Residents and visitors are being invited to kick off Dominica’s first-ever Gouté Domnik culinary festival at a public launch event scheduled for this evening in Roseau.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Tourism and the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA), the official launch will take place today, Wednesday, July 15, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at In De Yard on Cork Street.
The event, which is open to the public, will offer attendees an opportunity to sample food, enjoy live entertainment and mingle while getting a preview of the activities planned for Gouté Domnik 2026.
Organised by the Ministry of Tourism and the DDA, the week-long celebration will run from July 19 to 26 under the theme, “Where Flavour Meets Nature.”
The organizers say the festival comes at a time when culinary tourism is becoming an increasingly important part of global travel. They added that recent travel research found that 77 percent of travellers choose destinations based on their food and dining experiences, while Hilton’s 2025 Trends Report indicates that nearly one in every five travellers plans trips specifically to discover new cuisines. According to the DDA, these trends present an opportunity for Dominica to showcase its local ingredients, distinctive flavours and culinary expertise.
The inaugural festival will centre on two major events—Restaurant Week and the Friendly One Pot Challenge.
Restaurant Week will run throughout the festival from July 19 to 26, with participating restaurants offering specially designed menus and unique dining experiences.
The participating establishments are Calabash Restaurant at Jungle Bay Dominica, Leather Back Restaurant at Rosalie Bay Eco Resort & Spa, Pride de la Dominique, The Pallet, Palisades Restaurant at Fort Young Hotel, Bwa Denn at Secret Bay, Steakhouse Restaurant, Soursop Bar & Grill, Manoe’s Cornerstone Restaurant, Le Petit Paradis, Banana Tree, Nets of Reef, Harbour Bites, Chez Wen, Petit Bistro, The Vibe, Belle Hall and Hi Rise.
To encourage patrons to visit multiple participating restaurants, the Discover Dominica Authority has also introduced the Gouté Domnik Food Guide. Diners can use the guide to document their culinary journey by collecting an official stamp at each participating restaurant during Restaurant Week.
At the end of the promotion, the person who accumulates the highest number of valid restaurant stamps will receive a special prize sponsored by the Discover Dominica Authority.
The second signature event, the Friendly One Pot Challenge, is scheduled for Sunday, July 19, in Layou. The competition will see teams preparing one-pot dishes using locally sourced ingredients while showcasing their creativity and culinary skills.
Chief Executive Officer and Director of Tourism Marva Williams said the initiative highlights the growing role of food in the travel experience while creating opportunities for local businesses.
“Food has become an important part of how travellers experience a destination. Gouté Domnik gives us an opportunity to celebrate the people, flavours and stories behind Dominican cuisine while creating new opportunities for our restaurants, chefs and local businesses,” said Williams. “We invite everyone to join us as we launch this exciting new initiative and celebrate the rich culinary experiences that make Dominica unique.”
The Ministry and the DDA encourage those planning to participate in Restaurant Week to download the official Gouté Domnik Food Guide from the Discover Dominica website.
Additional information about the festival is also available through the Discover Dominica and Dominica Festivals Facebook and Instagram pages.
