St Kitts / Special Interests / Food and Cooking

An evening themed dinner or lunch buffet of West Indian and Kittitian food will more than likely feature in your hotel. Of course there are also many restaurants where you can find local fare. Fridays and Saturdays is barbecue time along the streets of Basseterre, with all sorts of fish and chicken grilled on makeshift kitchens set up on the pavements.

Restaurants known for good local food include:

Ballahoo Restaurant, The Circus - Located on a balcony above the Circus in the heart of Basseterre, Ballahoo has cheerful Caribbean décor with brightly-painted woodwork and chairs and an open-fronted veranda dining area lit up by fairy lights at night. A strong local menu, starting with saltfish with creole sauce for breakfast and offering daily lunch and dinner specials such as breaded blue parrot fish fillets, conch fritters, Creole chicken stew, curried mutton, chicken or vegetable roti and chilli shrimps. Open 8am-10pm. Closed Sunday. A popular spot for both locals and tourists

Circus Grill Bar & Restaurant, Bay Road, Basseterre - Sit out on the breezy veranda and watch the world go by. Many local dishes on the menu include tasty rotis which are big enough for two and goat water on Saturdays. On Fridays there is a West Indian buffet with a selection of dishes such as coconut dumpling, green banana, breadfruit pie, saltfish, chicken curry, mutton stew, pumpkin fritters, jerk pork, plantain and fresh fish.

Rawlins Plantation Inn, Rawlins, St Paul’s - Rawlins does an excellent West Indian buffet lunch. Home and locally-grown organic produce. Fungee and stewed saltfish, candied sweet potato, meatballs in ginger sauce, peas ‘n’ rice, saltfish fritters, curried chicken or lamb, jerk pork and chicken, and soursop sorbet. Situated at the northern end of the island, so is often included on an island tour. Note: Hotel and restaurant now closed until further notice.

Waterfalls, Ocean Terrace Inn, Fortlands, Basseterre - A West Indian buffet every Friday night that features local and regional dishes including goat water soup, Johnny cakes, steamed dumplings, stewed saltfish, soused pig trotters, black pudding, fungee, pepper pot, stew chicken, coconut dumplings, breadfruit, green bananas, escovich fish, steamed fish, roast beef, lamb or suckling pig.

Supermarkets in St Kitts include:

Ram’s Supermarket, Basseterre - General supermarket with a selection of fresh and frozen foods, plus wines and spirits.

Valu Mart, Horseford’s Commercial Complex, Basseterre - Supermarket with in store bakery, deli and pharmacy.