Anguilla / Restaurants

Against all the odds Anguilla has ended up with a string of excellent restaurants (this is a barren island with a British heritage visited largely by Americans). You can eat out, and eat well, in a different place each night for a fortnight in Anguilla. Of course they use the best of their waterfront settings too, so many overlook the sand on one of the island’s exceptional beaches or they are on a clifftop right above the water. It is worth noting that unlike in some islands many of the hotel dining rooms in Anguilla are serious places to eat.

Chefs in Anguilla are lucky enough to have excellent sources of supply. Fresh food is imported daily from France and Florida via St Maarten next door. Unlike in other islands, the Anguillian Customs authorities just rip off a docket and collect the tax later. There is a strong basis of French food in the island as many of the chefs are from France, but of course with adaptations to the climate and the region.

Interestingly the tradition of food has begun to spread. A second generation of restaurants in Anguilla has appeared now, opened by Anguillians who have trained as chefs in the big hotels, but who have adapted their skills and opened their own restaurants, often combining French techniques with local produce and ideas.

Like many other activities in Anguilla, eating out at the better restaurants is expensive, but you can find cheaper places if you would like to. The cost of an average main course (excluding steak, lobster and crayfish, which always come at a premium) are as follows.

Expensive - US$25 and above, Moderate $15-25, Inexpensive - $15 and below.

Here is a selection of our recommended Anguilla restaurants:

West End

Blanchards Restaurant, Meads Bay, expensive - ever busy, slick and always satisfying, Blanchard's has held the top spot on Anguilla for many years. Set in a open-fronted house that looks onto a sandy garden in Meads Bay, it is run by the Blanchard's, Melinda (the chef) and Bob the Maunday’s Bay. The atmosphere is relaxed but don’t be afraid to dress up.

Blanchards Beach Shack, Meads Bay, moderate – new venture from the well-known fine dining experience next door at Blanchards Restaurant. This beachfront snack joint offers a range of lobster rolls, spicy Jerk chicken sandwiches and tacos with homemade corn tortillas – all made fresh daily and served on eco-friendly ‘corn paper. Open Monday to Saturday from 11:30 am- 8:30pm.
Read Tess Hokin's review of Blanchard's Beach Shack.

Straw Hat, Frangipani Beach Resort, moderate-expensive - set just above the superb sands of Meads Bay. Youthful atmosphere and excellent cuisine that uses a mix of tastes from around the world and the Caribbean. Though the restaurant has moved to this new location, it is still owned by the same couple, Anne and Peter Parles.

Un Amore, South Hill, inexpensive - roadside pizza and Italian fare, one of the better takeaway pizza places on the island and very reasonably priced.

Mango’s, Barnes Bay, moderate-expensive - popular, lively and reliable restaurant in a breezy, beachfront setting in Barnes Bay. "New American" cuisine, including Cajun and Caribbean dishes.

Trattoria Tramonte, Shoal Bay West, moderate - an Italian restaurant in a simple but pleasant setting right on the beach at the western end of the island.

Tasty’s, South Hill, moderate - like a handful of other Anguillians, Dale Carty has opened his own restaurant not far off after many years at the Malliouhana Hotel where he rose to become a sous chef. Conch salads, local stews and well presented fresh fish.

Picante, West End, moderate - a Mexican restaurant in a modern house off the road to the West End. Excellent tacos, quesadillas, burritos and super burritos, all accompanied by margaritas of course. Lively and friendly.

Sandy Ground

Barrel Stay, Sandy Ground, moderate-expensive - top notch fare (modern European cuisine tempered for the warmer climate) in a classic Caribbean setting at the bottom end of Sandy Ground – a partially enclosed wooden deck looking out over a lovely stretch of sand or at night, the inky black bay.

Veya, Sandy Ground, expensive - set in a very attractive house in traditional Creole style, with a bar at the centre and tables on the wooden wraparound verandah, on the road up out of Sandy Ground. Veya is an excellent and sophisticated evening out.  The fare is equatorial – "the cuisine of the sun" - a fusion of Caribbean and Asian, even some North African, and extremely good. They now have the Veya Café for simpler daytime fare.

Sand Bar, Sandy Ground, inexpensive - a lounge and a tapas restaurant with a modern setting, tucked under the palms right on the beach at Sandy Ground. A menu of cocktails and tapas inside on the veranda or on the sand below. Ex-chef of CuisinArt cooks up fantastic and unique tapas dishes and even desserts on selected evenings.

Jacquie’s Ripples, Sandy Ground, moderate - lively bar and restaurant on the strip in Sandy Ground (facing onto the road rather than the beach). A good mix of Caribbean and international fare, even a few British dishes, often a good crowd. Late night meals.

Dolce Vita, Sandy Ground, expensive - newly opened Italian restaurant in Sandy Ground, offering seafood and pasta on the beach.

Pumphouse, Sandy Ground, inexpensive - a friendly and casual atmosphere in the old salt mill, serving steaks, salads and gourmet pub food for dinner, Pumphouse is also one of the most popular after-dinner nightspots.

Johnno’s, Sandy Ground, inexpensive-moderate - classic beach bar setting going onto the beach in Sandy Ground, burgers, ribs and chicken or fish and a good atmosphere.

The Valley and East End

Hibernia, Island Harbour, expensive - a delightful small French and Asian restaurant with just eleven tables set in a private house above Island Harbour in the east of the island, run by husband and wife team Raoul (the chef, from France) and Mary-Pat from Ireland. Innovative combination of French cuisine and tastes from all over Asia (where they travel for two months each summer). A personally selected wine list. Art gallery to browse before or after dinner. Quite a drive from the West End, but well worth it. Closed August – early October.

Andy’s Restaurant, The Valley, inexpensive - owned by Andy Gumbs (ex-chef at super-villa, Cerulean) this is a popular local choice for lunch but is also open for dinner. Reasonable prices and well-prepared food such as wraps and fish.

Le Bistro, The Valley, inexpensive - another popular place for local lunches, offering good French basics such as crepes along with salads and other bistro favorites including fish and chips or pizzas.

Palm Grove, Junk’s Hole, inexpensive/moderate - very simple grilled and barbecued food, excellent crayfish and arguably the best johnny cakes on the island. Don’t go in a hurry.

Côté Mer, Island Harbour, expensive - a French restaurant set among the palms and sand at Island Harbour, for a leisurely lunch or more sophisticated dinner. Excellent Creole and French fare. Occasional cabaret

Gwen’s Reggae Grill, Shoal Bay East, inexpensive - a cracking setting at the quieter end of Shoal Bay, easy-going grill and good local fare, with Caribbean music in the background as the name suggests.

Elodia’s Bar & Grill, Shoal Bay East, inexpensive - Set in a huge wooden shed, lively atmosphere, very good local fare.

There are a number of barbecues and grills where you will get excellent simple local fare, mostly chicken and fish with coleslaw and sometimes chips. Try Rafe’s in South Hill, B & D's Barbecue in Meads Bay. For food stalls around the island, see local restaurants in Food & Cooking.