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.
Doolittle’s Restaurant and Bar is located at Marigot Bay, which is one of the most beautiful spots in St. Lucia and as an interesting fact it was the setting for the first Dr. Dolittle movie that made everyone laugh so much. The sunsets from Marigot Bay are spectacular and because of this, it is also the home of many great restaurants. Doolittle’s is a beautiful location to have lunch and to enjoy a cold local beer, Piton while enjoying the view of palm trees, the Caribbean sea, and marvelling at the show of many mega-yachts docked at Marigot Bay, and the selection of the finest sailing vessels and yachts from all over the world. In Doolittle´s restaurant, it is easy to find local dishes such as conch fritters or fish croquettes. After trying a couple of the dishes the best one was the grilled tuna steak and not only is it one of the healthiest options on the menu, but the way it was cooked, and seasoned was delightful.
Tapas On The Bay is located in the busiest and most popular area of St. Lucia and is a gorgeous spot to attend lunch or early dinner and have the ability to watch the sunset while having dinner or a glass of wine. The location on the waterfront in Rodney Bay has a casual setting and makes it a perfect place to enjoy a peaceful evening. The name of the restaurant says it all, and this restaurant is for sharing and trying as much as you can off their menu. If visiting St. Lucia during the lobster season the lobster mac & cheese is not to be missed. Another tapas that I wished I had ordered more of, was the grilled calamari with orange zest, smoked paprika and cumin. A plus of this restaurant is that you can start early with some sun-downers with friends during their happy hour from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm every day.
La Destilería is located in Cancun´s hotel zone. It is an area that is full of restaurants, busy with activity and can sometimes be somewhat overwhelming especially when it comes time to decide where to dine. This restaurant is a great option when looking to have authentic Mexican cuisine overlooking the beautiful lagoon. The guacamole is made in front of the commensal who can decide the amount of spiciness he or she wants on it. “Molcajete de arrachera y Pollo” is one of the best dishes to share at the restaurant, and allows the patron the opportunity to try authentic tacos with homemade tortillas that were made some minutes before they are served at the table. This dish is a combination of chicken and steak fajitas and comes accompanied by sides such as cactus, chorizo, panela cheese, avocado, and a house sauce. Being Mexican I can be picky sometimes, especially when it comes to Mexican restaurants, and this one is always on the top of my list to visit while in Cancun. One more tip – don´t miss out on the fried cheese with homemade green sauce and tortillas – absolutely crunchy delicious!
Irori is an authentic Japanese restaurant that has been in Cancun for more than 12 years. It is located in the city center, far away from the touristic sites and usually more attended by locals. At Irori there is great quality food, exceptional flavor, and tables with Teppanyaki for the show seekers. Usually, all maki rolls come with algae and rice, but sometimes a healthy mood might be in order, and for those trying to be healthier there is this option of “La Bomba” which is a riceless roll with crabmeat paste, eel, shrimp, cheese, and avocado. There is also a great selection of other sushi rolls, kushiages, sashimi, and a lot more options to have a nice Japanese meal in the beautiful city center of Cancun. After an excellent meal in this restaurant, it is a smart idea to walk around that area to see more of the local side of this city in the Mexican Caribbean.
Jacinta is located in the city center in Cozumel Island and has an exceptional decoration as the restaurant was built inside a Yucatán-influenced home, making the experience a lot more real and unique. The restaurant has outdoor and indoor dining, a private dining area and also a boutique where it is easy to find beautiful artisanal and handmade products crafted by local artists. The menu is filled with an incredible selection, and some of the best dishes to try are; as an appetizer the guacamole with castakán, which is served with chicharrón, grilled onions and Pico de gallo. The “queso de bola and Chaya empanadas” are delicious and perfect to pair with the guacamole. The green salad tastes delicious as it comes with a mix of salad, green beans, goat cheese, cashews, avocado puree, & lime vinaigrette. In regards to the main courses, the fettuccine al pesto with grilled shrimp and Jacinta Burger are two of my favorites. Last but not least, the cheesecake Jacinta and ice cream selection will surprise your palate. All of the traditional dishes are prepared in a way that will take you straight to the Mexican region they come from, all with a modern touch.
Guido’s is an exclusive restaurant that all locals living in Cozumel would describe as "classy, a restaurant not to miss, and delicious." It is the place to go when there is a special celebration, or just wanting to have a pleasant evening. Guido’s has been in Cozumel since 1978 and now is managed by Yvonne Villiger, Guido’s daughter. The décor of this place is special, with an outside dining area under trees, and a rustic, perfect setting. As you enter this small but cozy restaurant, you will notice their wood-fired oven where they fabricate their great Pizza and lasagnas. One of the unique drinks at Guido’s is their award winning sangria, an absolute must for the table. Other recommendations include trying their garlic bread which is oven baked with butter, rosemary, and garlic, the goats and greens salad is great and tasty, and when it comes to main meals, the fresh catch of the day is a good option as well as Yvone’ pizza with Oaxaca cheese, arugula, bacon & sun-dried tomato and sauce.