Barbados like most countries has weathered the COVID 19 storm and there have been a number of take-overs, closures and re-openings of Restaurants on the west coast. The dining scene is back and there is a lot to choose from along the coast. It should be noted that during the Christmas Season from mid-December to mid-January, we almost double our population on the west coast, these restaurants get booked up really early, so make your reservations well in advance to avoid disappointment.
Starting on the southern end of the west coast La Cabane is a “feet in the sand,” laid back experience, located at Batts Rock beach. Clement Meniaud and Jules Gualdoni (Formerly the Sommelier / Bar Manager at The Cliff) have created what they call “the perfect mix of rustic and luxurious lifestyle at La Cabane.” They offer terrific cocktails and a simple, limited menu of local ingredients prepared with Mediterranean flair. They are open from breakfast on the weekends, lunch and dinner every day of the week.
Cin Cin closed and was taken over by a Spanish management company and is now called Cala Roca, offering a high-end, innovative, modern Tapas menu. The former Chef & Manager Larry & Michelle Rogers will be running the restaurant during the summer months. The restaurant located in Prospect, still offers both enclosed and outdoor terrace, beachfront dining, with some Spanish décor. They are open Thursday to Saturday for lunch and Dinner until December.
The Cliff and the Cliff Bistro as we knew it closed and has been rebuilt under new ownership and management. The Cliff Bistro is now called QP Bistro , located at Derrick’s, St. James with a more modern boho vibe, offering light, Italian & Mediterranean influenced dishes with sumptuous desserts, with fabulous views across the water. They are open for lunch Thursday to Sunday and Dinner Monday to Sunday, open until 1am Wednesday – Saturday for those who wish to stay on and enjoy drinks at the bar. There is entertainment occasionally, check when booking. We are anxiously awaiting the re-opening of The Cliff, which has been transformed and will offer a variety of airconditioned and outdoor seating areas on its lower terrace, with top end menu and service in time for December 2022.
Paul Owens, formerly the Executive head chef at The Cliff for 25 years is now at Paul Ownes at The Beach House in Holetown, open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. He features a number of favourites from The Cliff menu along with some newer selections. If you prefer something more casual you can also enjoy drinks especially at sunset or a light dinner next door at the Drift Ocean Terrace Lounge. Both offer valet parking.
The Tides has been sold by Tammy & Guy Beasley who owned and managed it for over 25 years, to the new managers of The Cliff and pretty much everything has remained the same. The beachside location, popular international menu and shades of blue décor is still there and there is entertainment on some evenings.
Zaccios and Surfside Restaurant and Beach Bar are a couple of casual beach / Sports bars that are fun to watch sporting action with locals in very basic surroundings or great for enjoying an inexpensive local meal or drinks for lunch and dinner.
Holetown offers a variety of choices within the Limegrove Lifestyle Centre , with Fusion Rooftop Restaurant on the top floor serving elegant dinners along with Sushi, every night except Sundays.
Some other favourites at Limegrove are Pepenero, Lemongrass and The Rustic Chef. There is supposed to be a merger between Relish Epicurean and West Bar and the creative Timothy Oulton is supposed to take over the main bar area this year. We are waiting for confirmation as I write this blog as to his plans.
On the famous 2nd street there is The Mews Restaurant and Piano lounge, serving dinner nightly except Sundays in the summer months, they feature an international menu with Farm to table specialities. This location is very popular after dinner especially on Friday nights when they party spills onto the street.
Nishi on the corner serves an eclectic menu including Sushi serving dinner nightly except for Tuesdays.
Across from Folkstone & Coral reef Hotel there are three small restaurants / bars that are offer casual fare, in simple surrounding that are worth a visit. They all open for dinner and drinks and are closed on Sundays. There is usually entertainment on some evenings. Sea Cat, serving a variety of mainly locally caught fish, seafood with mostly local ingredients The Horney Ram its sister restaurant offers a more meat inspired menu, both managed by Andrew Rapson.
South of the Horny Ram, in a small Chattel house to the front with a larger sitting area to the rear is West Coast Bar & Grill, managed by Andrew Roach serving Grilled items and local favourites.
Lone Star is still a popular choice located on the beach in Mt. Standfast, Porters, St. James, where they serve Breakfast on the beach or boardwalk, lunch, cocktails & Canapes and Dinner Daily. Sunday is extra fun and a favourite for locals and visitors. There is usually entertainment as well. Casual dress, so you can have a dip in the sea after dining if you wish. The menu is a blend of European and British cuisine with Caribbean and Asian influences. There is also a Little Stars Menu for kids. The Star bar is also great for pre-dinner meetings or sundowners.
A few doors before and after Lone Star are two casual Beach Bars serving snack and light meals. They also rent out beach chairs. Ju Ju’s is to the south and Juma’s is to the north.
The Sea Shed in Mullins has grown in size, adding a small deck and DJ booth to the south. This extremely popular beach restaurant offers dining on their covered terrace of on the beach. Their menu features many seafood dishes along with some Mediterranean dishes and Pizza. They are open from 11:30 – 8:30 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sunday full menu 11:30-4PM | Afternoon Bites: 4-7PM
Speightsown suffered a horrible fire gutting a number of buildings and then COVID hit, however it has bounced back and now has quite a choice of locations to enjoy casual, beachside dining. There are a number of small bars or Rum Shops dotted along the coast and the famous old Jetty has been restored. A few of the more popular locations are below.
The Local & Company is a newcomer to the restaurant scene and they focus on promoting sustainability in Barbados, incorporating ingredients fromlocal and regional farms, producers and wild foragers. They are located on the waterfront and are open for lunch and dinner, closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Little Bristol Beach Bar, open from 12 noon from Wednesday to Sunday for snacks and local fair, entertainment most nights.
Orange Street Grocer is a well-established eatery and Nick the owner is a seasoned restaurant manager. They serve Breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu features healthy Salads, Sandwiches and thin crust pizza. Open daily from 9am.
Baia Barbados is the newest restaurant to open, at the beachfront location that was briefly another restaurant called Hugos, that closed just prior to COVID and is the sister restaurant to Fushion Rooftop. The menu features a variety of Peruvian dishes with some local ingredients intertwined. Open daily except Tuesdays for Lunch and Dinner.
The Fish Pot at Little Good Harbour, the furthest north is another restaurant that made it through COVID and remains the same quaint, beachfront staple serving a variety of good quality meals with Mediterranean and Asian influences. They are open for Breakfast 8am to 10am Monday to Friday and 8am to 10:30am Saturday and Sunday, with an All Day Menu 12pm - 8:30 pm.
