If anything, you will have a difficult time
deciding what to Eat next. Choose from
upscale fine dining haunts to intimate
family-run establishments where Trini
warmth and hospitality will overwhelm you.
You can opt for trendy little cafes, which
reflect contemporary design, or eateries with
questionable exteriors but incredible food.
There are also options for visitors who crave
something more familiar Trinidad's rich
cultural heritage has contributed to our
mosaic of culinary styles.
deciding what to Eat next. Choose from
upscale fine dining haunts to intimate
family-run establishments where Trini
warmth and hospitality will overwhelm you.
You can opt for trendy little cafes, which
reflect contemporary design, or eateries with
questionable exteriors but incredible food.
There are also options for visitors who crave
something more familiar Trinidad's rich
cultural heritage has contributed to our
mosaic of culinary styles.
During different
phases
of its history, the Spanish,
French and British occupied Trinidad. These
colonisers relied on the island's original inhabitants, the Amerindians, for labour, as well as workforces
from Africa, India and China. The people of the Middle East and Portugal also came, and in recent
times, American society has influenced the island's trends. These regions, with their distinctive cultures
and culinary traditions, have all had a hand in creating the delectable mélange that is Trinidad's cuisine.
colonisers relied on the island's original inhabitants, the Amerindians, for labour, as well as workforces
from Africa, India and China. The people of the Middle East and Portugal also came, and in recent
times, American society has influenced the island's trends. These regions, with their distinctive cultures
and culinary traditions, have all had a hand in creating the delectable mélange that is Trinidad's cuisine.
Creole Food
When African slaves came to Trinidad, they
brought their robust stews and one-pot comfort
foods. Over generations, these have been refined
to create signature Trinidad dishes like pelau,
macaroni pie and callaloo. Just about any meat
or legume can be stewed Trini-style, but the
favourites are chicken and red beans.Rich, hearty
and delicious soups are also part of the Creole
tradition with island favourites like oxtail soup,
beef soup and cowheel soup combining
melt-in-your-mouth chunks of meat with
legumes, provisions, fresh herbs and spices
in a rich, thick sauce for a filling meal.
When African slaves came to Trinidad, they
brought their robust stews and one-pot comfort
foods. Over generations, these have been refined
to create signature Trinidad dishes like pelau,
macaroni pie and callaloo. Just about any meat
or legume can be stewed Trini-style, but the
favourites are chicken and red beans.Rich, hearty
and delicious soups are also part of the Creole
tradition with island favourites like oxtail soup,
beef soup and cowheel soup combining
melt-in-your-mouth chunks of meat with
legumes, provisions, fresh herbs and spices
in a rich, thick sauce for a filling meal.
Chinese Food
Chinese restaurants abound everywhere, from
small towns to the capital city. Some busy
city streets boast as many as three or four
Chinese restaurants. While the style is
predominantly Cantonese, local spices and
ingredients add a distinctive flavour.
Be sure to try dasheen pork, a Chinese-inspired delicacy that originated in Trinidad. The highly seasoned combination of dasheen (a ground
tuber) and pork can be ordered at most
Chinese restaurants.
Chinese restaurants abound everywhere, from
small towns to the capital city. Some busy
city streets boast as many as three or four
Chinese restaurants. While the style is
predominantly Cantonese, local spices and
ingredients add a distinctive flavour.
Be sure to try dasheen pork, a Chinese-inspired delicacy that originated in Trinidad. The highly seasoned combination of dasheen (a ground
tuber) and pork can be ordered at most
Chinese restaurants.
East Indian Food
Curry is a well-loved spice in Trinidad. As is
the case with Creole stews, just about any
meat can be curried but the preferences are
chicken, goat and duck. Curried duck is part
of a larger social experience for Trinis,
especially those of East Indian descent. It is
key to the popular river lime, where food is
cooked on a riverbank in iron pots over an
open flame.
Although south Trinidad is considered the
home of East Indian food, there are two
hallmarks of this cuisine that can be found
anywhere on the island – roti and doubles.
Roti (a stovetop roasted flatbread served
with curried meat and vegetables such as
potato, pumpkin) is an East Indian staple.
Curry is a well-loved spice in Trinidad. As is
the case with Creole stews, just about any
meat can be curried but the preferences are
chicken, goat and duck. Curried duck is part
of a larger social experience for Trinis,
especially those of East Indian descent. It is
key to the popular river lime, where food is
cooked on a riverbank in iron pots over an
open flame.
Although south Trinidad is considered the
home of East Indian food, there are two
hallmarks of this cuisine that can be found
anywhere on the island – roti and doubles.
Roti (a stovetop roasted flatbread served
with curried meat and vegetables such as
potato, pumpkin) is an East Indian staple.
There are many Trini varieties such as
paratha, dosti, dhalpourie (made with
yellow lentils) and
aloopourie (made with potato. Doubles is the unofficial national breakfast, with many Trinidadians
starting their day with two or three of these palm-size flour and split peas (yellow lentils) patties filled
with spicy channa (chickpeas) and topped with different relishes.
Chokas, which are roasted and pounded vegetables, are another well-liked choice for breakfast.
The popular chokas of tomato and eggplant are usually eaten with sada roti, similar to naan bread.
Indian delicacies and sweets are also a mainstay. Penal, a town in south Trinidad is famous for its
main street lined with huts where vendors sell favourites like aloo pies (fried potato pies), pholourie
(fried balls of ground split peas served with chutney), barfi (coconut fudge), goolab jamoom
(milk balls in sweet syrup).
aloopourie (made with potato. Doubles is the unofficial national breakfast, with many Trinidadians
starting their day with two or three of these palm-size flour and split peas (yellow lentils) patties filled
with spicy channa (chickpeas) and topped with different relishes.
Chokas, which are roasted and pounded vegetables, are another well-liked choice for breakfast.
The popular chokas of tomato and eggplant are usually eaten with sada roti, similar to naan bread.
Indian delicacies and sweets are also a mainstay. Penal, a town in south Trinidad is famous for its
main street lined with huts where vendors sell favourites like aloo pies (fried potato pies), pholourie
(fried balls of ground split peas served with chutney), barfi (coconut fudge), goolab jamoom
(milk balls in sweet syrup).
Gourmet Cuisine
With the increasing global popularity of Caribbean food, one of the exciting movements in local cuisine
is the emergence of haute cuisine where traditional, even grassroots, dishes are done gourmet-style. In Trinidad's burgeoning gourmet food industry, you will find casual dining restaurants, steakhouses, and
some international cuisine.
With the increasing global popularity of Caribbean food, one of the exciting movements in local cuisine
is the emergence of haute cuisine where traditional, even grassroots, dishes are done gourmet-style. In Trinidad's burgeoning gourmet food industry, you will find casual dining restaurants, steakhouses, and
some international cuisine.
You will also find a fusion of the dining restaurants boasting French, Italian, Indian, Japanese, Spanish,
and Thai food. These are primarily located in Port-of-Spain on Ariapta Avenue or "restaurant strip"
as it is commonly known, Woodbrook, St. Clair, and around the Queen's Park Savannah.