The East Coast
Only 21 miles (34 km) north to south and 14 miles (23 km) east to west, Barbados is small, safe and easily navigable by car. Yet it’s also home to a rich cultural history, bustling nightlife, fabulous restaurants and a stable economy. And, yes, the beaches are spectacular.
Most tourists stay on the west or south coasts, where there are concentrations of bars, restaurants, shopping and nightlife. But there is a secret side of the island - home to beautifully rugged coastlines, fresh Atlantic breezes, gorgeous sunrises and an escape from all the crowds. Allow us to introduce you to Barbados’ breathtaking east coast…
East Coast Beaches
The east coast of Barbados is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Here are some of our favourites:
Bottom Bay Beach
Sit in the shade of a grove of palm trees while watching the waves roll in. Bottom bay is, quite simply, one of the most picturesque beaches in the Caribbean.
Crane Beach
The only beach on this list where you are likely to find a crowd, the Crane is the most swimmable of the east coast beaches, with food and drinks for sale.
Foul Bay Beach
Perhaps the best kept secret on the east coast. Foul Bay is a beautiful setting with majestic cliffs, white sand and crashing waves. Usually quite empty on weekdays.
Bathsheba
Further north along the island’s east coast, the landscape gets more rugged and unique. Bathsheba is a photographer’s dream and a world famous surfing destination.
East Coast Restaurants
Although it doesn’t boast as many restaurants as the south or west coasts, the east coast has plenty of delicious options to choose from:
Cutters
“Cutters” are traditional Bajan sandwiches, and this place knows how to make ‘em, along with other tasty local treats! Perfect spot for a casual lunch, with some of the best rum punch on the island. Located very close to Crane Beach. Open daily 9am - 5pm.
Website: cutters.bb
Marco Polo Bar & Grill
Marco Polo offers casual clifftop dining, overlooking beautiful Foul Bay. Varied menu featuring both local delicacies and international staples. Full cocktail menu is available as well. To get there, turn off of the main road towards Foul Bay and take the first left. Open Thurs-Mon from 5pm to 10pm.
Website: marcopolobarbados.com
Dis Ole House
Just outside the gates of Sam Lord’s Castle, sits Dis Ole House. Offering open-air dining, often with live music, this place serves a wide array of local dishes. Open Weds-Sun from 5:30pm to 9:30pm (also does Sunday lunch from 12-3).
Website: disolehouse.com
Le Shack
Looking for something a bit less casual? Le Shack is a lovely French restaurant, almost directly across the street from The Crane resort. A charming setting with world-class cuisine. Open every evening for dinner, from 5:30pm to 9:30pm.
Website: leshackrestaurant.com
The Restaurants at The Crane Resort
The restaurants at The Crane are open for booking to non-guests. Just make a reservation and let security at the front gate know that you have one. The Carriage House offers lunch & tropical cocktails daily, in a very nice setting. L’Azure serves breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner daily, and directly overlooks beautiful Crane beach. Zen serves Thai and Japanese cuisine, open for dinner from Wednesday to Monday and also overlooks the beach. If you’re craving Italian, there’s D’Onofrio’s, which serves dinner daily.
Website: thecrane.com/dining
Zemi East Coast Cafe
Heading north along the east coast to check out Bathsheba and the surrounding area? Stop for lunch at Zemi, which features magnificent views to go along with the menu. It’s a casual setting befitting of the northeast coast, and the food is fantastic. Located near Bathsheba beach.
Chefette
No trip to Barbados is complete without sampling our local fast food chain - Chefette! With 15 locations across the island, Chefette serves traditional fast food options (burgers, fried chicken, pizza, etc.) as well as delicious rotis for some local flavour. The east coast location is at Six Roads, a commercial hub with a large supermarket and many other retail offerings. Use the Drive Thru if you want a bite on the go as you head to the beach.
Website: chefette.com
Other Key East Coast Spots
A few other places to know about when staying on the east coast:
Emerald City Supermarket & Six Roads
Six roads is the commercial hub of Barbados’ most eastern parish, St. Philip. In addition to the Chefette location mentioned above, you’ll find Emerald City supermarket - a full service supermarket to meet all of your grocery needs. Open 7 days a week from 7 am (note that it closes at 2pm on Sundays). Six Roads also features a wine store, a pharmacy, a local coffee chain, ATMs and many other retail options.
Ragged Point
The cliffs of Barbados’ southeast coast are stunning, and perhaps no place offers better views than Ragged Point in St. Philip. Here you’ll find East Point Lighthouse, which dates back to the late 19th century, as well as panoramic vistas of the rugged coastline.
Codrington College
Further north along the coast, you’ll enter the Parish of St. John, which has a couple of landmarks worth seeing. The first is Codrington College, the oldest theological college in the western hemisphere. It has a beautiful tree-lined drive, sprawling grounds with a large pond, lovely ocean views and incredible architectural features. A great place for a stroll and some photos.
St. John’s Parish Church
Also in St. John, just a 6 minute drive from Codrington, sits St. John’s Parish Church. A beautiful building to see and to photograph, with breathtaking panoramic views. There is also a very interesting cemetery at the rear of the church, featuring a sundial and many historical tombstones.
Chalky Mount
Feeling active? Try the hike from Barclays Park to Chalky Mount, for breathtaking views of the northeast coast. The hike will take 2-3 hours depending on your fitness level and how many photos you take along the way. We recommend doing it in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the peak heat. Here are directions and a video of what’s in store at the top!
Cherry Tree Hill & St. Nicholas Abbey
North of Bathsheba, make your way to the top of Cherry Tree Hill for what might be the best view on the island. This is a popular spot, with roadside vendors selling drinks and souvenirs, and there’s room to park your car and take in the view (and plenty of photos). Hop back in the car and continue inland for a few hundred yards, and you’ll reach St. Nicholas Abbey, a 17th century estate & rum distillery that’s open to the public. Call ahead and make a reservation for a rum tasting experience.