Dining at its finest: 10 restaurants on Grand Cayman recommended by Provenance Properties
By Anna Wootton
04 Oct 2019
04 Oct 2019
Updated April 2023
Fondly referred to as the "culinary capital of the Caribbean," the Cayman Islands boasts a variety of restaurants, from fine dining to a traditional beach fish fry - there is something for every palate. One of the many perks to living in the Cayman Islands is the chance to enjoy world-class dining every weekend, if you so please.
In recognition of Restaurant Month, which is celebrated every October in the Cayman Islands, we have scoured the island's culinary options and rounded up our list of 10 dining establishments that can be enjoyed year round.
1. Ave
As Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa’s signature restaurant, Ave truly transports its guests to the Mediterranean coast with fresh local ingredients and inventive presentations. Decadent dishes from Executive Chef Massimo De Francesca pair well with craft cocktails conceived by Beverage Manager, Jim Wrigley. Enjoy an inspired menu whilst taking in the awe-inspiring sunsets of Seven Mile Beach, which earned the resort its name.
2. Upstairs at Kaibo
Kaibo is a family-friendly beachfront eatery on the northern side of Grand Cayman where locals and visitors alike enjoy barefoot Caribbean dining away from the hustle and bustle of Seven Mile Beach. After a full day of play, visit Upstairs at Kaibo, where guests are encouraged to “come as they are” for a seasonally driven a-la-carte tasting menu.
Awarded the title of Grand Cayman’s number-one restaurant in recent years, Upstairs at Kaibo is a beautifully decorated space with the island’s widest selection of rare Caribbean rums. Offering unmatched views of the glimmering shallow waters, Upstairs at Kaibo is one of the island’s culinary gems.
Travelling to Upstairs through Kaibo and Rum Point – known in Grand Cayman real estate as prime locations – guests often find entertainment in spotting the charming names that adorn the beachfront properties.
3. bàcaro
Situated in the Cayman Islands Yacht Club, bàcaro offers a true Venetian-inspired menu by head chef Federico Destro that captures the fabulous flavours and enticing aromas thought only to be found in the heart of Venice. The waterfront restaurant offers small plates, or “cicchetti”, where guests are encouraged to order a number of dishes, to share family style.
bàcaro’s central dining area is complete with floor-to-ceiling doors, which create an inside-outside space when opened to their extensive deck.
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman’s signature restaurant Blue offers a near-perfect tasting menu experience, highlighting fresh, local seafood like the snapper tartar that is simply divine. The restaurant’s inventive craft cocktails and impressive selection of fine wines are exquisite complements to each dish. As the Caribbean’s only AAA Five-Diamond restaurant, Blue by Eric Ripert offers a dining experience unlike any other.
6. Coccoloba
A long day in the sun and surf on Seven Mile Beach will surely work up an appetite. On days like this, stroll over to Coccoloba Bar & Grill at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, where a casual, beachside experience awaits. Delicious Mexican street food meets flavourful Caribbean seafood in an open-air setting.
Offering the best seat in town to watch the Seven Mile Beach sunsets, simply pull up a chair at its three-sided bar and indulge in a famous ”Coccoslide” – a tasty, coconut and coffee concoction. If you want to know more about life at The Residences at Seafire, where both Ave and Coccoloba are on your doorstep, contact us today.
7. Tukka
East of the island, explore dishes from Down Under at Tukka. While guests dine at the edge of the turquoise Caribbean Sea, chef and owner Ron Hargrave creates mouthwatering dishes combining fresh local seafood with an Australian/Caribbean influences. A popular spot with the local community, Tukka offers a truly Caribbean experience for the entire family.
8. Tillie's
Tillie's celebrates a global world with its eclectic menu, with a focus on Caribbean dishes featuring local produce and seafood. Pull up a chair at this beachfront restaurant located at Palm Heights on Seven Mile Beach and take in the sunset with a cocktail in hand and fresh, flavourful fare on your plate.
9. Abacus
Located in the heart of Camana Bay, Abacus has been a local favourite in Grand Cayman since its opening in 2007. Its sophisticated city dining atmosphere with its large shaded outdoor patio and refined dining menu pleases all who pass through its doors.
Camana Bay's newest restaurant offers chic, metropolitan-inspired interiors, a range of in-house entertainment options, a number of designer cocktails and a tapas-style menu with fresh Waygu beef steak as the star of the show. Also offering weekend breakfast options, lunch menus perfect for a quick yet elegant waterfront meal or a business meeting, Union is offering something for everyone.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list - many more Grand Cayman restaurants are favoured by those who live here. Share your favourite restaurants with us on social media.
