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In the case of laid-back eating with inventive aptitude, there isn’t a higher Caribbean island than Anguilla for meals lovers!
On this nonetheless under-the-radar island within the jap Caribbean, you may get pleasure from unbelievable native flavours, wonderful eating, enjoyable Seaside bars and conventional Caribbean delicacies with out even leaving the seaside!
I first visited this small, uncrowded island situated close to St. Maarten/St. Martin virtually 10 years in the past to attend the Anguilla LitFest, an annual celebration of writing and literature.
Every time I’ve returned, I’ve been amazed at its culinary scene.
Eating out and exploring the meals scene is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Anguilla!
From refined, high-end eating places to seaside shacks to meals vans, listed below are a few of my favorite locations to eat in Anguilla.
My unique checklist of the finest eating places in Anguilla was up to date and expanded by Caribbean consultants Mark Stevens and Sharon Mathews-Stevens in Spring 2023.
It consists of plenty of new foods and drinks finds, unique photographs and insider suggestions. Try their fave Anguilla seaside bars too!
1. Blanchard’s Seashore Shack and Blanchard’s Nice Eating
For daytime informal fare, it’s undoubtedly price stopping at Blanchard’s Seashore Shack, situated on Meads Bay on the western finish of Anguilla.
This stretch of pearl white seaside is a magnet for celebrities, politicians and enterprise moguls but additionally occurs to be a prime vacation spot for meals followers.
One of many finest eating places in Anguilla for households with youngsters, Blanchard’s Seashore Shack options crave-worthy, toes-in-the-sand informal fare corresponding to fish tacos, sizzling canine, French fries and seafood.
Order on the window for take-out meals to get pleasure from beachfront. It’s the right spot for laid-back eating after a day of water sports activities.
It was based by Melinda and Bob Blanchard, who wrote about their expertise of their best-selling memoir A Journey to the Seashore.
This beach-read shouldn’t be solely entertaining but it surely’s an inspiration to anybody who has each dreamed of remodeling their life.
For romantic eating, Blanchard’s Restaurant (situated subsequent to its seaside shack) earns prime marks for each its upscale seaside home ambiance and memorable delicacies.
It’s well-known for inventive interpretations of basic Caribbean fare. You possibly can anticipate seasonally impressed dishes that showcase the most effective native and imported substances.
Menu highlights embody sharing plates corresponding to jerk shrimp with sweet-tart cranberry relish or chickpea fritters with hummus and Signature Plates of grilled candy Anguilla Crayfish.
Insider’s Tip: There’s free wifi on the seaside tables at Blanchard’s Seashore Shack.
2. Celeste at Malliouhana: Come for the View and Keep for Haute Delicacies
Situated clifftop at Malliouhana Resort, one among Anguilla’s premier properties, the Celeste Restaurant provides tables strategically positioned on three totally different ranges. Deal with your self to dynamite sundown views or panoramic views of Meads Bay, one among Anguilla’s prettiest seashores.
They could describe themselves as “informal magnificence” however I simply name it elegant. Assume linen tablecloths and blue crystal glasses highlighting a crisp, clear nautical décor.
One among their must-try menu gadgets needs to be the Pink Snapper. It’s completely cooked and accompanied by charred corn and asparagus.
However don’t overlook the lobster bisque. I’ve completed lobster dishes from Grenada to Tortola within the British Virgin Islands and this delight tops that checklist.
“Our menu focuses on the ocean with a worldwide focus,” says supervisor Chesney Hughes.
That focus was mirrored in each my appetizer and my entrée. This lends assist to my principle that you just may guide a romantic dinner right here for the wonderful views however what you’ll possible take away is the indelible reminiscence of haute delicacies.
Insider’s Tip: Given the downright Baroque ambiance of their Bar Soleil simply across the nook, be sure to head there for an after-dinner – or before-dinner – cocktail.
3. Sandbar: Seaside Magnificence at Sandy Floor
Although its location beachside at Sandy Floor may make you consider a seaside bar (and there’s no scarcity of nice seaside bars in Anguilla), any similarity disappears the second you step inside.
Though your desk could be mere metres from the seaside itself, the recently-renovated eating room at Sandbar is pure magnificence.
Delivered to you by Carrie and Jerry Bogar, house owners of the widespread Veya Restaurant close by, this institution is a trademark of seaside sophistication.
They’re open for dinner from Monday to Saturday.
“We’ve saved among the hottest menu gadgets from the earlier house owners just like the Tuna Poké,” says co-owner Jerry Bogar, “however our focus is admittedly clear flavours with worldwide aptitude.”
That’s due to a partnership between chef Carrie Bogar and govt chef Kerry Richardson, previously of Veya.
Finest but, you may complement your entrée with an providing from their in depth wine checklist with greater than 100 alternatives.
Moreover, you’ll be entertained by dwell music most nights of the week.
Insider’s Tip: Begin with their truffle fries in tempura batter and end with their irresistible Johnny Cake Sundae.
4. Straw Hat Restaurant: Dreamy Sundown Views and Caribbean Delicacies
Open seasonally (November to April) for breakfast to dinner, Straw Hat Restaurant is the quintessential Caribbean outside eating expertise.
