In November of 2011 we left Annapolis, MD on our sailboat and sailed to the Caribbean. Along the way we have searched out and found some island vegan food. Such a thing is not easy to come by, to put it mildly. Nonetheless it has, at times, been part of our island adventures to seek out vegan places and by doing such we have met good people and eaten good food. The islands don't use the word "vegan" to describe their food void of animal products. They call it "Ital food." The word "ital" generally describes food that is organic, non-processed and comes from the earth- so really it goes beyond vegan. The ital diet, I understand, comes from Jamaica and is the Rastafari diet. When we arrive at an island we usually ask a local "is there a place that makes ital food?" and we get pointed in the right direction. Some of the places on the list are not "ital" or "vegan" but have vegan options or are just simply willing to accomodate a desperate vegan. Most of these places don't have websites, they don't even have menus you just go and eat what they give you!
Every place I am posting here we've personally eaten but if you have anything to add please get in touch; I'd love to hear from you and I will post all other places as a "reader contribution."
Every place I am posting here we've personally eaten but if you have anything to add please get in touch; I'd love to hear from you and I will post all other places as a "reader contribution."
Dominica
Stone Love, Roseau- Dominica
This is a shack, just how it looks. You can find it on Cross St. very close to the intersection of Virgin St. Nigel and Jerome are the guys inside and they make only Ital food. It's the only place in town. The food we had was some of the best Ital/Vegan food we've had on the islands. The guys are really nice and welcoming and are blaring reggae music all the time. Unfortunately there is no place to eat other than the one stool you see (which is where we ate!)
Rasta-rant, Victoria Falls- Dominica
Everyone on the island seems to know Moses, the owner of the property and entrance to Victoria Falls- I guess he is sort of a legend. We hiked the falls with his son as a guide and had their Ital stew afterwards. I loved their property and their food. The only problem is that it is far away and unless you are staying in a hotel close by it's likely to be out of reach unless you rent a car or hire a driver for the day (what we did) to take in some of the sights nearby.
Ray's Roti's, Portsmouth-Dominica
It's not vegan but they have an awesome veggie roti and I love veggie rotis. It's a really cute bright green painted spot right on the main road.
This is a shack, just how it looks. You can find it on Cross St. very close to the intersection of Virgin St. Nigel and Jerome are the guys inside and they make only Ital food. It's the only place in town. The food we had was some of the best Ital/Vegan food we've had on the islands. The guys are really nice and welcoming and are blaring reggae music all the time. Unfortunately there is no place to eat other than the one stool you see (which is where we ate!)
Rasta-rant, Victoria Falls- Dominica
Everyone on the island seems to know Moses, the owner of the property and entrance to Victoria Falls- I guess he is sort of a legend. We hiked the falls with his son as a guide and had their Ital stew afterwards. I loved their property and their food. The only problem is that it is far away and unless you are staying in a hotel close by it's likely to be out of reach unless you rent a car or hire a driver for the day (what we did) to take in some of the sights nearby.
Ray's Roti's, Portsmouth-Dominica
It's not vegan but they have an awesome veggie roti and I love veggie rotis. It's a really cute bright green painted spot right on the main road.
Grenada
Doubles "Cart"- Grand Anse, Grenada
We love this “place”, and not just for their doubles. Latta and Frank are genuinely kind people. They come to the “round about” across from the IGA on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and sell doubles out of their van for $5 EC. They arrive about 7:30am and leave when the food is gone- somewhere between 10:30-1pm. Latta is from Trinidad where “doubles” originated. I’m not sure why they are called “doubles” maybe because it’s two pieces of floppy spiced dough/bread with a seasoned (in amazing sauce) channa and split pea mixture. And they just happen to be vegan-awesome!
B's Hot Spot Roti Shop- Carenage, St. George Grenada
B's is not a vegan or vegetarian eatery but they do have a vegan vegetable roti that is very good. In fact I've heard a number of people refer to B's as the best roti in Grenada! Joanne, the owner (who was too shy to be the photo) assured me that there were no animal products used- even after I continued my questions "so there's no butter..." She told me they rarely even use oil- the vegetables are cooked in lots of local spices (Grenada is the "spice island") and their roti has a great combo of veggies. It's an order at the counter place, costing only 10EC ($3.70US) per roti and it's big and filling so sometimes Marty and I share one! There are 4 tables inside for dining in.
The New Nutmeg- Carenage, St. George Grenada
Again, not a vegan/vegetarian place but they have a few things on their menu that qualify as vegan. It's a charming place to eat right on theCarenage in St. George with huge open windows to allow the breeze the ciaos of St. George to flow in. It's a sit down and be served place so it's a bit more costly then the roti carry out joints but it's very reasonably priced and an enjoyable experience.
