Food & Drink

Rum is big in Haiti. Here’s what to drink.

August 20, 2019 by admin

A woman makes rum cocktails while in a pool in Jacmel, Haiti — Poolside rum in Jacmel, Haiti
Photo: Amanacer / Emily Bauman

Rum is big in Haiti – Here’s what to drink

While Barbadians are said to have invented modern rum…

…we think it’s the Haitians who perfected it.

The precursors of rum date back to antiquity. Fermented drinks made from sugarcane juice are believed to have been developed first in ancient China or India before spreading from there.

The first modern rum was distilled in the sugarcane plantations of the Caribbean in the seventeenth century. Plantation slaves discovered that molasses, a by-product of the process of refining sugar from sugarcane, fermented into alcohol. While rum is said to have been invented in Barbados in the early 1600s, the first sugar mills in the Caribbean were established on Hispaniola in 1516, so the concept would have been able to quickly spread throughout what is now known as Haiti.

Here are five tipples to try while vacationing in Haiti.

01. Barbancourt

The classic. Haiti’s most popular rum has been distilled right here on the island for over 150 years, and earned a place in the hearts of Haitians that other brands can only dream of.

From high-end bars and fine-dining restaurants to neighborhood liquor stores, you’ll find Barbancourt everywhere. Barbancourt branding, as well as the drink itself, is splashed around at key cultural events in the capital and at patron saint festivals in the provinces.

Depending on the bar, you can sip up to four varieties of Barbancourt: a young, fresh white rum; the three-star 4yo; the five-star 8yo and the sought-after 15yo estate reserve. Rum connoisseurs rate the 8yo as best value-for-money.

Fancy a between-meals tipple on your private balcony or in your pool? Barbancourt is available at supermarkets, as well as specialty liquor stores such as La Bouteille.

02. Bakara

The second most popular rum in Haiti, Bakara is the drink of choice among Haiti’s younger crowd, not least due to its lower price point compared to Barbancourt. Backpackers on a budget: take note!

As well as being more wallet-friendly, Bakara’s range is more modern – and on the fruity side of things! The brand leans into Haiti’s natural bounty of tropical crops, with evocative Caribbean flavors such as grenadya (passionfruit), kanèl (cinnamon), and lanni (star Anise).

Bakara’s unflavoured standard range spans an 8yo, 12yo and an estate reserve.

It is worth noting that while Bakara is an Haitian brand, the distillery is over in the Domincan Republic, on the eastern half of the island of Hispaniola – though there are plans to start up production in Haiti itself.

03. Vieux Labbé

Produced and bottled in Haiti, Vieux Labbé has carved out a respectable niche for itself. The Vieux Labbé rums share part of their history with the Barbancourt name, but today we know them as standalone brands.

Vieux Labbé has under its wing: a young white rum; a three-star 3yo; a five-star 7yo; a signature blend and a complex 10yo.

04. Boukman

Boukman has made a name for itself in the United States as the first artisanal rhum agricole of its kind, boasting an exotic bouquet of West Indies spices.

What’s Rhum agricole? Unlike the majority of rums in the world, rhum agricole is distilled from fresh sugar cane juice rather than molasses. Starting its life as sugar grown in the cane fields outside Croix-des-Bouquets in Port-au-Prince and in Cap-Haïtien, Boukman boasts a whopping eleven different spices, barks and peels!

The best way to enjoy Boukman rum? Straight – with some ice and an orange twist, at most. If you don’t mind losing some of the complexity of the rum, Boukan is also a delicious way to spice up cocktails!

group of haitian men among a alcohol vendor — Kleren vendor in Jérémie
Photo: Franck Fontain

05. Kleren

No visit to Haiti is complete without a sip of fiery kleren. Also spelled “clairin” by French- and English-speakers, kleren is a quintessentially Caribbean drink and Haiti is its heartland. While there are some 50 kleren distilleries dotted around the rest of the Caribbean, there are over 600 in Haiti alone.

