What to Eat in the Andaman Islands — From Fresh Seafood to Island Flavours
Andaman Islands Food Guide: Fresh Seafood & Island Cuisine
The Andaman Islands sit where the Bay of Bengal meets the Andaman Sea, creating some of the richest fishing waters in South Asia. The food here reflects this maritime bounty — along with influences from Bengali, Tamil, Burmese, and Nicobari cuisines that arrived with waves of settlement.
The Catch of the Day: Seafood You Must Try
Grilled Red Snapper
The king of Andaman seafood. Whole red snapper marinated in turmeric, chili, and lime, grilled over coconut shell charcoal. The flesh is sweet, firm, and infused with smoky flavor. Available at beach shacks across Havelock and Neil Islands.
Tiger Prawns
Andaman tiger prawns are massive — 8-10 inches long — and sweet as lobster. Best prepared with butter-garlic sauce or simply grilled with lime. The prawns served at beachside restaurants on Havelock are caught that morning.
Lobster Thermidor
Available at upscale restaurants in Port Blair and Havelock. Andaman spiny lobsters are sustainably harvested and notably sweeter than their cold-water cousins. A splurge worth every rupee, with prices during season around ₹1,500-2,500 per plate.
Fish Curry (Andaman Style)
A coconut milk-based curry with tamarind and curry leaves, swimming with the day's catch — usually barracuda, tuna, or emperor fish. This is the everyday food of islanders and the dish that best represents Andaman cuisine.
Crab Masala
Mud crabs from the mangrove creeks cooked in a spicy tomato masala. Messy to eat, impossible to forget. The crab at select Port Blair restaurants is legendary.
Beyond Seafood: Island Specials
Coconut Everything
Coconut is the default ingredient: coconut oil for cooking, coconut milk in curries, freshly grated coconut in chutneys, coconut water as the island's default drink. The freshness of island coconut — cracked open minutes before serving — is incomparable to mainland versions.
Banana Flower Curry
A traditional Bengali-Andaman dish using the purple banana flower in a light mustard curry. Vegetarians, this is your island hero dish.
Nicobari Flatbread
A thick, chewy flatbread made from pounded rice and coconut, traditionally cooked on stone slabs. Not easy to find (mainly in tribal community areas), but some restaurants in Port Blair offer versions.
Where to Eat
Port Blair
Havelock (Swaraj Dweep)
Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
Vegetarian & Vegan Options
Despite the seafood dominance, Andaman has solid vegetarian food — mainly South Indian (dosa, uttapam, idli) and Bengali (shukto, dal, mixed vegetable preparations). Dedicated vegetarian restaurants exist in Port Blair's Aberdeen Bazaar area. However, on Havelock and Neil, vegetarian options are limited — communicate dietary requirements clearly when ordering.
Food Safety Tips
*Foodie tip: The best fish experience in Andaman is also the simplest. Buy fresh-caught fish from the morning market in Port Blair or Havelock, take it to a nearby dhaba, and ask them to grill it with lime, chili, and salt. Cost: ₹200-400 for a fish that would cost ₹2,000 at a resort restaurant.*
