10 Caribbean Dishes That Will Brighten Your Day

Jerk Chicken

This iconic Jamaican dish features chicken marinated in a spicy and aromatic blend of herbs and spices, including Scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, and garlic. It's traditionally grilled to perfection

Ackee and Saltfish

Considered the national dish of Jamaica, this savory breakfast dish features ackee, a tropical fruit, sautéed with salted codfish, onions, tomatoes, and spices. It's often served alongside fried dumplings

Fish Tea

This Caribbean soup is made with various types of fish (such as red snapper or kingfish), simmered with okra, yams, potatoes, carrots, and a blend of herbs and spices. It's hearty, nourishing, and bursting with flavor.

Callaloo

This nutritious and flavorful dish is made from young taro or dasheen leaves cooked down with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and sometimes coconut milk. It's often served as a side dish or soup and pairs well with rice or bread.

Conch Fritters

Popular throughout the Caribbean, conch fritters are made from chopped conch meat mixed with a batter of flour, eggs, peppers, and spices. They're deep-fried until golden brown and crispy

Rice and Peas

A staple side dish in many Caribbean countries, rice and peas are made with pigeon peas or kidney beans cooked with rice, coconut milk, thyme, and scallions. It's a flavorful accompaniment to many Caribbean meals.

Escovitch Fish

This Jamaican dish features whole fish (typically snapper) marinated, fried until crispy, and then topped with a tangy and spicy escovitch sauce made from vinegar, onions, carrots, and Scotch bonnet peppers.

Cuban Sandwich

Originating from Cuba but popular throughout the Caribbean, this sandwich is made with ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and sometimes salami, all pressed between Cuban bread

Bajan Flying Fish Cutter

Hailing from Barbados, this sandwich features fried flying fish (a local delicacy) sandwiched between two pieces of salt bread and topped with lettuce, tomato, and Bajan pepper sauce.

Coco Bread and Beef Patty

A popular street food snack in Jamaica, this combo consists of a flaky, slightly sweet coco bread stuffed with a spicy beef patty. It's a delicious and satisfying handheld meal.