Saint Lucia is the Caribbeanâs Eden and definitely one of the best islands one can visit in the East Caribbean region. A relatively close destination (8 hrs flight from the UK and even closer from the US), a pretty laid-back culture and quite safe too, ideal for family holidays with kids, and an emerging foodie destination.
I'm Niko Douniko and this is my St Lucia Food Guide!
Why St Lucia?
Apart from the pristine beaches and lush tropical rainforests, St Lucia's food scene won't disappoint. Although not the most famous destination on the world food map, neither as vibrant nor cheap as Asian foodie hotspots (like Thailand, Vietnam and India), Saint Lucia is definitely a hidden gem and an emerging foodieâs destination.
And for some good reasons:
(A) St Lucia has not yet evolved into a commercial fishing economy; therefore seafood on the island is still artisanal, meaning all tropical aquatic livestock is fished to be served fresh on the islandâs tables. Isnât that alone a reason to go?
(B) The freshest and tastiest fruits and vegetables grow here year round, loaded with natural flavour and sweetness from tropical sunshine. Bananas, coconuts, cocoa beans, mangoes, avocados, breadfruits, citrus fruits, and root crops such as carrots, yams and sweet potatoes are some of the most popular products, seen in most of the dishes cooked on the island
(C) Saint Lucia belongs to the âSpice Islandsâ complex, along with neighbouring Martinique, Grenada and others. No wonder why the region is called "West Indies". Spices grow in abundance and things like nutmeg, cinnamon, clove and allspice dominate St Lucian dishes.
All the above are beautifully and uniquely combined in what is called âCreoleâ style cuisine, a blend of African-tropical with Indian, French and European infusions and techniques.
Is Food Expensive in St Lucia?
One thing to keep in mind is that although food is in abundance on the island, St Lucian restaurants are not cheap. Double the prices compared to Asia for sure, while I found the St Lucian restaurant scene closer to the European, at least price-wise. There are no Michelin-starred restaurants on the island. Most of the food served is very authentic and tastes homemade, so I think some of them are worth the extra penny. In this post, I've listed all restaurants with their average price per person at the time of our visit (2022). Most of the islandâs restaurants, even the most casual, are referring to tourists I believe, mainly from the US which is very close, and therefore priced accordingly.
Now if you are a budget foodie, donât be put off; there is a lot of amazing food being sold in "shacks" (traditional Caribbean-style kiosks serving mostly street food classics) and almost everywhere across the island. And the food is awesome! Shacks sell reasonably priced food (locals eat mostly there) and are safe for tourists.
As I said, there are places where you can eat amazing food, reasonably priced and there are also expensive posh restaurants. As a family, we appreciate and savour all sorts and forms of food wherever we go and St Lucia was no exception. While on the island, we ate in quite a few from all categories, be it restaurants or shacks. For this post, I've chosen 8 amazing restaurants for different reasons. Iâve put together this guide to match all budgets and styles. Some are on the expensive side but worth it, and there are also suggestions on what and where to eat if youâre on a tighter budget. I wish I had this guide in hand before I travelled to St Lucia, it would have saved me time while I would have most likely eaten in these places more than once.
Note: All printed menus in St Lucian restaurants display the prices WITHOUT the 10% VAT and the mandatory 10% tip.
Bars and Restaurants Map
Press that little star to save the map in your Google Maps. The map will then automatically appear on your Google maps app under "You" and then scroll down to "Maps" (for Android) or "Saved" and then "Maps" if you are accessing Google maps from web browser.
1. Treetop Restaurant
Highlights
Breath-taking exotic views of Pitons
Remote hilly location (can be chilly at night)
Indo-Caribbean fine dining (around ÂŁ50-60 pp incl. drinks)
Best book ahead. Aim for around 17:30 to catch the sunset golden hour
Kids: thereâs no kids menu and it's a bit of a tricky place for toddlers with the wooden structure all over. Just call the restaurant in advance to check whatâs on the menu for kids. We were just fine with our kiddo there, keeping him busy with toys on the table to contain him.
Treetop was the best experience we had in a restaurant in St Lucia, if not one of our best dining experiences ever. And it's not just the food alone (a delicious Indian-Caribbean fusion menu), but also the decoration, ambience, welcome drinks and of course the mesmerising views of the pitons and the tropical rainforest.
