Taste of Speightstown: Culinary Journey Through Barbados' Historic Port Town

If there's one thing that'll get an Aussie coastal boy excited, it's fresh seafood, and Speightstown delivers in spades! The local fishermen dock right in town each morning, which means the catch goes from boat to plate faster than you can say 'barramundi'.

My absolute favorite spot became the Fisherman's Pub & Beach Bar – nothing fancy, just plastic chairs and tables, but strewth, the flying fish here is legendary! For about 35 Barbadian dollars (roughly $17 USD), you'll score a massive plate of flying fish, macaroni pie, and the local specialty 'cou-cou' (a polenta-like dish made with okra). Wash it all down with a Banks beer while watching the sunset over the Caribbean Sea.

For a slightly more upmarket experience, try Island Plates where Chef Natalie serves up contemporary takes on Bajan classics. Her fish cakes with scotch bonnet pepper sauce nearly blew my head off – fair dinkum spicy but absolutely worth it!

Before heading out, I always applied some reef-safe sunscreen since most seafood spots have outdoor seating with killer ocean views. Your skin (and the coral reefs) will thank you later.

You haven't experienced true Bajan culture until you've spent an evening at a rum shop. These colorful wooden shacks are the beating heart of local social life, and Speightstown has some absolute beauties.

My go-to became Fisherman's Corner, where Mr. Boyce (the owner) treated me like family after my second visit. A shot of Mount Gay XO rum costs about 12 Barbadian dollars ($6 USD), but the stories and laughter that come with it? Priceless, mate.

If you're doing a proper rum shop crawl, don't miss Jemmott's or Ruby's, where you can try the potent Bajan moonshine called 'bush rum' – infused with local herbs and spices. Fair warning: this stuff makes our Bundaberg rum taste like cordial!

I found myself taking notes on my waterproof notebook during these nights, because after a few rums, I'd meet locals who'd share secret food spots not in any guidebook. This little waterproof beauty survived rum spills, rain showers, and beach days without a drama.

Most rum shops also serve food – simple plates of macaroni pie, fried chicken, or cutters (Bajan sandwiches). For about 15 Barbadian dollars ($7.50 USD), you'll get a hearty plate that soaks up the rum nicely.

Wednesday and Saturday mornings in Speightstown are an absolute treat for food lovers. The local market explodes with colors, smells, and flavors that'll make your head spin faster than a cyclone in Queensland.

I'd rock up early (around 7am) with my collapsible shopping bag to score the freshest produce. This little ripper folds down tiny but expands to hold a surprising amount of tropical bounty. The market vendors got a good laugh watching me try to fit increasingly more mangoes, soursop, and sugar apples into it each week.

Don't miss the ladies selling homemade coconut bread and cassava pone (a sweet pudding) – for about 5 Barbadian dollars ($2.50 USD), you'll get breakfast sorted. My favorite discovery was 'conkies' – a sweet cornmeal mixture with coconut, pumpkin, and spices, all wrapped and steamed in banana leaves.

The spice vendors are a highlight too. I picked up some local vanilla pods and a special blend called 'Bajan seasoning' – a green herb paste that makes everything taste better. One vendor, Miss Gloria, insisted I try her homemade hot sauce, which nearly took the roof off my mouth but was so good I bought three bottles to bring home.

For lunch, follow your nose to the food stalls at the market's edge. The fish cakes and 'breadfruit chips' make for a deadly combo that'll keep you fueled for the day's adventures.

If you've got a sweet tooth like me, Speightstown will be your happy place. The Bajan approach to desserts is all about making the most of local ingredients – and fair dinkum, they've perfected it!

Arlington's Bakery became my morning ritual – their coconut turnovers are still haunting my dreams. For about 4 Barbadian dollars ($2 USD), you'll get a flaky pastry filled with sweet coconut that pairs perfectly with their strong local coffee.

On hot afternoons (which is pretty much every day in Barbados), I'd cool down with homemade coconut ice cream from PRC Ice Cream Shop. The rum raisin flavor is properly boozy – you've been warned!

My most memorable sweet discovery was at a little spot called The Cake Lady, where Mrs. Johnson makes traditional Bajan black cake. This isn't your average cake – it's a dense, rum-soaked fruitcake that's been part of Caribbean culture for generations. At 15 Barbadian dollars ($7.50 USD) per slice, it's not cheap, but the flavor is so complex and rich that one piece is plenty.

During my dessert explorations, I found my insulated water bottle to be a lifesaver. The Caribbean sun is no joke, and staying hydrated between sugar rushes kept me going through long days of exploration. Plus, the bottle kept my water ice-cold for hours while I wandered through town in the blazing heat.

Being both a foodie and an astronomy nut, I found the perfect combination in Speightstown's beachfront restaurants. The light pollution here is minimal compared to other tourist areas, making it a ripper spot for stargazing after dinner.

The Fishpot Restaurant, just north of town, became my special occasion spot. It's pricier (expect to pay around 100 Barbadian dollars/$50 USD per person), but the setting in a converted fort right on the beach is magical. Their lobster thermidor is worth every penny, and the staff were legends about letting me linger after dinner with my star guide to identify constellations from their deck.

For a more budget-friendly option that still offers stellar views, Orange Street Grocer serves up amazing wood-fired pizzas with Caribbean twists – the saltfish and callaloo pizza sounds weird but works brilliantly! At sunset, grab a table on their balcony with a rum punch and watch the sky turn spectacular shades of orange and pink.

My favorite discovery was a humble beach shack called Moontown, where they barbecue right on the sand every Friday night. For about 40 Barbadian dollars ($20 USD), you'll get a massive plate of grilled mahi-mahi or chicken, rice and peas, and plantains. I'd bring my compact beach blanket and set up right on the sand after dinner. This ingenious little blanket packs down to pocket size but unfolds to fit two people comfortably – perfect for post-dinner stargazing while the waves crash nearby.