Flavours of the Grill is one of those local restaurants that you have to check out as it is colorful, small, and cute. One of my recommendations is to have the lunch buffet, as it is a more local experience than the dinner, and you don’t have to practice your patience too much by waiting for a long time for your food to be served- remember you are in the Caribbean, and it is indeed very laid back. The seafood is locally caught, and along with the succulent boneless chicken paired with cinnamon plantain, mashed sweet potato, and steamed vegetables, is the “rockets trio” appetizer which provides an excellent option of a platter of breadfruit, dasheen (local “ground provision”), salt fish, conch fritters and is accompanied by a sweet chili dip – just delicious.
Duke’s Place is open only on Friday and Saturday and waiting all week to go try the fish barbecue at this shack in the village of Gros Islet is totally worth it. It is smart to arrive early at 6:30pm to avoid the large queues of people from all over the world lining up to try some local flavours. The secret of these dishes is the amount of onion, butter, and garlic they put in their rice, and fish – it really tastes magical. Some of the types of fishes you can find are dorado, snapper, barracuda, conch and lobster when in season. Prices are very affordable and the amount of food is substantial. Another tip is to try the “seamoss” drink that is constantly sold by people around Duke’s Place, and don’t forget to ask the vendor for an explanation of the preparation of this drink, purchase some extra rum to put an extra kick to it!
Chateau Mygo is a lovely restaurant located in the Marigot Bay area which offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and live music. For all seafood lovers they offer all kind of fish in their menu from dorado, red snapper, yellow tuna, conch, octopus, calamari, shrimp and lobster in all its forms, even in a pizza. Local cuisine is also available at Chateau Mygo – roti and curried chicken are some of the favorites, the house chutney, and local pepper sauce are a great addition to all dishes giving them that extra zing. After a delicious meal at this restaurant, it is nice to relax on the beach and grab a drink at Hurricane Hole Bar, which is located on Chateau Mygo Dock. The great food is complemented by the live French Creole music and reggae, soca, and calypso. The lobster pizza is a must as you can taste the freshness of the lobster and the perfect seasoning that makes this pizza far from ordinary.
Marigot Bay is spectacular in every way from its restaurants and stunning views of the sunsets that can be witnessed in this particular place in St. Lucia. The Bayside Café is a great spot to have breakfast either if you are visiting the area as a tourist, or you are in one of the sailing vessels or yachts in the marina. One of the best smoothies is the guava smoothie with yogurt and chia seeds. There is also a vast selection of smoothies from a green mix, of tropical fruits, carrot and mango, and many more refreshing healthy options. There is also a good selection of pastries, teas, and ice creams if you feel like indulging.
There are many local spots around the island, but it is important to know where to go to have a delicious meal while also being safe and not catching any food bug or spoiling your vacation because of stomach issues. Plante’s Place is at the Dennery area in St Lucia and is an excellent restaurant to stop by if you are coming or going to the international airport or have visited any of the waterfalls nearby. The meals are cheap, and also substantial. The BBQ chicken is one of the favorites by many locals as it comes with vegetables, rice, mac & cheese, and they have a selection of local beers for special deals to pair your meal with. Plante’s place is also a bar, so it is preferable to go during lunch hours for a more family oriented vibe.
Those living in Caribbean islands understand the importance of a cute and good café. Café Olé is located at the Rodney Bay Marina and the wonderful part is that they not only serve good coffee but also healthy options with stunning views of the marina. The coconut chia pudding with passion fruit is a smart alternative to start the day on the healthy path. Café Olé has also a selection of cold pressed juices and one of the most refreshing is the one that has that name since the combination of apple, pineapple, and lime leaves the mouth feeling both fresh, and with a pleasant taste. All smoothies are made with real fruits and not powders, which is also something to appreciate as more and more coffee places have the “quick smoothie version.”
Before arriving to live to St. Lucia I researched all about the restaurants and places where I could explore new dishes, and I saw that Spice of India was frequently mentioned – I knew I had to try it. Spice of India was founded 20 years ago, and it can be truly noticed as the service is exceptional and every detail is taken into account. The ambient feels sophisticated, and the traditional Indian Tandoor technique is portrayed in every one of their dishes. The décor is beautiful, and a special mention to the bar has to be said, as it is beautifully decorated with artifacts from many regions of India, which give authenticity to the restaurant. Spice of India offers daily-changing lunch menus that are served in a traditional Indian way, and the price is around EC$53.00 which was very fair considering the amount of food served and especially considering the great taste and quality. It is all about the details, and as you enter you are welcomed with a small appetizer. The day I visited it was a small smoothie made with guava, yogurt, milk, and ice – deliciously sweet and refreshing. The chefs tasting lunch menu was succulent, that day chicken masala was on the menu, and the seasoning with all the traditional Indian Spices made this dish one remember. For cheese and flatbread lovers, the cheese naan with spices is superb.
The best part about living on an island is that it is always easy to find a selection of restaurants with expats chefs, which makes things more interesting as you can still enjoy international flavors while being far away from civilization. Having Japanese chefs in these type of restaurants is always a huge plus. Rituals Sushi is located at Rodney Bay Marina, and is by far the best place to have sushi while in St. Lucia. The spicy calamari is addictive, and the selection of sushi rolls is comparable to any sushi restaurant in any big city, as well as the sashimi. The rolls are all flavor packed and beg the custodian to purchase another. I´ll be heading back for more soon!
Martha’s Tables is a local owned restaurant in St. Lucia located on the west coast and very close by to The Hotel Chocolat and Ladera Resort. This restaurant has great reviews because of its local cuisine, and their vegetarian options. The decoration is warm and casual and is a perfect opportunity to have lunch after visiting all the touristic spots in the Soufriere area. The amount of food served is substantial, so it will be a great way to recover all the energy spent either from the Piton’s hike, or bathing at one of the multiple waterfalls, rivers or beaches close-by. The pan-fried chicken breast with house sauce and vegetables, rice, beans, mac & cheese, and potato salad will leave the belly feeling satisfied.
The Boucan restaurant is just perfect to experience the cacao cuisine. The view to the Piton is just the cherry on top. This restaurant beautifully incorporates cocoa into every savoury and sweet dish on its menu; as a light and subtle spice, delicate infusion, or simply adding cocoa to any dish in a natural, healthy and harmonious way. It was hard to decide which dish to feature as every single dish is worth a try at this restaurant. The drinks menu is extensive, and some of the best drinks are the praline soother (hazelnut liqueur, crème de cacao, vodka, coconut cream) and Turbo Bailey’s (Baileys, rum, cocoa), and the dessert menu is just heavenly with the Robot Chocolate Lava, which comes with a melted chocolate interior, and nib-infused ice cream. My mouth is watering AGAIN! One of the best things about dining at this restaurant is that it is possible to book one of the tree-to-bar experience tours which are both a learning and exciting experience.