10 Great Restaurants in the Cayman Islands

Book a table at Veranda for exquisite Caribbean seafood with a distinct international twist. Nestled in the Marriot on the buzzing Seven Mile Beach, this sleek, boho-chic restaurant gets its name from the scenic oceanside patio. Every single table overlooks the Caribbean, so dreamy waterfront views come guaranteed.

On the menu, the seared snapper and seafood bouillabaisse are both superb. For a special treat, the Wednesday evening Lobster Fete brings you the best boiled crustaceans in town. Delicious tacos, curries, burgers, and wraps give the landlubbers something to sink their teeth into.

Bacaro is an elegant Italian restaurant straddling the pretty Governer’s Creek canal, with a focus on Venetian-style tapas. Avant-garde decor and a big, breezy patio make this a sophisticated spot for dining on Grand Cayman. While you wait, watch the yachts cruise past by the marina with a cocktail or wine.

The Venice-native owner personally prepares each tasty bite-sized plate – some draw influences from Caymanian cuisine. Order the 5-course degustation menu for a well-balanced gastronomic experience – the duck liver terrine is recommended. À la carte favorites include deep-fried calamari with mustard-lime mayo or lamb loin with smoked potato mash and goat’s cheese puree.

Den at the Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, offers an eclectic mix of local and international cuisine. Also known by regulars by its former name, Anchor & Den, the restaurant’s sophisticated indoor dining hall lacks a sea view, but the impeccable service and outstanding food make it all worthwhile. Creative artisanal cocktails and intermittent live music help the ambience hum.

The executive chef wows patrons with his 2 signature dishes: a roasted pumpkin and braised short rib gnocchi. If you still have room for dessert, the venue does superb crepes and gelatos. Tuesday is Arabic Night, which is a hit for its exotic Middle Eastern flavors.

Island Naturals Café is all about healthy Caribbean fusion food and frothy barista-made lattes. The small, no-frills venue isn’t the most elegant place to dine on the Grand Cayman, but its superb sustainable cuisine and coffee are priced accordingly.

Wholesome, vitamin-packed produce dominates the menu – their wraps, salads, lawn bowling, and bakery items won’t wreak havoc on your waistline. Wash down your meal with a freshly pressed juice or smoothie made from locally sourced fruit. Yummy flavour-packed parfaits make for the perfect, guilt-free dessert: try the Super Parfait with strawberry greek yogurt, goji berries, cacao nibs, granola, blueberry, and strawberry.

XQ’s is your go-to option for an authentic Italian pizza on Seven Mile Beach. The chic, contemporary venue puts on soulful live tunes on weekends, and the bar packs out after dinner with chatty travelers from around the globe. Proximity to the top Seven Mile resort makes this place popular with the package vacation set.

The Tuscana is the most popular stone oven-prepared pizza – the tasty crisp-crust creation comes with top-quality toppings. If you’re dining with little ones, the kid’s will love the novelty stingray-shaped pepperoni pie. Other worthy options include barbeque chicken and slow-cooked pork belly, plus there’s a decent selection of fresh Caribbean seafood to try.

Dukes Seafood and Rib Shack, located opposite Seven Mile Beach, does fantastic freshly caught seafood and juicy ribs in a casual open-air setting. This fun, Caribbean-themed restaurant features a buzzy wrap-around bar where boardshorts-clad vacationers swap stories over cocktails. The joint stays open late, so pop by if you fancy a nightcap.

The Thai steam pot is the top dish – a succulent ensemble of lobster, shrimp, and crab. If you’re not craving seafood, you can’t go wrong with the Maui ribs, served with thick-cut fries dunked in a tangy cream and spinach sauce. The wings, quesadillas, and potato skins are other terrific options for those who fancy filling comfort foods.

Lauren’s is a light and airy restaurant that does top-notch Italian-American fare plus Caribbean seafood in Buckingham Square, a stone’s throw from Seven Mile Beach. This unpretentious, well-priced restaurant is famed for its super-friendly service. Its namesake owner and her husband love taking the time to chat with their clientele – expect a proper good chat here.

Standout dishes include the homemade fettuccine with Bolognese sauce and the signature Angus Burger, which comes smothered in sauteed mushrooms and caramelized onions. If you pop in for breakfast, don’t miss their French toast – it’s a great way to start the day.

Kaibo on Rum Point boasts 2 brilliant restaurants, each with beautiful beachfront views. Upstairs at Kaibo offers refined dining with creative fusion cuisine, while the Beach Bar and Broil is a more casual affair. Rum Point is an easy ferry trip from Seven Mile Beach, and some punters sail here just for 1 meal.

Opt for the 6-course tasting menu for the full Kaibo culinary experience, which covers international flavors and Caribbean seafood. Top à la carte options include coconut fish curry and their famous jerk chicken. Whatever you eat, remember to wash it down with a mudslide, Kaibo’s signature frozen cocktail.

A Grand Cayman institution, Morgan’s serves scrumptious seafood from the Yacht Club on Governer’s Creek. The classy waterfront venue is wildly romantic at night, when candles and lanterns illuminate its chic waterfront deck.

Morgan operates on a strict ocean-to-table concept. All its seafood delicacies are caught fresh by an in-house team of local fishermen that day. Their Caymanian ceviche, tuna sashimi, and seafood risotto are among the highlights – or give the scallops smothered in white wine sauce a go. If you rock up during the season (November–April), it would be silly to pass on the conch, a celebrated local specialty.

Abacus, in the middle of Camana Bay, offers a chic lounge-style setting to enjoy its fresh fusion food. Dine indoors with expatriates and vacationers on the long communal bar, or sit outside under the palm trees for a cool Caribbean breeze. Saturdays see a street food-inspired menu and cruisy live tunes.

Abacus focuses on farm-to-table cuisine, with all produce sourced from local Grand Cayman fishers and farmers. Start with an ahi tuna appetiser, then order the lobster tail for your main. It’s a tad on the pricey side but worth the splurge for the sophisticated ambience and top-notch dining.