Where to Eat in Grand Cayman: Best Restaurants for Every Occasion

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As I prepared to vacation in the Cayman Islands, I didn’t come across many restaurant reviews so was surprised to find so many gems and feel I must now share them with you. From bakeries to speakeasies to authentic Caribbean cuisine, here’s where to eat in Grand Cayman! This article covers the best restaurants from my trip.

Jazzmine sitting under an umbrella and holding a golden yellow cocktail at Tillie's waterfront restaurant on Grand Cayman; she's wearing a colorful striped crochet dress and white cat eye sunglasses.

Grand Cayman is the largest island in the Cayman Islands and has a robust food scene with a blend of regional and global flavors and cuisines. You’ll find Caribbean staples, fresh tropical juices, British and Mediterranean dishes, with many options tailored to the American palate as the United States sends more tourists than anywhere else.

Tips for Dining on Grand Cayman

How much does it cost to eat in Grand Cayman? This destination has a reputation for being pricey so don’t expect to eat a lot of cheap meals, especially if you are dining in the famous Seven Mile Beach area. I recommend budgeting at least $30 per meal.

Most places accept credit cards and menu prices are often in USD currency. But sometimes pricing is more favorable if you pay with cash, especially in local currency. My favorite travel credit card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees so I used it in combination with KYD.

Venture outside of the hotel zone for more variety! Even within Georgetown, where the cruise port and terminal is, you can find amazing local food. This is one of the reasons I recommend renting a car and driving around Grand Cayman.

At the same time, don’t sleep on the hotel restaurants. Three of the places I mention on this list were at upscale properties within walking distance of Seven Mile Beach.

Solo dining is completely acceptable in Grand Cayman. I didn’t feel out of place or have any issues getting a table for one even at busier eateries.

7 Favorite Grand Cayman Restaurants

Chill Spot

Go for authentic Caymanian food! Chill Spot is located in Savannah near the former Grand Cayman capital, Bodden Town. This is where local people eat, which is always a good sign of taste and quality.

Chill Spot serves Caribbean classics like stew fish, curried shrimp, and conch stew, which Grand Cayman is known for. They also have a rotating selection of local juices, and desserts.

Inside, there are a few tables but most people seemed to their take meals to go. Out of all the restaurants I visited, this was the best value for the–so it’s a must eat place if you’re traveling on a budget.

I went for lunch or dinner three out of my five days on the island and absolutely recommend the curry shrimp, which comes with rice and peas, plantain, potato salad, and a side salad. Cool off with the divine carrot juice and coconut water!

Island Taste

holding cocoa bread filled with Caymanian beef patty filling.

When I mentioned my plans to stop into Island Taste, one of my tour guides started salivating, so I knew it would be a good choice. This is primarily a grab-and-go restaurant that also offers catering and one of the best restaurants near Grand Cayman airport.

Located in Georgetown, it was close enough to the hotel zone that I visited multiple times. This affordable restaurant is known for their “meat loaf” which is cocoa bread filled with patty filling. Genius! I also recommend their chicken and beef patties and passion fruit juice.

Library By the Sea

Swirly Shirley non-alcoholic cocktail in ribbed highball glass garnished with mint leaves and a brown bamboo spoon at Kimpton Seafire Library bar.

Located inside the Kimpton Seafire Resort, the Library Bar serves up unique, gorgeous cocktails and mocktails from a book themed menu by amazing, skilled bartenders. The bar is somehow simultaneously chic and beautiful and cozy and warm.

Since I was staying at the Grand Cayman Kimpton, I stopped in a few times and would recommend the Almond Blossom and the Swirly Shirley (non-alcoholic), which are both picture above. You can’t order food here but they do have light bar snacks that come out with your drinks.

Next Door

savory fig leaf martini on black sparkling tabletop at Grand Cayman Islands nightlife restaurant.

I highly recommend the Next Door Speakeasy for a romantic dinner date night or sexy solo place to get drinks on Grand Cayman. It’s located in the Camana Bay shopping and entertainment complex. This is a cute spot with cozy booths and a rotating schedule of live jazz music performances–reservations highly recommended.

Next Door is known for modern riffs on classic beverages and my favorite drink served was their interpretation of the Saturn. They also serve food and I enjoyed the hummus and beef empanadas.

There were way too many interesting looking drinks on their menu to try and make it out upright! I almost broke the two-drink-max rule I follow during solo trips but thankfully, they also have zero proof options.

Here are my top tips for traveling solo no matter the destination!

Scoops Cayman

brown hand holding waffle bowl of tropical ice cream scoops at Cayman Islands dessert restaurant.

Stop into Scoops Cayman for a cool treat after a Seven Mile Beach day! I found their ice cream to be very creamy and service was fantastic. My scoops of choice were pineapple ginger and grape nut.

There are actually all kinds of desserts available here, not just ice cream–so I grabbed a hunk of rum cake to go and had to hold myself back from the bread pudding. And you can order a casual lunch, too.

Silver Palm Lounge

The Silver Palm Lounge & Restaurant is a fine dining establishment located inside the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman. I stopped in for afternoon tea and was treated like a princess. Their tea service is a unique experience blending British tradition with Caribbean flavor. Advance reservations are required and take note of the dress code.

Here’s everything you need to know about Afternoon Tea at the Cayman Islands Ritz Carlton!

Tillies

jerk bowl with chicken on tiled beachside table next to striped cloth napkin, wooden handbag, and chic cat-eye sunglasses.

I spent a Sunday afternoon at Tillie’s for weekend for beachfront lunch and was so impressed with the food and service. Tillie’s is part of the super bougie Palm Heights Hotel and situated on a gorgeous stretch of Seven Mile Beach with chairs tables and loungers.

I devoured the jerk chicken grill bowl and washed it down with Tillie’s punch. There’s lots of shade from umbrellas and plants but it does get hot so keep that in mind when timing your visit!