Barbados / Special Interests / Food Stores & Markets

There is not much that you cannot buy in Barbados nowadays, but do not be surprised if it is a little on the expensive side (so much is imported).  Supermarkets and food stores are located throughout the island, with the main supermarkets offering a wide selection of local and imported goods.

Fresh produce, such as salads and vegetables, can be limited at times. You might care to check out the local markets for fresh fish, vegetables and fruit. There is also the traditional method of buying your fruit and vegetables  from ‘hucksters’, who tend to be elderly ladies who can be found in Bridgetown and Speightstown. They perch on stools at the side of the road and sell their wares from wooden trays.

Some of the larger petrol stations (known locally as gas stations) also have mini marts, and there are plenty of local shops and even some rum shops which sell the basics.

Speciality food and beverage suppliers in Barbados include:

The Gourmet Shop, The Chattel Village – Crammed with speciality foods and wines.

Patisserie Bistro Flindt, Holetown - Excellent array of cakes and desserts, with light fare for breakfast (full English breakfast Saturday & Sunday), lunch and dinner.  Also in Worthing.

Posh Nosh, Holetown – A gourmet deli run by the owners of Sassafras restaurant at Sugar Hill. It offers a range of salads, fresh and frozen gastro meals, picnic and barbecue items and a villa ‘fridge filler’ service.  

Supermarkets on Barbados include:

Super Centre Ltd – The company is the largest supermarket operator on the island with five large, well stocked outlets, the largest of which is at Warren’s.  All feature a good range of local and imported goods, a takeaway counter selling both hot and cold items and a pharmacy:  Super Centre at Sunset Crest in Holetown (most frequented by visitors), Warrens in St Michael and Southern Plaza in Oistins. The other two on the South Coast are JB’s Supermarket in Sargeant’s Village and Big B Supermarket at Peronne Plaza in Worthing. Opening hours except during public holidays are generally 8am until 8pm Mon-Fri, 8am-9pm Sat and 9am-2pm Sun, except at Warrens which opens to 10pm Mon-Sat and to 7pm Sun. You can also shop online.

99 Convenience Store, Quayside Centre, Rockley - Located across the road from Accra Beach and sells all the basics, including chilled bottled drinks. Open 8am to 10pm every day except Christmas and some public holidays.

Jordans Supermarkets - There are two stores, one in Fitts Village and the other in Speightstown. Open 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday.

Please note that opening hours may be subject to change, so please check locally.

Markets

Brighton Farmers Market, Brighton Plantation, St George - For farm fresh produce and more besides, try the Saturday morning market in the St George valley. Run by owners Michael and Alison Pile on their 17th Century plantation, it has become an extremely popular social outing for families. A children’s play area has been added, along with a large number of picnic tables on the lawns and a café area serving freshly brewed coffee. Stalls are normally up and ready to go by 6am and offer a wide range of homemade produce from bread and cakes to Thai spring rolls, pickles and chutneys, meat pies, sweets and jams, plus local artwork, jewellery and handicrafts.

Cheapside Market, Temple Yard - Bridgetown’s main market for fresh fruit and vegetables.

Redland Farm Shop, St Joseph - Located opposite Andrews Sugar Factory en route to the East Coast. Estate farm shop run by Charles and Linda Herbert, selling local produce and homemade cakes, pies, jams, jellies and chutneys.  Open Monday to Friday from 7am-4pm and Saturday until 1pm. 

Fish Markets

Fish markets are at their busiest late in the afternoon and early evening when the boats have just returned.  The main fish terminals are located in Bridgetown and Oistins (known for its food stalls and Friday night Oistins fish fry) but you will find smaller markets and fish stalls on the West Coast.  The fishing villages of Half Moon Fort in St Lucy and Shermans in St Peter have small stalls set up at the side of the road, where they also do a fish fry on Friday nights. Speightstown has a purpose built fish market, as does Weston in St James and there is a smaller one in Paynes Bay. Tip – unless you are an expert in the art of preparing flying fish (and few are), do save yourself the time and effort by buying the packs of deboned fish.