Trinidad and Tobago is a country with a rich and diverse culinary culture, with each dish boasting its own unique blend of flavors and spices. Among the most beloved and popular Trinidadian street foods is Trinidad doubles.
But with so many vendors and eateries claiming to have the best doubles in Trinidad, how can you know where to find the absolute best? That’s where this Trinidad Food Guide comes in. I scoured the island in April of 2022 to bring you this comprehensive guide to the best doubles in the country.
From classic doubles to modern, trendy takes, I’ve tasted them all and narrowed down the top spots that are sure to satisfy your cravings for this beloved Trinidadian dish. So buckle up and get ready to embark on a culinary journey through the streets of Trinidad, as we explore the best doubles this island paradise has to offer. But first, what exactly are doubles?
Doubles are a popular street food in Trinidad and Tobago that originated from northern India and have become a part of Trinidadian cuisine. This savory dish consists of a friend flatbread called a bara, which Trini cooks top with curried chickpeas, flavorful chutneys and sauces, and sometimes meat and vegetables.
The dish was created in 1936 by Emamool Deen and his wife Raheman Rasulan Deen, who were inspired by a northern Indian dish called chole bhature. Doubles are typically eaten for breakfast, but can also be consumed as a snack or light lunch. It is considered a comfort food for displaced Trinidadians in major cities across the globe. It’s also culturally significant for how it encapsulated Trinidadian identity into such a simple and unique snack. Here’s where you can find the best Trinidad doubles in Trinidad!
The very first Trinidad doubles I had on the island was a modern take on the dish at Doubles Den. At this roadside stall, they take traditional doubles and top them with untraditional toppings like curried duck, goat, lamb, chicken, and shrimp. I got a bit of everything!
The omelet-like texture of the bara perfectly complemented the al dente chickpeas and succulent meat. The goat and curried duck were as tender as they were flavorful. And while I love the traditional doubles elsewhere on the island, these gourmet doubles are hard to beat!
No Trinidad doubles tour is complete without visiting the iconic S&S Doubles on Ariapita Avenue in Port of Spain. The moment I arrived, the aroma of the spicy chana and freshly made bara filled the air, making my mouth water with anticipation. My doubles had the perfect balance of sweetness from the tamarind, a slight kick from the mild pepper, and the rich savoriness from the chana.
But what really took these doubles to the next level was the crispy bara. It was the perfect texture and complemented the chana perfectly. And the best part? These Trinidad doubles were so affordable, we could indulge in seconds without breaking the bank! The mix of chana and tamarind chutney was so good, I had to lick the paper afterward!
Captain’s Doubles food truck is a hidden gem that serves up some of the best Trinidad doubles on the island. The fragrant aroma of freshly fried bara draws you in, and the skilled cook expertly tosses the dough into the hot oil to create perfectly crispy and slightly doughy doubles. The secret to their texture is frying at an extremely high temperature. This yields a dry and crispy edge.
I also recommend trying their chana-stuffed cheese and aloo pies. The aloo pie has customizable levels of crispiness and browning, with perfectly seasoned filling and flaky, buttery crust. However, the real star is the chana-stuffed cheese pie, with its divine combination of creamy mozzarella and spicy chana. The doubles have a little spiciness and sweetness, with light, doughy, and crispy bara that doesn’t leave you feeling too full. Captain’s Doubles is a must-visit for anyone seeking the true taste of Trinidadian cuisine!
Western Peninsula Doubles and Indian Delicacies in Trinidad is a popular spot run by a friendly husband-and-wife team. They and their welcoming staff also sell jars of chutneys and sauces like coconut, roast pepper, and masala chili. Their “mother-in-law” chutney is hot and contains carrots, hot peppers, and garlic. They call it “mother-in-law” because they say it makes you cry, just like a real mother-in-law would!
The eatery opens at 5:30 am and sells out quickly, so I suggest heading out there since they’re so popular. They offer traditional doubles and triples with various condiments like chana, tamarind, and masala chili. The texture of the bara is denser than others on the island, and the combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors is exceptional. The sorrel-tamarind juice is sweet and tangy. Buy some jars of their delicious coconut chutney and roast pepper sauce for a tasty souvenir to take back home. Best of all, they’re only $30 TTD each. The staff are friendly and welcoming.
Trinidad doubles are a must-try street food when in Trinidad and Tobago, and I was lucky enough to stop by Sauce Team during my visit. Their doubles are a true delight to the taste buds! The doubles were freshly made and topped with chana, cucumber, and chadon beni sauce made from culantro. Watching them prepare the doubles was an experience in itself!
The doubles were incredibly soft yet crispy, and the roasted pepper gave it an extra kick. Although eating doubles can be messy, it’s worth it. The chana was perfectly cooked, not too hard or too soft, and complemented the other ingredients perfectly. What’s even better is that you won’t have to break the bank, as the doubles and pies cost $6 TTD, while the triples are $8 TTD. Give them a visit the next time you’re in Trinidad!
If you’re looking for Trinidad doubles while exploring T&T, these are some of the best places to try them. You can’t really go wrong with any of them, as they’re all expertly made. Whether you prefer the meatier and heartier doubles at Doubles Den or the more traditional ones elsewhere, you’re in for a treat.
I have to send a huge thanks to my friends Chef Jason Peru and David from Foodie Run TT. My food adventures across Trinidad and Tobago wouldn’t have been possible without them. Book a trip to T&T today to experience these phenomenal doubles for yourself!
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