Barbados has so much to offer visitors looking for things to do. There are some fantastic recreational activities and exquisite dining experiences. With the bonus of golden and pink sand beaches ideal for relaxation, perennial sunshine and a vibrant, rich culture with countless events year-round, there are always things to do in this island paradise.
Even better, the year 2022 in Barbados has brought a welcome decrease in restrictions. Subsequently, many new attractions and restaurants have taken the opportunity to enhance their existing offering and expand or debut new experiences for the first time, making them just ripe for discovery or re-discovery!
New places to eat in Barbados
QP Bistro
- Location: Derrick, St. James, Barbados
- Known for: Fresh Italian food in a seaside setting, unique and tasty desserts
- Telephone Number: 246 432-1922
- Email: reservations@thecliffbarbados.com
The beloved restaurant The Cliff closed a few years ago, but it is now the site of QP Bistro, an elevated dining experience on the platinum West Coast of Barbados. The restaurant features an incredible modern design with fresh and airy decor. Things to note of the new dining experience are the tasty a-la-carte menu with its Mediterranean-inspired dishes and inspiring desserts. This location also offers unbeatable views of the Caribbean Sea, especially at sunset.
QP Bistro
Positano
- Location: Payne’s Bay, Barbados
- Known for: Italian cuisine, a la carte dining
- Telephone Number: 246 432-2731
- Email: ind.bgiat.positanos@marriott.com
Positano is situated at the site that was once known as Daphne’s. Ideally, it is located on the West Coast, right on Payne’s Bay, overlooking the calm, shimmering Caribbean sea. Location-wise, it just doesn’t get better, as it has the dual benefit of serving both the in-house guests of The House and The Tamarind and non-hotel guests and locals. The cuisine is casual Italian style, and standouts include hand-crafted pasta and sensational seafood.
Positano
Local & Co.
- Location: Queen’s Street, Speightstown, St. Peter
- Known for: Farm-to-table, sustainability, seasonal dishes
- Telephone Number: 246 421-3276
- Email: info@thelocalbarbados.com
The Local & Co. is a bit further afield in the North West, but still on the Platinum coast is the Local & Co., a fascinating farm-to-table experience in St. Peter. Only opening in late 2020, this wonderfully designed restaurant is housed in a historic building on Queen’s Street in the quiet but picturesque Speightstown. With an emphasis on supporting regenerative food systems on the island, the menu varies according to what is available. However, typical menu hallmarks include the fish dishes, with the fish tacos being of particular note.
Local & Co.
Sage Bistro
- Location: Bay Street
- Known For: Breakfast
- Telephone Number: 246-228-7243
- Email: eddo221@gmail.com
Sage Bistro is a hidden gem in the heart of the south coast, just a short walk from Carlisle Bay and the Barbados Hilton Hotel. With a lovely, restful ambience and beautiful décor, visitors can enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch and lil’ bites from 8 am to 4 pm, Wednesday to Sunday.
Sage Bistro
Deia Beach
- Location: Near Rockley Beach
- Known For: Beachside restaurant
- Web: https://deiabeach.com/
For those on the south coast, Deia Beach is a new beachside restaurant on the Maxwell Coast Road, between Worthing and Hastings. Owner Dominic Seale offers a fresh, unique menu with influences from Miami to the Mediterranean and is something out of the ordinary for locals and visitors. All ingredients are sourced from local farmers’ matters and are the best of the season.
Deia Beach
New things to do in Barbados
Rascals Water Park
- Location: Brandon’s Beach, St. Michael
- Known for: Watersports, recreation for the whole family
- Telephone Number: 246-423-9999
- Website: www.rascalswaterpark.com/
A new water park debuted on the south coast at the beloved Brandon’s beach, situated just below Bridgetown and just minutes away from the seaport. Rascal’s water park features an inflatable, floating water sports experience that the whole family can enjoy. Even better, the water park is accompanied by a convenient beach bar nearby on the sand, which will quench the thirst and sate the appetite of the young ones (and the young at heart!) who have worked up after their thrilling water park activities.
