I have gotten requests for some Grand Cayman recommendations
so I wanted to get around to posting some photos from our Christmas trip!
We went to the Caymans for the first time for Spring Break in 2004, and we have been going back ever since. It has become a Christmas tradition and one that I hope never stops!
It is the perfect place for a family vacation because it is safe, small, gorgeous, and there are things to do but not a ton so it encourages beach time and lazy days. From Atlanta it is a quick 2-2.5 hour flight and then a 5 minute taxi once you land.
When you stay on 7 Mile Beach everything is a quick couple minute cab – or hopefully walk – away. We have started out in Condos, did a couple of years at the Marriott, and now have been back at the condos for 3 years.
My lunch service and cooler of mixed drinks and beer isn’t quite as nice as the bartender mixing daiquiris and mimosas and a killer Lobster Roll and Fries….. but everything else we like 10x more with the condo! I really miss that lobster roll though…
Other than a day or two for Stingray City (which is incredible and my absolute favorite) and some snorkeling/diving (I don’t dive, but it is supposed to be incredible here) or fishing,
last years sting ray city, this year was deep sea fishing (womp womp)
everything else is laid back beach or pool time. My kind of vacation 🙂
Beach all day + amazing dinners out at night = Heaven for me.
After the photos I have listed the restaurants we usually go to!
NOTE :
Deep Sea Fishing is NOT greater than Stingray City.
The boys wanted to change it up a bit. {still do Stingray City hands down!}
The boys went to this one random liquor store one day and they had 4 Loco (not pictured) and the Island Version of 4 Loco (pictured) called “Drink Like A Boss”
I tried Drink Like A Boss and it was absolutely repulsive!
Isn’t 4 Loco illegal in the US or something?
I even love the airport (well… the inside is tiny with not a single thing to do, but the outside is great).
You check in and check your bags, and then we eat lunch up at the restaurant and you watch the planes take off and land until your flight. It’s a great last hour in the Caymans versus sitting inside the airport!
Grand Cayman has the BEST restaurants ever.
Truly. Other than Italy, which is just entirely different, Grand Cayman has the best food I have ever had.
I’m not even a seafood person, and of course the seafood is a main highlight at the restaurants, and I have the best steaks, pastas, tuna appetizers, conch fritters, desserts, even Italian food!
We tend to go to the same restaurants over and over again.
There are too many to name that we always say we want to try because we hear such great things, but then we never want to miss out on the ones we love.
So, there hasn’t been anything new in a few years and we stick to a solid 6 or so.
Restaurant Recommendations :
Calypso
If there is one restaurant I recommend the most, it is Calypso. It has gotten busy here and the tables can be tight if you are there in high season, but it is incredible. The food never disappoints, and you cannot leave without getting the Sticky Toffee Pudding for Dessert.
It is insanely, insanely amazing. The name doesn’t do it justice – it’s one of the best desserts I have ever had! I also got the pasta special this year which was a Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage, and I never order Gnocchi, and we went back a second night and I ordered it again. CRACK at this restaurant I swear. It’s so good.
It is insanely, insanely amazing. The name doesn’t do it justice – it’s one of the best desserts I have ever had! I also got the pasta special this year which was a Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage, and I never order Gnocchi, and we went back a second night and I ordered it again. CRACK at this restaurant I swear. It’s so good.
The Wharf
Right on you guessed it, The Wharf! This is another one of our favorites.
Right on the water, the little cove is filled with Tarpon which are these hideous fish that you do not eat, but they ring a bell and everyone gets to feed.
I don’t know why, but it’s thrilling?
Love their shrimp cocktail and their conch fritters too!
Eduardo’s
This isn’t on the water or anything, but the food is incredible. Even the bread they put on the table tastes like something out of this world.
Their lasagna kills me and I burned my mouth this year because I couldn’t wait to devour every bite.
This isn’t on the water or anything, but the food is incredible. Even the bread they put on the table tastes like something out of this world.
Their lasagna kills me and I burned my mouth this year because I couldn’t wait to devour every bite.
I didn’t see him this year, but a smokin’ hot Irish guy Sean always ran this and greeted us 🙂 So that was a little disappointing not seeing him…..
Decker’s
They do an all you can eat Lobster night which the boys love.
This is walking distance from Ritz and Westin.
This is walking distance from Ritz and Westin.
Grand Old House
This is closer to Georgetown on the other End of 7 Mile Beach.
We used to eat here for Christmas every year.
It is a gorgeous old house right on the water so everything is beautiful.
It is a gorgeous old house right on the water so everything is beautiful.
Plus on the drive you pass the governors mansion with all of the Christmas Lights (I think it’s the governors? I can’t remember whose it is?) which is a fun Christmas highlight!
Papagallo
This is a fun restaurant, especially if you have kids.
It is one of the further restaurants on the opposite side of Georgetown in West Bay.
You can eat inside or out, and the inside has a beautiful large thatched roof.
The best part is they have all of these gorgeous birds so it’s a pretty atmosphere, and kids obviously love looking at the birds.
This list is by no means all encompassing.
There are many other incredible restaurants on the island and I can promise the food won’t disappoint!
This list is by no means all encompassing.
There are many other incredible restaurants on the island and I can promise the food won’t disappoint!
:: FRIDAY FAVORITES ::
I have been really feeling the ruffles and sleeves this week.
Ever since I got this top, I’ve been embracing it more and more. I
It’s back in stock in ALL sizes HERE.
But not all Ruffles are created equal.
I’ve rounded up 5 Different Ways to wear the Ruffle :
all under $100, most under $50 !
Sorry if the spacing keeps showing up strangely, it looks normal in the editor and then wacky when I publish it.
CHEERS to the WEEKEND!
We just got back from Cayman over Xmas break and it was our 5th time there. Couldn't agree with you more–its the best!! The pool looks familiar. We were at South Bay beach club. Is that where you were???
We stay at The Avalon!! Hope you had a great trip-I'm sure you did!! Any restaurants you love send my way because I keep thinking one of these days we'll change it up 🙂
We really like Catch which is the newer restaurant right across the way from Calypso Grill. Great menu and a larger deck area for outdoor seating. Also tried the Kimpton for lunch and it was gorgeous. Another one of our favorites is in Georgetown–Brasserie. Not much of a view or anything but the food is fabulous and their Market–which is open in the mornings during the week–has a great breakfast (more of a takeout type place though).
Just another idea I'll pass along…we always bring dog toys/treats with us and stop by the Cayman Islands Humane Society. My kids love to walk the dogs and they are so appreciative of having people socialize with the dogs and cats. Oh and the crystal caves…have you been to them yet???
Thanks so much for your recommendations!! And such a great idea about the Humane Society 🙂 my family would love that I'm sure! No I haven't been to the crystal caves – all these years and I don't think I've even heard of it. Will be googling ASAP thanks!