Best Trinidadian Foods
Pelau is a savory Trini dish consisting of meat such as beef or chicken combined with rice, vegetables, fresh herbs, and coconut milk. Meat is traditionally browned in sugar before it gets mixed with other ingredients. The dish is usually cooked in one pot, making it ideal for festivities and picnics.
It is often served with salads, hot sauces, or chutneys on the side.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Cassava pone is a sweet, moist, and gummy dessert made from cassava root, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, coconut, sugar, nutmeg, butter, and milk. Not much is known about the origin of this dessert, but it's believed it first appeared somewhere on Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago or in Guyana, although most probably at all of these territories at the same time.
Today, cassava pone is so popular that it is regularly the first dessert to sell out at bake sales, and it is said that if you ask any local about pone, you are almost guaranteed to be regaled with a cherished childhood memory.
Aloo pie is a Trini dish consisting of fried dough that is filled with mashed potatoes which are flavored with onions, garlic, cumin, and bandhania. It can often be bought at food stands which sell another Trini favorite known as doubles.
These fried pies are said to taste the best when paired with chutneys on the side.
Doubles is a staple of Trini street food, a sandwich that consists of two fried flatbreads (bara) filled with curried chickpeas (curry channa). It is believed that doubles were invented in 1936 in Princes Town, and nowadays they are consumed for breakfast or as a late-night snack.
The dish can be additionally enriched with ingredients such as pepper sauce, tamarind sauce, or green mango pickle with amchar masala, known as kuchela. In Trinidad and Tobago, doubles are typically sold wrapped in paper.
MOST ICONIC Doubles
Bake and shark is a unique Trini street food item that is especially popular at concerts, festivals, and celebrations. It consists of marinated or seasoned pieces of shark meat, sauces, chutneys, and vegetables in a flatbread known as bake.
The dish is often associated with Maracas beach which is filled with numerous bake and shark street stalls.
MOST ICONIC Bake and Shark
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Curry duck is a popular Caribbean dish, especially in Trinidad and Tobago. Duck used in this type of curry is the Muscovy, which is typically raised by many village folks on the island. The meat is traditionally marinated in a combination of salt, pepper, cumin, curry powder, hot peppers, cilantro, scallions, onions, and garlic.
Once prepared, curry duck is usually served with either rice or roti on the side. There are also numerous local curry duck competitions in the island, testifying to the popularity of this flavorful dish which is heavily influenced by Indian cuisine.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Pholourie is a Trini appetizer or a snack that is traditionally prepared and served at religious gatherings or birthday parties. This fritter is made with a split pea batter that is seasoned with hot peppers and various spices. The batter is dropped into hot oil and fried until it develops a golden brown color.
Pholouries can also be found at numerous bakeries throughout the island. The snacks are typically served with sauces or chutneys on the side.
MOST ICONIC Pholourie
Coconut bake is a popular Trini bread characterized by its dense yet light texture. It consists of flour, coconut milk, grated coconut, butter, and brown sugar. The bread is traditionally flat and round, and it is served with saltfish, tomatoes, butter, and cheese.
Saltfish buljol is a spicy Trini dish made by soaking and boiling pieces of salted fish, then blending them with tomatoes, hot peppers, sweet peppers, onions, and oil. The dish is most commonly enjoyed as a hearty breakfast, when it is placed into a type of bread called bake, creating a sandwich in the process.
Saltfish buljol is often paired with provisions (Trini term for boiled root vegetables) on the side, and the dish is often garnished with sliced scotch bonnet peppers.
Soursop ice cream is a Caribbean dessert that is especially popular in Trinidad and Tobago. It is made with ripe soursop, water, cornstarch, condensed milk, salt, and sometimes a few splashes of bitters. After the combination has been churned, it is then stored in the freezer until firm in texture.
This unique ice cream variety is enjoyed throughout the year.
MOST ICONIC Soursop Ice Cream
Best Trinidadian Food Producers
Tobago Cocoa Estate is a chocolate producer located in Trinidad and Tobago focused on producing high-quality, single-origin chocolate. The estate employs traditional methods for growing cocoa, which are combined with modern techniques for processing.
