Anguilla’s Restaurant Specialties, Chefs
and “Morsels of Inside Info”

A cross-section sampling includes 30 of Anguilla’s 70+ Restaurants

© Carol Lee

Anguilla’s dining scene offers visitors a variety of gastronomic diversions and a choice of dining ambiance and cuisine specialties. With over 70 restaurants, visitors can choose a dining experience based on an appetite impulse, a desire for a romantic or convivial setting, or their pocketbook.

There are as many chef and restaurant cuisine specialties as there are restaurants on this small island, ranging from Caribbean to Mediterranean, French, Continental, Creole, Italian, American and Indo-Chinese. From seafood to Black Angus Steak to Rack of Lamb to barbecued ribs, chicken and hamburgers, there’s a palatable dish for the pickiest of diners and those with a desire for an international oddity.

Anguilla’s 5-star dining establishments boast internationally-acclaimed chefs from every corner of the globe, including those Anguilla-born and bred. International chefs blend their specialty cuisine with Caribbean regional and indigenous Anguilla spices and herbs to create award-winning fare. Still, most visitors don’t leave the island without enjoying a famous Anguillian stalwart - a hearty breakfast of fried fish and johnny-cakes.

Depending on the time of day and dining mood, Anguilla vacationers choose from elegant and intimate gourmet seaside restaurants to casually chic beachfront bistros and festive, affordable beachside and roadside grills. An intimate dinner for two, a quiet table for introspection, an opportunity to meet a convivial group of fellow diners and visitors, dancing to Caribbean beats, or time-out for ribs at a roadside grille are choices for some visitors and a ‘to do’ list for others.

Here is a brief profile of 30 Anguilla restaurants including restaurant and chef specialties, and morsels of known, and not so known, information about each:

Altamer Restaurant ~ French and Caribbean Fusion
Chef Maurice Leduc, whose experience encompasses 40 years at Maxim’s Restaurant in Paris, offers a first class menu featuring dishes such as Boned Quail flambéed with Brandy and Calvados Marinated Grapes and Tenderloins of Black Angus Beef flambéed with Brandy, Dijon Mustard and Pinot Noir Demi Glaze presented on a Bed of Caramelised Bermuda Onions. Guests view activities in the kitchen through a glass wall. Found at the exclusive Altamer Resort, this unique dining experience combines the highest standards of cuisine and service with a magnificent setting at Shoal Bay West.

The Barrel Stay Restaurant ~ Alfresco By The Seashore
Chef Graham Belcher and Jill Shepherd from Slough, England are partners in the new Barrel Stay. Chef Belcher serves up tasty truffles foie gras and wonderful desserts, with an extensive wine list ...good coffee and the chef’s own dark truffles. Specializing in French and Creole cuisine, this small alfresco restaurant overlooking the ocean at Sandy Ground has been serving choice meals in a relaxed setting for more than 20 years, achieving rave reviews on a regular basis. Famous for Chef Marvilla Carty’s fish soup, other specialties include grilled fish prepared with blackened garlic or mustard seed sauce.

Blanchard’s at Meads Bay ~ Stylish Sophistication
A regular winner of the Wine Spectator ‘Award of Excellence’, Blanchard’s offers visitors style and sophistication, combined with an excellent Caribbean menu developed by Chef Melinda Blanchard. Fine china, hand-made crystal glasses and crisp white linen adorn the tables at this classic restaurant, which offers panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea at Meads Bay.

Covecastles ~ An Exceptional Culinary Experience in a Romantic Setting
Booking well in advance is essential if visitors are to secure one of the seven tables at this romantic hideaway restaurant in the exclusive Covecastles resort overlooking Shoal Bay West. Chef Dominique Thévent has compiled a small but unusual menu with several surprises. Highly recommended are the Crayfish Ravioli with Tamarind Broth, Gingerbread Crusted Roast Loin of Lamb and Vermouth-laced Crayfish Choucroute.

E’s Oven ~ Colorful Cuisine
It’s easy to be enticed into this attractive red, yellow and white building with wooden shutters, located in South Hill. The chef and owner "Vernon Hughes" brings to his diners a wealth of experience and skills he gained from the local and international restaurants where he worked -An exotic menu, with some of the chef's own innovative dishes, and his Great Chef of the Caribbean featured dish "Sweet Potato Lobster pancake". The menu includes a wide variety of meals from sandwiches and salads to sirloin steak and more elaborate dishes such as Pan Seared Lemon Pepper Grouper.

