Guadeloupe

Eating out in Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe has two main styles of cooking that represent both its French heritage and its Creole colonialism. Haute cuisine Française is traditional continental, while the cuisine Créole makes spectacular use of African methods and distinctly Caribbean ingredients, like local seafood and vegetables such as christophenes and plantains. Favorite appetizers are accras (codfish fritters) and crabes farcis (stuffed land crabs). Langouste (lobster) and lambi (conch) are widely available, as is souchy, a Tahitian version of sushi. The island has more than 700 restaurants serving local as well as French, Italian, African, Indian, Vietnamese, and South American food. The local drink is 'ti punch, a innocent-sounding concoction of rum, lime juice, and sugarcane syrup that packs, appropriately, quite a punch!.

Gourmet

Château de Feuilles serves some of the best meals in Guadeloupe. The country setting is stylish and the very definition of relaxation - while waiting for your meal you can take a dip in the pool or stroll around the 2-acre farm! For an aperitif, you can choose from about 20 punch concoctions. The changing menu includes velvety sea urchin pâté and kingfish fillet with vanilla. For dessert, try the pineapple flan. Route Campêche.

Highly Recommended

Restaurant Villa Fleur d'Epée is owned by celebrated chef Thierry Larade, who honed his talent cooking for politicians and celebrities in Paris. His cooking blends flavors from around the world for such creations as Nordic shellfish with sliced bamboo and sweet cream sauce or foie gras of duck flavored with curry. Situated next to an 18th-century fortress, your view is a stunning panorama across the Caribbean to Les Saintes, Marie Galante, and Dominica. Rue du Fort Fleur d'Epée.

Local Flair

Nilce's Bar is the dominion of the barefoot beach crowd who flock all day to this piano bar and restaurant occupying a large Creole house right on the waterfront. Come any time of day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a wide selection of ice creams. Local musicians perform Brazilian, French, and Creole music. Bourg, Terre-de-Haut.

Romantic

Auberge de Vielle Tour is built at the base of an 18th-century windmill and runs parallel to the sea atop a ridge. The sea-side patio offers tremendous views, particularly of the sunset, and large comfortable wicker furniture. A garden atrium and the rare Guadeloupean treat of air-conditioning add a delightful touch to the romantic ambiance and classical French/creative Creole menu. A jazz band entertains most of the week, followed by a piano player on Sunday. Gosier.

Going party in Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe has nightspots galore, with discos and nightclubs in the larger hotels, and a variety of piano and jazz bars at the Bas du Fort Marina. Some hotels offer dinner dancing and performances by folkloric troupes, and the popular dance music is zouk, performed regularly by many local groups. The island's famous traditional dance is the Biguine, lovely to behold as the performers.

Clubs

The hot clubs these days are mostly around Gosier, like Le Wallis, La Cascade, Le Zenith, and New Land. Other great spots are the gleaming Le Shiva in Le Moule, and La Plantation, which is a very chic spot in Gourbeyre on the Basse-Terre side of the island.

Casinos

Two casinos are open nightly with extended hours on weekends, one in Gosier and the other in St Francois. High and low stakes gamers can try their luck with blackjack, roulette, and the slot machines.

Common events in Guadeloupe

Carnival

All over the island, but especially on Pointe-à-Pitre, locals and visitors alike join in or watch events like a Sunday parade, comical burlesque marriage ceremonies on Monday, and devil-costumed crowds carrying on in the streets. February - March.

Mi-Careme

Sacrifice and self-deprivation are the practice during Lent, and this feast was created to provide a respite from its rigors. For one day in the middle of Lent, Guadeloupe indulges in wine, rum, feasting, and dancing. March.

Guadeloupan Open Championship By Category

This double elimination competition includes surf and body board events for Seniors and Juniors. April.

Fete De La Musique Traditionelle

This three-day party celebrates Guadeloupe's musical styles like qwo ka, to tamtam, and cadence. May.

Fete Des Qwo Ka

A percussion party on the beach like none other, this festival of the big drums celebrates qwo ka, an African-derived form of rhythmic drumming. July.

Fete Des Cuisinieres (Chefs Festival)

With France as its mother country, food naturally plays a central role in Guadeloupe. This festival proudly celebrates the culinary culture of the French West Indies with island specialties brought in baskets to the fairgrounds by Creole-costumed women. Don't expect a leisurely sit-down meal - the cooks demand that you sing and dance for your supper! August.

Tour de la Guadeloupe

Cycling on the island is a big deal. Every year Guadeloupe hosts the "Tour de France" of the Western Hemisphere, and the locals train year-round. If you're good enough to compete, you're welcome to join the race. The route comprises well-paved roads but there are no shoulders. August.

Creole Music Festival

Don your dancing shoes and spend a day swinging to the rhythm at a series of Creole concerts held at in local Arts Center. November.

Tour of the World des Alizés

The dreams of many amateur yachtsmen come true in this regatta, which sails the 7 seas as part of a flotilla "safety-net," yet facing the challenge of a cruise-race. The Guadeloupe leg of the world-wide event usually in November.