In this chapter we explain where to find grocery stores and what sort of food each specialise in; we explain where to buy wine in Cayman; describe the Cayman restaurant and bar scene; suggest weekly, monthly and annual culinary events you might want to participate in and finally describe some of Cayman's famous local dishes.
Every year we expect changes in the Cayman restaurant scene and 2011 was no different. The most significant restaurant to close their doors was Bacchus in downtown George Town which had been one of the first restaurants to open in Cayman. Other notable closures were Chang’s in the Treasure Island complex and Vivendi Cabaret in The Strand. Though as the saying goes “when one door closes another opens”, we have been treated with a catalogue of new and interesting restaurant openings including Wine Down in Governors Square, Roland’s Garden opposite the Marquee Plaza, Lemongrass and The Gourmet Kitchen in the Mirco Centre on North Sound Road and Arbutus in Industrial Park. Other new openings in the pipeline include a Euro-Indian-fusion restaurant by Chef Shetty, formally of Hemingway’s, which will be in the Fidelity Building on West Bay Road, The Club House, a new sports bar, which will be opening in The Treasure Island complex, XQS which Gerald Fischer from Nectar and Martin Pilat from Bacchus are introducing in the old Mezza location and in Camana Bay we continue to be impressed with the offerings which include Frosted Robin couture cupcakes, KARoo (small plates and cocktails opening Fall 2011), Ginger Lily Frozen Yogurts, and Jessie’s Juice Bar which will serve natural juices, smoothies and fine loose teas. Other recent openings on the bar scene include Elements Ultra Lounge in The Strand Plaza and The Rooftop Bar in Trilogy Place off Shedden Road. Those with a sweet tooth will be delighted by It’s Sugar located in downtown George Town.
Boasting one of the highest standards of living in the world and being a true melting pot of people and nationalities, Cayman’s culinary scene has evolved to satisfy this varied and interesting market of opportunity. For the newcomer to Cayman you will find everything from the high end gourmet restaurant to the authentic local restaurant and everything in between. For everyone though, the overwhelming question will be “where to go?” and for that we are very lucky!
To learn more about restaurants in Cayman, look for a copy of the Good Taste magazine. It is a smart, upscale dining and entertainment guide for Cayman and has an associated website www.caymangoodtaste.com, where you can read about Cayman’s restaurants and what they have on offer, view menus, make dinner reservations and search for your favourite food.
Tipping Tipping is customary in Cayman and is an important part of a server’s income. Most restaurants automatically include a gratuity on the bill, however, it is always wise to check, as it is customary to leave a tip of approximately 15%.
Grocery Stores & Supermarkets People wonder what grocery stores/supermarkets are like in Cayman. If you have ever been into a large US or Canadian store, then Cayman’s grocery stores are very similar. They carry most major US and Canadian brands as well as USDA certified meats, lots of fresh fish, shellfish and varying degrees of very good vegetables and fruit. Finding organic food, especially vegetables and fruit, can be difficult as all fresh produce has to travel so far to get here. One example might be that tomatoes don’t burst with flavour (Editor’s Note: I am told it is because they are picked while green and ripen during shipping). Supermarkets are very accommodating though and if you can’t find something that you miss from home they will usually order it for you. Make sure to save the packaging so they can get the UPC or bar code number.
All of the supermarkets carry some organic products. For more information on organics, see the Having a Baby section. Along with the following grocery supermarkets there are many specialty markets and convenience stores located throughout the Island. Please note that each of the supermarkets have different suppliers, so if one store has only green bananas on a given day, you can probably find beautiful ripe ones at another. All the stores sell very good meat but the standard and freshness of fish tends to fluctuate, so definitely shop around.
Before 9th June 2010, over one million single-use plastic bags were used in Grand Cayman’s main supermarkets every month. Now as part of an Island-wide campaign to discourage the use of all plastic bags, Foster’s Food Fair, Hurley’s and Kirk Supermarket all charge CI$0.05 per plastic bag if you need to use one. We encourage you to bring your own canvas shopping bags, not only to the supermarkets, but to do all your shopping. Canvas shopping bags are widely available for sale in all supermarkets at a cost of CI$1 or less.
