Caribbean Food – Iconic National Dishes of the Caribbean

Caribbean culinary creations and cuisines can offer a truly indulgent experience. It’s natural, really. Certainly, one of the main things that makes a holiday feel special is the food, and as such, if you want to bring a little Caribbean cheer into your life, today’s must-try culinary experiences could be just what you need. And, better still, these excellent dishes are often relatively easy to recreate from the comfort of your own home; so, no matter what Caribbean food might take your fancy, there’ll always be something to enjoy.

9 Excellent Must-Try Culinary Experiences for Caribbean Food Lovers

If you’ve been looking to indulge in a little Caribbean food, knowing where to start can sometimes feel a little tricky. After all, there are so many incredible dishes in the Caribbean, and each country has its own special recipes. Fortunately, we’ve picked out some of our favorites as follows to help you decide which to try for your next meal, too.

Bahamas

If you’re paying a visit to the Bahamas, you’ll likely notice a great deal of brightly colored dishes – and these are surpisingly easy to recreate at home, too!

Conch Ceviche

Conches might not be the ingredient of choice for most people, but if you’re visiting the Bahamas (or trying to recreate the region’s Caribbean food at home), it’s well worth considering. Conch Ceviche is just one such example of a classic Bahamian dish that’s almost everywhere in the region – but very hard to come across outside of the Caribbean.

Conch Ceviche is actually a surprisingly easy dish to make, relying heavily on the delicious coastal flavors and aromas of conches with just a little seasoning. Common seasoning options include onions, tomatoes, and peppers, although some people may also add in a little citrus juice to add a touch of extra sweetness.

Barbados

Within the Caribbean lies an island of unparalleled beauty – Barbados. Its stunning landscape offers the soul respite and the eyes wonder. Yet beyond even its fair shores, Barbados gifts to us a bounty to nourish both body and spirit.

While rum flows freely as the lifeblood of these lands, the flavors of Barbados run far deeper. Look past the allure of spirits, and you will find a rich tapestry of tastes woven from care, craft and culture. Beneath the burnishing sun, hands shape history each day as they roll cou-cou or stew flying fish.

Traditions endure through generations of shared meals and shared stories. National dishes tell tales of survival through adversity, of community through connectivity, of gratitude through generosity. Each bite is a blessing – a reminder to slow down, to savor simple pleasures and to feel fortunate for life’s blessings, large or small.

The cuisine of Barbados, like its welcoming people, is a gift to be remembered long after leaving its shores. While rum may glisten, true sustenance lies in sharing of one’s table, one’s heart, one’s home.

Flying Fish and Cou Cou

As the national dish of Barbados, we’d be remiss to suggest anything other than Flying Fish and Cou Cou – and needless to say, it’s probably one of those recipes that you won’t find at your local restaurant. After all, flying fish aren’t all that common in most parts of the world, but they thrive around Barbados; no wonder, then, that the country takes such pride in enjoying them.

Now, flying fish themselves are pretty small, so preparing them can be a little fiddly. Generally, it’s considered best to simply fry them in butter or oil to help bring out their flavor; then, serve them on a bed of freshly prepared cou cou (a combination of ground okra and cornmeal) for a hearty, rich, and filling meal.

Costa Rica

When it comes to Caribbean food, Costa Rica’s unique menu tends to be a lot more heavily focused on kidney beans and rice, which helps make it a great option to consider for those who are less inclined towards spicy dishes and curries.

Gallo Pinto

It might seem very simple, but Gallo Pinto is actually Costa Rica’s national dish. In fact, they are so incredibly proud of it that there is a huge rivalry between Nicaragua and Costa Rica over who first created the dish. Whatever the case might be, though, it’s still a delicious and rich side dish that’s perfectly served alongside a wide range of ingredients, including fried fish.

Gallo Pinto is generally made with white rice, black beans, peppers, spices, and onion. However, some recipes may call for extra seasoning, and a traditional Costa Rican Gallo Pinto will also use Salsa Lizano to add a touch of extra richness.

