I’m sure all the hot foot people out there can agree that after a night of outrageous alcohol consumption, there’s nothing better than some good food. So here’s the question for today… What’s the best food to eat after a party? And no, I don’t want to hear anything about King Slice or A&W – I’m talking about real, proper post-party Caribbean food. I know this conversation might get a little controversial, but SESSIONS is all about Caribbean unity, so we do not encourage any regional wars. Let’s keep it cute in the comments.

I know a lot of us can relate to going to a J’ouvert party, having the time of your life, and then leaving the function cold and starving. In the opinion of this author, a good corn soup in that moment can definitely bring you back from the brink of death. When it comes to Trini food, the options are truly limitless – corn soup, doubles, gyros (especially from Hassan’s on the Avenue—if you know, you know), or even a hot aloo pie or pholourie. In Trinidad, anything full of carbs and preferably fried is the gold standard.

Of course, post-party eats vary across the region. In Barbados, the staples are ham cutters, fish cakes, mac pie and chicken, or even a Gap burger, if the night is really winding down. While Trinidad offers options well into the early hours, Barbados’s late-night food scene can get a little bleak after 10 p.m so Bajans…get yuh food situation in order.

Our friends in St. Lucia have their own night out routine: start at Duke’s Place for grilled fish, head to Gros Islet, and then end the night at Chicken Van for a late-night bite. It seems like fried chicken or garlic pork or whatever else is open after 2am is standard in the Helen of the West Indies. And of course, we can’t talk about Caribbean food without Jamaica entering the chat. When it comes to post-party eats, jerk chicken, rice and peas, oxtail, and the classic, undeniably iconic Jamaican patty are all solid options that can fill your belly after a long night of drinking and doing very elaborate choreography in the dance.

Whether you’re a fan of jerk, fried fish, or doubles, we can all agree that the Caribbean is blessed with top-tier food. Luckily, for those of us living in major cities like Toronto, we still have access to a taste of home to hold us over when the party ends but the cravings don’t.
SESSIONS wants to hear from you! What’s your go-to after-party craving? We know every island has its favourites, and we want to know yours. Drop your must-have post-party eats in the comments.