The Ultimate Guide to St Lucia Food & Drink

While it may be famed for idyllic palm-tree-lined beaches and glorious weather, St Lucia has more to offer than its picturesque landscape. Thanks to an abundance of diverse flavours and fresh seafood, the cuisine in St Lucia alone is well worth celebrating. We have selected a few of our traditional dishes you can’t go without trying, as well as favourite places to eat on the island of St Lucia.

Food & Drink in St Lucia

As with many Caribbean islands, St Lucia is blessed with an abundance of tempting tropical fruits, vegetables and delicious, fresh seafood. Taking inspiration from South Africa, French and East Indian dishes, St Lucian cuisine delivers a melting pot of flavour sensations. While there are a number of speciality dishes, here are just a few options we’re confident you’ll love. 

Green fig and saltfish

As the national dish of St Lucia, you shouldn’t miss the chance to tuck into green fig and saltfish. Having first been introduced in the 19th century, this recipe has stood the test of time as a firm favourite for locals and tourists alike. Despite the name, green figs aren’t figs at all, but rather unripe green bananas that pair perfectly with briny saltfish. Packed with spices, garlic, sautéed onions and pickled peppers, this savoury dish is vibrant in both colour and flavour. 

Breadfruit

While any mention of fruit may remind you of sweet, sugary flavours and recipes, breadfruit is quite the opposite. Breadfruit is more comparable and is often used in replacement of a potato, though it is slightly sweeter. It’s a very popular choice amongst locals and is served in a wide manner of ways: stuffed with seasoned meat or beans, baked into a pie or boiled and dipped in spicy mayonnaise. Breadfruit has a myriad of health benefits and a unique taste, making it well worth sampling while on your holiday. 

Fried plantain

As the Caribbean’s alternative to french fries, fried plantain is a staple side dish in St Lucia and is served with pretty much everything. A perfect balance of sweet and savoury, plantain can be cut into thin slices and fried in coconut until crispy. Alternatively, they're also left in thick chunks that have a softer texture when you sink your teeth into them. Either way, they make for a great poolside snack or side dish to your main meal, especially when paired with the Caribbean’s famous banana ketchup.

Callaloo soup

A leafy green that is often compared to spinach, callaloo is a popular ingredient in St Lucia due to how abundantly it grows. While the recipe has its roots in West Africa, callaloo soup combines the leaf with marinated meat or seafood, potatoes, okra, garlic and coconut milk. One of the best things about this traditional St Lucian dish is how many varieties there are; whether you’re a seafood lover or a vegetarian, you’ll be able to find a take on callaloo that’ll have you coming back from another serving. 

Accra

Sold at food stalls all around the island, Accra is a light bite that’s popular for both breakfast or as a quick snack. Saltfish is mixed with a variety of spices and packed into balls before being rolled into a creamy paste. These spicy balls are then fried, resulting in a crispy and crunchy texture with a soft centre.

Drinks in St Lucia

Beyond the abundance of fresh, local ingredients that fuel St Lucia's vibrant cuisine, the island also boasts a diverse and refreshing selection of drinks. From unique local creations to classic Caribbean favourites, St Lucia offers beverages to quench your thirst and complement your culinary adventures

St Lucia Rum

The signature drink of this island, known as the ‘spirit of St Lucia’ is a rich and flavourful rum crafted from locally sourced sugarcane that continues to influence the economy of St Lucia today. With a unique blend of sweetness and spice, St Lucian Rum is the perfect way to quench your thirst while lounging in the sun.

St Lucia Rum Punch

The island’s iconic rum punch blends the freshest ingredients with St Lucian rum, lime juice, pineapple and orange juices, and a hint of spice like nutmeg. This refreshing drink is perfect for soaking up the Caribbean sunshine.

Beer of St Lucia

Crafted with precision and brewed to perfection, this island’s beers showcase a variety of flavours for those seeking a lighter drink. Take for instance, the St Lucia beer Piton, named after the iconic Piton mountain in St Lucia, which boasts a delicately sweet profile and a floral, refreshing taste. Alongside Piton, another local favourite is Antillia Brewing Company's selection of artisanal ales. These beers, influenced by the island's agriculture and culture, offer a wider range of flavours compared to the classic pilsner style.

