The 7 Food & Drink Experiences in Barbados That Earn Their Price

1.Original Bajan Walking Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,369 reviews · from $94Our pick

Walk 1.5 miles through Bridgetown with a small group of up to 12, tasting fish cakes, local fruit, bakery treats, meals, chocolate, and ice cream. Guides such as Paulette, Janelle, and Tamara add stories about Bajan food, heroes, and the UNESCO-listed city center. The three-hour tour starts at 10:30 am.

“Our tour guide Janelle, was extremely informative about Bajan history! I really enjoyed the tour and the food stops were great.”

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2.Mount Gay Signature Rum Tasting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 640 reviews · from $36Best value

At Mount Gay’s Bridgetown visitor center, a Brand Host welcomes you with rum punch, leads you through the Legacy Museum and a short production film, then guides a tasting of four rums. Expect an entertaining, educational hour with time to shop, but no transportation and no distillery-floor visit.

“Fantastic hostess that made the tour and tasting a pleasure! Mount Gay rum is now in my top 5 favorites!”

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3.Stade’s and Planteray Rum Tasting and Beach Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · from $40

At Stade’s Rum Distillery on Brighton Beach, your guide leads a short rum tasting with a welcome cocktail, wall exhibit, and four rums from the Stade’s and Planteray ranges. Then use the beach club, chairs, and umbrellas, and order food or cocktails. Guides such as Asha, Joy, Sarai, and Ramon have helped make this an easy, friendly stop.

“Wonderful experience. The tasting and the beach were fantastic. I would definitely recommend to anyone who wants a quick tasting, but still receive all the basic knowledge on how rum is made.”

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4.Barbados Shore Excursion: Walking Food Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · from $94

Join a local guide such as Paulette or Janelle for three hours of Bajan food, history, and culture in Bridgetown. You may taste meat pies, fishcakes, flying fish, soup, tamarind juice, Banks Beer, and more while visiting squares, churches, markets, and local eateries. The small group and close-to-port route suit cruise passengers.

“Come hungry!!! What an amazing experience doing the Lickrish food tour. Our guide Janelle was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the island and how it relates to the cuisine of the area. She was so kind and did a fanRead more”

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5.Nature Trail, Tram & Rum Tasting at Harrison’s Cave by Chukka

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 48 reviews · from $145

Start with a nature walk and bird aviary visit at Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park, then ride an electric tram through the cave. After a light Barbadian lunch, join a rum tasting led by guides such as Gabriel, Kyle, or Rico. Hotel pickup is offered, and the group is capped at 24 people.

“I enjoyed myself, however, there were problems with organization. 1. There was a mob of people on line checking in, filling out waivers, and they were not appropriately staffed to give directions. 2. There was no tour guide to give directions on the nature trail, which I did not see. After the cave tour, they told us where to eat, but that was it. Who was leading the trail, and where was it? 3. After eating, I was not informed about the rum tour. No announcement was made and I was sitting in the restaurant. It just so happened that I saw a big group behind me leaving. At any…”

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6.Monkey Zipline and Rum Tasting Tour at Harrison’s Cave by Chukka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $135

Spend about 2.5 hours at Harrison's Cave Eco-Adventure Park ziplining roughly 120 feet above the ground, strolling the Pride of Barbados Nature Trail, and tasting three Mount Gay rums. Guides including Adriene, Adrian, and Akeem bring a friendly, lively touch. Pool time and food are extra.

“This place is amazing and all the workers are helpful, happy, and live doing their jobs..Adrian was so funny and definitely made my day plus his workers there akeem I believe it was, was very cool. It was the best experience ever.”

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7.Bridgetown Food and Heritage Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 13 reviews · from $70

Walk central Bridgetown with a guide such as Don, stopping at local food spots while learning about Bajan cooking, culture, and landmarks including the Nidhe Israel Synagogue, Parliament Buildings, and the Careenage. The 2 to 2.5-hour tour starts at 11:30 am, includes snacks and alcoholic drinks, and ends with a small sweet goodie bag.

“Had a really great time with Don, she took us around Bridgetown, to the places used by the locals, we tasted some great food, saw the sights, whilst Don educated us on history culture and food”

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