Foster’s Food Fair: Foster’s has five locations: Airport Centre, Tel: (345) 949 5155, The Strand, West Bay Road, Tel: (345) 945 4748, Republix Plaza in West Bay, Tel: (345) 949 3214; Countryside Shopping Village in Savannah, Tel: (345) 943 5155, and opposite Morritt’s Tortuga Club in East End, Tel: (345) 947 2826. All locations are open Monday to Saturday 7am-11pm, except the East End branch, which is open Monday to Thursday 7am-7pm, and Friday and Saturday 7am-9pm.
Foster’s is well known for fresh produce, meat and fish, organic free-range chicken, organic eggs and carrying Waitrose products from England. Though their stores are similar in format, their largest store The Strand on Seven Mile Beach provides more products for tourists and expats and tends to have more of the comforts of home.
Hurley’s Supermarket: Hurley’s has one location, Hurley’s Grand Harbour Tel: (345) 947 8488 and is open Monday to Saturday 7am–11pm.
Hurley’s is well known for fresh fruits and vegetables. They probably carry more varieties of unusual fruits and vegetables than any other store. They do not carry a lot of fresh organic produce, but they do stock a lot of organic canned and dry goods. Hurley’s offers catering services and specialty cake orders. They also have a fresh floral selection as you enter the store, with a wonderful selection of roses, orchids and other cut flowers.
Kirk Supermarket: is located between George Town and Seven Mile Beach on Eastern Avenue Tel: (345) 949 7022 and is open Monday to Thursday 7am–10pm and Friday and Saturday 7am–11pm.
Kirk Supermarket is well known for carrying foreign foods, particularly Asian, but they also have South African, English, Indian and lots of Latin American products. In addition, they have the Island’s largest selection of natural, organic and specialty dietary products as well as a fresh juice bar and an extensive range of homeopathic and natural medicines. They also have the largest selection of organic Angus beef. There is a pharmacy on site which can be reached on (345) 949 7180. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays they give out ‘Kirk Currency’ at a rate of CI$2.50 for every CI$50 spent.
Oriental Market: If you can’t find the Asian ingredients you need in one of the major supermarkets, the Oriental Market Tel: (345) 949 1109, opposite Anderson Square in the centre of George Town, stocks a wide range of dry and canned Asian goods including noodles, lentils, spices, curry pastes and canned fruit and vegetables. They are open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5pm.
Reflections Food4Less has two locations: MacLendon Drive (Tel: (345) 945 7478) which is open from 7am-10pm, Monday to Saturday and a second location on Godfrey Nixon Way Tel: (345) 947 3663, also in George Town, which is open 24 hours a day Monday to Saturday.
They both sell drinks, frozen food, dry and canned goods in bulk and individual sizes. They also have a fresh market every Friday from 3pm-6.30pm at their Godfrey Nixon Way location which sells local fruit and vegetables.
Buying In Bulk Buying in bulk is a great way to save both time and money. Useful things to buy in bulk (if you have the storage space) are napkins, toilet paper, kitchen towels and cleaning products, but both stores also carry canned and dry goods, frozen meats and a limited selection of some fruit and vegetables. There is also a wide variety of other items like children’s toys, home appliances and office supplies.
Cost-U-Less: (Tel: (345) 745 5377) is located in Governors Square on West Bay Road and is open Monday to Friday 9am-9pm, Saturdays 8am-9pm and on public holidays from 9am-6pm.
Priced Right: (Tel: (345) 949 5155) is located in the Airport Centre and is open Monday to Saturday 8am-9pm. There is also a Priced Right store located adjacent to the West Bay Foster’s store, open 7am-11pm, Monday to Saturday.
