Jersey has an excellent range of restaurants to cater for every taste. Seafood is very popular and a wide selection of home-grown produce is available; scallops, oysters, spider crabs and lobster are particularly good. Fresh seafood can be bought from the local fish market. Jersey cows are renowned for their rich and creamy milk. The island has an enviable reputation for good cuisine whether in small pubs, wine bars or high-class restaurants.

Things to know: Licensing hours are 0900-2300 for restaurants and 1100-2300 for pubs and bars.

National specialities:
• Bean crock (dried beans with onions, herbs and pig trotters).
• Fiottes (balls of flour, sugar and eggs, cooked in milk).
• La Soupe d'anguilles (conger eel soup).
• Cream tea (served with strawberries).

Tipping: In general, this follows UK practice.

The island is a low-duty area and there is no VAT. As well as St Helier (where there are two covered markets), there are shopping areas such as Red Houses, St Brelade and Gorey, St Martin. Luxury items such as spirits, cigarettes, jewellery and perfumes are popular buys. Local products such as knitwear, pottery, woodcrafts and even flowers are good value.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1730. The markets and some shops are closed on Thursday afternoons. During the summer months, many shops are open in the evenings.