Food/Drink Channel Islands

As you might expect from a series of islands, the Channel Islands are full of tasty, locally caught seafood and fish.

All the islands pride themselves of the quality and variety of the local produce on offer, with seafood including lobster, mussels, crab, oysters and a range of fish as well as succulent meat and fresh fruit and veg grown on the islands.

Whether you want a cosy, traditional pub, a laid back bistro, a picnic on the beach or fine dining for a special occasion there are a host of eateries across the islands offering accessible meals with plenty of space for wheelchairs and quiet times for those with sensory conditions.

Try some traditional foods

With both French and British influences, there are some amazing flavours to be found in the Channel Islands, if you find yourself feeling a bit peckish, why not hunt out some of these traditional treats?

One speciality you can find in Guernsey is the omer casserole – this is so traditional, the first recipe is throught to date back to the 1600s! It is made with omers – one of the most popular shellfish in the Channel Islands, they’re a bit like oysters but with a milder flavour, pork belly, carrots, shallots and butter with bay leaves for extra flavour.

Many places serve this alongside crusty bread and Guernsey butter or traditional Guernsey biscuits.

Another traditional dish is the cabbage loaf which is a speciality found mostly on Jersey. This is a round loaf of bread made with flour, yeast, marge, salt and milk and then wrapped in cabbage before being baked. You can find it in bakeries around the island and is one to try!

While we’re talking about bread, if you’re in Guernsey pick up some Guernsey Gâche – a sweet bread with dry fruit much like a fruit loaf, you’ll find it in cafes all over the area and often comes with a thick spread of Guernsey butter or toasted with a cup of tea.

Gâche melée is another one to look out for – its a heavy and dense Guernsey cake like an apple cake but with suet instead of butter with a hearty scoop of ice cream.

Nièr Beurre – aka black butter is a traditional farm house delicacy and is just one of the French influences you’ll find on the islands. It is made by peeling and coring apples and then cooking them slowly with liquorice, cider, treacle, brown sugar and spices. You’ll find it on the ingredients lists for dishes around the islands or spread on breakfast – what a sweet way to start the day!

If you like the sound of something sweet, keep your eyes out for Jersey Wonders – also known locally as des mervelles – these are like doughnuts but twisted into a plait shape and are a staple at festivals and fairs.

World renowned dairy products

One of the most famous things about the Channel Islands is the quality dairy products, the milk and cream are incredibly rich and so the ice cream, fudge and cream are some of the best you’ll taste – make sure to sample an ice cream or two on a summer’s day at the beach.

Wherever you are on the Channel Islands, you’ll find restaurants and eateries all over catering for a wide range of diets and offering plenty of space for wheelchairs and other mobility aids.