The English Rose ~ Capital Dining
Located in The Valley, Anguilla’s capital, The English Rose serves both lunch and dinner at affordable prices. With appetizers such as Chef Floyd Gumbs’ Golden Fried Calamari and Buffalo Wings starting from around $3, plus light meals including Jerk Chicken Caesar Salad, Chicken and Chips, and Cheeseburgers available from $4 to $6, this restaurant pub is welcoming and easy on the budget. Diners enjoy gathering around the large-screen television for a pre-meal news update.

Fat Cat Gourmet ~ Picnics Prepared to Order
Vacationers wishing to take off for the day with a picnic, but not wanting to spend time shopping for and preparing it, can take advantage of the catering services offered by a number of delicatessen’s on Anguilla, including Chef Valerie Banks’ Fat Cat Gourmet. Salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, patés, cold meats, cookies and cakes are all on the menu and picnic baskets are prepared to order.

Flavours ~ Fun and Excellent Fare
Opened just this year, this convivial restaurant overlooks Sandy Ground Harbour. Chef Shayne Hughes serves up excellent food at very reasonable prices. The menu features West Indian cuisine with a ‘twist’ of creativity and ingenuity. Friendly service makes Flavours a winner. Favorite dishes for many repeat diners include the pumpkin soup appetizer and Parrot fish entrée with local style fungi. Another favorite is Flavours’ Punch, a ‘secret’ combination of limejuice, sugar syrup, strong and dark rum stirred together with a dash of amoretto floated on top.

George’s at Cap Juluca Resort ~ Decidedly Casual, Carib/Mediterranean
Award-winning chef, George Reid, has acquired a well-earned reputation with a combination of Mediterranean and Caribbean cuisine at his restaurant located within the exclusive Cap Juluca resort. West Indian Buffets and Big Beach Barbecues are regular events, complete with live entertainment in an informal setting overlooking Maundays Bay.

Hibernia
Guests enjoy peeking at the guest book when visiting this hot spot for the cogno-scenti. This small, intimate and elegant restaurant with 11 tables set in an open air West Indian house by the sea serves a light French cuisine with a far-eastern touch. Owners Raoul Rodriguez (Chef) and Mary Pat O'Hanlon (Hostess) take pleasure in presenting Raoul’s innovative dishes such as Asian mushroom soup served warm and topped with a cream of cauliflower; grilled black angus beef tenderloin with parmesan gratin potatoes and whole shallots, stewed in red wine sauce; and Hibernia’s rum & raisin ice cream with aged rum. Of course there’s always a choice of fresh local seafood; duck and chicken creations.

Jacquie’s Ripples Restaurant ~ A Fun Place To Be
Offering excellent food and a great atmosphere, Ripples is a lively spot where everyone talks to everyone else. Head Chef Kenrick Richardson joined the restaurant in 2001 after gaining a wealth of experience at some of Anguilla’s five-star resorts. He has added tasty dishes to the menu, including coconut soup, jerk chicken with fresh mango sauce and fresh crab wontons.

Johnno’s for Music and Local Seafood
Based at Sandy Ground, Johnno’s is a classic Caribbean beach bar famous for its late night music and delicious seafood selection, much of which is caught by the proprietor himself and prepared by Chef Wesley Thompson. Grilled and barbecued lobster, kingfish and snapper are featured on the menu of this fun nightspot.

Kemia ~ Cap Juluca’s Hors d’Oeuvrerie and Tapas Bar
The third restaurant to open at the luxury Cap Juluca Resort, Kemia - the African word for ‘little tastes’ - features a wide selection of appetizer size dishes from around the world. Open from noon to midnight, its menu boasts a huge array of international flavors such as Indonesian satay, South American ceviche, Japanese sushi and, of course, Spanish tapas prepared by Chef Tomas Bengtsson and his team.

Le Bistro at Malliouhana ~ Lunch, Appetizers, Afternoon Tea at Meads Bay Beach
Le Bistro restaurant is located poolside next to Meads Bay beach and adjacent to the resort’s adventure pirate ship playground for children. This daytime restaurant’s is open to all hotel guests and island visitors. Le Bistro’s delectable menu choices include lunch, snacks and afternoon tea.