Rascals Water Park
Eco-Adventure Park at Harrison’s Cave
- Location: St. Thomas
- Known for: one-of-a-kind underground cave experience
- Contact Number: 1-246-417-3700
- Email: barbadosreservations@chukka.com
By no means a new attraction, Harrison’s Cave has made this list. It has come under new management – that of Chukka, who also manages several tour experiences throughout the Caribbean. Reopening in mid-2021, what’s new is that Chukka intends to continuously enhance the Harrison Cave offering by creating additional nature trails and other developments, in addition to the signature tram experience offered within the massive limestone cave with its lakes, deep pools and much more.
Eco Adventure Park at Harrisons Cave
Coco Hill Forest
- Location: St Joseph
- Known For: Hiking and agriculture
- Telephone Number: 246-571-5520
- Email: cocohillforest@gmail.com
Coco Hill Forest is located in St. Joseph, Barbados and is being developed to help create food security and protect the island’s biodiversity lost to sugar cane monoculture. The 53-acre forest overlooks the East Coast of Barbados and features 3.5 kilometres of hiking trails and a regenerative agriculture project.
The 70 plus species you’ll see at Coco Hill include bamboo groves, royal palms, indigenous tree ferns, various species of coconuts and bananas, coffee, cocoa, pineapples, herbs, spices and medicinals.
The nature walks, hiking and “forest bathing” are self-guided. Visitors are welcomed at the entrance and given a map and info about the site and project. Hiking shoes and comfortable clothing are recommended. Picnics are welcome.
Coco Forest
The Barbados Trailway Project
- Location: Demo stretch in St George
- Known For: Heritage, recreation and wellness
- Web: https://www.barbadostrailway.org
The Barbados Trailway Project is a Future Centre Trust project creating a multi-purpose paved trail for cyclists, runners, walkers and families on the island. Lined with trees, away from vehicular traffic, it has a comfortable gradient making it easy to use. The path is located primarily on right-of-way lands of the former Barbados Railway which ran from 1881 until 1937. Three disused sugar factories, points of historical interest and several plantations are en route.
The project will promote heritage, recreation and wellness and offer a sustainable active transport system. In its first phase, the old Barbados Railway reserve from Norman A.Niles Roundabout (Cosy Corner) to Consett Bay, St. John, will be converted into an accessible, picturesque rail-to-trail network for cyclists, pedestrians and runners. Benches and shelters will be placed at regular intervals.
Phase 2 aims to create island-wide cycling and walking trails connecting the main commercial and residential areas. In addition, the trail will go into Bridgetown, the National Botanical Gardens, National Stadium, Warrens and beyond.
Barbados Trailway
Sea Swimming with horses with Sunflower Stables
- Location: St Philip
- Known for: Swimming horses
- Telephone: (246) 266-6189
Most visitors to Barbados know about the swimming horses at Pebble Beach. Now you can swim with horses yourself, thanks to Donna and her team at Sunflower Stables. Established in 2021 and based in St Philip, Sunflower Stables offers riding along the beach and in the sea followed by a delicious picnic.
Sunflower Stables
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
Stand-up paddleboarding has become increasingly popular recently, and there are now plenty of places to hire equipment. According to TripAdvisor, the most popular site is Dread or Dead Surf Shop in Hastings, offering beginner lessons, tours and rental.
What’SUP Barbados is a mobile operation on the West Coast and regularly visits the beaches at Batts Rock, Paynes Bay, Colony Club and Mullins. Owner Ryan is World Paddleboard Association certified and offers lessons, tours and rentals.
Stand Up Paddleboard
Clear Kayaks
- Location: Carlisle Bay
- Known For: A unique view of the seabed in Barbados
- Telephone: 246 238 8470
- Email: clearkayaksbarbados@gmail.com
Rent or take a guided tour and experience a unique view of the seabed below the waves with a completely clear ‘glass bottom’ kayak. Explore sunken shipwrecks at Carlisle Bay or marvel at the marine life and coral reef at the Folkestone Marine Park.
Clear Kayaks
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Content Disclaimer
The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this blog post are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this post. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this post. Residence Barbados disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this newsletter.
