If you're all about following the sunshine and satisfying your culinary curiosity, Barbados is the perfect place for sun, rum and food you'll be thinking about after your tan has faded.

Completely surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Barbados is the Caribbean's easternmost island (which means some of the best sunrises ever), and this unique location shapes its exceptional cuisine.

Barbadian or Bajan cuisine is a special blend of African, Caribbean, West Indian and European cooking — so some of the world’s best flavours rolled into one. From beach shacks to fine dining, Barbados has endless culinary options for any craving.

You can enjoy a laid-back Friday night fish fry at Oistins Bay Gardens, indulge in local delicacies at The Atlantis Restaurant, or dine waterside at Champers Restaurant on the south coast — with a cold glass of bubbly in hand, naturally. The whole island is your oyster. During a visit to this friendly and sunny slice of paradise, be sure to try classic Bajan eats like flying fish, macaroni pie, roast breadfruit and those sweet circles of sugar cake.

Not only is Barbados considered the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean, it's also the birthplace of rum — first made 370 years ago from the sugar cane that populated the island. As legend has it, many English sailors would offer their bounty of Barbados rum as proof they'd crossed the Atlantic. But it wasn’t until 1703, when Mount Gay Rum began distilling what would become the first rum brand, that the world would start to recognize Barbados as the true birthplace of the iconic spirit.

There's no better way to experience the best of Bajan cuisine with Barbados rum than at the annual Barbados Food and Rum Festival, which will take place this October 27–30. At this four day culinary event, renowned rum producers, chefs and culinary personalities will come together to celebrate the best of Barbados’ flavours and flair.

Picture fresh tropical ingredients, fragrant spices, and an abundance of local talent. There's nothing like it. With each bite, each sip, you'll feel the rich history and heritage of an incredible island and its people — that's Barbados.

To start your Barbados culinary adventure, go to visitbarbados.org