Craving: A Family-Style Dinner in Antigua

Balanced atop stilts on a hillside far from Antigua’s fabled beaches and high-end resorts is Buba’s Hideout, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it pocket of authentic West Indian food. Once you step in, you’re family. Buba runs the kitchen while his two daughters and other family members chop veggies, play DJ, helm the bar, and chat with guests. This homegrown approach extends to the food as well: Nearly every fruit, vegetable, and herb is grown on the sloping gardens that surround the restaurant. There’s no set menu. Inspired by what’s ready to be picked—say, okra or yams—Buba turns out traditional Caribbean dishes like Creole rice with peas and spicy chicken stew. Tip: The restaurant is small but popular, so call ahead to reserve your spot. And order the “happy grass,” a stiff cocktail made with rum and lemongrass from the garden. Buba’s Avenue off Buckley’s Road, St. John. 00-1-268-732-1213

By Patrick Bennett. This appeared in the Nov/Dec 2015 issue.