by Jen Mallia
Last updated: 8:50 AM ET, Tue October 6, 2026
With gorgeous beaches, luxury accommodations and island vibes that just don’t quit, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that Barbados also has an incredible food scene.
The options for culinary travel in Barbados are worth learning about. According to the 2026 TravelBoom Leisure Travel Study, nearly 80% of travellers say food is either important or very important when selecting a destination. That puts cuisine on par with core booking criteria like price, location and reviews.
There are plenty of opportunities for visitors to experience the delicious mix of European, African and Caribbean flavours in Barbados. The Food and Rum Festival kicks off in November, for an event Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc says is the perfect reminder of why the island has been dubbed the culinary capital of the Caribbean. The celebrations begin with an evening street party, dubbed “Oistins Under the Stars,” followed by four signature events:
- Day 2: A host of local and international chef demos; last year included Chef Jae-Anthony Dougan Holder, a Top Chef Canada contestant, who has restaurants in both Montreal and Ottawa.
- Day 3: Participants can join the Rum Route, a rum shop and distillery crawl.
- Day 4: Start at 4:00am with an energizing sunrise breakfast celebration.
- Day 5: Attend a glitzy formal event, the Liquid Gold Feast, with gourmet food and bespoke cocktails.
Other ways visitors can take a taste of Barbados include a trip to Haymans Market. The market opened in 2024, and is the newest market experience in Barbados, full of local shops and food merchants providing a dose of local flavour.
Barbados also highlights Oistins Fish Fry. By day Oistins is a lively hub for food vendors and fresh fish. The party starts Friday evenings as Oistins comes alive with dancing and music.
Travellers who want to dive a little deeper into the culture and food of the island, will want to know about the new Dine With a Bajan program, where visitors book a home cooking and dining event with locals. The program is advertised as a way to give visitors the chance to sample traditional dishes and “connect directly with a local Bajan to create a relationship and exchange cultures in delicious new ways.”
New direct flights from Montréal (Air Transat) and Halifax (Air Canada) make it easier for more Canadians to visit Barbados this winter. Learn more about the destination with TravelPulse Canada’s Barbados Travel Guide.
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