16 Best Restaurants in Cayman Islands

This quietly hip spot plays up an aquatic theme with indigo glass fixtures, black-and-white photos of bridges and waterfalls, and cobalt-and-white walls that subtly mimic foamy waves. Its young, international chefs emphasize seafood, preparing regional dishes from around the globe with a Caymanian slant, albeit emphasizing Peruvian and Italian specialties from tiraditos to tiramisu. The Thai ceviche, gossamer lobster-shiitake ravioli, and tender entraña (skirt steak Argentinean style with chimichurri) burst with flavor. Presentation is painterly throughout, and authentic gelatos cap off the meal. Wine selections from lesser-known regions often represent good value, with 20 offered by the glass; the bartenders also creatively pair cocktails and food. Free tapas at happy hour and the three-course lunch menu are steals.

At this smart beachfront trattoria, everything has been handpicked: a wine wall of more than 3,000 international bottles; Murano glass fixtures; arty blown-up photographs; leather banquettes; and a curving onyx-top bar. Chef Roman Kleinrath presents a more conventional, classic menu than his predecessor but still delights in unorthodox pairings like Hudson Valley foie gras with pickled figs, raspberry balsamic puree, and Port reduction. Homemade pastas like pumpkin ravioli with sun-dried tomatoes in drawn thyme butter also shine, but the standout is a whole Mediterranean striped bass baked in a salt crust floating atop Chardonnay caper sauce.

The Ritz-Carlton's all-purpose dining room, which features tall potted palms, soaring ceilings, a black-and-beige color scheme, and twin wine walls bracketing a trendy family-style table, transforms from a bustling breakfast buffet to an elegant evening eatery. Sinatra and Ella keep a sultry beat, while the kitchen jazzes up standard meat-and-potatoes dishes with inventive seasonings and eye-catching presentations. Splendid aged Niman Ranch steaks come with five sauces and rubs, from five-peppercorn to béarnaise. The calorie- and cholesterol-conscious can savor the likes of melt-in-your-mouth ahi tuna poke. Then surrender to the chocolate and sea-salt-caramel candy bar. Nightly happy hour (5–7) offers superb bar snacks like tempura Brie with local pepper jelly and jerk maple-glazed pork belly. The wine list is pricey but well considered; the creative craft cocktails also make surprisingly splendid pairings.

Classic Caribbean dishes use produce from local farms in a homey environment. Great beach views and a tropical atmosphere round out the experience. The restaurant works equally well as a chilled-out lunch spot as it does a laid-back party venue. Try the sweet-potato-and-cheese empanadas, Mr. White pizza, or green papaya salad. Enjoy the sounds of the sea lapping against the shore. After lunch, flop onto a shaded lounger and rest up ahead of the spectacular sunset display.

This animated space celebrates all things fun and Caribbean with pastel walls; cobalt glass fixtures; National Archive photographs and old newspapers about the spot's namesake, Cimboco, the first motorized sailing ship built in Cayman (in 1927); and flames dancing up the exhibition kitchen's huge wood-burning oven. Everything from breads (superlative bruschetta and jalapeño cornbread) to ice creams is made from scratch. Artisanal pizzas come topped with balsamic-roasted eggplant, pesto, and feta or with jerk chicken with Bermuda onions. Signature items include banana-leaf-roasted snapper and fire-roasted bacon-wrapped shrimp. Amazing desserts include a sinfully rich brownie. The popular breakfast and brunch are equally creative.

Arguably Cayman's first true gastropub, Craft impresses with gorgeous postindustrial decor (contrasting warm white exposed brick with gray piping) and contemporary rustic cuisine that defies labels. The kitchen dubs it “familiar food with a twist." The globe-trotting menu changes monthly and the executive chef takes sabbaticals, traveling the world for inspiration. Stellar starters include jerk pork poutine, giant kale-cheddar pierogi with house-made bacon, and addictive beer-battered cheese curds with spicy ranch dip. Every day features a special: "Melting Pot" Wednesday (fondue), Thursday raw bar featuring sublime ceviches, and wild game such as ostrich chili or wild boar rack on Tuesday. Craft takes pride in its remarkable beer selection (including gluten-free options), with tastings, flights, and food pairings. Bourbon and rum lovers have fabulous options, and mixology mavens can dive into the house infusions.

This classic clapboard seaside shanty couldn't be homier: constructed from an old fishing vessel, the structure is an authentic representation of original Caymanian architecture. The deck is perfectly placed to savor the breezes and water views, and the chill Caribbean vibe makes it feel as if you're having the freshest seafood at a friend's home. The owners source fresh, local ingredients wherever possible and have developed relationships with Caymanian fishermen, who often cruise up to the dock with their catch. Savor jerk fish tacos, saltfish fritters, coconut shrimp with pineapple-tomato salsa, and golden crunchy breadfruit fries. Landlubber selections run from pork chops with pineapple butter to baby back ribs braised in Jack Daniels. Free Wi-Fi and occasional DJs are bonuses.

This busy and eclectic eatery has a vast menu (Cajun to Chinese), including smashing breakfasts and 10 kinds of burgers (fish and veggie versions are available). The decor is dramatic—crimson booths and walls, flat-screen TVs lining the counter, steel pendant lamps, an exhibition kitchen, gigantic flower paintings, and Andy Warhol reproductions. Other options include a Caesar salad, samosas, Philly cheesesteak, and chicken fajitas. It's noisy, buzzing, and hip—but not aggressively so.

In every respect, from the decor to the cuisine, Pani is a joyous celebration of street food from around the subcontinent, with haute gloss. The space breathtakingly creates an Indian street bazaar indoors: bamboo-and-burlap awnings, billowing multihue fabric, representations of such deities as Ganesha, a wall of dyed tea bags, and huge brass tandoor urns in the open kitchen. Among the many standouts (with just the right amount of heat, which the restaurant will happily adjust) are prawn tandoori, wonderfully complex savory chaats, lentil dosas (crepes), and paneer butter masala. The vast vegetarian options are good enough to convert the most ardent carnivores, and the express lunch is one of Cayman's best bargains.

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 industrial-chic setting of this wildly popular pizza and pasta joint cleverly recalls similar Brooklyn eateries in DUMBO and Williamsburg with natural wood tables for family-style dining, exposed piping, oversize metal lighting fixtures, distressed floors, and silk-screen paintings of musicians like Ray Charles and Diana Ross in Fauvist tones. The food proves equally trendy and appealing. You might start with the bountiful butcher’s board of artisanal cheeses and charcuterie or a definitive fried calamari tossed with blistered tomatoes, artichokes, olives, and aioli. Pastas are all Mamma mia garlic and attitude (marvelous meatballs), while the creative pizzas (the jerk chicken is dynamite in more ways than one, and the Nutella s'mores 'za makes a divine dessert) display Wolfgang Puck–ish flair. The attention to detail shows in everything from the garnishes on the craft cocktails to the marvelously presented flowerpot brimming with homemade sourdough.

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.