Grantley Adams International Airport

Grantley Adams does a better job than most Caribbean airports at giving you a genuine taste of the island before you board. Once you clear security and head into the departures hall, you'll find a handful of sit-down spots and casual counters spread along the single concourse. The standout is Chefette, Barbados's beloved homegrown fast-food chain — a rite of passage for any visitor, serving rotis stuffed with curried chicken or vegetables that taste exactly as good airside as they do roadside.

For something a little more leisurely, the sit-down restaurant near the gate areas offers a rotating menu of Bajan staples: flying fish sandwiches, macaroni pie, and pepperpot stew that will have you wishing your layover were longer. The bar beside it pours Banks Beer on draft — cold, crisp, and the perfect send-off after a week in the sun. Portions are generous and the staff are genuinely warm, so give yourself a bit more time than you think you need.

If you're in the mood for something lighter, the coffee and pastry kiosks do a solid job with fresh fruit cups, coconut bread, and decent espresso drinks. Duty-free rum shops technically count as dining if you pick up a Cockspur or Mount Gay miniature and sip it while you wait — and nobody here will judge you for it. Overall, the food scene at BGI punches well above its size, sending you home with one last true flavour of Barbados.