Kleren is a type of rum, not a brand – in fact, it has never been commercially bottled. Instead, it’s made using traditional techniques at artisan distilleries, most of them tiny shacks sprinkled throughout the countryside, producing just enough for the local village.

Like Boukan, kleren is a rhum agricole: processed from sugar cane juice, not molasses, creating a strong, smooth, unmistakable taste – sharp, powerful, to the point.

Kleren is enjoyed in its pure, unaltered state, but you can find flavored varieties as well. When a root or leaf is added to kleren to soak and infuse, the finished product is called tranpe (Haitian Kreyol for “dipped” or “soaked”).

Kleren is a vital element of Haitian culture and you’ll see it for sale by the roadside in gallon bottles. To try kleren for yourself, though, we recommend you visit a neighborhood liquor store – they tend to offer a range to choose from, and smaller bottles.

bottles with pre-mixed haitian cocktails — Ready-to-drink cocktails from MyaBèl
Photo: MyaBèl

06. Bonus: MyaBèl

In 2012 MyaBèl, an emerging Haitian brand, launched its own ready-to-drink cocktails.

There are currently three cocktails on offer in gorgeous packaging: Tomazo, which is rum, coconut and almond-based; Boukan Bou, which features rum, wild mint and star anise; and La Rat, which is vodka-based rather than rum-based and flavoured with grapefruit and Haitian blackberry.

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published August 2019

Top things to see in Haiti

What to do in Montrouis, Haiti

June 23, 2019 by admin

Boats and people swimming on the beach at Wahoo Bay, Cotes des Arcadins, Haiti, with mountains in the background — Wahoo Beach, Arcadins Coast, Haiti
Photo: Ricardo Lartigue

What to do in Montrouis

Close to the edge of the Ouest and Artibonite departments, this unhurried town is the hub of the Arcadins Coast, a picturesque stretch of white-sand beaches home to most of Haiti’s resorts.

Montrouis is en route if you have a reservation at Royal Decameron, Moulin sur Mer or Kaliko Beach. Just over an hour’s drive northwest of the capital Port-au-Prince, Montrouis is also the first stop on the way to the mostly undeveloped plains of Artibonite.

Montrouis supplies a large part of all seafood eaten in Haiti, and is a popular destination for leisure fishing. One of the resorts, Moulin sur Mer, houses the Ogier-Fombrun museum, which offers visitors a glimpse into the pre-colonial history of Haiti up to 1794.

Go snorkelling at Moulin sur Mer

For all that the resorts on the Arcadins Coast contrast with the undeveloped and unspoilt beaches lining the rest of Haiti’s generous coastline, they offer tourists a very accessible way to enjoy another one of the natural treasures of the area: snorkelling.

Experienced snorkelers will find a wealth of seascapes to explore right around Haiti, but even beginners can dive into snorkelling at Monstrouis, thanks to a gentle introduction on offer at the Moulin sur Mer resort.

Marina Blue Haiti runs a diving and excursion center within Moulin sur Mer, with activities ranging from day tours of the islands off the Arcadins coast to PADI night diving. Montrouis is a great place to find guidance and safety the first time you dive into snorkeling. Another advantage of snorkeling with a Marina Blue tour is that they can take and guide you to their very own coral reef house, with both shallow and deep reefs.

It is no secret that coral reefs around the world are suffering. The healthy, well-preserved reefs off the coast of Arcadins should not be seen as evidence counter to this trend, but as a fragile treasure that reminds us what we stand to lose if we don’t do our best to be reef-conscious travellers, and conscious consumers when we get back home.

People swimming and sitting on the side of the water pools at Kay Piat, Montrouis, Haiti — Water pools at Kay Piat, Montrouis
Photo: Franck Fontain

Get your breath taken away – literally and figuratively – with a hike to Kay Piat

In the mountains east of Montrouis, Kay Piat is something of an oasis in a desert. The two-hour-plus hike is steep and strenuous, but you’ll be rewarded with access to a lush sanctuary that very few from the outside world have seen.

The path to the summit intersects with a strong river, teeming with watercress and swelling out in places into crystal clear swimming holes, glittering in the sunlight that filters through the dense canopy of Kay Piat. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit!