Patacones

Find your inner Caribbean spirit with a taste of Patacones! This traditional fast food takes plantains to new heights. Green plantains are mashed and transformed through heat, emerging as crispy rounds outside yet tender within. Like the warmth of the sun, Patacones are best savored while still hot off the oil. Don’t delay in enjoying their freshness – once cold, they lose the magic that makes them a delicious reminder of island life. Feel the rhythm of the tropics beat in every bite of this simple but satisfying snack.

It’s not uncommon for Patacones to be served up alongside either cheese or pureed black beans. Their ever so slight sweetness lends them well to a wide array of sides – or, if you’d rather just enjoy them as they are, a sprinkle of sea salt can help bring out their divine flavors.

Trinidad and Tobago

Being located close to India, Trinidad and Tobago’s culinary selection is often focused on a great deal of herbs and spices, often made into a rich and delicious curry.

Baigan Choka

If you’re looking for a hearty and filling dish, why not consider giving Baigan Choka a try – one of the most widely loved dishes in the region? This unique dish is mainly focused on fire-roasted eggplant, which is then flavored with a range of herbs and spices; butter, onion, and garlic are among the most prominent.  There’s a certain degree of Indian inspiration behind this recipe, too, making it a great option to try in place of a traditional take-away.

Doubles

They might not be the most refined type of Caribbean food on today’s list, but if you’re looking for a delicious and quick-to-grab on-the-go treat, Trinidad and Tobago’s iconic street food, Doubles, might be ideal. Doubles are made with flour wraps and a spicy chickpea curry, making them almost effortlessly easy and immediately warming.

St Lucia

The island of St Lucia calls to all who seek beauty in this world. Its verdant peaks and shimmering coast inspire the soul to greater heights. While few may visit its shores, a taste of St Lucia can live within your home. Through its iconic national meal, savor every flavor as an adventure of the senses. In each bite feel the warmth of its people, in each spice catch a glimpse of towering jungle and crashing waves. Bring a piece of paradise to your table and feel the magic of St Lucia awaken within.

Green Fig and Saltfish

It might not sound like the most appetizing recipe at the outset, but if you’ve never tried authentic St Lucian Green Fig and Saltfish, you’re in for a treat. It’s actually a surprisingly easy recipe to prepare, and though it came from very humble origins as a food for slaves, the recipe has been honed and mastered over the years to create an indulgent recipe overall.

Naturally, one of the big selling points of this dish is the delightful saltiness of salted fish, which perfectly complements the subtle sweetness of unripened plantain or bananas. This unique base can also be combined with a range of herbs and spices, as desired, to help draw out the flavors further.

Turks and Caicos

Unlike in many countries, there’s not actually a set national dish in Turks and Caicos. Luckily, this opens up dining opportunities for a much wider range of potential recipes, many of which are focused on seafood and fish.

Boiled Fish and Grits

Boiled fish probably doesn’t leave you feeling particularly enamored – but trust us, it’s worth it the Turks and Caicos way. One thing that may surprise you, though, is that this dish is traditionally enjoyed for breakfast; of course, if you’d rather have it for lunch, dinner, or a snack, that’s fine too.

This recipe generally calls for any type of flakey white fish, boiled until well cooked with spices. Sometimes, the fish is then served up atop a bed of potatoes, with a portion of traditional grits on the side to balance it out. For those who don’t know, grits are a type of traditional porridge, and for the sake of this recipe, cooking it in salted water is common over the American preference for milk.

Johnny Cake

More than meets the eye, these crispy rounds offer comfort and history on your plate. Called Johnny Cakes, few know their roots run deep as the shores themselves. Indigenous hands first mixed their simple joy, a tradition the islands still savor today. Beyond looks lies a taste to inspire your spirit. Don’t judge what you’ve yet to try – one bite unleashes their secret power to satisfy and delight. When life feels heavy, let these light disks lift your soul. Their magic lies not in fancy ingredients, but in community, connection and care for what nourishes us all. So seek the warmth within the familiar, and find renewal in traditions that stand the test of time.

Give Your Favorite Caribbean Food a Try

If you need a bit of a pick-me-up, Caribbean food can be a truly delicious treat. Fortunately, today’s top picks might be just what you need to really treat yourself; however, make sure you start with the freshest ingredients you can find to really whisk yourself away to the joys of Caribbean cooking.