Foodie Guide To Barbados

When it comes to finding great food on your travels the Caribbean island of Barbados may be small but it has a big variety of amazing foods and flavours! From lobster spring rolls to the Worlds best (we promise) macaroni pie; Barbados is a fantastic foodie haven with unforgettable restaurants, cafes and beach shacks serving Delicious local and international dishes you wont be able to resist.

In this guide to the best foodie hot-spots in Barbados, we will reveal five restaurants that might not be the most publicised or famous but offer the very best food that we have found on our trips around the island, all served up with beautiful sea views.

13/59 Port Ferdinand

Port Ferdinand is a prestigious yet welcoming luxury resort where visitors and owners can park their private yacht at their front door. The menu at 13/59 is ever changing and evolving with each season with imaginative and innovate style dishes whether you visit just for a relaxed brunch or an evening of live music and high-end dining.

The tables are booked for the night, so when you arrive, you can stay with your guests all evening if you wish. The atmosphere has a lovely relaxed elegance and the Barbecued pork buns, lobster popcorn, eggs Benedict, grilled lobster tail are some of the delectable delights to taste whilst dining by the relaxing marina. 

Round House Barbados

Located in the historic, rugged east coast of Barbados in the stunning Bathsheba; Round House has been a popular restaurant with both locals and visitors for 100 years! The unique scenic location with commanding views over the Atlantic coast, just one minute walk to the famous 'Soup Bowl' surfers paradise beach. 

This popular restaurant offers casual dining all day long with a menu that emphasizes fresh, and locally-sourced ingredients for its signature soups, salads, and sandwiches. We recommend sitting outside to see some of the best views on the island as well as watching the surfers take on the waves.

Nishi Barbados

Dine under the stars as you enjoy Nishi's award-winning British, Caribbean and Japanese dishes. Owned by British hosts Paul and Steve, this award-winning restaurant has mastered the British classics such as the humble pork pie as well as earning a reputation for their fabulous traditional sushi bar and latest trends in Japanese cuisine. 

With three dining areas you will be spoilt for choice with three dining areas to choose from but we recommend dining in the courtyard offering a relaxed atmosphere to mingle and have a lovely evening with friends. The menu reflects the owners 'passion for good food, good wine and the good life'. The flavours are inspired by tropical fruits and vegetables and the bounty of the Caribbean sea! 

The Atlantis Hotel

This is one of our favourite restaurants on the island, especially for their Sunday lunch buffet! The Atlantis hotel overlooks the stunning Tent Bay in Bathsheba and is synonymous with high quality food and sunset cocktails. 

The legendary buffets are held every Wednesday and Sunday when these feasts of Bajan delight are popular with locals as well as visitors to the island. Open breakfast, lunch and dinner - this sea view restaurant offers appetising food dramatic coastal setting and incredible cocktails for a deliciously authentic Barbados experience. 

Apsara Samudra

Think that it's just Caribbean/American or European style food in the Barbados? Think again! Apsara Samudra is a renowned Indian and Thai fine dining restaurant in St Lawrence's Gap. This beautiful, waters edge restaurant serves up delicious, authentic Asian cuisine cooked up by the Thai and Indian born chefs...so they know their stuff! 
The atmosphere and food are magical as you outside on the tropical terraces looking out to the gentle lapping waves of the Caribbean sea. 

Even more tempted to visit Barbados? Take a look at our incredible luxury villas on the island for an unforgettable holiday to the Caribbean. 

Crop Over Festival Guide

As the weather heats up, its time for Crop over Festival, one of the biggest and brightest celebrations in Barbados! This colourful festival spans over the month of July, ending in early August with the incredible 'Grand Kadooment' parade which is filled with elaborately dressed dancers, bright carnival costumes and lively calypso bands. This is definitely one of the most exciting times of year to visit the island with thousands of visitors from around the World coming to join in the famous Bajan celebrations! 

