Dominica / Restaurants

The restaurant scene is changeable, and some very good old favourites like La Robe Creole and La Maison are closed but there are still a number of notable spots for the food fan in Roseau and around the island. Not all of them are in the profile of restaurants - there are also good eating experiences to be had in some local snackettes. Most restaurants outside the main hotels will not stay open in the evenings for passing trade, which is extremely limited, so always ensure to call beforehand to avoid disappointment. Smaller places may not be open on Sundays and credit cards can be problematical so carry cash.

The Giraudel Culinary Tour is an enjoyable introduction to organic healthy eating and there’s probably no more suitable place to pursue the theme than Dominica (see Special Interests - Food & Cooking for more information on cooking tours and courses). One of the delights of dining is the regular availability of natural fresh juices and vegetarians are very well catered for here with a wide selection of ground provisions, fruit and vegetables.

Here is a selection of our recommended Dominca restaurants:

Roseau and environs

Waterfront Restaurant, Fort Young Hotel - Great location on the elevated open verandah in Dominica’s premier hotel and an elegant room within to withdraw, to should the weather turn inclement. Established as one of the island’s culinary masters, local chef Flloyd Bell, delivering consistently fine international, regional and local dishes.

All Nations, Newtown - An island institution famed for its fish and chips and a propensity for staying open later than 9pm (which can often mean lights out in Roseau). A lively spot with Creole food.

Ocean Terrace Restaurant, Anchorage Hotel - Wonderful, relaxed outlook specialising in international and creole dishes. Weekly barbecue.

Crystal Terrace, Evergreen Hotel - Another intimate oceanside setting with fine food overlooking yachts at anchor on the Castle Comfort ‘Riviera’. Attractive bar, stylish decor and lighting, with Creole and international fare.

Balisier, Garraway Hotel - Overlooks Fort Young and the waterfront, local and international food with excellent themed nights from world cuisine.

Pearl’s Cuisine, King George V Street - Serves high quality local cuisine upstairs and a takeaway service of sancoche, stuffed bakes and roti. Fresh fish and meat based lunches and seasonal crab backs and rabbit.

Cornerhouse Cafe, King George V Street - Upstairs with a wrap-around verandah. Serving breakfast , Creole lunches, vegetarian and international options. Internet access.

Cocorico Restaurant, Bayfront - Small art gallery, outside terrace, excellent gourmet breakfast and lunches, crepes, good local coffee and fresh juices. Popular with cruise ship passengers.

Cartwheel Cafe, John’s Lane - Reasonably priced Dominican food.

Natural Livity, King George V Street - A top class vegan establishment in an old stone courtyard setting, serving ‘ital vital’ food like soya accras, stuffed bakes and roti, ital potato pies, lots of peas, pulses and provisions; try Jamie Cornelius’s lentil patties - he’s not called Dr J for nothing. Live entertainment on Fridays.

Le Cafe Desiderata, Old Street - By the Old Market, a well regarded retreat in a fine historic building, serving a soup de jour, breads, salad, ice teas and coffee.

Sugar Apple Restaurant, Exotica Cottages, Gommier - A guaranteed fine dining outing with organic ingredients courtesy of Fae Elwin-Martin, one of Dominica’s most respected gourmands.

Krazy Kokonuts, Castle Comfort - An eclectic menu of French, Indian, Italian and other international food.

Sea Lounge, Loubiere - With a laid back waterside deck area and revelling in the art of chef Vincent Binet, a Frenchman with experience in Thailand and the Low Countries and hailed for his lobster crepes and seafood platters.

Melvina’s Champagne Bar & Restaurant, Champagne Beach - On the Champagne coast highway a mile or so south of Loubiere at Pointe Michel and has a broad client base from far and wide savouring local fish dishes and infamous rum and herbal punches.

Papillote Rainforest Restaurant, Roseau Valley - An excellent reputation for fine Creole food for 30 years, overseen by the hotel owner Anne Jno Baptiste and her dedicated team of local staff; renowned for its fresh organics in a fantastic garden setting and speciality steam fish in banana leaf, breadfruit puffs, soups and salads.

Cocoa Cottages, Roseau Valley - Situated a short distance down the valley from Papillote, and gaining a reputation as a rootsy, intimate place to sample home-style Creole cooking. Calling ahead is absolutely essential

West Coast, North Coast and Beyond

Connie’s Mero Beach Bar, Mero - Situated on the midwest coast dark sand beach, a decent place for local speciality lunches and dinners, lots of fish, smoked meat sancoche, rice and beans and salads.

Mirage Restaurant, Mero Heights - Fantastic panoramic views over the western coastline and a reputation for good quality French nouvelle cuisine and wines in intimate surroundings; crepes and special Sunday lunches.

Adaj Restaurant, Portsmouth - Wide selection of food including Creole, American and Italian and good quality sea fare, try the shrimp and scallop linguine; breakfast too from 10am

Purple Turtle Beach Club, Portsmouth - Authentic beach bar and restaurant just north of Portsmouth. Good decked area on a great beach and a haven for yachties. Creole and international cuisine with crayfish and wild meats a favourite.

Blue Bay, Portsmouth - On the beach. Another excellent Creole, French and Swiss inspired restaurant with fresh lobster, goat and pork dishes and a legendary breadfruit pie.

Coral Reef Restaurant, Calibishie - Backs the supermarket of the same name and set in the idyllic beachside village on the north coast. Traditional local food in a splendid setting not immediately apparent from the road.

Veranda View, Calibishie - Further along the beach from Coral Reef, an idiosyncratic place with a superb outlook and no menu - instead you’re advised to call Swiss trained Hermien and tell her your main course requirements then she’ll do the rest!

Escape Beach Bar & Grill, Red Rock Haven - Close to Calibishie and off the beaten track at Pointe Baptiste, a glorious beachside hideaway with simple yet top quality fare overseen by chef Eric Subin who built a good reputation at La Maison. His Thai influenced sea foods are memorable.

Jungle Bay, Delices - Located in the south-east this was dubbed one of the Top Ten Luxury Eco Resorts in the world by Forbes magazine in 2007 and its restaurant has a reputation to match, with excellent Creole and international fusion food in a wild Atlantic foreshore setting.