Caribbean Islands
Caribbean Food Guide for Travelers
Caribbean cuisine is a joyful fusion of African, European, Indian, and indigenous influences. Jerk chicken, roti, rice and peas, and fresh seafood are the foundation. Each island has its own personality.
Island by Island
Jamaica owns jerk. Trinidad does roti and doubles. Barbados has flying fish. Bahamas do conch. Puerto Rico has mofongo. Each has distinct identity.
Jerk Culture
Marinated hours in scotch bonnet, allspice, thyme, slow-smoked over pimento wood. Boston Beach in Portland Parish is jerk's spiritual home.
Rum and Food
From light mixable (Havana Club, Bacardi) to dark sipping rums (Appleton, Mount Gay) rivalling fine whisky. Distillery tours are essential.
Street Food
Trinidad (doubles, bake and shark), Jamaica (jerk, patties), Puerto Rico (alcapurrias). Night markets and waterfront stands serve the most authentic food.
Must-Try Dishes
Jerk Chicken
$Scotch bonnet, allspice, thyme-marinated chicken slow-cooked over pimento wood.
Contains meat; gluten-free
Roti
$Flatbread wrapped around curried meat or vegetables. Trinidad's fusion masterpiece.
Contains gluten, meat
Rice and Peas
$Rice with kidney beans, coconut milk, thyme, allspice.
Contains coconut; gluten-free, vegan
Conch Fritters
$Deep-fried conch with peppers and onions. Bahamian speciality.
Contains seafood, gluten, eggs
Ackee and Saltfish
$Jamaica's national dish: ackee fruit cooked with salt cod.
Contains fish; gluten-free
Doubles
$Trinidad street food: fried bread with curried chickpeas and chutneys.
Contains gluten; naturally vegan
Pelau
$One-pot rice with chicken, pigeon peas, caramelised sugar.
Contains meat; gluten-free
Rum Punch
$Fresh juice, rum, lime, nutmeg. Every island has its recipe.
Contains alcohol
Menu Vocabulary
| Term | Meaning | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Jerk | Spiced smoking method | Cooking Methods |
| Ital | Rastafarian natural food | Dining |
| Provisions | Root vegetables | Staples |
| Callaloo | Leafy green vegetable | Ingredients |
| Scotch bonnet | Very hot pepper | Ingredients |
| Ground provisions | Root vegetable sides | Staples |
| Lime/Liming | Hanging out/socialising | Culture |
| De bill | The bill | Dining |
Dietary Restriction Guide
Vegetarian
Rice and peas, callaloo, roasted breadfruit, fried plantain, vegetable roti. Rastafarian ital food is plant-based. Trinidad's doubles are vegetarian.
Vegan
Ital restaurants in Jamaica. Doubles in Trinidad. Rice and peas (check stock), fried plantain, fruit. Many dishes use meat stock in vegetables.
Gluten-Free
Rice and peas, grilled meats, roasted provisions, fresh seafood are gluten-free. Avoid roti, fritters, Johnny cakes.
Common Allergies
Shellfish in many dishes. Scotch bonnet is extremely hot. Coconut in many recipes.
Ordering Tips
- •Jerk should be slow-smoked over pimento wood, not just grilled with sauce.
- •Rum: try aged sipping rum before drowning in punch. Barbados and Jamaica produce the best.
- •Beach shack food is often better than resort restaurants.
- •Tipping 10-15% at restaurants.