Barbados: Eat Vegan or Don't

Really, it does not matter to me if you are very vocal about being vegan, in meat-denial for lent or mildy tolerant of vegetables.

It also does not matter to me if as a vegan in the Caribbean you know not to bother to ask whether something is vegan. You know to simply ask -

"What is in this?" - with absolutely no attitude in your voice and even with a little smile***.

It does not matter to me if you even know what vegan is.

What matters is that you have somewhere to take your Bajan or visiting friend who needs to eat vegan because of their allergic, religious, health, cruelty-free, dedication to planet earth or plain old "I just want to eat vegan" reasons.

I am that friend and I have those kind of visiting friends sooo......

Don't fall for the rabbit food stereotype. Vegan food can actually be satisfying. Give your friend (and yourself) a chance to try some good food.

Friends don't let friends eat iceberg lettuce with two strings of carrot and a cucumber for lunch (i.e. a very boring interpretation of being vegan). Feed your friend iceberg lettuce to discover the worse kind of "h-angry" there is.

After much trial and error these are some vegan options which don't have to break your pocket if you have to take your vegan friend for lunch. Real lunch that is - not your side salad leftovers.

Can you tell by now that I've been fed and been disappointed by many sad side salads in my life??

H-angry = Your vegan friend 30 minutes after eating a "side salad".

Southcoast Barbados

Punchline Juice Bar Barbados

Vegan/Gluten-Free Bean Burgers, Veggie Wraps, Salads, Sweet Potatoe fries, Smoothies, Shakes, Fresh Veggie/Fruit Juices, Vegan ice-cream and more.....

Facebook/Website - https://www.facebook.com/PunchlineBdos/?fref=ts

Call them - (246) 622-1498

Find them - Hastings Main Road near the Hastings (Richard Haynes) Boardwalk, Christ Church.

You are in the right place if you see -

The Good Life Restaurant, Eco-cafe Lounge

Vegan wraps, Pasta/Rice/Grilled vegetable salads and meals, Smoothies, Shakes, Fresh Fruit Juices, Coffees/Teas, Gluten-Free/Vegan Desserts and more....

Facebook/Website - https://www.facebook.com/thegoodlifebarbados/

Call them - (246) 435-6322

Find them - Rockley, behind Quayside Centre near Accra Beach, Christ Church.

You are in the right place if you see -

Bridgetown, Barbados

Renentet Food For the Gods

Menu varies daily. Alkaline veggies, Quinoa, Peas/Beans, Rice, Ground provisions, Pasta and more...

Facebook/website - https://www.facebook.com/renentetfoodforthegods/?fref=ts

Call them - (246) 244-9340

Find them - Upstairs Cheapside Market near to the bus terminal/vanstand for north/west bound buses. Bridgetown, St.Michael.

You are in the right place if you see -

Light Body Wholistic Clinic

Fresh Green Juices and Hemp/Coconut Milk, Cassava Based Shakes/Smoothies. Food menu varies daily. Raw and Live Caribbean styled meals - Cou-cou, Wild Rice and Plantain, Sun-souse, Pizza, Sun-burgers/meat-balls and zucchini pasta, Raw/live desserts, Chocolates and more....

Facebook/website - https://www.facebook.com/lightbodyholistic/?fref=ts

Call them - (246) 426-7521

Find them - In Pelican Village near the Bridgetown Port (Cruise Terminal), St.Michael.

You are in the right place if you see -

Warrens, Barbados

Lion's Share Cafe

Smoothies, Juices, Brick Oven Pizza, Menu varies daily - Beans, Peas, Alkaline veggies, Ground Provisions, Desserts and more....

Facebook/website - https://www.facebook.com/LionShareCafe/

Call them - (246) 839-5466

Find them - Warrens commerical area opposite KFC, St.Michael.

You are in the right place if you see -

West Coast Barbados

The Green Lime Eco-Cafe and Juice Bar

Fresh Juices, Smoothies, Soups, Salads, Rice, Quinoa Bowls, Ground Provisions

Facebook/website - https://www.facebook.com/TheGreenLime.BRI/

Call them - (246) 247-6443

Find them - At Bellairs Research Institute next to Folkestone Marine Park, Holetown, St.James.

You are in the right place if you see -

For friends who may have allergies to soy, gluten/wheat, nuts or anything else - always let wherever you choose to eat know and they should be able to suggest something for you.

Enjoy your food!!!

*****If you aren't able to make it to any of these places, and have to try a non-vegan spot try your best to be nice when you ask "What is in this?". Some people aren't aware that their methods of cooking are non-vegan. For example sometimes in the Caribbean we flavour food with ends of meat, chicken boullion and fish flavoured sauces. I have found a few restaurants which didn't advertise vegan options but after speaking with employees they were able to make accomodations - other than a side salad.

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Why am I writing this? I've only been making vegan food choices for 2 years but I have seen my choices make some people feel uncomfortable in that short time. Some people may be unsure about how to accommodate a vegan or where to go when sharing a meal. It doesn't have to be that way and I hope to steer anyone else away from that awkward feeling when you realize you have no idea about where to take "that vegan" friend to eat.

You can also read one of my reviews for vegan eating in St.Lucia here.

Thanks for reading and happy eating!