Their products emphasize the unique flavors of the cocoa grown on the island of Tobago. Tobago Cocoa Estate's chocolate has received international recognition, winning awards at various chocolate and fine food competitions.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2019
International Chocolate Awards - Gold
2017
International Chocolate Awards - Silver
2022, 2019
BEST Tobago Cocoa Estate Chocolates
AWARDS
International Chocolate Awards - Silver
2023, 2020
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2021
International Chocolate Awards - Bronze
2023, 2020
BEST Cocobel Chocolate Chocolates
Trinidad & Tobago Fine Cocoa Company is a company involved in the production and sale of premium quality chocolate and cocoa-related products. It partners with local cocoa farmers in Trinidad and Tobago to produce artisan chocolates that showcase the distinctive flavors of the islands' native Trinitario cocoa beans.
The company aims to revitalize the cocoa industry in Trinidad and Tobago by integrating modern and sustainable practices.
Best Trinidadian Food Products
AWARDS
International Chocolate Awards - Gold
2017
International Chocolate Awards - Best in competition' overall winners
2017
Rosehill Estate Dark Milk is a unique chocolate product made by Tobago Cocoa Estate. It is notable for its blend of rich dark chocolate and creamy milk chocolate, creating a balanced and smooth flavor profile. The cocoa used in this product is sourced from the Rosehill Estate, which is known for its high-quality cocoa beans.
The company emphasizes sustainable and ethical farming practices in the production of their cocoa. Additionally, Tobago Cocoa Estate often highlights the local terroir, which imparts distinctive flavor notes to the chocolate.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Gold
2019
Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2020
The Tobago Estate Farmers Bar is a premium chocolate product manufactured by Tobago Cocoa Estate. This chocolate is known for its rich and distinct flavor profile, attributed to the high-quality Trinitario cocoa beans that are native to Trinidad and Tobago.
The Tobago Cocoa Estate is renowned for its dedication to sustainable and ethical farming practices, ensuring that the cocoa beans are cultivated with respect for both the environment and the local community. The entire production process, from bean to bar, is meticulously overseen to maintain the chocolate's artisanal quality.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2023
The "Trinitario Spiced Orange and Hazelnut Truffle" is a premium chocolate product crafted by the Trinidad & Tobago Fine Cocoa Company. This truffle features a blend of Trinitario cocoa, which is renowned for its complex flavor profile and distinctive aroma, originating from the indigenous cocoa varieties of Trinidad and Tobago.
The product integrates the bright, tangy essence of spiced orange, harmonized with the rich, nutty undertones of hazelnut, creating a sophisticated and well-balanced taste experience. Each truffle is meticulously made to highlight the exquisite quality of the fine cocoa and the complementary flavors.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2020
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2019
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2024
Tobago Estate Chocolate is produced by the Tobago Cocoa Estate, a well-regarded cocoa plantation in Tobago. This chocolate is crafted from high-quality Trinitario cocoa beans, which are known for their fine flavor profile. The estate focuses on sustainable and ethical farming practices, ensuring that their beans are grown without harmful pesticides and with respect for the local ecosystem.
Tobago Estate Chocolate is often noted for its rich, complex flavors that include hints of tropical fruit, nuts, and a deep cocoa undertone. The company prides itself on maintaining traditional methods of cocoa cultivation and processing, which contributes to the unique character of their chocolate products.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2023, 2017, 2016
Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2020, 2019, 2018, 2015
AWARDS
International Chocolate Awards - Silver
2020
Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2019
Tobago Estate Buccoo Reef Sea Salt is a gourmet sea salt produced by Tobago Cocoa Estate. This sea salt is harvested from the pristine waters surrounding the Buccoo Reef in Tobago, known for its clear, unpolluted waters. The harvesting process typically involves evaporating seawater to collect the crystallized salt, which retains a range of trace minerals.
These minerals contribute to the salt's unique flavor profile and are often sought after by chefs and food enthusiasts for their culinary uses.
AWARDS
Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2023
Academy of Chocolate - Silver
2024
Tobago Estate Chocolate Laura 45% is a premium chocolate product crafted by Tobago Cocoa Estate, renowned for their dedication to quality and island heritage. This chocolate bar contains 45% cocoa, which offers a balanced flavor profile that is both rich and creamy without being overly intense.
Tobago Cocoa Estate emphasizes on sustainability and ethical practices, ensuring that their cocoa beans are sourced directly from local estates in Tobago. These beans are expertly fermented and roasted to enhance their natural flavors before being transformed into chocolate.
AWARDS
International Chocolate Awards - Silver
2019
Academy of Chocolate - Bronze
2024
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.