The island paradise of Barbados promises one of the most laid-back, culturally interesting and photogenic trips you can take. Surrounded by cerulean waters, beaches in Barbados are abundant and beautiful, with secluded bays and empty white sand stretches simply begging to be visited. But there's also an incredible array of amazing places to eat and drink. From the high-end, luxury restaurants of the island's west coast to beachside fish shacks dotting the south, there’s something to impress every type of traveller. Here are the best restaurants in Barbados for fresh seafood, zingy salads and the fried chicken loved by Rihanna.
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Gibbes Bay, Barbados
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7 of the best restaurants in Barbados
1. CATCH 22, SUNSET POINT, ST LUCY (NORTHERN BARBADOS)
Right at the top of the island, chances are you’ll have Catch 22 all to yourself. Take a table outside on the cliff top, overlooking the ocean and order any of the fresh fish dishes. I enjoyed a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and tried my first-ever fish cutter —a delicious Bajan sandwich with fried fish fillets, alongside sweet potato fries. The lionfish is also very good here, and for dessert, bread pudding, another typical dish from Barbados, is happily on the menu. The setting is pretty unbeatable, and prices are reasonable too.
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| The fish cutter at Catch 22, one of Barbados' best restaurants |
2. THE FISH POT, ST PETER (NORTH-WEST BARBADOS)
One of my all-time favorite meals was eaten at The Fish Pot in St. Peter, and it's here you can witness one of the most magical sunsets on the island. My friend and I enjoyed crisp wine on the veranda before sitting down to dinner inside the restaurant. I opted for the grilled Caribbean lobster with roasted pepper and cilantro butter and a side of root mash with coconut and lemongrass, while my friend had the sautéed tiger shrimp with a black bean and soy glaze. Both were totally amazing. Afterwards, we shared the cheese selection and the breadfruit cheesecake, which turned out to be the better of the two options. Breadfruit trees are abundant in Barbados, so you’ll often see the large, bright green fruits hanging from huge trees wherever you go, but especially so in the north of the island.
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Grilled lobster at The Fish Pot
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3. SEA SHED, MULLINS (NORTH-WEST BARBADOS)
With tables inside the restaurant and beachside benches on a pristine stretch of sand, this is a sound option for delicious food and cocktails in a prime location. With a great vibe and friendly staff, Sea Shed draws cocktail lovers with their refreshing afternoon cocktails (I’d recommend the Rum Punch or the Star Fish), but it's worth lingering for dinner, too.
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Pre dinner cocktails at the Sea Shed
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4. CHEFETTE (FOUND ALL OVER THE ISLAND)
A real random addition to my best restaurant list in Barbados, but it's too good not to miss and is, in fact, Rihanna's favorite place to eat in Barbados. Fast-food chain Chefette is a Bajan institution, and there are 15 branches to choose from across the island. The place to come for a fast, easy, delicious and cheap meal after a lazy day on the beach, I'd recommend the two-piece chicken box with a side of coleslaw. I rate it over the big American chains, too.
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You can't go to Barbados without paying a visit to Chefette
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5. THE GROVE BEACH BAR & GRILL, CRANE BEACH, ST PHILIP (SOUTH-EAST BARBADOS)
Tucked behind Crane Beach, amongst coconut trees, is this fab spot that mixes up ice-cold cocktails in a secluded setting. The Grove Beach Bar & Grill is the perfect place to escape the midday sun with a cool wine, Bajan Monkey cocktail or blended daiquiri. They also do a beach BBQ on Tuesday and Saturday evenings—don't miss it.
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| Blended daiquiri and Bajan Monkey at The Grove Beach Bar |
6. OISTINS FISH FRY, OISTINS, CHRIST CHURCH (SOUTHERN BARBADOS)
Everyone knows Oistins is the place to be on a Friday night, alongwith Chefette it's another Barbados institution. With a huge mix of stalls selling all kinds of fish and seafood, I headed to Annie’s to try some grilled Mahi Mahi served with rice and peas and macaroni pie. Grab a Banks beer to accompany your food, sit at one of the communal picnic benches and relax to the sound of locals playing dominos nearby.
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Grilled Mahi Mahi at Annie's, Oistins Fish Fry
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7. CARIB BEACH BAR, WORTHING, CHRIST CHURCH (SOUTHERN BARBADOS)
This unassuming spot on a beautiful stretch of sand is perfect for a laid-back lunch or reasonably priced dinner as the sun sets.
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| Cocktails at Carib Beach Bar |
The cocktails are strong, the owners are cool and the creole fish pie is a real winner, it’s no-frills with plastic chairs and tables, and that only adds to the charm.
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