Malliouhana Hotel & Spa ~ Five-star Dining; A Night and Meal to Remember
Michelin-starred consultant Chef Michel Rostang of Paris, and Head Chef Alain Laurent have gained international acclaim for the main restaurant of this luxurious spa hotel, which continues to be applauded for the excellent quality of its French cuisine blended with subtle flavors of the Caribbean. The resort provides a sophisticated yet informal alfresco setting where guests enjoy romantic evenings. From Wine Spectator - “Malliouhana has stacked the deck with stunning views, graceful architecture and some of the best cuisine found in the islands;” and Diversion Magazine - “You’re taken to gastronomic heights rarely attained in this part of the world.”

Mango’s Seaside Grill ~ Casual Elegance on the Beach
This open-air restaurant offers casual but elegant dining on the beach at Barnes Bay, in the island’s southwest corner. Candlelight and soft music accompany Chef David Corbourn’s sumptuous cuisine which includes Conch Chowder, Barnes Bay Lobster Cakes and Whole Grilled Snapper, all made from the freshest ingredients.

Mediterraneo Café ~
Mid-Day Dining at CuisinArt, Just a Short Stroll From the Beach
CuisinArt’s Café Mediterraneo, located poolside, is a short stroll from the beach. The Café is an ideal place to enjoy a mid-day meal from a menu selection of grilled items, pizza, fresh homegrown salads, seafood, desserts, drinks and specialty coffees. CuisinArt Resort & Spa features the first hydroponic farm at a resort, which grows the majority of the fresh fruits, vegetables, edible flowers and herbs used in the resort’s restaurants.

Oliver’s Seaside Grill ~ Authentic Rock Oven by the Beach
This beachside restaurant uses an authentic Anguillian rock oven to create a selection of dishes combining both West Indian and European flavors. Host Oliver MacDonna urges visitors to call ahead for the house special: Home Style Rock Oven Baked Whole Free-Range Chicken, stuffed with Gingered Sweet Potatoes and served with a Rosemary Ginger Sauce. If that’s not an option, guests can start with Gazpacho soup, move on to a fine wine and Crayfish or Lobster, and top the meal with a Creme Brulee and a brandy in the lounge.

Overlook ~ Fine Dining, Breathtaking View
Perched on the cliff overlooking Sandy Ground Bay, Chef Deon's Overlook combines fine dining with a breathtaking view. The menu here is contemporary, with a decided Caribbean flair. Chef Deon adds exotic accents to creative menu choices, including chilled Bosc pear soup with seared shrimp and rosemary oil, lobster pancakes, and his award-winning garlic encrusted snapper. For dessert, try Deon’s Decadent Chocolate Rum Cake with Grand Mariner Chocolate soup. Dinner is served nightly, and lunch every day but Sunday.

Pimms at Cap Juluca Resort ~ Candle Light, Romance, Gustatory Delights
Pimms has created its enviable reputation with an outstanding five-star menu, featuring exotic tropical dishes such as Seared Black Sea Bass on Bamboo, Coconut and Kaffir, and Wok Charred Red Snapper with Pickled Daikon and Ver Jus. Anguillian born and bred Executive Chef George Reid and Cuisine Chef Vernon Hughes invite guests to partake in an extraordinary culinary experience in an idyllic environment. Visitors desiring Pimms’ sought after tables over-looking the sea where jumping fish vie for attention are urged to make reservations in advance.

The Pumphouse American Grill ~ Lively Menu, Live Music
Located in the historic, old salt factory at Sandy Ground, The Pumphouse is described by some as a ‘rocking roadhouse’. An American grill restaurant, it is known for live music, good service, great value meals, and the celebrities many visitors often find themselves ‘bumping into’ on the dance floor. The Pumphouse provides good times and enjoyable evenings for all merry-makers.

Santorini ~ CuisinArt Resort & Spa’s “Piece d' resistance”
The resorts’ fine dining and gourmet restaurant, Santorini, with an original French rotisserie, sets a new standard for epicurean kitchens. The kitchens are designed with glass walls to offer interested guests the opportunity to observe Executive Chef Daniel Orr and his team creating their Mediterranean and Caribbean cuisine specialties including appetizer Madagascar Prawns with “Romesco” Salsa and Charbroiled Rack of Lamb with Spice Crust. Music and dancing on Friday and Saturday evenings ensure a most romantic evening.

