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We all may love to play Robinson on a deserted island. But, let's face it, without good food, the most charming surroundings end up being dull. Not so Antigua & Barbuda: We know, love goes through the stomach. So, when you are fed up of playing castaway on the beach, just move to one of the countless restaurants and eating places. You may only make it to the next beach bar, and enjoy a delightful barbecue in unspoiled, natural surroundings. Or you long for going back to civilization and thrive on mouthwatering cuisine in a first class restaurant. No problem, it's all there. French or Italian, Caribbean or Lebanese, you name it, you chose.

Antigua is really a great place for gourmets. But if you can't make it without an occasional burger or fried chicken wings, don't worry, you will find it in Antigua. All the interesting places are known to taxi driver and your hotel can arrange for you to be taken there. In some restaurants, it may be a good idea to make a reservation and check the dress code. Most of the time, it's casual, but in the top class, jacket and tie may be required for dinner.

Many of the best restaurants can be found in Dickenson Bay. Here, you have the best chance of discovering a romantic spot overseeing the beach or surrounded by tropical gardens. Watch the sunset while enjoying happy hour on the bar, before you indulge in a first class dinner, which usually goes with an excellent choice of wines. Some hotels there also offer fine dinner buffets.

Jolly Harbour is another spot with lots of restaurants and snack bars. Terraces get crowded when the sailing folks return to the marina for happy hour. Some restaurants are quite sophisticated; others offer great sandwiches and salads. And for later in the evening, there is a night club and a casino on the premises.

English and Falmouth Harbour on the South tip of the island, are worth the drive when it comes to enjoy a nice dinner in a romantic setting. English Harbour is a trendy place, whose restaurants attract boat people, artists, expatriates living in the surroundings and sometimes even rich and famous. The result is an eclectic choice of restaurants: its just about knowing, what's more "in" at the moment. If you like it romantic, head for Nelson's Dockyard for a delicious candle lights dinner in one of the historic stone buildings. Artists, intellectuals and yachters are some of the beautiful people which fill the scenery. If you prefer a more simple fare, there are many small and charming local restaurants, serving Caribbean food, especially fresh fish. Other restaurants offer daily specials, pizzas, oriental delicacies or organize barbecue evenings for hungry skippers and crews. At lunch time, you can indulge with great sandwiches and light dishes on the docks of the marina.

Or sit on one of the terraces of Nelson's Dockyard; sip a great French wine, enjoy a French snack and watch the boats entering or leaving the marina. If you like to party and have a great barbecue in magnificent surroundings, don't forget the Sunday barbecue on Shirley Heights, English Harbour.



Other places

While strolling through St.John's, try local specials in a colorful gingerbread house downtown; or sit on a terrace on Redcliffe Quay, amidst art galleries and fashion shops. Delicious local dishes are available at Mama Lolie's - a great place for vegetarians. Giant pizzas are served a few steps away; a French place nearby, is great for gourmet breakfasts and lunches. Next door is a famous pizza restaurant.. Several take away in St.John's, locals, Indians or Chinese, cater for every taste: you can even order a Middle East banquet on phone!

While touring the island, don't miss some of Antigua's best restaurants, often to be found in unexpected places. Perfect spots to enjoy fish, lobster, local delights or barbecue line the island's shores, especially on the South West coast. Watch the sunset and have a candle light dinner at 3 MARTINIS.
And, even if you don't stay in a luxury hotel, it doesn't mean you can't eat there. Many of them have award winning restaurants, guests from outside are welcome.

You want to try Creole food? A good idea, since it's essentially made with products of our islands. Under our tropical skies, the eating habits of several cultures have blended into flavorful and aromatic dishes. Arawak and Spaniards, Africans and Indians brought the ingredients commonly used in our local cuisine. Since we are an island nation, fish and seafood is always on the menu; try fungee, a variety of polenta with salt fish. The vegetables and fruits used in our preparations can be seen everywhere on our islands: while hiking, look for coconuts, mango and papaya, plantain and calaloo, a vegetable used like spinach. All this is cooked with herbs, spices like those used in Indian cuisine, and sometimes hot scotch bonnet peppers. There are excellent hot sauces made in Antigua, as well as other products based on local plants and vegetables, among them jams, jellies and chutneys.