70 Best Restaurants in Cayman Islands

This cheerful, cherished locals' secret serves haute comfort food—great burgers, wahoo-mushroom bites, and fabulous fish tacos—that elevates pub grub to an art form at bargain prices. Even the poolside building, painted a delectable lemon with lime shutters, multihue interior columns, and orange and blueberry accents, whets the appetite. Wash your food down with a signature libation like the Painkiller, and take advantage of affordable nightly dinner specials such as red snapper amandine in lemon butter caper sauce, and Cuban roast chicken marinated with sour orange, garlic, lime, and olive oil.

East meets West at this elegant eatery, and the combination makes for a tasty meal. The Thai chefs turn out splendid classics like yum nuer (sliced chargrilled strip loin tossed with green salad in lime dressing), and seafood lovers can opt for the fresh sushi; plentiful vegetarian options include curries perfumed with lemongrass. Sunday's all-you-can-eat Thai sushi buffet (just CI$19.95) is a bargain. Desserts return west, besting those at most Asian restaurants; dark- and white-chocolate mousse cake with crème anglaise and raspberry coulis is a standout.

The Wyndham Reef Resort's all-purpose dining room (formerly known as Pelican's Reef) converts into a refined space come evening, with its marine murals and nautical paraphernalia (rigging, fishnets) illuminated by candles and clever partitions made of framed sails enhancing its intimacy. Most of the kitchen hails from the Caribbean, but even the buffets merrily marry culinary influences from India to Italy, with dishes such as saffron-infused hummus and spring rolls with wasabi. Regular menus are somewhat stodgier, from shiitake burgers to seafood linguine. Occasional limbo contests and the iconic Barefoot Man's inimitable song stylings on Thursday can change the vibe from romantic to raucous.

Cars practically block the road at this unprepossessing hot spot for classic Caymanian food—literally Vivine and Ray Watler's home. Prime seating is in the waterfront courtyard, serenaded by rustling sea-grape leaves, crashing surf, and screeching gulls. The day's menu, sourced locally for freshness, is scrawled on a blackboard: perhaps stewed turtle (one of the few places you can still find it), curried goat, barbecued chicken, and snapper, with cassava and sweet-potato-cake sides. Burgers, dogs, and chicken-and-chips make a concession to more timid taste buds. Alcohol isn't served, but fresh tamarind, mango, and sorrel juices pack a flavorful punch. Vivine's generally closes early (and occasionally on Monday), but stays open if there's demand—and any food left.

This peaceful waterfront restaurant offers one of the best views in Cayman. You may be wowed by the gluten-free yet delicious dishes—all Caribbean inspired, of course. Tucked neatly under the Lighthouse Point Hotel, the café uses only sustainable, organic local products including freshly made kombucha and juices. For lunch or dinner, must-tries include the coconut ceviche to start and the fish burger or vegan curry.

Ultracontemporary design with industrial elements (exposed piping, raw timber, tugboat salvage) is a counterpoint to the down-home fare at this bustling glorified diner, whose choice seats are on the patio. Comfort food aficionados can launch into the splendid chicken and waffles, meat loaf, and poutine. The kitchen is also adept at more inventive dishes, such as a polenta-portobello burger with goat cheese and a pork belly taco with cilantro and spicy kimchi sauce. Finish off your meal with the enormous cinnamon bun, though it might finish you off.

The location of this waterside eatery is a series of elevated decks and Victorian-style gazebos in blue and white hugging the sea. Its enviable location helps to explain its enduring appeal (wedding parties have their own pavilion, but celebrations of all sorts can overrun the place, including Salsa Tuesdays, with lessons). The Ports of Call bar is a splendid place for sunset fanciers, and tarpon feeding off the deck is a twice-nightly (7 and 9 pm) spectacle. Save room for dessert: perhaps the Cayman lime pie or toffee banana.

This modish locals' lair serves superlative sushi. The main room's scarlet cushions, cherry blown-glass pendant lamps, leather-and-bamboo accents, orchids, and maroon walls create an exciting vibe. Savvy diners literally leave themselves in Yoshi's hands (the rolls and nightly sushi "pizzas" are particularly creative), while the raw-phobic can choose from fine cooked items, from tuna tataki (meat or fish steak, served raw or lightly seared) to tempura and teriyaki. The congenial staff recommends sake and beer pairings, but the wine and martini selections are also admirable for an Asian eatery.