The village of Kay Piat is home to warm and welcoming people. Hiking to Kay Piat requires joining an organised tour (Marina Blue runs one) or hiring a local guide. Either way, it’s a good idea to bring small bills with you, ready to pay the entry fee to the oasis and to buy refreshments. The friendly people of Kay Piat survive on modest livelihoods and the arduous drive and hike to the location means that local and tourist traffic through the township are both thin, making the locals all the more in need of any tourist dollars you bring. Be open to negotiate with the person supervising the payments; there is always a way to reach a comfortable middle ground.

The hike is best done in the morning.

Gorge on seafood and specialty candy

Travellers who drive straight through Montrouis miss out on a local speciality: creole cuisine called lalo – the signature dish of Artibonite.

Driving into the township from the south, foot traffic swells with men and women carrying produce in baskets and old rice sacks. Just outside of town, colorful kiosks line the road, most of them serving up plates of rice, beans and lalo.

Also called Egyptian spinach and West African sorrel, lalo is the local name for jute. In the US and Europe, jute might be better known as a source of rope fibre, but here in Haiti (and across most of Africa and Asia) it is more widely used in cooking.

Lalo is the magic that happens when fresh, bright jute leaves are picked off of the plant and stewed with spinach, onions, peppers, and garlic as well as creole-seasoned cuts of beef. As the flavors mingle in the pot, the jute and spinach leaves grow soft, dark, and flavorful.

Setting itself apart from lalo available throughout the province – and making it especially worth stopping to try – Montrouis lalo is made with freshly caught sea crabs. With the help of the hot stew and steam inside the pot, the broken crab shells and legs turn a vivid pink, lending the dish a heightened, warming flavor which mingles wonderfully with earthy black bean sauce and light-as-air white rice.

“It’s hard work, but people keep coming back,” one vendor says. She takes a small break from spooning rice into Styrofoam plates, but just as quickly, a young woman comes from the back kitchen to pick up the slack. “I have regular customers who will come from the fancy resorts because they love the lalo here.” The evidence is in front of us while we chat – the cars parked in front of the kiosks have license plates ranging from rentals, to personal cars, to state-owned vehicles. It seems like everyone in the know makes time to stop in Montrouis for a plate of Lalo.

For desert, treat yourself to a tablèt nwa, a delicious candied cashew bar, or tablèt pistach, a candied peanut bar. Don’t miss the wonderfully decadent dous makòs, a tri-colored milk fudge bar. You’ll find all of these sold by the side of the street.

A tray full of specialty Haitian sweets: Tablèt pistach and dous kokoye — Tablèt pistach and dous kokoye
Photo: Franck Fontain

Need to Know

Montrouis is a popular destination for fishing in Haiti, supplying a large part of all seafood consumed on the coasts as well as inland.

Moulin sur Mer houses the Ogier-Fombrun museum, which retraces the history of Haiti from the Indian era up until the colonial times – specifically, 1794.

Guided visits – the best way to explore Kay Piat, since trail signage isn’t great, and because local guides can negotiate on your behalf to keep costs down.

Must-Try Flavors

Lalo – jute leaf and spinach stew served with white rice and black or red bean sauce.

Tablèt nwa – delicious candied cashew bar, sold by the side of the street.

Tablèt pistach – delicious candied peanut bar, sold by the side of the street.

Dous makòs – tri-colored milk fudge bar, sold by the side of the street.

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published June 2019

Find Montrouis

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Find out more about the top things to do in Montrouis

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Looking for some cool things to do?

Where to find great coffee in Haiti

June 12, 2019 by admin

Port-au-Prince City Guide

March 28, 2019 by admin

Sunset over Port-au-Prince, Haiti — Sunset over Port-au-Prince
Photo: Anton Lau

City Guide: Port-au-Prince

Just a two-hour flight from Miami, Port-au-Prince will probably be your first stop in Haiti, and the best way to find the pulse of a country is to take a few steps in its capital city.

