The Best Food In Barbados
”What Barbados Food Should I Try?”

Firstly I would like to clear up a popular myth about food in Barbados.

I have had many visitors ask me if food from Barbados is extremely hot and spicy. This is far from the truth.

Not all Barbados food is hot and spicy!

I personally believe that the association between Caribbean food and the word “Jerk” has caused many to think this way.

Although jerk dishes are available in Barbados they are NOT native to Barbados cuisine.

Each Caribbean island has its own seasonings and spices creating flavours specific to their respective islands. Food in Barbados is therefore very unique and cannot be compared with any other.

The special flavours of most Barbados food is due to our blend of herbs and spices known as Barbados seasoning or Bajan Seasoning. This blend includes thyme, marjoram, green onions and parsley to name a few.

Barbados rum is also a popular cooking ingredient :)

What is the Barbados National Dish?

The national dish of Barbados is Cou Cou and Flying Fish. Cou cou is a unique blend of cornmeal and okra mixed with salt, peppers and Bajan hot sauce. Flying fish is the most commonly found fish in the warm waters surrounding Barbados and is usually served fried or steamed.

These two combined have formed a dish Barbados has become famous for, so let Cou Cou and Flying Fish be your first meal!

Recommended Barbados Food

Most Bajan dishes have unique names you will over hear and will most likely be unfamiliar to you.

During your Barbados vacation you should make sure to try a few. Here is some food in Barbados I recommend, and their respective Bajan names.

• Bajan Macaroni Pie & Fried Flying Fish

Bajan Macaroni Pie and Flying Fish , referred to as just “Pie and Fish”, is our version of macaroni and cheese served with a fillet of fried flying fish. Flying fish is often exchanged for a variety of other tropical Barbados fish such as Mahi Mahi and Blue Marlin.

• Bajan Black Eye Peas and Rice

“Rice N’ Peas” as it is referred to, is the most popular rice dish in Barbados and is a common substitute for Macaroni Pie. These native African peas have become a major part of Barbadian family meals. This dish is sometimes made with kidney beans and parsley.

• Bajan Candied Sweet Potatoes

These sweet potatoes are made with lots of Barbados brown sugar. If served mashed they are sometimes topped with sweet pineapples and cherries.

• Fried Plantains

Plantain is a close relative to the sweet banana and makes a delicious addition to any meal when fried and topped with cinnamon. Fried plantains are often diced and individually wrapped in bacon making an amazing hors d’oeuvre.

• Pudding N’ Souse

This is a very special Barbados meal. The pudding is made of pig intestines stuffed with sweet potatoes and the souse is boiled down pig head and trotters. A great dish for the adventurous!

• Conkies

Conkies are made of a mixture of cornmeal, coconut, pumpkin, sweet potatoes and cornflour wrapped in a banana leaf. These are usually made in November to celebrate Barbados’ independence.

• Salt Bread

Our version of a tasty bun.

• Fish Cakes