If your idea of a great holiday involves golden beaches, bright blue skies, sunshine and – of course – eating and drinking to your heart’s content, then look no further. Known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, Barbados boasts some of the most magnificent produce in the region, from the freshest, straight-from-the-ocean fish and seafood, to plump, juicy exotic fruit (think mangoes and guava), rich, earthy vegetables such as cassava and sweet potatoes, and zingy spices and flavoursome herbs.
Bajan gastronomy is a fusion of delicious tastes with African, European and Indian influences, and the local cuisine is big on tasty, traditional dishes, but within the island’s dynamic dining scene you’ll also find everything from high-end restaurants to street food stalls and beachside bars. Essentially, if you love good food and drink, then a trip to Barbados with Virgin Atlantic Holidays (see boxout below) simply must be on your holiday list.
So, what are the best local dishes to start with? Get ready to, er, wing it; Barbados is known as “the land of the flying fish” thanks to these sea creatures which can literally launch themselves into the air and glide for long distances because of their wing-like fins. The island’s national dish sees fresh, seasoned fillets served with cou-cou, a creamy blend of okra and cornmeal. Other traditional dishes to try include jug-jug, a haggis-like mix of salted meat, onions, peas and cornflower; pepperpot, a delicious, simmered meat stew made with cinnamon, hot peppers and spices; and conkies, a sweet delicacy blending cornmeal, coconut, pumpkin and sweet potato.
Barbados has its own take on a chicken curry, too; a staple at family gatherings, Sunday lunches, and beachside shacks, it has a distinctly Caribbean twist, often incorporating allspice or – for those who like it hot – a pinch of scotch bonnet peppers, which can lend a thrilling tingle of heat. Another popular dish is macaroni pie – think baked mac’n’cheese, including cheddar or gouda, eggs, evaporated milk, mustard, ketchup and black pepper. You should also try pudding and “souse” – a dish of pickled pork with spiced sweet potatoes, roast breadfruit, Bajan chicken soup with dumplings, coconut bread, and “bakes”, a fried pastry made with just sugar, water and flour. Liven everything up with a dash or two of locally made hot pepper sauce.
As for where to eat all these tantalising dishes, Barbados is home to hundreds of fabulous restaurants, from high-end establishments to casual local eateries. It was the first Caribbean island to be rated by the dining guide Zagat, and one of the best places to try is The Cliff, in Holetown, named for its dramatic cliff-top setting. It offers Caribbean and worldwide favourites, from chargrilled mahi-mahi and Caribbean lobster thermidor to wagyu steak and roasted banana souffle. Soak up the vibrant local atmosphere at Oistins weekly fish fry; every Friday at this charming little fishing town on the island’s south coast, stallholders gather by the fish market and get grilling, offering the likes of lobster, mahi-mahi, tuna, shrimps and swordfish.
For more laid-back island vibes with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, try The Fish Pot in the north-west; set right by the ocean, it specialises in fresh seafood and Bajan classics, from flying fish to crab and octopus, all prepared with local seasonings and served with tropical sides. And for another unforgettable experience, book the dinner show at Harbour Lights; your meal will be accompanied by stilt-walkers, fire-eaters and carnival dancers, and if you’re not up and dancing to the pulsating beats of the live band by the time you’ve finished dessert, we’ll want to know why.
You will, of course, need a drink or two to accompany all this food, and in Barbados it has to be rum; the golden spirit has been made here since the 17th century. From smooth and velvety aged rums with notes of vanilla to the fierce kicks of spiced rums, there’s a taste profile to suit every palate. But you simply have to try Barbados’ famous rum punch, a fruity concoction combining dark Caribbean rum, lime juice, sugar syrup, nutmeg, and bitters. Cool and refreshing, sip it while sitting by the pool, or at one of the island’s lively bars. You should also join a tour at the famous Mount Gay distillery; it’s the perfect opportunity to bring home a souvenir bottle (or three).
Don’t forget to take advantage of all the other things Barbados has to offer. As well as lounging on the softest stretches of sand, why not spend some time on the water – think kitesurfing, catamaran sailing or stand-up paddle boarding – or go hiking through the steamy tropical forests of the island’s interior? And if you time your visit for July or August, you can soak up more of the local culture at the annual Crop Over festival, a six-week-long celebration which marks the end of the sugar cane season, with music, dancing, art, food, and colourful masquerade bands. Whenever you visit, and whatever you do, on a break with Virgin Atlantic Holidays you’ll be guaranteed the warmest of welcomes on one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful islands.