About 1 million people live in the metropolitan area, with another 1.5 million living on the surrounding hills and coastline. Although some areas are troubled (as with any populous city), Port-au-Prince has several upmarket districts where visitors can safely stay and explore on their own.

Group of Haitians on stage below the Petion-Ville library in Port-au-Prince — View from the Petion-Ville library
Photo: Anton Lau

The basics

Vacationers looking for a comfortable Caribbean holiday on a budget will find Port-au-Prince a great place to easily book hotels, rent cars, dine at a variety of restaurants, and head out to party on weekends. Those who are seeking more authentic accommodation in Haiti (such as Airbnb or staying with a host) need to be prepared for a few things – unpredictable power outages being the most important.

Once you’ve got that down, though, Port-au-Prince is a rich and colorful delight that keeps travellers coming back for more. There are so many pockets and places to explore, but we’ve got the essentials covered!

Colorful canvases on display along Rue Pinchinat, Petion-Ville — Paintings on display at Rue Pinchinat in Petion Ville
Photo: Franck Fontain

Art & Culture

Jacmel may be called the cultural capital of Haiti, but the streets of Port-au-Prince are overflowing with art and artist-led initiatives are thriving.

For an introduction to Haitian arts and crafts, we recommend walking along Place Saint-Pierre, especially the block surrounding Institution Saint-Joseph. Here, artisans arrive early to set up temporary displays of paintings, sculptures, woodwork and trinkets for you to browse and haggle over.

Champ de Mars is another key destination for Haitian handcrafts. The artisans here specialise in bold jewelry and leather goods such as sandals and bags. The stall owners are business people as well as artisans, so expect to haggle, but given the relative cost of living here it’s still easy to find a price that supports the artist and offers visitors a bargain.

If you want to visit an art gallery, we recommend Galerie Monnin in Laboule, as well as Carré Zémès in Thomassin. Both are open to the public and feature eclectic collections of work from Haitian artists working in paint, sculpture and other media.

Two people hiking a trail above Port-au-Prince, Haiti — Hiking above Port-au-Prince
Photo: Anton Lau

Urban adventure

Looking for a top-notch outdoors experience without leaving Port-au-Prince?

Fort Jacques is an easy, accessible option if you are looking to get some time in nature, or want to picnic with a view. If you drive up in a car, expect to pay locals a small fee for park maintenance, or for parking safety. For those who are looking to get some hiking under their belt, the Boukan waterfall is a great place to start. Make sure you head there with a guide – preferably someone from the area of Fermathe.

Other places to get a breath of fresh air are Boutillier, Obléon and Furcy – a bit farther out of Pétion-Ville, but definitely worth the drive. Remember to pack a jacket in case it gets chilly – up in the hills the temperature can drop surprisingly quickly!

Hang out with locals

In the mood for a morning, midday, or afternoon stroll? Port-au-Prince is full of public squares where you can soak up the tropical sun and Haiti’s vibrant island atmosphere.

If you are in Pétion-Ville, you have the choice between Place Boyer and Place Saint-Pierre. Downtown? Champ de Mars is the place to go! This is where most Haitians in the capital spend time between classes if they’re students, between shifts if they’re street vendors, or meeting friends en route.

At most squares you’ll find merchants selling street food and drinks. For an authentic Haitian treat – and relief from the Caribbean heat – look for a vendor selling snow-cones known as Fresko.

Group eating dinner at Yanvalou in Pacot, Haiti — Yanvalou in Pacot
Photo: Anton Lau

Food, drink, street life and nightlife

Where to eat

Hungry? With a diversity of cooking traditions and ingredients sourced from around the island, Port-au-Prince is Haiti’s culinary capital! Head over to La Coquille in Pétion-Ville for their Haitian food buffet, where you will be able to try the different types of rice and meats available that day, as well as a complimentary dessert.

If you are eager to try Haitian seafood, but haven’t yet scheduled your beach getaway, fear not! Vivano, also known as Coin des Artistes, is the place to go. Here, make sure you try the grilled fish, as well as the stewed fish, with a side of either crispy fried plantains or fried potatoes. If you happen to be in Haiti outside of lobster mating season (which runs officially from April 1st to June 30th), you will definitely want to try this Caribbean delicacy!

