| For vegetarians, dining out presents many | | | | the vegetarian restaurant seems to be on the |
| challenges; finding vegan choices can be even | | | | all-inclusive plan of Tropical Suites but not Cocotal |
| more frustrating. Add travel to the mix and | | | | Beach Resort. If you prefer to stay at Cocotal, |
| you've got a potential recipe for disaster. While | | | | check with them to find out if you'll be able to eat |
| the Caribbean's abundance of seafood will suit | | | | at the vegetarian restaurant. |
| pescetarians, discovering true vegetarian meals | | | | As far as specific countries go, Jamaica is veggie |
| requires a bit more work. Fortunately, a little | | | | heaven. Because Rastafarians are vegetarian, |
| research before you go will help find dining choices | | | | options abound. The key word to remember is |
| which are not only suitable but delicious. | | | | "Ital," derived from "vital." Ital cooking uses pure, |
| If you're planning to take a cruise, you're in luck. A | | | | organic ingredients, and is essentially vegan. |
| number of cruise lines offer vegetarian options, a | | | | However, some dishes may contain honey, so if |
| complete vegetarian menu, or can make you | | | | you don't eat honey be sure to ask about it. In |
| special dishes on request. Celebrity Cruises has | | | | fact, Ital is a good word to look out for |
| received rave reviews for their excellent gourmet | | | | anywhere, as Ital food can be found in other |
| vegetarian cuisine, which tailors meals to diners' | | | | countries, too. |
| needs. NCL and Royal Caribbean also rank highly | | | | Puerto Rico also has a number of cafés |
| with vegetarian passengers. Carnival Cruise Lines, | | | | and restaurants which are either all-vegetarian or |
| on the other hand, may be one to avoid. Although | | | | veg-friendly. If you're having a hard time finding a |
| they offer one vegetarian item per menu and | | | | place, keep your eyes out for the fast food chain |
| claim they can accommodate vegetarian | | | | Pollo Tropical, which doesn't put meat in its rice |
| requests, they don't have a dietician on board, so | | | | and beans. |
| their ability to make changes is limited. For | | | | Of course, ethnic restaurants are good stand-bys |
| vegans, this can be a big problem. One vegan | | | | anywhere. An island's ethnic population will partially |
| reports that she was assured before the cruise | | | | determine what's available. For instance, Trinidad |
| that her diet would be no trouble; however, all she | | | | has a number of Chinese and Indian restaurants |
| could actually eat was bread, lettuce, and an | | | | because immigrants came over from those |
| occasional baked potato. When booking a cruise | | | | countries prior to the 20th century. |
| with any company, tell them you're vegetarian or | | | | For casual or take-out meals, look for natural |
| vegan and ask any questions you may have | | | | food supermarkets, which sometimes have delis |
| about menu offerings. | | | | with vegetarian items. Nature's Way in the British |
| Land-lubbers may find the easiest way to assure | | | | Virgin Islands' Road Town is one such place. |
| a variety of vegetarian choices is to stay at a | | | | The brief list of dining options below will help you |
| resort with several restaurants. The Sandals chain, | | | | get started. Some aren't exclusively vegetarian, |
| for example, includes up to eleven eateries at | | | | but all include at least a few veggie choices on |
| each location. Their menus typically include at least | | | | their menus. Vegan and vegan-friendly are |
| one vegetarian option in each category. While that | | | | indicated with a V. |
| may sound limiting, resort menus tend to change | | | | Antigua: Kalabashe, St. John's West. V |
| frequently, often nightly. Resorts also usually have | | | | Barbados: Back to Eden, Speightstown. V |
| a buffet, so you'll be able to pick and choose. | | | | Cancun: 100% Natural. V |
| Sample menus are generally posted on a resort's | | | | Cayman Islands: Veggie Delights, Georgetown. V |
| website, so logging online may be one way to do | | | | Dominican Republic: Lotos Restaurant, Santo |
| a bit of investigative work. Still, it's a good idea to | | | | Domingo. V |
| check with the resort before booking to find out | | | | Nevis: Natural Livity, Newcastle Village. V |
| how veg-friendly they are. | | | | Puerto Rico: Asiquesi, Cabo Rojo. V |
| Higher-end resorts are often more conscious of | | | | St. Martin: Top Carrot, Simpson Bay. |
| serving healthy food, including vegetarian dishes. | | | | Trinidad: Mother Nature, Port of Spain. |
| Some of them use locally grown and/or organic | | | | Tobago: Kariwak Village Restaurant, Crown Point. |
| items in their cooking. Even if you can't afford to | | | | US Virgin Islands: Soul Vegetarian, Christiansted. V |
| stay there, you may be able to eat at their | | | | A few good online resources are and Unlike the |
| restaurants. For instance, the Sugar Mill Restaurant | | | | first two, VegSource doesn't have a directory, |
| at the Sugar Mill Hotel (British Virgin Islands) is a | | | | but its forum has a few threads on restaurants in |
| local treat that's worth the trip. Voted "The Best | | | | the Caribbean, and you can always post your |
| Restaurant in the Caribbean" by readers of | | | | own question. Also take a look at the online |
| Caribbean Travel & Life, this gourmet | | | | international yellow pages. Just remember that |
| restaurant's ever-changing menu always offers | | | | businesses have to pay money to be listed, so |
| several vegetarian dishes and its atmosphere | | | | not all restaurants will be represented. |
| makes it a great place for a special night out. | | | | When you're on your trip, if you want to try a |
| Meat-free travelers interested in visiting the | | | | restaurant that's out of the way, call first since |
| Dominican Republic should consider Sirenis Hotels, | | | | listings can be outdated. With a little preparation, |
| which have an all-vegetarian restaurant at their | | | | you'll spend less time worrying about where |
| Punta Cana resort complex. Comprised of Sirenis | | | | you're going to eat and more time enjoying your |
| Cocotal Beach Resort and Sirenis Tropical Suites, | | | | travels. |