As a vacation destination, the Caribbean is hard to beat. Gorgeous weather with year-round sun, stunning sandy beaches, and spectacular landscapes from tiny islands to volcanic mountain ranges. The quality of life on the Caribbean islands is unparalleled, and whether you are island hopping on an adventurous Puerto Rican cruise or just relaxing on the beach in Barbados or Trinidad, it is absurdly simple to find a little slice of paradise, with everything you could want for the perfect vacation.

When you think of the Caribbean and food, the mind goes straight to eating coconuts on the beach, to jerk chicken and curry goat, and to simple yet delicious fresh fish meals. However, Caribbean cuisine is this and so much more, and wherever you end up there is always an amazing array of exciting and innovative dining options to choose from. For foodies, a vacation to the Caribbean can be an amazing adventure. Take a look below for some of the best foodie experiences available across the Caribbean.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s cocina criolla is an incredible fusion of Spanish, American and indigenous cooking cultures, which creates a wonderfully rich blend of flavors and experiences. Lechon, the roast pig on a spit, is a delicacy across the island, while the old town in San Juan and upmarket Condado are both foodie hotspots. High-quality restaurants abound, but Pikayo in San Juan is particularly worth a visit.

Anguilla

Formerly British Anguilla has long been a hub of fine dining restaurants and exciting international and fusion flavors. This tiny island boasts a remarkable number of seriously high-quality eateries, with the CuisinArt resort on Rendezvous Bay hosting four gourmet restaurants alone. Staying here is a must for gourmands, with the Tokyo Bay restaurant a stand-out, as well as wine and rum tastings, cooking courses and tours of their produce gardens.

Grenada

Informally known as ‘The Spice Isle’, the flavors of Grenada’s cuisine are powerful, intricate and exciting. Famous for exporting cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon, these bold, expressive spices make traditional dishes like ginger pork, crayfish soup, and rabbit stir-fry come alive. It is also the Caribbean base of British chef Gary Rhodes, who owns a self-titled restaurant on the Calabash resort. 

Barbados

Flying fish and Coucou (cornmeal) is the Bajan national dish, and it is quite the delicacy. Washed down with a cold beer overlooking the water at the Fisherman’s Pub and Grub in Speightstown, it is an experience that is hard to beat. For more upmarket fare, Barbados is home to internationally renowned chefs and world-class cuisine, with restaurants like the Fish Pot at the Little Good Harbour, the Crane Resort in St Phillip, and L’Azure serving up uninterrupted ocean views and exceptional, innovative twists on traditional Bajan cooking.

Caribbean cuisine offers something for everyone, from fresh grilled fish on the beach to five-star gourmet dining. For serious foodies, a vacation here is a perfect choice. So what are you waiting for? Get planning your Caribbean food vacation today.