If you have been savvy enough to book a luxury villa in Anguilla, you already know that it is a place emerging as a fantastic holiday destination. A vacation in Anguilla means stunning beaches, excellent water sports, and options for high end beach houses or a premium villa rental. It also means amazing food, but food that is entirely unique to other Caribbean destinations.
We are going to consider five of the top restaurants in Anguilla, but we will also consider the local favorites too. Beach shacks are a long tradition here, and you won’t want to miss the best of them.
Let’s begin with the restaurants, and discover some treasures in Anguilla’s dining scene:
Blanchard’s
Hailed as one of the best on the island, this restaurant has been in existence since the early 1990s and is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and is just a few short steps to the sea. It sits along the sands of Meads Bay and offers an unfussy menu that features only the latest and freshest foods. The owners have penned a successful cookbook that looks at the benefits of preparing and serving foods made “with love”.
KoalKeel
This is a charming spot in The Valley, and is housed in an 18th century plantation house. The chef is a local woman who has created a distinctive fusion cuisine that emphasizes local ingredients prepared in more international ways. Their signature dishes include duck glazed in maple and a tandoor lobster served with classic island rice and peas.
Tasty’s
Overlooking Sandy Ground, this cozy restaurant features simply prepared dishes that feature island ingredients. The chef-owner has been classically trained and spins out wildly successful takes on typical island dishes. Hallmark options include their conch salad, their mango and spiced rum sauces, and their unusual cinnamon and pumpkin soup.
Veya
This is another Sandy Ground establishment noted for its charming décor and its distinctly Caribbean cuisine. Emphasizing seafood, it is also a find spot for vegetarians and features some truly unusual spins on local favorites. Grilled watermelon, coconut cake and conch fritters are all some of the dishes that have earned this restaurant rave reviews from locals and travelers alike.
SandBar
Offering amazing sunset views over the Sandy Ground area, it features tapas and the local “poke” that is a must-taste experience. They are a seasonal spot, so be sure they are open if you plan to visit.
There are also the beach eats that are so popular with everyone who travels to Anguilla. The key to enjoying them, though, is to understand that some of these spots are not as consistent as your typical restaurant. Though hours may be published, the owners may not adhere to their own schedules. This is part of the fun, and if you find that the beachfront shack you have been dreaming of experiencing is not open, stroll the sands, sip a cocktail and wait a while to see if they do open for business that day or night.
Some of the most famous spots include:
Sunshine Shack, famous for its fresh fish, amazing ribs, grilled chicken and johnny cake; Blue at Cap Juluca; Smokey’s at the Cove, which is famous for its rum punch and its classic Anguillan comfort foods; The Dune Preserve, which is close to Sunshine Shack on Rendezvous Bay, and the Shoal Bay Zemi Beach Club.
Don’t limit yourself to those listed here, and be sure to take some time exploring the best spots for a sunset cocktail or a midday snack. Each offers you the chance to meet locals and enjoy the sea breezes at all hours, and part of the fun of your holiday will be sampling as many as you can!