Tobago / Restaurants

There are some surprisingly good places to eat out in Tobago. There is nothing of international renown, like the sort of restaurants that have appeared recently in Anguilla, St Barts or Barbados, but in places Tobago has escaped the studiedly international fare offered up in most Caribbean islands (and is also less expensive). Its tradition of food has developed independently, with a little influence from Trinidad of course. There are some lovely settings and imaginative, often highly- spiced cuisine to go with the fresh, local ingredients.

Most of the best restaurants are at the western end of the island (also the location of most of the hotels) and it is worth investigating them during your stay. As you head further east the restaurants tend to be simpler and more West Indian affairs, though but they have the charm of the island and are equally fun to visit.

The cost of an average main course (excluding steak and lobster) is as follows: Inexpensive, less than US$10, Moderate – $10-20, Expensive – $20 plus

Here is a selection of our recommended Tobago restaurants:

El Pescador, Buccoo, expensive - Above Miller’s Guest-House facing the jetty at Buccoo is the newest restaurant on the island. Head chef Leonardo Larios gets his hands on the freshest seafood available outside his front door and creates wonderful fish, shrimp and lobster dishes. The perfect setting for sunrise or sunset, and the cocktails are pretty mean too. Free WiFi.

La Tartaruga, Buccoo, expensive - Fine Italian food in on a very pretty street-front terrace in Buccoo.

Melange, Shirvan Road, expensive - Lovely setting in the courtyard and garden of a strangely decorated modern house, extremely imaginative cuisine using local ingredients.

Pavilion Clubhouse, Villas at Stonehaven, expensive - Set on a nice wooden deck open to the tropical night air, international cuisine.

Seahorse Inn, Stonehaven Bay, expensive - Simply delightful setting on a terrace bordered with palms and tropical plants, with views of the moon reflected on the sea, excellent international cuisine.

Café Coco, Crown Point, expensive - Set in a walled garden with tables on open-sided terraces overlooking classical balustrades, waterfalls and ponds with statuettes. International menu with plenty of Caribbean dishes including peppered fish salad and seafood linguini.

Shirvan Watermill, Mt Pleasant, expensive - International dining on an open-sided terrace in the shadow of a windmill.

Bonkers, Crown Point, moderate  - Ever-lively restaurant and bar on a wooden deck overlooking the pool within the Toucan Inn. International fare.

Jemma’s Sea View Kitchen, Speyside, moderate - Classic West Indian setting on the waterfront, on raised decks among the tree branches, classic West Indian fare.

Redman’s Restaurant, Speyside, moderate - Another classic waterfront stopover for hearty West Indian fare.

Ru-B-Lou’s, Shirvan Road,   moderate - On a wooden veranda and inside a wooden house, trusty international fare.

Blue Crab, Scarborough, inexpensive-moderate - West Indian setting on a terrace in town. Good honest Caribbean fare, callaloo soup and coal-pot chicken, great lunch. Reservations required for dinner.

The Backyard Café, Crown Point, inexpensive - A small interior with just a few tables and a very nice grassy courtyard with tables under banana trees. Brightly decorated in orange and sky blue, with art on the walls. Excellent juices, croque madames, salads, pastas, flying fish sandwiches.

Block 22, Milford Road, inexpensive - Best takeaway chicken on the island, all times of the day and night.

Rena’s Shatack Roti Shop, Scarborough, inexpensive - Another contender for best roti on the island, in the TLH building behind the Promenade.

Salsa Kitchen, Scarborough, inexpensive - Excellent stopover for snacks and good West Indian fare.