Food in St. Lucia

While many of the chefs in St. Lucia draw heavily upon the spices and garnishes of Creole cuisine, the island's fish fries, hotel restaurants, and unpretentious beach bars ensure that the overall fare is varied, international, and compelling.

Restaurants

The majority of restaurants in St. Lucia are concentrated in the tourist areas, namely in and around Castries, Soufrière, Rodney Bay, and Gros Islet. Establishments are sparse on the eastern coast of the island, and the terrain becomes inaccessible north of Dennery. Expect to find all types of food in the tourist areas, from pizza and fast food to Asian, Creole, Indian, Mexican and Nouveau American cuisine. Barbeque, drinks, and fruit can be purchased at vendors, although you should be sure that the fruit is both peeled and washed for health reasons.

Fish fries offer cheap and lively alternatives to restaurant dining. The Friday night fish fry at Gros Islet provides an exciting, vibrant atmosphere. It is, however, monitored by police, and women should seriously consider attending only with a group of people. The fish fry at Anse la Rey, also on Friday nights, is somewhat lower key, and attendants dine at communal tables.

Culinary Styles

Food

There is nothing particularly unique or exotic about the way that St. Lucian's prepare their meals.  What does stand out about St. Lucian food is the attention to detail.  Presentation is everything to St. Lucian chefs, though the cost is never the taste.  Luckily, the fertile soil of the island produces foods that are both wonderfully delicious and beautiful, and animals who consume these foods benefit from the natural bounty.  This affords chefs the opportunity to focus on appearances rather than work on taste.

The typical diet of St. Lucians consists of limited protein, lots of starches, and fruits and vegetables.  Typical protein choices are different than most American travelers will be used to: chicken back, pork hocks, and pig tail to name a few.  Seafood is available in abundance, however, and many travelers delight in dining on tuna, mahi mahi, and snapper.  National specialties include conch, plantains, green figs, and salt fish.

Beverages

Get into the island spirit by imbibing perhaps the most tropical of beverages, coconut water, drank directly from the split husk of the fruit.  Fresh fruit juices are also great thirst quenchers, and particularly tropical feeling.  Sodas, coffees, and teas are easily accessible on the island, so you can find comfort and familiarity.

Straight up, on the rocks, or mixed into a fruity cocktail, rum is a popular alcoholic beverage in St. Lucia, and the island is home to its very own distillery.  Piton is a top local beer, and coffee liqueurs are favorites.  To really drink like a local, try a "shandy," a drink mixed with beer, ginger ale, lemon, or sorrel.

Travelers can cater to their own culinary tastes and budgets in St. Lucia. Whether the evening dinner brings with it relaxation or excitement, many of the locals treat dinner as the optimal time for "liming," or hanging out.