Bakeries, Cafés & Bistros There are some delicious bakeries on the Island! They are all staffed with professional pastry chefs, and on any given day you can pick up fresh bread, croissants, and an array of cookies and cakes. Two of the most popular are Azzurro, in Buckingham Square, and Icoa Café, in Seven Mile Shops on West Bay Road. There are also some great cafés and bistros on the Island such as Paperman’s Café located in the Strand Shopping Centre and in the new Midtown Plaza, Perk Up Café in Governors Square and Café del Sol, which has four locations between Camana Bay and George Town.The BrasserieMarket in Cricket Square also serves sandwiches and salads that can pretty much be customised however you like, along with soups, hot lunches, pastries, etc. Finally the European delicatessen, Black Trumpet in Camana Bay bakes their own bread and a selection of pastries every day and they serve coffees and cappuccinos along with their large variety of specialty meats and cheeses. If you happen to sleep-in, you can always hit Treats Café for breakfast which they serve all-day. They have two locations: in West Shore Centre on SMB or overlooking the sea at Lighthouse Point in West Bay. Another delicious and healthy option is Timbuctuu, which is located just past the four-way stop in West Bay. They create incredible mango fruit smoothies as well as wonderful vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Desserts & Sweet Treats As you might imagine in a warm country like Cayman, we have quite a few places where you can go and get a cold refreshing ice-cream or frozen yoghurt. Three major brands are represented in Cayman: Dairy Queen (located on the waterfront downtown), Häagen-Dazs (two locations: Camana Bay and downtown in Bayshore Mall) and TCBY (three locations: Governors Square on SMB, Spinnaker Square in Red Bay near Hurley’s supermarket and a kiosk in Island Plaza downtown). The latter sells 25 different flavours from smoothies, shakes, cakes, fat free options, no sugar added options, non-dairy options all packed with the goodness of seven probiotics, calcium and vitamins A and D. Soon to open in Camana Bay is Ginger Lily which will sell delicious tart frozen yoghurt served with fresh fruit and other gourmet toppings. New to the island dessert scene is the San Diego-based Frosted Robin, featuring couture cupcake recipes and delicious buttercream frostings. They are also located in Camana Bay and create exquisite special occasion confections for birthdays and celebrations. Another lovely addition to the island, The Cake Studio, offers specialised cake orders for birthdays, weddings, showers and special occasions with traditional recipes and unique designs. They can be contacted on (345) 926 4944 for special cake orders. It’s Sugar, a new shop to hit the Cayman sweets-scene, is located in downtown George Town opposite the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal. This is a one-stop-candy-shop catering to your inner child with a fantastic array of candies and confectionary treats. Last but not least, Cayman Taffy offers salt water taffy, truffles and hand-dipped chocolates—perfect for that sweet-tooth!
Luxury Food Items Cayman has a vast selection of luxury food items, from hand-made truffles to fine imported European cheeses, meats, exotic culinary cooking specialities and imported wines, liquors and beers. You may have to do a little looking around, but there are many treats waiting to be discovered.
Black Trumpet Delicatessen Cayman’s luxury delicatessen located in Camana Bay, stocks hard to find gourmet items such as international meats, cheeses, picnic baskets, gift hampers and specialty items. They also bake fresh bread daily and feature a homemade soup du jour along with half a dozen salads and made-to-order deli sandwiches. Specialty desserts and canapes for parties are on hand for a party. Tel: (345) 743 6666.
Cayman Taffy Company Located in Seven Mile Shops, they make salt water taffy, delicious truffles and other specialities such as hand-dipped caramel pecan clusters. Tel: (345) 943 2333.
Sticky Toffee Cake This delicious Island speciality is made locally at The Treasure Chest Bakery in West Bay. It is readily available for purchase at Foster’s Grocery Stores, Priced Right and the airport.
