National cuisine of Guadeloupe for gourmets. Authentic recipes, delicacies and specialties

Guadeloupe is a small island country that is situated in tropical latitudes of Central America between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Once, the geographic position was the most important factor in the development of local culinary preferences. However, the fact that Guadeloupe is a French territory definitely shaped the national cuisine that adopted many techniques and peculiarities of French cuisine. It is safe to say that French cuisine is always available in this country. If you visit Guadeloupe from France, you can be sure to find all the dishes you like and eat on a regular basis. Just like in France, local people adore fragrant morning coffee with a croissant, but this doesn’t mean that the continental and island cuisines coincide completely. Local chefs add a special Caribbean touch to the food they make. Nowadays, when a journey between continents lasts less than one day and not several weeks like before, culinary traditions spread and change very fast. Don’t be surprised to find Chinese or Indian cuisines in Guadeloupe restaurants, leave alone dishes from nearby Mexico.

The Caribbean is rich in fruits of the sea – octopuses, sea urchins, lobsters, langoustines, annular seabream, and several types of mugil. It is also possible to try big oceanic fish like marlin, tuna, and sailfish. In short, tourists can find virtually any sea delicacy on their plates, even turtles that are available not in many countries. Guadeloupe is an island country, so every good restaurant necessarily has a rich choice of seafood dishes.

All traditional dishes in Guadeloupe are seasoned with spices that add a special Creole charm to the food. Seafood can be called in a number of ways – it can be boiled, stewed, stuffed, and used in barbecue. All kinds of dishes with crabs are very popular on the island. These are Chatrou, crabs with green banana, and Matutu de crabs. La Creole fish ragout is a popular local delicacy that tourists cannot fail to try. The choice of meat dishes is also broad: Goat Colombo roasted goat meat, Callaloo that can contain chicken or seafood, Budin blood sausage with hot spices, pigeon and rabbit meat. Wine is a popular ingredient in local cuisine, so chefs often stew fish, meat, and seafood in wine. Rice, potato, and vegetables are the most popular garnishes. Actually, tourists can find virtually any dish in Guadeloupe. It doesn’t matter what settlement or town in Guadeloupe you visit, it will not take long to find a place to eat. There is always a charming restaurant or café within walking distance. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Fans of fast food will quickly find a venue to enjoy their favorite food. There are many McDonald’s cafes, just like in any resort town in Europe. Of course, this is not the only fast-food chain present in Guadeloupe. Tourists in Deshaies can try mouthwatering pizza in Pam. This pizzeria offers authentic Italian pizza and European variations of this popular dish. Don’t be scared out by the modest design of the venue as fast-food chains rarely have expensive décor. It doesn’t matter where you decide to eat, you can always order fresh-pressed fruit juice. Fruit desserts and juices will please even the most discerning visitors. Among the most popular juices, there are okra, acca, cassava, pineapple, papaya, passion fruit, soursop, clementine, and guava juices.

When visiting Sainte Rose or its surroundings (the city is located in the northern part of Basse-Terre Island), consider visiting Chez Olivier Restaurant which is located on Avenue Franck Miatti (opposite to the stadium). This restaurant specializes in Caribbean Creole cuisine. Appetizers, wine, desserts, main course dishes – it doesn’t matter what dishes you choose, you can be sure that everything will be delicious and beautifully served. The restaurant uses only fresh ingredients. The staff is hospitable and friendly, and the chef himself goes out to guests to greet and talk to them to make sure that everything is great and the food is delicious. Compared to other restaurants, prices are relatively low at Chez Olivier. Some tourists say that this is the best restaurant in Guadeloupe.

The islands have everything needed for the production of alcoholic drinks. Tourists particularly praise local rum punch. Rum is very popular in Guadeloupe. This is a traditional national drink, and so there are even holidays and festivals dedicated to it. Local rum can be white, straw-colored, and dark. The quality of drinks is under strict control because the national pride must be the best among similar drinks. Rum punch has already become something like a calling card of Guadeloupe. If you are interested in spirits, the culture of drinking rum will be definitely of great interest to you. Locals believe that Marie-Galante Island produces the strongest and the most delicious rum in Guadeloupe. That being said, local wine is not so refined. However, this doesn’t mean that wine connoisseurs will be disappointed. Simply ask a waiter in every restaurant and you will get a long list of French wine. Guadeloupe has not only the highest prices among the Caribbean countries but also the richest and most diverse cuisine.