By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor
A GOOD MEAL is its own reward, made all the sweeter when you have to venture off the beaten path to seek it out. Here, in 10 Caribbean destinations, we’re sharing our favorite “secret” restaurants, where the pleasure is as much in the finding as in the eating.
Season To the Bone, Grand Cayman
Since jerk’s synonymous with Jamaica, you wouldn’t expect to find good jerk chicken in the Cayman Islands’ capital. But Jamaican Hyacinth Natty dishes up a mean jerk (and ackee and saltfish) from her home/restaurant in the Windsor Park neighborhood. “Nyam” yours on a bench in the front yard, or get it to go and enjoy it on the beach at nearby Smith’s Cove.
Dickie’s Best-Kept Secret, Jamaica
You’ll have to call ahead to be assured a table at this tiny and whimsical cliff’s-edge restaurant, hidden in plain sight on the big bend heading into Port Antonio. But it’ll be worth it for a hearty breakfast or lunch, cooked by one of Porty’s most memorable characters.
Plas Kassav, St. Lucia
Perched precipitously on the roadside in the village of Canaries, this tiny lean-to restaurant and bakery is famous for its filling cassava cakes, made from organic hand-ground flour. The tasty baked rounds come in a variety of flavors, both sweet and savory (saltfish? yes, please!), and make a portable and filling road-trip snack.
Oasis In The Gardens, Nevis
A Thai restaurant in a private botanical garden on Nevis? Why, yes! This authentic eatery, helmed by a Thai chef, serves up plates of Southeast Asian goodness with a garden view from 11am to 5pm, six days a week.
Daniel’s Café, Turks and Caicos Islands
It’s hard to say which is more appealing at this beachfront eatery near Conch Bar on Middle Caicos: the whole fried fish, or the company of affable restaurant owner, Daniel Forbes. Either is a great reason to put this on your island eat-inerary.
Café El Punto, Puerto Rico
You can’t walk two feet in San Juan without bumping into a restaurant that serves the local mashed-plantain must-eat, mofongo. But Café El Punto, a humble diner secreted down an alleyway off Old San Juan’s Fortaleza Street, is one of our favorites (and serves delicious fresh fruit smoothies, too).
Chez Carole, Martinique
You’ll be tempted by the profusion of stalls selling fragrant spices, peppery sauces and fresh tropical fruit, but make your way straight to the back of Fort-de-France’s covered market and this luncheonette where Mme. Carol serves authentic creole cuisine (we love the chicken Colombo, a local variation on curry) to hungry shoppers.
Waitukubuli’s Authentic Kitchen, Dominica
It doesn’t get much more remote than this tiny bakery-food stand in the Carib Territory of Dominica, but it’s more than worth the trek, highlighted by simply spectacular kassava-flour bread.
Papa Zouk, Antigua
The menu isn’t broad here, but the fish is delectable and the rum flows freely (indeed, it’s one of the largest rum collections of rum anywhere in the Caribbean. If you find this place on the outskirts of St John’s, you won’t be disappointed.
Santos Mariscos, Cancun
Finding authentic Mexican eats on Cancun’s main drag isn’t easy but it is possible, thanks to this small and charming barrio-themed restaurant on Boulevard Kulkulcan, where the tacos dressed with tamarind sauce and strawberry salsa are a real treat.