Antigua’s gastronomic speciality is lobster, with red snapper and occasionally other fish running a close second when available.
Things to know: Larger hotels offer a wide selection of imported meats, vegetables, fruits and cheeses. Casual wear is accepted in all bars and restaurants. There is an 8.5 per cent government tax on most restaurant bills.
National specialities:
• Fungi and pepperpot, the national dish, is a hearty vegetable stew with salted meat.
• Roti are patties filled with curried potatoes, chicken or beef.
• Ducana are sweet potato dumplings often served with saltfish and chop up (see below).
• Chop up is mashed aubergine, okra and seasoning.
• Tamarind balls are the local sweets.
• Popular dishes include barbecued chicken, roast suckling pig, pilaffs, curries and mushrooms.
National drinks:
• Ting is a grapefruit drink that is homegrown and sparkling.
• Wadadli beer is locally-brewed, light and refreshing.
• Popular ingredients include pineapple, coconut, guavas and mangoes.
• For an alcoholic kick, rum is plentiful; try both dark and light rums (Cavalier), and rum punches.
• Imported wines and spirits are available, as well as imported sodas and fruit drinks.
Legal drinking age: 16. There are no licensing restrictions, but excessive consumption of alcohol is frowned upon and further service will be refused.
Tipping: 10 to 15 per cent is included on hotel bills for staff gratuities, plus an 8.5 per cent government tax. Taxi drivers expect 10 per cent of the fare, and dockside and airport porters expect US$0.50-1.00 per bag.

There is a wide choice of restaurants and bars around main tourist areas. Steel bands, combos and limbo dancers travel around hotels, performing nightly during the high season (November to April). There are five casinos on the island and two nightclubs/discos. Some hotels have their own discos.

Uniquely Antiguan purchases include straw goods, pottery, batik and silk-screen printed fabrics, and jewellery incorporating semi-precious Antiguan stones. English bone china and crystal and French perfumes, watches and table linens are all available at very attractive prices. Heritage Quay Complex is a shopping and entertainment complex with 40 duty free shops, a theatre, restaurants and a casino and supper club. It forms part of the newest development in central St John’s. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1300-1700, although some shops and chemists do not close for lunch; some shops close at noon on Thursday.