Dining in Barbados is a serious business! There are so many restaurants and bars on the west coast of Barbados, it’s hard to know where to start with recommendations. The standard of food in Barbados is very good. There are many types and styles of dining from world class fine dining to road side BBQs and food vans. Foodies will appreciate the food, rum and chocolate festivals that are held throughout the year. Plan ahead and book your holidays around these events.
Don’t forget that if you don’t feel like leaving the comfort of your Barbados ‘home from home’, we can help you arrange a private chef. You can just sit back, sip a cocktail and enjoy the sunset while you wait for dinner to be prepared. Best of all, the clearing away and washing up is taken care of too!
If you do decide to head out, then here are some great suggestions (in no particular order). This selection is by no means exhaustive as there are so many exceptional establishments to choose from. Opening days and hours tend to vary throughout the year so please check these during your stay. In September or October, you might find that some places are closed for annual refurbishment or holidays. It’s always advisable to book a table in advance, or ask us to do this for you, it’s one of the concierge services we offer. Bear in mind that some restaurants require a credit/debit card number to hold against the reservation.
ZACCIOS RESTAURANT & BEACH BAR – Sunset Crest, Holetown, St. James. Zaccios is located directly on the beach. The staff are friendly and efficient and a wide variety of meals are on offer. The cuisine is an international mix, including vegetarian dishes, seafood, fish and prime choices of meat. Pizzas and pastas are available with combinations of your choice. Salads can also be combined with chicken or seafood. A take-away service is also available.
SPAGO RESTAURANT – 2nd Street, Holetown, St. James. Spago offers great pizzas. They also feature delicious pasta, fish, chicken and steaks. Friendly and efficient service. Dine inside or out on the veranda. A take-away service is also available.
SITAR INDIAN RESTAURANT – 2nd Street, Holetown, St. James. Sitar offers an interesting range of very tasty, freshly-cooked dishes that successfully combine Indian and Bajan food styles and flavours. The restaurant is air-conditioned and the service is attentive and efficient.
NISHI RESTAURANT & BAR – 2nd Street, Holetown, St. James. This 2 storey eatery offers exquisite food and service to guests. Sushi and bistro dining available in air-conditioned comfort or in the cool courtyard under the stars.
JUST GRILLIN’ – Next to the Sunset Crest Chattel Village. Just Grillin’ offers great tasting grilled food at a realistic price. The system is easy. Customers place their food request with the cashier and it’s grilled to order there and then. Everything is served freshly cooked. All of the sauces and seasonings are created in house and (due to popular demand) some of them are available for customers to purchase. Try the Bajan seasoning or the Jerk seasoning – Just Grillin’ has a special blend that give the food it’s tasty flavour. A wide range of foods such as steaks, burgers, fish, sandwiches and sides are available.
CAFÉ BAR CARIZMA – Located within the Sunset Crest Chattel Village. Excellent open-air café – surrounded by tropical gardens and quaint ‘chattel’ shops – serving food and drinks. Open for their celebrated breakfast 7 days a week, Lunch Monday to Saturday, and Tapas evening with live music on Tuesday and Friday. It’s best to book for these evenings as they are very popular. Also try CARIZMA ON THE HILL, located within the luxurious and exclusive Sugar Hill Resort.
TheMews – Located in 2nd Street, Holetown. The layout of the dining areas within the traditional Barbadian ‘townhouse’ is unique. You dine on balconies, corridors, court yards and special nooks and crannies. Experience the original Barbadian architecture in this well-preserved old building. The menu is Euro-Caribbean cuisine with a classic style. The cozy bar downstairs is great for an after-dinner drink or just pop in for a cocktail at the end of a busy day at the beach. Dinner is served Monday to Saturday (and Sunday in the high season). There is sometimes live entertainment. Reservations are recommended for dinner.
LEMONGRASS – Located in the Limegrove Lifestyle Centre’s Waterfront Café, in Holetown. Lemongrass uses ingredients sourced locally and from their own farm to offer up a delicious and modern East Asian cuisine. Mingled in with traditional Thai dishes is a fusion of Barbadian ingredients and flair. The food is fresh and healthy with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options; every effort is made to facilitate special dietary requirements.
PEPENERO – The taste of Italy while you’re in Barbados! Pepenero is another great eatery within the Limegrove Lifestyle Centre. The focus is on fresh ingredients and support of local providers and industry. The menu alters according to the food supplies available. Many ingredients come from our own Future Green Farms. Food cooked with love to present you with traditional Italian flavours. Special dietary requirements are catered for and there are vegan and vegetarian options
RELISH EPICUREA – enjoy day long breakfast with the famous Illy coffee and settle into the ‘Relish vibe’! The atmosphere is comfortable and cosy – stay and chat a while. The menu is inspired and features lots of island flavours, fashioned from fresh ingredients, for instance: the niçoise salad with 6 ounces of sashimi grade tuna, or a spicy vegetarian roti. They have an extensive wine rack, a gourmet shop and their own ‘Relish Island Line’. You can call and order food to take away. Why not have a ‘Relish picnic’ on the beach? Or save time on the cooking and take some great dishes home for dinner.
Nikki Beach – located in St Peter on the North west of the Barbados coast line, on 1.4 acres of beautiful beach front. There is a restaurant, pool and beach club with ocean front dining for up to two hundred guests. Amenities include an octagon wet bar in the pool, over sized luxurious pool day beds and VIP cabanas, showers and changing rooms. The cuisine is globally inspired and the signature sushi boats are something to behold. You can enjoy first class entertainment with resident DJs and their very own saxophonist, violinist and percussionist. There are more than 50 speakers so the place is lively to say the least! For fun, sun, great food and a happy time – it’s the place to go. The dress code for lunch is casual elegant, for dinner it is elegant.
The Beach House – has a gorgeous beach front location in Holetown right on the beach. Call in and enjoy coffee at a table by the sea or relax with a glass of wine, an icy cold beer or one of their special cocktails. Open for lunch and dinner. Or why not try their superb ‘Bajan Sunday Buffet’ with traditional favourites like: spicy Bajan fishcakes, Granny’s Baked Chicken, Roasted Pork Leg with Tamarind and Mango Chutney.
DRIFT COCKTAIL BAR – Next to the Beach House, it’s the perfect place to have a cocktail before dinner and perhaps another one afterwards! Or just come along early and enjoy the sunset. Drift is stylish, sophisticated and comfortable, an ideal choice for a romantic evening, or a gathering with friends. There is a great selection of wines and creative cocktails and a tempting and delicious light menu to sample and share. Arrive early and stay late – Drift along at Drift!
Barbados has an active Slow Food Movement so take time to check out some of their suggestions for where to eat and where to buy locally sourced produce.
One thing is for certain, dining in Barbados is always a great experience. Whatever your taste or budget you are sure to find what you’re looking for.
