Taste Buds — Restaurant in Providenciales

This review is based on three visits to Taste Buds. I originally liked this local spot serving what felt like home cooked food. The location is directly opposite the airport so can get loud. It’s a local joint not an elevated fast-casual, so my expectations were tempered.

1st Visit: Had the peas and rice with jerk chicken and plantains. I enjoyed it.

2nd Visit: Ate ribs, ochro rice and plantains. There was a very long, visible hair in my food. Didn’t make a sense but did share with the female manager. I was flabbergasted with how non-chalant she, and even “the chef”approached the situation.

3rd and Final Visit: There was literally about 5 people in the restaurant. I alerted the server to my soon departing flight and wanted to be out in 30 minutes. I ordered the same as 2nd visit. Literally only had 10 minutes to try to eat but lost appetite. Server was never around. No water. Delivered my food and rushed off without asking about a beverage. Brought me a Snapple in glass bottle. No straw no glass. Asked for glass with ice. She arrived with ice in a cracked glass. At this point I hadn’t even touched my food. I was anxious and annoyed.

Locals can handle this spot.

But if you’re used to a certain type of service, save yourself the trip. Unless service means nothing and you don’t mind having biological, and physical hazards in your food!

Don’t expect attentive customer service, if you’re not seated at the bar. And even then, the bartenders are hardly ever there, on their phones or in deep conversations with the locals — paying you no mind.

I initially really liked this spot. I try my best to always support local. But Taste Buds lost me. I’d rather eat airport food. I never eat...

The food is great, but the server literally stole my credit card. She brought the bill, asking who was going to pay. It was 2 of us. We told her to just leave it there. Due to the odd question, I asked her is they were closing or she was leaving. She replied “just messing with you”. After checking the bill, I put my card visible inside the book. She came some 2 minutes later and took the book with my card. Some 5 minutes later she comes back with the machine to tap the card. I asked what is this, she asked if I was going to pay with a card. We told her “you just took my card with the book 5 minutes ago”. I immediately jumped off the chair and went to the bar to retrieve my card. I want born yesterday. Not surprisingly, she can recall where did she put the book with the card. She checked everywhere, nowhere to be found. I approach a Second Lady and I ask her “Let us assume that I did pay, I left the place. Where do you guys store all those paid receipts?” She told me, “we keep it in our pockets, I have mine here, but I don’t know why she brought you the bill if she works in the kitchen”. So the card vanished, the bill receipt vanished, the book vanished. It’s a small place, shouldn’t have been too far. I asked them to check the trash can, nothing. The only possibility remaining is that the card was concealed. I met the owner the previous day, very nice lady. The place is gorgeous and the other servers were great. But this specific lady...

The Ultimate Pre-Departure Feast: A Must-Try Culinary Experience!

As our island escape drew to a close, we sought one last unforgettable meal, and this place delivered beyond all expectations. What an absolute culinary revelation! The moment we stepped in, we knew we were in for a treat. The food? Nothing short of phenomenal. The jerk chicken was a revelation—perfectly hot, incredibly tender, and seasoned with an expert hand that brought out layers of flavor. Each bite was a testament to authentic island cooking. And the plantains? They were gloriously sweet, the ideal counterpoint to the savory spices. To wash it all down, the drinks were potent and perfectly crafted, adding to the festive atmosphere. Beyond the incredible food, the service was outstanding—attentive, friendly, and remarkably fast, ensuring our final meal was relaxed and enjoyable. This isn't just a place to eat; it's an experience, a true highlight of our trip. Mark my words, a return visit on my next island adventure is not just a possibility, it's a definite certainty. If you're looking for the absolute best pre-departure meal, or simply one of the finest dining experiences on the island,...