8 Unique Souvenirs to Buy in Barbados

Barbados locals are renowned for their arts and crafts, and one of the best selection of stalls you’re likely to find is at Oistins Fish Fry on Friday nights. Head away from the main road, and you’ll find an array of trinkets, jewellery, paintings and carved sculptures all made by the best local craftsmen and craftswomen around.

Perfect to spice up any chicken, fish or pork dish, Bajan seasoning is a must-purchase while in Barbados. While a lot of Bajan natives will conjure up their own take on the seasoning, Delish Bajan Seasoning jars are readily available in most supermarkets, along with various other dry packet versions. Once you’ve seasoned your chicken with this, you’ll wonder what took you so long to discover it.

These simple sugar-coated balls of tamarind might be a little sour, but they’re packed with plenty of health benefits. High in vitamin B and calcium, tamarind lowers cholesterol, ensures a healthy heart and even helps the body digest food. Bajans live longer than most other nationalities, so we’d say it’s a good idea to follow their lead.

There’s nothing better in your cup of tea than the taste of freshly cut sugar cane. Barbados – once up there with the highest level of importation – produces a wealthy amount of delicious sugar for local and international distribution, and they even celebrate the end of the sugar cane season with a massive summer festival that local native Rihanna is often spotted at.

If you like your food on the spicy side, you’ll no doubt be familiar with hot sauce, but you must pick up a bottle of Bajan pepper sauce before you leave this beautiful island. You see, Bajans have pepper sauce with just about everything – including breakfast and dinner – for that added kick. Aunt May’s is a popular (very hot) brand that can be picked up worldwide, but Barbados supermarkets will have even spicier varieties.

Another delicious local delicacy, coconut bread conveniently goes perfectly with a cup of tea. Also known as Bajan sweet bread, the locals go mad for this sweet treat – along with rum cake – found in most authentic Bajan restaurants on the island, as well as in most supermarkets.

It wouldn’t be a trip to Barbados without a few local tipples, so these two perishable souvenirs should be right up your street. Barbados produces two different types of rum, Cockspur and Mount Gay. The latter has bookable distillery tours too, which means you can head home with a bottle of rum and use your cane sugar as part of a pretty mean rum punch.

Last but not least, Banks is the island’s favourite beer and is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike all year round. This refreshing beer will be available at pretty much every bar, restaurant and supermarket you come across. Don’t forget to pick up a few bottles to enjoy in your garden upon your return!