Catering If you are hosting a party or planning an event, there is a great selection of caterers on Island. Many restaurants offer catering and a complete list can be viewed on www.caymangoodtaste.com. Some event catering companies are:
Mise En Place Tel: (345) 623 2433 Email: info@catering.ky Contact: Darren Thorpe Services include: Dinner parties, personal chef service, weddings, special event catering, cocktail parties, board room lunches, continental breakfasts and a mobile bartending service.
Buying Fresh Fish Almost any day of the week, you can buy fresh fish on the waterfront in downtown George Town next to Hammerheads Bar. Fishermen anchor their boats offshore, set up tables on the beach under a canopy for shade and display their catch. They charge approximately CI$4.50 per pound and sell the fish on the bone, but they will fillet it for you. Ask to look in their coolers, as that is where they usually hide the largest, tastiest fish! Also try Harbour House Marina, located at the end of Marina Drive in Prospect. The supermarkets sell species of fresh fish you cannot get from local fishermen, such as salmon (wild and farm-raised), cod, catfish, sole, swordfish, Chilean sea bass and trout. The quality of fish varies from grocery store to grocery store.
Goods Produced Locally Tortuga Rum Company (Tel: (345) 949 7867) manufactures wonderful rum cakes which you can watch them make. Seven Fathoms Rum (Tel: (345) 925 5379) is the only locally distilled rum and uniquely is matured seven fathoms underwater, hence the name. This rum is sold in Big Daddy’s, Blackbeard’s and Jacques Scott liquor stores.
Cayman Sea Salt (Tel: (345) 943 7258) sells their locally produced sea salt in most supermarkets and at the open-air craft market on cruise ship days. Cayman Islands Brewery (Tel: (345) 947 6699) produces a locally brewed beer which people can sample at their factory in Red Bay. For over 30 years, Cayman Honey (Tel: (345) 947 1255) has been produced by the bees owned by Sybil and Otto Watler and is well known as a local delicacy. They operate out of a house in Savannah and are very welcoming to visitors who would like to sample and buy their honey. They also sell it in the local grocery stores. Cayman Islands Sauce Company (Tel: (345) 516 2467) produces a hot sauce from the extremely hot scotch bonnet pepper. Carol Hay makes delicious Gourmet Pepper Jelly that can be bought at the supermarkets and at the Pure Art Gallery.
Camana Bay has partnered with local farmers to offer a ‘Farmer’s Market’ and a ‘taste’ of Cayman every Wednesday on Market Street from 12pm-7pm. There are fresh fruits from Willies Fresh Fruits and Juices, locally made sausages from Caribo Sausages, fresh fruit, vegetables, mesclun salad and herbs from East End Gardens, homemade breads from Bread of Life, hot local food from Miss Ivarine Johnson, Indian food from Sabinos and more. Every Saturday from 7am-1pm at the Agricultural Grounds in Lower Valley, there is a Farmer’s Market called Market at the Grounds, where you can buy fresh meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, plants and locally produced crafts. Most of the same people that sell produce at the Camana Bay market on Wednesdays also have a stand here. Go early to get the best selection. On Sundays, the Green Market is held at The Plantation House’s organic garden from 2pm-6pm. The address is 35 Dubloon Drive, off Shamrock Drive in the Bodden Town district.
Local brown free range chicken eggs can be bought from Ms. Anna Elverson who has a happy family of cage-free chickens! She will deliver the eggs to your home or office within 24 hours of ordering. The cost is CI$3 per dozen. Email: smallbackyard@gmail.com to place an order.
Food Delivery Service If you are feeling lazy and want to stay at home, then the Fine Dine-In service delivers food, wine and DVDs to your door from approximately 23 participating restaurants. Look for the free Fine Dine-In magazine, which can be picked up at numerous locations around Cayman or call (345) 949 3463. You can also get up to date information and menus about restaurants that deliver food at www.caymangoodtaste.com.
