Must-see restaurants in Caribbean

  • Cafe des Arts

    Nevis

    Infused with charming boho flair and set in a little banana-tree-shaded park by the sea, this colorful outdoor cafe does brisk business with its cooked…

  • Restaurante El Cabo

    Granma Province

    The cheapest seafood in Cuba comes straight out of the Caribbean behind this restaurant that lies in the shadow of the Vargas lighthouse. Expect fresh…

  • Lazy Turtle

    Carriacou

    Makes excellent thin-crust pizzas and authentic Italian pasta alongside more substantial mains, served on an open deck overlooking the bobbing yachts in…

  • Cremería Helados Pompón

    Matanzas

    Another artistic surprise on awakening Calle Narváez (aka Calle 97), Pompón is an ice cream–biased cafe that doubles as an art gallery, workshop and…

  • Abracadabra Counter Cafe

    San Juan

    As colorful as the neighboring street murals, this vibrant French-style cafe draws in an eclectic crowd. Fresh juices, fine coffees, tasty all-day…

  • Daphne's

    Barbados

    In an elegant open-air dining room right next to one of the island's best stretches of sand, Daphne's serves good contemporary Italian dishes in a semi…

  • Secret Garden

    Turks & Caicos

    You can rely on good old-fashioned Bahamian cooking such as grilled chicken with peas 'n' rice or eggs and grits, along with pasta dishes, at this simple…

  • Jarapan

    Central Highlands

    This Spanish-style bakery across from the Esso gas station at the northern end of town serves excellent espresso and lots of baked treats, both sweet and…

  • Rincon del Marisco

    Las Galeras

    A simple open-air place with outstanding food thanks to chef Rubi: fresh fish, lobster, grilled chicken etc. Order anything in the wonderful coco sauce…

  • Restaurante Mi Retiro

    Sancti Spíritus Province

    Situated 3km back down the road to Trinidad, Restaurante Mi Retiro does fair-to-middling comida criolla (Creole food) served against a backdrop of…

  • Fonda de Mercedes

    Las Terrazas

    On a terrace beside her home in an apartment block beneath Hotel Moka, Mercedes has been serving up vegetable soup and hearty home-cooked meat and fish…

  • Restaurante-Bar San José

    Holguín

    A hub of locals slap-bang in the central square (Parque San José) with mismatched paint and uniformed servers. The menu is nothing fancy, but this is…

  • Farmers Market

    Vieques

    Come to this bi-weekly open-air market, where loads of fresh produce and fruit from the mainland are peddled along with homemade baked goods and local…

  • Retreat Kitchen & Juice Bar

    Providenciales

    Lovingly prepared vegan and gluten-free sweet treats and organic juices join a menu of soups, salads, vegan tacos and noodle bowls at this relaxed,…

  • Dasheene

    St Lucia

    This open-air place in the Ladera resort serves Caribbean and European fare in magical surrounds, headlined by incomparable Pitons views. Reservations are…

  • Pompeys

    St Vincent & the Grenadines

    A favorite with local workers, Pompeys serves good home-style Caribbean plates in a tiny dining room or out on a little porch. Best-value meals on the…

  • Epicurean

    Antigua

    This upscale market is Antigua's best and has a wide selection of fresh local foods, imported international foods (especially from the UK and the US), as…

  • Panadería Doña Neli

    Santa Clara

    This staunchly Cuban bakery amid the austere shopfronts on Calle Maceo has plenty of tables available in an adjacent cafe where you can relax with a piece…

  • Starfish Market

    St John

    Self-caterers can stock up at this full-service supermarket, which has a large selection of craft beer, fine wine, cheese and other delicacies. It’s about…

  • Parador La Silla

    Cayo Coco

    This thatched-roof snack bar is halfway along the causeway into Cayo Coco. After a coffee, beer or sandwich, you could climb the adjacent lookout tower…

