Grand old house inside 20200806150800
Grand Old House

The Best Restaurants in the Cayman Islands

Discover all there is to know about the culinary scene in the Cayman Islands.

Beyond the famed sugar-soft beaches, deep blue waters and exotic marine life, the culinary scene in the Cayman Islands is Eden for gastronomes. For those yet to take a bite of the apple, let’s take a journey through this culinary paradise.

Being spoilt for choice is the only worry when it comes to dining. From the far reaches of East End and North Side, to the tip of West Bay, discover everything from upscale, waterfront establishments serving gourmet plates, to rustic beachside shacks dishing out local fish fry. And if you’re looking for a local watering hole, you’ll be pleased to know that the bar scene in Cayman is second to none, with new bars popping up all over in a bid to quench our thirst for a frequent sundowner.

Peppers jerk chicken
Local Jerk Chicken

Local Cuisine and Caribbean Flavours

Conch ceviche, mahi rundown, turtle stew; these are just some of the perhaps unfamiliar dishes you’ll find across the many menus of Cayman. Owing in part to its colonial history, the Islands are rooted in Jamaican cuisine; adopting seasonings like jerk and curry, and using traditional ingredients like coconut, plantain, cassava, callaloo and ackee. Dishes are often prepared with tuna, snapper and mahi, all of which are fished in Cayman’s waters. Unique to Cayman, and the larger western Caribbean region, a visit to the Cayman Islands is not complete without sampling these delicacies.

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Waterfront dining at Calypso Grill in Grand Cayman

Culinary Capital of the Caribbean

The Cayman Islands was named the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean for a very good reason. There is an abundance of restaurants and bars creating sublime dishes that we all know and love, as well as unique concoctions never before seen. Whether you're looking for first-class fine dining, or a roadside fish fry shack, you'll find the Cayman Islands is an ever-growing paradise for foodies.

Cayman cookout night lights
Cayman Cookout at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Annual Food Festivals

In addition to its many restaurants, the Cayman Islands plays host to a roster of culinary events throughout the year. The esteemed Cayman Cookout is one of the best, but if you're wanting something much more low key, you'll also find chilli cook offs, street food festivals and heritage days dedicated to the Island's foodie past.

Brunch in Cayman

Brunch in the Cayman Islands is a delightful fusion of Caribbean flavours and international influences. Often with breathtaking ocean views as a backdrop, brunches are typically available on Sundays and offer a diverse array of dishes ranging from traditional Caymanian seafood specialties, imported delicacies to classic brunch fare. Freshly caught fish, tropical fruits, and locally sourced ingredients feature prominently on menus. Cayman's brunch experience is a delectable celebration of island life and global gastronomy which foodies should seek out!

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