Round House: 150-Year-Old Inn and Restaurant Above the Soup Bowl, Bathsheba
Key facts: St. Joseph · Sunday 9AM-4PM, Thursday 11AM-3:30PM, Friday 11AM-3:30PM, Saturday 11AM-3:30PM · Ages: all
Round House is a historic inn and restaurant in Bathsheba, Saint Joseph, built in the early 1800s, giving it over 150 years of continuous history on the east coast. Family-owned since the mid-1990s, it sits on a hilltop overlooking the Atlantic, one minute's walk from the Soup Bowl, one of the world's premier surf breaks. The kitchen serves Barbadian food with local fish and produce. It also runs live music nights, yoga classes, and rotating art exhibitions.
About Round House
Round House was built in the early 1800s in Bathsheba, Saint Joseph, on Barbados's rugged east coast. It has been a destination for over 150 years and has been family-owned and operated since the mid-1990s. The building sits on a hilltop with commanding views of the entire Atlantic coast. A one-minute walk down to the beach brings you to the natural tidal pools and the Soup Bowl, one of the world's most respected surf spots, which hosts professional competitions. The property operates as a restaurant, a five-room bed and breakfast, and a venue for live music, art exhibitions, yoga, and surf instruction.
Why Guests Go
Very few places in Barbados offer what Round House provides: a genuine 19th-century building, an uninterrupted Atlantic panorama, and a kitchen that serves honest Barbadian food with fresh fish, local produce, and trade-wind breezes. The informal, family-owned character means regular visitors are greeted by name. The Soup Bowl directly below is reason enough for surfers to build a trip around it. For non-surfers, the tidal pools at low tide and the east coast landscape are their own draw.
What to Know Before You Go
Getting to Bathsheba requires a hire car or taxi, about 45 minutes from Bridgetown through the Scotland District. The Round House serves lunch and dinner; check current hours and live music dates directly via their website or phone before making the drive. The five guest rooms offer the option of staying overnight and experiencing the east coast at dawn and dusk. East coast beaches at Bathsheba are not safe for swimming due to Atlantic currents.
Family Fit
Well suited to families doing a full east coast day. Young children will find the tidal pools and the dramatic landscape engaging. The 45-minute drive through the Scotland District is itself one of the most scenic on the island. Combine with the Bathsheba rock pools, a stop at Zemi East Coast Cafe, and the return through Saint Andrew for a full-day circuit.
Questions parents ask
How old is Round House Restaurant in Bathsheba?
Round House was built in the early 1800s, making it over 150 years old. It has been a popular destination since then and has been family-owned and operated since the mid-1990s. It is one of the oldest continuously operating inns on the east coast of Barbados.
Can you stay overnight at Round House Bathsheba?
Yes. Round House is a bed and breakfast inn with five guest rooms, each with views of the Atlantic coast. Staying overnight is the best way to experience the east coast at dawn and in the evening when day visitors have left.
What is the Soup Bowl surf break in Barbados?
The Soup Bowl is the premier surf break in Barbados, located directly below Round House Restaurant in Bathsheba, Saint Joseph. It hosts professional surfing competitions and is considered one of the world's best reef breaks. It is not suitable for beginner swimmers or surfers.
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