Far away from the more built up Seven Mile Beach, the east side of Grand Cayman is the windward side of the island with rougher seas, but less touristy. Here are the gems that chefs and bartenders recommend you add to your hit list. You can also check out our 24 Hours on the West Side Guide and to get the entire Grand Cayman Guide with many more places, download the Find. Eat. Drink. iPhone app.
Starfish Point, Grand Cayman | Photo Credit: Marc Dorian for FED Guides
MORNING
Before Sunrise at The Market at the Grounds | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Mahi & Fritters at The Grounds | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Farmers Market | The Market at the Grounds
Chefs arrive before the sun rises and have their breakfast here. They sell things like fresh baked breads and mahi and fritters.
“You have to get here early to get the best produce. You get all sorts of things to fill your fridge like fresh eggs, which is really a treat to get local eggs. They also have people selling jewelry and a lady that sells delicious fresh bread.” - Chef George Fowler of Calypso Grill
“This market is away from the main drag of Seven Mile Beach. Visitors to the island shouldn't let that deter them from a Saturday morning visit. It's easy to find if you ask for directions, no Google maps necessary! Get here early because all the good stuff gets swiped up by about 9 or 10am.” - Chef Michael Schwartz of Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
Agricola Drive, Bodden Town | www.thegroundscayman.ky
WEEKEND BRUNCH
Brunch Buffet | Tukka
Photograph Courtesy of Tukka
Australia comes to Grand Cayman with chef Ron Hargrave's fusion cuisine. Incorporating a bit of Oz with a Caribbean twist and a scenic overlook.
“The brunch is definitely something to go to. Beautiful scenery, excellent buffet and the quality is very high. They were the first restaurant on the island to serve Lionfish and they use a lot of it on the menu.” - Chef Thomas Tenant of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
898 Austin Conolly Drive, Gun Bay
T: 1.345.947.2700 | www.tukka.ky
LUNCH
Grape Tree Cafe | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Seaside Shack | Grape Tree Cafe
“It’s a little shack off the beach. It’s only open certain days, not all the time. They have great fried fish and vegetables. There is a pickle that goes with everything and it's actually Jamaican. The trick is that they get the fish nice and crispy and serve it with the pickle, which is white vinegar with all spice, scotch bonnet, onions, and carrots.” - Chef Sara Mair of Cookin n Tings and formerly of Ortanique
“It's a shack type place to get fried fish, located right behind the gas station. Very good.” - Chef George Fowler of Calypso Grill
Bodden Town Road, Bodden Town
Shrimp curry, fresh juices, and rum cake at Vivine's Kitchen | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Caribbean Cuisine | Vivine’s Kitchen
“Their stewed beef is second to none that I’ve found on the island. You order right out of the kitchen, you walk into the house and poke your head in. They also do turtle, which is very traditional, and something to try. You can sit overlooking the water with a great view.” - Chef Dylan Benoit of Craft F&B
524 Austin Conolly Drive, Gun Bay
T: 1.345.947.7435
Jerk Chicken | Rankin’s Jerk Centre
“They do really nice jerk pork and jerk chicken.” - Chef Ervin Horvath of Agave Grill
“It's a barbecue pit on the side of the road and you get jerk chicken with rice and a salad and you sit outside to eat it.” - Chef George Fowler of Calypso Grill
3032 Shamrock Road, Bodden Town
T: 1.345.947.3155
BEACH BARS
The Beach at Kaibo Beach Bar | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Rum Point | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Kaibo Beach Bar & Grill
The oldest beach bar on the island with a thatched palm frond and bamboo bar, white sand beach and coconut palms. The bar was built in the ‘80s for the visit of HRH Queen Elizabeth.
“Take the drive to the East End to Lovers Wall and end here for a mudslide. Romantic!” - Bartender Ryan Goodspeed of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
Water Cay Road, North Side
T: 1.345.947.9975 | www.kaibo.ky
Rum Point
“You come here and have a salad, a sandwich or a fresh fruit plate and it’s nice because you’re outside, under the sun and you can be casual, you don’t have to wear a shirt and the service is very good. You drink a mud slide and it’s a fun day out. It’s nice to have lunch here and lounge about in the water.” - Chef George Fowler of Calypso Grill
46 Sand Pointe Road, Rum Point
Mimi's Dock Bar
"It’s one of the best places on the island to have a drink. You get a silly frozen drink and sit overlooking the beach and ocean." - Bartender Simon Crompton formerly of Agua
2289 Queens Highway, Morritt's
T: 1.345.947.7449
ALL DAY DINING
Over The Edge | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Caribbean | Over The Edge
Ackee and Saltfish at Over The Edge | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Take in the views of wave crashing, it's a perfect spot for eating and drinking all day. They open at 8am and serve until 10pm, with their bar staying open until 1am.
“I love their Johnnycakes. Whenever they have land crabs on the menu, get them. They’re a little bit different from the crabs that you get from the sea, like Dungeness or Snow crabs, since they're found mostly in swamps and mangroves. They are sweet, earthy and taste like where they're from, and that's a good thing.” - Chef Thomas Tenant of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
“This place is magical. It isn't really about one thing, it is about the whole experience and the vibe of the place. I like to order their conch steak, which has really nice flavor. They make it like a cutlet, pound it out, bread it and fry it up. It can be tough, but I like the flavor. I also like their ackee and saltfish.” - Chef Ervin Horvath of Agave Grill
312 North Side Road, Old Man Bay
T: 1.345.947.9568 | www.over-theedge.com
