About 10 years ago I happened to be in Barbados for my birthday. And with no meetings planned or pepper sauces to test on that particular Sunday in September, I decided to head to one of my favourite places in Barbados; Crane Beach. Taking the road from Oistins, past the airport and out towards the southeast corner of the island, it's a quiet journey through a mix of villages and farmland until you reach the main entrance to The Crane resort; just past it, on the next bend, you'll find Cutters Deli. Just the place to pick up some lunch treats to take to the beach. 

Cutters is truly a delightful find, and here's how it started in the owners Roger and Kim's words...

''Roger and Kim first met in San Francisco, where they fell in love and started a family. Tired of the hustle and bustle of life in the States, they packed their things into Roger’s old 1971 Eldorado, drove all the way to the East Coast and hopped on a plane to start a new life in Barbados. With stunning natural scenery and perfect year-round weather, the island offered them the perfect space to slow down and concentrate on being a family. They opened Cutters of Barbados soon after, where they shared their passion for Caribbean food, drink and hospitality – first from their family home and later from the building where the deli and hammock garden now sit.''

On that September day, as I browsed the delicious options to take with me, I noticed a sign that offered free delivery to the beach. What a grand idea for a birthday treat, so I settled for a flying fish cutter, a rum punch and a Banks beer, and thrilled with the thought that lunch could be personally brought to my deck chair, I made my way in high spirits to the back road entrance for the ocean

Whenever I get to the Crane Beach, I have to take some moments to ask myself if it is all real. The white pink sand is so soft it barely feels under your feet. The foaming waves, deep blue and turquoise layers of the swelling water, and the historic Crane Hotel perched high above on the cliff edge add to the feeling of pure magic.

This is a truly wonderful place

And on this day, the wonder turned into joy as, in the distance, I saw the approaching vision of a member of Cutters staff coming directly to my spot on the beach, with the delicious flying fish cutter, home-made rum punch and ice-cold Banks beer. I feasted like a king as I gazed into the distance. What a birthday!

Earlier this year I had the good fortune to share some delightful time with Roger at Cutters. We exchanged stories, drank several famous Cutters rum punches, and like many others who have visited this island gem, I left feeling things were better in the world

If you are ever in Barbados, I hope you will manage to find Crane Beach, but I insist you find time to get to Cutters Deli!

Peter Martin, Caribbean Store September 28th 2026

Cutters of Barbados, Cutters Building, Crane Beach, St. Philip, Barbados, West Indies. +1 246-423-0611 Text & WhatsApp +1 246 851 8624