Karibe Hotel offers delicious Haitian cuisine in a more calm, relaxed, tropical setting. The hotel’s greenery transports you to an atmosphere outside of the city, letting you soak up those Caribbean island vibes without leaving Port-au-Prince.

Where to drink

Fancy a cocktail?

If you’re in Pétion-Ville, Fubar is a great place to start for all types of cocktails. Asu is a more high-end option, with delicious mojitos and a view to match. Downtown, Yanvalou has the best rum sours, and you will definitely want to stop at Gingerbread for their house-made cocktail mixes.

The beer standard in Haiti is an ice-cold (or byen frape, in Kreyòl) Prestige!

Where to party

Port-au-Prince is a nightlife powerhouse. While a variety of DJ parties happen every week, you can count on at least two events come rain or shine. The first is Live Groove on Thursdays at Yanvalou, in Pacot, and the second is Flashback Friday at Fubar, in Pétion-Ville.

If you are not able to make it to Yanvalou’s Live Groove or Fubar’s Flashback Friday, you can almost always catch a resident or rising DJ at a fan-favorite bar or restaurant – Asu, for example, often hosts young talent.

If you are more into live music, head over to Vivano or to Presse Café – both in Pétion-Ville – for the best in authentic troubadour or konpa music.

Haitian boy jumping into water at Bassin Général, Croix-des-Bouquets — People swimming at Bassin Général, Croix-des-Bouquets
Photo: Franck Fontain

Who should go?

If you only plan to visit one place in the Caribbean, Port-au-Prince offers intrepid travellers excellent value.

It’s the hub of activity in Haiti, and offers visitors a taste of everything this island has to offer: music, art and festivals for travellers looking to immerse themselves in a new culture; beaches and parties for a fun summer break; and peaceful, quiet corners for the solo-traveler. Port-au-Prince is also a great place to explore Haiti’s unique place in history as the first Caribbean nation to successfully throw off colonial rule.

A city finds its rhythm in the lives of its people – how will you dance along to daily life in Port-au-Prince during your stay?

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published March 2019

Top things to see in Port-au-Prince

Soup Joumou – the taste of freedom

December 2, 2018 by Editor

A bowl of soup joumou on a serving tray — Soup Joumou
Photo: Anton Lau

Soup Joumou – the taste of freedom

This once-forbidden stew now symbolises independence.

What is soup joumou?

Soup Joumou is a delicious and aromatic dish with a dense history, dating back to when it was a favourite of French slave-owners in eighteenth-century Haiti.

Joumou is the Kreyòl word derived from giraumon in French, which means “pumpkin,” in English. If you’re an avid fall cook, you might see joumou varietal pumpkins at some specialty supermarkets in the United States. They’re easy to spot at Haiti’s sprawling farmers’ markets.

To make soup joumou, two to three joumou are diced into sizeable chunks, and cooked in hot water until they are tender. While this happens, some meat is usually prepared to go with it: beef or pork, depending on what is available in the area. Once the joumou is tender, it is chucked into a blender with some of its cooking water and blended to a soft, silky consistency.

It all goes back into the pot over a low heat setting, and is joined by carrot chunks, potato cubes, cabbage quarters, pasta, and the prepared meat.

This simmers for a while, until the pasta is tender. Some people add dumplings at this point as well. After adding zesty, spicy seasoning, it’s ladled into a large serving bowl, which will sit at the center of a dining table with fresh bread from the local bakery, awaiting Sunday fast-breakers.

You’ll also find it as a centrepiece of New Year’s Day celebrations.

Why is soup joumou so special?

In 19th century Haiti, living conditions for slaves were unspeakably awful. As elsewhere in the world, they were treated brutally, kept enslaved by a combination of gruesome physical treatment and psychological abuse. Slavemasters denied these people as much as possible, even seemingly trivial things, especially if those things were associated with the lifestyle of Haiti’s white, slave-owning bourgeoise.

