There are plenty of good eating options on Antigua and, though prices are generally on the high side, there's usually something to suit most budgets. Around most of the island, hotel and restaurant menus aimed at tourists tend to offer familiar variations on Euro-American style food, shunning local specialties - a real shame, as the latter are invariably excellent and well worth trying if you get the chance.

Antiguan specialties include the fabulous ducana (a solid hunk of grated sweet potato mixed with coconut and spices and steamed in a banana leaf), pepper pot stew with salt beef, pumpkin and okra, often served with a cornmeal pudding known as fungi , various types of curry, salted codfish , and souse - cuts of pork marinated in lime juice, onions, hot and sweet peppers and spices.

During the winter season (Dec-April) it's best to make reservations at many of the places recommended - and, if you've got your heart set on a special place, arrange it a couple of days in advance if you can.

As for prices , some restaurants quote their prices in EC$, others in US$, others in both. We've followed their practice, using whichever currency a particular restaurant quotes. Government tax of 8.5 percent is always added to the bill and, particularly at the pricier places, a 10 percent service charge is also automatic.

On Barbuda , restaurants are low-key places with quiet trade. If you're coming on a day-trip package your meal will normally be arranged for you, but if you're making your own arrangements give as much advance notice as you can so that they can get the ingredients in.

Antiqua travel guide

Antigua
Where to go
When to go
Getting there
Money and costs
Getting around
Food and drink
Phones and post
Best of Antigua
Holidays and festivals
Tours
Diving & snorkeling
Dive operators
Boats &
     catamarans
Boat operators
Economy, natural hazards

Exploring Antigua
- Barbuda:
  Getting there
  Beyond Cordrington
  Great Fort George
  Falmouth Harbour
  River Fort
  Cordrington

- Falmouth and
  English Harbour
  Eating, drinking,   
  nightlife
  Falmouth
  Heights, Pigeon
       Beach