As Told by Ali

Get ready to dine at some of your favourite restaurants or try new options with this year’s restaurant week only one month away. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority has brought back their Restaurant Week which will span 14 days and have a range of experiences for you to enjoy. To start the countdown to the festivities, I’ll be sharing a few details about the upcoming event so that you can begin your preparations.

When is it?

Antigua and Barbuda’s Restaurant Week is officially scheduled from May 4th – 19th 2024.

What to expect?

Food & Art Experience

There will be a Food & Art Experience on Sunday, May 5th from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 p.m. at the Dow’s Hill Interpretation Centre. This will be a kick-off event featuring various dining establishments, allowing you to sample their menu items. Think of it as an “elevated food fair” and given the location, I’m excited to see how this event plays out!

Tickets are XCD $60 and can be purchased on the Ticketing app. Entry includes a foodie swag bag with your complimentary Food Passport and a complimentary drink. Children 12 years and under enter free of charge and there will also be a designated children’s area.

Participating Restaurants

Thus far, there are over 35 restaurants registered to participate in this year’s Restaurant Week offering a diverse selection of breakfast, tapas, lunch and dinner. The most exciting part is the variety of cuisines available, including Asian, Italian, Mexican and Caribbean and many more. This year, we also see a few participating restaurants in Barbuda! Here’s a snapshot of the list:

Price

Similar to last year, there will be prix-fixe menus (price fixed) at the participating restaurants. Please note that prix fixe prices are exclusive of taxes and beverages* (some menus may offer a cocktail with their package).  The selections for each tier varies with each restaurant, so be mindful of what is being offered.

• Tier One: US $25
• Tier Two: US $50
• Tier Three: US $75

Released Menus

Here’s a look at a few menus which have been released. You can keep up to date by checking out the official restaurant week website or follow the participating restaurants on social media.

Food Passport

Patrons who attend the Food & Art Experience at the opening of Restaurant Week will receive a complimentary food passport. However, after this event, they will be available for purchase at participating restaurants and the Tourism Authority at USD $5 or XCD $10. P.S. You may be eligible for something special if you hold a passport!

Eat Like A Local

For a cultural flair, restaurant week also includes an “Eat like a Local” initiative where local eateries offer dishes starting from USD $10 / XCD $30. This gives you a chance to indulge in local dishes created by nationals, tasting the true flavour of Antigua and Barbuda. There’s an interactive map on the website which allows you to explore the local food spots.

For more information:
Official Website
ABTA Instagram

Overall I’m very excited for this year’s instalment, as I’ll be here for the entire period and can’t wait to visit new restaurants as well as some favourites. I’m hoping for some good menu selections along with more effort on the restaurant’s part to bring a vibe to their offerings. Share in the comments what restaurant you’re looking forward to trying and/or use our IG story template below to tag the restaurants and share with your friends (be sure to tag @islandgirlsgrubbin). Let’s make it exciting!

See you soon,