Caribbean Carnival Food: What to Eat at Caribana
Carnival feeds the soul and the stomach. Here's a taste of the Caribbean foods you'll find along the route.
Carnival is a feast for every sense — including taste. Along the Caribana route and at Caribbean events, you'll find food that's as rich as the culture. Here's a starter menu.
Doubles
A Trinidadian icon: two soft fried flatbreads (bara) filled with curried chickpeas (channa) and topped with tamarind, pepper, and chutneys. Cheap, delicious, and beloved — the unofficial street food of carnival.
Roti
A soft flatbread wrapped around curried fillings — chicken, goat, beef, shrimp, or vegetables with potato and channa. Hearty and satisfying.
Jerk chicken
Jamaica's famous smoky, spicy grilled chicken, marinated in scotch bonnet, allspice, and herbs. The aroma alone will find you.
Corn soup
A thick, savoury soup with corn on the cob, split peas, and dumplings — a carnival comfort classic often sold from roadside pots.
More to try
- Bake and shark — fried bread with seasoned fried fish and toppings.
- Pholourie — fried split-pea dough balls with chutney.
- Callaloo — a leafy green stew.
- Rice and peas, pelau, macaroni pie — carnival plate staples.
Taste the culture
Food is inseparable from Caribbean carnival heritage. When you visit our events or head to Caribana, come hungry — and read our first-timer's guide to plan your day.
Photo: sfmission.com, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr (resized).
Frequently asked questions
What food is served at Caribbean carnival?+
Popular carnival foods include doubles, roti, jerk chicken, corn soup, bake and shark, pholourie, callaloo, and plate staples like rice and peas and pelau.
What are doubles?+
Doubles are a Trinidadian street food of two soft fried flatbreads (bara) filled with curried chickpeas and topped with tamarind, pepper, and chutneys.
What is roti?+
Roti is a soft flatbread wrapped around curried fillings such as chicken, goat, or vegetables with potato and chickpeas.
Experience it for yourself
S.O.C.A. keeps Caribbean carnival culture alive year-round through events, workshops, and our artist community.