Ultimate Seafood Guide When Traveling to Barbados

Barbados is often thought of as a Caribbean Island, and though this is certainly true in a cultural sense, the island itself sits on the easternmost edge of the Lesser Antilles, placing it mostly in the Atlantic Ocean, rather than the Caribbean Sea. But, with the Caribbean Sea so close by, and with greater access to the Atlantic than neighboring islands, this means that Barbados has access to some of the very best seafood in the West Indies. That means that any Barbados restaurant worth its salt (fish) will only use the freshest of seafood, with the best chefs in Barbados often also using both traditional and modern recipes to bring out the best in this bounty. Read on to view our ultimate guide to more information about how to enjoy the best of Barbados seafood.

Bridgetown Fish Market

The Bridgetown Fish Market is where hotels, restaurants, locals, and your villa’s private chef go to get the freshest catches, often almost right off the boat. While availability varies by season, you can expect to find swordfish, tuna, and flying fish year-round. If you’re staying near Bridgetown and want to get the absolute freshest seafood, this is the source.

Oistins Friday Night Fish Fry

While the Bridgetown market is utilitarian, no Barbados seafood guide would be complete without mentioning the Friday Night Fish Fry at the Oistins market, located 20 minutes away from Bridgetown by car. Resembling a street food festival, the Oistins Friday Night Fish Fry starts at 7:00 PM and sees different vendors offering fresh catches cooked to order (and, despite the name, most often grilled), while bands and DJs play in the background. It’s one of the liveliest scenes on the island and attracts tons of locals and tourists. Don’t expect anything fancy but do expect amazing, fresh seafood at a great value. 

Best Barbados Seafood Restaurants

Positano Restaurant

Payne’s Bay, St. James

Sun-Sat: 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM 

Photo Credit: https://all-inclusive.marriott.com/

Positano is located at the former site of Daphne’s, which, despite being an island favorite, is now closed. Like Daphne’s, Positano focuses on modern Italian, with a big emphasis on seafood delivered in a classic, upscale, waterfront ambiance. Though the restaurant has only been around since December 2021, the lobster pasta is already becoming a crowd favorite, as is the pizza bar. 

Cariba Restaurant

Clarkes Gap, St James

Sun-Sat: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Photo Credit: https://www.facebook.com/CaribaRestaurant

Set inside an authentic Bajan house and serving up Bajan cuisine with an Asian twist, Cariba is a family-owned restaurant that offers a warm, welcoming, and authentic experience. Signature dishes include shrimp curry, crab cakes, and the catch of the day.

Champers Restaurant

Skeetes Hill, Christ Church

Mon-Sat: 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM

Sun-Sat: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Photo Credit: http___champersrestaurant.com_about-champers_

Known for its mix of international and Caribbean cuisine, as well as for its exquisite service and stunning ambiance, Champers is easily one of the best fine dining options on the island. From the cocktails to the lovely ocean views overlooking Accra Beach, visitors are consistently delighted, making it an especially good choice for special dinners like anniversaries.  The barracuda is a popular choice that you don’t often see and comes highly recommended. Reservations are suggested and there is an elegantly casual dress code (meaning men are required to wear long pants).

Coral Reef Club Restaurant

St. James Beach, St. James

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Photo Credit: https___coralreefbarbados.com_restaurant-bar_

If you’re looking for a chic, swanky, and romantic dining option, the Coral Reef Club Restaurant delivers. The menu is always changing depending on what’s freshest, though mahi-mahi, shrimp, lobster, and ahi tuna are usually on offer. Dinner can be pricey, but the show floor makes up for it. Reservations are suggested and there is an elegantly casual dress code.

L’Azure Restaurant at The Crane

The Crane Resort, St. James

Mon-Sat: 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Mon-Sun: 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Photo Credit: https://www.thecrane.com/

L’Azure is a Caribbean and international fine dining restaurant in the Crane Resort with a big focus on fish. Salmon, barracuda, flying fish, and a featured catch of the night are all on offer and are consistently fresh and satisfying, and the waterfront ambiance only elevates the experience. Reservations are suggested.

The Atlantis Hotel & Restaurant

Tent Bay, St. Joseph 

Sun-Mon 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Wed-Sat 8:00 AM- 10: AM

Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM 

Thurs & Sun: 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM 

Photo Credit: https___www.atlantishotelbarbados.com_Barbados-Fine-Dining_

Having served the island for over 100 years with simple, home-cooked food, the Atlantis consistently offers up a great catch of the day that can be blackened, pan-seared, or grilled. Tempura shrimp, octopus and calamari are also very popular, and the location is second-to-none if you’re in St Joseph Parish. Reservations are suggested.

Quatro Passi

Derricks, St. James

Mon-Sun 6:30 PM  – 12:00 AM

Photo Credit: https___www.ristorantequattropassi.it_en_menu

Formerly known as The Cliff, Quatro Passi (QP) benefits from one of the best locations in Barbados. And though the legacy left behind by the Cliff, one of Barbados’ most-loved restaurants, will be tough to follow, by all accounts QP is on-track with delightful, modern Italian cuisine and the same unforgettable ambiance that The Cliff was known for. Reservations are recommended.

Pier One at Port St Charles Yacht Club

Mon-Fri 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Sat 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sun 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Photo Credit: https___www.facebook.com_pieronebarbados_

With a gorgeous location overlooking the Port St Charles marina, Pier One offers Caribbean fare at surprisingly reasonable prices. For seafood lovers, the catch of the day is once again the stand-out here, though the tuna poke bowl is also recommended. A great spot for lunch.

Sandy Lane Bajan Blue Restaurant

Sandy Lane, St. James

Sun-Sat 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM 

Photo Credit: https___www.sandylane.com_photo-gallery_dining

The gorgeous Bajan Blue at the Sandy Lane resort offers some of the best Bajan food in Barbados. The sushi and sashimi options are great and give guests a chance to really experience the freshness of Bajan seafood firsthand. Spiny lobster, tuna, sea bream and red snapper are also on offer, as are a host of creative appetizers and mains that combine Caribbean, Asian, and European sensibilities. Reservations are suggested, especially for dinner.

L’Acajou in Sandy Lane

Sandy Lane, Barbados

Sun-Sat 6:45 PM – 10;00 PM

Photo Credit: https___www.sandylane.com_barbados-dining_lacajou

As Sandy Lane’s fine dining restaurant, L’Acajou offers high-end French and Mediterranean fare. While much of the seafood, like the Alaskan king crab, Mediterranean sea bass, or Canadian jumbo prawn, is imported, everything on offer is of the highest possible quality and freshness. While it’s one of the priciest options on the island, it’s also one of its most refined and renowned. Reservations are required, and an elegantly casual dress code is in effect.

Lone Star Restaurant

Mount Steadfast

Sun-Sat 8:30 AM – 10:30 PM

Photo Credit: https___www.thelonestar.com_restaurant_dinner-menu_

With a stunning beachfront location, Lone Star Restaurant prides itself on sourcing the best and freshest ingredients. This makes for some great seafood options, including a catch of the day dish that’s always a good bet. Sunday lunch is especially popular. 

Let your Rental Escapes Concierge Help 

As you can see, there are plenty of great options for seafood in Barbados, and with so many Barbados villas having private chefs, there really is no limit to how you can enjoy the island’s bounty. Feeling overwhelmed? Book now with Rental Escapes and let our concierge help you make recommendations and reservations, as well as help you set up a custom meal plan if your villa stay includes a private chef.