Like other Caribbean islands, Barbados’ restaurant fare is more expensive than what you’ll find in the United States because virtually all ingredients must be imported. Fortunately, the most important ingredient is readily available and plentiful: the fish, freshly caught in Barbados, is still moving fresh. Local fishermen catch snapper, mahi mahi (called dolphin by the locals), barracuda and other wonderful options, as well as flying fish. (So proud of this local favorite is that Barbados calls itself “the land of the flying fish.”) And you don’t need to spend your kids’ college money to pay for a fabulous fish meal.
Before I tell you where, let me tempt you with a Bajan-style preparation: fresh fish battered with local spices (a combination of spring onions, thyme, garlic, black pepper, marjoram, and salt), then lightly fried. Delicious!Another Bajan favorite is steamed fish in a light tomato-onion sauce over coo-coo, which is kind of like polenta. The local yellow pepper sauce enhances almost every meal in Barbados and is available to order at any restaurant (warning: this is addictive).
If you know where to look, you can find seafood to die for that will leave some of your vacation budget available for something really special, like a catamaran cruise. By the way, the following restaurants are located along the south coast of Barbados, where prices are generally lower than in other areas of the island.
* silver tip: Off the beaten path, this is a stylish open-air restaurant and bar located in the boutique Silverpoint Villa Hotel. Dine with a view of the wild and daring windsurfers at Silver Sands Beach.
* South Palms: Very casual outdoor dining and bar on Dover Beach and part of the casual Southern Palms Resort in St. Lawrence Gap.
* Caribbean: Sunbathe on Sandy Beach, then work up an appetite with a snorkel. Carib is so casual that you can wear your bathing suit (with a cover up) in this nice open-air restaurant/bar.
* oistines: A must-see delight is on Friday nights in the small town of Oistins, where you can buy freshly caught fish cooked on the street. The music, the people and a lively atmosphere make the meal unforgettable.
* Surfer’s Cafe and Obskewer’s Bar: Also in Oistins, this casual eatery offers espresso and smoothies and wi-fi, as well as simple local fare like fish fillets (sandwiches).
*Live Lobster: Probably the least cheap of all the places on this list, but the portions are huge. Located on beautiful Carlisle Bay, this place is basically a shack with a lobster tank and a bar that hosts a lobster orgy.
* San Lorenzo Gap: Go to the famous area along the south coast of Barbados called St Lawrence Gap and follow your nose; this cheap dinner is cooking on the street. It’s so much fun to go to one of the outdoor grills along the famous “Gap” and watch dinner being prepared in front of you. Don’t forget to fill up on local favorite side dishes like macaroni pie and plantains. Grab a beer at the Gap Convenience store, find a spot on the beach and enjoy the cheapest feast of all with a view as fantastic as the most elegant restaurants on the island.