Top-of-the-line locations on Anguilla to benefit from the island’s spectacular violet-hued sunsets, the meals is equally memorable and earns rave critiques.
When you’ll want a reservation for dinner (6-9 pm) to attain a bowl of their dreamy Caribbean bouillabaisse, Straw Hat’s lunch and late afternoon menus characteristic equally beguiling selections.
Straw Hat serves shrimp, mahi mahi and lobster tacos drizzled with mango crème fraîche, and grilled meats served with sides of lobster mac and cheese, aromatic coconut rice and extra.
Situated within the Frangipani Seashore Resort (Google Map), Straw Hat is an effective possibility for family-friendly eating. They’ve received finest child’s menu on Anguilla.
Insider’s Tip: Don’t miss an order of the house-made fried plantain chips!
5. Scilly Cay Anguilla: Play Castaway on an Offshore Island
Situated subsequent to the island of St. Martin – Ste Maarten, Anguilla consists of 33 uncrowded seashores and offshore cays. One of many finest issues to do in Anguilla is to go to Scilly Cay off the northeast shore at Island Harbour.
Accessible solely by boat, this speck within the sea options calm sapphire waters on one facet and decided waves on the opposite.
Based by the late Eudoxie Wallace its open-air kitchen and bar serves up among the finest grilled lobster you’ll ever discover.
The seafood right here is so recent you may see pink speckled lobster swimming inside tidal swimming pools that function pure aquariums maintaining them recent till dinner.
The menu — lobster, crayfish and pasta salad — matches the simplicity of the setting which is principally picnic tables within the sand.
Every platter of seafood comes completely spiced and is paired with French bread as heat because the commerce winds.
6. Da’Vida: The Better of Each Worlds
Dominating the attractive seaside at Crocus Bay, Da’Vida (Google Map), lengthy thought of an indicator of Anguilla wonderful eating, is called in tribute to David and Vida Allen, proprietors of one among Anguilla’s first lodges.
However Da’Vida isn’t only a great spot to eat.
With a fundamental home formal eating room and a Seashore Membership boasting pure wooden, a deck for seating and even a smattering of seaside lounge chairs and picnic tables the place they convey your lunch and drinks proper to you, Da’Vida provides expertly-prepared meals, an equally interesting seaside eating expertise and even dwell leisure on Sunday afternoons.
Be sure you order the grilled conch. It’s a spotlight of an off-the-cuff menu boasting favourites like pizza and burgers.
There’s additionally a unbelievable seafood choice and even Caribbean choices like Johnny truffles and rice and peas.
Although the principle home eating room has been closed lately they’re reopening in October. It would have a brand new look, a brand new menu and even a brand new title.
Chef Prabu (featured within the current Anguilla Culinary Expertise) brings a mix of native and worldwide flavour to the menu at each spots.
In accordance with supervisor Hasani Derrick, upon reopening the choices on the reborn fundamental home eating room will “characteristic a seasonal wonderful eating menu with a number of rotating specials.”
Dine at Da’Vida (Seashore Membership opens at 11 AM each day whereas the formal eating room with be open each day for dinner solely) and one factor’s for certain.
You’re getting the most effective of each worlds.
Insider’s Tip: Order their signature Da’Vida Rum Punch earlier than your meal and every little thing will style even higher.
7. Hank’s at Shoal Bay: Finest Breakfast on the Seashore
Start your morning because the locals do and head to Shoal Bay for breakfast and a swim.
Frequently voted one of many world’s finest seashores by seaside aficionados (together with us!), it’s a fringe of palm bushes, cottony sand and blue waters that’s a preferred day journey by catamaran from St. Maarten.
One of many huge attracts of Shoal Bay is the seaside.
Geologically, Anguilla is comprised of limestone created by the fossil stays of historical sea animals and coral.
So the ocean flooring is a marvel of bleached white sand.
Your post-swim vacation spot is Hanks (Google Map), a humble outside eatery overlooking the ocean.
The elegant view and crispy wedges of potato pancake elevate a easy plate of fried eggs to a memorable occasion.
When you keep at Shoal Bay Villas, you’re a brief seaside stroll away from Hank’s Restaurant. The beachfront rental flats come absolutely geared up with kitchens and are perfect for households and {couples}. The onsite spa can also be glorious.
Hank’s Seashore Bar is situated on the seaside at Shoal Bay (East) off Bay View Highway
Verify costs and availability at Shoal Bay Villas on Reserving.com
You’ll want a automotive to get to most island points of interest and eating places in Anguilla.
We hire our vehicles on Discovercars.com. It’s a web based automotive rental reserving web site that compares charges from a number of firms to search out the most effective deal.
Verify for the most effective automotive rental charges at Discovercars.com
8. Tasty’s Anguilla: Pattern Conventional Native Meals
One of many finest locations for native meals in Anguilla is Tasty’s on Rte 1 South Hill (Google Map).
Its ambiance is geared to fuelling its loyal followers who flock right here for breakfast, lunch and early dinners. Count on beneficiant portion sizes and a great deal of Caribbean flavour.
