Drinking
The main alcoholic drink served throughout the Caribbean is rum. Dished up in a variety of glasses and with a whole host of mixers, it's one of those things that you have to try - even if you're not the greatest rum drinker in the world. Several of the brands that are served are considerably stronger than you might have experienced back home - you have been warned!
If rum really isn't for you, the Caribbean’s premium beer, Carib, hails from Trinidad. Usually served with a lime it makes a very refreshing sup. Another local beer, Stag, has a slightly higher alcohol level than Carib but is equally as drinkable. A bottle of Carib or Stag well set you back approx TT$ 7-8. You can also lay your hands on imported beer such as Miller relatively easily if you want to stick to something you know!
If you don't like to touch the demon drink, fresh fruit juices made with a variety of exotic fruits are common, as is ginger beer. You also have the choice of the familiar soft drink brands.
Some bars in and around Port of Spain have a door charge of TT$50 if there is a live band playing in the venue so it's always worth checking.
If you want a guided tour of bars and nightclubs contact Gunda Harewood at gunda@wow.net Tel: 625 2410. You get approx a 3hr guided tour including transport for US$ 40 per person. It is a safe, informative and fun way to see Trini nightlife.
On Tobago, Bonkers, Toucan Inn, Store Bay Road is run by a pair of English expats and it is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Matchday
On match-day, fans will probably congregate around Independence Square where there are plenty of bars and fast-food outlets, including all the American chains. Do not walk solo at night, especially around Nelson Street and the east side of downtown. If you stick to the suburbs of St. Ann’s and St. James, you’ll be fine. If you are renting a car, beware when you park downtown. The street signs are confusing and police often tow cars away. You are advised to use a public parking lot (usually TT$5 per hour)
Eating
Trinidad is famous for its many delicacies. ‘Doubles’ are a sandwich of curried chickpeas wrapped in a soft, flat bread. Curried meats and seafood are common main dishes, often served with a side of pelau (rice mixed with peas, meat and coconut). Another popular fast food is ‘shark & bake’, grilled or fried shark and deep fried pita-style bread. Fried flying fish & chips is another inexpensive local favourite. Try Viagra Broth (not what you think it is, it’s a spicy, fish soup, but it won’t enhance your performance in the bedroom!!) It is worth noting though that there is a tendancy for local dishes to be fairly hot so it's always advisable to have something cold to drink to hand just in case.
Fast food outlets can be found in and around the shopping malls including Burger King, McDonalds, Subway etc, which abound around Independence Square. If you're feeling slightly more adventurous, try the pick-up trucks piled high with chilled drinking coconuts and other snacks. They can be found around Queen’s Park Savanah. In the evening, the neighbourhood of St. James is the best place to go for a street snack. Street vendors dish out Jamaican jerk chicken (which is divine!), Indian food, seafood stews (which often include the fishes head) and other culinary delights. Vendors adhere to strict health codes, so you needn’t worry about sanitation.
In Tobago, the best place to eat lunch is at the row of food huts opposite the beach at Store Bay. They offer delicious local dishes like rotis, shark & bake and crab & dumplings. Several minimarts on Store Bay Road sell any basics you may need but if you are around for market day, grab the opportunity to go and sample some fresh local produce.
