A full list of great restaurants in the Cayman Islands can get quite long due to the many choices available. The popular Caribbean island destination isn’t just about tax incentives and picture-perfect beaches. There’s a rich dining scene to explore. To help point you to the right places, we’ve got you covered with this handy gastronomic guide.

Unsurprisingly, the idyllic Caribbean nation puts seafood at the forefront of its cuisine – expect delicacies using freshly caught bounties from the ocean on every menu. Most venues serve meat-based dishes but there are often vegetarian options available, too. Check these fantastic dining spots out for superb Caymanian cuisine and international fare.

  • 1

    Veranda

    Seafood served in a stunning seafront location

    Veranda
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    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.

    Location: 22-193 Piper Way, Cayman Islands

    Open: Daily from 11 am to 10 pm

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  • 2

    Bacaro

    A canalside spot for Italian and Caribbean seafood tapas

    Bacaro
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    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 favourites include deep-fried calamari with mustard-lime mayo or lamb loin with smoked potato mash and goat’s cheese puree.

    Location: 9J4F+GC West Bay, Cayman Islands Grand Cayman KY1, 9006, Cayman Islands

    Open: Tuesday–Friday from 11.30 am to 10.30 pm, Saturday from 9.30 am to 10.30 pm, Sunday from noon to 10.30 pm

    Phone: +1 345-749-4800

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  • 3

    Den

    Classy indoor dining in a swanky Seven Mile Beach resort

    Den
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    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 flavours.

    Location: 389 West Bay Road, Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman KY1, 1202, Cayman Islands

    Open: Daily from 7.30 am to 11 am and 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm

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  • 4

    Island Naturals Café

    Light and healthy food accompanied by freshly squeezed juice

    Island Naturals Café
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    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, bowls, and baked goods 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 yoghurt, goji berries, cacao nibs, granola, blueberry, and strawberry.

    Location: Ground Floor, 12 Earth Cl, Cayman Islands

    Open: Monday–Friday from 7 am to 7 pm, Saturday from 8 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm

    Phone: +1 345-945-2252

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  • 5

    XQ’s Pizza Bar Grill

    Fantastic thin-crust pizzas in a lively, tourist-friendly locale

    XQ’s Pizza Bar Grill
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    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 travellers from around the globe. Proximity to the top Seven Mile resort makes this place popular with the package holiday 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.

    Location: Seven Mile 1-1204, 233 W Bay Rd, Cayman Islands

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 3 pm to 11 pm, Friday–Saturday from 3 pm to 12 am, Sunday from noon to 11.30 pm

    Phone: +1 345-947-9770

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  • 6

    Duke’s Seafood and Rib Shack

    Delectable ribs and seafood in a fun, casual atmosphere

    Duke’s Seafood and Rib Shack
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    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 holidaymakers 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.

    Location: 1428 W Bay Rd, Cayman Islands

    Open: Monday–Friday from 4 pm to 1 am, Saturday–Sunday from 11.30 am to 12 am

    Phone: +1 345-640-0000

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  • 7

    Lauren’s

    Delightful Caribbean seafood in Buckingham Square

    Lauren’s
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    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 caramelised onions. If you pop in for breakfast, don’t miss their French toast – it’s a great way to start the day.

    Location: 720 Buckingham Square, W Bay Rd, Cayman Islands

    Open: Monday–Thursday from 8 am to 3 pm, Friday–Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm and 6 pm to 9 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +1 345-946-7745

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  • 8

    Kaibo Beach Bar & Grill

    Fantastic interconnected restaurants by the beach on Rum Point

    Kaibo Beach Bar & Grill
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    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 Grill 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 flavours 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.

    Location: 585 Water Cay Rd, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

    Open: Daily from 11 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +1 345-947-9975

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    photo by goatling (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 9

    Morgan’s Seafood Restaurant

    A well-known seafood restaurant on Governer’s Creek

    Morgan’s Seafood Restaurant
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    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 speciality.

    Location: Cayman Islands Yacht Club, Yacht Dr, KY1-1207, Cayman Islands

    Open: Thursday–Monday from 11.30 am to 10 pm

    Phone: +1 345-946-7049

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  • 10

    Abacus

    A longstanding favourite in Camana Bay

    Abacus
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    Abacus, in the middle of Camana Bay, offers a chic lounge-style setting to enjoy its fresh fusion food. Dine indoors with expatriates and holidaymakers 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.

    Location: 45 Market Street Grand Cayman KY1, 1203, Cayman Islands

    Open: Monday–Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +1 345-623-8282

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Harry Stewart | Contributing Writer