Brief history of Crop Over Festival

Crop Over Festival dates back to the 1780's,when Barbados was the World's largest producer of sugar. At the end over every sugar crop season, the hard working harvesters would have a big celebration to mark another successful sugar cane harvest. 

As the sugar industry declined on the island, so did the celebrations and in the 1940's the festival was completely stopped for nearly 30 years. In 1974, Crop Over Festival was brought back to life by the Barbados Tourism Authority to become a celebration of Bajan culture and its rich history. 

What on during the festival?

The Crop Over Festival runs for 24 days every summer, starting on the second Saturday in July with a colourful parade through Bridgetown. Giant colourful floats, carnival bands and decorated carts ride through the town to the National Stadium where the opening gala is held. Here a sugarcane king and queen are crowned, who used to be chose as the most productive sugar crop workers of the season.

Throughout the 3 weeks, there are various parties, concerts, food festivals and other fun events to be enjoyed. Music is always a central point of the festival with the sound of calypso, soca and steel drums filling the air. 

The last week of the festival is when the more popular events take place. Bridgetown Market Street Fair is a food and music festival with plenty of food stalls, an arts fair (great for souvenirs!), Barbadian cooking contests and calypso music. 


The Big Finale

The finale weekend is the biggest party weekend of the year in Barbados! It starts with the wild Pic-o-de-crop calypso competition finals with extraordinary costumes, body paint and livebands which finishes with a spontaneous street party!  The next morning the Foreday Morning Jam takes place with 3.5km of dancing through the streets. On Sunday you can enjoy the Cohobblopot calypso show from the winners of the Party monarch. 

The Grand Kadooment, which is Bajan for “Big Deal” or “Big Fuss,”where various groups and individuals compete with themed costumes and song for titles including the Calypso Monarch, Road March Monarch, and Sweet Soca Monarch. Here is where you will see the famous pictures of people in headdresses, feather crowns and carnival outfits for the epic parade of live music, fireworks and partying through the night. There's no standing and watching here, so be prepared to dance til dawn!

Our Foodie Guide to Barbados

A recent survey found that food tourism is a rising trend with trendy restaurants and cultural food being seen as the new ‘museum’ of travel. There are many fabulous things to see and do in Barbados but the island is also fast becoming a foodie hotspot.

Image courtesy of Vengamm

The food in Barbados is as vibrant as the locals and it’s not just bajan food on offer! You will be spoilt for choice with every style of cuisine and dishes full of flavour. To help you find the best food spots on the island we have created a restaurant guide to Barbados; from the in-the-know local favourites to high-end, seafront restaurants.  

Lunchtime

The Fish Pot, West coast

A delightful old fort, sitting on the waters edge, that serves up fresh fish caught that day from the neighbouring fishing community of Six Men’s Bay. Dine in a beautiful, elegantly relaxed open air covered terrace with uninterrupted sea views whilst enjoying cleverly brought together natural flavours. The delectable menu includes modern takes on both Caribbean and internationally inspired cuisine, and fresh seafood dishes.

http://www.littlegoodharbourbarbados.com/Barbados-Fine-Dining/    

Juma’s - Speightstown

 This hideaway offers some of the most breath-taking views of the turquoise ocean with classic French, Bajan and Thai cuisine with an inviting three-course menu that could include flying fish pate followed by Thai green curry and rum and raisin cheesecake.

http://www.jumasrestaurant.com/

Sea Cat – Holetown

A laid back, casual dining experience in a charming chattell house at affordable prices. The core menu consists of Cod done English style in a beer batter (very popular especially to the many expats) Flying fish, Blacked Mahi Mahi (Their best seller) and Sea Cat (pickled octopus..Bajan style) but there are also some rare fish you won’t find anywhere else on the island including Amber jack, Tabio, Black Jack, Congalee (triple tail), Grouper, African Pompano…If in doubt order the platter!

