Dining Out

There are over 100 restaurants in the Cayman Islands including fast-food outlets and small native style diners. Visitors can choose from a wide variety of midrange and elegant dining as well as low cost fast-food and take-out outlets on Grand Cayman. Traditional Caymanian cuisine will feature many items unfamiliar to you as well as well-known favourites such as conch, lobster and shrimp. Don't be afraid to sample local dishes such as stewed turtle, oxtail, saltbeef & beans and ackee & codfish. Other staples include plantain, breadfruit, cassava and rice & beans. Local dessert items include rum cake and cassava cake.

In addition to the local cuisine you'll find Jamaican, Cuban, Central American, Italian, German, British, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Indian and other. Fast-food chains include Pizza Hut, Dominos, Wendy's, Burger King, Subway and KFC.

Cayman Brac has a few small local restaurants in addition to two hotel restaurants serving buffet style meals and Little Cayman has one main restaurant, the Hungry Iguana, located next to the airport. Dining on Little Cayman is also available at Southern Cross Club, Little Cayman Beach Resort, Pirates Point and Sam McCoy's Lodge.

Most restaurants require shoes and shirts but shorts are generally acceptable. Some of the upscale restaurants may require slacks for evening dinner. Most restaurants will automatically add a service charge of 15% to your total food and drink bill. In this case tipping is not required and you should check your bill before leaving extra. Your food and beverage server receives only a small portion of the gratuity and you may tip extra at your discretion.