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The cuisine of St Lucia is a combination of French and British dishes, since both held claim to the islands throughout the centuries. The dishes do have a Caribbean flair, using locally grown fruits such as bananas, mangoes, oranges, tangerines, avocados, and breadfruit (a potato flavored and textured tropical fruit). The most famous dish of St Lucia is called bouyon, a stew-like dish cooked with saltfish (salt-cured fish) and vegetables such as plaintains (savory banana-like fruit), dasheen (a taro-like tuber), and yams (another tuber plant). Often coconut milk or water is added alongside dumplings. French food is common in St Lucia, particularly in the Creole style (French influenced Caribbean food) and British influences can be seen with the choice of added ingredients.

Bars and Pubbing in St Lucia

Most hotels in St Lucia will provide entertainment for guests throughout the week, including live music, dancing, and cultural performances. Otherwise, for some of the best night life head to Rodney Bay or Gros Islet, which both offer the liveliest atmosphere. One of the most popular night clubs on the island is Pulse (Rodney Bay), playing dance music until around 3:00 a.m. The Lime (Rodney Bay) also has a night club on the upper level, playing dance music until around 3:00 a.m.

One of the best places to go in Gros Islet is Xanadu Lounge, which has a slightly bohemian feel and is popular with artistic types. They have live music on weekends, providing an unforgettable ambiance. Another particularly lively bar is Happy Cock (Gros Islet), which is popular with locals and tourists alike.

Every Friday the town of Gros Islet holds a street party, where the locals come to party the night away. Caribbean music, with infectious bass lines and pulsating rhythms, is pumped out to the dancing crowd. Visitors are welcomed to join in the fun, and there is no doubt that there is a lot of fun to be had at these parties.

Dining and Cuisine in St Lucia

The best restaurants in St Lucia are in Castries, Soufriere, and around Pointe du Cap. To sample an eclectic mix of all the traditional ingredients of St Lucia cooked in a modern style, you can go to Boudreu (Marigot Bay, Castries). It offers open air-dining serving dishes such as pan-roasted kingfish cooked in maple and mango sauce. This restaurant is popular, open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; bookings are essential. Another great place to eat modern fusion food is Boucan (Soufriere), located on a working cocoa plantation. The locally cultivated cocoa is used in almost dish, such as citrus salad with white chocolate dressing for appetizer, and rib-eye steak marinated with roasted cacao nibs for entrée. It is located on West Coast Road, three miles south of Soufriere in the Rabot Estate.

For something more typically Caribbean you can try Dasheene (Soufriere). They are well known for providing a delicious fresh catch of the day fish entrée, which you can enjoy from a marvelous view overlooking the breathtaking ‘Pitons’. They also provide a lunch menu of light dishes, bookings are recommended. An excellent seafood restaurant is Buzz (Rodney Bay, Pointe du Cap), where fresh lobster is available in season between August and March. They serve a variety of other fresh seafood, and a full vegetarian menu is also on offer. The restaurant is only open for dinner from 6:30 p.m. onward, closed on Mondays. Reservations are essential.

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