Photo Credit: Christian Lendl

Comprising 32 separate islands, it is no wonder that the nation of St Vincent and the Grenadines is passionate about fish and seafood. The town of Barrouallie on the west coast of St Vincent is famous for holding a fish festival on the first Friday of every month, where you can try the local specialty black fish (pilot whale). Also on offer will be lambi (queen conch), lobster, squid, and octopus. Otherwise the traditional West Indian fare is curried goat meat served with roasted breadfruit (a potato flavored and textured tropical fruit).

Bars and Pubbing in St Vincent and the Grenadines

Like so many other Caribbean nations, the islanders are passionate about rum. Each country will produce its own variety, and the sugarcane based liquor of St Vincent and the Grenadines is called Sunset rum. The popular homegrown beer here is Hairoun, a light, refreshing ale for a good price. The country also produces a type of wine called black wine, which is mainly used for cooking, but can be drunk by itself, or is sometimes mixed with rum.

St Vincent and the Grenadines is not known throughout the Caribbean for its pulsating nightlife although this does not mean to say there is not still plenty to do here. Most of the entertainment will be centered around the resort hotels, where during high season you can expect a planned event every night of the week at one of these places. The hotels will offer a combined dinner and show package, which will include live performances and dancing to steel drum bands.

Aside from the hotels, the most popular nightspot on St Vincent is the Aquatic Club (St George, St Vincent) which often features live performances from reggae, soca, or calypso bands, with lots of dancing. It is most lively on the weekends, starting around 11:00 p.m. closing down at 4:00 a.m. For something a little more tranquil you can head to a sit-down show at Young Island Resort which features a traditional barbecue and steel band music.

Dining and Cuisine in St Lucia

For the best selection of restaurants you should head to Kingstown, although there are some good options if staying on the other islands, like Bequia or Mustique. For some of the best seafood you can go to Basil’s Bar and Restaurant (Kingstown, St Vincent), which lunch and dinner menus featuring lobster, shrimp, and freshly caught fish. There are also standard international meals such as sandwiches and steaks. It is located beneath a former sugar warehouse, creating a great atmosphere. It is open between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. daily, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For traditional Caribbean featuring Creole flavors, such as the famous goat curry, you can go to Vee Jay’s Rooftop Diner (Kingstown, St Vincent) which gives great views from high up as you eat your meal. Sapodilla (Kingstown, St Vincent) is another good option, providing an intimate atmosphere. The restaurant prides itself on having as many ingredients produced on the island as possible.

One of the best restaurants on Bequia is L’Auberge des Grenadines (Port Elizabeth, Bequia), serving modern French cuisine. It is open daily with a lunch menu between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and for dinner 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Reservations are required for dinner. On the island of Mustique, the most popular restaurant is Firefly (Britannia Bay, Mustique). It serves a range of contemporary Caribbean, French, and international cuisine. It is open daily between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.; reservations are recommended for dinner.

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