Eat · Market Square and the Esplanade

Cook-shops, Market Square (confirm locally)

Lunch at a Grenadian cook-shop near Market Square: rice, stew, macaroni pie or oil down on a plate for EC$15–30; go at 12:00–13:00 before the pots run out (confirm locally).Lunch at a Grenadian cook-shop near Market Square: rice, stew, macaroni pie or oil down on a plate for EC$15–30; go at 12:00 PM–1:00 PM before the pots run out (confirm locally).

last order: unknowncounterGrenadianNot field-verified

Key facts

Per person: XCD 15–30; Grenadian
Hours: unknown; see note below
Walk in: 11:30–13:00; easiest window
Seating: counter
Card: no; carry cash
Getting there: Streets around Market Square (field-verify); 3 min walk

Go now?

Open?

Usually 11:00–15:00Usually 11:00 AM–3:00 PM

Typical hours: check on the day.

Busy this hour

Estimate by hour below

Easiest walk-in

11:30–13:00

Reservations

Walk-in, no reservation

Paying

Cash only

Per person

XCD 15–302026 estimate · check

DirectionsWhat to order ↓

EC$15–30 plate
Go before 13:00
Cash and small notes
Order: Rice, stew, macaroni pie or oil down on a plate
Counter seating
Walk-in window: 11:30–13:00
Queue risk: 13:00–14:30
Cash only

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

Rules in force · 9Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…Hurricane season runs June to November, with the peak fro…

Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
Grenada ↗Check entry rules for your passport on official Grenada government sources before you fly.
Grenada ↗Camouflage-pattern clothing is illegal for civilians: leave it at home.
Grenada ↗Carriacou and Petite Martinique are still rebuilding after Hurricane Beryl (2024): confirm your accommodation and the ferry before you go.
Grand Anse and St George's ↗Storms can close the airport and ports for days: check the forecast and your insurance from June to November.
St George's ↗Hurricane season runs June to November, with the peak from August to October: buy flexible fares and insurance that covers storm cancellations, and avoid a tight connection home.
St George's ↗Camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in Grenada: leave it at home.

Actions

Usually 11:00–15:00

Map & directions

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Plan

When you can walk in, what to order, how to pay

Walk-in windows

11:30–13:00: high13:00–14:30: riskyafter 15:00: risky

A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.

Small counter kitchens serving plates of the day, eat in or takeaway (confirm locally).

When to go, hour by hour

desk estimate · not live

Quietest listed hour: 10:00 (quiet).

10:00quietlittle or no wait
11:00busya short wait is possible
12:00heavyexpect a linePeak
13:00busya short wait is possible
14:00lightlittle or no waitPots run low
15:00quietlittle or no wait
16:00quietlittle or no wait

Desk estimate of crowd on a weekday; weekends and public holidays run one level higher. Not live data. No line length is on file, so waits are in words.

How to order here

The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.

1Ask "What is on today?" and point.
2Return the container if it is a reusable one.

No shared language? Point at the dish or a photo of it. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.

What to say

In English	Say or show	Sounds like
Good morning	Good morning	Greet first; it is expected before any question.
How much is this?	How much is this?	Say it slowly and smile.

Extras, condiments and what costs extra

Priced by size: A large plate costs more — Say "small" or "medium".

Paying and tipping

Sit-down restaurants: about 10%, less than the 15–20% US norm.

Pay at the counter; eat there or take it away.
Ask the price if it is not shown.
Cash only at most counters.
Tipping: Check for a service charge first; otherwise 10–15% in restaurants, and round up for taxis.

At the table

Ask the price of any market-priced seafood, especially lobster, before you order.
Sunday closures are common: check ahead or plan a beach day instead of a town lunch.

Menu and prices

2026 estimate

Rice and peas with stewed chickenThe standard plate.XCD 18–30order
Macaroni pie with saladBaked pasta with cheese; a side or a meal.XCD 12–22if hungry
Oil downBreadfruit, salted meat and dumplings; when available.XCD 25–45order
Fried fish with riceAsk the fish of the day.XCD 22–35if hungry
Callaloo soupGreen soup with coconut milk.XCD 12–22if hungry
Fruit juice or sorrelCold drink.XCD 5–10if hungry

2026 estimate in EC dollars per plate.