It is recommended to book well in advance as it can be a popular destination and they only book and cook for a specific amount of tables/people every evening. I suggest calling the restaurant and letting them also know your dietary requirements in advance as they prepare set menus every day (it's not 'a la carte'). The food is served Indian style, most of the plates are curries but on the mild side, basically merging the Indian flavour with the Caribbean spirit. Mind you, it is a bit rough to get there (better drive a 4WD or get a local taxi) and there's no sign on the main road as you drive uphill from the town of Soufriere. So you have to be heavily based on your navigator or take some old-school driving direction advice from the restaurant beforehand. The scenery is totally worth every penny you spend and the sweat you pour to get there. It is a stunning place⌠literally standing on a huge treetop wooden floor and popping over the trees to give you this jaw-dropping view of the pitons and the surrounding tropical forest⌠To put it straight, if there's only one expensive place you plan to visit in St Lucia, that should be Treetop without a shadow of a doubt.
2. Naked Fisherman
Highlights
Creole BBQ, ceviches and lobsters
Sandy beach with beach loungers
Beach fine dining in a beautiful cove (ÂŁ40-50 pp incl. drinks)
Kids: kids are welcome and hey-ho thereâs fish and chips on the menu for them! they can play right on the beach so remember to bring some beach toys to keep them busy.
Naked Fisherman is nestled on a natural cove just below Cap Maison hotel, a quick 10-minute drive from Rodney Bay. If youâve been to Greece it will remind you of some very cute beach bars/grills in small coves, hidden under Mediterranean trees and bushes. To get to the beach and the restaurant, you have to walk a wooden staircase down to this small piece of paradise. The restaurant is a modern style beach fine grill/dine kind of thing (not sure thereâs a specific classification for this), the food is Asian-Caribbean fusion and everything is freshly caught and beautifully presented. There are traditional things to eat, but with a modern twist, such as the Creole fish stew served in clay pots, ceviches, creole-style barbeque sharing platters and a delicious and massive grilled lobster!
3. Dukeâs Place
Highlights
Friday/Saturday Jump-Up street party
Caribbean BBQ Street Food (ÂŁ7-ÂŁ10)
Don't miss grilled fish with Creole rice or traditional "Lambi"
Kids: thereâs plenty of space outdoors for kids to play and the fish is delicious and not spicy.
Dukeâs place is merely a fish shack converted to a big outdoor BBQ plaza on Fridays and Saturdays, starting at noon until about midnight. This place is famous for the jump-up street party with barbequed fish every Friday. You get this sense Duke's place is good straight away when you see the locals queuing up early in the afternoon. Worth the visit as it's very authentic and the fish incredibly tasty and fresh: marinated, grilled and served in a special secret and super delicious sauce. No need for reservations, just show up, stand in the queue and grab a box to eat by the beach or on the benches around. They also serve Lambi (a traditional Caribbean dish made of Conch, a mussel and lean seafood meat which is cooked creole style in spices). If you are staying around Rodney Bay/Reduit Beach, Gros Islet and Dukeâs place is a very cool day out and about.
4. Chic
Highlights
Combined it with a swim in the amazing Reduit Beach
Caribbean French seafood cuisine
Mid-range budget (ÂŁ20-30 pp)
Don't miss creme Brule and banana flambĂŠ
Kids: Highchairs available, kidsâ menu available, delicious and nutritious soups available.
If you are staying at Mystique resort, Chic is a must. But even if you are not, they accept reservations from visitors. By the way, Mystique is an amazing choice as itâs right in front of the fantastic Reduit beach. The food is delicious both in Chic and in the main resortâs restaurant. Besides the fact that you wake up and walk right to the beach, Reduit is perfect for families, with calm and warm water and a huge sand stretch for all sorts of games and fun.
Although it's right in front of the ocean, Chic has no direct views of the ocean. The feeling in the restaurant is like being in a windowless Brasserie, winter in Paris. For how depressing might this sound, it is not bad for a change, especially on a sticky hot or rainy night on the island. The aesthetic is quite rustic, Belle Epoque/Art Nouveau kind of thing and all very carefully decorated and orchestrated. Food-wise a great selection, creole style with fresh seafood stews and super tasty colourful sauces made of local fruits and coconut milk. Inspiring menu with creative combinations and a decent wine list. But what blew our minds really, were the desserts. We returned to this restaurant just to eat one more time their incredible mango crème Brulee and the banana flambÊ in rum reduction. Simply divine!
