If you are coming to Bluefields, you better be sure of at least one thing: you like seafood. Even if you don’t like it, I would start chanting, “I like seafood” over and over again to try and convince yourself. And hey, if you love seafood, you will  be in paradise in Bluefields, as fish isn’t just the staple, it’s what the locals do best. Add in some coconut milk, the dominant flavor of the region, and you are good to go.

The food along the coastal regions of Nicaragua is quite different from the interior; the culture and make-up of the population is extremely different as well. If you have visited Nicaragua,  but have never made it to the Atlantic coast, there is a whole other world for you to discover.

If you are looking to try a local dish, I recommend the rondón, a tuber stew made with coconut milk and fish or dried meat. The stew combines bananas, plantains, dasheen, cassava, onions, coconut, cucumber, chocho, soup cubes, and smoked meat together into a delicious blend.

Not that you could miss it, but the coconut bread is also a must try while visiting Bluefields, or anywhere else along the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua.

Since the Bluefields region hasn’t quite figured out how to tap into the tourism industry, the area has yet to reach its full potential. This means, many of the roadside restaurants are done to local standards, rather than made to appease tourists. Often, the cleanest places to eat that meet international standards are at the hotels. But, if you aren’t afraid to eat at one of the local joints, I highly recommend you do so.

First class restaurants in Bluefields are Chez Marcel, Salamar, El Flotante, Arco Iris and Tia Irene. Middle of the road places include Bella Vista, Hollywood, Pescado Frito, Cima Club, Mini Cafetin and Barbie’s. Lower end joints to eat are China Nica, Aeropuerto, Incognito and Squiris. There are also a large number of local places, called fritongas, where you can get a good meal for cheap.