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Among the more cosmopolitan of the eastern Caribbean countries, Antigua has a delectably diverse range of international cuisine.

From the beach bar, for the more casual, to the ultimate in haute cuisine, for a sophisticated night out; from Italian to French to Asian to Middle Eastern to Caribbean; from vegetarian to the ‘catch of the day’, savour the experiences. We can almost guarantee you won’t be disappointed; and, with a whole Island to explore, half the fun is getting there.

In Antigua, we “love our belly bad” (i.e. love to eat), and food being such a huge part of culture; getting out and about for a taste of the local dishes is a fantastic way to get to know us better. Delicious smells emanate from the unlikeliest places – small wooden structures and roadside eateries – some seeming, at first glance, to be little more than a doorway and counter.  A simple "good morning/afternoon…" will usually elicit a warm response; after all, it’s not for nothing that our Ms. Universe Antigua, Kai Davis, was named the most Congenial delegate during the 2003 Ms. Universe pageant branding us as being among the friendliest people in the world.

As a mark of cultural respect, when out and about, please ensure that you throw on at least a T-shirt and shorts, or wrap. Other than that, just relax. In Antigua, things tend to move at a more leisurely pace. So, why not take the opportunity to slow down: wake at your pleasure, wile away the afternoon only moving for a dip in the cooling sea or pool water, bask in the orange and red glow of sunset, dance the nights away to the original rhythms of one of our infectious live local bands, dress up for a romantic night out, sip fine wine or rum punch while sharing a laugh with new and old friends. After all, isn’t the reason for your Caribbean vacation?

We offer a few of the choicest dining options here for your consideration. Remember, this is only a sample; ask around, we guarantee someone will be happy to recommend.

The Captain's Quarters - well we had to start with ourselves didn't we? Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner in-season, and out of season for All you can Eat Barbecue on Friday evenings, and Sunday Brunch. Out of season breakfasts also ovailable to residents on request.

Abracadabra, English Harbour; 460 - 2701/460 -1732: Trendy and popular, Abracadabra is located in a 17th century building set in a lush tropical garden. The menu is all Italian, all the time – from homemade pasta to fresh sea food – complemented by a long list of wines and tropical drinks. After Dinner, the eatery transforms into a disco bar; so linger and shake a leg on their open air dance floors. The mix sometimes includes live Reggae, Rock, or Jazz. It’s always a fun time, especially during their specially arranged costume parties. No wonder it continues to attract a veritable who’s who among tourists and locals alike. www.theabracadabra.com  

Admirals Inn, Nelson's Dockyard; 460 -1027: Located in the Georgian era naval yard, the ambience at The Admiral’s Inn is classic and the setting romantic – from the quiet, shady garden to the view of the yachts and the impeccably preserved harbour. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the pick-of-the-menu is the ‘Yachtsman’s Special’, but there is a wide range of freshly prepared food and homemade soup.

Bumpkins, Pigeon Beach, Falmouth; 562 - 2522:  At Bumpkins, the specialty is freshly made cocktails and seafood dishes served up at the incomparably beautiful Pigeon Beach in Falmouth. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week; but we do recommend calling ahead if you wish to sample their delicious lobster. 

Caribbean Taste, Behind Dockyard Drive, English Harbour; 562 - 3049: Like the name suggests, Caribbean Taste brings the assorted dishes of our region to your plate; and it’s all prepared with fresh seafood, vegetables, fruits, and spices. Not only is it open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it also caters for any occasion.

Catherine's Café, Antigua Slipway; 460 - 5050: Across the sea from Nelson's Dockyard, accessible by water taxi or by driving along the Antigua Slipway road, this delightful French restaurant offers fabulous snacks and delicious meals. Services include a bar and al fresco dining on the waterfront boardwalk. Open for lunch and dinner; closed Tuesdays.

