Dining Out
‘Saint' food is partly influenced by Malay, British, and Chinese, with regard to methods and some of the ingredients used.
Yellow-fin, Long-fin and Big-Eyed tuna varieties are a staple in the St Helenian diet and this delicious fish is used to make traditional St Helena Fish Cakes. Tuna Fishcakes and mackeral fishcakes are a local speciality.
The island's traditional dishes have a bit of a twist which makes them unique. Spices and curries are common, and rice dishes such as Pilau (pronounced plo) originates from South East Asia, but has its own Saint twist!
Pumpkin features prominently in 'Saint' cooking - from savoury curried pumpkin, pumpkin stew to sweet pumpkin fritters or pumpkin pudding.
Produce of the Land
The islands' organic lamb and mutton, pork and beef is unsurpassed thanks to warm, lush pastures which produce a superb, quite unforgettable flavour.
All this superb local produce is of course supplemented by the wide range of food available in shops, but remember that if you can buy local products, you'll help both the St. Helenian economy and the global environment.
Restaurant menus almost always include exceptional tuna and other local fish such as grouper and wahoo.
A traditional Sunday lunch for the locals is a variant of the very British ‘roast meat and veg', however Saint's normally include a curry dish accompanying this, along with roasted sweet potatoes common potatoes.
Saints are also big ‘BBQ' and ‘Fish Fry' fanatics: this kind of al fresco dining is very popular for family outings or party gatherings. This always goes down a treat!
Where to Eat?
For most eating establishments, evening meals will need to be pre-booked. Therefore, please notify the establishment you wish to dine at, before noon on the same day.
There are fast food outlets and takeaway establishments in Jamestown, a sandwich bar, Chinese restaurant, and other local restaurants to choose from.
Download our PDF Lets Eat leaflet for a complete list of eating places on St. Helena.
Most of the eating places will offer at least one traditional meal and continental meals as well. Popular traditional menu dishes are St. Helena fishcakes, battered or grilled tuna, grilled wahoo steak or meat or poultry curries and pilau. Make sure to sample these!
