Before I dive into this one or give the impression that I am this hardcore food critic let me just state that I am not. Someone once claimed that I happiest while I’m eating which I’m not certain is entirely true, but I do love a flavorful fulfilling meal when it’s time to chow. That being said, I’m not a picky eater. There are only a few things I won’t eat like lobster, crab, and liver and that is only by personal choice. Now, I don’t go parading the town thinking I’m some kind of ‘foodie’ either, but I do like discovering new things on my trips and travels. In St. Lucia I asked several times if there was something that could only be feasted upon here or what the island was known for in the culinary department like the Bahamas for its conch salad and Trinidad for its roti, but my questions were received with blank stares.
Without any strong restaurant recommendations I either used the local St. Lucia magazines or turned to the closest place at first hint of a stomach growl. Lets go to the kitchen. I mean follow me into my Looshan dining experience.
My first meal and several others to follow where at the Calabash Bar and the La Pomme Canelle Restaurant found in the Glencastle Resort where I camped out for the week. It was never my intentions to eat so much there, but the chef was truly amazing. Everything I had from the curried chicken, shrimp and a certain fish that I cannot recall the name was absolutely ambrosial. Convenience played a huge factor in my dining there as well with it being a few steps down the stairs from my room. However, if you are searching for a good meal with good service outside of the main attraction give this place a try. ($$)
La Pomme Canelle Restaurant is located in Massade, Gros Islet at the Glencastle Resort. Ph. 758.450.0833
Next place up is a restaurant (you will hate me for this) that I did not get the name of, but was directed to by a Rasta Man who said he found it more Creole than the one across the road (The Lime.) So if you want to head to this one look across the street from the Lime Restaurant and next to the Inner Gallery in Rodney Bay. You’ll see a small outdoors place serving a ton of yummy Creole selections. Take a few friends as atmosphere doesn’t count for much considering its outdoors and in the center of a few small buildings and shops. Try the green banana and fish salad if you’ve never had it before. I found this very tasty from place to place. ($)
I found my way into Spinnakers Beach Bar & Grill for the first time simply searching for an ice cold blended beverage to cool me off from the hot-hot Saint Lucia sunrays. The next time I worked my way in I was having a full lunch entree. The Lemon Pepper Fish with salad was what I went after and with some amount of skepticism. I thought I had just settled into one of those high-priced tourist spots on the beach where the food was only mediocre, but I was very surprised. The fish was actually really, really good. It was covered in a lemon sauce and with just a sprinkle of some extra pepper my taste-buds were soaring. The service was only so-so and it was still a little pricey for lunch ($25 US) which includes two glasses of pineapple juice. Certainly worth a go if you’re on the beach anyway. ($$)
Spinnakers is loacted on Rodney Bay Beach off of Reduit Drive in Rodney Bay. Ph. 758.452.8491
Castaways are another Rodney Bay based restaurant. I swung in here for lunch on a different occasion and ordered a tuna melt with a side of slaw. While waiting I made conversation with the staff who were all pretty friendly and welcoming. I sipped on a cool passion fruit drink and when my meal came I gobbled it down. The tuna melt here has got to be one of the best I have ever had in my life. It was just a little greasy, but that is my looking for flaws when really it was very delicious. The cole slaw was okay and the portion size was beyond what I anticipated so I walked off only eating half of it. Bring a friend if you plan on ordering the slaw. There are several other items on the menu to choose from, but the seafood selections are all highly advised. ($-$$)
Castaways Restaurant and Bar is located in Rodney Bay off of Reduit Drive. Ph. 758.452.8012
The Marine House is a spot serving local dishes and for very good prices. I tried this place on two different occasions. The first time I ordered fish n’ chips and that was only okay. Nothing mind blowing there and the fish could have been cooked much better. The second time I went with chicken roti which I think I’ll be sticking with at Trinidadian owned and operated spots. The roti was only so-so. In short, this is a good place to fill up if you are on a super tight budget and just need something fast. ($)
The Marine House is located in Gros Islet off the main road. Ph. 758.450.8515
Last dining destination I gave a try was Cafe Olé tucked in the Rodney Bay Marina and Shops in Gros Islet. It is a place all the sailors go and any with a boat goes to fill up after sailing the seas or goes to recruit a crew to set out later in the afternoon. (I was invited to go sailing, but had to decline.) There are beautiful tiny flirty island girls working behind the counter that wink at the boys and give half smiles to women like me. They are nice and the service is good and it is a cool place to people watch if you are in to that sort of thing. Again, I went with a tuna dish. It was the sweet and spicy tuna salad to be exact and I had a fruit smoothie to wash it down. The salad was filling and tasty too. The smoothie was too syrupy for my liking. ($)
There are a few places on the North island area that I did not make it to which I am told where worth a try like Ku De Ta (Thai Cuisine) and Razmataz Tandoori (Indian). I am sure there are several others I failed to get to, but one last thing I forgot to mention earlier was I didn’t have a botttomless budget for food so places like Big Chef in Rodney Bay were a little out of the question for this trip, but there is always next time.
For my thoughts on where not to eat click here and scroll all the way down.