The Cayman Islands is a destination long known for culinary excellence and divine dining experiences. Heralded as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean, this tiny trio of islands has over 200 restaurants, offering locals and travellers great diversity, quality and selection via its world-class dining scene.

On Grand Cayman, as each sun-drenched day comes to a close, the scene transitions from the world famous Seven Mile Beach to a bustling culinary scene across the island. Restaurants and patio lounges quickly fill with patrons seeking custom cocktails and dining options that rival South Beach, Vancouver and Toronto. What other sun-soaked destination offers ten Wine Spectator rated restaurants all within a few miles of each other?

 

The Cocktail Scene

The Cayman Islands’ incredible dining options are complimented by fantastic wine and cocktail programs throughout the destination. Camana Bay is a town development adjacent to the capital city of George Town. Best described by its stunning modern design, upscale shops and a vibrant urban sensibility, Camana Bay is home to the patios and long bars of Agua, Abacus and KARoo that fill quickly at cocktail hour each day.

For those who enjoy the cocktail scene, Grand Cayman holds Cocktail Week at the end of October, which offers cocktail events, dinners and classes, working alongside some of the island’s best bartenders, bars and restaurants.

 

 

 

 

Restaurants

The islands offer a wide array of dining experiences, from Eric Ripert’s Blue at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, to The Brasserie, a local favourite, offering sea-to-table dining and a thriving kitchen garden under the watch of chef Dean Max.

For the oenophile, LUCA, located at the Caribbean Club, offers more than 3,000 bottles to choose from to accompany any of their exquisite menu items. Or enjoy the more relaxed, oceanside boho chic atmosphere of Veranda at the Marriott, waterside at Calypso Grill or Catch in Morgan’s Harbour.

 

 

From street-side cafes with local favourites like stewed conch and baked fish to the candlelit intimacy of bistros and al fresco fine dining, there’s a remarkable choice of good restaurants. Caribbean, Central American, Italian, Mexican, German, Thai, Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Tex-Mex and more – they’re all here, and within a short distance from most major hotels.

 

 

Culinary Events

Fabulous dining isn’t all that’s drawing discerning palates to the Cayman Islands. Two major events that occur in the early part of the year are Cayman Cookout and Taste of Cayman.

Cayman Cookout, which takes place every January, provides guests with four days of epicurean experiences including demonstrations, tastings and excursions, as well as personal encounters with world-class chefs and sommeliers. The event is hosted by The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. The star-studded line-up includes host Eric Ripert, who has invited culinary masters like José Andrés, Dominique Crenn, Daniel Boulud, Emeril Lagasse, Stephanie Izard, Canada’s own Normand Laprise, Martin Picard and many others, in addition to noted wine and spirits experts from around the world.

 

 

The Taste of Cayman Food & Wine Festival is a food lover’s dream which takes place at The Town Centre at Camana Bay. With over 18,580 sq. metres (200,000 sq. ft) of space, Taste of Cayman has countless tasting booths offering local delicacies and samples from fine dining establishments on the island, as well as VIP champagne lounges, wine tasting opportunities and live entertainment.

During Restaurant Month, visitors can enjoy dining at some of Cayman’s best restaurants at value-for-money fixed prices held every October.

 

 

The Lionfish Challenge

International foodies looking for a new experience need look no further than the Cayman Islands. Native to the Indo-Pacific region and the Red Sea, lionfish are invasive to the Caribbean Sea. They are voracious predators and are a threat to Caribbean reefs as they are non-selective feeders, reducing juvenile fish populations very quickly and ultimately impacting reef ecosystems.

The Cayman Islands Department of the Environment has created a comprehensive control programme working with local dive operations and certified cullers to control the lionfish population in order to maintain fish and reef systems. While lionfish may be an invasive species that can deliver a nasty sting if touched, their delicate, flaky white meat is now offered island-wide at a variety of restaurants. From lionfish tacos served at Eagle Ray’s Dive Bar & Grill to lionfish sandwiches and salads at restaurants across Grand Cayman such as Vivo, customers crave the mild tasting fish and the story that goes along with it.

 

 

 

Culinary Markets + Experiences

Visiting during a full moon? Check out the “Luna del Mar” celebration at Kaibo. A torch-lit alfresco dinner is served with a DJ to set the mood for dancing on the beach.

The Cayman Farmers’ Market at the Cricket Grounds in George Town is a great place to discover fresh, seasonal produce grown right on Grand Cayman. The market offers freshly made prepared food, beverages, baked goods, sauces, spreads and the like.

 

 

Those seeking local crafts, hand-made jewellery and apparel plus lifestyle goods will also find them here. The Cayman Farmers’ Market is open Monday to Saturday, from about 7:30 am to about 5:30 pm. On Saturdays, the market closes between 3 and 4pm, depending on the farmers and produce.

Diners visiting Camana Bay can also participate in the Flavour Tour, a progressive dinner experience featuring local ingredients presented in the signature style of the participating restaurants. Enjoy five small course plates complimented by a feature cocktail or wine pairing.

Sunday Brunch is an institution in Cayman. Numerous restaurants offer impressive feasts including local seafood and delicacies, breakfast favourites, sushi, salads, desserts and more. Unlimited champagne or sparkling wine is usually included too. Popular choices are LUCA, the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, Agua and Blue Cilantro. In the East End try The Lighthouse, which serves a Mediterranean style brunch and Tukka, who serve brunch with an Australian twist.

Other food and drink experiences include a visit to the Cayman Spirits Co., the Cayman Islands Brewery, the Tortuga Rum Company, or to one of the many local roadside stands like Grape Tree Cafe or Heritage Kitchen for authentic fish and fritters and local dishes served with all the fixings.

Local foods popular in the Cayman Islands include fresh conch, coconut, plantain, cassava, yams, rice and peas (or beans), tuna, snapper, mangos and mahi mahi. Traditional Caymanian food includes dishes made with turtle meat, as well as conch stew, Cayman-style beef and an old-fashioned fish fry.

 

Learn more about Cayman Islands here