Oistins and the Bajan table: a food lover’s guide

About Oistins and the Bajan table: a food lover’s guide

By the ULTIMATE Barbados Editorial Team

Bajan cooking is at its best in simple places: a Friday night at the Oistins fish fry, a buffet lunch in an old house, a rum shop on the seafront. Here is where to start.

The Oistins fish fry

Oistins is the fishing town of the south coast, and on Friday nights its Bay Gardens fill with stalls cooking fish and Bajan sides to order, with music, dancing and craft stalls. Visit Barbados lists stalls such as Angel’s Cafeteria, Annie’s, Pat’s Place, Clarkson’s and Marcia’s Bar. Arrive early in the evening, bring cash, and make a night of it; Enterprise Beach, also called Miami Beach, is just along the road for a morning swim.

A Bajan lunch

In Bridgetown, Mustor’s on McGregor Street is a classic lunch counter for homemade Bajan plates, rice and stews. Just outside town on Bay Street, Brown Sugar is known for its planter’s buffet at lunchtime, the easiest way to try many island dishes at once.

On Friday nights, Oistins Bay Gardens turns into the island’s favourite night out.

Rum shops

Rum shops are the island’s neighbourhood bars. Try John Moore Bar by the sea at Weston on the west coast, or head inland to the Village Bar at Lemon Arbour in St. John, where the food is strictly Bajan, made from recipes handed down through the generations.

Out east

On a day on the east coast, stop for lunch at the Atlantis Historic Inn above Tent Bay or at the Round House above Bathsheba, both with views of the Atlantic.

Good to know

Carry some Barbados dollars for the fish fry and rum shops. US dollars are widely accepted, and Visit Barbados says the Barbados dollar is pegged to the US dollar.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Oistins and the Bajan table: a food lover’s guide before you go.