Discover the Best of Dover, St Lawrence Gap

Explore the vibrant attractions, dining, and nightlife just steps away from your holiday apartment.

…but no one will judge you if you come to Barbados and do nothing more than JUST CHILLIN’.

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Welcome to Just Chillin' Barbados Holiday Apartments

Nestled in the heart of Dover, St Lawrence Gap, our holiday apartments offer the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. Just a short stroll from the beach, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife, our apartments are your gateway to the best of Barbados. Whether you’re here to relax or explore, you’ll find everything you need right at your doorstep.

THE SOUTH COAST

You are staying on the South Coast which is a vibrant hub of activity both in the day and night.

The beach is 2 minutes’ walk down the gap directly across the road. Make sure to lather on the sunscreen – with our cool South Coast breezes, the sun is hotter than you think – and please do and take care when swimming as the waves can sometimes be a bit strong for the inexperienced swimmer (keep an eye on the kids!).

There are plenty of small restaurants and eateries (and drinkeries) nearby – do explore and meet the locals. Ask for an ice-cold Banks beer to start you off!

Primo and Castaways in the St Lawrence Bay area (the North end of St Lawrence Gap) offer a great view for a sundowner.

DOVER MARKET

Directly downstairs, the Dover Market is open from 7AM to 10PM every day and offers all your grocery essentials and more.

It has the widest range of wines, beers and spirits in the Gap and also sells ice and coconut water. The Dover Deli at the back of the store does a selection of hot food, including breakfast.

GAP NIGHT LIFE

You can walk down to the Dover playing fields and opposite you will find a variety of small bars and shops offering all kinds of food and drinks. Further on (about another 5 minutes’ walk) the nightclubs start jamming about 10:30PM and go on until the early hours of the morning.

The Dive bar often has live music – check out their Facebook page for more info. https://www.facebook.com/thedivebarbados

OISTINS FISH FRY

Oistins is a 10-minute walk or 4-minute drive and is full of vendors selling delicious fish steaks of many kinds as well as local, handmade souvenirs.

Friday or Saturday nights is the time to go as it is bustling with people and there is usually music playing in the centre. Parking can be a challenge so perhaps get a ZR bus from the main road!

While Barbados is generally safe, do be careful when walking around at night, especially if you get a little tipsy!

GETTING AROUND

  • ZR vans as they are known here – because the licence plates begin with “ZR” – are minibuses that operate across various routes. You will usually have an opportunity to get very close and personal with the other occupants, but they are a fun way to travel around and a real local experience.
  • The ZR Route 11 runs from Bridgetown to Silver Sands, and you can catch it on the main road, just 5-minutes’ walk away. They are safe (although your eardrums may not recover from the music on a ZR) and all cost $3.50BBD whether you are going 1 stop or 20.
  • There are also “Yellow” buses and “Big Blue” buses, which operate different routes and are less frequent. If you want to get from the South to the West, you will need to catch one of these buses, known locally as the “bypass” because it bypasses Bridgetown, and will be labelled Speightstown on the front. Coming back, look for Oistins on the front.
  • Hire cars are great for exploring but remember to drive on the left!

RESTAURANTS

2-10 Mins Walk

  • BLISS – Neighbourhood Café 8am-2:30pm
  • THE CAKE LADY – Neighbourhood Coffee Shop 7:30am-5pm
  • ELEMENTS – Italian, inside O2 Hotel on opposite side of the road
  • ORO – High rise luxury dinning at O2 Hotel on opposite side of the road
  • IRIE FOODS – Jamaican food, open 12 noon-10pm
  • AMIGOS – inside Time Out Hotel
  • DOVER BEACH – Variety of local food stalls
  • NEW CENTURY – Chinese food, Top Rock Roundabout

10-15 Mins Walk

  • PRIMO – Beachside and elegant located in St Lawrence Gap, 5pm-11pm
  • CASTAWAYS – St Lawrence Gap, 5pm-10pm
  • CAFÉ SOL – Mexican St Lawrence Gap, 11:30am-11pm
  • SURFER’S CAFE – Casual, live music sometimes, Oistins, 8am-2:30pm
  • DEIA BEACH – Mediterranean restaurant, Maxwell Coast Road, is beachside and has a pool, 11:30am-9pm
  • OISTINS FISH FRY – Local fresh-caught fish fried up every Friday-Sunday evening
  • SHARKEY’S – Casual fun food in St Lawrence Gap, 12pm-1am
  • COCKTAIL KITCHEN – enjoy amazing cocktails and Caribbean cuisine prepared by one of our top chefs, St. Lawrence Gap, 5pm-12am
  • TABU – outdoor casual seating, St. Lawrence Gap, 5:30pm-11:30pm

Around the Island (Car / Taxi / Bus)

