Top 9 Things to Eat in St. Kitts

 

Life only gets better when you take a cruise to a beautiful location like St. Kitts. This island in the West Indies offers pristine white sand beaches, access to both the Caribbean and the Atlantic oceans, verdant rainforests, and even a majestic volcano. If those things aren’t enough to fulfill your dreams, add to it the delightful local dishes that satisfy any palate. The food in St. Kitts alone is worth making the trip. When it comes to things to do in St. Kitts, eating tops the list. Although the island offers many culinary delights, some of the best dishes include the following:

1.    Conch Fritters

You may never have considered conch for a meal, but it is considered a delicacy in various parts of the world and particularly in St. Kitts. Conch fritters are made from succulent conch meat that is fried in seasoned batter. These hearty treats have a devoted following, particularly in the Caribbean. They make an excellent snack or starter dish for a large meal and will become one of your St. Kitts favorites.

2.    Roti

Roti is an unleavened flat bread that comes with a variety of fillings. Roti is especially popular on St. Kitts and attracts tourists and locals to restaurants and street vendors specializing in this dish. You’ll find Roti filled with curried vegetables, chicken or shrimp. It makes a great lunch or snack and can be found in Basseterre, Cockleshell beach and other popular spots. You’ll want to take the recipe for this special bread home with you.

3.    Goat Water

Goat water sounds like an unusual drink, but it’s actually a goat stew that is prized throughout the Caribbean. Depending on where you live, you may not have eaten goat before, but it is actually one of the most popular meats worldwide, and for good reason: It’s particularly flavorful. In addition to goat, the stew requires water, of course, as well as papaya, onions, yams, chilies, tomatoes and other fresh, local ingredients. You will find this succulent dish in any number of restaurants in St. Kitts, as it’s a favorite of locals and tourists alike.

4.    Sugar Cake

Sugar cake is a dream for anyone with a true love of sweets. It is made with a combination of sugar, coconut and ginger and is dyed into various colors, including pink and brown, making it festive as well as delicious. Hard on the outside, soft on the inside, this confection is addicting. You may need to jog along the beach or on our jogging track, to make up for this sugary concoction.

5.    Cook-up or Pelau

Another distinctive St. Kitts’ treat is cook-up or Pelau, a dish that consists of a savory mix of multiple meats like beef, salt fish, beef and pig tail. It also contains rice, pigeon peas and a variety of vegetables. This meal uses a bit of everything delicious about St. Kitts cuisine, so you get a real taste of the island.

6.    Salt Fish and Dumplings

You simply can’t leave St. Kitts without sampling the national dish, made with stewed salt fish, seasoned breadfruit, coconut dumplings and spicy plantains. You get a real taste of St. Kitts culture when you devour this filling and tasty meal. Simple and yet hearty eating is the key to St. Kitts dining.

7.    Black Pudding

Black pudding is not a dessert, but many find this local delicacy irresistible just the same. True, the actual ingredients are unusual, but many find this dish to be a culinary adventure. Black pudding recipes vary, but most contain a significant amount of pig’s blood, pig’s fat, and other bits and pieces of pork, as well as other ingredients, including strong seasonings. The mixture is placed inside of casings and cooked. Blood pudding can be enjoyed at any meal, including breakfast. If you have an adventurous palate, black pudding should be on your menu.

8.    Johnny Cakes

Johnny cakes Caribbean-style are a St. Kitts specialty. These simple but delicious cakes are most often enjoyed at breakfast or lunch but make a fine snack at any time. They are made from flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and other basic ingredients and formed into small circles that are fried in hot oil. No one can eat just one of these golden brown cakes, so don’t even try.

9.    Lobster

For lobster and other seafood lovers, St. Kitts is paradise. Lobsters are found in abundance in the oceans around the island and are served in every eatery in town. No need to make a reservation at an expensive restaurant; lobster is available to you in the most humble of establishments. Simple but delicious grilled lobster is a local favorite.

When taking a Carnival cruise, you will enjoy delicious food both onboard and on dry land. St. Kitts cuisine incorporates the finest fresh local ingredients into simple, flavorful dishes. You will find many things to do in St. Kitts, but none of them are more satisfying than sitting down and enjoying the local delicacies. Prepare to relax on the beach, tour the island and most of all, eat well.

Note: Onboard activities, shore excursions, and dining options may vary by ship and destination.