Best Cheap Eats in Barbados

 

Barbados is not known for affordable dining.  Before departing for our trip I did as I always do and researched the best (local) places to eat.  Ryan and I love Caribbean flavors so we were really looking forward to the food in Barbados. 

Soon after beginning my research I discovered Barbados was not going to be a cheap place to eat out!  All the menus seemed super expensive (with the unfortunate CAD $ exchange rate burgers and sandwiches, for example, were working out to around $25 on the menus I was browsing!)

I was determined to find some decently priced, local food – the hole in the wall type places that we so love.  This wasn’t the easiest task as most people visiting Barbados seem to be there for a more luxurious beach holiday.  However, after some digging, I compiled a list of cheap local restaurants to try and below is a list of the ones we loved!

Fisherman’s Pub

This is a good local find, located in Speightstown.  We came here for lunch on a Friday while visiting the northern part of the island.  It was pretty busy but there are lots of tables inside so we didn’t have a problem finding somewhere to sit.  There are some tables outside which would have been really nice but unfortunately they were all taken.  The restaurant is right on the ocean so it has a great view. However the waves were very rough when we were there (February) and the windows were all covered so we sadly could not enjoy it.

The restaurant is cafeteria style so when you enter you see the display of all the options through the glass.  There is a woman standing behind who fills your plate or take out container with whatever items you select.  I chose the fish cakes (very good), fried chicken (not my favorite), fried plantain (good but not the best I had in Barbados), macaroni pie (good) and coucou (very good and a true Bajan specialty!).  It turned out to be much too much food for me but I really wanted to try a bit of everything.  The price was quite good for Barbados and the food was probably my favorite Bajan food I had on the island.

Thinking of renting a car in Barbados?  Check out our post: Driving in Barbados

 

The Balcony Restaurant

We were really happy to find this place as it is truly a hidden gem.  It is located inside the Cave Shepherd department store on Broad Street in Downtown Bridgetown.  Enter the department store and take the escalators up to the top floor, turn to your left and you will see the entrance to the restaurant in the corner.

We arrived for lunch just after 1pm on a Wednesday and it was still pretty busy with lots of locals on their lunch breaks grabbing food.  They had take out containers or you could dine in – there are lots of tables available.  We weren’t really sure how the place worked but we just grabbed a plate and copied the locals loading up on food from the salad bar.  It wasn’t clear if the salad bar was all you can eat or if it got weighed or what, so we didn’t fill up our plates too much.  Then at the end you let the staff know what kind of meat you would like.  Turns out we could have filled up our plates as much as we wanted as you get charged a flat rate for the salad bar. So be sure to take advantage 😉

There were tons of options so it was a great opportunity to try a little bit of everything.  The macaroni pie was really good.  I think it worked out to about 45 BDS for the two of us and that included 2 juices.  An affordable option for a good, filling lunch when you are exploring Bridgetown!

Wondering what else to do in Bridgetown?  Check out Things to Do in Bridgetown, Barbados

Burger Carts in St. Lawrence Gap

At night you can find all kinds of street food carts set up along the Gap.  When walking back to our hotel one night, full from dinner, I just couldn’t resist that smoky, delicious BBQ scent and just had to order myself a burger. 

I got a simple beef burger with lettuce, onions and cheese for less than 10 BDS and it was absolutely delicious!!  Perfectly cooked the way we like it ie. juicy and not dried out! Make sure to try one if you are out and about at night in the Gap.

Wondering where to stay?  Check out the Best Place to Stay in Barbados on a Budget!

Shave ice carts

When we were exploring downtown Bridgetown we came across a number of these carts selling cups of shaved ice with colorful syrups.  We were in need of some refreshment after walking around in the afternoon sun so we treated ourselves to two cups topped with sweet milk (something I personally add to anything I can! Yum).  For 2 BDS it is a cheap treat when out exploring!

 

Lefties

One of the most popular local foods on Barbados is a fish cutter.  It consists of fried flying fish sandwiched between two pieces of fluffy salt bread.  It’s a popular breakfast item and we were eager to try it out while on the island.

One early morning, when we were checking out the horses swimming at Pebble Beach, we stopped at Lefties for a light breakfast.  Lefties is a cute little shack on the beach (not to be confused with Cuz’s Fish Shack), located half way between the Radisson Hotel and the Hilton. 

We were there just before 7am and he was already open!  The man running this shack (all by himself) was super friendly.  We sat by the beach and he brought over our freshly made sandwiches.  There’s only 2 options: plain or with cheese and/or an egg.  He also serves coffee (instant, nothing fancy).

It was a perfect breakfast with an even more perfect view.  Very filling as well – I couldn’t even finish mine!  For about 40 BDS for the two of us it wasn’t AS cheap as I expected for a beach shack but it was a good quality, well-made sandwich and you can’t complain about watching the waves lap at the shore while enjoying your breakfast.

 

Irie Foods

Now last but not least, Jamaican restaurant Irie Foods!  We ate here on our first night in Barbados because it was close to our hotel and after a long day of traveling we were tired and did not want to venture too far.  We did feel a bit guilty not choosing to eat Bajan food for our first meal, but after the first bite we did not regret it!

This is the best food we had in all of Barbados!  Ryan even said it is one of the best meals he’s ever had!  We ordered the jerk chicken with mashed potatoes and the ackee and salt fish.  The chicken had a perfect barbecue flavor and the mashed potatoes had green onions mixed in and were topped with a delicious gravy.  This has to be the best jerk chicken I’ve ever had!

The ackee and salt fish was unique and very tasty!  If you feel like trying something new, definitely order this – it is THE dish of Jamaica.  It was awesome with the fire sauce.  Ryan loves hot sauce and can never find one that is spicy enough but this one he LOVED and actually found it to be hot enough!  Beware – a tiny speck goes a long way!

We also ordered fruit juices which are bottled at the restaurant.  The guava juice was so delicious!  We had the banana bread for dessert which was quite good.  Prices are also reasonable and service was very friendly!!! 

We had such a good experience that on our last day in Barbados we decided to come back here for our final meal.  It was the only restaurant we ate at twice.  This time we ordered the curried lamb meal with rice and peas and the ox tail stew.  Again, both were amazing!

The atmosphere is nice in the restaurant with the local music playing.  It is a very small place, only about 6 tables.  Definitely check it out if you are in the Dover Beach area! 

 

There were a number of other restaurants on out list we wanted to try but we only had so much time and only so much room in our stomachs…. Next time we would love to try Mustor’s, The Bay Tavern, Christine’s Just Stop restaurant, and the Village Bar.

Comment below to let us know if they are any good or if you have any other suggestions for cheap eats in Barbados!

PS. If you’re looking for a place to stay we recommend the Dover Beach Hotel!  It’s within walking distance of Irie Foods 😉

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