Restaurants in St Lucia

Whether you’re craving a light bite or seeking somewhere to indulge in a romantic dinner, there are a wealth of restaurants in St Lucia. Here are some of the new hot spots and local favourites handpicked by our experts, so you can stroll straight from the beach to an amazing restaurant in no time.

The Cliff at Cap

One of St Lucia’s most in-demand restaurants, set within the luxury Cap Maison Hotel, The Cliff at Cap provides an innovative French West Indian menu and is set against the glorious backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. Perched on the cliff tops above the north-western shoreline, this stylish eatery offers delectable dishes made from fresh, local ingredients. Devised by award-winning executive chef Craig Jones, the menu features everything from caramelized scallops served on a bed of curried pumpkin, to fresh sea bass and a heavenly plate of pork belly, razor clams and squid

Take your pick from a 170 strong wine list, or treat your family and friends to a private dining experience within the atmospheric wine cellar. Fancy a nightcap? Take in the Caribbean sunset from the Rock Maison cocktail deck, located on a rocky outlet below the restaurant. Kick back, take in the view and mind your head – the drinks are delivered via a zipwire!

Big Chef Steakhouse

Located in the heart of the vibrant Rodney Bay Village, Big Chef Steakhouse has a seductively warm, cosy interior. If the flickering candlelight and relaxed atmosphere isn’t enough to invite you in, then rest assured the menu will! 

Kick off your meal with a platter of shrimps and scallops before taking your pick from a selection of sirloin steaks, filet mignons or prime rib eye cuts. Feeling ambitious? Enquire about the 32oz challenge, in which you’ll be tasked with devouring a 32oz rib eye or sirloin steak within a set time.

The Coal Pot Restaurant

Perched on the waterfront of Vigie Marina, The Coal Pot Restaurant is guarded by a giant cannon discovered in the harbour. This eatery has satisfied the hunger cravings of locals and visitors for the best part of 50 years. Open for both lunch and dinner, the kitchen  headed by Chef Xavier and his team  dishes up a menu best described as a seafood lover’s dream. Appetizers include Fish Chowder and Lobster Bisque, whilst tuna, salmon, barracuda and jumbo shrimps are just some of the key aspects of the main menu. Tender cuts of beef, a wide range of salads and some heavenly desserts complete a well-rounded culinary offering bursting in flavour and creativity.

La Terrasse

La Terrasse in Rodney Bay Village offers classic French cuisine with a Caribbean twist. This charming eatery has a real homely feel thanks to its low-key, rustic décor, quaint courtyard and simple, yet delicious cooking. You’ll find all the staples of well-presented French dishes here, as well as a fine selection of seafood and meats – all enhanced by fresh local ingredients. If you're in search of delicious food you can tuck into while immersed in a relaxed atmosphere and intimate setting, La Terrasse has all you need. This is the perfect spot for a balmy romantic evening to cap off a holiday to remember.

Jade Mountain Club

Exclusively for resort guests at the Jade Moutain at Anse Chastanet, the Jade Mountain Club restaurant is quite simply a joy to behold. Tables are dotted around a spectacular infinity pool and on the terrace above, with each meal and beverage accompanied by unrestricted views of the Piton Mountains and surrounding bay. Savour a seasonal menu packed with Caribbean influences courtesy of award-winning chef Allen Susser, who also hosts a cocktail evening every Friday night complete with spicy finger food and delicious rum-based beverages.

Alternatively, try one of the many healthy juices on offer; while lime juice is the most popular, you can also try juices made from mangoes, golden apples, starfruit and tamarind. Warm yourself from the inside out with a mug of cocoa tea. Made with grated cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla and milk, this traditional hot drink is most often served at breakfast time.

So, what’s stopping you? Start planning your holiday to St Lucia today with Best at Travel. We have a number of luxurious resorts at affordable prices.