De Big Fish- Prickley Bay, Grenada
This place is right on the water and has a dinghy dock in Prickley Bay (where we are anchored as I'm writing this.) When I glanced at their menu and saw they have "Vegan Lasagna" on it I was excited- a real vegan dish written on a menu at a non-vegan restaurant! The lasagna was really good -in comparison it's not the cheapest (for a cruiser anyway) I think the dish was $34EC (about $14US). They also have homemade vegan burgers and things like veggie quesadillas. So over all a really good place.
We love this “place”, and not just for their doubles. Latta and Frank are genuinely kind people. They come to the “round about” across from the IGA on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and sell doubles out of their van for $5 EC. They arrive about 7:30am and leave when the food is gone- somewhere between 10:30-1pm. Latta is from Trinidad where “doubles” originated. I’m not sure why they are called “doubles” maybe because it’s two pieces of floppy spiced dough/bread with a seasoned (in amazing sauce) channa and split pea mixture. And they just happen to be vegan-awesome!
B's Hot Spot Roti Shop- Carenage, St. George Grenada
B's is not a vegan or vegetarian eatery but they do have a vegan vegetable roti that is very good. In fact I've heard a number of people refer to B's as the best roti in Grenada! Joanne, the owner (who was too shy to be the photo) assured me that there were no animal products used- even after I continued my questions "so there's no butter..." She told me they rarely even use oil- the vegetables are cooked in lots of local spices (Grenada is the "spice island") and their roti has a great combo of veggies. It's an order at the counter place, costing only 10EC ($3.70US) per roti and it's big and filling so sometimes Marty and I share one! There are 4 tables inside for dining in.
The New Nutmeg- Carenage, St. George Grenada
Again, not a vegan/vegetarian place but they have a few things on their menu that qualify as vegan. It's a charming place to eat right on theCarenage in St. George with huge open windows to allow the breeze the ciaos of St. George to flow in. It's a sit down and be served place so it's a bit more costly then the roti carry out joints but it's very reasonably priced and an enjoyable experience.
De Big Fish- Prickley Bay, Grenada
This place is right on the water and has a dinghy dock in Prickley Bay (where we are anchored as I'm writing this.) When I glanced at their menu and saw they have "Vegan Lasagna" on it I was excited- a real vegan dish written on a menu at a non-vegan restaurant! The lasagna was really good -in comparison it's not the cheapest (for a cruiser anyway) I think the dish was $34EC (about $14US). They also have homemade vegan burgers and things like veggie quesadillas. So over all a really good place.
Nevis
Golden Rock Estate- Nevis
We rented bikes on Nevis and rode around the island, which was not easy but worth it. The high point of the experience was arriving at Golden Rock Estate which is a beautiful re-modeled sugar plantation. The estate is a resort, sightseeing destination, and restaurant. If you are on Nevis, it is a "must go" type of place. They had nothing vegan or even vegetarian (except salad) on their menu and I almost gave in and was about to order a salad when Marty suggested I ask if they would make a veggie roti (they have a chicken roti on their menu.) They very nicely accomodated my request and put together one of the best veggie rotis I've had in the islands!
Natural Livity- Newcastle Village, Nevis
This is another spot we found on our bike route. It's a small place with a health food store attached. They don't have a menu but everything they make is vegan and they have desserts too! They have a couple stools at the counter inside and a few tables outside for dining. The owner is quiet and friendly and I admire her hard work and commitment to being the soul source of vegan food on Nevis.
We rented bikes on Nevis and rode around the island, which was not easy but worth it. The high point of the experience was arriving at Golden Rock Estate which is a beautiful re-modeled sugar plantation. The estate is a resort, sightseeing destination, and restaurant. If you are on Nevis, it is a "must go" type of place. They had nothing vegan or even vegetarian (except salad) on their menu and I almost gave in and was about to order a salad when Marty suggested I ask if they would make a veggie roti (they have a chicken roti on their menu.) They very nicely accomodated my request and put together one of the best veggie rotis I've had in the islands!
Natural Livity- Newcastle Village, Nevis
This is another spot we found on our bike route. It's a small place with a health food store attached. They don't have a menu but everything they make is vegan and they have desserts too! They have a couple stools at the counter inside and a few tables outside for dining. The owner is quiet and friendly and I admire her hard work and commitment to being the soul source of vegan food on Nevis.