Coconut Grove Beach Restaurant, Dickenson Bay; 462 -1538: On the water’s edge, set amongst the palms, this open air restaurant is quintessentially Caribbean and a favourite among many. Patrons can enjoy an exotic cocktail on beach chairs; and with the water right at your feet, make the most of their moorings and dinghy if needs be. The menu boasts the freshest seafood on island; and, at the bar, happy hour runs from 4 - 7 p.m. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Reservations advised.

Cocos, Jolly Bay, Five Islands; 460 -2626/9700: A tranquil, table service restaurant, with an enviable view of the Caribbean Sea and the unspoiled hills in the background, Cocos whispers romance; West Indian style. The appealing menu has a distinctive Caribbean touch.

Cloggy's Café, Abracadabra, English Harbour; 460 - 2701: A lovely little Mediterranean Café with a Caribbean twist, Cloggy’s serves up fresh pastries, cappuccinos, smoothies made with all fresh fruits and juices, healthy lunches with the freshest ingredients, salads, seafood, and crispy foccacia or French baguette sandwiches. Open for breakfast and lunch.

Dianne's Bar & Restaurant, on the road to Shirley Heights; 460 -1116: This roadside restaurant serves lunch and dinner. It specializes in fresh local dishes of fish, conch, lobster & more complemented by a great bar teeming with ice cold beers; all at great prices.

Famous Mauro’s, Cobbs Cross; 460 -1318: Over 30 different Pizzas to choose from, all made fresh to order by the Famous Mauro himself in his wood-burning brick oven. He uses only authentic Italian and freshly grown local ingredients served with fine wine from Italy. At the roadside bakery, bread, croissants & pastries are baked fresh daily, including panetone for Christmas. Special orders and major credit cards are accepted. The Pizzeria is closed Wednesdays.

Funky Buddha, Redcliffe St. John's; 720 – 0414: Like the name suggests, this first floor bar guarantees funky music; and is ideal as an evening starter or dessert. Bar snacks are available. Open Monday to Saturday, 2 p.m. until.

Harmony Hall, Brown's Bay; 460 – 4120: Green Island and Nonsuch Bay in its sights, Harmony Hall sits on an old plantation site, complete with sugar mill. These days, the mill has been converted into a bar complementing the terrace restaurant, art gallery, gift shop, and villas available for rent. There is a pool for guest use as well as moorings for visiting yachts. At the terrace restaurant, simple food prepared with the finest fresh ingredients blend the best of Italy and the Caribbean, even as Classical music fills the air. Open every day, for lunch; and, for dinner, on Fridays and Saturdays only. Day trips to neighbouring Green Island can also be arranged.

Home Restaurant, Gambles Terrace, St. John’s; 461- 7651: This is Caribbean Haute Cuisine at its most authentic. Only the freshest ingredients – local fish, fruit, and vegetables; and herbs from the owner/chef’s garden – are used to create these masterpieces which are served up in a homey but elegant setting.  

HQ Restaurant & Bar, Nelson's Dockyard; 562 – 2563, vhf 68: A fusion of tastes, HQ is truly an enjoyable experience: exotic cuisine made with the freshest ingredients, fine wines, and a breathtaking location within historical Nelson's Dockyard. Open for lunch & dinner; reservations are recommended. For further info: www.hqantigua.com

Jackee's Quick Stop Restaurant, English Harbour; 460 -1299: Jackee serves breakfast, lunch, & dinner; seven days a week. This includes a full English breakfast; local lunches of fish, mutton or beef; burgers and delicious rotis; all at very reasonable prices. Guesthouse services are also available behind the restaurant.

Last Lemming Bar & Restaurant, Antigua Yacht Club Marina, Falmouth; 460 – 6910: Last Lemming offers international cuisine – including fresh local fish, mussels & sushi – in an outdoor waterfront setting just below the Antigua Yacht Club. Tuesdays and Friday’s are made even more special with the addition of live local music.

Le Cap Horn French Restaurant & Pizzeria, English Harbour; 460 -1194, vhf 68: Conveniently located between Falmouth and English Harbour, Le Cap Horn offers a diverse menu of traditional French cuisine and inspired daily chef's specials. This comes with freshly baked bread in a relaxed yet elegant setting. Delicious pizzas are available next door from their wood-burning brick oven.