Duty On Alcohol & Liquor Store Hours Liquor carries a heavy duty, so don’t be surprised by the prices in local liquor stores or drinks at bars and restaurants. For example, duty on hard liquors starts at CI$11.55 per litre. This means that over a third of the average retail price of CI$30.99 for a litre bottle of Appleton VX rum consists of duty fees. Duty on wine is CI$3.30 per litre; champagne is CI$10.50 per litre; sparkling wine is CI$7.50; over-proof liquors are CI$15.68 per litre; liqueurs are CI$13.20 per litre; dessert wine is CI$4.95 and duty on beer is CI$1.65 per litre. Liquor store opening hours are usually Monday to Saturday, 10am-7pm, and they are never open on Sunday. Supermarkets in Cayman are not licensed to sell wines or spirits.
Local Beer The Cayman Islands Brewery now produces four beers: Caybrew, a full-bodied premium lager that has been awarded top international accolades for quality, CayLight, a premium light beer with only 95 calories, Ironshore Bock, an amber beer brewed with specialty hops and malts, and most recently White Tip Lager, a moderate bodied pilsner lager. These beers can be found in most bars and liquor stores in Cayman.
Wine Most liquor stores sell wine but there are really only a handful of places on the Island where you can buy good, but not necessarily expensive wine. Blackbeards, Jacques Scott, Tortuga Liquors and Vino Veritas are four worth mentioning. Jacques Scott has a number of stores around the Island and the branch on the intersection of North Sound Road and Shedden Road in George Town probably has the widest selection of wines on the Island. They have a good selection of fine wines on display and also have very reasonably priced wines for the more budget conscious.
Vino Veritas, on the other hand, has no retail outlets, but operates from their climate-controlled cellar. Vino Veritas hand-picks wine from vineyards worldwide and sells it by the case (mixed cases are fine), often at less than CI$20 a bottle. They also have a large selection of French wines. When ordering wine from them, call and chat with Iain, their wine expert, who will recommend a mix of wines that fit your taste and budget and will then deliver them to you at any address in Grand Cayman. As far as we know Vino Veritas is the only wine merchant that will import your own wine collection for you if you decide to bring it with you. Call (345) 526 8466 or visit www.vino.ky
Tortuga Liquors, while famous for their rum and rum cakes, also have six liquor stores around Cayman selling wine and spirits. Blackbeard’s has three retail stores with wine specialists to give advice and a good selection of wines, spirits and beers. They now also have a Blackbeard’s Direct service whereby they will deliver anything that you can buy in one of their liquor stores directly to your home or office. There is no charge for this service as long as you spend a minimum of CI$100 per order. Their resident sommelier Jeremy can also offer food and wine pairing advice if needed and they can be reached on (345) 945 2222.
The Bar Scene Only the most popular bars are mentioned, and since this scene is so fickle, these can change!
Abacus (SMB) Smart inside bar and restaurant; outside there are sofas under the stars. Located in Camana Bay. Live music on Fridays. Champagne specials on Wednesdays. Aqua Beach (SMB) Nightly drink specials, with all-you-can-eat ribs for CI$18.95 every day. Bar menu available until 11pm. Live music Thursday and Friday nights (open until 2am Fridays), and pay-per-view sports on Saturdays. Caribbean influenced fare served until close. Cosy outdoor setting with palm trees. Bamboo (SMB) has just undergone a major renovation. It is as loud, chic and popular as before. Great sushi and cocktails. Barolo (SMB) is the new ‘it place’ to hang out and be seen. It has comfortable deep sofas, great wine list and good music. The Brasserie (GT) Friday is Pizza and Pinot night where you can enjoy authentic homemade pizzas and wine at the bar while enjoying end-of-the-week drink specials, massages and canapés from 5pm to 7pm. Smart professional bar scene located in Cricket Square. Brick House (RB) Relaxed pizzeria atmosphere with a great outdoor patio space. Live music on Wednesdays. Calico Jacks (SMB) Casual beach bar with live music on