Food of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Kittitian and Nevisian food draws on African, British and Caribbean traditions. Stewed saltfish with spicy plantains, goat water and fresh fish are national favorites, with coconut, breadfruit and cassava as staples. Pepper sauce brings heat to every table.

National dish

Stewed saltfish with spicy plantains

National dish with tomato and pepper.

Staples

  • saltfish
  • plantain
  • goat
  • breadfruit
  • coconut
  • cassava
  • sweet potato
  • fish

Signature flavors

  • scotch bonnet
  • thyme
  • clove
  • nutmeg
  • lime
  • ginger

Main dishes

Stewed saltfish with spicy plantains

National dish with tomato and pepper.

Key ingredients: saltfish, plantain, pepper
Goat water

Goat stew.

Key ingredients: goat, cloves
Pelau
Pelau

One-pot rice with chicken and pigeon peas.

Key ingredients: rice, chicken, pigeon peas
Rice and peas

Peas and rice.

Key ingredients: rice, peas
Grilled fish

Fresh local fish.

Key ingredients: fish
Johnny cakes
Johnny cakes

Fried bread.

Key ingredients: flour
Breadfruit
Breadfruit

Roasted or boiled.

Key ingredients: breadfruit
Cook-up rice

One-pot rice dish.

Key ingredients: rice, meat

Street food

Fish cakes

Fried fritters.

Key ingredients: cod
Meat patties

Spiced pastry.

Key ingredients: beef

Desserts and sweets

Coconut tart

Sweet coconut pastry.

Key ingredients: coconut
Sweet potato pudding

Spiced baked.

Key ingredients: sweet potato

Drinks

Ginger soda

Fresh.

Key ingredients: ginger
Mauby
Mauby

Bark drink.

Key ingredients: mauby
Sorrel
Sorrel

Hibiscus.

Key ingredients: hibiscusFull guide →

Fruits and produce

Soursop
Soursop

Creamy.

Mango
Mango

Seasonal.

Sugar apple
Sugar apple

Creamy.

Guava
Guava

Common.

Full guide →

Dish guides from Saint Kitts and Nevis

Guava
GuavaFruits
Hibiscus tea (agua de jamaica, bissap)
Hibiscus tea (agua de jamaica, bissap)Drinks
Explore Saint Kitts and Nevis on Geographical EffectMaps, capital and cities, population, climate, landscapes and landmarks.

More cuisines of Caribbean

About this page

Descriptions written by Intercontinental Chef. Dishes are listed as commonly eaten today; many are shared across neighbouring countries.

Photo credits
  • Trinidadian Chicken Pelau (15399269506): Arnold Gatilao from Oakland, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Johnnycakes: Douglas Perkins, CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Artocarpus altilis (fruit): Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Botellas de Maví (izq. - llena, der. - vacía), en Ponce, Puerto Rico (DSC02261): Carmelo Ruro, CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Hibiscus tea: Emna Mizouni, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Annona muricata 1: Damien Boilley from suburbs of Paris, France, CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Mangos - single and halved: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Annona squamosa (Custurd Apple) flower in Hyderabad, AP W IMG 9352: J.M.Garg, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
  • Guava pink fruit: Ivar Leidus, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)