It’s that time of year again when we fill our belly’s until we can’t move because we feel like bowls full of jelly! So, what better way to mark this festive season than with a blog post to tantalise the tastebuds?!
When most people think of Antigua, they probably mention sailing, the views and evenings at Shirley Heights, or the 365 beaches – one for each day of the year. When I think back to my travels to Antigua, there is one common thing that brings a smile to my face – the food!
So, I will warn you in advance to only continue reading this once you have some snacks at hand or after you have eaten.
Sweet T’s
Located along the main road in Falmouth, you cannot miss this brightly painted roadside eatery! Luckily for us, it was also only across the road from The Catamaran Hotel, where we were staying. Sweet T’s offers a range of food to satisfy all – kids to adults, meat lovers to vegetarians. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or something more filling, this is the place to satisfy your tastebuds at a reasonable price. Oh, and all with views over Falmouth Harbour too! It is here that I fell in love with hard shakes (alcoholic milkshakes) they are a must if you do visit this little establishment! Don’t worry if you’re under 16 (the alcohol age limit in Antigua) or not much of a drinker though, there are plenty of ice cream flavours to choose from too! The only downside? I wish we had got to try a little more from their mouth-watering menu!
Java 2 Go
This colourful café located along Redcliffe Street, St John's is the perfect spot for a lazy morning. Serving food that you’d typically find in European and American cafés, opt for a seat outside and watch the world go by, whilst being protected by some shade under the Antiguan sun. I specifically remember enjoying a tuna panini at Java 2 Go and haven’t since found one that tasted as good! Which just goes to show that supporting local businesses is sometimes more worthwhile than feeding more money into the already thriving chains. They also offer wraps, burgers and much more, so feel free to check them out any time of the day.
New Taste of India - Chef Raju
Antigua boasts a range of international cuisines including Indian. Just as in many of the other Caribbean islands, roti is considered a delicious street food in Antigua. With a range of traditional and more Westernised dishes, as well as vegetarian and non-vegetarian options to choose from, your curry cravings will be satisfied by Chef Raju! If you fancy a slightly different taste from the East, they also offer Indo-Chinese cuisine. Be sure to order a lassi (a traditional yoghurt-based drink) to accompany your meal, as I remember quite vividly that the food was a little too spicy for me to handle and water doesn’t actually help with spicy food, instead it spreads the heat. Yoghurt and milky based products on the other hand are the real fire fighters!
Photo Credit: Kabita's Kitchen
Fred’s Belgian waffles and ice cream
I know I’ve already mentioned where to get some amazing ice cream from on the island, but after eating at Chef Raju’s you may just need some more! In which case, head over to Fred’s Belgian waffles and ice cream parlour located in Redcliffe Quay. What makes Fred’s stand out from the rest? He curates his ice creams and sorbets using real fruits, chocolate, herbs, raisins and coffee beans - to name a few. He gains inspiration from various exotic countries to discover and produce exciting new flavours. Other than that, it’s all about variety! As suggested in the name, not only does Fred serve ice cream and sorbets, but also waffles – all of which can be personalised to your own palette with a range of toppings to divulge in! If you prefer a drink to satisfy your sweet tooth, there are milkshakes also available.
Pineapple Beach Club
If you’re visiting Antigua but haven’t booked your stay with this resort, I highly recommend a day pass for Pineapple Beach Club. Whilst it is an adults-only resort, the pass includes use of the resort facilities, lunch, unlimited beer and soft drinks, non-motorized water sports and access to their pools and private beach. But I’m here to tell you about the food! For a likkle taste of the island life, this resort has a number of dining options that will present you with just that. We filled our plates at the buffet lunch in Topaz restaurant with food typical to the Caribbean – think rice and peas, fish, macaroni pie, plantain etc… Ok, my mouth is watering just writing this! But I cannot finish this section without also mentioning the Outhouse; a rustic establishment located on a hill with panoramic views of the azure waters of Long Bay. Here you can enjoy more of a barbecue experience, such as their famous ribs. When visiting the Outhouse, travellers are encouraged to take part in the tradition of showcasing their artistic side by creating a personalised sign in remembrance of their visit to this one-of-a-kind spot.
I usually like to try the national dish of the destination I am visiting. For Antigua, that would be fungee and pepperpot. Fungee is a type of cornmeal made from okra, whilst pepperpot resembles a hearty stew. Whilst I didn’t manage to try it on my visit in 2014, I did enjoy the local drink - rum!
Happy feasting, folks! 🎄
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