http://the-seacat-restaurant.letseat.at/  

Waterfront Café

An apparent favourite with local star Rihanna, this quayside café serves a range of local delicious dishes from flying fish sandwiches to succulent shrimp along with some great live music. Very popular with the locals and visitors due to its friendly and relaxed atmosphere with quality dining.

http://www.waterfrontcafe.com.bb/

Lobster Alive

It’s easy to work out what Lobster Alive offers at the top end of Carlisle Bay. The spiny crustaceans in the tank are flown in live from the Grenadines by the restaurant’s owner on his private plane. A medium lobster, enough for two, will set you back about £45.

http://lobsteralive.net/

Dinner

Cin Cin

A refreshingly contemporary, elegant new restaurant that offers 'alfresco dining' with sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. The stunning bar-lounge, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, is ideal for sipping cocktails or enjoying a light bite in air-conditioned comfort. Executive chef Larry Rogers and young upcoming chef Jeremy Decle create an eclectic range of Mediterranean-style dishes with a Caribbean flair, guaranteed to tantalise the most discerning palate. 

https://www.cincinbythesea.com/

Daphnes

One of Barbados' most acclaimed restaurants, at Daphne's you will enjoy modern Italian classics infused with island seafood and flavours such as fresh fish and lobster, all in an elegant waterfront surrounding with authentic Bajan hospitality. Claiming to be the ‘only true waterfront’ dining experience, enjoy the views of the waves whilst enjoying a fresh approach to Italian flavours.

http://www.daphnesbarbados.com/

The Cliff

Arguable the most prestigious restaurant on the island and a world famous name, Chef Paul Owens's mastery creates one of the finest dining experiences in the Caribbean, with prices to match. Steep steps hug the cliff on which the restaurant sits to accommodate those arriving by yacht, and every candlelit table has a sea view but make sure you arrive in time to watch the sunset on the terrace with a cocktail! Starters may include spicy Thai-style beef salad, sashimi, or char-grilled white asparagus. For the main course, try swordfish with curry sauce and jasmine rice, seared tuna with saffron caper sauce and tomato coulis, or a prime strip steak with peppercorn sauce.

http://www.thecliffbarbados.com/CR/Default.asp

Champers

 The romantic and elegant, open air restaurant is nestled into a quiet lane on a cliff with panoramic views over the ocean.This is one of Barbados leading restaurants on the south coast. In addition to the restaurant, visitors can relax in the comfy lounge and browse around the art gallery. With vibrant design, attentive service, and an internationally inspired menu, guests are in for a royal treat. As one of the leading restaurants on the South Coast, Champers is known for its consistently great food

 http://champersrestaurant.com/

To find your perfect luxury villa or apartment rental in Barbados, contact the experts at Elegant Address Barbados. With unrivaled island knowledge and impeccable personal service, we can find you your dream holiday rental. 

Guide to the Barbados Food, Wine & Rum Festival 2015

Barbados is fast becoming not only a traveller’s paradise but also a foodie hotspot! Being known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean there are so many local dishes and experimental delights to try on your visit, you could eat somewhere deliciously different for every meal!

As November approaches, excitement in Barbados builds. Not only is it the month in which the island celebrates independence, it's also when they welcome top international chefs to our shores for the annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival! Last weekend visitors to the festival were treated to several days of the very best international cuisine and cooking demonstrations.

 

The festival is designed to tantalize the taste buds, while offering a variety of other colourful and flavourful experiences to stimulate the other senses as well. Experience a sophisticated, high-quality and upscale celebration of gastronomic art, featuring acclaimed international & local chefs, wine experts and mixologists.

Of course with Barbados being the birthplace of rum, no epicurean festival would be complete without this local spirit. See what goes into making the perfect Barbados Rum Punch and explore where we've been creating some of the world's finest rums for over 350 years!

Here are some pictures to tantalize your tastebuds and give you a flavour of the festival (sorry for the pun)!