Haiti, pearl of the Caribbean, never ceases to amaze with its cultural richness, its captivating landscapes and, above all, its authentic cuisine. Each dish tells a story, a heritage passed down from generation to generation, where exotic flavors and culinary traditions blend to create an unforgettable experience. Here is a selection of the 25 best Haitian dishes in 2025, to be savored absolutely during your next visit to Haiti!
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HaïtiA true emblem of the Haitian Republic, Soup Joumou is much more than just a dish. It is consumed every January 1st to celebrate the country’s independence. This soup made with giraumon (a variety of squash), meat, vegetables, spices and pasta offers a rich and nourishing taste.
Brown the meat (usually beef) with garlic, salt and spices.
Add the chopped vegetables (carrots, cabbage, potatoes, leeks) and the previously blended pumpkin.
Let it simmer for several hours before adding the pasta and adjusting the seasoning.
Serve hot with bread.
Want to truly feel the soul of Haiti? Join a traditional breakfast one January morning and let yourself be carried away by the Haitian conviviality around a bowl of Soup Joumou.
HaïtiThis dish, present in almost all Haitian homes, consists of white rice, a sauce made from black beans and a mixture of simmered vegetables (légim). It is one of the most tasty and nutritious meals.
Soak black beans for several hours.
Cook them with spices (garlic, thyme, parsley, onion).
Blend some of the beans to obtain a creamy sauce.
Serve over well-cooked white rice.
The combination of these three elements gives a rich and complete dish, a real pleasure for the taste buds.
If you want to taste a comforting and family dish, nothing beats a good Diri Blan, Sòs Pwa, Legim. Visit a Haitian restaurant and let yourself be tempted by this explosion of flavors.
HaïtiA simple but characterful dish, composed of fragrant rice and fried chicken, marked by slow cooking and a well-seasoned marinade.
Marinate the chicken pieces with lemon, garlic, salt, pepper and spices.
Let stand for a few hours.
Fry until golden and crispy.
Accompanied by a good pikliz (marinated cabbage with spices and vinegar), this dish is a real treat!
A lunch on a sunny terrace, a plate of Diri Shela, Poul Fri accompanied by a fresh soursop juice… What more could you ask for?
HaïtiGriot is undoubtedly the most popular meat dish in Haiti. These marinated and then fried pork cubes offer a crispy texture on the outside and tender on the inside.
Marinate the pork pieces with orange juice, salt, pepper and local spices.
Cook slowly until tender.
Fry quickly to obtain a nice crispy crust.
You can’t leave Haïti without tasting the griot! Join a local party, order a dish of griot accompanied by bananas weighed and a good pikliz.
HaïtiCabri en sauce is a popular dish in Haiti, especially during special occasions and celebrations. This dish, prepared with well-seasoned goat meat and simmered in a sauce rich in spices, seduces with its tenderness and its incomparable taste.
- Marinate the pieces of kid with lemon, vinegar, garlic, thyme, pepper and salt.
- Brown in a little oil, then add tomatoes, peppers and onions.
- Let it simmer slowly to obtain a thick and tasty sauce.
- Serve with white rice or ground corn.
A good kid in sauce, accompanied by a glass of soursop juice, always makes a sensation at a dinner with family or friends.
HaïtiInspired by European gratins, Haitian macaroni au gratin is distinguished by its creamy texture and intense taste. It is often served at receptions and parties.
- Cook the macaroni al dente and mix with evaporated milk, butter and grated cheese.
- Add ham or ground chicken according to preference.
- Season with pepper, nutmeg and a hint of mustard.
- Bake until golden and crispy.
With its irresistible softness and exquisite taste, this dish is a treat for pasta lovers.
HaïtiHaitian ragou is a perfect combination of meat (often beef or pork), vegetables and spices, simmered together to give a rich and fragrant flavor.
- Brown the pieces of meat in a pot.
- Add potatoes, carrots and green beans.
- Stir in a spicy tomato sauce with garlic, chili pepper and bay leaf.