One tradition that was well established within the bourgeoisie was that of having soup joumou. Some households could afford to make it several times a week, others only on Sundays, but a bowl of soup joumou was never to be seen in the hands of a slave. This food was not intended for them, as it was too rich, too wholesome, too good.

In the first years of the 19th century, slaves and free black Haitians led a successful revolution, taking control of the country and instating their own language, their own institutions, and their own customs. As a potent symbol of the abundance that had been denied them for hundreds of years, the newly free population appropriated the food most symbolic of freedom: soup joumou.

Independence was officially declared on January 1st, 1804. To celebrate that first New Year’s Day, the people of Haiti prepared, cooked, and shared soup joumou. A delicacy previously forbidden, it was now made available to everyone. More than two hundred years later, the tradition is still going strong.

If you’re in Haiti on a Sunday, and especially if you’re here on New Year’s Day, make sure you try a bowl of soup joumou. You might find it at a hotel or served hot by a street vendor, but the best soup joumou is home-made – so make some friends.

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published December 2018

Our recommendations

Passion Fruit & Poisson Gros Sel: The Haitian Cuisine

November 16, 2018 by Editor

Fried shrimps in a cast iron skillet at the Habitation Turpin restaurant, Petion-Ville, Haiti — Fried shrimps at Habitation Turpin, Petion-Ville
Photo: Anton Lau

Passion Fruit & Poisson Gros Sel: The Haitian Cuisine

Haiti has a bright and vivid culture, and there is no place where it is reflected more boldly than in Haitian cuisine.

One of the best ways to get to know a country is through local cuisine. You’ll find out who cooks, what they like, where they came from, and what they value the most in their day-to-day life.

Port-au-Prince offers incredible culinary diversity. While signature Haitian dishes have variations throughout the country, the convergence of people from every city means you can find (almost) everything in Port-au-Prince.

The capital city’s culinary richness is built on a whole island worth of food culture, and most of the dishes you sample in Port-au-Prince feature ingredients grown right here in Haiti.

Woman making pikliz at a market in Jacmel, Haiti — Street vendor making pikliz, Jacmel
Photo: Franck Fontain

There is no pikliz quite like the one made with local onions from the south of the country; ti joslin tomatoes, grown right here in Haiti, bring a special kind of sweetness to a salad; and is a plate of diri kole really complete without fresh watercress from the mountains of Fermathe?

While brand-name foods are imported to the island, the variety of local food is quite impressive. Haitians plant, grow, and eat a huge variety of produce!

The best way to get acquainted with the wide range of flavors available in the Haitian pantry is to check out your local farmer’s market.

The yellow and blue exterior of Gingerbread Restaurant in Pacot, Port-au-Prince, Haiti — Gingerbread Restaurant, Pacot
Photo: Anton Lau

Where to find Haitian cuisine

Looking for a true introduction to Haitian cuisine? Port-au-Prince houses the best names in the business, such as La Coquille, La Réserve, and Presse Café in Pétion-Ville, Gingerbread in Pacot, or La Plaza in downtown Port-au-Prince. These restaurants are great places to sample typical Haitian cuisine. For a special treat, Le Florville in Kenscoff has a popular Sunday brunch. It’s a great way to enjoy a relaxed Haitian dining experience.

For some of Haiti’s famous seafood, head to Océane and Coin des Artistes in Pétion-Ville. Their produce is almost entirely locally sourced, and it’s great to know you’re supporting local fishermen. Coin des Artistes hosts live music performances throughout the week, and the home-grown beats are a great accompaniment to their delicious dishes!

Piles of colorful fresh produce at a market in Fermathe, Haiti — Fresh produce at market in Fermathe
Photo: Franck Fontain

Flavour staples and seasonal produce

Carrots, onions, tomatoes, eggplants, chayotes – more commonly known here as militon –, and any and all beans under the Haitian sun are readily available country-wide, and depending on when you’re here, there’s usually a bounty of fruit and veg in season. Iceberg lettuce is the most widely available lettuce in Haiti, from farmers’ markets to supermarkets; green leaf lettuce is more widely available in supermarkets, as it is grown in greenhouses in the hills of Fermathe.

