Grenada bewitches with low-rise boutique hotels, laid-back living and a lush rainforest interior that opens out onto beautiful white beaches and the indigo waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. It’s home to heady hot springs, bustling markets, spice plantations, volcanic crater lakes and the striking Seven Sisters Falls.
Grenada is famously known as the ‘Spice Isle’, though this wasn’t always the case. Nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon were only introduced to the island during the British colonial period in the 18th and 19th centuries, but the excellent growing conditions and relative proximity to Europe meant that Grenada quickly became one of the world’s most important producers of nutmeg. This fragrant legacy lives on in the markets of the island’s capital St George’s, and spices infuse everything from the firey run punch to the cuisine at the many world-class restaurants.
Our favourite places to dine in Grenada include the open-air Oliver Restaurant at Spice Island Beach Resort, the Asian-influenced flavours of Asiatique at Silverseands, and Celebrity chef Gary Rhode’s eponymous restaurant at Calabash. You should also make sure you visit some of the more rustic local eateries, where you can try Grenadian staples such as Oil Down, a comforting one-pot stew, and the deceptively named lambie souse, which is a seafood dish centred on slow-cooked conch.
Cocoa is another important crop for the local economy – don’t leave without trying The Grenada Chocolate. If you’re simply looking to while away days on beautiful sun-soaked beaches, the iconic bay at Grand Anse is a huge draw, lying on the western side of the island and perfectly sheltered. The lesser-known but equally beautiful Morne Rouge, lined with sea grape and almond trees, is a great place to swim and sun bathe.
