Posted on by Sandy

Experience the Best of Trinidad on a Food Tour Adventure

If you only have one day in Trinidad and want to eat well and understand the island, book a food tour. I spent five hours with Anthony on the Taste of Trinidad Food Tour, and it was easily the best day of my trip. I was the only guest that day, so it felt less like a tour and more like a friend driving me around the island, talking history, food, and life in Trinidad.

Here is exactly what we did, what we ate, and whether this Port of Spain food tour is worth your time (spoiler: yes).

Quick facts

Stop 1: Morning Pickup and Port of Spain Heritage Drive

Anthony picked me up at 8:30 AM. We drove through the capital to see its 19th-century landmarks, including the Red House and the Magnificent Seven, the grand mansions around Queen’s Park Savannah. With their gingerbread details and wraparound verandas, these buildings are great for photos, and Anthony told me the history behind them. I planned to return the next morning to take more pictures of the places we visited.

Exterior view of a stone church with two tall towers, gated entrance, and clear blue sky
A large red building with architectural details against a blue sky, featuring trees and street signs in the foreground, and several vehicles on the road.
A historic stone church featuring Gothic architectural elements, with a tall tower and intricate detailing, set against a cloudy sky and urban backdrop.
Victorian-style mansion with decorative features and a circular driveway surrounded by greenery and palm trees under a partly cloudy sky.
A historic building with a tower, viewed through an ornate black iron gate, under a blue sky with clouds.
A Victorian-style mansion with a turret and ornate details, surrounded by a green wrought-iron fence and lush landscaping under a partly cloudy sky.

Stop 2: Cassava Pone from a Local Bakery

Before any savory food, we stopped at a local bakery (Bread Basket) for cassava pone, a dense, sweet, spiced baked treat made with grated cassava, pumpkin and coconut. The caramelized top is chewy, and the inside is rich and sticky. It also links directly to the island’s Indigenous roots, and Anthony explained its history as I ate a piece in the car on the way to the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Exterior view of a bakery named 'Bread Basket' with a silver car parked outside, featuring a Coca-Cola sign and an open door.
Display case at a food stall featuring various items including sausage rolls, chicken sausage pizza, spinach cheese, and wheat vege pizza with price tags visible.
Display case with various baked goods including bread pudding, custard eclairs, fruit sponge cake, iced sponge cake, and potato pie, each with corresponding prices.
A square piece of golden, crispy dessert resting on white paper, with a textured surface and a glistening finish.

Anthony also gave me a sample of Tolum, which became my favorite treat from the island. I even got some home so that my family could try this delicious snack. Anthony also explained how Tolum became a snack. Tolum is a peasant food from sugar plantations, made with leftover molasses and grated coconut. It is sweet, sticky, with caramel notes.

A person holding a small round chocolate-like dessert in their hand.

Stop 3: Fine-Flavour Cocoa at a Local Chocolate Shop

Trinidad is world-famous for fine-flavor cocoa, and this stop shows why. The shop works directly with local estates, and the wall of handmade bars was almost overwhelming: ginger, sorrel, orange, coconut, matcha, five spices, salty, spicy, minty, and more. We tasted several, and I learned how Trinidad’s soil and climate create flavors you will not find anywhere else. Bring cash and an empty spot in your suitcase, because these make perfect souvenirs. I bought one of each kind to bring home.

Sign for Cocoa Pod Products listing culinary and cosmetic items such as chocolate bars, syrups, body butter, and more, with contact information and a note about authorized parking.
A woven basket filled with various chocolate bars labeled with flavors such as dark orange, ginger, mocha, honey, and spicy, alongside bottles of cacao products in the background.

Stop 4: Panoramic Views from Lady Young Lookout

Next we wound up the hill to Lady Young Lookout for a sweeping view over the Port of Spain skyline, the harbor cranes, and the Gulf of Paria. On a clear day, you can even see Venezuela. It is the best place to understand how the capital is laid out, and a welcome break between stops.

A panoramic view of a coastal city with buildings and greenery in the foreground, featuring a busy port with cranes and ships in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Stop 5: Heritage and Tradition in St. Joseph

We then headed east to St. Joseph, Trinidad’s first colonial capital. A plaque on the old church marks the founding of San José de Oruña in 1592 by Domingo de Vera, acting for Don Antonio de Berrio, Trinidad’s first Spanish governor. The town stayed the capital until 1757. The church front is dated A.D. 1815. We also visited a historic cemetery with a skull-and-crossbones marking, which came with a bit of philosophy from Anthony. This is the history you will not get on a standard sightseeing bus.

