6 Best Restaurants in Barbados that you have to visit

Barbados is a wonderful island that is ideal for holidays of all types.  If you’re planning a visit then you are probably wondering where to eat and there’s no shortage of choice.  With that in mind here is my choice of the 6 best restaurants in Barbados.

Obviously tastes and budgets will vary and you’ll probably make up your own list if you visit the island often enough.  Restaurants close and new ones open, so you might be lucky to find somewhere new to add to your list.

Most restaurants and hotels are on the west and south coasts.  The north of the island is sparsely populated and the east also, but no visit to Barbados would be complete without a visit to Bathseba and other locations on the eastern coast.

The west has the calmer waters and more of the luxurious hotels, while the southern beaches are better for kite surfing and the accommodation suits a wider range of budgets.

Note: I updated this list in 2022 after another visit. There have been lots of changes due to the economic effects of the 2020/2021 pandemic and in particular, the restrictions placed upon travel. Locking down the island inevitably caused great harm to the tourism industry and many restaurants, hotels, and other businesses were adversely affected.

6 Best Restaurants in Barbados

• The Fish Pot is the restaurant in the Little Good Harbour hotel located further up the west coast beyond Speightstown.  It’s beautiful in the evening but try in for lunch and you’ll enjoy the sea views.
• The Lone Star overlooking Alleynes Bay on the west coast is a converted garage and you’ll notice the theme runs throughout the restaurant with the waiting staff in white mechanics’ overalls.  It’s both restaurant and hotel and has a great atmosphere and seaside dining.
• Tides in Holetown has been renovated and expanded. In doing so it has lost some of its old charm and can now be very busy with bustling staff. When we visited the food and the service was below par but others still rave about it.
• Try the Sunday buffet at the Sandy Lane Hotel just south of Holetown.  It’s not cheap and you’ll need to have a light breakfast.  Treat yourself and your loved ones to a little luxury.
• The Sea Shed on Mullins Beach. This is a relatively new venue and has really taken off. It has several deck areas and more casual dining on the beach. It’s ideal for a leisurely lunch or sundowners followed by an early dinner.
• On a budget?  Try Just Grillin’ – there are at least two outlets on the island.  Eat in or take away. They do really good ribs, flying fish, chicken, and sides.

Still on a budget, how about the Roti Den (corner of Holders Hill and Highway 1, opposite the Tamarind Hotel).  Delicious rotis with a variety of fillings – and they do fill you up!

A note about prices

While it’s still possible to enjoy Caribbean and other food in Barbados at a reasonable price, the west coast restaurants are now more expensive than ever before. At the top end you can expect to pay £15-20 for a starter and for main courses be prepared to pay £30-40. The local chargrilled lobster at Tides will set you back a whopping £74!

Once you add wine, dessert, and perhaps a cocktail as an aperitif you’re up to about £100 per head. You’re going to need deep pockets or stay at an all inclusive resort and just pop out for the occasional meal.

Closed Restaurants in Barbados

• The Waterfront restaurant in Bridgetown.  As the name suggests this restaurant overlooked the fishing boats moored in Bridgetown harbour and was a great spot on a Thursday evening when they had a live jazz band. Sadly, when I visited in April 2022 it was all boarded up.
• Hugo’s in Speightstown. This has now changed hands in has been renamed Baia.

These are just a few suggestions to get you started and which will almost certainly provide you with a very memorable meal.  There are dozens of other places to try.

There is something about Barbados that draws you back again and again.  It’s hard to pin down, but some have suggested it’s the people, the parishes, and the sense that it’s a home from home in the Caribbean to British folk in particular.

In Summary

There are many reasons to visit Barbados, but one of the best is the food. The island’s cuisine is a delicious fusion of African, Indian, and European influences, and there are plenty of restaurants to choose from.

Whether you’re looking for a casual meal or a fine dining experience, you’ll be able to find it in Barbados. And thanks to the island’s sunny climate, you can enjoy your meal outdoors all year round.So if you’re planning a trip to Barbados, be sure to add eating out to your list of things to do. You won’t be disappointed.