As the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean, Grand Cayman offers countless fabulous food opportunities! However, these delicious opportunities can create a bit of a financial drain on families or small groups of friends. Sure, cooking in the condo will save some money, but most folks on vacation don’t want to to cook every night! Throughout the year, people ask me which restaurants give the best deals. Certainly, a little bit of planning before your trip can help keep the costs down. A family of 5 can, indeed, enjoy restaurant meals at Grand Cayman. This article will give you an overview of restaurants which have been recommended by passengers who like great food and appreciate ways to get the most from their vacation budget.
First, choose either condo life with a full kitchen or a hotel room with a kitchenette. Either will give you some space for storing light meals and snacks. Some passengers bring in a few snacks (think “dry goods”) from home, but always check for any restrictions on goods brought into Cayman. Some visitors take advantage of duty-free shops, if available, from their departure airport for bringing in the allowable limit of alcohol. On the island, the grocery Cost U Less is a favorite among guests. Be aware, though, that they are closed on Sundays.
Then, find out which restaurants offer foodie events that can save you money. This article will point you to a variety of restaurants that have specials on certain nights and that offer great meals at reasonable prices, often during lunches. Kids’ meal options are frequently available.
And just a reminder, most restaurants list their prices in Cayman Island Dollars and will often have a clear statement about that as well as about the amount of gratuity that is usually automatically added to the bill. If in doubt, just ask at the restaurant! Unless noted otherwise, prices below are listed in Cayman Island Dollars.
SEVEN MILE BEACH
Happy Hour at Casa 43 Mexican Kitchen will make your wallet as happy as your family with great specials: $2 off all tacos, 5 for $5 wings; 5 for $5 nachos. Other options are $6 and less, so you can fill up without emptying your wallet! The six entrees on their kids’ menu range from $6.95 to $10.95. Passengers really enjoy their drink specials, too. If you can’t be at Casa 43 during Happy Hour, you will still find budget choices on their extensive menu. Soups, tacos, and sides are great options for folks who seek to give their food budget a break! Save some time, too, by arriving early because they accept walk-ins only—no reservations! Their taco truck at Caybrew gives you one more chance for some great food! They will give you an additional 10% off if you show the Passenger Picks Fun Fact Sheet.
Chicken! Chicken! is where locals and visitors go for “Caribbean Wood Roasted” chicken available as quarters and halves, choice of dark or white meat, plus sides and cornbread (starting at $4.95 for just quarter chicken; higher for lunches/dinners). Families and friends like the “Feast for Two to Four” ($29.95) with its whole roasted chicken, a couple of large asides, and their famous Caribbean Cornbread. “A Feast for Six or More!!” is also available. You can dine in, but some passengers talk of taking their meals back to the condo to relax in their own space. Other menu items are Jamaican Jerk Chicken, wraps, salad, and chilled or warm “Asides–Plenty Good ‘Tings”! Open daily 10 AM – 10 PM! Great news: they now have a second location in Savannah! They will give you an additional 10% off if you show the Passenger Picks Fun Fact Sheet.
“A Caribbean Café” is a perfect description of Cimboco because the comfortable environment of a casual café blends charmingly with the delicious tastes of the Caribbean. Prices are reasonable, and servings are plentiful and memorable. One passenger still talks about the Breakfast Pizza that she enjoyed at Cimboco over six months ago! Passengers also know that the “5 for 5 Dolla’!!!” breakfast deal Monday through Friday mornings provides a great option for a filling breakfast consisting of 2 eggs (cooked to your choice), bacon (apple smoked or Canadian), herb roasted potatoes, toast/jam, and an orange slice. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Cimboco will take care of you and your family all day long! Great news: they now have a second location in Savannah! They will give you an additional 10% off if you show the Passenger Picks Fun Fact Sheet.
Coconut Joe’s Beach Bar and Grill will take care of you with “All American Breakfast” for only $6.95! Kids love their pancakes and French toast. Passengers talk of the tasty, crunchy hash browns, too! They offer daily dinner specials, but the real deal is Thursday Taco Night with $5 tacos, 2 for $12 Margaritas, and $4 Corona and Jose Cuervo shots! But any day is special at this sleepy island Bar & Grill with daily drink specials. There is always a tasty beverage deal for 2 for $12 at Coconut Joe’s, where it’s easy to relax and enjoy the Cayman atmosphere!
When you’d like something different from the other great Cayman meals you’ve had, consider Icoa eat & drink. The “plane facts” that I hear are that passengers love the breakfast and lunch items that can be enjoyed for less than $15 per person. Breakfast can be simple with Scrambled Eggs or elegant with Eggs Benedict, all at great prices. For lunch, try a “Keen-wah” bowl of healthy quinoa and vegetables. All bowls can be enhanced with a protein for an additional cost. Wednesdays are special nights with their stewed main course meal along with a bottle of wine for $50 for 2 guests. On Friday evenings from 5-7, only $15 will get you a curry and a pint. Icoa eat & drink does an above-average job of identifying meals as vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free. It’s great for many reasons!
