Top 10 Anguillan Dishes You Need to Try

Anguilla!!

Anguilla!! Anguilla!!

This beautiful country is the Caribbean’s best kept secret. Known for its sugar white sandy beaches, turquoise blue waters, and, most importantly, delicious, mouth watering culinary delights.

With more restaurants per capita than New York, this tiny island nation of Anguilla has definitely earned the title Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. From fried fish to cray fish, from lobster to barbequed chicken, come with us as we count down the top 10 most popular foods in the “tranquility wrapped in blue” that is known as Anguilla.

• 10. Fried Fish

Whether it be snappers, hinds or jacks, there is no denying that Anguillians love their fried fish. This comes as no surprise as Anguillians have had a long standing history with the sea.

Anguillian historian David Carty chronicles the Anguillian fishing industry, which was the island’s main industry the 60s and 70s, prior to tourism becoming the main economic activity. Seasoned with adobo and badia seasonings and marinated in onions, sweet peppers and thyme, Anguillian fried fish is undeniably one the island’s most delicious delicacies.

• 9. Grilled Lobster

This seafood delicacy, seasoned and grilled to perfection with an added dash of lime, is definitely an Anguillan favorite. Restaurants all over this tiny island put their own spin on this dish, and locals and tourist alike enjoy every bite of this mouth-watering treat.

Lobster is arguably the most sought after seafood on the island and is not cheap as fisherman have to dive deep into the ocean to capture them. But, believe me, it is worth every penny.

For the ultimate Anguillan culinary experience, grilled lobster is definitely the way to go.

• 8. Stewed Oxtail

Soft, slow cooked, stewed oxtail smothered in gravy bursting with savory flavors is sure to send your palate on the ride of its life. Usually served with a side of rice and peas, coleslaw and plantain, this dish is definitely finger-licking good.

• 7. Johnny Cakes

Whether you like them fried or baked, this delicious, hot Anguillan staple is definitely the most versatile as it is eaten anytime of the day. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, these Johnny cakes will always hit the spot. Try one with a fried snapper.

• 6. Rice and peas

Boiled with salt, butter, onions, garlic and thyme, no Anguillan meal is ever complete without a side of red beans and rice. Whether it be fish, chicken or ribs, a side a rice and red beans makes every meal more filling and delicious with every bite. It is on every Anguillan plate for Sunday dinner.

• 5. Curried Goat

If you have ever been blessed with vacationing on this beautiful island and dining at any of our luxurious 5-star restaurants, or have stopped at one our street vendors to grab a quick bite, I can guarantee that curried goat was somewhere on the menu. This spicy treat is enjoyed by locals every so often and tourist fall in love with it with their very first, spicy delicious bite.

Editor’s Note: Curried goat is also a very popular food in Jamaica and St. Lucia.

• 4. Barbeque Chicken

This delicious island delight is definitely a Saturday favorite. Whether you travel to the eastern end, the western end, the valley, Blowing Point or the harbor, you are sure to find a road side barbeque to stop at to enjoy some delicious barbeque.

Anguilla’s most famous Barbeque spot is Ken’s Barbeque located in the Valley, the capital of the island, where you can enjoy an assortment of barbeque chicken, ribs or pork laced with Ken’s famous, tangy barbeque sauce. He also serves his barbeque with a side of rice and peas, macaroni salad, green salad, and cole slaw.

• 3. Fried Plantain

One thing is for certain when it comes to Anguillian cuisine, no meal is complete without a side of thick, juicy, sweet fried plantain. There is an Anguillian saying that no Sunday meal is complete without this fried treat. Fried plantain is the perfect topper for any meal because it works well with any savory dish, whether it be chicken, oxtail or even fish, and there is a special secret – the riper the plantain, the sweeter the dish.

Anguillians don’t like their plantain hard and starchy but soft, sweet, and chewy. Anguillian fried plantain is highly recommended.

It’s a must try on your next trip to this beautiful island treasure.

• 2. Soup

Whether you like chicken, pig’s tail, meat, bull’s foot or corn soup, street venders all across Anguilla provide an assortment for you to enjoy, no matter your preference. One of the most popular soups here is Maybell’s famous corn soup.

Its comprised of an assortment of corn, beans, dumplings, and a little bit of pork and is sweet to the taste. You can find her every Saturday, and, I promise, your taste buds will not regret it.

• 1. Stewed Chicken

Delicious chicken, marinated in savory seasonings, onions, peppers, thyme, and soy sauce and stewed to perfection is a delicacy often enjoyed by Anguillian locals. It is a sure crowd pleaser that is easy to make.

This delicious meal is cooked in almost every household and at street vendors across Anguilla, and your taste buds will not be disappointed. Related: Most Popular Foods in the Cayman Islands