- Simmer over low heat until the meat is tender.
There’s nothing better than a good steaming ragou, served with white rice, to warm you up and enjoy!
HaïtiOriginally from northern Haiti, this dish combines the tender taste of chicken with the crunchy and slightly sweet flavor of cashew nuts.
- Marinate the chicken with lemon, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Brown it until it is golden brown.
- Add tomatoes, peppers and a sauce made with crushed cashew nuts.
- Simmer to obtain a creamy and fragrant sauce.
Enjoying chicken with walnuts with diri kole (rice stuck to peas) is a real invitation to a unique taste journey.
HaïtiDiri Sòs Pwa Kongo is a typical Haitian dish, often prepared for special occasions. The rice is combined with a sauce made with pigeon peas (Pwa Kongo), a legume with a distinctive taste that brings a unique flavor to the dish.
- Cook the pigeon peas with spices (garlic, onion, thyme, parsley).
- Blend some of the peas to obtain a creamy sauce.
- Brown rice in a little oil, then add the sauce and cook until the liquid is absorbed.
This dish is often accompanied by meat in sauce or fried fish for a complete culinary experience.
HaïtiMayi Moulen (cornmeal) is a popular dish in Haiti, often eaten for breakfast or dinner, accompanied by a pea sauce (red or black).
- Cook cornmeal with water, salt and a little butter until creamy.
- Prepare a pea sauce by blending cooked beans with spices.
- Pour the sauce generously over the cornmeal and enjoy hot.
Add a piece of avocado or smoked herring for an even more flavorful touch!
HaïtiFritays are an assortment of fried foods, usually composed of griot (fried pork), bananas pesées, accras (malanga fritters), marinad (spicy fritters) and beef or goat tassot. This dish is often sold on the side of the road by street vendors.
- Peel and cut plantains into thick slices.
- Fry once, then crush lightly and re-fry until crispy.
A good spicy pikliz will enhance all these flavors!
HaïtiTonmtonm, originally from the South of Haiti, is a breadfruit puree, often served with an okra sauce called sòs kalalou. This dish has a slightly elastic texture, similar to IVorian foutou or African fufu.
- Boil breadfruit until tender, then pound it into a smooth paste.
- Prepare kalalou sauce with okra, garlic, smoked fish and local spices.
This is a dish rich in flavors and deeply rooted in Haitian culture.
HaïtiDiri a Djondjon is one of Haiti’s most prestigious dishes, prepared with dried black mushrooms (djondjon) that release a dark hue and a savory taste when cooked with rice.
- Soften the conch by hitting it with a mallet.
- Marinate it with lemon, garlic and spices.
- Slowly cook it in a tomato sauce with pepper and chilli.
Serve this dish with rice, bananas or sweet potatoes!
HaïtiTassot is a marinated beef, dried, then fried for a crispy outside and tender inside result.
- Cut the meat into pieces and marinate it with lemon, garlic, thyme and spices.
- Let it dry slightly before frying it until it becomes golden brown.
Served with pikliz and bananas, it’s a real treat!
HaïtiLalo, or jute leaf, is a dish from Artibonite, often cooked with crab or meat.
- Simmer lalo leaves with spices, garlic and onions.
- Add crab or meat for more flavor.
This dish is rich in iron and very popular for its nutritional benefits.
HaïtiPate Kòde are fried turnovers filled with meat, eggs and spices.
- Prepare a dough with flour, salt and water.
- Fill with a mixture of ground meat, hard-boiled egg and condiments.
- Fry until golden brown.
Perfect as a quick and tasty snack!
HaïtiHaitian Bouyon is a comforting dish, made with meats, vegetables, dumplings and tubers.
- Simmer meat (beef or kid) with spices and vegetables such as carrots, yams and plantains.
- Add dumplings for more consistency.
A real warming dish, perfect for cool days!
