"Let's Cohobblopot!"—that's Bajan for a "cook up." The island could be called the Food Capital of the Caribbean! Why? It's the first—and only—island to rate its own Zagat's guide (see #10).

There are so many wonderful places to eat in Barbados, it's impossible to choose just 10, so we're highlighting some culinary elements that make eating on the island so special.  

1. Flying Fish & Cou Cou : The national dish of Barbados! This island specialty is served up at the Friday Fish Fry in the quaint fishing village of Oistins , a traditional street party abounding in island flavor of all kinds—and a must-do while visiting. Most restaurants have their own versions. Some options: the Bajan buffet at Brown Sugar (a local favourite), the Fish Pot, or the Moon Town Fish Fry.

Bajan Buzz: Being an island, you can enjoy amazing fresh seafood of all sorts, but another exotic favourite here is barracuda!

  2. Afternoon Tea : In honor of their British heritage, many of the hotels and resorts offer the genteel tradition of serving afternoon tea—a delicious taste of England in the tropics. A few other spots to enjoy the sumptuous treat with a sophisticated edge: Sunbury Plantation, Cafe Taboras, and beachside at Cobbler's Cove.

  		 
  3. International Influence : Barbados is well known for its influx of international cuisine, from sidewalk cafés serving Italian coffee to French bistros offering flaky pastry. The elegantly casual Daphne's serves up succulent Italian while Zen at The Crane offers amazing Japanese and Thai.

  
  4.

Sugar Cane : The delicious yellow sugar is the island's primary crop and responsible for the success of its economy (and it's rum!—see below). You can check out the history of the sweet stuff at The Sugar Museum in St. Michael(?), or just sample it in all its infinite variety on the island.


 
  5. Rum Punch / Rum & Coke : The standard island drink that can be found anywhere on Barbados—and why not, since rum originated on the island—thanks to all that sugar! See #3. Try Mount Gay, Cockspur, VSOP or Old Gold. Then depart from the standard for some special island concotions: rum and Crisma (a cream liquor) mixed and served on the rocks, or Falernum, a specialty liqueur brewed from sugar.

Bajan Buzz : Don't omit Banks Beer from your beverage menu—it's the national drink. Take a tour of the Brewseum, then slake your thirst with a sample in the Beer Garden afterward.

 
  6.

Local Fruit & Vegetables : Barbados is fortunate to have a wide variety of fresh fruits and veggies grown on the island. Exotic tropical species that are fun to try: Breadfruit, eddoes, sweet cassavas, soursop, sea grapes, sapodillas, paupaus, dunks, tamarinds, guavas, Bajan cherries, and mammy apples. Bananas are in abundance (think fresh-baked banana bread!) as are yams, pumpkin, avocados, plantains, mangoes, oranges & limes.

 
  7. Brunch - A wonderful ritual for the late-sleeper, offered by a slew of hotels & resorts. Some standouts: Southern Palms has a popular Bajan Brunch with a steel pan band at the open-air restaurant. The Crane 's charming Sunday Brunch features live Caribbean gospel music in the morning and a traditional Barbadian buffet. The brunch at Fisherpond Great House is rumoured to be a who's who of island celebrities. Other faves include The Atlantis , the Hilton and the Savannah hotels.

  
  8. Spice! -   It just wouldn't be the Caribbean if there weren't hot sauce. Barbados of course has it's own special blend, great as a ingredient to jazz up any recipe but also ideal as a condiment at cocktail hour with a slab of cheese & crackers, or with fish cakes.

 
  9. The first Caribbean island to have Zagat-rated restaurants : What a treat! The slim guide fits in your pocket or purse and makes finding what you're craving oh-so-much easier to find! Also covers nightlife, attractions, even golf.

 
  10. A Taste of Barbados Food Festival - Eat, Drink & Be Bajan! would be a great motto for this food fest in October. A full roster of exciting events spread over nine days celebrates the quality and diversity of the food and drink available throughout the island, including a coterie of Barbados' top chefs assembled under one roof to serve up a tasty array of culinary delights, or 'Rum Shop Safaris' —a delicious way to decide where best to imbibe.  
   
Barbados is the only Caribbean island to be Zagat Rated. Click here for your own copy of a Best of Barbados Zagat Guide.