Despite the island’s small size, there is a good range of restaurants offering different blends of imported and local cuisine. The hotel restaurants are probably the best – indeed the Mooshay Bay Dining Room at The Old Gin House, where Continental food is served on old pewter plates, has been given a 5-star rating by Gourmet Magazine – but the local Creole-style cooking is particularly suited for seafood dishes. The Chinese Restaurant offers authentic Cantonese cuisine; other restaurants also offer Cantonese dishes, together with French, US and local specialities.
Things to know: There are no licensing hours on the island (although most restaurants and bars are usually closed by midnight), and alcohol is virtually tax free. Most well-known brand names are available; a ‘greenie’ is a Heineken.
National specialities:
• Pickled conch shell meat.
• Grilled spicy fish.
• Lobster.
Tipping: Hotels add a 5 to 10 per cent government tax and 10 to 15 per cent service charge. Doormen and waiters expect a 10 per cent tip.

Centred on the main hotels and restaurants, including dancing to both taped Western music and live local bands, that might play one of the two different indigenous blends of reggae and calypso – ‘Pim Pim’ and ‘Hippy’.

The reductions on duty free imports make the purchase of perfume, jewellery or alcohol worthwhile. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1400-1800.