Life, English Harbour; 562 – 2353, vhf "Life Bar": NEW, welcoming, colorful, fun-filled; this stop is truly the life of the party. A music bar, located on the water just before the Dockyard, Life has an imaginative range of reasonably-priced, good quality food, cocktails, and wines. It is open all day and accessible by dinghy.  

Mideast Fast Food, Redcliffe Street, St. John's, 562 – 0101; and Newgate Street, St. John's 562 – 3663: Testament to Antigua’s eclectic blend of cultures, Mideast Fast Food boasts the best Lebanese food on island. This includes fresh Pita bread baked daily, Shwarma, Gyros, Shish kebab, Falafel, Kebeh, and Hummous. Special orders are also accommodated; also outside catering with special orders for Mezza, Baklawa, and a wide-range of Lebanese favourites.

OJ's, Crab Hill; 460-0184: Owner Oliver (affectionately called OJ) – who runs the restaurant and bar with wife, Angie – boldly describes OJ’s as “the only true Caribbean beach restaurant in Antigua”. The menu features fresh, simple fare that is simply good with their famous Lobster Salad as its centre piece.  Surrounded by the fruits of Oliver's passion for beachcombing, listen to live jazz every Sunday between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and tap your feet in the sand.

Russell’s Fort James; 728 -1998: Seamlessly blended into the colonial-era, military ruins above Fort James Beach, north of St John’s, this excellent restaurant specializes in fish prepared daily using only the freshest ingredients. It is the perfect spot for lunch, sundowners, or food and drink late into the evening. 

Antigua Yacht Club Marina, Falmouth; 562 - 5739: A genuine Gelateria, inside the Antigua Yacht Club Marina, this Italian-styled café and bar, serves up not only superb ice cream but also delicious breakfasts and cappuccinos, lunch, and snacks. A specialty, in keeping with the Italian theme, is its Prociutto sandwiches. The aptly-named Sea Breeze’s terrace locale overlooks some of the most prestigious yachts that visit Antigua. Open for breakfast and lunch, as well as evenings.

Shirley Heights Lookout, English Harbour; 460 -1785, vhf 68: Enjoy great food in these magnificently-restored, 18th century buildings overlooking Nelson's Dockyard and English Harbour. The view of the much-photographed harbour below is one of Shirley Heights’ biggest selling points; few vistas can compare.  Shirley Heights is also popular for the live steel band, reggae, and soca music served up on Thursdays and Sundays; earning it its much-deserved reputation as one of the best limes in the Caribbean. www.shirleyheightslookout.com,

SkullduggeryAntigua Yacht Club Marina, 463 - 0625; and The Coffee Shop, Nelson's Dockyard, 562 – 2544: Locally-roasted coffee grown right here in the Caribbean, fresh pastries, grilled sandwiches, and gourmet pastries, make Dougie’s great café/bar a necessary stop during your Antigua vacation. The very friendly staff, Internet access, marine photographs by Den Phillips, and cool and breezy relaxed atmosphere add to the appeal, making it a bona fide favourite among both locals and visitors.

Sea Breeze, Excellent coffee shop and gellataria at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina.

Trappas Restaurant, English Harbour; 562 – 3534: delicious & affordable, this popular eatery is simply the best. Open for dinner only.

Christmas in Antigua

Cristmas in Antigua is ablaze with light and colour as businesses – especially Shoul’s Toys Gifts and Houseware store in the City – and residences dress up for the season.

Not to be left out, English Harbour – and specifically Nelson’s Dockyard – hosts one of the best parties of this already festive time. It runs from midday until about 5 p.m. or until the drinks run out – whichever comes first. Beer, wine, and champagne are on sale, and good tidings bubble over as locals and visitors come out to wish each other “Merry Christmas!” Soca or Reggae help lift spirits, and, it may not be a white Christmas, but the magic of the yuletide season permeates the atmosphere.