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Our favourite foods from the Americas and Caribbean

By Valeria Garibotti on 7th June, 2023

If you’re anything like us, you’ll eat everything in sight while on your travels.

Sampling exciting new cuisines is all part of the thrill, and there’s just so much good food to try…

Below, we’ve rounded up our favourite foods from the Americas and Caribbean – dishes that taste amazing and look the part as well.

From the freshest fish in Barbados, to world renowned Mexican gastronomy, not forgetting the hearty feijoada stew in Brazil, all that’s left to do is plan a holiday to try these delicacies yourself. (We can help with that.)

¡Buen provecho!

Conch fritters from Cayman Islands

Known to some as a “foodie heaven” and to others as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean, the Cayman Islands are home to some of the most internationally-acclaimed dining spots in the region. Award-winning chefs – including more than a few celebrities –  descend for the annual Cayman Cookout to give demonstrations, prepare tastings, and interact with diners. For those who like their food festivals equally barefoot yet without the luxury, the annual Taste of Cayman highlights Caymanian cuisine from classic conch chowder through farm-and-sea-to-table dining.

It isn’t just about festivals and glitzy restaurants, though. Scotch bonnet peppers dress up the day’s fish, snapper sits in luscious coconut milk, breadfruit and callaloo provide tropical starch and veg, and then there’s lionfish. This invasive pest is culled from the reef and practically melts on the tongue. Our personal favourite is a drink best served with a spoon -the mudslide, a Cayman original.

 

Moqueca and feijoada from Brazil

Brazil’s allure goes beyond the iconic cities, abundance of wildlife, nature and heavenly beaches. This country is one of the world’s largest, with a rich and complex history. It simply is a melting pot of cultures, from indigenous tribes, European, African and Asian immigrants who, by coming together in the country, have created a rich – and delicious – gastronomic tradition. The weather also plays a part, Brazil can grow almost anything, so it is blessed with a huge array of wonderfully fresh and colourful ingredients.
Our favourite dish is feijoada, a pork and black bean stew which is widely recognised as the national dish. It might not look pretty but it is simply delicious, and the best one is in the cafes and restaurants of Santa Teresa in Rio. If meat is not your go-to staple, then the Bahian Moqueca will definitely tickle your tastebuds. A fish and veggie stew with a strong African influence, amazingly colourful, wonderfully tasty and best eaten in Salvador or anywhere in Bahia state. Of course with a side helping of arroz, pirao and farofa – and if you add a pao de queijo, even better!

Flying fish from Barbados

Barbados is considered the culinary capital of the Caribbean for a good reason reflecting the mix of cultures and influences that this beautiful idyllic island has experienced.

The result is a wide and diverse gastronomic scene full of flavours and influences that you can enjoy either in classy restaurants or casual food stalls before heading to the beach!

Flying fish is Barbados’s national dish and an icon of the island itself! This mouth-watering local delicacy is the Caribbean version of fish and chips, and you just can’t miss it.

 

Tacos and tostadas from Mexico

Mexico is a feast for the senses: synonymous with mouth watering food. The three main influences on Mexican cuisine are: the Mayans, the Aztecs, and the Spanish. The climate also means that there are many foods grown there (such as the avocados in guacamole) and fresh fruit that just taste so much better in Mexico.Take a food tour in Mexico City enjoying tacos and tostadas at local markets or visiting world acclaimed restaurants and Oaxaca sampling mole sauce ( made from fruits, nuts, chili peppers, and spices) and mezcal (like tequila but smokey)

Some of our fondest memories are enjoying some fresh fish ceviche on the coast watching the waves lapping on the beach. We love to start the day with chilaquiles for breakfast (fried corn tortillas, with eggs, sauce and cheese) and to snack on elote (corn on the cob with cream, cheese and chilli). For drinks why not elevate your cerveza to a michelada (with added lime, sauces and spices) or margarita to a mezcalita (which brings that smokey flavour!) Mexicans really do know how to create mouth watering dishes and it’s no surprise that they are now enjoyed all over the world – but there really is nothing as tasty as the real deal!

Saltfish from St Lucia

Islands like Saint Lucia are a great choice for travellers who want something a little different on their dinner plate, and it all starts with an immense love for local cuisine filtered down by the locals, to visitors on the island.

While in Saint Lucia, look out for items like green figs and saltfish, bouyon, cow heel soup, curried meats, grilled fish, lobster, or Pepperpot. A popular Caribbean dish, and one taste can lead to you wanting to figure out just how to make it yourself. The fish is fantastically fresh and locally caught. Visit the Castries market, quench your thirst naturally with coconut water or a Piton beer.

Or what about a Chocolate Tour from bean to bar and receive hands-on training from one of the experienced chocolatiers to create your own chocolate.

 


Valeria Garibotti
Itineraries & Destinations