Oistins Fish Fry

Arguably the most popular event on the Island is the Oistin Fish Fry! Every Friday night rain or shine starting at about 7:00pm, busloads of tourist,and hundreds people from all over the island converge on the little fishing village of Oistins.

The crowds are drawn to the many activities of the Oistins Fish Fry. It’s the place where you can enjoy the Bajan culture by watching a spirited domino game under the giant dog dumpling tree. Food and drinks are plentiful with delicious local foods like fresh grilled  sword, tuna, salmon, marlin, dolphin (mahi mahi), king and flying fish, fish cakes, macaroni pie, fish pie, rice and peas, breadfruit and plantain. The average meal is about $30.00 or $15.00 US. You can wash your sumptuous meal down with local fruit drinks like soursop, sorrel or golden apple juices. For those of you that like something a bit stronger there is  the local Banks Beer (3 for $10 Bajan dollars), wine, rum and an assortment of mixed cocktails.

While you are dining or walking around shopping or just enjoying the festive atmosphere you are always within ear shot of the local DJ’s sampling Reggae, Socca, Calypso and Pop music. If you enjoy vintage music you can always pop into to the authentic bajan rum shop called Lexies Bar. Occasionally a Tuk Band will pass through with it’s bass drum, kettle drum and flute playing a lively mix of African and British folk music that will get your feet tapping. When you hear the band be on the look out for Miss Sally with her mob-a-ton of botsi swinging like a windmill for a good laugh as she dances with tourist and locals alike.

After dinner you can check out the vendor stalls for local hand-made crafts, souvenirs, jewelry, pottery, wall hangings and tee shirts. You can even get perfectly fitted hand made sandles that you can pick up the next day. You can even get your picture taken with a monkey on your shoulder or head depending on how the monkey feels.

If you arrive early you can watch a beautiful sunset just behind the vendor stalls along the beach. The evening starts with mostly families and morphs to an younger crowd of tourist and locals later in the night.

Over the years there are a number of places I go on a fairly regular basis including Chillin n Grillin, Uncle George, Pat’s and Mo’s. With approximately 30 stalls selling food there is enough variety for everyone to find something that they like.

Although you can get fried fish at any stall in the Oistins Bay Garden there is only one that offers fried fish  as their main dish it’s called Roslin’s.  Sandra’s cousin Roslin and her partner Roland Payne better known as Payne started frying fresh marlin many years ago. Roslin passed away two years ago but Payne has continued the tradition of frying fish in large pans over an open wood fire along with his son Martin and his crew every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

If you are looking for a quiet night at a private table, this is not the place for you!  Because of the popularity of this weekly event  you can expect longer lines and wait times. However, if you want a truly Bajan experience with the pulsating rhythms of the island and the excitement of the crowds you must experience Oistins Fish Fry on Friday night at the Oistins Bay Garden!

Although I live within walking distance, I do not usually go down Friday night unless I am meeting someone because it is just too crowded for me. I guess I am getting old but as for my adult children, whenever they are in Barbados they are right there in the mix on Friday night. Personally, I prefer the quieter Thursday or Saturday nights. But, I will meet you in Oistins on Friday night when you come to visit!