If you have more of a sweet tooth, you’ll be thrilled to find out that Haiti delivers here as well! Haitian bananas are a breakfast staple, and one of the sweetest in the entire Caribbean – they come in two varieties: the normal, standard banana and a smaller, finger-sized variety called ti malis. Citrus fruits are also a big part of Haitian cuisine – everything from passionfruit to green limes can be turned into a juice or a scrumptious dessert. Sweet potatoes find their way into desserts such as pen patat, and cashews from the city of Cap-Haïtien are turned into delicious candied bars, known as tablèt nwa.

If you would like to see and taste for yourself, Port-au-Prince is chock-full of offerings for everything you could crave!

Haitian fisherman with his catch in a traditional boat near Pestel, Haiti — Fisherman, Pestel
Photo: Franck Fontain

Trade winds

Even in the Caribbean, though, produce does go in and out of season. So where do restaurants turn when a key ingredient can’t be sourced locally?

Supermarkets are stocked with preserves and brand-name items from around the island and around the world. When oranges aren’t in season in Haiti, you’ll still find freshly squeezed OJ – it just carries a different passport. If a dessert features a specialty fruit or vegetable, it’s imported, as are several staples. For example, finding lemons grown in Haiti can prove difficult, but you’ll find lemons, milk, olive oil and black pepper in the supermarket.

This doesn’t make Haiti’s dining options – whether fine or homely – any less authentic. On the contrary, it is a colorful illustration of how most people, things, and places in Haiti come together: from many places, to form one, beautiful display, laced with history.

The restaurants and ingredients listed above are just the beginning. Why not venture out to other spots in your neighborhood in Haiti – a true gem may be right around the corner!

Written by Kelly Paulemon.

Published November 2018

Ã—Select Language

Food & Drink

Rum is big in Haiti – Here’s what to drink

While Barbadians are said to have invented modern rum…

start your day the Haitian way

01. Barbancourt

02. Bakara

03. Vieux Labbé

From Our Land to Your Home

04. Boukman

05. Kleren

06. Bonus: MyaBèl

Go on a self-guided tour of Haiti’s Gingerbread houses

Top things to see in Haiti

Paradise for your inbox

What to do in Montrouis

Discover Sacred Vodou Symbols!

Go snorkelling at Moulin sur Mer

Get your breath taken away – literally and figuratively – with a hike to Kay Piat

Discover Sacred Vodou Symbols!

Gorge on seafood and specialty candy

Need to Know

Must-Try Flavors

Find Montrouis

External Links

Haitian Cultural Traditions You Didn’t Know About

Looking for some cool things to do?

Paradise for your inbox

City Guide: Port-au-Prince

The basics

Art & Culture

Urban adventure

From Our Land to Your Home

Hang out with locals

Food, drink, street life and nightlife

Where to eat

Discover Sacred Vodou Symbols!

Where to drink

Where to party

Who should go?

Citadelle Henri

Top things to see in Port-au-Prince

Paradise for your inbox

Soup Joumou – the taste of freedom

This once-forbidden stew now symbolises independence.

What is soup joumou?

The Birds of Haiti on Your Wall

Why is soup joumou so special?

Citadelle Henri

Our recommendations

Paradise for your inbox

Passion Fruit & Poisson Gros Sel: The Haitian Cuisine

Haiti has a bright and vivid culture, and there is no place where it is reflected more boldly than in Haitian cuisine.

Bring Haitian Flavor to Your Walls!

Where to find Haitian cuisine

Flavour staples and seasonal produce

Trade winds

Bring Haitian Flavor to Your Walls!

Your pocket guide to Cap-Haïtien

Top things to see in Haiti

Paradise for your inbox

Plan Your Trip

Destinations

Information

Company

Plan Your Trip

Destinations

Information

Company

Select Language

start your day
the Haitian way

Go on a self-guided
tour of Haiti’s Gingerbread houses