Dominica

Eating out in Dominica

Visitors to Dominica have their choice of Creole dishes, from simple to exotic. Wherever you go, you're likely to see "mountain chicken" (frogs' legs), practically a national dish. Crab backs (stuffed crabshells) are another island specialty everyone should try!.

Gourmet

La Robe Creole, set in an intimate brick building near the harbor, has been considered the island's best restaurant for almost a quarter of a century. Diners can start with callaloo soup with coconut, and move on to Dominican favorites like freshwater shrimp and crayfish, or mountain chicken. The scrumptious desserts include tropical fruit and coconut pie. 3 Victoria Street, Roseau.

Highly Recommended

World of Food is a charming patio restaurant that was the once the home of author Jean Rhys. Dine under a mango tree on local fish cakes, black pudding, and homemade soups. Other specialties includefish steak, curried goat, chicken-filled roti, breadfruit puffs, and conch. The rum punch is the best on the island! 48 Cork Street, Roseau.

Local Flair

Pearl's Cuisine is housed in a gingerbread house with a balcony above the quaint downtown streets. Favorite dishes include baked chicken in Creole sauce, mountain chicken, and fresh crayfish. Lobster, pork chops, curried goat and rice, and spareribs are other specialties.50 King George V Street, Roseau.

Romantic

Papillotee Wilderness Retreat is set amidst exotic flowers, age-old trees, and soft sunlight, overlooking lovely rivers and mountains. Some of the dishes, such as river shrimp and flying fish, are hard to find anywhere else. Other dishes are built around the island's fresh fruit and produce, like the Rainforest Chicken sautéed with orange, papaya, and banana, wrapped in a banana leaf. Wednesday is barbecue night. Trafalgar Falls Road.

Going party in Dominica

The nightlife on Dominica is subdued, however, many of the bars and hotels offer live music.

The Castaways Beach Hotel

This bar offers weekend entertainment, with traditional local music. In the winter season, the hotel sponsors barbecues on the beach with live music.

The Warehouse

This is the island's major dance club. Disco, reggae, and other music plays until 5am in this 200-year-old stone building that was a rum house.

Wykie's Tropical Bar

Locals and tourists fill up this bar, where tropical drinks are served while calypso bands entertain.

Qclub

Friday nights bring non-stop energy to this bar, with local and American music playing till dawn.

Symes Zee's

Home to the island's best blues musician, Symes Zee, this is a great spot to relax. Patrons take in the blues, jazz and reggae, and enjoy Cuban cigars.

Common events in Dominica

Carnival

A major celebration in Dominica, this French festival brings calypso contests, feasts, shows, masquerades, and parties. February.

DomFesta

The Dominican Festival of Creative Arts celebrates music, dance, drama, fine arts, culture, cuisine, and literary arts. June.

Creole Day

This is when Dominicans celebrate their Creole heritage. Women dress up in madras costumes and men wear dark trousers and white shirts. All business is conducted in Creole and restaurants serve traditional dishes. Folk dancing, jing ping bands, and storytelling take place all over the island. October.

Independence Day

Calypso competitions, speeches, and processions take place during this celebration. November.

The World Zouk-Cadence Festival

The streets are filled with musicians playing their many versions of the island-born zouk music. November.

The World Creole Music Festival

This festival brings three days of music from Caribbean musicians, who play zouk, bouyan, calypso, and reggae. November.