6 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.

Bàcaro (likely derived from Bacchus, Roman god of wine) is the Venetian slang term for a gastropub, dispensing upscale versions of down-home cicheti (the city's beloved take on tapas). This dazzling yacht club eatery, boasting gorgeous views of the marina and modish decor (terrific terrace, wonderful black-and-white fishing photos, ropes hung from the ceiling to suggest both keels and sails), delivers on the name's promise thanks to the artistry of Venetian-born head chef–owner Federico Destro, late of Luca. Some of the stunners, deftly counterpointing tastes and textures: coffee-infused cured salmon; poached octopus with eggplant mayonnaise, confit tomatoes, and squid ink crispies; asparagus flan with wild rice, cauliflower puree, and Parmesan “sand”; and Niman Ranch pork belly topped with creamy polenta, roasted shallot, and Cabernet jus. A six-course tasting menu is a good deal (with an extra supplement for wine pairings).

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 name means "good buddies," and this strip-mall jewel percolates with conversation and good strong espresso. The airy space is convivial—blond woods, periwinkle walls and columns, and handsome artworks of beach scenes, sailboats, and palm trees—and the antipasto alone is worth a visit, as are the homemade breadsticks and focaccia, carpaccio, and insalata Caprese. The shellfish linguine in a light, silken tomato sauce, with cherry-tomato skins pulled back and crisped, and gnocchi in four-cheese sauce with brandy and pistachios please pasta perfectionists. Thirty first-rate pizzas emerge from the wood-burning oven, and meat and seafood mains are beautifully done, never overcooked. The wine list is notable (400-odd choices) for a casual eatery, offering affordability even on heavy hitters such as Biondi Santi Brunello, Jermann Pinot Grigio, and Giacosa Barbaresco; the knowledgeable staff will gladly suggest pairings.

Owner Tony Crescente and younger brother, maître d' Carlo, offer a simpatico dining experience, practically exhorting you to mangia and sending you off with a chorus of ciaos. There's some decorative formaggio (cheese): murals of grape clusters and cavorting cherubs, paintings of the Amalfi Coast, and una finestra sul mare ("window to the sea") stenciled redundantly over arches opening onto the harbor. The kitsch doesn't extend to the kitchen. Sterling Italian favorites include lemony veal piccata; gnocchetti in velvety four-cheese sauce with a blush of tomato; and the seafood grill in parsley-garlic-lemon sauce. Enjoy grappa at the marble bar of Il Bacio lounge amid its wooden wine racks (the impressive selection isn't overly Italian-centric). The patio juts over the harbor, and moonlight, abetted by a soundtrack featuring Bocelli and Bennett, can transform an amorous coward into a Casanova.

Pappagallo, Italian for "parrot," hauntingly perches on the edge of a lagoon in a 14-acre bird sanctuary. Inside, riotously colored macaws, cockatoos, and parrots perch on swings behind plate glass, but Italian-born chef Alex Menegon's food is definitely not for the birds, especially his sublime risotto, pasta, and oh-so-yummy osso buco. The lost-in-the-jungle exoticism is enhanced by locally hewn stones, bamboo, homemade rope, and thatched palapas for outdoor seating. Yet the sleek deco-inspired black marble and polished brass accents bespeak the underlying seriousness. Be sure to thank Bogey, the African gray parrot, who really rules the roost.