Fridays and a DJ on Saturdays. Club House (SMB) Cayman’s newest sports bar with 20 big TV screens and a great place to watch the game. Coconut Joe’s (SMB) Open-plan bar under a huge Poinciana tree. Popular with the 20+ crowd that work in the tourism industry. A fantastic spot to catch sports games on the big screen outside under the stars! Karma (SMB) A swanky Asian inspired restaurant and lounge with locally caught seafood and a lively bar scene after 9pm. Open for lunch and dinner. Legends (SMB) An atmospheric bar with comfortable booth seating and lots of big screens to watch the game. Lone Star (SMB) Loud, Texas-style bar. Divemaster hangout. Popular with the 20+ crowd and tourists. American-style food. Macabuca (WB) Great bar overlooking the sea in West Bay. Very busy on Friday nights with live music. A spectacular vantage point to sit and watch the sunset, while divers can jump right in for a night dive. My Bar at Sunset House (GT) A relaxed ocean-front bar just south of George Town which is very popular with locals and expat residents. They do great curries. Another perfect place to watch the sunset. The Ritz Gets busy late (after 10pm) on Fridays with an over 30’s crowd. Tiki Beach (SMB) A Polynesian-style bar on the beach. Dance parties on Friday nights. Royal Palms (SMB) Casual outside bar. Industry Chill Wednesdays with a DJ are particularly busy and there is live music Friday and Saturday nights. There is a fairly new cabana and swimming pool where customers can swim up to the bar. Rehab Sunday pool parties with CI$5 drink specials. The Wharf (GT) Tuesday is salsa night, with free lessons 9.15pm-10.15pm. Dinner is served from 6pm-10pm nightly.
Specialty Bars Listed below are a few popular bars with a twist. Each has a little something different to offer besides fun and drinks.
The Attic (SMB) A great place to play pool! Free pool Monday to Friday 5pm-7pm, and drink specials during happy hour. They also have great beer pong (drinking game) tables which are almost always in use. Havana Club (SMB) A cigar lounge offering up a taste of Cuba. Enjoy a drink, cigar and some Cuban cuisine. Jolly Roger (GT) What could be more unique than having an evening cocktail on a pirate ship? This is a lovely sail parallel to Seven Mile Beach (weather permitting) every evening except Sundays. Friday’s sunset cruise is always busy, so booking early is advised. The cruise features an open bar with a set price of CI$30 for residents. Dinner is also available for an additional charge. Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink (Camana Bay) features a wood burning oven and an open kitchen so you can watch your meal being prepared. They use local and sustainably produced ingredients wherever possible and have a diverse wine list and various specialty beers to choose from. Ortanique also at Camana Bay, has a comfortable and atmospheric outdoor seating area with sofas which is hugely popular, particularly on Friday nights. They have an interesting selection of cocktails. Wine Down (Governors Square) offers over 100 international wines in their cellar and gourmet menus. A bustling after-work scene.
The Club Scene As Cayman is on the small side, there are only a few clubs of note, making these hotspots always busy and the only places to frequent late at night.
Elements Ultra Lounge (SMB) Cayman’s hottest new club to hit the nightlife scene. Two rooms, two vibes, top notch DJ’s, beautiful people, VIP rooms, bottle service and great atmosphere. Jet Nightclub (SMB) pumps out R&B, hip hop and top 40 hits from 10pm to 3am Monday to Friday and 9pm to midnight on Saturdays. The club features a VIP room with its own bar and server. A dress code is enforced. The O Bar (SMB) A popular nightlife spot for a diverse crowd. There are two levels inside; the first floor features corner couches and nooks as well as the bar and is open from the beginning of the evening. At 10pm the upper level bar opens, providing a cosier, more lounge-like atmosphere.
Note: Please be aware that due to religious beliefs, Sunday is a day of rest, so all bars close and restaurants stop serving alcohol at midnight on Saturday. An Island-wide smoking ban came into effect in late 2009 so all bars, restaurants and public places are smoke free. The exception is cigar bars.
