Global food guide highlights Haitian dishes

Haitian cuisine has been ranked among the 100 best cuisines in the world, landing at 67th place in TasteAtlas’ 2024 global rankings. The popular culinary website, which compiles expert reviews to spotlight traditional foods, recognized Haitian dishes like pikliz, tassot, and diri ak djondjon for their rich flavors and cultural significance.

TasteAtlas, an “encyclopedia of flavors,” bases its rankings on expert reviews and gastronomic ratings instead of user-generated content, with over 477,000 ratings for nearly 15,500 dishes worldwide. “TasteAtlas doesn’t aim to be perfect, but it aims to be really good,” said founder Matija Babić,  a Croatian journalist and entrepreneur, in an interview with Time Out.

Haitian food staples highlighted include pikliz, a spicy pickled relish, and griot, crispy marinated pork cubes often paired with fried plantains. Local treasures like diri ak djondjon—Haitian black mushroom rice—and legim, a hearty vegetable stew, also made the must-try list.

Haitian producers also received nods, with Barbancourt, the storied Haitian rum brand since 1862, recognized for its premium spirits. Iconic restaurants like Lakou Lakay in Milot and Les Jardins du Mupanah in Port-au-Prince were celebrated for serving authentic Haitian cuisine.

While some may agree or disagree with the “best of” ranking that may be better suited as a “most popular” ranking since taste is subjective, TasteAtlas highlights the enduring beauty of Haitian flavors. As challenges like insecurity in Haiti persist, these rankings also shine a light on restaurants and food producers worth supporting in the future.

The rankings serve as a reminder of the cultural pride embedded in Haitian dishes and their potential to captivate global taste buds.

Other cuisines recognized in the top rankings include Italian, Japanese, and French, which secured the top three spots, highlighting foods like pasta, sushi, and croissants. Mexican, Thai, and Turkish cuisines also ranked in the top 10, showcasing their influence on global food culture with staples like tacos, pad thai, and kebabs. Caribbean neighbor Jamaican cuisine is placed at number 56.

What do you think of the rankings? Do these dishes represent Haiti’s best? Do you agree with the cuisines ranked in the top ten? Let us know in the comments.

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