← Go to Epicurious.com

Community Table from Epicurious

from Epicurious

Take your place at the table

A visit to the Caribbean Islands isn't complete without trying the local cuisine. With so many islands to choose from and each island's spin on traditional Caribbean food, your vacation can easily become a smorgasbord spices, meats, and vegetables all prepared differently. Make the most of your Caribbean trip, whether you visit one island or several, by using technology to guide you to the best restaurants for the tastiest foods. Here are six dishes you don't want to miss while you're there.

Roast Pork

No matter where you go in the Caribbean, you're likely to find roast pork on the menu. Juicy meat mingles with traditional sides like rice, beans, and plantains to create an exquisite flavor combination. Different islands will have their own spin on roast pork, so it may be worth trying in a few locations. Make sure to hop on an app like Zomato to find restaurants, read menus, and get directions so you don't miss out on the best roast pork of your vacation spot.

Jerk Chicken

4239908274_c3470d8cf8.jpg

Image via Flickr by naotakem

Jerk chicken is one of Jamaica's most famous foods, and if you've ever tasted it then you already know why. If you're visiting Jamaica, you want to get the very best jerk chicken. Whether you prefer the meat dry rubbed or marinated in jerk spice, an app like OpenTable will make reservations at the restaurant of your choice. You can also use the app to view menus and read reviews so you can figure out if the restaurant serves plantains or rice on the side.

Conch

11919633273_08dd960ba8.jpg

Image via Flickr by istolethetv

Most popular in the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas, conch makes delicious dishes like chowder and fritters. It's a shellfish, but one many may not have tasted before. If you're uncertain about how you'd most like to taste conch prepared, hop on the trusty ole internet to discover different ways you can prepare it. Conch fritters are one of the most popular ways and they are simple, easy and delightfully satisfying.

Callaloo

6794661129_9624e06ea5.jpg

Image via Flickr by Shivonne Du Barry

This vegetable stew originates in West Africa. A leafy vegetable like amaranth (called callaloo in the Caribbean) or taro makes up the main portion of the stew. Different regions of the Caribbean have their own twists on the dish. In Trinidad they use okra and water spinach, while Jamaicans tend to stick with the callaloo leaf. Other ingredients like coconut milk, salt, onion, conch, and crab may show up in the dish as well, depending on region. Use a review app like Yelp to figure out which Caribbean restaurants have the best callaloo.

Pepperpot

Pepperpot comes from Guyana, one of the few Caribbean nations that isn't an island. This dish is a special occasion meal for most Guyanese since preparing it is an intensive process. Its staple is a meat, like beef or pork, seasoned with cinnamon and other spices, and cooked with peppers and many other ingredients from okra to squash. Everything goes into a large pot and cooks for hours. Search out a restaurant with a unique recipe for this one. You may have to dig through a few reviews to find it, but it'll be worth it if you do.

Goat Stew

Goat stew can range in texture, from a thin broth that's more like a soup (goat water) to a thick hearty version (kabritu) found in Aruba. Like many of the dishes on this list, each island has their own traditions and recipes when it comes to goat stew. Some use goat head and foot while cooking, and others use Jamaican curry to season the dish. You might come across it called mutton in local restaurants, or chevon in areas that cater to tourists. If you really want an authentic experience, download the app EatWith. You can sign up for a chef-hosted dinner party in the area and get a real taste of the local cuisine.

Apps, devices, and internet access make it easier than ever to figure out exactly where the best conch fritters are or which Jamaican restaurant books up fast and require reservations. Try one or two of these Caribbean foods, or be daring and sample something new at each meal.

Hailey Robinson

› See my posts

Hailey is a recent graduate with a degree in Journalism. Now that she isn't face first in books she is trying to travel as much as she can. She writes in her free time between fixing up her new house and teaching people how to live a longer, healthier life.