Eating at a Home Kitchen

Aspiring Anthony Bourdains on Grand Cayman should seek out roadside vans, huts, kiosks, and stalls dishing out unfamiliar grub. These casual spots offer authentic fare at very fair prices, with main dishes and heaping helpings of sides costing under CI$10. If you thought Mickey D's special sauce or Coke was a secret formula, try prying prized recipes handed down for generations from these islanders.

Captain Herman's Fish Fry. You can't miss the vibrant marine life mural and key lime-color walls topped by a roof adorned with conch shells at this seaside spot beloved for sweet-and-sour shrimp, oxtail and beans, conch chowder, and more. Sea View Rd. off Indiana La., East End, Grand Cayman345/924–4007.

Czech Inn Bar and Grill. The Czech Inn has developed a following for its Czech food and jerk chicken. 563 Bodden Town Rd., Bodden Town, Grand Cayman345/939–3474.

Rankin's Jerk Centre. A faux cow and pig greet you at Rankin's Jerk Centre, where you can savor Miss Rankin's scrumptious turtle stew and jerk dishes in her alluring garden. 3032 Shamrock Rd., Bodden Town, Grand Cayman345/947–3155.

Two of these most casual eateries on the island are George Town institutions.

Heritage Kitchen. West Bay's popular family-run Heritage Kitchen serves up legendary raconteur Tunny Powell's fish tea, barbecue ribs, and fish fry—with a generous portion of local lore. It's only open sporadically, so look for it when you're in the area. Just off Boggy Sand Rd., West Bay, Grand Cayman.

Tony's Jerk Foods. Even politicos stand in line at Tony's Jerk Foods, which serves everything from cow foot to conch stew (you can't miss the exterior's beach mural). 193 School Rd., George Town, Grand Cayman345/916–6860.