HaïtiThis dish combines the sweetness of ripe or green plantains with the richness of fried or sauced fish. It is very popular in Haïti and can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
- Fry fish (red mullet, snapper or local fish) after marinating it with lemon, salt, pepper and spices.
- Serve with bananas pesées (fried green plantains) or fried ripe bananas, according to preference.
- Accompany with a spicy sauce and some pikliz to enhance the flavors.
A simple but incredibly delicious meal, perfect for a gourmet break by the sea.
HaïtiBoulettes de lame véritable are a popular Haitian dish. Lame véritable is a breadfruit that is boiled and pureed, then mixed with desalted cod, spices and aromatic herbs. The whole is then shaped into balls, breaded and fried.
- Cook and puree the breadfruit: Cut the breadfruit into pieces and boil until soft. Drain, peel and puree.
- Prepare the cod: Soak the desalted cod in cold water, then boil and flake.
- Chop the vegetables and herbs: Finely chop the onion, garlic, pepper and fresh parsley.
- Mix all the ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the breadfruit puree, flaked cod, chopped vegetables and herbs, and ground black pepper.
- Form the meatballs: Take a small amount of the mixture and shape it into a meatball.
- Bread and fry: Coat each ball in breadcrumbs, then fry in hot oil until golden and crispy.
This dish is often served at special events and accompanied by rice or weighed bananas.
HaïtiPwason Gro Sel is a whole fish cooked in a spicy marinade with coarse salt, a technique that preserves all the flavor of the fish and enhances its taste. This dish recalls Haitian culinary traditions where simplicity rhymes with excellence.
- Clean the fish and rub it with coarse salt, lemon and spices (garlic, thyme, parsley).
- Let it marinate for a few hours so that it absorbs the flavors well.
- Bake, steam or pan-fry the whole fish until tender and tasty.
It is often served with diri kole (rice with red peas) or plantains, accompanied by a good spicy pikliz.
HaïtiPitimi (millet) is a very nutritious cereal, often used in Haïti as an alternative to rice. Combined with pigeon peas (pwa kongo), it makes a dish rich in protein and fiber, ideal for a balanced diet.
- Cook the pitimi in water with a little oil, salt and spices.
- Prepare a pigeon pea sauce, flavored with garlic, onions and pepper.
- Mix the two preparations for a tasty and comforting meal.
This dish is often accompanied by meat in sauce or sautéed vegetables, perfect for a complete and nourishing meal.
HaïtiThis sweet potato cake is a popular dessert in Haiti, flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Grate sweet potatoes and mix with coconut milk, sugar, spices and a little rum.
- Bake until the top is golden brown.
A delight to enjoy with a good Haitian coffee!
HaïtiTchaka is a stew of corn and red peas, often prepared with smoked bacon.
- Soak dry corn and red peas before cooking with spices.
- Add smoked bacon for a stronger taste.
This dish symbolizes sharing and family meals.
HaïtiBonbon Sirop are soft cookies made with sugar cane syrup and spices.
- Mix flour, cane syrup, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Bake until tender.
Perfect with a cup of hot tea!
HaïtiHaïti is a unique destination, not only for its landscapes and history, but also for its gastronomy. Tasting these dishes is exploring the soul of Haiti, made up of cultural mixes and culinary traditions passed down from generation to generation.
If you are planning to visit Haïti in 2025, let yourself be tempted by these local specialties and immerse yourself in an unforgettable culinary experience!
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On March 17, 2024, the city of Saint-Marc vibrated to the rhythm of the first edition of the Concours de Génie en Herbe, a unique initiative full of promise for the local educational community. This event, organized by the dynamic Piqûre Intellectuelle team, brought together the best students in the region for a celebration of academic excellence and the spirit of camaraderie.
