Let’s dive into the delicious and diverse world of Cayman cuisine.
This guide breaks down where to go and what foods and dishes to try in the Cayman Islands.
Pack your bags, grab a fork and let’s get started.
Must-Try Dishes of the Cayman Islands:
6. Turtle Stew – The National Dish of the Cayman Islands
Turtle Soup – WikimediaTopping the list is the iconic turtle stew.
It’s not just another seafood dish, but a slice of Caymanian history.
This traditional meal comprises turtle meat that is slow-cooked for over two hours with peppers, onions, tomatoes, and a stash of island spices.
Rich and flavorful, the stew will melt in your mouth!
Ask for a serving of rice and beans, and fried plantains as a side.
What makes turtle meat special is that it contains no cholesterol and its texture is a bit like veal.
If you’re interested you could visit the Cayman Turtle Farm which raises turtles for meat.
It is the only center in the world that raises turtles for consumption, and is credited in ensuring turtle consumption is legal and ethical on the islands.
The center also breeds turtles and releases them into the ocean to preserve the species.
The Cayman Islands is one of the few places in the world where it is still legal to consume the sea turtle.
Where to Find the Best Turtle Stew
1. Champion House II – Georgetown
2. Over the Edge Café – Old Man Bay
3. The Wharf Restaurant – Georgetown
5. Conch Fritters
Conch Fritter – WikimediaIn second place are the delicious conch fritters, a worthy appetizer for a Caymanian meal.
For those who have never tasted or seen a conch, it is a cross between an escargot and a clam.
The conch fritters are made by mixing conch meat with peppers, onions, and spices.
They are then deep-fried until golden brown.
A well-done conch fritter is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Enjoy them with a tangy dip or sauce for that zesty hit.
If the texture of the conch appeals to your palate, try the heart-warming conch stew.
This delicious concoction features herbs, tomatoes, and Cayman peppers.
Where to Eat the Tastiest Conch Fritters
- My Bar & Seaharvest Restaurant –Grand Cayman
- Rum Point Club – Rum Point
- Rackam’s Waterfront Bar and Grill – George Town
4. Cayman-Style Beef (with fried plantain side)
Fried Plantain – WikimediaCarnivores will have a good time in the Cayman Islands with all these meaty preparations!
Next on our list is the succulent Cayman-style beef – comfort food at its best!
The dish is made by marinating beef in a mixture of local spices and then cooking it for several hours until it’s tender and bursting with flavors.
It is then shredded into fine pieces and served with coconut rice, or sweet potatoes.
Peas and fried plantain make for a nice side!
Cayman-style beef is often cooked with onions, black pepper, and a bit of coconut milk.
If you’re in the Cayman Islands during the Christmas season, you’ll notice that most families cook Cayman-style beef; this is also a Christmas tradition.
Where to Try Cayman-Style Beef
1. Big Tree BBQ – Gun Bay
2. Vivine’s Kitchen – East End
3. The Brasserie – George Town
3. Fish Rundown
Fish Soup – WikimediaGet ready for this creamy stew that showcases the island’s seafood-making prowess. Quite a few on site restaurants at Cayman Island’s luxurious resorts serve fish rundown.
Fish rundown is an iconic Caymanian dish made using coconut milk, tomatoes, fish, peppers, and onions.
The fish fillets are cooked in coconut milk until tender after which they are infused with aromatic herbs and flavors.
Seafood lovers will regale in this comforting dish that’s best eaten with rice.
At times, you might find slices of yam, breadfruit, plantains, pumpkin, and even dumplings mixed in fish rundown.
You might also catch hints of thyme and pimento!
Note that Fish Rundown could also be listed as Coconut Rundown on certain restaurant menus.
If you dine at a local’s house, you could be served with a turtle variant of rundown.
By the way, “rundown” in the Cayman Islands refers to “nice and slow.”
Where to Have the Best Fish Rundown
1. Da Fish Shack – George Town
2. Heritage Kitchen – West Bay
3. Grape Tree Café – Bodden Town
4. Welly’s Cool Spot – George Town
2. Jerk Chicken
Jerk Chicken – WikimediaThis smoky chicken dish is a staple not just in the Cayman Islands but across the Caribbean.
Jerk chicken is made by marinating chicken in scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, and other spices.
After marinating, it is then grilled to perfection.
Dig into the tender, succulent chicken bursting with aromatic flavors!
During your travels in the Cayman Islands, you will notice that jerk chicken is quite ubiquitous and sold at street side stalls, as well as in food trucks.
This dish is best had with breadfruit, chips, and a side of rice.
Where to Eat the Tastiest Jerk Chicken
1. Peppers Bar and Grill- George Town
2. Alfresco Restaurant – West Bay
3. Chicken! Chicken! – Seven Mile Beach
1. Cassava Cake
Cassava Cake – WikimediaSatiate sugar cravings with a slice of Cassava cake.
This traditional Caymanian dessert is made using grated cassava (a kind of tuberous root vegetable), coconut milk, sugar, and some spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves).
The texture of the cake is moist and somewhat chewy.
The earthy aftertaste makes Cassava cake the perfect ending to your Caymanian lunch or dinner.
It’s ideal even with your afternoon cappuccino!
Yum!
Where to Enjoy the Most Decadent Cassava Cakes
1. The Bakery in Cayman – George Town
2. Icoa Café – Seven Mile Beach
3. Bread and Chocolate Vegan Bistro – George Town