With burgers, sandwiches, salads, and tacos ranging in price from $7.95-$9.95, Seven Mile Burger can definitely keep your entire group happy when they’re hungry! Breakfast lovers will be ecstatic over their Breakfast Burger that is available all day! The Double 7 Burger will stop hunger right in its tracks with double patty, double American cheese, and the fixings! Chicken fans will want to try the Crispy Chicken Burger. Veggie Burgers are great options, too. The folks at Seven Mile Burger simply believe that great food shouldn’t “break the bank” and that great food can be prepared and served quickly. It’s a top fast food spot at Cayman with local produce and daily-baked bread products. They have a kids’ menu, gluten-free and vegan options, beer, and wine—your group will want to stop here!
Sunshine Grill provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices that will make your vacation budget smile! Begin with an omelet or a delicious breakfast taco such as Smoked Salmon or Texas for $12 or less (kids’ breakfast options: less than $7). Their fish tacos and burgers have made them famous. Try their “World Famous” Island Fish Tacos or something simple like “The Old Fashioned Burger”. Maybe you want the over-the-top “The Kitchen Sink”, a burger with cheese, bacon, pickle, and more! Many lunch options are $13-15. Their kids’ menu will keep the young ones happy, and their cocktail menu will appeal to the adults! “The Painkiller”, their signature drink, is perfect for an island visit—pineapple and orange juices, cream of coconut, and rum. Sunshine Grill will thrill each member of your group!
Wok-n-Roll is where you’ll go when you crave some great Asian food during your Cayman vacation! Appetizers and soups are great budget options at less than $10 each. Entrees run in the range of $13-15. How about Chao Fan (fried rice with egg), Chao Mian (stir fried noodles),Tsap Seui (chop suey with fried or white rice), or Bao Wok (a variety of wok dishes prepared with fried or white rice)? You can also choose from a list of Filipino dishes! Also available are different roasts, curries, and even some family meal packages. Passengers like the take-out options for when they’ve been out all day. Ask about their delivery options—free to the Seven Mile Beach area; additional fees for beyond.
GEORGE TOWN
Casanova’s Restaurant is known for its outstanding Italian lunch options which are very family-friendly in both variety and price! The only problem here will be making a decision! Antipasti? Try the Ortaglia di Stagione, grilled vegetables for $8.95. A sandwich? Chicken Quesadillas might be what you choose at $9.95! And pasta selections range from penne dishes to ravioli to “create your own pasta” which can even be ordered as a half portion for a light lunch ($8.95 and up). Traditional Margherita Pizza is a great deal at $12. The menu also includes fabulous entrees! A passenger told me he enjoyed Pollo Za Teresa ($12.95), a chicken dish with vegetables in a white wine sauce. When you hunger for Italian food and you want a beautiful spot on the water, Casanova’s will definitely take care of your needs!
Central Terrace at Bayshore Mall provides one-stop dining with 3 terrific eateries. Lucky Slice is a top pizzeria among passengers for the biggest New York Style pizza on Grand Cayman. You always have a choice of 12” or 20”. Budget-minded guests use their Monday 2-4-1 special on the 12” pizzas as a tasty way to feed a family. On Tuesdays, the enormous 20” one-topping pizza is only $19.99, and vegan and gluten-free specials follow on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Other delicious deals at Central Terrace are 2-4-1 crepes at Cayman Creperie on Fridays, but their variety of crepes will draw you back on any day of the week! And Mojo Gastro Pub offers $5 Martini specials to help you over the hump of Wednesday along with tasty menu items!
If the phrase “Belgian waffle” grabs your interest, then head to Waffle 
Monkey for a menu full of sweet and savory Belgian waffles ranging from $7 – $11. For an extra fee, gluten-free or vegan waffles can be made. “Waffle Monkey” with powdered sugar, banana, local honey, and coconut appeals to guest who wants a waffle with a beach attitude! “Salty Pig” is for those who like a little sweet (powdered sugar) with a little salty (crispy bacon). And how about the Nutella lovers? “Nuts about Chocolate” has walnuts in the batter and is then topped with peanut butter and that ever-delicious Nutella! Folks who prefer a savory breakfast or brunch have options such as “Easy & Cheesy” with ham and cheese mixed in the batter. Herb butter and parmesan cheese complete that delicious waffle. They will give you an additional 10% off if you show the Passenger Picks Fun Fact Sheet.