They say like father, like son. A little new food photographer is born:
5. The Pink Plantation
Highlights
Idyllic location on a hill overlooking Castries Bay
Old colonial architecture building
Creole-style comfort food
On-site pottery shop
Reasonably priced (around ÂŁ30-40 pp incl. drinks)
Kids: Plenty of things to do and gardens to explore and play in a fenced backyard. Kids menu is not offered but they prepare dishes for kids if you ask. There's plenty of space for baby buggies and couches to get the kids to play seated comfortably.
Itâs not just the food and the breathtaking views of Castries Bay that make this spot specialâitâs the whole experience. The restaurant is steeped in history, with stunning architecture, an art gallery to wander through, and lush plantation gardens that are open for exploring while you wait to be served.
The service? Absolutely 5-star. The staff strike that perfect balance between being laid-back yet attentive and polite.
As for the food, I have to admit it didn't blow my mind as much as the atmosphere and setting did; yet it was pretty decent, colourful and comforting, well-presented, and featuring a fusion of Creole flavours with a European twist. Plus, the portions are generous, so youâll definitely leave full and happy. Pair that with the tropical scenery, and youâve got yourself a delightful dining experience. Oh, and donât forget to check out the charming little shop tucked away on premises. Itâs filled with handmade ceramic vases and plates, just like the ones in my photosâperfect souvenirs to take home!
On the downside, getting there can be a bit of an adventure. Google Maps has a knack for sending you wild shortcuts, some of which are steep but thankfully paved. Just trust the coordinates which seem to be accurate, and youâll make it eventually. Also, I highly recommend booking in advance and aiming for lunch or early dinner so you can soak in the views and explore the gardens while it's still daylight.
6. Roots 2
Highlights
Location: Breath-taking views of the stunning Marigot Bay
Reggae and Jerk spot
Not to miss Saturday night BBQ with Fluffy
Reasonably priced  (£10-15 pp incl. drinks)
Kids: most welcomed; the couple that owns it (Sue and Fluffy) is so energetic and chatty with kids, being parents themselves. Our kiddo loved it there. They also serve delicious chicken pasta and banana chips with special banana ketchup for their little clients.
Roots 1 is a roots reggae beach bar down at Marigot beach. Roots 2 is the newcomer, a reggae bar-restaurant overlooking the beautiful Marigot Bay from the hills. To enjoy the views, I suggest an early afternoon lunch visit. Bear in mind the lunch menu is limited to snacks like burgers, colourful salads and pasta that Sue is preparing for you on the fly. The big party menu is on BBQ nights. Most Saturday nights "Fluffy" grills fresh juicy jerk chicken, seafood and local specials straight off his Charcoal Grill, along with his special secret sauce and reggae tunes. I suggest calling them (they can be quite slow with emails) to book in for an evening fiesta. The restaurant is very small and not open daily (Google opening times are just estimates) so you better call. This restaurant became famous from the Netflix show âRestaurants on the Edgeâ, so get a glimpse of this episode on Netflix before you head there, the place is even better than its TV looks!
7. Saltfish
Highlights
Stunning views of Pitons and Soufriere Bay
Pool for swimming
Best for the local "Green Figs" dish, jerk and fish tacos
Fine dining rates
Kids: A nice fun place for older kids, thereâs a huge mango tree with a wooden treetop house that you can climb and plenty of space on the couches for kids to play or even nap. Be extra cautious, there are a lot of stairs and pools around the restaurant area.
Itâs a new kid on the block (opened mid-2021) and we accidentally discovered it when we stayed at the hotel. And what a find that was! Saltfish was the best valued fine dining we did in Soufriere. I'm confident to make this statement after having visited a few of TripAdvisorâs top 10 list (like the Mango Tree, Dasheene and Bamboo where the price did not quite meet our expectations). The food in Saltfish is top-notch, I would call it a 'sophisticated take on local and regional classics'. Itâs a fantastic place to try the traditional âGreen figsâ dish (which is merely made of green bananas served with saltfish salad) in an elevated execution by the restaurantâs chef but I also recommend their excellent fish tacos, jerk chicken and seasonal soups. The views are incredible (I thought I was in Rio de Janeiro, overlooking the city from some nearby hilltop) so better book a table for around sunset time (usually 17:30 is a good time).