Front view of a historic building with an arched entrance and a statue on top, featuring the inscription 'AD 1815', surrounded by a green gate and a cloudy sky.
Historical plaque commemorating the founding of San José de Oruna, detailing its establishment in 1592 by Domingo de Vera, and noting its significance as the capital of Trinidad until 1757.
A historical gravestone featuring an inscription in Spanish, marked with a skull and crossbones symbol. The stone is set within a brick wall, with the year 1682 prominently displayed.
Exterior view of a historic brick church with large steps leading to the entrance, flanked by a colorful tower, under a partly cloudy blue sky.
A tall, ornate white cross standing on a pedestal, surrounded by a cloudy sky and buildings in the background.

Stop 6: Roadside Doubles, Trinidad’s National Street Food

No Trinidad trip is complete without doubles: two soft fried flatbreads (bara) filled with curried chickpeas (channa). Anthony took me to a trusted, clean roadside vendor and showed me how to order like a local, from a touch of sweet tamarind to a dash of pepper sauce. Pro tip: if a local says “slight pepper,” believe them.

A vendor wearing a blue long-sleeve shirt and an apron holds a serving of food on a paper napkin, standing in front of a food stall with a green canopy.
Roadside doubles and pies vendor in Trinidad
A banner for Chinee Doubles & Pies displaying catering services for weddings, parties, and more, featuring contact information and images of food.
Roadside doubles and pies vendor in Trinidad
Discovering Trinidad’s Iconic Doubles: A Culinary Journey

Stop 7: Sacred Spaces of Waterloo

In Waterloo we visited two deeply meaningful landmarks: the towering 85-foot Hanuman Murti statue and the Temple in the Sea, a monument built through decades of individual perseverance. The Hanuman Murti is even more impressive in person, especially against the Trinidad sky.

Dress code reminder: These are active sacred sites, so cover your shoulders and knees. Wear modest clothing or bring a shawl, jacket, or wrap.

A view of a white temple partially hidden among trees in a mangrove setting, with a muddy shoreline and various flags on poles in the foreground under a cloudy sky.
A scenic view of a white building with ornate domes and decorative windows, surrounded by gravel pathways and plants, against a backdrop of blue sky and distant hills.
A large statue of Hanuman, the Hindu deity, depicted in a vibrant red color, wearing traditional attire with a green dhoti and adorned with floral garlands. The statue stands against a cloudy sky, giving a sense of grandeur and devotion.
A person is painting a colorful mandala design on a concrete surface, seated with legs crossed. In the background, there are buildings with decorative architecture.
Exterior view of a colorful temple featuring ornate decorations, domes, and two elephant sculptures at the entrance, set against a partly cloudy sky.
Intricate ceiling design featuring vibrant colors and ornate patterns in a temple interior, with a chandelier central below an octagonal shape.

Stop 8: Traditional Wrapped Roti Lunch

We finished with a hearty lunch at a local roti shop. The board outside read like a love letter to Trini food: dhal, bhagi, carille, curry chicken, stew chicken, duck, goat, dhalpuri, bus-up-shut and butter cassava. A classic wrapped roti is a soft flatbread packed with curried chicken, goat or rich vegetarian fillings, seasoned with fresh herbs like culantro (chadon beni). It was the perfect ending.

A chalkboard menu outside a restaurant listing various food items including breakfast options, today's specials, and other dishes such as rice, dhal, bhagi, curry chicken, and more.
Breakfast menu board featuring various items and prices, including vegetable, meat, egg, seafood, and other breakfast options.
A close-up view of freshly cooked flatbread displayed in a glass food warmer.
A close-up view of a takeout container filled with a traditional dish, featuring a mixture of vegetables, meat, and a green leafy substance, with a richly colored sauce.
Close-up of a freshly made, golden-brown naan bread placed on a piece of parchment paper.

Is the Taste of Trinidad Food Tour Worth It?

Absolutely. In five hours, I got Port of Spain architecture, Indigenous and colonial history, artisan chocolate, a skyline viewpoint, sacred landmarks, and the island’s most iconic dishes, all with a guide who clearly loves his country. Being the only guest made it feel personal, but I would expect the same warmth in a group. If you are a foodie who wants an authentic experience instead of a tourist script, this tour is a must-do.

Book the Taste of Trinidad Food Tour here

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Trinidad food tour? The tour I took lasted about five hours and started at 8:30 AM.

Where does the tour pick up? Your Port of Spain hotel lobby, your Airbnb, or the cruise terminal.

What should I wear? Light, comfortable clothes and shoes. For the temple stops, cover your shoulders and knees.

Is the tour good for cruise passengers? Yes. Pickup at the cruise terminal is available, which makes it an easy way to see Trinidad in a day.

Are vegetarian options available? Roti can be filled with vegetarian options, so let your guide know your dietary needs when booking.

What should I bring? Sunscreen, water, a little cash for souvenirs, a wrap or shawl, and a big appetite.

Leave a Reply