Tasty’s Proprietor and Chef Dale Carty is a local native Anguillian and extremely acclaimed for his creative interpretations of Caribbean classics.
So that you gained’t be disenchanted with successful dishes such because the omelette bursting with tender native seafood, conch salad, curry goat or coconut lobster stew.
Lots of the dishes are served with Johnny Cake, a cornmeal flatbread that’s additionally a staple on many different Caribbean islands. The title is derived from “journey cake” to mirror its origins as a meals carried on lengthy travels.
On Anguilla there are as many variations of johnny cake as there are cooks. However the Johnny Cake at Tasty’s comes deep-fried to a golden brown and a fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth inside.
Insider’s Tip: For a enjoyable twist on a basic, head to Leon’s on Meads Bay to strive their Johnny Cake Jerk Burger. This grilled patty of jerked beef comes slathered with spicy mayo and is tucked inside a heat Johnny Cake.
Time your go to for the weekend for dwell music/DJs and drink specials.
9. Dune Protect on Anguilla: Cocktails and Dwell Music
Dusk on Anguilla doesn’t imply casinos, neon nightclubs or theatrical liquid nitrogen drinks. As a substitute, it’s all about sand mashing (seaside dancing), dwell music and relaxed cocktails.
There’s no different spot that epitomizes this laid-back vibe as a lot as Dune Protect. Owned by reggae musician Bankie Banx, the bar is a sprawling building of driftwood, previous boats and twine on Rendezvous Bay that feels extra wood raft than constructing.
Though the bar is understood to attract huge title musicians and dwell bands corresponding to John Mayer, the Wailers, Jimmy Buffett and Omari Banks, you may also expertise some experimental poetry or theatre.
Whereas there, sip a Duneshine cocktail (the fermented ginger drink that’s a home specialty) whereas listening to the lapping of the waves and gazing on the flickering lights of the French island of St Martin throughout the bay. No neon wanted.
With its enjoyable nightlife, Anguilla additionally occurs to be a best choice for a ladies’ getaway. Try why in our submit on Nice Girlfriend Getaways within the Caribbean
Insider Tip: For different enjoyable Caribbean seaside bars and events you don’t need to miss, take a look at our journey guides to the Shirley Heights Sunday Social gathering on Antigua and Full Moon Social gathering within the British Virgin Islands.
10. Hungry’s Meals Truck & Restaurant: Anguilla Road Meals and Low-cost Eats
Lengthy earlier than the meals truck pattern hit North America, cellular meals merchandising was widespread in Anguilla. It answered the decision of locals searching for a fast conventional meal.
Situated in The Valley subsequent to the Fish Depot (Google Map), Hungry’s meals van is without doubt one of the most well-known.
Operated by Irad Gumbs and Alfonzo (Papi) Hodge, it’s expanded to incorporate a dine-in restaurant however the menu has stayed true to its unique successful line-up.
The menu at Hungry’s options economical consolation meals that hearkens again to the times of Creole dwelling gardens crammed with pigeon peas, root greens and corn.
A lot of the island’s wealthy West Indian legacy could be seen in goat and hen dishes, domesticated animals that may survive on Anguilla’s scrubby soil.
Hungry’s is without doubt one of the finest locations to strive widespread Anguilla conventional meals corresponding to bull foot soup, pea soup with pig tail, shrimp Creole and recent fish.
Interested by Anguilla’s nationwide dish? It’s pigeon peas and rice. That is the place to strive it!
Insider’s Tip: Hungry’s is without doubt one of the most economical locations to eat on Anguilla as a bowl of soup prices round $7 USD.
11. Jacala Restaurant: Swoon for French Caribbean Fusion Delicacies
Owned by Jacques Borderon and Alain Laurent, who first labored collectively at Malliouhana, the menu is French-inspired and barefoot stylish.
Whereas reservations are wanted for night eating, a fairly desk simply steps from the sand is well had at lunchtime.
One of many prime starters is a refreshing chilled cucumber soup with spicy tomato sorbet accompanied by bread that tastes as if it comes straight from a Parisian boulangerie.
Additionally a preferred selection for romantic eating, Jacala has a well-deserved fame for upscale delicacies. It’s undoubtedly one of many prime eating places in Anguilla so as to add to your checklist so reserve nicely upfront.
Situated on the seaside highway parallel to Mead’s Bay. Name 264-498-5888.
Professional Tip: One other prime place for French delicacies within the Caribbean is the island of St. Barts. Take a ferry there for the day or constitution a catamaran for a relaxed day on the water that features lunch in Gustavia.
12. D. Richard’s: A Gap in One
This iconic property with a breezy location on Rendezvous Bay (Google Map) has a lot to get pleasure from from a culinary perspective.
When you’re a golfer you’re in all probability already found the attraction of D. Richard’s, the most recent addition to Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Membership (the previous CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa).
Out of your desk surrounded by pure wooden and leather-based furnishings absorb the wonderful views by means of the towering floor-to-ceiling home windows.
There are vistas of the Greg Norman-designed golf course for foreground and the distant hills of St. Martin for background.