Cigar Bars Sometimes “a cigar is just a cigar”, but when you’re this close to Cuba you definitely want to enjoy a nice cigar—or two—and smoke the finest under a palm tree Hemingway-style. For the perfect casual cigar scene, Havana Club has two locations: their restaurant and lounge in Regency Court or their more informal bar in the West Shore Centre. They both have an admirable humidor selection and an in-house torcedor (cigar roller) called Jesus, who has become a popular figure with the regulars.
Sunday Brunches Residents love to celebrate a good old-fashioned Sunday Brunch. Some of the best (and most expensive on the Island) are the Sunday brunch at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman (Tel: (345) 943 9000) and The Westin (Tel: (345) 945 3800) resorts. These brunches are fantastic and do require advance reservations. Luca (Tel: (345) 623 4550) features an incredible Sunday brunch with all you-can-drink prosecco priced at CI$49.95 per person. (Children under 12 eat free.) This is a very popular hot spot, and again reservations are also highly recommended. Other brunch hot-spots are Agua, Prime, Ortanique and Guy Harvey’s.
Full Moon Celebrations Kaibo’s Luna del Mar dinners ‘Arabian-style’ on the beach, started the full moon celebration scene. If you prefer more of a party-scene, Calico Jack’s on Seven Mile Beach has an infamous monthly full-moon party on their beach complete with party themes and bonfires. Tiki Beach also features a great dinner under the stars on the full-moon. Located in West Bay, The Cracked Conch & Macabuca Tiki Bar & Grill presents a perfect location to gaze at the full moon, stars and ocean on their panoramic dining hot-spot complete with live music, wonderful food and friendly service.
Dining On A Budget Cayman’s impressive culinary selection can also be a very expensive dining and entertainment scene! If you are looking to save some money but still want to go out then try one of these budget-friendly Island hot spots: Al la Kabab, Chicken! Chicken!, Sunshine Suites (famous for their fish tacos and burgers), Carlos & Martin’s Tex-Mex Cantina, Paperman’s Coffee Shop, Canton Chinese, Eats Cafe, Cimboco, Champion House, Lone Star and Yoshi or try any of the Island’s fast-food restaurants. Also, Guy Harvey’s Island Grill features a CI$9.99 dinner special each evening which are incredibly popular. We have been told that their steak nights on Thursday and Friday nights usually attract so many people there is a line out the door!
Smoothies Willie’s Fresh Fruit & Juices in Red Bay has a roadside trailer which offers fresh seasonal tropical fruits, juices and some of the best smoothies on the Island. Smoothie King in the Galleria Plaza offers fruit smoothies, protein shakes and vitamin elixirs. Jessie’s Juice Bar (949 2012) in Camana Bay also features natural juices. There is also a company who specialises in a mobile juice service. They will deliver island-wide.
Catching ‘The Game’ Whether you are looking to catch a football, rugby, cricket, tennis, hockey or UFC match, Cayman is not short of good sports bars. Legendz, Coconut Joe’s, Aqua Beach, Fidel Murphy’s, Triple Crown Pub, Dog House and Lone Star all feature the games on big screens with great food and service. A new sports bar to hit the Cayman scene, The Club House, is scheduled to open Fall 2011 in the Treasure Island Resort.
Live Music Scenes The Island is not lacking when it comes to a live music scene, as many Cayman restaurants feature great local bands who will play under the stars while you dine. Some great spots to catch live music while dining out are Macabuca Tiki Bar & Grill, Tiki Beach, Margaritaville, The Grand Old House, Royal Palms and Deckers. On Friday nights there is always live music being played on The Paseo at Camana Bay, which is really nice for those dining outside at Abacus. Every Wednesday night different steel pan bands play ‘Pan on The Paseo’, also at Camana Bay from 5.30pm-7.30pm. Bar Jack at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman features live music on Wednesday nights, which offers a beautiful sunset backdrop and delicious menu items.