Haiti, the pearl of the Antilles, is a country rich in history and traditions. Its vibrant and diverse culture is reflected through its national holidays, cultural festivities, traditional foods, religious beliefs, folk tales, and traditional games. Let’s immerse ourselves in the social fabric of Haïti to discover the beauty of its traditions. b~National Holidays:~b National holidays in Haïti are moments of pride and national unity as January 1, Independence Day, commemorates the victory of Haitian slaves over French colonial forces in 1804, making Haïti the first independent country in Haiti. Latin America and the Caribbean or the commemoration of the Battle of Vertières on November 18. The Battle of Vertières was one of the last great battles of the revolution. It took place in Vertières, near the town of Cap-Haitien. b~Cultural Festivities:~b Haïti is also famous for its cultural festivities, particularly Carnival, which is an explosion of color, dance, and music. Artistic and craft events, such as the Rara festival, are an opportunity for artists to showcase their talent. The Rara, a musical parade, combines folklore and spirituality, creating a unique experience. b~Traditional Foods:~b Haitian cuisine is a delight for the taste buds. Dishes like griot (fried pork), diri djon djon (rice with black mushrooms), and the legendary joumou (joumou soup) are an integral part of Haitian culinary tradition. Bold flavors, spices and cooking methods inherited from African and French tradition make Haitian cuisine unforgettable. b~Vodou:~b Vodou, often misunderstood, is a synchretic religion that incorporates elements of Catholicism, African animism, and indigenous beliefs. It plays a significant role in the daily lives of Haitians, influencing music, dance, and religious rites. Vodou is a profound expression of Haitian spirituality. The Tales (Krik Krak, Tim Tim, Bwa Sèch): Haitian folk tales, passed down from generation to generation, are rich in morality and wisdom. b~Konbit :~b The concept of Konbit represents community solidarity. Haitians come together to perform community tasks, whether in agricultural fields or for construction projects. It is a living example of the collective spirit that permeates Haitian society. The most recent major project to date concerns the construction of the canal from the Massacre River to Ouanaminthe, which took place between September and December 2023. Thousands of inhabitants of the north of the country mobilized all their forces to erect a canal allowing to collect water intended for irrigation of their plantations, with the aim of obtaining better harvests. Despite their modest means, they were motivated by the slogan "KPK" (Kanal la pap kanpe), a direct response to Dominican President Luis Abinader who warned them and did everything in his power to stop the construction of the canal. This channel represents the deep solidarity of Haitians and reaffirms national pride. Despite economic challenges, the people of northern Haïti have demonstrated exceptional determination to work together for a common goal. The slogan “Kanal la pap kanpe” embodies their resilience in the face of external pressures and demonstrates their unwavering will to continue the construction of the canal. b~Traditional Games:~b Traditional games are an essential part of daily life in Haiti. Games like lido, sote kòd, Yoyo, Ralba, Marèl, TiTaTo, Kay, lago kache, Monte kap, teke mab, woule sèk, twa fwa se manbo, and domino bring people together, promoting camaraderie and fun. Haitian traditions are a harmonious blend of spirituality, community, and cultural diversity. Every aspect, from national holidays to traditional games, helps weave the rich cultural tapestry that makes Haïti proud. These traditions are the beating heart of the nation, a precious heritage that continues to be passed down from generation to generation.
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In Haiti, Christmas is a magical time for children, where traditions and festivities blend to create unforgettable memories. Two dates, in particular, mark this season: December 24, Christmas Eve, and December 31, which heralds the New Year. These moments are rich in activities and emotions, putting the youngest at the heart of the celebrations. This article explores why these two days are so special for children in Haiti.
Haiti, often referred to as the "Pearl of the Antilles," is a vibrant and culturally rich destination, particularly during the summer. This period is marked by a series of colorful festivals, heavenly beaches, and a festive atmosphere that attracts visitors from all over the world. Here’s a look at what you can experience while exploring Haïti in summer.
Haitian cuisine is a true culinary treasure that charms taste buds around the world. With its African, French, Creole and Native American influences, it offers a unique and memorable taste experience. From street food to festive dishes, Haitian cuisine celebrates the diversity of local ingredients and the ingenuity of chefs who transform them into culinary delights.
First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.
Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.
Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.