Puerto Rico
Lola- Ponce, Puerto Rico
We went to Ponce on our way back to Salinas where we had rented a car. It was getting late and we wanted to eat. Lola's is outside our typical "cruiser budget restaurant" but they assured me they would make me a good meal- they did! It was definetly the most suprising meal I've ever experienced. Lola's is not a vegan or even vegetarian restaurant and typically when we eat at such a place their idea of making something vegan is sub-par. Not so in this case- they were so nice and understand what vegan means (not the case in most places.) Anyway, in Puerto Rico Monfongo is a local dish that is typically made with meat. They made mine with vegetables and left out the butter and any other animal products they normally use. I can't say enough about it; it was fabulous!
We went to Ponce on our way back to Salinas where we had rented a car. It was getting late and we wanted to eat. Lola's is outside our typical "cruiser budget restaurant" but they assured me they would make me a good meal- they did! It was definetly the most suprising meal I've ever experienced. Lola's is not a vegan or even vegetarian restaurant and typically when we eat at such a place their idea of making something vegan is sub-par. Not so in this case- they were so nice and understand what vegan means (not the case in most places.) Anyway, in Puerto Rico Monfongo is a local dish that is typically made with meat. They made mine with vegetables and left out the butter and any other animal products they normally use. I can't say enough about it; it was fabulous!
St. Lucia
Jah Lam- Soufriere, St. Lucia
Marty and I loved this spot and love Jah Lam himself. He has a spot in the town of Soufriere that is only open for lunch. We went two days in a row. He has a very small cooking space and creates some wonderful stuff. He also makes fresh juices by hand. He has one community table inside that seats 8 people and was always full with locals. He has an old TV constantly playing old Reggae concerts on VHF. We got two plates of food and a juice for a total of 20EC ($7.40US) and it is amazing stuff definitely made with love!
The Food of 7 Vegan- Rodney Bay area Mall, St. Lucia
This place has good enough food, not much charm though. It's a stand in the outdoor eatery of the mall. There is no menu so you get what they have and it's all vegan.
Jambe De Bois- Pigeon Island, St. Lucia
This place has a ton of charm. It's on the water on Pigeon Island and their chairs and tables seem to be made of tree limbs and stumps nailed together. It sounds uncomfortable but oddly wasn't. This is not a vegan/vegetarian spot but they do have a Veggie Roti which passed my
battery of questions as to the ingredients. The roti was good, the atmosphere made it better-and only $10EC ($3.70 US)
Marty and I loved this spot and love Jah Lam himself. He has a spot in the town of Soufriere that is only open for lunch. We went two days in a row. He has a very small cooking space and creates some wonderful stuff. He also makes fresh juices by hand. He has one community table inside that seats 8 people and was always full with locals. He has an old TV constantly playing old Reggae concerts on VHF. We got two plates of food and a juice for a total of 20EC ($7.40US) and it is amazing stuff definitely made with love!
The Food of 7 Vegan- Rodney Bay area Mall, St. Lucia
This place has good enough food, not much charm though. It's a stand in the outdoor eatery of the mall. There is no menu so you get what they have and it's all vegan.
Jambe De Bois- Pigeon Island, St. Lucia
This place has a ton of charm. It's on the water on Pigeon Island and their chairs and tables seem to be made of tree limbs and stumps nailed together. It sounds uncomfortable but oddly wasn't. This is not a vegan/vegetarian spot but they do have a Veggie Roti which passed my
battery of questions as to the ingredients. The roti was good, the atmosphere made it better-and only $10EC ($3.70 US)
St. Maarten
Freedom Fighters Ital Shack-Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Marty searched this place out for us and with the help of a couple local police officers and a bus driver we found it. It's not actually that hard to find if you know your way around but we didn't! This Ital shack is very welcoming and I don't think I wanted to leave. There isn't a menu; we were served a plate of food of what they had created that day from their own garden (except the soya) and we were given some mangos to take with us. Great find Marty!
Marty searched this place out for us and with the help of a couple local police officers and a bus driver we found it. It's not actually that hard to find if you know your way around but we didn't! This Ital shack is very welcoming and I don't think I wanted to leave. There isn't a menu; we were served a plate of food of what they had created that day from their own garden (except the soya) and we were given some mangos to take with us. Great find Marty!
St. Thomas
Natural Livity Juice Bar- Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas
St. Thomas appears to have a fairly large Rasta population which means good vegan food! This place is called a juice bar, and it is, but it's much more. There are only a couple seats for dining in but they have an assortment of food which changes daily. My understanding is that everything they make at this place is vegan. We ate here a couple times while anchored in the harbor at St. Thomas.
St. Thomas appears to have a fairly large Rasta population which means good vegan food! This place is called a juice bar, and it is, but it's much more. There are only a couple seats for dining in but they have an assortment of food which changes daily. My understanding is that everything they make at this place is vegan. We ate here a couple times while anchored in the harbor at St. Thomas.
