Across all three islands of Grenada and the smaller Grenadines, you will be treated to excellent local Caribbean specialties. Sample the national dish, oil down (pronounced ile dung by the locals), a stew-like concoction containing local produce mixed with coconut milk, saffron and other spices. Due to the nation’s historic ties, French cuisine is also common, but there are plenty of international options if you get a craving for Western food.
Bars and Pubbing in Grenada
Due to the size and overall population of Grenada, most of the nightlife is centered in the capital, St George’s, on the largest island. Regardless of which hotel you stay in, there’s bound to be an after-dinner show with calypso, reggae music and lots of dancing. Many of the restaurants combine their meals with nightly entertainment provided by local musicians, and guests are invited to join in the festivities.
If you’re looking for a wild night out, it’s best to park yourself in St George’s. Dubbed Grenada’s “party palace,” Fantazia 2001 (Morne Rouge, St George’s) is a popular nightclub with a lively atmosphere, music and dancing until 4:00 a.m. Bananas Sports Bar and Night Club (True Blue, St George’s) is another spot where you can begin your night sipping a beer and watching the TV before venturing into the “Carib Cave’” to dance the night away under famous DJS.
If you are looking for something a little more low-key, check out one of the resort bars or restaurants for some live music. Aquarium Restaurant (Point Salines, St George’s) in St George’s often has performers that start at 3:00 p.m. on Sundays, or Lambi Queen Restaurant (Tyrell Bay, Carriacou) on the island of Carriacou, which has traditional steel pan beats on weekend evenings.
Dining and Cuisine in Grenada
Aside from the national dish, oil down, other local specialties in Grenada include crab and callaloo (a typical Caribbean plate cooked with taro and other spices), pepper pot (a stew made of several kinds of meat cooked in pepper, garlic, onions, and chives served with rice), or pig souse (another kind of hotpot with slow braised meat served with vegetables).
The widest selections of restaurants are clustered in St George’s, although plenty of good eateries exist in other places around the islands, including Carriacou. One of the most popular spots in Grenada is the beachside Aquarium (Point Salines, St George’s), which offers a mix of Caribbean and local cuisine, and is known for its live music. Also found in St George’s is the ever popular Vastra Banken (Le Phare Bleu, Petite Calivigny Bay, St George’s), where you board a converted historic lighthouse ship docked in the bay for elegant fine dining. Reservations are recommended and opening hours run between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
For authentic Grenadian cuisine, Slipway Restaurant (Tyrell Bay, Carriacou) on Carriacou Island will certainly satisfy your seafood cravings. You will also find other restaurants located around Tyrell Bay, including Lambi Queeen (Tyrell Bay, Carriacou), which is known for its live steel pan performances that accompany meals. Another popular restaurant on Carriacou is Bogles Round House (Bogles, Carriacou), which offers quaint surroundings, humble food, and has lodgings should you fall in love with the place and wish to extend your stay beyond just the meal.
You will find several fabulous restaurants all over Grenada, including on the small island of Petite Martinique should you wish to travel further afield. Just look for the bays with the most impressive views and you will surely find a great place to eat and unwind.