Andaman Food Guide: What to Eat and Drink

The food of the Andaman Islands reflects its people. The settler communities came from Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and elsewhere, and each brought their cooking. Layered on top is an abundance of fresh seafood, coconut and tropical fruit. The result is not a single cuisine, but a mix of familiar Indian dishes cooked with local ingredients.

Seafood

Seafood is the highlight. Depending on the day's catch, you may find:

• Grilled or fried fish. Often snapper, kingfish, barracuda or pomfret, marinated in spices and cooked simply.
• Fish curry. Cooked with coconut, tamarind or mustard, in Bengali, South Indian or local styles.
• Crab. Mud crab and sea crab, cooked in rich masala or coconut gravy.
• Prawns and lobster. Grilled or in curries, often priced by weight.
• Fresh tuna and other reef-edge fish at some restaurants.

Always ask for the price per weight before ordering, and check that the fish is fresh.

Sustainable seafood

The reef is fragile and over-fishing is a real concern. Ask for local pelagic fish rather than reef species such as parrotfish or groupers. Avoid anything that is protected, including turtle and certain shellfish, which are illegal to catch and sell. A restaurant that explains where its fish comes from is usually a good sign.

Coconut and tropical flavours

Coconut is used in curries, chutneys, sweets and drinks. Tender coconut water is sold at roadside stalls and beach shacks and is a refreshing alternative to bottled drinks. Bananas, papayas, pineapples and mangoes in season are delicious, as are local snacks such as banana chips and coconut sweets.

Settler cuisines

• Bengali dishes. Fish curry with mustard, rice, dal and vegetable stir-fries are common, particularly in Port Blair.
• South Indian food. Dosa, idli, sambar and filter coffee appear at many cafes.
• North Indian meals. Rotis, dal, paneer and curries are found in resorts and restaurants.
• Street snacks. Samosas, bhajias and chaat in Port Blair markets.

Vegetarian food

Vegetarians do well in Port Blair and Havelock, where many restaurants serve vegetarian thalis, South Indian breakfast and North Indian dishes. On Neil and in smaller places, options are more limited. Tell your resort about dietary needs in advance, including Jain and vegan preferences. Carry snacks for ferry days.

Where to eat

• Port Blair: The widest choice, from local cafes to seafood restaurants and bakeries.
• Havelock: Beach shacks, resort restaurants and a handful of cafes, particularly around Govind Nagar and Radhanagar. Many places close early.
• Neil: Small shacks and guest-house kitchens, with simple but fresh food.
• Baratang and remote areas: Basic food stalls and packed lunches.

Drinks

Bottled water is widely available. Tender coconut water, fresh juices and tea or coffee are common. Alcohol is sold in licensed shops and served in some restaurants and resorts in Port Blair and Havelock, with dry days and restrictions. Public drinking is not allowed. Do not drink alcohol before diving, snorkelling or ferry travel.

Street food and bakeries

In Port Blair, street stalls and bakeries sell samosas, bhajias, fried snacks, sweets and tea. Aberdeen Bazaar has simple restaurants and tea shops. Choose busy stalls with fresh cooking, and carry hand sanitiser. In Havelock, small cafes sell coffee, cakes and sandwiches, aimed at visitors.

Beach dining and sunset dinners

Many resorts arrange a table on the sand for special occasions, with grilled fish and candles. These need to be booked in advance and are weather-dependent. Ask about the menu, the price and the policy if rain forces a change.

Food with children

Children usually enjoy plain rice, dal, fried fish, noodles and fruit. Most resorts will prepare mild food on request. Carry snacks for ferry days, and bring a reusable bottle to refill with filtered water.

Local specialities and snacks

Look for fresh crab curry, fish cooked in coconut milk, grilled lobster in season, banana chips, coconut laddoos, tropical fruit platters and filter coffee. In Port Blair, bakeries sell fresh bread and sweets in the morning. Some places serve fish tikka and seafood platters for groups, which are good for sharing.

Cafes and drinks

Havelock and Port Blair have cafes serving coffee, smoothies, fresh juices and desserts. Tender coconut water is the most refreshing drink in the heat. Carry a refillable bottle, and ask your resort where to get filtered water.

Eating safely

• Choose busy places with a quick turnover.
• Avoid raw seafood unless you trust the source.
• Drink bottled or filtered water, and avoid ice if you are unsure.
• Wash fruit before eating.
• Carry hand sanitiser and basic remedies for upset stomachs.

Dishes to look for

In Port Blair, look for fish thalis and crab masala at local restaurants. On Havelock, grilled fish with garlic butter is a beach-shack favourite. On Neil, simple seafood with rice and dal is the norm. Fresh fruit juices and coconut water are good with any meal.

Meals on ferries and trips

Ferries may sell snacks and drinks, but options are limited. Carry water and snacks. On Baratang and Ross Island trips, lunch is basic or packed. If you have specific needs, arrange them ahead.

Eating on a budget

Local eateries and bakeries offer cheap, filling meals. Share dishes, choose set meals or thalis and eat larger lunches. Beach shacks can be pricey for what you get, so check menus before you sit down.

Food experiences

A fresh-catch dinner on the beach is a highlight for many travellers. Some resorts offer cooking demonstrations and farm visits. Ask your planner or resort if they can arrange one.

Our Andaman tour packages include breakfast, and we can add a special beach dinner. Tell us what you like to eat.

Practical tips

• Choose busy restaurants for seafood, and ask what was caught that day.
• Ask about spice level; many curries are hot.
• Avoid protected species such as turtle, and be careful with reef fish; ask for local catch.
• Tell your resort about dietary needs before you arrive on smaller islands.
• Drink bottled or filtered water, and be careful with ice.