Cayman’s hearty cuisine mixes Jamaican influences and age-old British traditions. Seafood is a big draw, but meat lovers will love jerk chicken, stewed beef, and slow-roast pork belly.
Every visit is complete with a delicious meal, so check out our list of top restaurants and culinary hotspots in Grand Cayman.
Herman’s Fish Fry
The Cayman Islands are a paradise of warm turquoise waters and sugary white sand beaches, but they also excel in culinary delights. The islands’ blending of African, European, and indigenous cultures has created an array of mouth-watering Caribbean dishes. Flavored with spices, seafood, and luscious fruits, these local specialties are reason enough to visit Cayman Islands!
A marinated conch is an essential Caymanian dish served as a starter or main course. The conch (a type of sea snail) is sliced and combined with onions, bell peppers, lime juice, pickapeppa sauce, ketchup, and scotch bonnets for a fresh, tangy delight. Conch salad is a local favorite and can be found at most restaurants in Cayman Islands.
Fish rundown is a traditional Cayman stew. This hearty, slow-cooked soup combines fresh-caught seafood and vegetables like yams, cassava, and green bananas. It’s seasoned with a liberal dose of thyme, butter, and coconut milk. Try their version of the hearty stew at Heritage Kitchen, a charming beachside restaurant on Boggy Sand Road in West Bay.
For a more luxurious meal, head to Bacaro. This upscale Italian restaurant features an elegant dining room and al fresco terrace that are set beneath twinkling fairy lights—rich Venetian flavors tussle with delicious Cayman ingredients at this culinary gem. Treat yourself to dishes like a scrumptious burrata or spiced seared scallop, and try the classic amaretto sour!
Cracked Conch
Cayman Island cuisine is a hearty and delicious blend of Jamaican influences and age-old British traditions. Seafood is a staple, and the islands’ chefs add a distinctive Caribbean twist with flavorful spices and tropical fruits. Meat lovers will adore Caymanian-style jerk chicken and stewed beef.
A true Cayman dining experience starts with a stop at Seven, which offers tender and juicy steaks complemented by various tropical cocktails and Cuban cigars. This upscale restaurant also features an extensive wine list and is the ideal spot for an intimate dinner with a loved one.
Another local favorite is Heritage Kitchen, a charming little shack on Boggy Sand Road. This white-tablecloth eatery is open for lunch and dinner, and it’s particularly romantic at night when you can enjoy a meal on a waterfront deck lit by nothing more than candles, lanterns, and twinkle lights. A visit to this quaint locale isn’t complete without trying the conch dishes—from flavorful chowders to tangy ceviche and traditional cracked conch.
Diners can also try the grilled mahi mahi or whole roasted coconut mahi mahi, as well as a variety of other fish entrees with a Cayman twist. Rice and peas (made with kidney beans seasoned with thyme and allspice) are a common side dish that pairs beautifully with fried plantains. This eatery is known for its fresh seafood and authentic Caymanian service, which can sometimes be unhurried.
Heritage Kitchen
Local cuisine in the Cayman Islands is an eclectic blend of Jamaican influences and age-old British traditions. Seafood is a staple, but meat lovers will find hearty favorites like jerk chicken and stewed beef. And no visit to the island is complete without trying some rum cake—a dessert made with dark rum and spiced sugar.
One of the best places to sample this local fare is Heritage Kitchen, a colorful wooden building near Boggy Sand Road in West Bay. Diners can eat on shaded tables outside the restaurant, sit on a sea wall, and enjoy the scenery. The menu here is extensive, but their fresh fish fry really stands out. Grouper, snapper, and wahoo are among the many fish varieties available. They’re breaded and fried, then served with a tangy sauce. Other dishes include conch fritters and fish tea.
The Cayman Islands are also home to several world-class fine-dining restaurants. For example, Blue by Eric Ripert inside The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, offers contemporary Italian and opulent seafood spreads that push the envelope with aesthetic presentations and innovative preparations. In addition to its stellar seafood, this restaurant is renowned for its wine list and is a member of the Michelin Guide.
Island Bites
A trio of paradise islands known for sparkling sapphire waters, coral reef diving, and favorable tax incentives, the Cayman Islands are also renowned as the Caribbean’s culinary capital. Pristine beaches, white-sand shores, and the ocean’s bounty inspire chefs to create dishes like spicy lionfish tacos, rich goat curry, and creamy coconut rundowns.
Stopping by Grape Tree Cafe in Bodden Town is a great way to sample the region’s traditional fare. The likely queue of locals here tips you off to the tastiness: battered and breaded snapper, mahi-mahi, or swai fish served with coleslaw, fries, and hot sauce. Or try Jamaican favorite Escovitch, a crispy whole red snapper with a tangy blend of scotch bonnet peppers and vinegar. The Cayman Islands are home to more than 130 nationalities, reflected in their cuisine. Sampling island treats can help you delve into the country’s complex history. Enslaved Africans cooked fungi and turned dasheen, or taro leaves, into filling soups. Indian workers brought roti, or flatbread, to the islands. Danish red grout pudding and rum cake are also a must-try.
