What restaurant would you recommend?

[SJKeeler]

I will be traveling to Tobago with a group of friends in February. I have been to the island several times and have visited a dozen or so restaurants, among my favorites being Ruby Lou's, La Tarrtaruga and Bonkers. If you could recommend one restaurant for me to bring my friends to, what would it be? I am hoping to show them the best of Tobago food in a setting that includes tropical ambience and perhaps some musical entertainment. Looking for something not overly expensive, but don't mind paying for a great dining experience. Thanks for your suggestions.

[Miriam King]

you can not go wrong with the kariwak and if you go on a friday or saturday they have a jazz band playing which were really good. the food was excellant and very popular with the locals which is always a good sign! by the way i'm in portsmouth england!!( p.s its in crown point!)

[Bob White]

We visit the island and live in a village for a fair amount of the year. When we do venture out to eat, Ru-b-Lou's restaurant at Sandy Point takes some beating for overall quality and quantity. Usually there is some decent entertainment at Pelican Reef but the quality of food can be variable.

[Steve Fifield]

There are plenty of tourist oriented restaurants to be found that will serve you a dish of 5 or 6 large prawns in a light creole / curry sauce, for the equivalent of about £12 (US20$). With drinks and starters or deserts added, this can end up a little more expensive than you might have expected.

After a few of these restaurants, I started to notice that the only other people in the restarants were - Yes, Tourists.

That is when I started to take more of an interest in the more traditional local foods. A full barbecue from a take away (like Bartons opposite the Pigeon point road) will set you back about £2.50 - £3.00 (4.5 - 5.5 US$) and is quite substantial, and very tasty food, especially on Friday's when the selection of vegetables might include Macaroni Pie, Calaloo & CooCoo, noodles and possibly Bread fruit cooked down in Coconut milk.

For lunch, try a good Roti, for which I recommend Rena's in Scarborough, and to eat in, we had a very good evening meal at Marcia's on the old store bay local road. Going up market a little, I would suggest Salsa Kitchen in Scarborough, where all of the tapas are delicious.

Obviously, this kind of restaurant would not offer a night of Steel Pans or African Drums, so if you want entertainment, they won't be for you. But if you've already done all the tourist stuff, why not try roughing it for one or two nights, and eat like the locals do?

Steve F.

But then maybe you already have ...

[Cornelia Montgomery]

Steve,
Do you remember what time those barbecue places start serving dinner? I wouldn't mind getting some takeout and eating it on a beach. Sounds nice.

Most tourist restaurants that I'm acquainted with don't start serving until 7 p.m. We're early risers (we wake up at 5 a.m. at home), so I'd appreciate an option for dinner at about 6 p.m.

Thanks.

[Steve Fifield]

It is hard to say, as opening times do vary, but I agree, for the most part, they don't seem to get the Barbecue going until about 7:00PM. I guess it is not worth gettin a load of food ready if everyone is still on the beach?

Steve F.

[Jane H]

Hi Cornelia,

I hate to mention it - but buying a take-away and eating it on a beach at dusk/night could well leave you at the mercy of the sandflies (noseeums?) and mosquitos.

Just something to bear in mind.

Jane

[David Watkins]

How about Phyllis's Bar and Rest opposite the TTPOST on the Docks.I had an excellent pork stew lunch for 25tt$ including a bottle if Carib.Once again a local but vgfm.Another one is I think Enids as you come into Scarborough past TSTT follow the one wy and it is just round the corner,another is in the small mall going towards up town past the pizza and chicken places on the cormer opposite the old THA,fantastic chicken lunch-eat in or take away.
David(mouth now watering!)

[Steve Fifield]

I think I know where you mean David, the small mall just past the pizza boys and chicken places. I remember because there was a CD seller just on the corner selling the usual popular CD copies for about 15-20TT. We walked just around the corner an into a small mall up some steps on the left, then up a few more steps inside on the left above a Jeweler's. I do remember that there was someone called something like Mariella serving, and that the main window faced the docks where an enormous ferry was lying, but can't remember the name of the place. The food was excellent local stuff and very good value. I also heard that at midday there is often a long queue of locals outside, so it must be quite good!

Does anyone know the name of this place for certain?

Steve F.