Dining

Trinidad and Tobago are home to diverse cultures which reflects in its cuisine which is a blend of African, Creole, East Indian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Syrian and Lebanese. All the unique combinations of dishes from all these places are made from fresh ingredients to tantalize customers' taste buds.

In Creole preparations, ingredients such as coconut, sweet potatoes, plantain, and meat are used. Cassava and fish are other popular ingredients included in this preparation. Some of the favorite savories are callaloo; a soup prepared with spinach or dasheen leaves, ochroes, hot pepper, local flavoring and crab or other meat is also added sometimes. The delicacy known as Spanish pastelles (corn pastries stuffed with meat and cooked in banana leaves) is as popular as Chinese food. Pelau is also a Creole dish, which is mainly a rice dish with ingredients such as peas, cooked meat, coconut and pepper. One of the restaurants that specifically serve Creole cuisine is the Shirvan Watermill, in Mt Pleasant in Tobago. Chefs here also make fish dishes in a variety of ways such as grilled, baked, stewed or curried.

Desserts mostly consist of tropical fruits like guavas, mangoes and pawpaws. Indian sweets are also quite famous with the locals as well as tourists. Local non-alcoholic drinks include ginger beer, fruit juices and coconut water. Rum as well as Angostura bitters are made in the Republic while beer is made locally.

A majority of the excellent restaurants are located in the hotel premises itself, whereas the single theme-based restaurants serving Indian, Chinese or seafood cuisines are found in close proximity.

In Trinidad and Tobago, you will find every kind of restaurant that offers good ambiance and décor and a variety of cuisines. Restaurants maybe open-air, offering spectacular views of the sunset or may have cozy yet comfortable interiors. Most of the restaurants are moderately priced and easily accessible from major hotels.

There are a large number of roti shops in Trinidad and Tobago. At these establishments, Roti, Indian flat bread, is offered with curry meat or vegetables. One of the restaurants that serve genuine Indian food, such as tandoori and biriyani, is Apsara, found in a picturesque spot opposite the Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain.

Chinese cuisine is equally popular in the twin islands. The dishes prepared have a blend of local flavor combined with Cantonese or Thai tastes. You can find anything from seafood to vegetable dishes. Some Thai and Chinese restaurants located here are the Tamnak Thai, around the Queen's Park Savannah and Jenny's on the Boulevard, outside Port of Spain. One exceptional flavor of fast food that really reflects the local taste is "doubles". It contains hand-sized roti called bharra, sandwiched with curried channa in the middle. Some of the well-known doubles places are located at the Barataria Roundabout, in St Augustine, and at the El Socorro Junction in San Juan.

Food at chain restaurants and road side bake and roti sellers will usually cost you less than US $10 and can go as low as US $3. The upscale restaurants offer European and Caribbean food for about US $30 per person, which includes soup, starters, main course, and deserts. Reasonably priced restaurants, serve food that costs around US $10 and also offers some dishes that can cost up to US $30.

A. Top Restaurants

Café Iguana

Address

Corner Store Bay Local Road,

Crown Point.

Telephone No.: 631-8205

Fax No.: 631-8205

This is only jazz location and premiere cocktail lounge in Tobago. International and Caribbean cuisines are served here. You can try their specialty of curry crab and dumplings, callaloo soup and jumbo shrimp. This restaurant also serves excellent vegetarian food and the desserts available here are the talk of the town.

La Terrazza

Address

Shirvan Road,

Buccoo,

C/o La Terrazza Restaurant.

Telephone No./Fax No.: 639-8242

The cuisine served is Italian with homemade pastas and regional specialties made from authentic ingredients. The wide variety of wine served at this joint are some of the best. It is strongly suggested to make reservations for dinner.

La Boucan and Pool Terrace Garden Restaurants

Address

Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre,

Lady Young Road,

Belmont.

Telephone No.: 624-3211

Fax No.: 624-4485

This is one of the restaurants in Trinidad serving the most excellent international cuisine. Their Thai chef makes authentic Thai dishes every single night. The restaurant is popular for its truly outstanding service, and was named one of the finest in the Caribbean. It is open from 7pm to 11pm, Monday through Saturday. The Pool Terrace Garden Restaurant serves a varied range of breakfast and lunch buffets in a calm environment. You can also try the Sunday brunch, from noon to 2:30pm.

Seahorse Inn

Address

Grafton Beach Road,

Black Rock.

Telephone No.: 639-0686

Fax No.: 639-0057

This eatery overlooks a famous leatherback turtle-nesting site and is Tobago's premier beachside restaurant. The cuisine served includes seafood, steaks, Creole and International delicacies. You can listen to steel pan and calypso music while dining in this internationally claimed joint. Prior reservations to this place are highly advisable.

Veni Mangé

Address

67A Ariapita Avenue,

Woodbrook.

Telephone No.: 624-4597

Fax No. 624-4597

This particular hub is a traditional West Indian restaurant, with its interiors creating a lovely tropical atmosphere. Veni Mangé (French dialect for ‘Come and Eat') serves a blend of Caribbean food with French influence. They also offer local food, which includes callaloo soup, cooked beef with dumplings, as well as vegetarian food.