Dog Friendly Restaurants Residents will quickly discover that the island life is very dog-friendly however not all establishments welcome Fido and his friends for dinner. Here are some wonderful suggestions for the ‘fur-kids’ to join you while dining alfresco. The new Camana Bay hot-spot Ortanique, hosts a fantastic “Sunday Doggy Brunch” overlooking the waterfront with a full three-course sausage brunch for your furry friends. (A percentage of the brunch proceeds are donated to the C.A.R.E. Cayman Islands Animal Rescue Enthusiasts.) Other perfect-pooch hot-spots include: Calico Jack’s on Public Beach (where Rover can even take a little dip in the ocean to cool off!), Cafe del Sol, the Black Trumpet and Häagen-Dazs at Camana Bay, Sunshine Grill’s outside patio and Al la Kebab for savory kebabs on Seven Mile Beach, The Dog House and The Brick House in Red Bay, and Macabuca Tiki Bar & Grill and Timbuctuu in West Bay, and finally Tukka in the East End. It is always best to keep your ‘fur babies’ on a leash, and make certain that they are well behaved and properly anchored under your table. Politeness will go a long way, as some restaurants are known to provide special snacks for your dog without even asking your server! It’s also smart to leave a little extra tip for your waiter! Most restaurants are happy to provide a dish of water.
Cooking Classes Monthly cooking classes are very popular at the moment, with quite a few establishments getting involved. It probably all started with the National Trust offering traditional Caymanian cooking classes and soon followed with the National Museum also offering Caymanian cooking classes (which are held in the evenings from 5.30pm-7pm in the winter months and cost CI$20 per class). The latter also do cooking classes for children. Other places which also give cooking classes are Bon Vivant in Governors Square, La Dolce Vita and the Ritz-Calton. For more information see the Activities for Adults.
The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Tel: (345) 815 6900 You step behind the kitchen doors and see first hand how Blue by Eric Ripert earned the region’s only AAA Five Diamond award. Chef Luis Lujan demonstrates cooking techniques while Sommelier Kristian Netis shares the secrets of wine pairing. Lunch is then served. Classes and lunch take place on the 1st Saturday of the month from 11.45am–2.30pm and cost CI$110.
Extras Kaibo Restaurant, Beach Bar & Marina A really special outing is to take your boat and have dinner on the other side of the Island. ‘Upstairs’ at Kaibo is open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. In addition to the a la carte menu, there is a celebrated 5 course tasting menu. (In the summer there is a three course dinner with a glass of wine on offer for CI$39); Caribbean BBQ is served every Tuesday night with live local music and limbo dancing, and a water taxi leaves at 6pm from Camana Bay (all you can eat BBQ with a water taxi package $45/pp); ‘Luna del Mar’ takes place once a month on the Friday closest to the full moon where an a la carte dinner is served on the torch-lit beach, with chill out music by a DJ. Low tables with cushions are also available for Luna Del Mar. Call Kaibo on (345) 947 9975) and ask to be put on their email list. If you don’t have a boat, the Kaibo express water taxi offers any pick-up or drop-off on the North Sound for $25/pp round trip.
Culinary Month of Grand Cayman This month-long celebration of food, wine, desserts, and epicurean delights kicks-off at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman on 12th January 2012 and continues with festivals, culinary workshops and fine dinners by internationally renowned chefs and sommeliers through to the 14th of February 2012 at various locations. Detailed event locations and schedules can be provided by The Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) on (345) 949 8522.
Westin Wine Dinners Wine events are held several times per year, and the dinners feature gourmet cuisine with superb wines. Space is limited, so reservations are essential. For information and a dinner schedule, call the Westin on (345) 945 3800.

Copyright 2011 The Resident Magazine 2012. All rights reserved. Acorn Publishing Co, PO Box 31403, Grand Cayman KY1-1206, Cayman Islands, Tel: (345) 946 3200 Fax: (345) 946 2830 Email:info@acorn.ky
