Dining on the Dunes
There is a staggering amount of gourmet dining options in Antigua and Barbuda , spoiling even the most frivolous foodie for choice . When we searched for the classic tropical fare that typifies Caribbean cuisine , we found it : delicious Johnnycakes , seafood chowder , fish cakes , and grilled spiny lobster , served up fresh and aromatic and brought directly to our beach loungers . There ’ s nothing quite like enjoying fresh seafood in direct proximity to its source , a local liquid favorite like English Harbour rum or Wadadli in hand , as you gaze contentedly into the endless blue .
Rather recently , the gastronomy of Antigua and Barbuda has embraced a trend of incorporating global flavors . With historical influence from the British , French , Spanish , and indigenous Carib , it is perhaps natural that its cuisine would move to reflect its diverse origins . The aptly named Sheer Rocks , which sits atop a cliff at the Cocobay resort , is one of the restaurants leading this tantalizing renaissance . Led by award-winning Chef-de- Cuisine Simon Christey-French , Sheer Rocks serves up a locally sourced Mediterranean-style tasting menu complete with lamb shank , beetroot tartare , and seared yellowfin tuna . The Foie Gras Parfait was velvety and savory , melting on the tongue while stimulating the taste buds with spicy notes from the mustard seed .
Elsewhere in Antigua , you ’ ll find palate-pleasing gourmet offerings at most of the restaurants that adjoin the major resorts . Carmichael ’ s at Sugar Ridge deserves special mention , boasting a ‘ lavish cabana ’ aesthetic and situated at the highest point of the resort , providing sweeping views of the hills and sea . Signature dishes like the Lobster medallions and bouillabaisse are cooked to perfection with herbs and spices that reflect Carib cooking traditions . If you ’ re famished from a day of fun on Barbuda , seek out Nobu , the Peruvian-Japanese sushi fusion restaurant realized through a partnership by Robert De Niro and Chef Nobuyuki Masuhisa . This internationally acclaimed eatery specializing in seafood is a natural fit for Barbuda , which boasts incredible seafood of its own , and elevates the dining experience even higher by consequence of its location on one of the island ’ s white powder beaches .
TRAVEL OFTEN . LIVE WELL . 13