National Classics

• Flying Fish with Cou-Cou (cou-cou and flying fish): Barbados’ national dish, made with a paste of okra and cornmeal served with fried or steamed flying fish, topped with a tomato-onion sauce.
• Flying Fish Sandwich: A common breakfast or snack at street vendors and beachside shops, featuring fried flying fish in bread with spicy sauce.
• Grilled Flying Fish and Fried Fish: Staples at Friday fish markets, typically served with rice, black-eyed peas, and fried plantains.
• Barbadian Hot Pepper Sauce (Bajan pepper sauce): A Scotch bonnet-based hot sauce found on nearly every table—try a small amount first.

Street Food & Market Snacks

• Fish Cakes: Golden-fried savory snacks, often served with hot sauce and tamarind juice.
• Grilled Chicken and Roast Pork: Cooked over charcoal on the roadside, usually paired with rice and beans.
• Sardine Balls and Cornmeal Cakes: Popular choices for breakfast or afternoon tea.
• Oistins Fish Fry: Most lively on Friday nights, with rows of seafood stalls offering fresh grilled catches.

Desserts & Drinks

• Rum Punch: A classic island welcome drink made with rum, fruit juice, and syrup.
• Rum: Barbados is the birthplace of rum, with Mount Gay Distillery founded in 1703—tours and tastings are available.
• Coconut Water and Mauby: Fresh coconut water is sweet and refreshing, while mauby is a locally brewed drink made from tree bark, slightly bitter with a lingering sweetness.
• Conkies: A traditional dessert made with cornmeal, pumpkin, and shredded coconut, steamed in banana leaves, often enjoyed during Crop Over Festival.

Where to Eat & Price Range

• Oistins: A favorite spot for budget seafood lovers, with grilled fish fillets typically costing around 30–60 Barbadian Dollars.
• St. Lawrence Gap: A nightlife and dining strip on the south coast, offering everything from street food to sit-down meals.
• Hall Town and the West Coast: Home to upscale restaurants, where dining out tends to be pricier—ideal for a more luxurious experience.
• Most local restaurants include a service charge (no need for extra tipping), but street vendors only accept cash—carry small bills.