgetown bars, you’ll be delighted to know it’s served pretty much everywhere.
Conkies
Satisfy your sweet tooth with conkies. A concoction of cornflour, coconut, pumpkin and cane sugar, this soft, sugary dish is wonderfully indulgent. The smooth mixture is hand wrapped in a steamed banana leaf, creating an incredible texture that you’ll want to sink your teeth into straight away.
Best places to eat in Barbados
With its eclectic culinary influences and wide number of eateries ranging from gourmet dining to casual roadside stalls, Barbados can be considered the culinary capital of the Caribbean. These are our favourite places to dine on the island.
The Lone Star Restaurant
With a prime location on Barbados’ glamorous Platinum Coast, the Lone Star Restaurant is the ideal destination for elegant beachside dining. Sit back and savour the relaxed atmosphere and fabulous sea views as you dig into a fusion of European classics mixed with Caribbean influences.
Ignite your taste buds with rustic wood-fired pizzas, a mouth-watering array of expertly prepared local seafood – think mirin and soy glazed barracuda, or swordfish baked in parchment paper with white wine, garlic and herbs.
There’s also a delicious cocktail menu for those looking for a special treat – indulge in a tropically sweet Fruitini or classic Mojito Royale, or wake up your palate with a satisfyingly tart Lonestar Sour in the new cocktail lounge. Early risers can even enjoy a hearty breakfast served right on the beach.
The Tides Restaurant
With a spectacular beachside setting in Holetown, The Tides Restaurant offers fine dining in breezy, elegant surroundings. Executive Chef and owner Guy Beasley is trained in the classical French style of cooking. His dishes are designed to delight all the senses, presenting the finest local ingredients with a sophisticated twist.
Indulge in a jerk seasoned lollipop pork chop served with wholegrain mustard mash, sautéed spinach and roasted butternut squash, topped with carambola, raisin and peanut chutney and finished with red onion jus.
Those who love seafood should opt for the catch of the day, served with curried almond coconut and raisin jasmine rice and chargrilled vegetables, topped with a passionfruit sauce and tropical fruit salsa.
The Cliff Bistro
The appropriately named Cliff Bistro occupies a dramatic cliff-edge setting overlooking the Caribbean Sea, lending it a romantic atmosphere, and making it one of our top spots for an intimate dinner. Covid-19 had a drastic impact on this popular eatery and so now the bistro is only open on Wednesdays and Sundays but still continues to offer an enticing menu of innovative fusion dishes that combine the best of Barbados cuisine and world flavours.
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, two days a week, you can expect a wide menu with everything from grilled octopus and chili wings to mixed seafood linguine and coconut dahl.
Daphne’s
Over the last decade, Daphne’s has become a Barbadian institution, thanks to its warm island hospitality and menu of modern Italian cuisine. With a spectacular waterfront setting on Barbados’ west coast, this acclaimed restaurant offers a dining experience that is both refined and welcoming – the perfect accompaniment to Executive Chef Marco Festini Cromer’s enticing seafood, pasta and meat creations.
It’s a winning mixture that has attracted the likes of Rihanna, Simon Cowell, Gerald Butler and Claudia Schiffer over the years. Follow in these celebrity footsteps and try the grilled octopus with cherry tomatoes and olives, followed by linguini with shredded spicy crab, before savouring the likes of blackened dorado with fried couscous and spicy lentil salsa.
Start planning your dream holiday to this tropical destination with Best at Travel. We offer a variety of luxurious resorts in Barbados at incredible prices.