Ever thought of food tourism in the Caribbean? Amazing idea, right? Imagine to merge the beautiful culture, stunning beaches, stories and everything with yummy food! It’s really a wonderful thing. Foods in Caribbean countries reflect indigenous, African, European and Asian influences as to spices, ingredients and cooking techniques. For anyone who likes to savor what’s really on the plate – history, tradition, celebration – there is no better repast than authentic Caribbean cuisine. From jerk chicken in Jamaica to conch salad in the Bahamas, the following are some of the must-visit destinations to immerse yourself in the gastronomic delights of the Caribbean.

1. Jamaica: The Birthplace of Jerk Cuisine

Jamaica is widely recognized as the home of jerk cooking, one of the most iconic culinary styles in the Caribbean. Smoky, spicy and well-seasoned jerk flavors have fans all over the world and Jamaica is a hot spot for foodies. Allspice, scotch bonnet peppers, garlic, thyme and other native seasonings are combined to create this amazing food. Jerk is typically cooked slowly in a pimento wood fire.

In Jamaica popular dishes include jerk chicken, pork, fish with rice and peas (rice and kidney beans cooked in coconut milk), fried plantain and festival bread. Some local spots like Boston Bay in Portland offer some of the best jerk around. Also in Kingston, the annual Jamaica Food 1and1 Drink Festival features Jamaican dishes including jerk, ackee and saltfish – Jamaica’s national dish.

2. The Bahamas: Fresh Seafood and Island Flavors

For seafood lovers, The Bahamas are a paradise. A big sea snail with tender meat is called conch in Bahamian cooking. The versatility of conch shows in conch salad, cracked conch – fried conch, and conch fritter. Visitors must try the bright, refreshing conch salad – usually with diced conch and lime juice – onions, bell peppers and tomatoes.

Except for conch, fresh seafood is served raw or grilled with sides of peas and rice, coleslaw and baked mac n’ cheese in Bahamian cuisine. The capital city Nassau has a few seafood shacks and upscale restaurants that serve Bahamian fare. For those looking for a true Bahamian culinary experience, visit the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay.

3. Puerto Rico: A Fusion of Taino, Spanish, and African Flavors

Did you know that Puerto Rico’s cuisine is called “cocina criolla” in Spanish? That’s right. It has a lot of influence from many places, such as the indigenous Taino, Spanish and even African roots, when the slaves came to the island. Plantains, rice, beans and even pork are some of the most used ingredients. Spices are a must too! Mofongo is PR’s main dish, although arroz con gandules, pasteles and lechón asado are also a fan-favorite during the festivals.

San Juan has traditional eateries as well as contemporary restaurants with a modern Puerto Rican cuisine. Take a trip to the Pinones area – roadside kiosks serve alcapurrias (fried plantain and meat turnovers) and bacalaitos (fried codfish fritters) while you take in the coastal scenery.

4. Cuba: A Taste of History and Tradition

Cuban cuisine reflects the various cultures that have influenced the island: Spanish, African and Caribbean. The food is simple on the island – simple ingredients with bold flavors. Ropa vieja is shredded beef in tomato, onion, pepper and spices, usually served with rice and beans – Cuba’s national dish. Picadillo is ground beef hash with onion, pepper, raisins and olives; another popular dish.

Cheap and delicious Cuban street food. It’s amazing! Snacks like tostones, croquetas (fried croquettes with ham or chicken) and empanadas are also common in local markets and street stalls. In Havana visitors can combine traditional paladares (family restaurants) and more recent eateries that offer classic or innovative dishes that reflect the best of Cuban cooking. The city is alive with food and a must for any foodie in the Caribbean.

5. St. Lucia: A Tropical Blend of Spices and Fresh Produce

When talking about food tourism in the Caribbean, we can’t forget about St. Lucia. A magnificient place where African, French and East Indian delicacies mix, providing some unique dishes that you must experience. All of them are produced with fresh and spicy elements found in the region. The island’s trad dish, “Green fig and saltfish”, uses green bananas with salted cod, as well as other spices or pepper and onion to make it really yummy.

That’s not all, though. Bouyon is an amazing dish you gotta try too! It’s a hearty soup that includes a lot of ingredients, such as meat or dumplings, as well as callaloo, a stew with leafy greens, meat and milk. Don’t forget to also check Castries Market, a place where vendors will sell you spices and traditional products from the island. Even hotels have them, so you can’t miss ’em!

Are You in the United States? Visit These Places for Caribbean Cuisine

Did you know that you don’t have to travel to the Caribbean for food? That’s right: you can explore them in United States too! Many cities have these experiences really close, so whatcha waiting for? These are some of the best places to try the island’s delicacies:

New York City, New York: The Caribbean Melting Pot

Even those who never went to NYC know that this amazing city has one of the most diverse culinary scenes worldwide. So, not having a authentic Caribbean food would be really strange! Brooklyn Crown Heights and Flatbush are some of the best places to find it. You can find dishes from Jamaica, PR, Trinidad or Dominicana.

In case you want something more casual or relaxed, then you gotta try Ali’s Roti Shop (located in Crown Heights). THis amazing place has authentic food from Trinidad, such as chicken, chickpeas and potatoes. There’s also a West Indian Day parade in Brooklyn that you can visit, a good place to learn about culture, buy food from vendors and more!

Ocean Views in San Diego

San Diego isn’t in the Caribbean (not even on the East coast!), but it’s a perfect place for those foodies who also like to sunbathe. The San Diego food tour is an amazing place to try these new dishes, as well as to learn about the culture of the place. Seafood, tacos, ice cream from Little Italy and more are some of the amazing options!

Farm-to-table food is their specialty. You’ll learn about the cultural background of these dishes next to the harbor, stopping for new dishes all the time. It’s really an amazing experience you must check at least once a lifetime!

Miami, Florida: A Taste of the Islands in the Sunshine State

While not in the Caribbean, Miami is one of those places that capture the whole vibe of the region. A lot of Cubans live there, as well as people from Puerto Rico, Haiti and even Dominicans, among many others. What’s the result of this? That’s very easy to answer: a huge culinary scene. There’s something from every place here. Check the neighborhoods to discover even more. Little Havana for Cuban food, Chef Creole for Haitian and many more. Yummy!

Little Haiti has one of the biggest places to try new dishes. You can also try other like Ortiz Cuisine, which has from every country. Another Haitian restaurant is Tap Tap, located in South Beach, with is decorated with murals and lively colors.

Conclusion: The Caribbean, A Culinary Paradise

You probably know of the Caribbean as a beautiful place to rest, a nice holiday place with amazing beaches, tasty food and culture. Yeah, that’s right! But that’s not all: the food has many stories to tell, whether it’s the Jamaican jerk, seafood from Bahamas, or many more: all of ’em are great for any foodie looking for a new dish to discover.

So let me tell you that if you wanna discover new dishes, then the Caribbean cuisine is the best place to do so. Consider any of the islands as your destination, no matter which one, all of ’em have amazing flavors for you! Callaloo or Jerk chicken, you name it!