With clear blue water, some of the best beaches in the world and the chance to lie back and relax under cloudless skies, it isn’t hard to see why so many people love taking a holiday in the Caribbean.

Another major selling point is the cuisine, with each island offering visitors with the chance to sample a wide array of unique dishes that are sure to tickle the tastebuds.

Here, we select just a handful that will make your mouth water…

Jerk Chicken (Jamaica)

There’s a good chance you might have sampled this one at home, with jerk chicken having become one of Jamaica’s top exports. A blend of spices that are hot, sweet and spicy are used to marinade the chicken (or other chosen meat) before it is smoked or grilled to perfection.

Imagine sitting on a beach, with jerk chicken in one hand and refreshing beer in the other…

Conch Fritters (Bahamas)

Conch is related to the snail, which goes a long way towards explaining the visual appearance of this sea mollusk. Served across the Caribbean, it’s particularly popular in the Bahamas, where the shredded meat is formed into a patty and then deep fried in batter. You might also find it served in a range of soups and stews.

Callaloo (Trinidad & Tobago)

Callaloo is another dish found across the Caribbean, but is particularly popular on the islands of Trinidad & Tobago. Callaloo is made using a leafy green vegetable that is blended into a stew alongside coconut milk and various different spices and then served alongside crab meat or pig tails.

Green Fig & Saltfish (St Lucia)

It might not have the most appealing name, but Green Fig and Saltfish is one of the most popular dishes in the Caribbean and widely regarded as something of a national dish in St Lucia. The Green Fig is actually green bananas that are boiled or stewed before being served with saltfish, which is cooked with tomatoes, herbs and spices.

Pepperpot (Antigua)

Pepperpot is a top dish from the island of Antigua although like many, it is also widely available elsewhere. The stew is made from a wide range of different ingredients that are grown locally and is likely to include aubergine, okra and squash alongside a choice of meats. Given the potential for different ingredients to be used by different people, you can encounter Pepperpot in many forms but one constant will be the addition of fungee - a cornmeal dumpling that is served with the dish.

Ropa Vieja (Cuba)

One of the national dishes of Cuba, Ropa Vieja is a rich stew made using beef and tomatoes with a sofrito base - which is usually made up of onions, peppers, garlic and onions. Cooked slowly to ensure that the meat is as tender as possible, the stew is then served with black beans and rice and occasionally fried plantain.