Check out 2022 guide to Cayman's best restaurants. From fine dining to fish-fry shacks, we give you the low-down from a local's point of view. When we are not out on the water with our clients, there's nothing we love more than eating (and drinking) out. Cayman is justifiably known as the gourmet capital of the Caribbean with dozens of fine dining restaurants, local joints and great bars. Here's our list of some of the very best to suit all tastes and budgets:
UNION GRILL & BAR - Cayman's best steakhouse and grill with more steaks and lobster than any other restaurant. They have live jazz on Thursday, a magician on Friday Happy Hour and other special gourmet nights (such as Burger Fest on Mondays and Steak Night on Tuesdays). Union also do a great breakfast Saturdays and Sundays from 9am. The interior is super-chic and has a terrace with water and marina views in Camana Bay. www.unioncayman.com
KAIBO BEACH - this is an institution on the Northside of Cayman. Nestled on a lovely sandy cove this restaurant has a casual dining beach option with brick-oven pizzas, burgers and fish. Upstairs at Kaibo is more formal with a great selection of rare rums in a plantation-style space. It's a one drive from George Town by car or 25 mins by water taxi from Camana Bay.
COCOLOBA - on the beach at the Kimpton Seafire Hotel, this casual dining spot serves great local beach food and coastal Mexican faves, Tiki drinks and ice-cold margaritas. It's a cool place for lunch and early evening bites. You don't need to be a hotel guest to enjoy the amazing sunsets.
PEPPERS - a local institution for jerk and BBQ food, with a comprehensive family-friendly menu. Located mid-7Mile, Peppers has an open-air thatched roof, wooden seating and benches, with live music Saturday night (Latin/Cuban ensemble). We love the easy-going style, tasty jerk, burgers and happy staff. www.peppers.ky
BACARO - a classy Venetian-inspired Italian restaurant at the Cayman Islands Yacht Club. Bacaro serves small tapas-style plates as well as larger dishes. The cocktails are well crafted and they have a substantial wine selection. You can dine inside or on the breezy wrap-around terrace overlooking the harbour water.
CASA 43 - Cayman's best Mexican restaurant with all the usual tacos and tasty regional dishes. The margaritas, tequillas and mezcals flow all night and the atmosphere is frenetic. Casa could be a little 'dive-bar' in style but nevertheless great fun.
TORTUGA BEACH GRILL - situated on the most expansive stretch of Seven Mile Beach, Tortuga Beach Grill at the Westin hotel offers lively alfresco dining in a casual pool-side setting. Their lunch and dinner menus are diverse, very family friendly and include salads, tacos, burgers, and flatbread pizzas. Happy hour is always busy from 5pm-7pm with great sunsets.