  • NARU – Sushi restaurant on the south coast boardwalk, 5-9pm
  • FUSION ROOFTOP – Asian fusion and sushi, elegant, located on Limegrove mall rooftop, 5:30-11pm
  • TAPAS – Also on the board walk, great for a quick bite or if you want to try lots of different items, 11:30am-9pm
  • CHAMPERS – Elegant restaurant with amazing food, overlooking the ocean. Has an art gallery above the restaurant filled with local artists creations. 11:30am-2pm (lunch), 5:30-9pm (dinner)
  • FISHERMAN’S PUB – Located on the West Coast in Speightstown, 11am-10:30pm
  • SAGE BISTRO – Aesthetic casual brunch spot, 8am-4pm (closed Mondays)
  • BLUSH CAFE – Known as the “most instagrammable café in Barbados”, can get very busy so you should definitely call ahead, 8am-4pm
  • LA CABANE – Beach bar right on the coast of Batts Rock beach, Mon-Fri 12-11pm, Sat-Sun 8am-11pm
  • ZEMI – East coast views, celebrates local ingredients near the surfing Soup Bowl Bay, 11am-5pm (closed Mon-Tues)
  • RUM VAULT – Try a culinary rum experience with pairing & local food cooked in rum, inside Colony Club Hotel, West Coast, 12:30-2:30pm (need reservation)
  • CAFÉ LUNA – Contrary to the name, this is an elegant restaurant overlooking Miami Beach, great for sunset cocktails, 9am-2:30pm & 5-9:30pm
  • THE SEASHED – Beach bar on the shores of Mullins Bay, 11:30am-8:30pm
  • LOCAL & CO – Enjoy local foods with a gorgeous view of the sea, Speightstown, 12-11:30pm
  • JUJU’S – Beach bar on the East coast, 10:30am-7:30pm
  • ONE ELEVEN EAST – Beautiful beach bar with a classy atmosphere, good for sunset cocktails but doesn’t serve food
  • SAVVY ON THE BAY – Colourful beach bar in Bridgetown, great for an all-day beach day, open 24hrs
  • LOBSTER ALIVE AND ALL THAT JAZZ – This is a local seafood spot that has one of the best live jazz hubs on the island
  • FISH POT – Elegant seaside dining, 8am-9:30pm
  • CABOOSE – Unique experience & delicious fish! Served from a real Bajan fishing boat on land, roadside, St Peter, 11am-6pm (closed Mon-Tues)

SOME GENERAL TIPS

  • Monkeys are very cute, curious and at times, friendly. Although they can be amusing animals, they can also be very mischievous by stealing your food, sunglasses or even pulling your hair.
  • Sometimes you will see a person with a baby monkey who will offer to let you hold and pet it for a small charge. Please do not encourage this as the monkeys are taken from their families, and then let go when they get older and are no longer so “cute”, with no means of survival.
  • Camouflage is illegal to wear unless you want to join the Barbados Army #crazybuttrue.
  • Be careful when sitting under coconut trees – coconuts can and do fall!
  • If you are lucky enough to see turtles nest or hatch on the beach, please stay well back and let the barbadosseaturtles.org society know on their hotline +1 (246) 230-0142.

FUN TO HAVE AROUND BARBADOS

Let’s have an adventure!

Watersports

Opposite the Dover playing fields (about 5 minutes to your right) there is a small market area that also offers water sports such as jet skis, paddleboarding and kayaking.

If you’re a bit more adventurous, there are several kite or windsurfing options available (check online).

Bridgetown

Our capital is a Unesco world heritage site and blends the modern day with multiple layers of history. Shop on Broad and Swan streets (including for duty-free goods) then look around one of the oldest synagogues in the Western hemisphere.

East Coast

Facing the Atlantic, is wilder, with much less tourist development, but it is worth a trip especially to see the view from Cherry Tree Hill.

Only experienced surfers should head out through the breakers at Bathsheba, however stopping at an East coast rum shop is a must.

Lush Hiking Adventures

There are Hikes and Hashes scheduled for different points across the island – check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/hikebarbados/ for the latest dates, times and prices.

Horseback Riding on the Beach

Horseback riding on the East coast is a wonderful experience with some great Instagram moments guaranteed!

There are also inland options available which are a great way to see the rustic beauty of the island.

Sail on a Cat

Catamaran tours generally provide a delicious local lunch and a free bar… Don’t fall oveboard!

Brighton Market

Located on the expansive grounds of the Brighton Plantation in St George. the market is open for four hours every Saturday from 6 am to 10 am – we recommend an early arrival to get the best experience.

In addition to the wide variety of excellent products that are produced locally, the market has a very warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Biking

While normal bikes are available from various places, we would highly recommend an eBike as a preferable option. This will keep you (mostly) off the main roads, which can be hazardous due to potholes and crazy ZR drivers!

eBike Island Adventures is located just downstairs and you can sign up for a variety of tour options, but they are often out (eBiking) so suggest you contact them via the website https://www.barbadosebiketours.com/

Spa Next Door

The full-service spa at O2 next door, Acqua, is the highest on the island with unrivalled breathtaking panoramic views of the sparkling Caribbean Sea through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Barbados Trailway

The Barbados Trailway is a paved bicycle and pedestrian path located primarily on right-of-way lands of the former Barbados Railway.

Horse Racing at the Garrison Savannah

The Garrison Savannah also holds horse racing every alternative Saturday if you fancy a flutter and is a good place to experience a real local vibe.

West Coast

Known as the Platinum Coast, the West is home to more ritzy restaurants and bars. The Caribbean Sea here, from all the way from Brighton Beach to Six Men’s Bay is normally very calm and great for waterskiing and jet skiing.

There is a great little café next to the Sandy Crest medical centre called Bean ‘n’ Bagel that does an all-day breakfast if you fancy a proper English (or Bajan) fry up!

Around the island there is plenty to see including the 17th-century St Nicholas Abbey, Harrison’s Cave, Welchman Hall Gully, Coco Hill Forest and the Animal Flower Cave at the most northerly point of the island.

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