WEST BAY
Heritage Kitchen is your best option when you want fresh fish in a charming, rustic environment. Just check out the daily options on the chalkboard! How about Cayman Style Mahi? Or order other styles such as coconut, curry, pan-fried, or pineapple! Prices of $12-16 make it easy to get a variety so that your group can sample different flavors. Fish options change depending on what is in season. Your meal will include a salad, rice, and a fritter—all tasty and filling! Whether you eat at wooden picnic tables or place your order to go, you will have time to cross the street and gaze on the ocean and Seven Mile Beach. Take photos of the chickens. We all do! And take cash with you to puchase your meals at this top Cayman spot for local fish!
You’ve heard of a Room with a View? Well, Macabuca offers BBQ with a gorgeous view on Monday nights! At just $17 per person, their “all-you-can-eat” BBQ will fill up each member of your group with a variety of meats such as jerk chicken and ribs; salads; fruit; potatoes; and cornbread. The reasonably-priced food is delicious! Many Cayman restaurants are beachside, but Macabuca is where you might see divers and snorklers while you enjoy a meal. Show up at just the right time any day, and you will be rewarded with a stunning sunset that will feed your soul! If you can’t be there for the BBQ on a Monday night, head there any day of the week for choices that will please your friends and family.
BODDEN TOWN
The prices alone make Czech Inn Grill an excellent idea for families, but the various options mean that each member of your group will be happy. Really happy! Salads, burgers, sandwiches, quesadillas, chicken, ribs, shrimp, steak, chicken schnitzel, goulash. Even more items are on the menu, and prices begin at less than $10! Many dishes are in the $15 range. Czech Inn Grill is an open-air roadside restaurant with an inviting feel. As you wait for your food, you can read comments left on the walls by previous visitors. You can add your own comment to a post if you’d like! It’s a fun place that happens to offer delicious food. The variety might encourage you to make a couple of stops during your time on Cayman!
A delicious lobster meal is within reach at South Coast Bar and Grill. You’ll want to be here on Thursday nights for their 5-course Lobster Fiesta, by reservation only. For $36 per person, you will have 3 lobster dishes (bisque, lobster medallions salad, and lobster tail). Mango sorbet shows up as a mid-meal treat, and carrot cake finishes the Fiesta. The menu suggests the perfect wine to pair with each course. On other days, you can try a “place facts” favorite—Pasta Pirate Style, a just-the-right-spicy shrimp dish. The lunch menu has several kid-friendly options such as burgers, chicken tenders, and pizza, but your young ones will enjoy dinner here, too! Karaoke on Thursday and Saturday nights is fun for everyone!
EAST END
Eagle Rays Bar and Grill gets a lot of attention from my passengers who love their breakfast options! Served daily from 7 – 9:30 AM, hot breakfasts include tea or coffee and orange juice. For only $5 (and that is USD!), you can enjoy twin granola bars and fresh fruit. But if a heartier breakfast is your way to celebrate on vacation, then $12 USD will get you 2 eggs any style plus breakfast potatoes, and your choice of bacon or sausage, white or wheat toast. You can really celebrate with Eggs Benedict for $15 USD! If breakfast happens too early in the day, stop by for lunch or dinner when you can try their popular Lion Fish Tacos that include cabbage slaw, fried onions, and seasonings. For $14 USD, you will get 2 tacos served with fries or a side salad. With SIX options, their kids’ menu is sure to please! Casual and relaxed, Eagle Rays is ready to serve breakfast, lunch, or dinner—or maybe all three!
When your group is hungry on a Tuesday or a Thursday night, take them to Taco Cantina for 2 for 1 specials on lots of great food and drinks: standard tacos, standard and flavored margaritas, Cayman beers, and tequila shots! Locals and visitors enjoy everything about Taco Cantina—the atmosphere, the reasonable prices, the variety of tacos, the margaritas, the street corn, and more. Kids of all ages enjoy the festive sombreros! And who wouldn’t love a dessert of churros or fried ice cream? With a variety of delicious meals, Taco Cantina is worth a return visit any day of the week!
RUM POINT
A special treat on Tuesday nights is the Barefoot Beach BBQ Buffet at Kaibo. $29 per adult, $15 per child under 12, and free to babies, this event is more than food. This fun-filled experience includes a band playing Cayman music so that you can dance or limbo or do the conga! The food is outstanding: BBQ chicken, Cayman style fish, pork, goat; vegetable stews and salads; rice and beans; and more. Dessert choices are brownies and Cayman Islands Tortuga Rum Cake. Hungry yet? Plan ahead for this “real Cayman deal” because you’ll need reservations for the buffet as we as for the Sunset Ferry from Camana Bay (additional charge).