  • Heladería El Grito

    North Coast

    This unassuming spot in Lares carries on the town's tradition of making top-notch ice cream. Flavors are unusual – rice to beans to tamarind – and the…

  • Star Island Restaurant

    Cayman Brac

    The definitive local favorite. The menu is extensive, with well-stuffed omelets, burgers and sandwiches. But the highlight is the old-fashioned Caymanian…

  • Bar Negril & Jerk Spot

    Negril

    There are some simple picnic tables, a bar serving Red Stripe and Ting, and a kitchen out back that produces decent, reliable takes on the jerk theme. And…

  • Julietta’s Restaurant & Bar

    St Lucia

    Overlooking the bay from the top of the hill, Julietta’s offers exceptional views. Enjoy fresh fish and other casual fare. Call ahead and they'll send a…

  • Yummy Stuff Bakery

    St Vincent & the Grenadines

    Out the back of the mall on the main street, this inviting little bakery is a great place for a cheap bite to eat. Sit in the patio and enjoy filling…

  • Edith's Pizza

    Out Islands

    The deep-dish pizzas and Bimini bread are delicious at this open-sided waterfront place. Build your own pizza from the list of toppings; also Bahamian…

  • Harris’ Place

    British Virgin Islands

    Amiable Cynthia Jones runs this harborside pavilion known for its barbecued pork, ribs and chicken. Oh, and lobster, too! On Monday night, feast on all…

  • Y-Knot

    Kingston, Blue Mountains & the Southeast Coast

    On a large deck over the water, this spot serves particularly good conch soup, as well as jerk and grilled chicken, fish, shrimp and lobster. It's also…

  • Restaurante Los Helechos

    Cuba

    The best state-run eating option at El Nicho is this open-sided rustic restaurant offering the standard round of rice, beans, meat and root vegetables,…

  • Restaurante Don Carlos

    Holguín Province

    Salt-of-the-earth, meet-the-locals private restaurant where you can discover the other side of Cuba over some pretty decent seafood less than 30 minutes…

  • Shrimp Stalls

    Jamaica

    The stretch of the A2 that runs through Middle Quarters is lined with simple wooden shacks, with local ladies selling bagfulls of spicy, locally caught…

  • My Place

    Grenada Island

    A hole-in-the-wall takeout joint on the main drag selling great Trinidadian food. Pick up some doubles (curried chickpeas wrapped in roti skins) and rotis…

  • La Rampa

    Varadero

    A modest private place that's family-run and rightly lauded for its thoroughly decent food. Seating is half inside and half out. The lobster tails are…

  • Rex Cream

    Ponce & South Coast

    The Guayama branch of this Puerto Rican ice-cream chain serves exquisite scoops to the strolling crowds. Interesting flavors you may not have had back…

  • Grill Caribe

    Playa Ancón

    On a lovely beach, this open-air restaurant serves fresh seafood, with the daily menu displayed on a chalkboard. Strict vegetarians will be disappointed…

  • Gelatera Italiana

    Las Terrenas

    Continental quality gelato, the ideal apres-beach refresher, is served up at this small spot where the main access road to town dead ends at the beach…

  • Sunset Inn

    Eleuthera

    The ample patio of this friendly, unhurried but slightly dilapidated seaside bar and grill is the place to down a cold Kalik at sunset while nibbling…

  • Miguel's

    Artemisa & Mayabeque Provinces

    Cute paladar (privately-owned restaurant) serving unusual (for Artemisa) dishes including crab, tamales and bistec uruguayo (Uruguayan steak). Favored by…

  • Casanova by the Sea

    Grand Cayman

    Romantic and relatively affordable, this seaside spot is an excellent option for Italian favorites. The service is charming and the veranda is a perfect…

  • Bryan’s Restaurant

    Ocho Rios, Port Antonio & the North Coast

    A rooftop eatery that offers simple but delicious Jamaican fare, served on a sunny veranda. Pay for your meal at the B&L Supermarket on the 1st floor…

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