Barbados tips - first visit

[HitchensGeck]

Going for a week tomorrow!

Couple in our early 40s and self catering so hoping to eat as reasonably priced as possible. We often eat high end dining in England so would rather eat like the locals mostly when abroad.

We are staying in the south (Hastings) but willing to travel if the beach is worth it! The west seems to have the calmer conditions so will probably head there 2-3 days.

Any must do excursions, restaurants, beaches, theme nights and anything/everything people can recommend would be very helpful thanks!

Daphnes if you want high end food and try to get a rail side table about an hour before sunset. Otherwise eat at the gap, harlequin is good as is the first one on right sorry can’t remember the name. We stayed at Coconut beach there’s couple of good restaurants across from there especially the Italian to the left does look much pizza is great. Most of all enjoy it’s a great island.

At Oistins make sure you try the bajan fishcakes. I regularly make them at home but they aren't quite as nice.

The sports bar in fitts village has great local food.

I was shocked at the price of coffee!!!

We are taking coffee and teabags with us!

Harrison’s Caves, St Nicholas Abbey, Pebbles Beach horses (before 8.30am), Surf lesson (Boosy’s Surf School), Oistin’s Fish Fry, Kensington Oval cricket ground. Have a great time!

I commented on the other thread that I ate very cheaply when we went a couple of years ago. We ate a lot at the shacks on the beaches (our local one was called Chicken George 😂) and the food was incredible! Fresh fish sandwiches wrapped in foil, and served with a bit of kitchen roll and a banks beer or a rum punch in a plastic cup. Eaten on a wooden bench with the sand between our toes and chatting to the locals - absolute bliss! No need to dress up, just a sarong or sundress and bare feet. You'll have an amazing time 💖 (plus another vote from me for Oistins fish fry ,it's carnage in the best possible way. Plus, yes, get the buses, they're carnage too, but such good fun

Well I am back and thanks to everyone that had suggestions.

We used ZR buses to visit the beaches, ate at food courts/trucks during the day and mixed up between cheap and expensive meal at night. The Tides is an amazing restaurant.

Local beers and rums aren't expensive at all. Cheaper than London!

You absolutely can visit Barbados and have an amazing time without breaking the bank!

I’m glad you enjoyed Tides - the last time we went to Barbados we ate there; it was probably our third or fourth visit over the years - and it was deeply disappointing (as well as expensive!), which put us off from going again. Maybe we were just there on an off evening.

What else did you do on your trip @HitchensGeck?

It was very nice on this occasion, the pork belly was great

Did a snorkel trip but mainly visited beaches and chilled out after what was a very busy year at work!

@HitchensGeck I'm so pleased you had a good time. We are off there in less than 2 weeks and I can't wait!

Champers is in Hastings, lovely for a special meal. Catamaran trip is also a must. We've done Cool Runnings for a party vibe, and Calabaza for a more exclusive cruise with a smaller group.

Oops I've just seen that you've been and are back (edited)

@loveawineloveacrisp where do the catamaran trips go from? We are flying to Barbados at the weekend. I can't wait!

They go from Bridgetown but the ones we've done have had a pick up and drop off service from your accommodation.

@HitchensGeck how was your trip? I’m looking to book Barbados for DH and I and our 5-year old and thinking of going self catering or B&B to save cost but was worried about cost of meals out. Would love to hear about your experience and get some recommendations on places to stay and eat if possible x

The buses are not cashless, but you do need exact money, as no change given on the blue buses. Im here right now, and Barbados is beautiful. Traffic is awful, compared to when I visited 3 years ago, though.