Scilly Cay ~ Private Island Lunches
Stand on Island Harbour’s dock, give a wave of the arm and a motor boat comes to ferry you to the private island of Scilly Cay. In five minutes, visitors are enjoying this open-air restaurant where lunch is usually preceded by sunbathing, swimming and snorkeling in the clear waters of the Caribbean, followed by a glass of Scilly Cay’s famous rum punch. Chef Sandrine Webster’s fresh grilled lobster and crayfish are among the most popular dishes served on the tiny island, which can also be hired for private parties and wedding celebrations.

Smokey*s Restaurant ~ Romantic Beach Bistro
The latest restaurant to be opened by Alan and Lisa Gumbs, Smokey’s offers a relaxed atmosphere during the day with a volleyball net set up outside on the beach at Cove Bay, and an interior decorated with colorful hammocks. At night, the restaurant is transformed into an intimate bistro for romantics, with tiki torches, candles, fine china and linen. Daytime and evening’s gastronomic delights are prepared by Chef Desmond Patrick.

Straw Hat ~ Restaurant on the Water
Straw Hat is the only restaurant on Anguilla situated above the water. Built on supports over the sea at Forest Bay, this stylish restaurant made a huge first impression when it appeared on Condé Nast Traveler’s ‘50 Best New Restaurants in the World’ list in 1999. The restaurant has since been featured in numerous magazine and newspaper articles worldwide and has most recently been featured in Town & Country Travel as well as Bon Appetit (Caribbean Cool - Feb. 2002) and Gourmet Magazine (Ten Great Things About Anguilla - Nov. 2002), Straw Hat Restaurant was also named to Conde Nast Traveler "Hot List" as one of the top 50 restaurants worldwide, and listed by Caribbean Travel & Life as one of their favourite restaurants. Chef Lee Masten joined the Straw Hat team at the start of the 2005-2006 season and has brought his creative talents to his new and exciting menu! The new menu has already been receiving rave review. His presentation skills allow our guests to eat with their eyes even before experiencing his great flavours.

Sunsets Beach Restaurant & Bar
This charming restaurant located right on the beach at Sandy Ground features great food and drinks at "local friendly" prices. Popular executive chef Shawn "Fresh" Hodge has created truly Anguillian inspired continental lunch and dinner menus. Sunsets Hero Fish Sandwich for lunch and Sunsets Butterfish entree for dinner are great favorites of locals and tourists alike. Our Pumpkin, Lobster Bisque, and French Onion soups are excellent choices. Among other great dishes are Black Angus burgers, sirloin steaks, and a house specialty 24oz. Porterhouse steak. Lobster, crayfish and blackened tuna, along with daily specials help round out this excellent menu. Happy hour every day from 4:00 to 6:00 PM features great sunsets with the occasional "Green Flash". Open 11:30 til........ Sunday to Friday with live music every Tuesday and Friday starting at 8:30 PM.

Tasty's ~ Home-Style Anguillian Cooking with a French Influence
Located on Anguilla’s main road, friendly and reasonably-priced Tasty's is a delightful eatery serving indigenous Anguillian cuisine with a European flair gained from owner and Executive Chef Dale Carty’s 13-year tenure with Malliouhana Hotel & Spa. Chef Carty’s mastery of West Indian spices and his training under renowned French Chef Michel Rostang combine with Sous Chef Patrick Carty’s innovative flair to create scrumptious dishes like marinated conch salad, grilled whole snapper with fungi, and trigger fish in island-flavoured sauce. Not to be missed is Tasty’s fried fish and johnny cakes breakfast!

Uncle Ernie’s ~ Lively Shoal Bay West Beach’s Famous BBQ Eatery
Good eats, good fun, any day of the week. Sunbathers and swimmers find their way from beach blankets to a table at Uncle Ernie’s and enjoy cold drinks, BBQ ribs, chicken, fish, hamburgers, and lobster or crayfish; or just a Hagen Daz ice cream bar. Everyone chats here - visitors meet local Anguillians and other visitors from all over the world. Live music on Sunday afternoons!