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The Best Seafood in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Entrance to Port of Spain Harbour in Trinidad & Tobago
Entrance to Port of Spain Harbour in Trinidad & Tobago | © Carol J Saunders / Alamy Stock Photo

A visit to Trinidad and Tobago is not complete without including the bustling capital city on your list. Port of Spain has the most varied and fascinating culinary traditions, especially when it comes to seafood and fish dishes. From traditional Trinidadian flatbreads filled with shark meat dished up at food huts on the beach to West African-influenced fish curry served at upscale restaurants, here are the best spots to eat seafood in the city.

Waterfront

Traditional Trinidadian food is a mix of Creole, Chinese, Indian-South Asian, West African, Arab, European, Latin American and Amerindian cuisines. Waterfront, located at the luxury Hyatt Regency hotel, reflects this fusion of culinary traditions. Sample authentic Caribbean dishes like Trini corn soup or try the locally sourced, Asian-inspired seafood curry. With sweeping views over the Gulf, take a seat at the chef’s table to witness innovation and creativity in the open kitchen.

The food at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain reflects the various influences on Trinidadian cuisine

Aioli

This Mediterranean-inspired restaurant’s seating options include a wine bar and a covered terrace. Aioli’s food has been described as “innovative and unique” and has dishes like the Italian and Thai-inspired pad thai fettuccine served with grilled prawns and the fried lobster bites served with truffle aioli. The restaurant also has an extensive menu of exquisite wines.

Chaud

For fine dining, Chaud is renowned in the city for its modern Caribbean-inspired dishes. Chef Khalid’s aim is to create a menu that focuses on “freshness, quality and creativity.” From the guava barbecue grouper to the seared Atlantic salmon, there are plenty of refined seafood and fish choices on the menu. This elegant restaurant is the perfect spot to unwind in an intimate setting and indulge in various courses.

Zanzibar Restaurant

Located on Invader’s Bay, at first glance, you may think Zanzibar is a nightclub. However, once inside, you will realize that this is an unpretentious spot for a casual dinner next to the sea. Seafood dishes include seared ahi tuna steak and a grilled seafood tower. This relaxed spot is ideal for those who want to stroll by the rows of yachts and sit on the deck overlooking the sea with a cocktail in hand.

Richard’s Bake and Shark is nicely adjacent to the stunning Maracas Beach

Richard’s Bake and Shark

In Trinidadian cuisine, a ‘bake and shark’ is a classic street-food dish made using fried flatbread and shark meat, which is then topped with lettuce and sauces. Vendors and food stands across the country serve this traditional dish; however, the best place to try it is at Richard’s Bake and Shark, right next to Maracas Beach. On the northern coast of the country, approximately a 40-minute journey away from the city center, this beach has been widely associated with this traditional dish, as the sharks are more often than not caught on this stretch of water. Order this staple Caribbean dish with fries and a drink, and enjoy it while overlooking the beach.

About the author

Maria Menegaki was born in Crete in 1991 and is an MA student of Social and Historical Anthropology at the University of the Aegean. She holds a BA in Geography and is constantly looking for ways to combine her academic interests with her passion for travelling and exploring. When she is not planning her next trip, she enjoys spending time with her cats, reading poetry or treehugging. She loves music and cinema and is determined never to grow up.

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