The traditional food of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is strongly influenced by an interesting diversity of cultures. As a result, you can find a mix of South Indian, North Indian, Bengali, Andhra, Kerala, and Chinese cuisines, with Indian food being the most prominent. On the other hand, for a seafood lover the Andamans are the ideal destination. Surrounded by water all around, there is no shortage of fish, crabs, lobsters, and prawns of every kind that are cooked to perfection in many different ways. The locals tend to gather from the surrounding forests as well so coconut is a main ingredient in a lot of the offered dishes and also a variety of other fruits such as mango, sapodilla, bananas, and pineapples.
There are plenty of food joints and restaurants available to choose from, so here’s a list of the best ones to truly experience the tastes of the beautiful islands and don’t miss out on the available Andaman packages.
Lighthouse Residency, Port Blair
Seafood should be your priority during your visit to the islands and Lighthouse Residency is among the best ones in the Andamans. You can select from a wide display of crabs, tiger prawns, and red snappers, which are either barbecued or grilled and served with rice and chips to satisfy your taste buds. The restaurant also offers Thai, Chinese, and Indian dishes and don’t forget to try their exquisite fish tikka. There is another branch available by the seaside that is more of a small shack, which is popular because it offers the same great tastes at slightly cheaper prices.
Red Snapper, Havelock
Red Snapper is another ideal destination for delicious seafood and also tasty home-made pasta. You can go for their famous BBQ fish combined with olive and cheese naan and you wouldn’t want to leave. Red Snapper is within the Orchid Resort and the decorations of this restaurant are a part of its appeal with its polished bamboo interiors and thatched roof which blends perfectly with the tropical surroundings, making it a popular romantic setting on the island.
Ha-O, Port Blair
Located at Sun Sea Resort in Port Blair, Ha-O offers excellent North Indian Punjabi cuisine and great tandoori grills as well at cheap prices. You can also go for the Chinese cuisine available at the restaurant which is just as good. Ha-O is an example of comfort food at its best and it cannot be missed.
Mandalay, Port Blair
This restaurant at Fortune Bay Resort offers the ideal setting for a long evening with its open deck providing great views of the water. You can indulge in fresh fish, crab, and lobster for that seafood fix or try the Chinese and Indian options as well. They’re famous for their Goan prawn curry, as well as the assortment of sandwiches and burgers.
Gegan Restaurant, Port Blair
This is the perfect choice when looking for tasty food with reasonable prices. It serves Bengali cuisine and also great seafood, along with a variety of non-vegetarian dishes. This restaurant is quite popular among the locals and some of the best dishes include their Nicobari fish, crab curries, coconut chicken, and dosas for breakfast that will surely amaze you.
By Amal Ahmed
