Foodies know one of the best things about traveling is trying new cuisine and discovering new restaurants. Here’s a little recap about all the eating and drinking we enjoyed during our trip to Dominica.
But before we begin, here’s a quick introduction to Dominica. Pronounced “DOM-uh-nica,” this country is part of the Eastern Caribbean. You’ll find familiar Caribbean-style dishes here and lots of tasty options.
What to Eat in Dominica
A typical plate is loaded with protein and sides. Expect protein like lamb, shrimp, pork, chicken, and fish. Sides include potatoes, yuca, lentils, plantains, and more. For example, see this menu at one restaurant, Keep’ It Real.
You’ll find hot sauce on the table! The brand will vary and restaurants may make their own, but local hot sauce can be HOT.
We ate the breakfast buffet at our hotel every morning, which was a great way to fuel up for the day. It had a wide selection, including scrambled eggs, pastries and fried dough, sauteed chickpeas, and fruit.
What to Drink in Dominica
Sorrel punch was one of my favorite discoveries during our trip. It was available on our breakfast buffet. A red juice popular around Christmas, sorrel punch is made by boiling the sorrel plant and adding ginger and spices like cloves and allspice. Sorrel is called roselle in other parts of the world and is a type of hibiscus.
You’ll likely find tropical cocktails like rum punch on menus. These taste better when you have a view of the ocean. 😉
For local beers, Kubuli and Carib are the options. Kubuli is Dominica’s beer while Carib is available all around the Caribbean. They are both lagers.
While you can drink the water in Dominica, many restaurants serve plastic water bottles.
Restaurants in Dominica to Try
We had some good eats in Dominica!
Quick tips:
- I recommend asking locals and other tourists you meet for restaurant options. You’ll likely find some surprise spots.
- We rented a car, which I recommend so that you have more flexibility to visit restaurants. If you want flexibility without a car, I recommend staying in Roseau to be within walking distance of more options.
- Sunday nights seemed very quiet at night and we had trouble finding something open. Dine early!
Here are the restaurants we visited:
Keepin’ It Real (Toucari, North) – While you’re exploring the north of the island (we were visiting Cabrits National Park), make a stop for some delicious plates at Keepin’ It Real. You’ll find ocean views as it’s on the beach and hearty, flavorful seafood. We wish we stayed closer to be able to dine here more than once!
Chez Wen (Scott’s Head, South) – We dined here several nights of our trip! The menu is simple – pick a protein and two sides. This restaurant was a short drive from our hotel and it was always a laidback experience.
Lacou (Roseau) – For finer dining, you’ll love Lacou in the capital city. Seasonal, local ingredients are combined into beautiful dishes by a talented Canadian chef. The building is also remodeled and is a lovely place. One of our favorite meals of our trip!
Roger’s (Scott’s Head, South) – A solid lunch spot similar to Chez Wen. You’ll pick a protein and they load up the plate with sides of the day.
River Rock Cafe (Trafalgar) – If you’re seeing the sights near Morne Trois Pitons National Park, stop by River Rock Cafe for a hearty plate with a great view.
Petite Bistro (Marigot) – For eats close to the airport, Petite Bistro is a good stop. We got a plate with one protein (chicken) and two sides. Since flights out are around 3 pm, this was perfect for a last meal. Airport options are minimal.
Bottom Time Cafe (Soufriere) – For the best lionfish sandwiches, stop by this cafe inside Nature Island Dive Shop.
Perky Pizza – It’s nothing unique but these pizza slices were satisfying for a quick and easy dinner.
Palisades at Fort Young Hotel – The biggest hotel in Roseau, they have a rooftop restaurant with ocean views. We stopped here for a drink and were a little puzzled by their loud party music at 5 pm.
Creating these recaps is a fun way for me to look back on my trip. It reminds me of flavors, settings, and moments, like devouring a grilled lobster on the beach while feeling the sunshine on my skin. No matter if you visit Dominica or not, wherever you go, I hope you enjoy good food and find a way to remember it. 🙂
For more travel eats, follow this link!
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