Build your order

Tap + on what you want, or let Voykit suggest a starting order.

2 people

Rice and peas with stewed chickenorder
XCD 18–30
0
Macaroni pie with salad
XCD 12–22
Contains (from menu notes, check): dairy
0
Oil downorder
XCD 25–45
Contains (from menu notes, check): wheat
0
Fried fish with rice
XCD 22–35
Contains (from menu notes, check): fish
0
Callaloo soup
XCD 12–22
Contains (from menu notes, check): dairy
0
Fruit juice or sorrel
XCD 5–10
0

Food and drink

Nothing picked yet.

Menu prices are 2026 estimates (check the board or menu on the day).

Split the bill 2 ways

Pick dishes to see each person's share.

Sit-down restaurants: about 10%, less than the 15–20% US norm. Local custom: 10% service often included; 5–10% extra if not. Tipping calculator

Pick at least one dish to make the full-screen list.

Price and paying

Typical spend: EC$15–30 per person

Paying

Cashyes

Cash only at most counters.

Cardno

Rarely; carry small notes.

Diet and allergies

Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.

Vegetarianask
Rice, salad and macaroni pie; ask about meat stock.
Show: No meat or fish, please.
Veganno
Little on offer.
Halalask
Pork and salted meat are common.
Show: No pork, please.
Gluten-freeask
Rice-based plates; check flour in sauces.
Nut allergyask
Coconut and nutmeg are common.
Allergyask
Say it plainly and ask what is in the dish; nutmeg and coconut are common ingredients.
Show: I am allergic to ___.

What is in the dishes

Macaroni pie with saladdairy
Oil downwheat
Fried fish with ricefish
Callaloo soupdairy

Read from the menu names and notes; recipes vary and cross-contact is not tested. Check with the kitchen.

Make an allergy and diet card for St George's →

Who it suits, booking, closures

goodSolo — Counters make solo easy.

okKids — Rice and chicken.

poorStroller — Small counters.

cautionGroups of 5+ — Split up.

checkWheelchair — Confirm access.

How to book: Walk-up; no bookings.
How far ahead: Not needed
No-show / cancel fee: Not applicable
Dress code: Casual.

When	Status	Note
Sundays	check before you go	Many cook-shops closed.
Afternoons	check before you go	Plates sell out.

On the ground

Hygiene and comfort

Seating: Counter seats
Kids: kids' menu: no · stroller: poor · Rice and chicken are safe for children
Access: step-free: check · Small counters

Hygiene

Stick to busy stalls with turnover; food kept warm for hours is the risk.
Ask your hotel about tap water; bottled water is common.
Wash hands or use wipes before eating at a market counter.

Facts

Reservations: Not taken — Walk-in counters.
Capabilities: food
Getting there: Streets around Market Square (field-verify) · ~3 min walk

Cons

Sells out by early afternoon.
Limited seating.

Ordering helpDish glossary · Price check2 parts

Dish glossary

On the menu	What it is	Order it how
Oil down	Breadfruit, salted meat and dumplings in coconut milk.	Ask if it is ready.
Macaroni pie	Baked pasta with cheese.	Order with rice and salad.
Sorrel	A red hibiscus drink, sweet and spiced.	Best cold.

Price check

2026 estimate

locals pay: A plate is EC$15–30.
tourist price: Same price if you point and ask.
rule: Ask the price if it is not shown.

Extra on the table	Typical charge	What to do
Priced by size	A large plate costs more	Say "small" or "medium".

Deep dive

Questions, nearby food and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated

Is this a specific shop?

It is a generic type; ask locally or your hotel for the current cook-shops near Market Square.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

What is a cook-shop?

A small local kitchen that serves plates of the day, usually at a counter or with a few tables.

How much is a plate?

About EC$15–30 (2026 estimate).

Do they take cards?

Mostly cash; carry small EC notes.

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby alternatives

walk minutes · estimate

If it is closed or the line is too long

Go to Roti and patty counters, Market Square (confirm locally), about 1 min on foot (straight line × 1.3); no reservation needed.

Places without an authored walk are ranked by straight-line distance × 1.3 at 5 km/h3 mph.

All places to eat in St George's, with filters →

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Used as a seated rest node in St George's in 4 days.

Sources

officialPure Grenada (official tourism board)
secondaryWikivoyage — St George's (Eat)