My love for the three S’s- sea, sand and most importantly seafood made me pack my bags to hit the beauty that Andaman and Nicobar Islands are. I had heard much about the pristine sandy white beaches that it boasted of, easily a one of its kind in India. I was looking forward to sunset at the Radhanagar beach, which was apparently one of the things that a travel enthusiast’s bucket list holds.
Cellular Jail’s bone-chilling history and the innumerable brave hearts that sacrificed their lives during the freedom struggle of the country was also an experience that I was looking forward to; and of course, how could I possibly miss out on some adrenaline pumping scuba diving while I was there? While I was definitely waiting eagerly for all these experiences, what the foodie in me was most thrilled about was the abundant variety of fresh seafood that I would have the option to choose from!
Well, after my trip, I can only say that the seafood lover in me was in no way disappointed. So here I am, to help fellow foodies on their hunt for the best seafood joints across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, so that you can enjoy some lip-smacking dishes while you’re there.
Table of Contents
Any trip to the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands obviously commences with the capital of the Union Territory, Port Blair. Most of the tourists here are Indian, so the cuisine served is mostly Indian/ Indian-Chinese. You will be disappointed if you’re looking for a continental spread, even in seafood. However, be sure to check out these.
The New Lighthouse restaurant is a favorite among both local and international tourists because of its no-fuss, casual open-air seating that and courteous staff.
The crabs, prawns, lobsters, red snappers etc. were kept for display and you could choose the particular fish you wanted, adding a personalized touch to the whole experience. This was also a convenient joint to head for lunch after your trip to the cellular jail as it is literally situated at a walking distance from there.
I ordered a grilled red snapper and was quite satisfied with the serving as it came also with steamed butter rice. The lobsters and tiger prawns are a hit item here, albeit a bit on the expensive side.
If fine dining is what you’re looking for, you can pay a visit to Mandalay which is a part of the ‘Fortune Bay Island’ Resort. It serves fresh and tasty seafood, and you should definitely try their Andamani fish curry. The size of the king prawns are really kingly and deserve a try!
The ambiance is beautiful and you can choose between the air-conditioned restaurant area or the open seating that offers a view of the Ross islands and the North Bay Lighthouse.
However, the service is a little slow, so this might not be the best place to go to on a very hungry tummy!
If you’re making a trip to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, I’m assuming you’re keeping aside at least a couple of days for Havelock. If not, go make that change right now, because this is the real deal. The number of restaurants offering delectable seafood dishes is much more in number and the kind of cuisine is also varied, thanks to the huge footfall of foreign tourists here.
This restaurant was the most recommended to me ever since I reached Havelock and was the first one that I tried. The place has ample seating and has an easy going vibe that instantly puts the tourist at ease. Tourists entering the restaurant need to open their footwear, probably to ensure that the place does not become a sandy mess and remains clean.
Please note that this is an open-air affair without an air conditioner, so if that’s a downer for you, a dinner plan may be more suitable for you. Anju Coco is known for their wide variety of items (it has a 28 pager for a menu if that’s anything to go by) and definitely the seafood.
I had ordered the trout fillet and Sweet Chilli Prawns. The portion size was pretty big and the main dishes are served with either a side of salad/garlic bread or rice. The taste was flavourful and the quality was great. You could also try the squid, grilled tuna or BBQ King Mackerel.
Undoubtedly one of the coolest places that I visited on my entire trip. I sought out the place (be careful cause it can be missed easily) based on a friend’s recommendation who had been there shortly before me. As I entered this unassuming little place for a late lunch, I was taken aback by how empty the place was. Though a bit skeptical, I decided to give it a try because of how cozy and cool the place looked. The place has wooden flooring, a thatched roof and floor seating with low tables. There was a raised platform in the corner where live shows took place probably during the evenings and the walls were adorned by pictures of legendary rock musicians.
If you think I’m gushing too much about the place, the fact that it served amazing seafood made me fall in love with it even more. I ordered a classic calamari and a prawn and raw mango based salad. In spite of not being a salad person, I’m ready to go back solely for that unique salad. Also, given how expensive eating at Havelock usually is, Fat Martin’s is a welcome change. While the calamari was good, the salad left a fresh taste in my mouth that I’m not forgetting anytime soon. Other recommended seafood items here are the fish steak and seafood pizza.
I hope that I have managed to convince you about the delectable seafood that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can offer you and that you have an easy-breezy visit now that you already know about the places you should be visiting. Happy seafood-ing to you all! In the end, nothing is better than spending a gala time with your family! Explore Andaman Honeymoon Tour Packages here!
Written By
We all have travel diaries, don’t we? Travels diaries of the nature lover, the wildlife lover and then there are the travel diaries of an adventure junkie; all include places that you feel fit the bill. But then, what is extremely important about this diary is that you keep updating it. For instance, if you are the keeper of the adventure diaries, have you included Andamans in your list yet? Ers...
In the Indian tourism industry, Andaman Island is truly the most precious jewel. For many years, the island remained unexplored because of its inaccessibility, however it is now easily accessible. Beauty of the region cannot be described in simple words; it has to ...